Automobiles are a major part of our modern society. They have made it possible for people to live more independently than ever before. They make it easy to travel from one place to another, and they allow us to spend time with our families. Moreover, they have revolutionized the way we communicate with each other. They have also helped our society to grow and develop. They have helped to expand the economy of many countries and their social life as well.
An automobile is a self-propelled motor vehicle designed for passenger transportation that uses four to eight tires and an internal combustion engine powered most often by gasoline or other liquid petroleum fuels. The branches of engineering which deal with the manufacture and technologies of automobiles are called Automobile Engineering.
Exactly who invented the automobile is a matter of contention, with some credited to Leonardo da Vinci and others to Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler of Germany in the late 1800s. Steam, electric and gas-powered autos competed for decades before gasoline internal combustion engines gained dominance in the 1910s.
The design of an automobile must balance the needs of safety, comfort, power, and fuel efficiency. The basic systems are the engine, drive system (front-wheel or rear-wheel), suspension and braking systems, cooling and lubrication systems, electrical system, and chassis, which provides structure for the car and support for the various other systems. The body, analogous to the skeletal structure in the human body, provides safety, protection from the elements, and comfort.