Engines, transmissions, electric and hybrid drivetrains, braking, and suspension compared as energy-conversion systems.
This is an editorially selected reading order. Begin at step 1 or go directly to the topic you need.
A practical introduction to four-stroke gasoline engines: Otto-cycle thermodynamics, torque and fuel economy, emissions control, current products, and electrification.
Diesel-cycle thermodynamics, common-rail injection, torque and fuel consumption, DPF/SCR aftertreatment, current equipment examples, electrification, and safety.
A gas turbine compresses air, burns fuel continuously, and expands the hot gas through turbine stages. This guide covers the Brayton cycle, aircraft and power-generation variants, GTCC, and hydrogen pathways with equations and diagrams.
A transmission matches engine or motor speed and torque to the wheels. This guide compares MT, torque-converter AT, CVT, and DCT mechanisms, losses, shift quality, and control, then explains why EVs often use a single reduction gear.
An EV converts battery DC into three-phase motor power, then sends electromagnetic torque through a reducer and differential to the wheels. This guide compares PMSM and induction motors, regeneration, thermal design, and current integrated platforms.
A hybrid coordinates an engine and electric motor through series, parallel, or power-split paths. Using Toyota THS planetary gearing as an example, this guide explains SOC management, regeneration, thermal limits, and control with equations and diagrams.
Braking is the job of turning kinetic energy into heat or electricity to stop a car. This article covers disc and drum friction and heat dissipation, hydraulic circuits and ABS/ESC, regenerative blending in EVs and HVs, and the state of brake-by-wire, with math and diagrams.
Suspension is the mechanism that uses springs and dampers to balance ride comfort with handling stability. This article covers the quarter-car model's basic equations, geometry differences among MacPherson strut, double wishbone, and multi-link designs, active/adaptive damping such as MagneRide and Porsche Active Ride, and the relationship to weight transfer under braking, with math and diagrams.