What Is Automobile?

It’s a auto mobile or a self-propelled passenger vehicle, which is used for land transport and usually consists of four to eight tires & is powered by an internal combustion engine or an electric motor.

When people ask ‘what is car‘ or ‘what is the automobile‘, this definition provides clarity. The branches of engineering which deal with the manufacture and technologies of automotive vehicles are known as automobiles engineering.

Today, when we think about ‘what are automobiles‘, we realize that they play a major role in our lives and cannot be imagined without the luxuries of the modern world.

The automobile is used for both passenger and goods transportation, so it serves as a lifeline for humans. An automobile is a vehicle that is not controlled by humans but controlled by humans.

There are huge varieties of vehicles in automobiles, serving as automobile examples. For instance, cars, buses, trucks, bikes, etc. are all example of automobile.

An automobile is a self-propelled vehicle that has a power source for its propulsion and is used to carry passengers and goods on land, such as cars, buses, trucks, etc.

Type of Automobiles:

The automobiles are classified in the following ways,

1. On the Basis of Load

Heavy transport vehicle (HTV) or heavy motor vehicle (HMV), Light transport vehicle (LTV), Light motor vehicle (LMV),

2. On the Basis of Wheels

When considering the types of cars and other vehicles, we can classify them based on wheels. Two-wheeler vehicles, for example, include Scooter, motorcycle, etc. Three-wheeler vehicles, for example, Autorickshaw, Three-wheeler scooter for handicaps and tempo, etc.

Four-wheeler vehicle, for example, Car, jeep, trucks, buses, etc. Six-wheeler vehicles, for example, Big trucks with two gear axles.

3. On the basis of Fuel Used

When discussing the types of automobile industry, the fuel used is a significant factor. Petrol vehicles, for instance, include motorcycles, scooters, cars, etc. Diesel vehicles, e.g., trucks, buses, etc.

An electric vehicle that uses the battery to drive. Steam vehicle, e.g., an engine which uses steam engine. Gas vehicle, e.g., LPG and CNG vehicles, where LPG is liquefied

4. Passenger Vehicle

Cars, Bus, Taxi, etc. Goods Vehicle: Trucks, Tempos, Containers, etc.

5. Special Purpose Vehicle

Ambulance, Fire brigade, etc.

6. According to Load carrying capacity

Light motor vehicle (LMV): Cars, Jeeps, etc.

7. Medium transport vehicle (MMV)

Tempos etc. heavy motor vehicle (HMV): Trucks, Tractors, etc.

8. According to the number of wheels

1. Two-wheeler: Motorcycle, Scooter Scooter, etc.
2. Three-wheeler:-Autoriksha etc.
3. Four-wheeler: Cars, Jeeps, etc.
4. Six-wheelers: Trucks, Busses, etc.

9. On the basis of body style

1. Sedan Hatchback car.
2. Coupe car Station wagon Convertible.
3. Van Special purpose vehicle, e.g., ambulance, milk van, etc.

10. On the basis of Transmission

1. Conventional vehicles with a manual transmission, e.g., cars with five gears.
2. Semi-automatic.
3. Automatic: In automatic Transmission, gears are not required to be changed manually.

11. On the basis of Drive

1. Left-hand Drive.
2. Right-hand Drive.

12. On the basis of Driving Axle

1. Front-wheel Drive.
2. Rear-wheel Drive.
3. All-wheel Drive.

13. Position of Engine

1. The engine in Front – Most vehicles have the engine in the front. Example: most of the cars,
2. The engine in the Rear Side, very few vehicles have the engine located in the rear—for example, a Nano car.

The Superstructure of Automobile:

In the case of integral or frameless constructions, the body is an integral part of the chassis. But, in the case of the traditional chassis, the body or superstructure is made after receiving the chassis from the manufacturer. Body size depends on the end-use for which the vehicle is designed.

Travel comfortably; cushioned seats are provided. To protect the passengers from dust & rain, the body has glass panes all over it. The bus is made of body metal, such as

1. Steel section pillars with steel sheet paneling,
2. Steel section poles with aluminum paneling and
3. All aluminum bodies, i.e., pillars, structures, and paneling made of aluminum squares and sheets. This is because aluminum is much lighter in weight than steel.

The driver’s compartment is covered in the body of a truck, and the rest is kept open. Such bodies are usually called load bodies. In most cases, it is an open body, while for liquids such as water, milk, and fuel products, tanks are mounted on the chassis.

The body is attached to the chassis with the help of I- or U-bolts with rubber packing between the chassis and body cross members.

Requirements of Automobile:

The body of motor vehicles should fulfill certain requirements. It should

1. Be lightweight.
2. Have a minimum number of components.
3. Have long, fatigue life.
4. Have uniformly distributed load.
5. Have sufficient space for passengers and luggage.
6. Have good access to the engine & suspension system.
7. Have minimum vibrations when vehicles are running.
8. Have minimum resistance to air.
9. Be cheap and easy in manufacturing.
10. Have clear all-round vision through glass areas.
11. Have an attractive shape and color.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Automobiles

What Is an Automobile?

An automobile is a self-propelled passenger vehicle used for land transport, typically consisting of four to eight tires and powered by an internal combustion engine or an electric motor.

What Are the Main Types of Automobiles?

Automobiles can be classified based on various factors such as load, number of wheels, fuel used, purpose (passenger or goods vehicle), transmission, drive type, engine position, and body style.

How Are Automobiles Classified Based on Load?

Based on load, automobiles can be classified as Heavy Transport Vehicle (HTV), Heavy Motor Vehicle (HMV), Light Transport Vehicle (LTV), and Light Motor Vehicle (LMV).

What Are the Different Types of Automobiles Based on Wheels?

Automobiles can be classified as two-wheelers (e.g., motorcycles, scooters), three-wheelers (e.g., autorickshaws, tempo), four-wheelers (e.g., cars, jeeps, trucks, buses), and six-wheelers (e.g., big trucks).

How Are Automobiles Categorized Based on the Fuel Used?

Based on fuel, automobiles can be petrol vehicles (e.g., cars, motorcycles), diesel vehicles (e.g., trucks, buses), electric vehicles (using batteries), steam vehicles, and gas vehicles (e.g., LPG, CNG).

What Are Some Examples of Passenger and Goods Vehicles?

Passenger vehicles include cars, buses, and taxis, while goods vehicles include trucks, tempos, and containers.

What Are Special Purpose Vehicles?

Special purpose vehicles are designed for specific tasks, such as ambulances and fire brigades.

How Are Automobiles Classified Based on Transmission?

Automobiles can have manual transmission (conventional), semi-automatic transmission, or automatic transmission where gears are not changed manually.

What Is the Difference Between Left-Hand Drive and Right-Hand Drive?

In left-hand drive vehicles, the steering wheel is on the left side of the vehicle, commonly used in countries like the USA. In right-hand drive vehicles, the steering wheel is on the right side, commonly used in countries like the UK and India.

How Are Automobiles Classified Based on the Driving Axle?

Automobiles can be front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive, depending on which wheels are powered by the engine.

Where Can the Engine Be Located in an Automobile?

Most vehicles have the engine in the front, but some vehicles, like the Nano car, have the engine located at the rear.

What Are the Requirements for an Automobile Body?

The body should be lightweight, have a minimum number of components, long fatigue life, uniformly distributed load, sufficient space for passengers and luggage, good access to the engine and suspension system, minimum vibrations, minimum air resistance, be cheap and easy to manufacture, provide clear vision through glass areas, and have an attractive shape and color.