Motor Vehicle Technology Flashcards
What does the suspension system do?
Absorbs shocks, bumps and jolts allowing for a smoother journey.
What are the three areas of the electrical system in a car?
- Charging system
- Ignition system
- Starting system
What is the function of the alternator in the charging system?
To continually recharge the battery.
How does the alternator work?
Driven by the fan belt.
What is the function of the cut out box in the charging system?
Switches off to prevent battery from being charged when too many volts are sent from alternator.
What are the 5 components in the charging system?
Cut-out box, battery, fan belt, cooling fan, alternator
What is the function of the battery in the charging system?
Main source of electricity to power all electrics.
What are all the 6 components in the ignition system?
High tension leads, Spark plugs, Distributor, Ignition switch, Battery, Coil
What does the ignition system do?
Where you insert your key to start your vehicle. Power travels from battery to coil when key is turned.
What is the function of the coil in the ignition system?
To boost 12V to 30,000V
What is the main function of the ignition system?
Boost the voltage so enough current is generated to activate the starter motor and spark up each spark plug
What is the function of the spark plug in the ignition system?
To create a spark to ignite fuel in a vehicles engine
What are the 6 different components of the spark plug? (From top to bottom)
-High tension lead connection
-Central electrode
-Ceramic insulator
-Metal casing
-Threads to screw into top of cylinder
-Earth electrode
What does the distributor do? (Ignition system)
Passes current to each of the four spark plugs.
What are the 4 components of the distributor?
-High tension leads
-Spark plug contact
-Distributor cap
-Rotor arm
What checks can you carry out on a vehicles electric system?
-Lights, horn, windscreen wipers
-Conditions of plugs and wire
-Level of electrolyte in battery
-How secure the battery is
What are the 4 components in the starting system?
Flywheel, Pinion gear, Solenoid, Starter motor
What does the starter motor do and how does it do this? (Starting system)
Start all moving components in engine. It does this by turning a large tooth flywheel bolted to crankshaft.
What does the solenoid do in the starting system?
Allows electrical power to travel to all electrical components.
What is a solenoid?
Remote controlled switch used to direct current.
What are the 7 main parts of the engine?
Connecting rod, gudgeon pin, crankshaft, crank, crank pin, camshaft, sump
What is the connecting rod?
Joins piston to crankshaft
What is the Gudgeon pin?
Connects connecting rod to piston
What is the crankshaft?
Turned by flywheel and causes pistons to move up and down.
What is the crank?
The 90degree bend in the shaft
What is the crank pin?
Used to attach connecting rod to crankshaft
What is the camshaft?
Controls springs that open and close the inlet and exhaust valves.
What is the sump?
The tank at the bottom of the engine that stores oil for lubrication
What are the 8 components of the four stroke cycle?
Spark plug, exhaust valve, inlet valve open, piston rings, piston, gudgeon pin, connecting rod, crankshaft.
How does the four stroke cycle work?
The piston moves down the cylinder. Springs attached to camshaft open the inlet valve to allow fuel into the cylinder.
What is in the two stroke cycle diagram? (First and second stroke)
First: Induction > Compression >
Second: Power > Transfer > Exhaust
What is in the Diesel engine diagram?
Induction air only > Compression injection of fuel > Power > Exhaust
What are the 5 components in the exhaust system? L-R
Engine compartments, exhaust manifold, catalytic converter, silencer box, tailpipe.
What does the manifold do?
Collects all burnt gases from each of four cylinders into one pipe.
What component reduces noise from the exhaust system?
Silencer box
What is used to reduce noise in the silencer box and how does it work?
It contains baffles, which the airflow has to move around which slows airflow. This results in reduced gas pressures and less noise.
What is the use of catalytic converters?
To reduce amount of harmful and poisonous emissions into atmosphere from car.
Where can you find catalytic converters?
On the exhaust pipeline
What are the 7 components in the fuel system? (Top then left to right)
Air filter, inlet manifold, carburettor, petrol pump, fuel filter, fuel pipelines, petrol tank
What is the use of the fuel injection system?
It only uses measured amounts of fuel determined how vehicle is being used.
What are the 2 advantages of the fuel injection system?
-Not wasteful and uses measured amounts
-Saves money long term
What are the 2 main functions of the carburettor?
-Mix correct amounts of petrol and air together
-Control amount of fuel sent to each cylinder
What are the 6 components involved in the transmission system? L-R
Engine, clutch, gearbox, universal joints, propeller shaft, final drive differential
What is in the transmission system diagram?
clutch > gearbox > propeller shaft & universal joints > final drive and differential
What is the function of the clutch?
Engage and disengage engine from gearbox
What are the 7 components in the gearbox?
Gear stick, selectors, bolted to universal joint connected to propeller shaft, main shaft, lay shaft, primary shaft from clutch, dog clutch
What is the formula to calculate gear ratios?
Number of teeth on driven gear / Number of teeth on driver gear
What do universal joints allow?
Reciprocal and rotary motion
What 4 components are in the normal steering system?
Steering column, ball joint, rack and pinion gear, steering box
What 3 other components are in the power steering system that isn’t in the normal steering system?
Rotary valve, pump, pulley
What does power steering allow?
All wheels to be turned without any real force
What 3 components are in the suspension system? L-R
Wishbones, MacPhersons struts, Leaf springs
What is the MacPherson struts and how do they work? What are they made up of?
Most common front wheel suspension, made up of strut, coil spring and shock absorber.
The strut takes impact of wheel striking down and shock absorber slows movement of impact
What are the 8 (9) components in the lubrication system?
Inlet and exhaust valves, piston, connecting rod, crankshaft, oil strainer, sump, oil filter, camshaft
What are the functions of the lubrication system?
-reduces friction and overheating
-reduces level of wear
-helps keep all metal surfaces cool
What are the two types of cooling systems?
Water cooling, Air cooling
What are the 5 main parts of the water cooling system?
The radiator, water pump, thermostat, water jackets, heater
What is the functions of the water cooling system?
-Drowns noise from engine
-Keeps engine cool
-Hot water can be used in car heaters
What fluid checks may be carried out on an engine?
Brake fluid, power steering fluid, oil, water level in batteries, radiator or windscreen washer
