Assoc. Prof. PhD.

Nguyễn Văn Nhận

ENGLISH FOR SPECIFIC

PURPOSES FOR AUTOMOTIVE
STUDENTS

Lesson ESP 2
AUTOMOTIVE NOMENCLATURE

roof door handle

trunk side mirror

front
rear door
number muffler tire wheel door
plate

Đà Nẵng – 2023
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1. GENERAL STRUCTURE OF AN AUTOMOBILE

An automobile, consisting of thousands of components, is a complex
system. However, regardless of the type of the engine, the automobile will
still have a frame, a suspension system, a steering system, a brake system,
wheels and tires, and a body. The automobile must be start-able, movable,
steerable, and stoppable, and must enclose and protect the driver and
passengers in comfort and safety.

Body
Engine

Power Train

Steering System

Braking System

Frame
Running Gear

Fig. 1.1. General structure of an automobile

Assoc. Prof. PhD. Nguyễn Văn Nhận - Dong A - 20

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1.1. AUTOMOTIVE FRAME

The frame provides support for the body, engine and drivetrain. The
frame can be separate from the automobile body or integral to some of the
body panels. Whether the frame is separate or integral, the term sidemember
describes any rail running lengthwise along the side of the automobile, and
the term crossmember describes a side-to-side rail. Crossmembers reinforce
the frame and also provide support for the engine and wheels. The frame is
extremely rigid and strong so that it can withstand the shock blows, twists,
vibrations, and other strains to which it is put on the road.
Frames and bodies that were built separately and joined together on the
assembly line remained common among European cars until World War II
and on American cars as late as the 1980s. A few cars, and many trucks and
vans, still have ladder frames.

Fig. 1.2. Frame and Body

a) Body; b) Ladder frame; c) Unibody construction

Assoc. Prof. PhD. Nguyễn Văn Nhận - Dong A - 20

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1.2. AUTOMOTIVE BODY

Body-on-frame construction and unibody construction are the two most
common ways to build a car, and both methods offer advantages to buyers.
In a unibody, or integral body, the vehicle frame and body are made as
one single unit.
Most trucks and a handful of SUVs are made using a body-on-frame
construction. Cars, minivans, and most SUVs, feature a unibody construction.

1.3. AUTOMOTIVE CHASSIS

Fig. 1.3. Automotive Chassis

The word 'chassis' comes from and old French word meaning 'frame',
but in automotive technology the meaning of the term has expanded to
include not just the car's frame but also the parts and systems that direct and
support it. An automotive chassis technician works on the steering and
suspension systems and the wheels and tires. He or she may also do some
work on the parts of non-chassis systems, particularly brake friction
assemblies, as well as axle shafts and the driveline joints in them.
The chassis of a car is often confused with a platform or frame. In
practice, however, these are three different terms that should not be used
interchangeably.

Assoc. Prof. PhD. Nguyễn Văn Nhận - Dong A - 20

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2. THE EXTERIOR OF AN AUTOMOBILE

Fig. 2.1. The Exterior of an Automobile

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3. THE INTERIOR OF AN AUTOMOBILE

Fig. 3.1. The Interior of an Automobile

1- wing mirror/side mirror, 2- air vent, 3- door handle, 4- headrest
5- front passenger seat, 6- glove compartment, 7- windscreen,
8- rear-view mirror, 9- visor, 10- windscreen wiper, 11- satnav,
12- dashboard, 13- rev counter, 14- speedometer,
15- fuel gauge, 16- steering wheel, 17- ignition, 18- horn,
19- milometer/odometer, 20- gear lever/stick shift,
21- handbrake, 22- seatbelt, 23- brake, 24-accelerator

Assoc. Prof. PhD. Nguyễn Văn Nhận - Dong A - 20

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ASSIGNMENTS
A. ESSAY TYPE ASSIGNMENTS
The following assignments must be done in writing.
A2.1. What is a term in Vietnamese for "nomenclature" ?
A2.2. What does the term "nomenclature" mean ?
A2.3. What is the meaning of the term "body-on-frame " and "unibody",
respectively ?
A2.4. What is a specialist term in Vietnamese for "automotive chassis" ?
What does it mean ?
A2.5. Select Vietnamese technical terms that are considered to be closest
in meaning to the below-given English ones, respectively :
No. English Vietnamese
1) Automotive Chassis
2) Body-On-Frame Vehicle
3) Boot
4) Built-in GPS
5) Crossmember
6) Fuel Gauge
7) Gear Lever
8) Hood
9) License Plate
10) Milometer
11) Muffler
12) Odometer
13) Rev Counter
14) Satnav
15) Sidemember
16) Silencer
17) Stick Shift
18) Trunk
19) Unibody
20) Visor

Assoc. Prof. PhD. Nguyễn Văn Nhận - Dong A - 20

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B. OBJECTIVE TYPE QUESTIONS

Select single most correct answer from the choices given for the following
questions.
B2.1. Which of the following terms is commonly used to describe any rail of
a frame running lengthwise along the side of the vehicle ?
A. Body panel B. Sidemember
C. Crossmember D. All the mentioned terms
B2.2. Which of the following terms is used to describe t he automobile
construction, in which the frame and part of the body form a single
assembly ?
A. Unibody B. Ladder frame
C. Body-on-Frame D. Sub-frame
B2.3. Student A says that the word “chassis” comes from and old French
word meaning “frame”. Student B says that in automotive technology
the meaning of the term "chassis" expanded to include not just the
car's frame but also the parts and systems that direct and support it.
Who is correct ?
A. Student A B. Student B
C. Both students are correct D. Neither student is correct
B2.4. The term "muffler" in section 2 of Lesson ESP 2 is closest in meaning
to_______.
A. headlight
B. silencer
C. hood
D. bumper
B2.5. The term "unibody" in section 1.2. of Lesson ESP 2 is closest in
meaning to_________.
A. integral body
B. body-on-frame
C. separate body
D. single body

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Refer to Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b to answer questions B2.6 ÷ B2.10.

Fig. 2a. Exterior of an Automobile Fig. 2b. Interior of an Automobile

B2.6. The part of the car shown as number (1) in Fig. 2a is called a________.
A. roof B. trunk
C. muffler D. wheel
B2.7. The part of a car shown as number (4) in Fig. 2a is called a________.
A. hood B. rear door
C. silencer D. side mirror
B2.8. The part of a car shown as number (8) in Fig. 2 a is called a________.
A. muffler B. tire
C. silencer D. number plate
B2.9. Which term is used to name the car part shown as number (9) in
Fig. 2a ?
A. Headlight C. Tail light
D. Number plate D. Muffler
B2.10. Which term is used to describe the car part shown as number (12) in
Fig. 2b ?
A. Steering wheel B. Satnav
B. Air vent D. Dashboard

------- The End -------

Assoc. Prof. PhD. Nguyễn Văn Nhận - Dong A - 20