An automobile is a self-propelled vehicle used for transporting goods and passengers on the ground. Examples include mopeds, scooters, motorcycles, cars, jeeps, trucks, tractors, ships, aircrafts, and rockets. The history of automobiles began in 1801 with the steam carriage and progressed through important milestones like the first gas-powered automobile in 1885. Automobiles are classified based on their purpose, fuel used, and capacity. The main components of an automobile include the chassis, engine, brakes, steering system, and wheels. The chassis provides the main supporting structure and consists of the engine, brakes, steering, and wheels mounted on a frame.

1. What is an ‘Automobile’??
A self propelled vehicle used for transportation of
goods & passengers on the ground is called an
Automobile.
Eg. Moped, Scooter, motorcycle, Car, jeep, truck,
tractor, ships, aircrafts, rocket etc.
History
• 1801 – Richard threvithrick – First Steam Carriage
• 1869 Captain Nicholas Cugnot build first
Automobile
• 1885 – Benz Motors in Germany developed first
propelled with IC Engine
• 1897 – Mr. Foster from Crompton greaves
borrowed first motor car in india
• 1901 Mr. Jamshed Ji TATA was the first
Indian to own a motor car.
Steam
Piston's Rear Wheel /
Axle
Front Wheel
Steam
Generator

2. Classification of vehicles
• Purpose
• Passenger Carriers – Car, Bus
• Goods Carriers - Trucks
• Fuel Used
• Petrol
• Diesel Gas
• Electric
• Steam – not in use
• Capacity
• HMV – Trucks, Buses
• LMV – Tempo, Jeeps
Construction
• Single unit
• Articulated – Eg. Trailers, Tractors
Drive
• Left hand
• Right Hand
Number of Wheels
• Two Wheeler
• Three Wheeler
• Four Wheeler

4. Chassis
Main Supporting Structure of vehicle consist of almost all major parts
except automobile body.
• Chasis is a French term which denotes the whole vehicle except
body in case of heavy vehicles.
• Chassis consists of engine,brakes, steering system & wheel mounted
on the frame,differential,suspension.
• In case of light vehicles of mono construction it denotes the whole
body except additional fitting in the body.
Chassis
Vehicle body

5. PRINCIPAL FUNCTION:
To safety carry the maximum load.
• Holding all components together while driving.
• Accommodate twisting on even road surface.
• Endure shock loading.
• It must absorb engine & driveline torque

6. Conventional chassis
Full foreward chassis

7. Conventional chassis:
• Engine is fitted in front of the driver cabin or
driver seat such as in cars.
• Chassis portion can not be utilized for carrying
passengers and goods
Semi-forward chasis
Half portion of the engine is in the driver
cabin & andremaining half is outside the
cabin such as in tata trucks • In this
arrangement a part of the chassis is utilized
for carrying extra passengers.

8. Full-forward chassis
• Complete engine is mounted inside the driver cabin
• Driver seat is just above the front wheel

9. ENGINE AT FRONT:
• Conventionally the engines are fitted at front
& drive is given to the wheels from the “rear”
Advantage : • Enough space is available for
luggage behind the rear seat • The weight of
vehicles is well balance
• Increased efficiency of cooling system
Engine fitted at the centre of the chassis:
• Drive is given to the rear
• Consequently most mid-engine. Largest
drawback of mid-engine cars is restricted rear
passanger space.
• vehicles are two-seat vehicles.
• The engine in effect pushes the
• passenger compartment forward
• towards the front axle (if engine is
• behind driver).

10. Engine fitted at back :
Flat floor is available since long propeller shafts are
eliminated • With elimination of propeller shaft the
centre of gravity lowered giving stable driving •
Better adhesion onroad specially when climbing hill

11. FRAME :
• Frame is the main part of chassis on which remaining part of
chassis are mounted.
• Frame should be extremely rigid and strong so that it can
withstand shocks, twist, stresses and vibrations when vehicle is
moving on road.