Automotive engineering guides: powertrains, vehicle systems, performance, driveability and the engineering behind modern cars. New here? Start with the Automotive Engineering guide, which explains the field and links to every topic.
Towing might seem simple at first glance, but behind every smooth ride with a trailer attached is some impressive engineering at play. Whether you’re hauling a boat to the lake, pulling an RV on a road trip, or towing a heavy-duty work trailer, understanding the mechanics and science behind towing is essential for safety and…
A modern vehicle isn’t a collection of independent parts bolted together — it’s a system of systems. Change one component and the effects ripple outward: a heavier battery pack means bigger brakes, which need larger wheels and tires, which change unsprung mass and suspension tuning, which feeds back into how much the vehicle weighs in…
A transmission, also known as a gearbox, is a mechanical device that utilizes a set of gears working in tandem. In a car, the transmission, or gearbox, serves as the mechanism that transfers power from the engine to the wheels. It does this through a system of gears and gear trains. It enables the driver…
An internal combustion engine (ICE or IC engine) is a heat engine. There are two commonly used reciprocating heat engines found on the market today. The spark ignition (SI) engines and compression ignition (CI) engines. Due to their different ignition mechanisms, these engines have varying fuel property requirements. For instance, SI engines need volatile fuel…
The automotive industry encompasses all companies and activities involved in the production of motor vehicles. The industry’s main products are passenger cars and light trucks, including pickups, vans, and sport utility vehicles. Commercial vehicles, such as delivery trucks and 18-wheelers (often called semis), are a significant part of the industry. The term “automotive” originates from…
Abstract The Li-ion Second Life Batteries application is of growing interest with significant potential to address sustainability and environmental challenges. By 2040, an estimated 3.4 million kilograms of LIB cells from electric vehicles (EVs) could potentially enter the waste stream. However, these batteries still have many useful years ahead of them. Instead of being trashed,…
Similar to all-electric vehicles (EVs) a Hydrogen Car/Fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), utilizes electricity to drive an electric motor. However, unlike other EVs, FCEVs generate electricity using a hydrogen-powered fuel cell instead of relying on a battery for power. While FCEVs could be designed with plug-in capabilities similar to PHEVs to charge the battery. Most…
An automotive assembly line is a sequence of workstations where a vehicle is built in stages — from stamping and the body shop through paint, powertrain installation, and final assembly, ending with quality testing before shipping. The car assembly process relies on a reliable supply chain to ensure uninterrupted production, and involves the installation of…
What is Automotive Design? Automotive design is a creative process that defines the physical appearance of vehicles, including cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Automotive designers are responsible for styling a vehicle’s interior and exterior. You might love or hate the design of a car, but there is no doubt that car design plays a big role…
Car wind noise can be heard inside of your vehicle while driving on the highway and is the audible result of high-pressure air attempting to escape as you accelerate. This whooshing sound, high-pitched, enters through the smallest gaps or openings in the vehicle’s exterior. Wind noise is one of many NVH factors covered in our…