Ignition

The automobile engine is a mechanical contraption that is also dependent on an electrical system, specifically, ignition system. The automobile engine will not be able to effectively operate without the ignition system. This system is the one that initiates, sustains, and regulates the operation of the engine. The fuel/air mixture inside the combustion chambers will not be efficiently burned if the ignition system is not properly functioning. Central to the operation of the ignition system are the spark plugs. They are the ones that discharge the high voltage current from the ignition coil. Each combustion chamber has one corresponding spark plug.

Each spark plug is a composite device that is comprised of metal and ceramic parts. It is an elongated, probe-like component that is embedded on the engine block. Its embedded tip is the portion that discharges high voltage electrical current. It has a jump gap that allows high voltage current to jump as sparks. The timing of the spark plug discharges is determined by the rotation of the camshaft. The camshaft is connected to the crankshaft. Because of the diameter difference, the camshaft rotates at half the rotation rate of the crankshaft. This difference in speed is necessary to achieve proper timing.

Since the crankshaft is driven by the pitons, it merely translates the reciprocating linear motions of the pistons into rotational motion. It is the one that transmits mechanical output to the engine. It is also the one that drives the camshaft to rotate. In turn, the camshaft drives the other supporting components of the engine such as the distributor. The distributor is the special rotary switch that regulates the distribution of high voltage electrical current to the individual spark plugs. The rotation of the distributor corresponds to the reciprocating motions of the pistons. Specific spark plug circuits are only closed or complete when the corresponding pistons are in power stroke positions.

Wind Drag

As your automobile moves, wind resistance is inevitable. It is the direct consequence of speed. The air has the tendency to be rammed against the automobile surface. The faster the automobile moves, the greater the air resistance becomes. Artificial wind is created as the air current attempts to go around the body of the automobile. This can slow down your automobile. More fuel will be spent counteracting wind resistance. Automobile designers minimize wind drag by making car bodies more aerodynamic. Making a car more aerodynamic entails reconfiguring the automobile shape. A more aerodynamic car can break air resistance. Hence, it is designed to have more curved surface. Air current can go much faster around curved surfaces.

As you can observe, sports cars have curved surfaces. This design also contributes to their aesthetic values. They are more attractive because of their curved surfaces. Appearance is equally important to speed when it comes to sports cars. Their streamlined bodies are not only meant to break wind drag but also meant to attract. Curves project sensuality that appeals to the human eyes. They also create the impression of efficiency. However, curved designs are not haphazardly implemented. New car designs are also subjected to wind tunnel or computer simulation tests to make sure that the curves are indeed aerodynamically sensible.

On the other hand, aerodynamic design is also achieved through other means aside from mere curved body surfaces. Aerodynamics or streamlining can also be achieved by making the automobile lower. Lower body entails lesser wind drag because airflow is lesser under the chassis of the automobile. This also contributes to increasing the traction of the automobile. Consequently, the automobile will not only be faster but also more stable. In this case, better traction is just an incidental consequence of improving the aerodynamic design of the automobile.

Bugatti Veyron

Modern concept cars seldom become market success on a grand scale. This is because of two main factors, namely, limited units and very expensive price. Although they are stylish and sleek enough to catch the attention of the media, they are merely intended as publicity cars. Most of them are not really meant to be mass-produced on bigger scale. They are only meant to provide name recall for a particular car make or brand. The Bugatti Veyron is such a car. It is considered as a dram machine for all super car enthusiasts. No true-blooded car enthusiast will ignore this car. At 1,000 horsepower engine output and 250 miles per hour speed, only very few people will not be impressed.

The Bugatti Veyron, however, is not for the practical-minded. At US$1.5 million, very few will be able to afford this car. When it comes to fuel economy, forget about it! This beast consumes a full tank of fuel in merely 12 minutes when running at top speed. It is meant to impress. It is not meant to be mass-produced for the general public. Even rich people will be ambivalent when they are considering buying this car. Speed, sleek design, and the status symbol that it represents are some of the factors that might motivate a buyer. These factors may totally override practical considerations.

As a race car, it has the capacity to dominate a race track. However, it is not purely intended as a race car. It is meant to be a status symbol car. At present, only 300 of this model exist. The production time of these 300 units took over five years. So far, only 132 units have been delivered to customers. You are less likely to see this car running on your neighborhood streets very soon even if you live in an opulent neighborhood.

Basic Physics Lesson: Centrifugal Force

Have you ever experienced maneuvering your car on a corner at relatively high speed? You must have noticed the force that seems to pull you on the side as you steer your vehicle. It is called centrifugal force. It is the result of change in inertia and the tendency of the body to compensate. As the name suggests, the force seems to emanate from the center of rotation. However, no actual force is actually present. It is just the result of the sudden change of inertia. Even when you are driving straight, your body has the tendency to remain at rest. Hence, it creates the illusion that you are being pushed against your seat, especially if you are driving at fast speed.

What then is the implication of centrifugal force? For the sake of argument, let us consider it as an actual force. It has a direct consequence on your safety. When you are making a sharp turn when cornering, your body is not the only one affected by centrifugal force. The automobile itself is also affected. Like your body, the automobile becomes a little bit unstable. It has the tendency to tilt. The fictitious centrifugal force can be use to calculate the ideal weight and size of a car given its maximum speed.

Since centrifugal force cannot be eliminated, the size and weight of the car must be designed in such a way that it will remain stable even during sharp turns. Other factors should also be considered when designing a stable car to prevent it from rolling over. The tire traction, stability of the steering system, and the brake are also some of the other factors that should be considered. On the other hand, when it comes to the safety of the car occupants, proactive devices such as seatbelts must also be carefully considered.

Physics Lesson: Conservation of Energy

The laws of physics apply to all. Your car is one example that can best demonstrate some of the laws of physics. For instance, the law of conservation of energy can be demonstrated in an automobile during collisions. This law states that the total energy of a system remains the same. The energy may only take different manifestations but the total will be the same as the original. During a collision, the energy of an automobile is merely transferred to another automobile or obstacle that it impacted. This concept can be best expressed in terms of momentum. If one automobile is faster or heavier than the other, the one with lesser momentum will yield and most likely will sustain greater extent of damage.

Conservation of energy can also be demonstrated in the engine itself. When the fuel is combusted, the chemical energy is converted to heat energy. This heat energy is the one that drives the gases to expand and create tremendous pressure. In turn, the pressure is the one that drives the pistons to move. This process demonstrates the conversion of one energy form into other forms. The chemical energy is converted to heat energy. In turn, the heat energy is converted to mechanical energy.

Although the one form of energy cannot be completely converted into other forms of useful energy, the total energy of the system remains the same no matter how many times the energy is converted into different forms. The law of conservation of energy is also applicable when braking or accelerating. This means that in order to completely stop a moving car, the brake energy that must be applied must be equal or greater than the acceleration energy. In classical physics, this law holds true but the expanded version of this law is more universally applicable This expanded version is known as the law of conservation of matter and energy. Well, that is another story.

Brief history of the Windshield Wiper

Every time it rains and you are driving, you should not forget to thank Marry Anderson. Contrary to common chauvinistic beliefs of men, not all things about cars are invented by the male species. The windshield wiper is an example of an invention that will raise the eyebrows of men with superiority complex. Regardless if you are patriarchal or modern-day feminist, you benefit from the windshield wiper – provided, of course, that you own a car. The windshield wiper is a simple solution to an inconvenient problem that had plagued early motorists for more than a decade since the mass-production of the automobile. Formerly, the drivers had to open the swinging windshields of their cars to allow them good view of the road during rain.

When it is raining, the windshield is clouded by the dripping water droplets of rain. Because of light refraction, the images will be obscured or blurred. The driver will not be able to correctly maneuver his or her vehicle if the view is obscured. Thankfully, the windshield wiper was invented. It was during her trip in New York City that Ms. Marry Anderson first had her inspiration. She observed that drivers needed to open the windshields every time it rains to give them good view of the road. This was causing inconvenience because the interior compartment was drenched.

The first windshield wiper that was patented by Ms. Anderson was a manually-operated wiper. A driver had to periodically turn the lever handle inside the cockpit to wipe the dripping water on the windshield. By 1916, the wiper was already a standard component of all American cars. It took another woman by the name of Charlotte Bridgwood to develop the automatic windshield wiper. It was a roller-based device that was a bit cumbersome, expensive, and inefficient. Hence, it was not a commercial success. However, it became the basis for the modern-day windshield wiper.

Brake Force

When it comes to automobile safety, braking is more important than accelerating. The latter is the more likely factor of disaster. Your car safety is dependent on its ability to stop and not on its ability to speed up. Speed and the extent of structural damage during collisions have direct correlation. The faster your car moves, the more prone it is to becoming a total wreck when it encounters a head-on collision. This is primarily because the impact force is directly proportional to speed. Your car speed is only balanced by the brake force provided by the brake system. If accelerating is increasing speed, braking is gradually or suddenly arresting speed. Drastic deceleration is possible because of brake force.

There is really nothing mysterious about brake force. It is the force exerted by the brake system against the rotation force of the wheels. Hence, brake systems are integrated with the wheel and axle assemblies. Brake force is a friction force applied on the brake surface. Depending on the type of brake system, the structure of the brake surface varies. In the case of the drum brake system, the brake surface is the interior wall of the brake drum. On the other hand, in the case of the brake rotor system, the brake surface is the brake disc.

In both types of brake systems, brake pads and hydraulic components can be found. The brake pads are comprised of heat-resistant and friction-resistant aramid fibers. These fibers are substitutes for the toxic asbestos. These fibers are layered on the surface of the ceramic and carbon fiber materials of the brake pads. The pads are purposely designed to worn out. By applying friction on the rotating surface, brake force stops the rotation. When you step on the brake pedal of your automobile, you are indirectly applying friction on the brake surface.

Lamborghini Reventon (Fighter Jet-Inspired)

If you think that there is no real-world equivalent of the bat mobile, think again. Well, even if a real Bruce Wane does exist, he will find it difficult to own a Lamborghini Reventon. Even with if you are a wealthy as Mr. Wane and willing to spend a fortune, the Reventon is still difficult to own. The 20 existing units of this fighter jet-inspired car model are already sold-out at one million dollars per unit. It is an exotic car that is considered as a collector’s item. You cannot expect to see this car anytime soon within your neighborhood. Well, not unless you or one of your neighbors is among the few who are lucky enough to be given the privilege to purchase this car.

The Lamborghini is a fast car. Its speed is a fitting tribute to the fighter jet. Its body contour and aerodynamic design are analogous to the airplane that it seeks to imitate. Its speed can be attributed to the engine power. Its 6.5 V12 engine has an optimal mechanical output of 650 horsepower, which is capable of driving the wheels at 8000 rounds per minute. It is capable of accelerating from zero to sixty-two miles per hour within 3.4 seconds. Its torque is also equally impressive at 487 lb-ft. You can expect to climb even the steepest roads at almost no time at all.

Its speed and performance cannot all be attributed to the engine output. The overall weight of the automobile is also partially to be credited. It is very lightweight for its size primarily because of the materials from which it is constructed. It is constructed from tough composite materials that include carbon fiber material, CFC, and steel. The exterior components are glued. It is a concept car that is similar in construction compared to the super-sonic fighter jets.

Dodge Ram: Comfort, Space, Functionality, and Style

Dodge Ram heavy-duty pickups have been dominating the market for quite sometime now. The basic platform has not changed very radically over the years. Although few innovations have been implemented, the latest models do include some attractive features in terms of aesthetics and functionality. For instance, the diesel and six-speed automatic transmission were only recently added last year. These features enhanced the all-terrain capability of the Dodge Ram pickup. Power and maneuverability are significantly improved. This vehicle now has greater capability to traverse unforgiving off-road terrains. You can be more confident in your driving. You can be assured of greater safety and better ride comfort.

The newest addition to the Doge Ram lineup is the Mega. This is built on a more heavy-duty chassis and fitted with the Hemi engine. The cab of the Mega was re-proportioned to provide larger passenger space. The truck bed was also re-proportioned to accommodate a longer wheelbase of the truck. Additional 20 inches are added to the cab. On the other hand, the truck bed was shortened. The new truck bed length is now only six feet and three inches. This re-proportioning resulted to a more spacious cab space that can comfortably accommodate six persons. Plenty of leg room is also left.

The Dodge Ram Mega is appropriately name primarily because of the extra cab space. Compared to other pickup trucks, the cab of the Mega has roomy back seats that can conveniently be reclined. It also has enough room to accommodate separate rear heating and air conditioning outlets, reading lights, and a center armrest with cup holders. DVD entertainment system is also integrated for better ride comfort. Aside from these, enough space is left to accommodate cargoes behind the back seats. The cargo are has a capacity of more than seventy cubic feet. Comfort, space, functionality, and style are the hallmarks of the new Dodge Ram pickup.

Ford Fusion: Deserving of Second Glances

If you want a sedan that stands out among the crowd, Ford Fusion is the right car for you. It is unlike other sedan models that are too bland and simply blend to the surrounding. This sedan model has a presence that is hard to ignore. Its aggressive, angular look projects the image of functionality and style. Its appeal is primarily because of its contrasting aspects. It has enough contrast to be provocative. Unlike other sedans with bland designs, you can easily be excited by this car if it is the first time that you take a glance of it.

Some of the provocative features of this car include the large headlights and the daring, broad grille. The grille is conspicuous enough to provide sharp contrast with the overall paint finish of the automobile. The grille dominates the front portion of the vehicle. It is noticeable enough to earn your car a second glance. Its thick chrome bars have a razor-like appearance, making the car look more up-market in status and price than what it really is supposed to be. On the other hand, the front bumper almost fades from view because of the two chrome strips found below it that match the chrome strips found on the grille.

The name Ford Fusion is suggestive of its amalgamated but provocative and contrasting features. It combines the best features of sports cars and luxury sedans. These features are given little boost to make them more conspicuous. Few features of this automobile model can be considered as understatement. The side panels of this car, for instance, are distinctly separated from the hood, roof, and rear deck. On the other hand, its wide track makes it truly stand out on the highway, especially when viewed from the rear. If you are the type of person who likes to show-off, then this car is ideal