A Field Guide to Automotive TechnologyOpen the hood of your car and you'll find a confusing mishmash of wires, tubes, and mechanical devices. What are all of those things? Written for mechanical novices who may not know their catalytic converters from their universal joints, A Field Guide to Automotive Technology will help them gain a basic understanding of how their automobiles function. How does an airbag know when to deploy? What is rack and pinion steering? And where exactly does a dipstick dip? Even seasoned gearheads will learn from this guide as it traces the history and development of mechanisms they may take for granted. A Field Guide to Automotive Technology has more than 130 entries, each with a clear photo to make recognition easy. Devices are grouped according to their "habitats"--under the hood, inside the car, and more--to help the reader identify the technology in question. Once the "species" is discovered, the entry will tell you its "behavior"--what it does--and how it works, in detail. This guide also includes sidebars on related technical issues, such as how to mix up a batch of homemade windshield wiper fluid. It even discusses other vehicles found on our nation's highways--buses, motorcycles, bicycles, and more--as well as a few off-road vehicles. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
allow drivers Amphicar antenna axle battery BEHAVIOR bike button car’s circuit clutch compressed connected converts coolant cooling crankshaft cruise control cylinder dashboard derailleur device disc brakes drum brakes DUKWS electric motor energy engine control unit exhaust gases filter fluid force four-wheel drive frequency front wheels fuel fuse gasoline engine gauge glass HABITAT handlebars heat heater hydraulic ignition inside INTERESTING FACTS internal combustion internal combustion engines invented leaf spring lever light located mechanical metal Miller cycle mirrors motion motorcycles mounted moves muffler odometer operate passenger pedal piston pressure pull pump push rack and pinion radar radiator radio rear wheel ride rider road rotates rubber satellites seat belts sensor shaft shock absorber side signal spark plugs speed spin starter steel steering wheel switch tank throttle tires torque transmission trucks unicycle valve vehicles voltage window wires worm gear