Question 1

Automobile Power Plants — Most Common Type Among practical automotive power plants, which is the most widely used for passenger and commercial vehicles?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Automotive propulsion has explored many concepts, but the overwhelming majority of road vehicles worldwide have historically used internal-combustion (I.C.) engines. This question checks basic awareness of mainstream power plants. Given Data / Assumptions: Conventional passenger cars, trucks, buses across the last decades. I.C. engines include petrol and diesel reciprocating engines. Not considering niche prototypes or very recent market shifts. Concept / Approach: Reciprocating I.C. engines balance cost, energy density, refueling speed, and mature supply chains. While hybrids and BEVs are growing rapidly, the global fleet remains dominated by I.C. engines, especially in commercial and developing markets. Gas turbines and steam engines are rare in automobiles due to efficiency, cost, and drivability challenges. Step-by-Step Solution: Survey practical usage: petrol and diesel engines power most vehicles.Compare alternatives: gas turbines saw limited trials; batteries alone are increasingly common but still not the historical majority.Select the option representing mainstream reality: I.C. engine. Verification / Alternative check: Registration and production data over many years show I.C. engines as the dominant power plant globally. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Gas turbine: poor part-load efficiency and cost barriers.Battery (pure BEV): growing but not historically the most common across all regions and classes.None of these: incorrect given widespread I.C. use.Steam engine: obsolete in modern autos. Common Pitfalls: Conflating recent EV adoption trends with long-term dominance; the question asks “most commonly used”. Final Answer: I.C. engine

Question 2

Wheel/Tire Service — Effects of Wheel Imbalance Which problems most directly result from wheel imbalance on a passenger car?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Correct wheel balance is essential for ride comfort and tire longevity. Imbalance causes periodic forces that the suspension cannot fully absorb, transmitting shake to the cabin and accelerating wear patterns. Given Data / Assumptions: Typical steel or alloy wheels with pneumatic tires. Vehicle speeds where imbalance effects become noticeable (often 60–100 km/h). Alignment is otherwise within specification. Concept / Approach: Static or dynamic imbalance creates a rotating unbalanced force proportional to mass offset and the square of rotational speed. The force excites steering components and body structures, producing steering wheel shimmy and seat/floor vibrations. The repetitive loading also causes cupping or scalloping wear on tires. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify symptoms at highway speeds: steering wheel shakes, especially on the front axle.Associate with tire wear: cupping/feathering patterns develop faster when imbalance persists.Therefore, the correct combined effects are steering wheel vibrations and uneven tire wear. Verification / Alternative check: Balancing wheels on a machine and installing correct weights typically eliminates the vibration and slows abnormal wear, confirming the diagnosis. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Hard steering: more related to steering geometry or power-assist faults.Poor acceleration/fuel economy: primarily engine/driveline issues.Pull during braking: often a brake or alignment problem, not balance. Common Pitfalls: Confusing balance with alignment; alignment errors cause tire shoulder wear and pull, whereas imbalance causes vibration. Final Answer: steering wheel vibrations and uneven tyre wear

Question 3

Fuels and knocking in spark-ignition (SI) engines Among common reference fuels used to characterize knock resistance, which fuel detonates (knocks) most easily under engine conditions?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: In SI (petrol) engines, abnormal combustion called knock or detonation occurs when part of the unburned end-gas auto-ignites before the flame front arrives. The susceptibility of a fuel to this phenomenon is expressed with the octane rating scale, defined using two reference fuels: iso-octane and n-heptane. Given Data / Assumptions: Comparing typical fuels used as knock references. Standard SI engine compression and temperature conditions. No fuel additives or special blending unless noted. Concept / Approach: On the octane scale, iso-octane is assigned an octane number of 100 due to its high knock resistance, while n-heptane is assigned 0 because it knocks very readily. A real fuel’s octane number indicates the percentage of iso-octane in a mixture with n-heptane that would have equivalent knocking behavior. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the two reference fuels: iso-octane (high resistance) and n-heptane (low resistance).Relate octane number to knock propensity: lower octane → easier detonation.Compare listed options: n-heptane has the greatest tendency to detonate; iso-octane is the most resistant among the choices.Conclude the fuel that detonates most easily under engine conditions is n-heptane. Verification / Alternative check: Textbook octane definitions and CFR engine tests consistently rate n-heptane as the poor anti-knock reference. Alcohols generally have high octane ratings and resist knock. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Iso-octane: the high anti-knock standard (100), resists detonation. Benzene: higher octane than n-heptane; not the easiest to detonate in SI conditions. Alcohol: alcohol fuels (e.g., ethanol, methanol) usually have very high octane numbers, resisting knock. Toluene: commonly used as a high-octane blending component. Common Pitfalls: Confusing cetane (diesel ignition quality) with octane (SI knock resistance). High cetane means easy auto-ignition in diesels, but SI engines desire high octane (hard to auto-ignite). Final Answer: n-heptane

Question 4

Four-stroke engine cycle — correct chronological sequence of strokes Identify the correct order of the four strokes in a conventional four-stroke internal combustion engine.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The four-stroke cycle is the foundation of most automotive engines. Understanding the correct sequence is essential for diagnostics (e.g., valve timing, misfire analysis) and general engine theory. Given Data / Assumptions: Naturally aspirated or boosted engines still follow the same stroke order. Terminology: suction = intake, power = expansion. Valves open/close according to cam timing over crankshaft rotation. Concept / Approach: The cycle comprises four distinct piston strokes over two crankshaft revolutions: intake (charge enters), compression (mixture compressed), power (combustion and expansion do work), and exhaust (spent gases expelled). The ignition event occurs near the end of compression for SI engines (spark) and by auto-ignition for CI engines (diesel). Step-by-Step Solution: Stroke 1: Suction/Intake — piston moves down, intake valve open, fresh charge enters.Stroke 2: Compression — valves closed, piston rises, compressing charge.Combustion: near top dead center (method depends on engine type).Stroke 3: Power/Expansion — high-pressure gases force piston down, delivering work.Stroke 4: Exhaust — piston rises with exhaust valve open, pushing out products. Verification / Alternative check: Animation or timing diagrams in service manuals show valve events aligned with the above sequence; crank rotates 720 degrees per full cycle. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Sequences mixing exhaust or power out of order violate thermodynamic and mechanical timing. Any order not starting with intake then compression is inconsistent with standard valve timing. Common Pitfalls: Confusing two-stroke processes with four-stroke; mixing terminology (suction vs. intake, power vs. expansion). Final Answer: suction - compression - power - exhaust

Question 5

Rolling resistance in road vehicles Rolling resistance primarily arises due to friction and deformation between which two elements?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Rolling resistance is the parasitic force opposing motion that must be overcome by the powertrain. It affects fuel economy, range (in EVs), and performance. Given Data / Assumptions: Pneumatic tyres on typical paved roads. Steady speed; aerodynamic drag considered separately. Tyre is inflated to a normal service pressure. Concept / Approach: Rolling resistance mainly results from hysteresis losses inside the tyre as it deforms in the contact patch, plus micro-slippage and friction at the tyre–road interface. The energy dissipated manifests as heat. Bearing and drivetrain losses exist but are not termed rolling resistance in the classical sense. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the contact: tyre tread meets the road; deformation occurs as the patch enters and leaves contact.Account for viscoelastic losses in rubber compounds contributing to resistance.Conclude that the principal interface is tyre–road, not tyre–rim or rim–road. Verification / Alternative check: Laboratory coastdown tests and drum dynamometer measurements attribute most rolling losses to tyre deformation and tyre–road frictional effects. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Wheel rim–tyre: internal to the wheel and not the source of road rolling losses. Wheel rim–road: the rim does not contact the road during normal operation. Bearings only: contribute to mechanical drag, but rolling resistance refers chiefly to tyre–road effects. Common Pitfalls: Confusing aerodynamic drag with rolling resistance; neglecting the effect of inflation pressure and tyre construction on rolling resistance coefficient. Final Answer: tyre and the road surface

Question 6

Valve actuation in overhead-valve engines The cam lobe motion is transmitted to the rocker arm, which oscillates and presses the valve against the spring, opening it against spring force. Is this description correct?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Valve trains convert camshaft rotation into linear valve motion. Understanding how cams, followers, rocker arms, and springs interact helps diagnose noise, lash, and timing problems. Given Data / Assumptions: Overhead-valve (OHV) or overhead-cam (OHC) systems may use rocker arms. Valve springs keep valves seated when not actuated. Cam profile dictates lift, duration, and timing. Concept / Approach: As the cam lobe rotates, its rise pushes on a follower/tappet, transmitting force to a rocker arm. The rocker pivots and pushes the valve stem downward, overcoming the spring force and opening the valve. When the cam returns to base circle, the spring closes the valve. Step-by-Step Solution: Camshaft rotates, lobe rise approaches follower.Follower motion is transferred to rocker arm (directly or via pushrod).Rocker pivots, forcing valve down; spring compresses and stores energy.As lobe passes, spring energy returns valve to seat, sealing the port. Verification / Alternative check: Service diagrams show rocker ratio and valve lift versus cam lift; lash setting confirms mechanical linkage behavior. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Limited to intake or high rpm only: incorrect; the same mechanism applies to intake and exhaust over all speeds. False for OHC: many OHC engines still employ finger followers/rockers with similar action. Common Pitfalls: Incorrect valve lash causing noise or burning; weak springs causing valve float; worn cam lobes reducing lift. Final Answer: True

Question 7

Tyre technology — meaning of vulcanization In automotive service, the term ‘‘vulcanizing’’ rubber generally means which process?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Vulcanization transforms raw, sticky rubber into a durable elastomer suitable for tyres, belts, and seals. The process dramatically improves mechanical and thermal properties. Given Data / Assumptions: Automotive rubber components (tyres, tubes, patches). Conventional sulphur-based vulcanization chemistry. Heat and pressure applied in presses or autoclaves. Concept / Approach: During vulcanization, sulphur atoms form cross-links between polymer chains, creating a three-dimensional network. This reduces creep, improves elasticity at service temperatures, and enhances wear and chemical resistance. Step-by-Step Solution: Prepare compound with rubber, sulphur, accelerators, and fillers.Apply heat and pressure for a controlled time to promote cross-linking.Achieve desired hardness, resilience, and strength for the application. Verification / Alternative check: Material tests post-vulcanization show higher tensile strength, tear resistance, and set properties compared to raw rubber. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Painting or washing: surface treatments, not structural cross-linking. Melting: rubber is thermoset-like when vulcanized and does not melt; raw rubber softens but vulcanization is a chemical process, not simple melting. Cryogenic hardening: unrelated to cross-link formation typical of vulcanization. Common Pitfalls: Over-curing leads to embrittlement; under-curing leaves weak, tacky material. Proper temperature–time profiles are essential. Final Answer: heating rubber under pressure (typically with sulphur) to cross-link and strengthen it

Question 8

Engine structure — identifying the base component Which engine component forms the basic structure to which the cylinder head, crankshaft, and other major parts are attached or assembled?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The engine's major components are built around a central structural piece. Correct identification aids in understanding assembly order, cooling/jacketing, and service procedures. Given Data / Assumptions: Conventional inline or V-engine layout. Block includes cylinder bores and coolant passages. Crankcase may be integral with the block in many designs. Concept / Approach: The cylinder block houses the cylinders, provides coolant jackets, and supports the crankshaft (via main bearing saddles) either directly or with a bedplate. The cylinder head bolts on top; ancillaries mount to machined faces and bosses on the block. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the part that contains bores and forms the crankcase: the cylinder block.Attach crankshaft in mains and install pistons/rods within the block.Bolt the cylinder head to the block to close combustion chambers. Verification / Alternative check: Exploded diagrams in service manuals always depict the block as the foundational piece. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Cylinder head: seals the top of cylinders but doesn't form the base structure. Crankshaft: a rotating member supported by the block. Oil pan: attaches to the block as a reservoir; not a structural base. Engine mount: part of vehicle frame/subframe, not the engine core. Common Pitfalls: Confusing the block with a separate crankcase in older split-case designs; modern blocks often integrate the crankcase. Final Answer: cylinder block

Question 9

Engine lubrication — understanding crankcase dilution What does the term ‘‘crankcase dilution’’ mean in automotive engines?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Crankcase dilution degrades oil viscosity and lubricity, accelerating wear. It commonly arises from incomplete combustion or excessive enrichment during cold starts and idling. Given Data / Assumptions: Four-stroke automotive engine with wet sump. Some fuel can bypass rings as blow-by or condense on cold cylinder walls. Normal PCV (positive crankcase ventilation) in place. Concept / Approach: Unburned fuel can wash past piston rings and enter the crankcase, mixing with lubricating oil. The lowered viscosity thins the hydrodynamic film and reduces boundary lubrication performance, especially at bearings and cam–follower interfaces. Step-by-Step Solution: Recognize causes: frequent short trips, rich mixtures, misfires.Fuel reaches crankcase via ring blow-by/condensation.Oil thins → protection decreases → wear and sludge increase. Verification / Alternative check: Oil analysis shows reduced viscosity and elevated fuel percentage; odor of fuel in oil and rising oil level can be observed. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Water dilution: possible via coolant leak or condensation but not the definition of crankcase dilution. Two-stroke mixture flow: not applicable to four-stroke crankcase lubrication. Fuel addition intentionally: never recommended; harmful. Common Pitfalls: Ignoring warm-up cycles; extended idling in cold weather can exacerbate dilution. Regular oil changes and proper engine management mitigate risk. Final Answer: dilution of lubrication oil by fuel in the crankcase

Question 10

Automotive structures — what is not part of the chassis? In a conventional vehicle layout, which of the following is not considered a part of the chassis system (frame and running gear)?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The vehicle chassis comprises the frame and running gear necessary for motion, control, and support of the body. Distinguishing chassis components from body/interior items is basic automotive knowledge. Given Data / Assumptions: Conventional ladder-frame or unibody vehicles. Chassis includes components for motion and control. Body/interior are separate from the chassis classification. Concept / Approach: Chassis elements include the frame, suspension, axles, wheels/tyres, steering gear, and brakes. Seats belong to the vehicle body/interior and are not required for the basic running gear, even though they attach to the body or floor. Step-by-Step Solution: List chassis components: frame, axles, suspension, steering, brakes, wheels.Identify body/interior components: seats, trim, dashboard, glazing.Select the option that is clearly an interior (non-chassis) part: seats. Verification / Alternative check: Automotive textbooks and parts catalogs categorize seats under body/interior, not chassis. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Wheels, front axle, steering system, and suspension are core chassis components that determine ride, handling, and load support. Common Pitfalls: Confusing unibody floorpan with a frame; even then, seats remain interior parts, not chassis. Final Answer: Seats

Question 11

Steering systems — which component turns rotary input into lateral linkage motion? In a typical steering linkage, which component primarily converts steering wheel rotation into the lateral motion that ultimately steers the road wheels?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Understanding the function of each steering component helps in diagnosing play, noise, and alignment issues. The goal is to identify where rotational motion becomes controlled linear (or angular-to-lateral) motion to turn the wheels. Given Data / Assumptions: Conventional rack-and-pinion or recirculating-ball system. Mechanical linkage connects the steering gear to tie rods/knuckles. Normal vehicle front suspension layout. Concept / Approach: The steering gearbox receives rotation from the wheel via the shaft and translates it into motion of the rack (in rack-and-pinion) or sector/pitman arm (in recirculating-ball). This motion then moves the tie rods laterally, changing the wheel steer angle through the knuckles. Step-by-Step Solution: Input: driver rotates steering wheel.Transmission: steering shaft delivers torque to gearbox.Conversion: gearbox outputs linear rack travel or pitman arm sweep.Linkage: tie rods translate output into lateral movement at knuckles. Verification / Alternative check: Exploded diagrams show the gear as the conversion element (pinion-to-rack or worm-to-sector). Why Other Options Are Wrong: Steering wheel/shaft are inputs only. Tie rods transmit lateral motion but do not perform the initial rotary-to-linear conversion. Knuckle pivots about ball joints; it is actuated by the linkage. Common Pitfalls: Assuming tie rods “create” lateral motion; they only carry it from the gear to the knuckle. Final Answer: steering gearbox

Question 12

Automotive classification — which is not an automobile? Select the option that is not categorized as an automobile in the road-vehicle sense.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Automobiles are self-propelled road vehicles designed primarily for land transport. The classification distinguishes them from aircraft, rail vehicles, and marine craft. Given Data / Assumptions: Focus on road-going motor vehicles. Self-propelled, wheeled, operating on roads. Concept / Approach: Motorcycles, cars, trucks, and buses are designed for operation on road surfaces and fall under the umbrella of automobiles (or automotive vehicles). An aeroplane is an aircraft designed for flight and is not a road automobile. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the operational environment: road vs. air.List road vehicles: motorcycle, passenger car, truck, bus.Exclude aircraft: aeroplane operates in the air, not a road automobile. Verification / Alternative check: Legal and regulatory definitions (licensing, registration, highway codes) differentiate automobiles from aircraft. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Motorcycle, passenger car, truck, and bus are all automobiles used on roads. Common Pitfalls: Confusing “automobile” with broader “motor vehicle” categories that could include off-road equipment; however, aircraft remain separate. Final Answer: Aeroplane

Question 13

Automotive materials — typical choice for cylinder sleeves (liners) In internal-combustion engines, which material is generally used for manufacturing cylinder sleeves due to its wear resistance and compatibility with piston rings?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Cylinder sleeves (liners) form the running surface for pistons and rings. Selecting the correct material is essential for wear resistance, heat conduction, lubrication retention, and dimensional stability in automotive and stationary engines. Given Data / Assumptions: Sleeves must withstand sliding contact, high temperatures, and combustion pressure. They should retain lubricating oil and resist scuffing, abrasion, and corrosion. Common, scalable manufacturing and reconditioning methods are desirable. Concept / Approach: Pearlitic or alloyed cast iron has a graphite structure that provides intrinsic lubricity, excellent wear resistance, and good compatibility with typical piston-ring materials. It machines well, holds hone patterns for oil retention, and tolerates thermal cycling. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify critical properties: wear resistance, oil retention, and heat handling.Match properties to candidate materials: cast iron meets all three effectively at reasonable cost.Conclude that cast iron is the standard material for most cylinder sleeves/liners. Verification / Alternative check: Production engines worldwide use gray or alloyed cast iron liners (dry or wet). Even aluminium blocks often receive cast-iron liners; alternatives like nickel–silicon carbide coatings exist but are specialised. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Aluminium: light and conductive but poor wear surface unless coated. Ceramic: excellent wear/heat resistance but brittle and costly for mass production. Fibre reinforced plastic: unsuitable at engine-cylinder temperatures and pressures. Common Pitfalls: Confusing aluminium blocks with liner material; many aluminium blocks still use cast-iron liners unless they adopt advanced coatings. Final Answer: cast iron

Question 14

Four-stroke Diesel engine valvetrain — camshaft speed relation A four-stroke Diesel engine runs at 1000 rpm. At what speed does its camshaft rotate?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Valve timing in a four-stroke engine requires opening and closing events to occur once every two crankshaft revolutions. Understanding the speed relationship between the crankshaft and camshaft is core engine theory. Given Data / Assumptions: Four-stroke Diesel engine. Engine speed (crankshaft) = 1000 rpm. Conventional single camshaft per bank (or DOHC) driven at standard four-stroke ratio. Concept / Approach: A complete four-stroke cycle (intake, compression, power, exhaust) takes 720 degrees of crank rotation, i.e., two full crank revolutions. The camshaft must complete one revolution per thermodynamic cycle to open each valve once per cycle, so camshaft speed = crankshaft speed / 2. Step-by-Step Solution: Recognise four-stroke cycle requires 2 crank revolutions per cycle.Camshaft completes 1 revolution per cycle.Camshaft speed = 1000 / 2 = 500 rpm. Verification / Alternative check: Timing sets (belts/chains/gears) in four-stroke engines are designed with an exact 2:1 ratio between crank and cam(s), confirming 500 rpm here. Why Other Options Are Wrong: 1000 rpm or higher options (2000, 4000): would imply multiple valve events per cycle, which is incorrect. Common Pitfalls: Confusing two-stroke and four-stroke relationships; two-strokes use 1:1 only in special valving arrangements but typical two-strokes have ports, not cams. Final Answer: 500 rpm

Question 15

Lead–acid battery chemistry — composition of the positive plates In a standard lead–acid starter battery used in automobiles, what active material is on the positive plates?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Understanding the electrochemistry of lead–acid batteries helps with diagnostics, charging, and maintenance. Identifying the correct active materials on positive and negative plates is fundamental. Given Data / Assumptions: Conventional flooded lead–acid automotive battery. Normal charged condition. Concept / Approach: In the charged state, the positive plate's active material is lead dioxide (lead peroxide, PbO2), and the negative plate's active material is spongy lead (Pb). The electrolyte is sulphuric acid in water. During discharge, both plates trend toward lead sulphate (PbSO4). Step-by-Step Solution: Recall charged composition: positive = PbO2, negative = Pb, electrolyte = H2SO4.During discharge, chemical reactions form PbSO4 on both plates and reduce acid concentration.Thus, the correct positive-plate material in the charged state is lead peroxide (PbO2). Verification / Alternative check: Battery test charts and textbooks universally specify PbO2 for the positive plate in charged condition. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Spongy lead (Pb): that is the negative plate in the charged state. Lead sulphate (PbSO4): appears on both plates when discharged. H2SO4: this is the electrolyte, not plate material. Common Pitfalls: Mixing up charged vs discharged states; remembering “peroxide is positive” helps. Final Answer: lead peroxide (PbO2)

Question 16

Parking (hand) brake application — which wheels are typically actuated? In passenger vehicles with conventional layouts, the parking brake generally applies braking force to which wheels or member?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The parking brake (hand brake) secures a stationary vehicle and serves as an emergency brake in case of hydraulic failure. Knowing which wheels it acts upon aids in troubleshooting and safety checks. Given Data / Assumptions: Typical passenger car with rear drum or rear disc brakes and cable-operated parking mechanism. Standard production design, not special heavy vehicles. Concept / Approach: Parking brakes most commonly actuate the rear brakes because the rear axle supports vehicle stability when parked and avoids steering disturbances. Cable or motor (EPB) mechanisms engage rear drums or drum-in-hat mechanisms on rear discs. Some heavy trucks historically used transmission (propeller-shaft) parking brakes, but that is not standard for passenger cars. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify common passenger-vehicle implementations.Parking brake linkage routes to rear calipers or drum levers.Therefore, the correct answer is rear wheels. Verification / Alternative check: Service manuals describe adjustment of rear cables and drum shoes or EPB actuators at the rear axle, confirming this practice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Front wheels: would compromise steering hardware and load transfer characteristics. Front and rear wheels: uncommon; increases complexity. Propeller shaft: used in some trucks/buses, not the general passenger car case referenced by the question. Common Pitfalls: Assuming transmission-mounted parking brakes in all vehicles; that is application-specific. Final Answer: rear wheels

Question 17

Piston–crank mechanism — what does the connecting rod connect? In a reciprocating internal-combustion engine, the connecting rod links the piston to which rotating component?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The slider–crank mechanism converts reciprocating motion to rotary motion. The connecting rod is the key link transferring force from the piston to the rotating shaft. Given Data / Assumptions: Piston with wrist (gudgeon) pin at the small end of the connecting rod. Crankshaft journal at the big end of the connecting rod. Four-stroke or two-stroke reciprocating engine. Concept / Approach: Combustion pressure acts on the piston crown creating force along the piston axis. The connecting rod transmits this to the crankshaft, which converts it into torque about the main bearings. The camshaft is gear/belt/chain driven by the crankshaft, not directly by the rod. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify small-end connection: piston pin.Identify big-end connection: crank pin (journal) on the crankshaft.Hence, the rod connects the piston to the crankshaft. Verification / Alternative check: Exploded views of engines show the big-end bearings around the crank pins; camshafts receive motion via timing drives, not rods. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Cylinder head/block: stationary structural components. Camshaft: drives valves; it is not the torque-accepting element from the piston. Common Pitfalls: Confusing crankshaft and camshaft roles; remember the crankshaft delivers output torque. Final Answer: crankshaft

Question 18

Battery maintenance — instrument for checking electrolyte specific gravity Which instrument is used to check the specific gravity of a lead–acid battery's electrolyte (acid)?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: State-of-charge in flooded lead–acid batteries correlates with electrolyte specific gravity. A quick diagnostic requires the correct instrument that measures fluid density. Given Data / Assumptions: Automotive flooded (serviceable) lead–acid battery. Access to electrolyte via cell caps. Concept / Approach: A hydrometer measures fluid specific gravity using buoyancy (float) or digital density measurement. As a battery discharges, sulphuric acid concentration decreases and water proportion increases, lowering specific gravity. Thus, hydrometer readings indicate charge level and cell health. Step-by-Step Solution: Draw electrolyte into the hydrometer.Read float scale to obtain specific gravity (commonly ~1.26–1.28 for fully charged at 25°C).Interpret deviations to assess state-of-charge or cell imbalance. Verification / Alternative check: Open-circuit voltage per cell (about 2.12 V fully charged) corroborates hydrometer readings; temperature compensation is important. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Hygrometer: measures humidity of air, not liquid density. Anemometer: measures wind speed. Multimeter: measures electrical quantities (voltage/current/resistance), not specific gravity. Common Pitfalls: Ignoring temperature correction can mislead readings; ensure cells are not stratified before measurement. Final Answer: hydrometer

Question 19

Ignition and mixture faults — likely causes of engine misfiring Which of the following conditions is most likely to cause engine misfiring during operation?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Engine misfire arises when the charge in a cylinder fails to ignite or burns too weakly. Identifying common causes enhances diagnostic efficiency in service bays. Given Data / Assumptions: Spark-ignition petrol engine. Normal operating temperature and fuel supply unless otherwise noted. Standard spark plugs with specified gaps. Concept / Approach: Sufficient spark energy and proper mixture are required for reliable ignition. Excessive spark plug gap raises the voltage required to jump the gap; under high load or at idle with reduced system voltage, the coil may not provide enough voltage margin, resulting in intermittent or consistent misfire. Step-by-Step Solution: Recognise that spark initiation depends on coil voltage, plug condition, and gap.If the gap is too wide, breakdown voltage rises beyond available ignition voltage.Result: misfire events, especially under high cylinder pressure or weak ignition conditions. Verification / Alternative check: Scope patterns and misfire counters often show increased misfire rates when plug gaps exceed specification; correcting the gap or replacing the plug typically resolves the issue. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Spark plug gap too small: can cause weak spark and fouling but is less likely to cause outright misfire than an excessively wide gap. Vapour lock: occurs at high fuel temperature in certain systems; not a typical everyday misfire cause compared to ignition issues. Incorrect fuel–air mixture: can cause rough running, but modern closed-loop systems compensate; the question asks for a likely direct cause—an overly wide gap is a classic, specific trigger. Common Pitfalls: Replacing coils unnecessarily; always check plug gap and condition first, then coils, wires, and injectors. Final Answer: spark plug gap too wide

Question 20

Lubrication fundamentals — primary factor changing engine oil viscosity in service What is the main cause of change in the apparent viscosity of engine oil during operation?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Viscosity strongly influences hydrodynamic film strength and friction. Understanding what primarily changes viscosity in real time helps explain cold-start wear and hot-idle oil-pressure behavior. Given Data / Assumptions: Multigrade oil operating through cold start to fully hot conditions. Normal engine free of catastrophic dilution or sludge. Concept / Approach: Viscosity is temperature-dependent: as temperature increases, oil thins (viscosity decreases); as temperature drops, oil thickens. Although contamination can degrade oil over long intervals, the immediate and dominant in-service change in viscosity is due to temperature variation. Step-by-Step Solution: Consider cold start: low temperature → high viscosity → higher cranking torque.After warm-up: high temperature → lower viscosity → lower oil pressure at idle.Therefore, temperature is the main factor altering viscosity during normal operation. Verification / Alternative check: Oil viscosity indices and SAE grades define performance across temperature ranges, confirming the primary temperature effect. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Humidity: has negligible direct effect on oil viscosity inside a sealed engine. Vibration: does not materially change viscosity. Contamination: changes viscosity over time but is not the main immediate cause during regular operation. Common Pitfalls: Confusing oil-pressure changes with pump faults; often they track oil temperature and viscosity, not pump failure. Final Answer: temperature

Automobile Engineering Questions