Automobile Engineering Course

Lesson 1 • Vehicle Classification and Terminology

Defines passenger cars, trucks, SUVs, and specialty vehicles by design purpose. Builds shared vocabulary used throughout the entire course.

Lesson 2 • Safety and Regulatory Fundamentals

Introduces occupant protection standards, emissions limits, and crash test protocols. Establishes compliance awareness needed for all subsequent design decisions.

Lesson 3 • Engineering Materials in Automobiles

Covers steel, aluminum, polymers, and composites used in vehicle construction. Links material properties to performance, weight, and cost trade-offs.

Lesson 4 • History and Evolution of Automobiles

Traces automotive development from steam-powered vehicles to modern electric cars. Provides context for understanding why current engineering solutions exist.

Lesson 1 • Engine Components and Their Functions

Details pistons, crankshafts, camshafts, valves, and cylinder heads as a system. Explains how each component contributes to power generation and durability.

Lesson 2 • Engine Performance Measurement

Introduces torque, horsepower, volumetric efficiency, and BMEP as key metrics. Applies dynamometer testing methods to evaluate engine output.

Lesson 3 • Engine Lubrication and Cooling

Describes oil circulation paths, coolant flow, and heat rejection mechanisms. Demonstrates how thermal management protects engine longevity.

Lesson 4 • Thermodynamic Cycles and Engine Theory

Explains Otto, Diesel, and Atkinson cycles using pressure-volume diagrams. Connects theoretical efficiency to real-world engine design choices.

Lesson 1 • Manual Transmission Design

Details gear pairs, synchronizers, and shift mechanisms in manual gearboxes. Applies gear ratio calculations to acceleration and fuel efficiency trade-offs.

Lesson 2 • Automatic and CVT Transmissions

Covers planetary gear sets, torque converters, and hydraulic control in automatics. Compares belt-and-pulley CVT operation to stepped automatic behavior.

Lesson 3 • Four-Wheel and All-Wheel Drive Systems

Distinguishes part-time 4WD, full-time AWD, and torque-vectoring architectures. Analyzes transfer case design and traction distribution strategies.

Lesson 4 • Driveshafts, Differentials, and Axles

Traces torque from gearbox output through driveshafts, differentials, and half-shafts to wheels. Explains open, limited-slip, and locking differential behavior.

Lesson 1 • Suspension System Types and Geometry

Analyzes MacPherson strut, double-wishbone, multi-link, and solid-axle suspensions. Relates camber, caster, and toe settings to tire wear and cornering.

Lesson 2 • Vehicle Chassis and Frame Design

Compares body-on-frame, unibody, and space-frame structures for stiffness and weight. Connects structural rigidity to ride quality and crash performance.

Lesson 3 • Steering System Mechanics

Details rack-and-pinion and recirculating-ball steering geometry and mechanical advantage. Introduces electric power steering control strategies.

Lesson 4 • Tires and Wheel Dynamics

Explains tire construction, load ratings, slip angle, and contact patch behavior. Links tire selection to vehicle handling balance and braking performance.

Lesson 1 • Brake Proportioning and Balance

Covers front-to-rear brake force distribution and proportioning valve function. Connects brake balance to vehicle stability under hard deceleration.

Lesson 2 • Anti-Lock Braking System Operation

Details wheel speed sensor inputs, hydraulic modulator cycling, and ABS control logic. Demonstrates how ABS maintains steering control during maximum braking.

Lesson 3 • Disc and Drum Brake Design

Compares rotor and drum geometry, pad and shoe materials, and heat dissipation capacity. Analyzes self-energizing effect in drum brakes versus disc brake linearity.

Lesson 4 • Hydraulic Brake Circuit Fundamentals

Explains Pascal's law application in master cylinders, brake lines, and calipers. Establishes hydraulic force multiplication as the basis for all brake system analysis.

Lesson 1 • Sensors and Actuators in Vehicles

Identifies throttle position, oxygen, MAP, and crankshaft sensors and their signal types. Links sensor accuracy to engine management and emissions control performance.

Lesson 2 • Vehicle Electrical Architecture

Covers battery, alternator, fuse boxes, and wiring harness design in 12V and 48V systems. Establishes circuit fundamentals as the foundation for all electronic system work.

Lesson 3 • Engine Control Module and Fuel Management

Explains ECM input processing, fuel injection timing, and ignition advance maps. Demonstrates closed-loop lambda control and adaptive fuel trim strategies.

Lesson 4 • CAN Bus and Network Communication

Details CAN, LIN, and FlexRay protocols for inter-module data exchange. Applies network analysis tools to identify communication faults and message timing errors.

Lesson 1 • Battery Technology and Management

Covers lithium-ion cell chemistry, pack design, and battery management system functions. Explains state-of-charge estimation, thermal management, and cell balancing.

Lesson 2 • Hybrid Electric Vehicle Architectures

Compares series, parallel, and power-split hybrid topologies for efficiency and packaging. Analyzes energy management strategies that blend combustion and electric power.

Lesson 3 • Regenerative Braking Integration

Explains how regenerative torque blends with friction brakes to recover kinetic energy. Analyzes control strategies that maximize energy recovery without compromising feel.

Lesson 4 • Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles

Covers proton exchange membrane fuel cell operation, hydrogen storage, and system integration. Compares fuel cell range and refueling advantages against battery-electric limitations.

Lesson 1 • Prototype Testing and Validation

Covers durability, climatic, and proving-ground test protocols for vehicle sign-off. Connects test results to design iteration cycles in the development process.

Lesson 2 • Aerodynamics and Drag Reduction

Explains drag coefficient, lift force, and downforce generation on vehicle bodies. Applies wind tunnel and CFD methods to optimize exterior shape for efficiency.

Lesson 3 • Noise, Vibration, and Harshness Analysis

Identifies NVH sources including engine, road, and wind noise and their transmission paths. Applies modal analysis and damping treatments to meet interior comfort targets.

Lesson 4 • Longitudinal and Lateral Vehicle Dynamics

Models acceleration, braking, and cornering forces using equations of motion. Connects center-of-gravity height and wheelbase to dynamic stability limits.