Car Essentials: Drivability (Required Components)

Drivability components are parts of a vehicle that work together to make sure the vehicle does what it is supposed to do – drive. Some drivability components are required, while others are optional. The required components are needed to perform basic functions such as ignition, steering, power output and so on. The optional components exist to enhance these basic functions to make the overall driving experience a more pleasurable one.

This article takes a look at the required drivability components.

Internal Combustion Engine

An internal combustion engine is an apparatus that burns gasoline within itself in order to convert it into motion. As the name suggests, this combustion takes place internally.

Gasoline- and diesel-powered engines are some of the most common options in the car market. The four-stroke piston engine is particularly wide-spread. It relies on a key component, called a piston, to accomplish four strokes, which involves letting a fuel-air mixture into the engine’s cylinder, compressing and igniting the mixture and eventually letting it out in the form of exhaust gases. Two-stroke engines also exist, but those are designated for lighter vehicles such as small motorcycles and jet skis.

Electric Motor

An electric motor is an apparatus that uses electricity to propel a vehicle. Some vehicles rely solely on electric motors, while others combine them with internal combustion engines. There are two types of electric motors: Direct Current (DC) and Alternating Current (AC). The most popular one is the DC motor, which sends the electric current in a continuous direction – from a battery or some other source. In the case of AC motors, the current alternates its direction periodically.

When it comes to electric or hybrid vehicles, the state of the electric motor is very important as it is the primary system that allows these vehicles to operate.

Fuel System

A fuel system is a setup that delivers fuel (gasoline or diesel) to the engine. The most common system used in motor vehicles is the fuel injection system, which was introduced to replace carburetors back in the 1980s and 1990s.

The main difference between a carburetor and a fuel injection system is that a carburetor relies on suction to draw fuel into the airstream, while the fuel injection forcibly pumps the fuel through a small nozzle under high pressure to atomize it.

For maximum drivability, fuel needs to be properly delivered in a timely order. If fuel isn’t delivered properly, it can cause issues with starting or running the vehicle.

Ignition System

An ignition system is a mechanism designed to start the engine. In an internal combustion engine, which is used in most vehicles, the system produces a spark that ignites a fuel-air mixture. This system has several different parts, which include a battery, ignition coil, distributor, spark plugs and associated switches and wiring. Without a proper ignition system, there is no way to start a vehicle.

Here are some of the more common ignition systems used today:

Mechanical: Mechanical ignition systems are comprised primarily of an ignition switch, ignition coil, spark plugs and distributor. When the key is inserted into the ignition switch and turned to the “start” position, the switch will temporarily utilise full voltage to fire the engine.

Electronic: Electronic ignition systems are very similar to their mechanical counterparts, except that they use electronic timing devices instead of traditional ignition points.

Distributorless: Distributorless ignition systems rely on the vehicle’s internal computer instead of a distributor. With the aid of engine sensors, the vehicle’s computer system regulates the control module and directs the ignition coils to fire the spark plugs.

Computer(s)

All modern vehicles are equipped with at least one computer that monitors emissions to keep them low, while maximizing the performance of the engine. The computer fulfills this task by receiving information from various internal sensors, which it then uses to control components like fuel injectors, spark plugs and idle speed.

The computer can also sense when something has gone wrong and inform the driver via the “Check Engine” light. The diagnostic from the computer can then be performed to determine what the problem is.

There are many different types of vehicle computers, depending on how luxurious the vehicle is. For instance, if it has an automatic transmission, then it likely also has a separate computer controlling it. Anti-lock brakes, radio or CD player with a digital display and a variety of other systems all rely on their own computers to operate.

Transmission

A transmission is a system that conducts power from the engine to the wheels of a motor vehicle. It relies on multiple gear ratios, or gears, which can be switched from one to another in order to increase or decrease speed. There are two general types of transmissions: manual and automatic.

A manual transmission, or manual gearbox, allows the driver to switch between gears. This is done by disengaging or engaging a clutch via a foot pedal and operating a hand-controlled gear selector.

An automatic transmission operates by switching gears without the driver’s interference. The majority of automatics have a clear set of gear ranges, including a parking pawl functionality that keeps the vehicle from rolling backward or forward.

A transmission plays an important role in ensuring the highest level of power and efficiency in a vehicle, enhancing its drivability.

Steering

Steering is a collection of components, such as a steering wheel, road wheels and pivot joints, which allow the driver to turn their vehicle in a specific direction. This is achieved by converting the rotation of the steering wheel into a swivelling movement of the road wheels. The idea is to ensure that the steering-wheel rim turns a long way to move the road wheel a short way, thereby allowing the driver to exert only a light force to steer a heavy car.

In many cars built today, steering is power-assisted to further reduce the effort needed to turn the road wheels, especially when the car is moving slowly.

Suspension

Suspension is a system that exists primarily to keep the road wheels attached to the car. It is also responsible for ensuring a comfortable driving experience by providing a steady ride and smooth handling. The system achieves this by ensuring that the driver maintains steering control when manoeuvring, while the vehicle responds favourably to control forces produced by its tires when utilising functions like braking, acceleration and more. Additionally, it provides isolation from high-frequency vibration from tire excitation.

If you have any additional questions, feel free to contact us at any time or visit the Unhaggle homepage.

Updated on March 26, 2013

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