STEM：汽車技術基礎 - 傳統汽車的工作原理

For the Car Lovers who want to learn how this works!

This is a comprehensive course that dives deep into the concepts behind how traditional petroleum cars and trucks work. Each week we will delve into new topics as we go through the entire system from fuel tank to tires. This course is about understanding how these things work, and how the parts work together to create a running automobile. 

The atmosphere of this class is intense learning in a fun and entertaining environment. Intense becasue there is a lot of material covered at a practical level. Yet there is plenty of times for discussion and questions along the way. The weekly assignments help to make this class focused on personal experience. 

NOTE: This course only covered liquid fuel powered vehicles, not electrics or hybrids. 

Topics covered across the 10 weeks: 

Class 1: Fuel and Fuel Delivery
  Fuel types
  Carburetor vs fuel injection

Class 2: Starting and Charging
  Batteries, alternators and starters
  Fuses and electrical circuits
  Ignition  System

Class 3: Internal Combustion Engine - How The 4 Cycle System Works
  Pistons and Cylinders
  Camshafts and valves
  Crankshafts
  The 4 cycle system

Class 4: Transmissions
  Concepts of gears and gear ratios
  Automatic transmissions
  Torque converters
  Manual Transmissions
  CVT

Class 5: Drivetrain 
  Differential gear design
  RWD, 2WD, AWD, FWD, Auto and manual 4WD

Class 6: Tires and Brakes
  Tires types
  Tire tread design
  Braking technology  
  Drum Brakes
  Disc Brakes

Class 7: Steering and Suspension
  Steering linkages and how steering has changed
  Frame types
  Front and rear suspension

Class 8: The Auto Computer System and Sensors
  OBD2 System
  Check Engine Light
  Sensors
  Trouble Codes

Class 9: Engine Cooling
  Radiator
  Anti-freeze
  Thermostat
  
Class 10: Air Conditioning
  Heat pumps
  Climate system controls
  Maintenance


This course is primarily discussion through interactive whiteboarding plus animations to show how parts work. There is a balance of lecture and discussion, plus home projects weekly.