An automobile (or car) is a four-wheeled passenger vehicle designed to run primarily on roads and to carry one to six people. Most automobiles are propelled by internal combustion engines fueled by a volatile fuel. Modern automobiles are complex technical systems that combine thousands of subsystems with specific design functions. Among them are a variety of power-producing engines, chassis and suspension, body structure, passenger comfort features, and safety and control systems.
Automobiles have profoundly changed human society. Their technological development, with its ancillary industries in steel and petroleum, was the primary driver of change in twentieth-century America as the nation moved from an industrial to a consumer goods economy. Today, cars dominate world commerce and transportation. In the United States alone, there are more than three trillion miles—five trillion kilometers—traveled in vehicles each year.
In many homes, the automobile has become the primary means of family transportation, allowing people to live in the countryside and still shop and work in cities. The automobile has also spawned numerous leisure activities, with city dwellers escaping to the country to rediscover pristine landscapes and rural residents visiting towns and cities for shopping and entertainment.
The automotive industry grew rapidly in the late 1800s and early 1900s, with the rise of mass production techniques introduced by American car manufacturer Henry Ford. He set out to make his vehicles affordable for middle-class families, and he revolutionized manufacturing techniques. In the 1920s and 1930s, auto makers developed new engines, drive trains, interiors, controls, and other components to make their cars more comfortable, easier to operate, safer, and more attractive.
Modern life is nearly inconceivable without access to an automobile. In addition to enabling urban dwellers to travel to the countryside and rural dwellers to visit cities, modern cars can provide access to medical services and social and cultural events not possible with other forms of public or private transport.
Cars are not just a means of getting around, they can also be an expression of one’s lifestyle and status. Having a car shows that you have money, and it allows you to choose where you want to go, when you want to go, and how you want to get there.
Having your own car can be very convenient, and it is much more reliable than taking a taxi or using public transportation. It gives you freedom to leave home at any time, instead of having to arrive at the bus stop on time or worrying about missing a train or plane.
However, you must be careful when driving. There are many reckless drivers out there who cause serious accidents. It is also important to obey traffic rules and be a good driver. If you are planning to purchase a car, learn all about the rules of road before you begin driving. If you are not a good driver, you should consider joining a SSC JE Mechanical coaching center to improve your skills. These centers offer mock tests and practice papers to help you prepare for the examination.