How Cars Are Made
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Whether they’re driving to work, picking up groceries or heading out on vacation, people all over the world use cars as their main mode of transportation. A car — also known as an automobile — is a motor vehicle that runs mainly on roads and seats one to eight passengers. The word car derives from the Latin carrus, meaning “a wagon the Romans discovered,” and it’s still used in some European languages today.
Automobiles have radically changed the way hundreds of millions of people travel and go about their daily lives. In the United States alone, more than three trillion miles are traveled by car each year. In addition, most people commute to work or school in a car, and countless drivers take road trips with family or friends.
In the early years of car production, there were few rules governing safety. Eventually, rules were developed that required automobile manufacturers to build vehicles with certain features. Some of these safety features included seatbelts, airbags, antilock brakes and head restraints. These safety devices are credited with saving thousands of lives each year.
Most automobiles are powered by internal combustion engines that convert chemical energy into mechanical energy. The fuel — usually gasoline, diesel or kerosene — is burned in the engine’s cylinders and then ignited by a spark plug. The explosions that occur in the cylinders create gases that expand and push pistons up and down, moving a crankshaft to turn wheels that drive the wheels of the vehicle. A battery or electric motor can also provide power to a car’s wheels.
Modern cars are built with advanced materials that reduce their weight and improve their performance. Metals, including high-strength steel and complex structural composites, are used to form the body, frame and chassis of a vehicle. Parts made of plastic, polymers and alloys lower the overall weight of a car and increase its fuel efficiency. These materials are fastened with advanced fasteners that preserve the integrity of the structure while allowing them to bend and stretch.
Almost all automobiles have brake lights that flash to let other motorists know when the driver intends to slow down or stop the vehicle. A hazard light is also available to warn other motorists that there’s a problem with the vehicle.
When a person wants to buy a car, they must consider many factors that affect its value. In general, buyers look for vehicles that are safe, comfortable and economical. Vehicles that have a good track record of maintenance are often in higher demand. Other important considerations include vehicle color and optional equipment. Optional equipment includes any items that aren’t standard on a vehicle and can be purchased for an additional cost. For example, a buyer might want to add heated seats or a sunroof to their purchase.
Some of the most popular car colors are white, black and gray. Brighter, less-common colors such as purple and yellow are harder to find in new vehicles. The popularity of a specific car color can impact its value, so consumers should be aware of what other models are selling for in their area when shopping for a used model.