ABOUT AMBAL AUTO

INTRODUCTON

Ambal Auto was started in the year 1998 as a dealer for Maruti Cars
in the city of Coimbatore. Now, fifteen years old, it has spread its
wings across the districts of Coimbatore, Nilgiris, Erode and
Namakkal, with 9 sales outlets and 15 workshops. As a group with a
sales of around 600 cars per month, it has a service volume of
around 10,000 cars per month and body repairs of around 1500 cars
/ month.

Ambal Auto is one of the largest dealers for Maruti in Tamilnadu. It

has won many awards and accolades from Maruti Suzuki. It is the
first Platinum dealer of Maruti in the MSIL balanced scorecard
evaluations.

Ambal Auto runs a Maruti Training Centre, where it trains the

workforce involved in maintaining Maruti Cars. This center caters to
the overall in house training of both Sales and Service staff. It is
well equipped with modern amenities to meet the current
challenges and demands of the automotive world. It is equipped
with an electronic library with 300 CDs, Cut sections of all the
vehicle parts including A/C and engine blocks. It has two A/C
classrooms with OHP and multimedia projector. It also has a hostel
and a canteen facility, for those who attend the training programs.
The first of its kind in Tamilnadu, also helps all Maruti authorized
workshops & dealers to get well trained manpower.
 COMPANIES WHICH HAS
SUPPORTING AS FOR AMBAL AUTO

AWARDS
 5 Times Platinum Award winning Dealer in Maruti Balance
scorecard for Dealers
 Ambal also enjoys the reputation of being the first platinum dealer
of Maruti in the whole of India.
 Sales Skill & Technical Skill Competition winners in Regional &
National level.
 1st Dealer in the region to start Maruti True Value (Used Car
Division).
 1st Dealer in the region to start Maruti Driving School.
 Always the first in all new business initiation of Maruti like
Insurance, finance business.
 Our recognition gained through excellent performances.
 Regional Topper in Sales Satisfaction Index for the Four Quarters
in a row.

2000 - 2001

 Best Service Workshop

 Highest Growth of Spare Parts
 Best Service Performance Rank
 Service Excellence
 Best New Workshop
 Best Performance in Spares - New Dealer

2001 - 2002

 Branch Performance Award May 2002

2003 - 2004

 Best Sales Satisfaction Index Score in the Region South 1.-Last

Quarter - 2004.
 Best performing Maruti dealer in the Country on Balance Score
Card Norms- Non-Metros year ending 2004.

2004 - 2005

 A dealer with Maximum Growth Shown in Market Share.

 Customer Satisfaction Index All India winner- Ambal Erode-Non-JD
Power Cities.
 WINNER All India Technical skill Competition.
 Balance Score Card – All India Best Dealer – Non-Metro Cities.
 2005 - 2006

 Customer Satisfaction Index

 1st runner up in All India Technical Skill Competition
 Best Dealer in Exchange Sales Penetration
 Best dealer in Rural Marketing efforts
 Balance Score Card – Platinum dealer for the third year in a row

MAINTANENCE

A trained, qualified mechanic with the expertise and equipment to do

the job correctly should be able to perform most of the maintenance
on your car. However, you should also pay attention to what's going
on under the hood. The owner's manual for your car will provide you
with a maintenance schedule for your specific make and model.
 Additionally, you can do the following simple checks and procedures
to help prevent problems - and extend the life of your vehicle:
 Change the oil and oil filter regularly - The owner's manual for your
car will specify exactly how often you should do this, but a good rule of
thumb is to change them every 3,000 to 4,000 miles. If you change the
oil and filter yourself, be sure to dispose of the used oil properly.
 Check all the fluids - This includes brake, power steering, transmission,
transaxle, windshield washer and antifreeze fluids. Your owner's
manual will tell you how to check these.
 Check the air pressure level in your tires at least once a month - Your
owner's manual should specify the ideal air pressure for your particular
tire.
 Make sure all your lights work - This includes headlights, turn signals,
brake lights and taillights.
 Replace the windshield wiper blades periodically - If your wiper blades
are cracked or torn, or if they begin to streak, it's time to replace them.
 Inspect the engine belts -They should not have cracks or missing
segments.
 Check the air filter - The filter should be clean, not clogged or
damaged.

CAR CARE AND ROAD SAFETY TRIPS

Driving during fog
 Start little early. This can help avoid delays due to fog.
 Be patient and calm. Familiarize yourself with the vehicle. Know the
position of all switches before you start driving.
 Drive at low speeds and watch your speedometer. Maintain safe
distance from other vehicles. Maintain greater distance between your
vehicle and the vehicle ahead. Do not accelerate to get away from a
vehicle that is too close behind you.
 Drive with lights on low beam. High beams direct light up into the fog,
making it difficult for you to see.
 Dipped headlights direct light down onto the road and help other
drivers see you. Use fog lights.
 Listen for traffic you cannot see. Beware of other cars, and drivers not
using headlights. Open your window a little, to hear better.
 Use wipers and demisters necessary for maximum visibility. Use painted
road markings as a guide. If your car breaks down, park your car on the
farthest corner of the road. Switch on your hazard warning lights. Place
a reflective warning triangle at a safe distance. Watch out for traffic
that might not be able to spot you.

DRIVING ON HILLS

 When driving down a hill, do not switch off the engine. Shift to
a lower gear for reducing speed and by shifting to lower gear
you will save fuel.
 When climbing steep hills, the car may begin to slow down and
show a lack of power. If this happens, you should change to a
lower gear so that the engine will again be operating in its
normal power range.

FOR MORE MILEAGE

 Drive between 45 and 55 kmph.

 It has been established by trials that you can get up to 40% extra
mileage at 40 kmph as compared to 80 kmph.
 Avoid accelerating or decelerating unnecessarily.
Incorrect gearshifts can lead to as much as 20% increase in fuel
consumption. It does not matter whether it is a petrol or diesel car.
 For city driving, change to a higher gear when you are sure that the
engine will not have to struggle.
 Get into top gear as soon as possible.
 Check wheels for free rotation when your car is being serviced. Binding
brakes restrict free wheel movement and the engine consumes more
petrol in order to overcome resistance. The law applies even if you
compare petrol cars vs diesel cars.
 Riding the clutch causes loss of energy and damages the clutch lining.
 You can save as much as 6% fuel by regularly tuning your car. If your
engine emits black or dark grey smoke, it has poor pulling power or
consumes large quantities of oil. Have it checked immediately at an
authorized service station.
 Your air filter prevents air from fouling the engine. Dust causes rapid
wear of engine components and increases fuel consumption.
 Make sure that the fuel tank cap has a good rubber seal.
 Unnecessary loads increase fuel consumption. A reduction of weight by
about 50 kg can lead to a 2% saving in fuel, when driving in the city.
Lighten your load even if your car is claimed to be the most fuel efficient
petrol car in India.
 Under inflated tyres increase rolling resistance, this leads to higher fuel
consumption faster wears of tyres at the sides, whether it is a petrol or
diesel car.

HIGH SPEED WATCHOUTS

 Stopping distance progressively increases with vehicle speed. Apply the

brakes far before of the stopping point to allow for the extra stopping
distance.
 At high speeds, the vehicle may be affected by side winds. Therefore,
reduce speed and be prepared for unexpected buffeting, which can
occur at the exits of tunnels, when passing by a cut of a hill, or when
being overtaken by large vehicles etc.
These are some common car services available in
the companys.

 Mechanical Service: It is the mechanical service

for a car to maintain the best performance of the
car.

 Car Service: Car Service: It includes small

different services of a car. Like Ac, oil
maintenance, Fuel filter. Etc

 Car Spa/ Car Wash: You should keep your car

clean, like you keep yourself. At least once in a
week, get your car washed.

 Interior Car Care: Outside washing is not only the

thing which you should take care off. Interior is
also necessary to keep your car well maintained.

 Car Scanning: It is one of the advanced car's

services to detect the car problems.

 Denting: Dent is like a scar for your car. Denting

service gives an attractive look to your car.

 Painting: Having a faded look is not good.

Everyone likes the perfect shining beautiful car.

 Automatic Wheel Balancing: Wheel balancing is

very important for safe driving. Due pot holes and
muddy road your car get unbalanced. So to avoid
this unbalance get the wheel balancing service
for your car.
FOUR TYPES OF CAR SERVICE

Level 1: Safety Service

This is the bare minimum service you should go for and is an option if
you’re running pretty low on cash. A safety service involves replacing
your engine oil, replacing your oil filter, checking under your bonnet,
topping up fluids, inspecting belts and hoses and testing the battery.
You should also get a vehicle safety inspection, handbrake adjustment,
charging system check and cooling system check. While it’s certainly the
most affordable option, a safety service will only really last you for 12
months or 15,000km.

Level 2: Major Service

A step up from the safety service, a major service will cost a little bit
more but will also last you for twice as long — 24 months and
30,000km, to be exact. It should cover all the things that are covered by
the safety service, with a few important extras, including checking the
engine management system, a diagnostic scan and fault code analysis,
replacement of the air filter, replacement of the external fuel filter and
non-platinum spark plugs.

Level 3: Premium Service

Even better than the Major Service and lasting an extra year (36
months) and an extra 15,000km (45,000km total), a premium service
should do everything you’ll get in a major service with just two small but
crucial additions. First of all, in a premium service you’ll get your brake
fluid checked. Some say that brake fluid doesn’t necessarily need
replacing if it’s functioning okay, but if you don’t change it you run the
risk of microscopic particles of rust wearing away your vehicle parts.
Additionally, with a premium service you should get your coolant
replaced.

Level 4: Ultimate Service

It’s called an ultimate service for a reason — it does everything that the
other services do and goes that extra step to make sure your car is in tip
top shape for up to 48 months, or for 60,000km. In an ultimate service,
you should receive an on-car fuel injector flush, throttle body clean,
engine decarbonisation and fuel tank additive. It’s also the most
expensive service but it will benefit you in the long run with a better-
running vehicle.

COMMON MAINTENANCE
Maintenance tasks commonly carried out during a motor vehicle service
include:

 Change the engine oil

 Replace the oil filter
 Replace the air filter
 Replace the fuel filter
 Replace the cabin filter
 Replace the spark plugs
 Tune the engine
 Check level and refill brake fluid/clutch fluid
 Check Brake Pads/Liners, Brake Discs/Drums, and replace if worn
out.
 Check level and refill power steering fluid
 Check level and refill Automatic/Manual Transmission Fluid
 Grease and lubricate components
 Inspect and replace the timing belt or timing chain if needed
 Check condition of the tires
 Check for proper operation of all lights, wipers etc.
 Check for any Error codes in the ECU and take corrective action.
 Wash the vehicle and clean the interiors.
 Use scan tool read trouble code.
Mechanical parts that may cause the car to cease transmission or prove
unsafe for the road are also noted and advised upon.
In the United Kingdom, few parts that are not inspected on the MOT
test are inspected and advised upon a Service Inspection,
including: Clutch, Gearbox, Car Battery, and Engine components.
Full Service
A full service includes a much wider range checks and service part
replacements than an interim service. This is ideal for drivers doing
lower annual mileages who will only have their cars serviced once a
year.
The list below gives an idea of the range of tasks that are included in a
full service:
 Oil and filter change
 New air filter
 New fuel filter (diesel engines)
 New spark plugs (petrol engines)
 Extensive checks for leaks, wear and damage, including steering
system and driveshaft
 Removal of wheels and brakes checked
 Wheel bearings checked for excessive play (wear)
 Brake cylinders, pipes and hoses checked for leaks or damage
 Suspension checked for wear or damage
 Clutch operation checked (manuals)
 Handbrake operation checked and adjusted if necessary
 Brake fluid tested and replaced if necessary
 Reset service light
 Tyres checked for wear, damage and signs of misalignment
 Exhaust system checked for corrosion, damage or leaks
Air conditioning system (A/C)
See also Air conditioning/Automobile air conditioning systems systems.

 A/C Clutch
 A/C Compressor
 A/C Condenser
 A/C Hose
 A/C Kit
 A/C Relay
 A/C Valve
 A/C Expansion Valve
 A/C Low-pressure Valve
 A/C Schroeder Valve
 A/C INNER PLATE
 A/C Cooler
 A/C Evaporator
 A/C Suction Hose Pipe
 A/C Discharge Hose Pipe
 A/C Gas Receiver
 A/C Condenser Filter
 A/C Cabin Filter
Bearings

 rooved ball bearing

 Needle bearing
 Roller bearing
 Sleeve bearing
 wheel bearing
Hose

 Fuel vapour hose

 Reinforced hose (high-pressure hose)
 Non-reinforced hose
 Radiator hose
Other miscellaneous parts

 Adhesive tape and foil

 Air bag
 Bolt cap
 License plate bracket
 Cables
 Speedometer cable
 Cotter pin
 Dashboard
 Center console
 Glove compartment
 Drag link
 Dynamic seal
 Fastener
 Gasket: Flat, moulded, profiled
 Hood and trunk release cable
 Horn and trumpet horn
 Injection-molded parts
 Instrument cluster
 Label
 Mirror
 Phone Mount
 Name plate
 Nut
 Flange nut
 Hex nut
 O-ring
 Paint
 Rivet
 Rubber (extruded and molded)
 Screw
 Shim
 Sun visor
 Washer

1. Hatchback
Maruti Suzuki Swift

A hatchback is a car type with a rear door that opens upwards. They
typically feature a four-door configuration, excluding the rear door.
However, two-door hatchbacks are not uncommon.

Examples of four-door hatchbacks: Maruti Suzuki Alto 800, Renault

Kwid, Hyundai Grand i10, etc.
Examples of two-door hatchbacks: Volkswagen Polo GTI (Upcoming), MINI
Cooper S 3 Door, etc.
2. Sedan
Maruti Suzuki Ciaz

Out of the different types of cars, a sedan (US) or a saloon (UK) is

traditionally defined as a car with four doors and a typical boot/ trunk. A
slightly technical detail is that it usually features a 3-box configuration with
each of the boxes categorically used for the engine, passenger, and cargo.

Sedans have several sub-types such as notchback, fastback, compact, and

sub-compact. It may be interesting to note that cars such as the older
generation models of the Skoda Octavia are often incorrectly referred to as
notchbacks.
Examples of sedans: Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, Hyundai Elantra, etc.
3. MPV
Datsun GO+

A multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) or multi-utility vehicle (MUV) are commonly

known as 'people carriers'. They are designed to offer enhanced space and
comfort for passengers with two or three rows of seating and large doors.
The third row on MPVs/ MUVs can generally be reconfigured.

Examples of MPVs: Maruti Suzuki Omni, Maruti Suzuki Eeco, Datsun GO+,
etc.
4. SUV
Land Rover Discovery Sport

Conventionally, a sports utility vehicle (SUV) is a big car built on a body-on-

frame chassis, sports increased ground clearance and offers off-roading
capabilities to a certain extent. With that said, the aforementioned definition
of an SUV has blurred over time and often includes both off-roaders and
soft-roaders.

Examples of off-roader SUVs: Mahindra Thar, Mahindra Scorpio, Land

Rover Discovery Sport, etc.
Examples of soft-roader SUVs: Honda CR-V, Renault Duster, Skoda Yeti,
etc.
5. Crossover
Volvo S60 Cross Country

A simple, and common, definition of a crossover would be that it is a

vehicle that combines the features of an SUV and a hatchback. Crossover
vehicles offer soft-roading capabilities and are constructed like a car - they
use unibody construction instead of the body-on-frame platform used in
SUVs.

Examples of crossovers: Maruti Suzuki S-Cross, Volvo S60 Cross

Country, Hyundai i20 Active, etc.
6. Coupe
Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe

A coupe is classically defined as a closed two-door car with a fixed roof.

Considered sporty by nature, it generally gets just 2 seats or with a smaller-
than-average rear. The typical definition of a coupe has evolved over time
and differs across manufacturers and now is also ascribed to cars with four
doors and coupe-like proportions, chiefly for their sporty appeal instead of
number of doors.

Examples of coupes: Ford Mustang, Audi R8, Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe,

etc.
7. Convertible
Audi A3 Cabriolet

A convertible, a.k.a. a cabriolet or roadster, is a car with a roof structure

that can be 'converted' to allow open-air or enclosed driving. They feature
either a retractable hardtop roof or soft folding top.

A car (or automobile) is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transportation. Most definitions
of car say they run primarily on roads, seat one to eight people, have four tires, and mainly
transport people rather than goods.[2][3] Cars came into global use during the 20th century,
and developed economies depend on them. The year 1886 is regarded as the birth year of the
modern car when German inventor Karl Benz built his Benz Patent-Motorwagen. Cars became
widely available in the early 20th century. One of the first cars that were accessible to the
masses was the 1908 Model T, an American car manufactured by the Ford Motor Company.
Cars were rapidly adopted in the US, where they replaced animal-drawn carriages and carts, but
took much longer to be accepted in Western Europe and other parts of the world.
Cars have controls for driving, parking, passenger comfort and safety, and controlling a variety of
lights. Over the decades, additional features and controls have been added to vehicles, making
them progressively more complex. Examples include rear reversing cameras, air
conditioning, navigation systems, and in car entertainment. Most cars in use in the 2010s are
propelled by an internal combustion engine, fueled by the combustion of fossil fuels. This
causes air pollution and also contributes to climate change and global warming.[4] Vehicles
using alternative fuels such as ethanol flexible-fuel vehicles and natural gas vehicles are also
gaining popularity in some countries. Electric cars, which were invented early in the history of the
car, began to become commercially available in 2008.
There are costs and benefits to car use. The costs include acquiring the vehicle, interest
payments (if the car is financed), repairs and maintenance, fuel, depreciation, driving
time, parking fees, taxes, and insurance.[5] The costs to society include maintaining roads, land
use, road congestion, air pollution, public health, health care, and disposing of the vehicle at the
end of its life. Road traffic accidents are the largest cause of injury-related deaths worldwide.[6]
The benefits include on-demand transportation, mobility, independence, and convenience.[7] The
societal benefits include economic benefits, such as job and wealth creation from the automotive
industry, transportation provision, societal well-being from leisure and travel opportunities, and
revenue generation from the taxes. The ability for people to move flexibly from place to place has
far-reaching implications for the nature of societies.[8] It was estimated in 2014 that the number of
cars was over 1.25 billion vehicles,[9] up from the 500 million of 1986.[10] The numbers are
increasing rapidly, especially in China, India and other newly industrialized countries.[11]

The Internal Combustion Engine

An internal combustion engine is called an “internal combustion engine” because fuel
and air combust inside the engine to create the energy to move the pistons, which in
turn move the car (we’ll show you how that happens in detail below).
Contrast that to an external combustion engine, where fuel is burned outside the
engine and the energy created from that burning is what powers it. Steam engines
are the best example of this. Coal is burned outside of the engine, which heats water
to produce steam, which then powers the engine.

Most folks think that in the world of mechanized movement, steam-powered external
combustion engines came before the internal combustion variety. The reality is that
the internal combustion engine came first. (Yes, the ancient Greeks messed around
with steam-powered engines, but nothing practical came from their experiments.)

In the 16th century, inventors created a form of internal combustion engine using
gunpowder as the fuel to power the movement of the pistons. Actually, it wasn’t the
gunpowder that moved them. The way this early internal combustion engine worked
was you’d stuff a piston all the way to the top of a cylinder and then ignite gunpowder
beneath the piston. A vacuum would form after the explosion and suck the piston
down the cylinder. Because this engine relied on the changes in air pressure to
move the piston, they called it the atmospheric engine. It wasn’t very efficient. By the
17thcentury, steam engines were showing a lot of promise, so the internal combustion
engine was abandoned.

It wouldn’t be until 1860 that a reliable, working internal combustion engine would be
invented. A Belgian fellow by the name of Jean Joseph Etienne Lenoir patented an
engine that injected natural gas into a cylinder, which was subsequently ignited by a
permanent flame near the cylinder. It worked similarly to the gunpowder atmospheric
engine, but not too efficiently.

Building on that work, in 1864 two German engineers named Nicolaus August Otto
and Eugen Langen founded a company that made engines similar to Lenoir’s model.
Otto gave up managing the company and started working on an engine design that
he had been toying with since 1861. His design led to what we now know as the
four-stroke engine, and the basic design is still used in cars today.

The Anatomy of a Car Engine

A V-6 Engine

I’ll show you how the four-stroke engine works here in a bit, but before I do, I thought
it would be helpful to go through the various parts of an engine so you’ll have an idea
of what’s doing what in the four-stroke process. There is terminology throughout
these explanations that relies on other terms in the list, so don’t worry if you get
confused at first. Read through the whole thing to get an overall grasp, and then read
it again so you have a basic understanding of each piece as it’s being talked about.

Engine Block (Cylinder Block)

The engine block is the foundation of an engine. Most engine blocks are cast from
an aluminum alloy, but iron is still used by some manufacturers. The engine block is
also referred to as the cylinder block because of the big hole or tubes called
cylinders that are cast into the integrated structure. The cylinder is where the
engine’s pistons slide up and down. The more cylinders an engine has the more
powerful it is. In addition to the cylinders, other ducts and passageways are built into
the block that allow for oil and coolant to flow to different parts of the engine.
 Why is an engine called a “V6” or “V8”?
Great question! It has to do with the shape and number of cylinders an engine has. In
four-cylinder engines, the cylinders are typically mounted in a straight line above the
crankshaft. This engine layout is called an inline engine.
Another four-cylinder layout is called the “flat four.” Here the cylinders are laid
horizontally in two banks, with the crankshaft going down the middle.

When an engine has more than four cylinders, they are divided into two cylinder
banks — three cylinders (or more) per side. The division of cylinders into two banks
makes the engine look like a “V.” A V-shaped engine with six cylinders = V6 engine.
A V-shaped engine with eight cylinders = V8 — four in each cylinder bank.

Combustion Chamber

The combustion chamber in an engine is where the magic happens. It’s where fuel,
air, pressure, and electricity come together to create the small explosion that moves
the car’s pistons up and down, thus creating the power to move the vehicle. The
combustion chamber is made up of the cylinder, piston, and cylinder head. The
cylinder acts as the wall of the combustion chamber, the top of the piston acts as the
floor of the combustion chamber, and the cylinder head serves as the ceiling of the
combustion chamber.

Cylinder Head

The cylinder head is a piece of metal that sits over the engine’s cylinders. There are
small, rounded indentations cast into the cylinder head in order to create room at the
top of the chamber for combustion. A head gasket seals the joint between the
cylinder head and cylinder block. Intake and outtake valves, spark plugs, and fuel
injectors (these parts are explained later) are also mounted to the cylinder head.

Piston

Pistons move up and down the cylinder. They look like upside down soup cans.
When fuel ignites in the combustion chamber, the force pushes the piston
downward, which in turn moves the crankshaft (see below). The piston attaches to
the crankshaft via a connecting rod, aka the con rod. It connects to the connecting
rod via a piston pin, and the connecting rod connects to the crankshaft via a
connecting rod bearing.

On the top of the piston, you’ll find three or four grooves cast into the metal. Inside
the grooves piston rings are put in. The piston rings are the part that actually touch
the walls of the cylinder. They are made from iron and come in two varieties:
compression rings and oil rings. The compression rings are the top rings and they
press outward on the walls of the cylinder to provide a strong seal for the combustion
chamber. The oil ring is the bottom ring on a piston and it prevents oil from the
crankcase from seeping into the combustion chamber. It also wipes excess oil down
the cylinder walls and back into the crankcase.
Crankshaft

The crankshaft is what converts the up and down motion of the

pistons into a rotational motion that allows the car to move. The
crankshaft typically fits lengthwise in the engine block near the
bottom. It extends from one end of the engine block to the other. At
the front of the end of the engine, the crankshaft connects to rubber
belts which connect to the camshaft and delivers power to other
parts of the car; at the back end of the engine, the camshaft
connects to the drive train, which transfers power to the wheels. At
each end of the crankshaft, you’ll find oil seals, or “O-rings,” which
prevent oil from leaking out of the engine.

The crankshaft resides in what’s called the crankcase on an engine. The crankcase
is located beneath the cylinder block. The crankcase protects the crankshaft and
connecting rods from outside objects. The area at the bottom of a crankcase is
called the oil pan and that’s where your engine’s oil is stored. Inside the oil pan,
you’ll find an oil pump that pumps oil through a filter, and then that oil is squirted on
to the crankshaft, connecting rod bearings, and cylinder walls to provide lubrication
to the movement of the piston stroke. The oil eventually drips back down into the oil
pan, only to begin the process again

Along the crankshaft you’ll find balancing lobes that act as counterweights to balance
the crankshaft and prevent engine damage from the wobbling that occurs when the
crankshaft spins.

Also along the crankshaft you’ll find the main bearings. The main bearings provide a
smooth surface between the crankshaft and engine block for the crankshaft to spin.

Camshaft

The camshaft is the brain of the engine. It works in conjunction with the crankshaft
via a timing belt to make sure intake and outtake valves open and close at just the
right time for optimal engine performance. The camshaft uses egg-shaped lobes that
extend across it to control the timing of the opening and closing of the valves.

Most camshafts extend through the top part of the engine block, directly above the
crankshaft. On inline engines, a single camshaft controls both the intake and outtake
valves. On V-shaped engines, two separate camshafts are used. One controls the
valves on one side of the V and the other controls the valves on the opposite side.
Some V-shaped engines (like the one in our illustration) will even have two
camshafts per cylinder bank. One camshaft controls one side of valves, and the
other camshaft controls the other side.

Timing System
As mentioned above, the camshaft and crankshaft coordinate their movement via a
timing belt or chain. The timing chain holds the crankshaft and camshaft in the same
relative position to each other at all times during the engine’s operation. If the
camshaft and crankshaft become out of sync for whatever reason (the timing chain
skips a gear cog, for example), the engine won’t work.

Valvetrain

The valvetrain is the mechanical system that’s mounted to the cylinder head that
controls the operation of the valves. The valve train consists of valves, rocker arms,
pushrods, and lifters.

Valves

There are two types of valves: intake valves and outtake valves. Intake valves bring
a mixture of air and fuel into the combustion chamber to create the combustion to
power the engine. Outtake valves let the exhaust that’s created after the combustion
out of the combustion chamber.

Cars typically have one intake valve and one outtake valve per cylinder. Most high-
performing cars (Jaguars, Maseratis, etc.) have four valves per cylinder (two intake,
two outtake). While not considered a “high performance” brand, Honda also uses
four valves per cylinder on their vehicles. There are even engines with three valves
per cylinder — two inlet valves, one outtake valve. Multi-valve systems allow the car
to “breathe” better, which in turn improves engine performance.

Rocker Arms

Rocker arms are little levers that touch the lobes, or cams, on the camshaft. When a
lobe lifts one end of the rocker, the other end of the rocker presses down on the
valve stem, opening the valve to let air in to the combustion chamber or letting
exhaust out. It works sort of like a see-saw.

Pushrods/Lifters

Sometimes camshaft lobes touch the rocker arm directly (as you see with overhead
camshaft engines), thus opening and closing the valve. On overhead valve engines,
the camshaft lobes don’t come into direct contact with the rocker arms, so pushrods
or lifters are used.

Fuel Injectors

In order to create the combustion needed to move the pistons, we need fuel in the
cylinders. Before the 1980s, cars used carburetors to supply fuel to the combustion
chamber. Today, all cars use one of three fuel injection systems: direct fuel injection,
ported fuel injection, or throttle body fuel injection.
With direct fuel injection, each cylinder gets its own injector, which sprays fuel
directly into the combustion chamber at just the right time to combust.

With ported fuel injection, instead of spraying the fuel directly into the cylinder, it
sprays into the intake manifold just outside the valve. When the valve opens, air and
fuel enter the combustion chamber.

Throttle body fuel injection systems sort of work how carburetors did, but without the
carburetor. Instead of each cylinder getting its own fuel injector, there’s only one fuel
injector that goes to a throttle body. The fuel mixes with air in the throttle body and
then is dispersed to the cylinders via the intake valves.

Sparkplug

Above each cylinder is a sparkplug. When it sparks, it ignites the compressed fuel
and air, causing the mini-explosion that pushes the piston down.

The Four-Stroke
Cycle

So now that we know all the basic parts of the engine, let’s take a look at the
movement that actually makes our car move: the four-stroke cycle.
The above illustration shows the four-stroke cycle in a single cylinder. This is going
on in the other cylinders as well. Repeat this cycle a thousand times in a minute, and
you get a car that moves.

Types[edit]
An engine can be put into a category according to two criteria: the form of energy it accepts in
order to create motion, and the type of motion it outputs.

Heat engine[edit]
Main article: heat engine

Combustion engine[edit]
Combustion engines are heat engines driven by the heat of a combustion process.
Internal combustion engine[edit]
Main article: Internal combustion engine

Animation showing the four stages of the four-stroke combustion engine

cycle:

1. Induction (Fuel enters)

2. Compression
3. Ignition (Fuel is burnt)
4. Emission (Exhaust out)
The internal combustion engine is an engine in which
the combustion of a fuel (generally, fossil fuel) occurs with
an oxidizer (usually air) in a combustion chamber. In an
internal combustion engine the expansion of the
high temperature and high pressure gases, which are
produced by the combustion, directly applies force to components
of the engine, such as the pistons or turbine blades or a nozzle,
and by moving it over a distance, generates useful mechanical energy.[15][16][17][18]
External combustion engine[edit]
Main article: external combustion engine
An external combustion engine (EC engine) is a heat engine where an internal working fluid is
heated by combustion of an external source, through the engine wall or a heat exchanger.
The fluid then, by expanding and acting on the mechanism of the engine produces motion and
usable work.[19] The fluid is then cooled, compressed and reused (closed cycle), or (less
commonly) dumped, and cool fluid pulled in (open cycle air engine)[20].
"Combustion" refers to burning fuel with an oxidizer, to supply the heat. Engines of similar (or
even identical) configuration and operation may use a supply of heat from other sources such as
nuclear, solar, geothermal or exothermic reactions not involving combustion; but are not then
strictly classed as external combustion engines, but as external thermal engines.
The working fluid can be a gas as in a Stirling engine, or steam as in a steam engine or an
organic liquid such as n-pentane in an Organic Rankine cycle. The fluid can be of any
composition; gas is by far the most common, although even single-phase liquid is sometimes
used. In the case of the steam engine, the fluid changes phases between liquid and gas.
Air-breathing combustion engines[edit]
Air-breathing combustion engines are combustion engines that use the oxygen in atmospheric
air to oxidise ('burn') the fuel, rather than carrying an oxidiser, as in a rocket. Theoretically, this
should result in a better specific impulse than for rocket engines.
A continuous stream of air flows through the air-breathing engine. This air is compressed, mixed
with fuel, ignited and expelled as the exhaust gas.
Examples
Typical air-breathing engines include:

 Reciprocating engine
 Steam engine
 Gas turbine
airbreathing jet engine
Turbo-propeller engine

 Pulse detonation engine

 Pulse jet
 Ramjet
 Scramjet
 Liquid air cycle engine/Reaction Engines SABRE.
Environmental effects[edit]
The operation of engines typically has a negative impact upon air quality and
ambient sound levels. There has been a growing emphasis on the pollution producing
features of automotive power systems. This has created new interest in alternate power
sources and internal-combustion engine refinements. Though a few limited-production
battery-powered electric vehicles have appeared, they have not proved competitive
owing to costs and operating characteristics.[citation needed] In the 21st century the diesel
engine has been increasing in popularity with automobile owners. However, the gasoline
engine and the Diesel engine, with their new emission-control devices to improve
emission performance, have not yet been significantly challenged.[citation needed] A number of
manufacturers have introduced hybrid engines, mainly involving a small gasoline engine
coupled with an electric motor and with a large battery bank, but these too have yet to
make much of an inroad into the market shares of gasoline and Diesel engines.
Air quality[edit]
Exhaust from a spark ignition engine consists of the following: nitrogen 70 to 75% (by
volume), water vapor 10 to 12%, carbon dioxide 10 to 13.5%, hydrogen 0.5 to
2%, oxygen 0.2 to 2%, carbon monoxide: 0.1 to 6%, unburnt hydrocarbons and
partial oxidation products (e.g. aldehydes) 0.5 to 1%, nitrogen monoxide 0.01 to
0.4%, nitrous oxide <100 ppm, sulfur dioxide 15 to 60 ppm, traces of other compounds
such as fuel additives and lubricants, also halogen and metallic compounds, and other
particles.[21] Carbon monoxide is highly toxic, and can cause carbon monoxide poisoning,
so it is important to avoid any build-up of the gas in a confined space. Catalytic
converters can reduce toxic emissions, but not completely eliminate them. Also, resulting
greenhouse gas emissions, chiefly carbon dioxide, from the widespread use of engines
in the modern industrialized world is contributing to the global greenhouse effect – a
primary concern regarding global warming.
Non-combusting heat engines[edit]
Main article: heat engine
Some engines convert heat from noncombustive processes into mechanical work, for
example a nuclear power plant uses the heat from the nuclear reaction to produce steam
and drive a steam engine, or a gas turbine in a rocket engine may be driven by
decomposing hydrogen peroxide. Apart from the different energy source, the engine is
often engineered much the same as an internal or external combustion engine. Another
group of noncombustive engines includes thermoacoustic heat engines (sometimes
called "TA engines") which are thermoacoustic devices which use high-amplitude sound
waves to pump heat from one place to another, or conversely use a heat difference to
induce high-amplitude sound waves. In general, thermoacoustic engines can be divided
into standing wave and travelling wave devices.[22]

Non-thermal chemically powered motor[edit]

Non-thermal motors usually are powered by a chemical reaction, but are not heat
engines. Examples include:

 Molecular motor - motors found in living things

 Synthetic molecular motor.
Electric motor[edit]
Main articles: electric motor and electric vehicle

An electric motor uses electrical energy to produce mechanical energy, usually through
the interaction of magnetic fields and current-carrying conductors. The reverse process,
producing electrical energy from mechanical energy, is accomplished by
a generator or dynamo. Traction motors used on vehicles often perform both tasks.
Electric motors can be run as generators and vice versa, although this is not always
practical. Electric motors are ubiquitous, being found in applications as diverse as
industrial fans, blowers and pumps, machine tools, household appliances, power tools,
and disk drives. They may be powered by direct current (for example a battery powered
portable device or motor vehicle), or by alternating current from a central electrical
distribution grid. The smallest motors may be found in electric wristwatches. Medium-
size motors of highly standardized dimensions and characteristics provide convenient
mechanical power for industrial uses. The very largest electric motors are used for
propulsion of large ships, and for such purposes as pipeline compressors, with ratings in
the thousands of kilowatts. Electric motors may be classified by the source of electric
power, by their internal construction, and by their application.
The physical principle of production of mechanical force by the interactions of an electric
current and a magnetic field was known as early as 1821. Electric motors of increasing
efficiency were constructed throughout the 19th century, but commercial exploitation of
electric motors on a large scale required efficient electrical generators and electrical
distribution networks.
To reduce the electric energy consumption from motors and their associated carbon
footprints, various regulatory authorities in many countries have introduced and
implemented legislation to encourage the manufacture and use of higher efficiency
electric motors. A well-designed motor can convert over 90% of its input energy into
useful power for decades.[23] When the efficiency of a motor is raised by even a few
percentage points, the savings, in kilowatt hours (and therefore in cost), are enormous.
The electrical energy efficiency of a typical industrial induction motor can be improved
by: 1) reducing the electrical losses in the stator windings (e.g., by increasing the cross-
sectional area of the conductor, improving the winding technique, and using materials
with higher electrical conductivities, such as copper), 2) reducing the electrical losses in
the rotor coil or casting (e.g., by using materials with higher electrical conductivities, such
as copper), 3) reducing magnetic losses by using better quality magnetic steel, 4)
improving the aerodynamics of motors to reduce mechanical windage losses, 5)
improving bearings to reduce friction losses, and 6) minimizing
manufacturing tolerances. For further discussion on this subject, see Premium
efficiency.)
By convention, electric engine refers to a railroad electric locomotive, rather than an
electric motor.

Physically powered motor[edit]

Some motors are powered by potential or kinetic energy, for example
some funiculars, gravity plane and ropeway conveyors have used the energy from
moving water or rocks, and some clocks have a weight that falls under gravity. Other
forms of potential energy include compressed gases (such as pneumatic motors),
springs (clockwork motors) and elastic bands.
Historic military siege engines included large catapults, trebuchets, and (to some
extent) battering rams were powered by potential energy.
Pneumatic motor[edit]
Main article: Pneumatic motor
A pneumatic motor is a machine that converts potential energy in the form
of compressed air into mechanical work. Pneumatic motors generally convert the
compressed air to mechanical work though either linear or rotary motion. Linear motion
can come from either a diaphragm or piston actuator, while rotary motion is supplied by
either a vane type air motor or piston air motor. Pneumatic motors have found
widespread success in the hand-held tool industry and continual attempts are being
made to expand their use to the transportation industry. However, pneumatic motors
must overcome efficiency deficiencies before being seen as a viable option in the
transportation industry.
Hydraulic motor[edit]
Main article: Hydraulic motor
A hydraulic motor is one that derives its power from a pressurized fluid. This type of
engine can be used to move heavy loads or produce motion.[24]

Performance[edit]
Engine speed[edit]
Given that the majority of engines for which a speed is defined rotate, engine speed is
measured in revolutions per minute (RPM). Engines may be classified as low-speed,
medium-speed or high-speed, but these terms are always relative and depend on the
type of engine being described. Generally, diesel engines operate at lower speeds
(~1500-2000 RPM for an automotive diesel) compared to gasoline engines (~2200-3400
RPM for an automotive gasoline engine). Electric motors and turboshafts are capable of
very high speeds (~10,000 RPM or more), generally constrained only by the bulk
modulus and intended service life of the parts constituting the rotor, which must bear the
brunt of the centrifugal force.

Thrust[edit]
Thrust is the force arising from the interaction between two masses which exert equal
but opposite forces on each other due to their speed. The force F can be measured
either in newtons (N, SI units) or in pounds-thrust (lbf, imperial units).

Torque[edit]
Torque is the force being exerted on a theoretical lever connected to the output shaft of
an engine. This is expressed by the formula:
where r is the length of the lever, F is the force applied on it, and r×F is the vector
cross product. Torque is measured typically either in newton-metres (N·m, SI units)
or in foot-pounds (ft·lb, imperial units).

Power[edit]
Power is the amount of work being done, or energy being produced, per unit of time.
This is expressed by the formula:

With a quick demonstration, it can be shown that:

This formula with linear forces and speeds can be used equally well for both
engines outputting thrust and engines exerting torque.
When considering propulsive engines, typically only the raw force of the
core mass flow is considered, leading to such engines having their 'power'
rated in any of the units discussed above for forces.
If the engine in question outputs its power on a shaft, then:

.
This is the reason why any engine outputting its power on a rotating
shaft is usually quoted, along with its rated power, the rotational speed
at which that rated power is developed.

Efficiency[edit]
Main article: Engine efficiency
Depending on the type of engine employed, different rates of efficiency
are attained.
For heat engines, efficiency cannot be greater than the Carnot
efficiency.

Sound levels[edit]
In the case of sound levels, engine operation is of greatest impact with
respect to mobile sources such as automobiles and trucks. Engine
noise is a particularly large component of mobile source noise for
vehicles operating at lower speeds, where aerodynamic and tire noise is
less significant.[25] Generally speaking, petrol (gasoline) and diesel
engines emit less noise than turboshafts of equivalent power output;
electric motors very often emit less noise than their fossil fuel-powered
equivalents. Thrust-outputting engines, such as turbofans, turbojets and
rockets emit the greatest amount of noise because their method of
producing thrust is directly related to the production of sound. Various
methods have been devised to reduce noise. Petrol and diesel engines
are fitted with mufflers (silencers); newer turbofans often have outsized
fans (the so-called high-bypass technology) in order to reduce the
proportion of noisy, hot exhaust from the integrated turboshaft in the
exhaust stream, and hushkits exist for older, low-bypass turbofans. No
known methods exist for reducing the noise output of rockets without a
corresponding reduction in thrust.
Engines by use[edit]
Particularly notable kinds of engines include:

 Aircraft engine
 Automobile engine
 Model engine
 Motorcycle engine
 Marine propulsion engines such as Outboard motor
 Non-road engine is the term used to define engines that are not
used by vehicles on roadways.
 Railway locomotive engine
 Spacecraft propulsion engines such as Rocket engine
 Traction engine