At Indiandrives.com our motive is to make sure that you get all the possible information about automobiles (as now we have added a bike section as well). Especially if you feel that you are still a noob in front of your auto crazy friends, then we are all here for you. In our article Automotive technology bible we have already made you familiar with many terms related to the automobiles, as we have already written three articles on same namely automotive technology bible, automotive technology bible revisited and automotive technology bible continued. So now I have the honour to present with another article on the same where I’ll be introducing more terms related with automobile and their use and meaning.
Airbags:
Airbags are basically the ‘passive safety feature’. Maximum in cars, there can be a total of eight airbags. There are airbags in the front, side and also a curtain airbag as a measure for safety for the passengers and driver. These airbags are designed to automatically inflate at the time of frontal and side collision. How does it work? Ok I’ll make it simpler for you. There are few sensors in the side and the front of the car which at the time of collision activates a tiny hermetical sealed container which is filled with sodium azide. Release of sodium azide generates a large amount of non harmful gas in less than 5 micro seconds. This gas inflates these safety airbags in order to protect the occupants from any harm.
Aerodynamic Drag:
If you understand what does the word aerodynamic means then you will also be able to understand the word aerodynamic drag as well. Basically it means the car’s ability to resist wind. This is possible because of the shape of the car. The lesser it is, the better. This ultimately leads to a better fuel efficiency and lesser wind noise.
Disc, Drum Brakes:
One of the best inventions in the automobile sector is the invention of Hydraulic Brakes. These brakes ensured that an equal amount of brake force is applied on all the wheels. First, let me tell you how brakes work? So, the brake pedal gets connected to the master cylinder. Master cylinder contains hydraulic oil in it. So, when the driver applies pressure on the brake pedal the hydraulic oil gets transmitted to the circuit which further gets routed to all the four wheels. Now the catch is that there are two types of Hydraulic brakes. One where there is just one circuit and then the other where there are two circuits. Usually, in India we find two circuits only. Now the disc brakes are the brakes which have a steel disc attached on the wheels that rotates with the wheel. Drum brakes are the normal brakes where in, a brake shoe is used in order to increase or decrease the speed of the vehicle. The ventilated disc brakes have a solid rotor or disc present at the sides of the wheels. In addition to the rotor there is also are special vents that are visible at the edge of the disc. These vents help in a better air flow which helps in better braking results.
Four wheel drive:
Basically, wheel drive refers to as of how many wheels have the power of distribution in the car. Generally in India the distribution power is directed in only single circuit (read Disc, Drum brakes) which makes them distribute the majority of the power to only two wheels. While in the four wheel drive the distribution power is distributed in both the circuit which gives the power to all the wheels. Hence four wheel drive is also called as all wheel drive.