Automobiles are four-wheeled vehicles for people that have their own engines and are built mainly to carry passengers. They are different from trucks and buses, which transport goods. People use automobiles to get to work and to other places. They also play a part in recreation and entertainment. Most people have a hard time imagining life without them.
Automobiles give millions of people jobs around the world, including at factories that make them and at gas stations, restaurants and motels where travelers stop. But they also cause problems. Millions of people die in automobile accidents each year and they pollute the air that people breathe. In addition, parking space is often limited in cities and many roads and highways are congested with automobiles.
The history of the modern automobile goes back several hundred years. The first road vehicles ran on steam, and some used electric power. Others were powered by battery-charged gasoline engines. The 1860s and ’70s saw many new inventions in these areas, and by 1900 Germany and France had become the leaders of the industry.
The modern automobile is a very complicated machine that has hundreds of systems that make it move and control itself. Some of the most important are the engine and the transmission, which produce the power to turn the wheels. The steering, brakes and electrical systems also are essential for safe driving and operating the car. The body is the outer shell that holds the mechanical parts and makes the vehicle look like a normal car. It is made of steel or other strong material. The frame is the base that supports the body, and it includes the passenger compartment. The hood and trunk are on the front of the car, and the fenders cover the wheels.
A car’s body is designed to give the driver and passengers a comfortable ride, which is why they have cushioned seats and windows that can be opened. Various materials are used to make the bodies of automobiles, from steel section pillars and panels paired with aluminum paneling to all-aluminium bodies where the pillars, frames and bodies are crafted from one piece of metal.
Besides the cars that are primarily designed to carry passengers, there are also sporty models such as coupes and minivans. A coupe is a two-door car with a fixed roof and is a style that is considered sexy. A minivan is a taller automobile that can carry up to three rows of people and has more cargo space than sedans. SUVs (sport utility vehicles) are a popular choice for families because they have both cargo and passenger room.
Some automobiles have special features to help people with disabilities. They can drive in reverse, for example, and some have specialized controls to operate their doors, lights and windshields. Many also have air conditioning. All cars have safety features such as seat belts and child safety seats. People need to take advantage of these options if they want to stay healthy on the road.