Automotive Systems and Preventative Maintenance

1. 4 Automotive Systems and Preventative Maintenance Prepared by Martin Restoule Algonquin College Chapter 4

2. Objectives • Explain the major events that have influenced the development of the automobile during the past 35 years. • Explain the difference between unitized and body-over-frame vehicles. • Describe the manufacturing process used in a modern automobile assembly plant. continued… Chapter 4

3. Objectives • List the basic systems that make up an automobile and name their major components and functions. • Explain the importance of preventative maintenance. • List at least six examples of services included in a preventative maintenance program. Chapter 4

4. Automotive History • 1896 Henry Ford test drove first gas powered Vehicle • 1965 first exhaust emissions laws • 1977 Transport Canada begins (CAFC) Company Average Fuel Consumption goals Chapter 4

5. Types of Vehicle Construction Body-Over-Frame • The body and all major parts are bolted to the frame. • The frame must be strong enough to maintain correct body and driveline alignment. • Design is used on many pickups and SUVs. • Due to weight concerns (average vehicle weight 2040 kg), most modern cars use unibody construction. continued… Chapter 4

6. Types of Vehicle Construction • Body-Over-Frame Construction • A typical truck frame with sub-frame components. continued… Chapter 4

7. Types of Vehicle Construction Unitized body (Unibody) • A unibody has no separate frame. • It is a stressed hull structure where each body part provides structural support and strength to the entire vehicle. • Tends to be more tightly structured because the major parts are all welded together. • Is designed to transmit impact energy throughout the vehicle. continued… Chapter 4

8. Types of Vehicle Construction • A Typical Unibody Design. • Typical one piece body and frame assembly with bolt-on components. Chapter 4

9. Body Shapes • Sedan • A vehicle with front and back seats for four to six persons • Can be either two or four door continued… Chapter 4

10. Body Shapes • Convertible • Offers the same seating as a sedan with the ability to remove or retract the roof. continued… Chapter 4

11. Body Shapes • Sports Car • Two passenger convertibles are typically called sports cars. • These vehicles usually offer improved horsepower and handling. continued… Chapter 4

12. Body Shapes • Liftback or hatchback • Features a rear luggage compartment that is an extension of the passenger area. • An upwards opening hatch- type door allows access to the luggage compartment. continued… Chapter 4

13. Body Shapes • Station wagon • A station wagon has a roof that extends straight back allowing for a spacious interior luggage compartment. • Can be a two or four door model with seating for up to nine passengers. continued… Chapter 4

14. Body Shapes • Pickup • Offers a separate passenger cab for up to five passengers (2 or 4 door and extended cab). • Has an open cargo box. • Available in two and four wheel drive models. continued… Chapter 4

15. Body Shapes • Van • The van body design has a tall roof and an enclosed large cargo or passenger area. • Can seat from 2 to 12 passengers. • Available in mini and full- size models. continued… Chapter 4

16. Body Shapes • Sport utility vehicle • An SUV can have a range of body styles. • These are multipurpose on and off road vehicles. • Usually four- wheel-drive. • The number of passengers will depend on size and model. continued… Chapter 4

17. Body Shapes • Crossover Vehicles • A new trend in vehicles that are a cross between a station wagon and an SUV. • These are usually smaller and more fuel efficient than a regular SUV. • These may be two, four or all- wheel- drive Chapter 4

18. Basic Engine Components • Cylinder block • The cylinder block is a large iron or aluminum casting the houses or holds the cylinders and most of the major mechanical engine parts. • The block also contains passageways for coolant and lubricant. continued… Chapter 4

19. Basic Engine Components • Cylinder head • The cylinder head mounts on the top of the cylinder block and forms the top to the cylinders. • The head contains the combustion chamber, valves and ports to allow the entry and exit of the air/fuel mixture. continued… Chapter 4

20. Basic Engine Components • Pistons, rods, and crankshaft • The piston receives force from the burning of the air/fuel mixture in the cylinder. • This force pushes the piston and connecting rod downward which rotates the crankshaft generating engine power. continued… Chapter 4

21. Basic Engine Components • Valve train • A series of components used to open and close the intake and exhaust valves including; the camshaft, valves, followers/lifters, rocker arms and push rods. continued… Chapter 4

22. Basic Engine Components • Intake and exhaust manifolds • Manifolds are ductwork assemblies. • The intake manifold delivers the air/fuel mixture to the cylinders while the exhaust manifold carries exhaust gases from the cylinders. Chapter 4

23. Engine Systems • Lubrication system • The lubrication system provides constant lubrication to the moving parts of the engine. • Engine oil is sent by the oil pump through an oil filter to the many engine components. continued… Chapter 4

24. Engine Systems • Cooling system • A water pump is used to circulate coolant through the system. • The coolant is pushed through water jackets in the block and head. • Heat is removed from the coolant at the radiator. continued… Chapter 4

25. Engine Systems • Fuel and air system • The fuel and air system supplies the correct amount of fuel mixed with the correct amount of air to the cylinders. • The system also: stores fuel, cleans outside air, delivers fuel to the engine, atomizes fuel and adjusts the fuel/air ratios during operation. continued… Chapter 4

26. Engine Systems • Emission control system • Systems have been developed and added to engines to reduce the pollutants they emit. • Some of these systems are: positive crankcase ventilation, evaporative emission control system, exhaust gas recirculation system (EGR), catalytic converter and air injection system. continued… Chapter 4

27. Engine Systems • Exhaust system • The exhaust system is designed to carry toxic exhaust fumes away from the passenger compartment, to quiet the exhaust pulses and burn or catalyze pollutants. continued… Chapter 4

28. Engine Systems • Ignition system • The ignition system must generate a spark to ignite the air/fuel mixture at the correct time. • The coil transforms battery voltage into a spike of 30 000 to 100 000 volts to ignite the mixture. • Ignition must occur before the piston completes its compression stroke. continued… Chapter 4

29. Engine Systems • Starting and charging system • The purpose of the starting system is to rotate or crank the engine to allow the ignition system to fire and start the engine. • The charging system is designed to recharge and maintain the battery’s state of charge. continued… Chapter 4

30. Engine Systems • Electronic control system • This system is comprised of many electronic and electromechanical parts. • The system monitors engine operation and makes adjustments to make it run efficiently. Chapter 4

31. Drivetrain Components • Clutch • Used with manual transmissions and transaxles. • Mechanically connects the engine flywheel to the transmissions input shaft. continued… Chapter 4

32. Drivetrain Components • Transmission • The driver manually selects the gear in a manual or standard transmission. • An automatic transmission does not require a clutch and automatically shifts forward gears. • Transmissions allow for several gear ratios for maximum engine performance. continued… Chapter 4

33. Drivetrain Components • Driveline • Connects the output shaft of the transmission to the rear axle of a rear wheel drive vehicle and both front and rear axles of a four-wheel-drive vehicle. • A hollow drive shaft with universal joints is commonly used to connect the transmission to the drive axle. continued… Chapter 4

34. Drivetrain Components • Final Drive Assembly • Changes the direction of driveline rotation and provides the final gear ratio. • Contains a differential assembly to allow each drive wheel to rotate at different speeds during cornering. continued… Chapter 4

35. Drivetrain Components • Drive axles • Transmit power to the wheels. • In rear wheel drive axles, solid axle shafts are used. • Front wheel drive vehicles use axles with constant velocity joints at each end to allow the axle to drive through angles. continued… Chapter 4

36. Drivetrain Components • Transaxle • Combines the transmission and final drive assembly in one unit. • Transaxles are used in front wheel vehicles and are available in both standard and automatic models. Chapter 4

37. Running Gear Components • Suspension system • Supports the body, frame, engine, and drivetrain. • The suspension system includes springs, shock absorbers, MacPherson struts, torsion bars, anti-sway bars and links, radius and strut rods and links. continued… Chapter 4

38. Running Gear Components • Steering system • Allows the driver to control the direction of the vehicle. • The steering system includes the steering wheel, steering gear, steering shaft, and linkage. • Rack and pinion steering gears are commonly used in passenger cars. continued… Chapter 4

39. Running Gear Components • Brakes • Allow the vehicle to slow down and stop. • Brake assemblies located at each wheel use friction to slow and stop the vehicle. • Two types of brakes are used disc brakes and drum brakes. • Many vehicles use a combination of both types. continued… Chapter 4

40. Running Gear Components • Wheels and tires • Provide vehicle contact to the road. • Tires are made of different types of rubber along with other materials for strength. • Tire tread designs vary depending on their application. • Wheels are made of metal and vary in size and design. Chapter 4

41. VIN Characters • First – Country of origin • Second – Manufacturer • Third – Vehicle type or manufacturing division • Fourth through eighth – Vehicle features • Ninth – Check digit • Tenth – Model year • Eleventh – Manufacturing plant • Twelfth through seventeenth – Production sequence Chapter 4

42. Engine oil Changing the engine oil and filter is the most recognized preventative maintenance item. It is critical that the engine oil be changed on a regular basis. Always use the correct oil rating and viscosity. Typical Preventative Maintenance Checks continued… Chapter 4

43. Typical Preventative Maintenance Checks • Cooling system • Check the coolant level in the recovery tank and add coolant if the level is low. • A mixture of antifreeze and water should be added. • Inspect all components for signs of leakage and/or damage and replace any cracked or swollen hoses. continued… Chapter 4

44. Typical Preventative Maintenance Checks • Drive belts • Check the condition and tension of all drive belts on the engine. • Carefully inspect them for cracks, oil contamination, glazing, and tears and splits. • Replace all belts that are damaged in any way. continued… Chapter 4

45. Typical Preventative Maintenance Checks • Battery • Visually inspect the battery for damage and corrosion. • Corrosion can be cleaned off with a mixture of baking soda and water. • The battery should be removed and cleaned when heavily corroded. continued… Chapter 4

46. Typical Preventative Maintenance Checks • Transmission fluid • Automatic transmission fluid is a special fluid that is dyed red to prevent confusion. • The fluid level is generally checked with the vehicle running and in park or neutral. • Manual transaxles, transmissions and drive axles use specific lubricants. continued… Chapter 4

47. Typical Preventative Maintenance Checks • Power steering fluid • The power steering fluid level is checked with the engine off. • A dipstick is normally part of the filler cap. • The fluid level should be checked when warm. • Use only the recommended fluid. continued… Chapter 4

48. Typical Preventative Maintenance Checks • Brake fluid • The brake fluid level and condition should be checked at every oil change interval. • Brake fluid should be flushed every two years because it tends to absorb moisture • Ensure the diaphragm under the cap is not damaged. continued… Chapter 4

49. Typical Preventative Maintenance Checks • Windshield washer fluid • Visually check the windshield washer fluid level and add fluid as necessary. • Do not add straight water or summer grade fluid in spring or fall as these can freeze damaging the tank and pump and clog the washer hoses and nozzles. continued… Chapter 4

50. Typical Preventative Maintenance Checks • Wiper blades • Wiper blades should be replaced when they become dull, torn or brittle. • Failure to replace wiper blades before they fail can result in windshield damage. • When changing the blades also inspect the wiper arms and springs. continued… Chapter 4