What Is a Car?
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A car is a motor vehicle that runs primarily on roads, seats one to eight people, has four wheels and mainly transports passengers and cargo. Cars are a major means of public transportation, and they also can be used for work or fun. There are many different car types available, and cars can be customized to meet specific needs. The newest cars offer cutting-edge features like driver assistance, automatic parking and a GPS control system. Some even have LED entertainment screens for the passenger.
The first practical car was invented by Karl Benz in 1885. His design was powered by an internal combustion engine that used gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene to create mechanical energy. The power of the engine is measured in kilowatts or horsepower, which is the amount of force a vehicle can exert on its drive wheels.
After Benz’s success, other inventors and engineers began working on their own designs. By the end of the two world wars, manufacturers began to produce cars at a rapid pace and to add new features. These innovations fueled growth in the industry. Today there are more than 400 million cars on the road worldwide.
Most cars run on a gasoline-based fuel and emit carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas. The Environmental Protection Agency reports that vehicles are responsible for 27 percent of the United States’ greenhouse gases. Buying a car that gets good gas mileage and regularly maintaining it can help to reduce these negative effects.
Passenger cars are the most popular type of automobile. These vehicles are designed for people who want to have the freedom of travel without having to rely on other drivers or schedules. They are available in a wide range of sizes and styles, from sport utility vehicles to luxury models. Some of the most popular cars in the US are the Honda Accord, Toyota Corolla, Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro.
Cars come in a variety of colors, including white, black and gray. Those colors are the most popular, but custom paint jobs can be ordered for some cars. Cars can be equipped with a wide variety of accessories, from luggage racks and roof-mounted tents to stereo systems and mobile internet connections.
There are also different types of car interiors, ranging from simple cloth to leather-appointed seats and wood-trimmed dashboards. The most common car interior color is black, but a lot of consumers prefer to go with a color that they feel reflects their personal style.
Aside from the exterior and interior, a car’s engine is its most important part. The engine uses chemical and electrical energy to turn the drive wheels, which then move the car. The engine itself is usually a four-cylinder or six-cylinder design that is fed with oil to prevent overheating. The fuel system pumps gasoline from a tank into the engine. Some engines use carburetors to mix fuel with air, while modern cars have sophisticated electronic systems that use fuel injection.