Exercise 1.Read the following statements and decide whether they are ‘true’ and ‘false’. Give your opinion
МЕТОДИЧЕСКИЕ УКАЗАНИЯ
к практическим занятиям по дисциплине
«Английский язык» для студентов I-II курсов
факультета «ТАМПТ» специальностей «Автомобильное хозяйство» и «Инженерная механика»
дневной формы обучения
Часть 2
Автомобиль
Севастополь
УДК.629.123 + 656.61.052
Методические указания к практическим занятиям по дисциплине «Английский язык» для студентов I-II курсов факультета «ТАМПТ» специальностей «Автомобильное хозяйство» и «Инженерная механика»: в 2 ч. / Сост. В.В. Лысенко, Е.В. Никитина. – Севастополь: Изд-во СевНТУ, 2009. – ч.2: Автомобиль. - 48 с.
Методические указания предназначены для практических занятий студентов специальностей «Автомобильное хозяйство» и «Инженерная механика» факультета «ТАМПТ» дневной формы обучения. В каждом уроке представлен текст, лексико-грамматические упражнения на закрепление материала урока и задания, развивающие коммуникативные навыки.
Методические указания утверждены на заседании кафедры Практики романских и германских языков (протокол №8 от 18.02.2009г. ).
Допущено учебно-методическим центром и научно-методическим Советом СевНТУ в качестве методических указаний.
Рецензент: Клепикова Т.Г., кан. пед. наук, доцент кафедры Практики романских и германских языков СевНТУ.
СОДЕРЖАНИЕ
Введение ……………………………………………………..4
1. Lesson I. Safety features……………………………………5
2. Lesson II. Car problems……………………………………14
3. Lesson III. Car tuning……………………………………...22
4. Lesson IV. Should you buy a new or used car?……………28
5. Lesson V. Mechanic……………………………..…………33
6. Lesson VI. Driver’s license..………………………………39
7. Lesson VII. Driving in different countries…………………43
Библиографический список …………………………………48
ВВЕДЕНИЕ
Данные методические указания предназначены для студентов 1-го и 2-го курса специальностей «Автомобильное хозяйство» и «Инженерная механика» факультета ТАМПТ.
Основная цель методических указаний – совершенствовать приобретенные ранее знания студентов, расширить словарный запас и научить вести беседу по профессиональной тематике.
Данные методические указания состоят из 7 уроков, каждый из которых содержит текст, упражнения для закрепления грамматики и лексики соответствующего урока, а также творческие задания коммуникативной направленности. Лексический материал содержит как транспортную терминологию, так и слова и словосочетания из общей лексики, которые студенты смогут использовать в разговоре на различные темы.
LESSON I
Pre-text exercise 1.These words you should know.
rigidity - прочность (конструкции) minor - легкий, несерьезный
to endanger - подвергать опасности
Pre-text exercise 2.These notions you should learn by heart.
to withstand – выдержать to overturn – переворачиваться
roll bar - трубчатый каркас (защищает при переворачивании автомобиля)
beam - поперечина; траверса to tighten - затягивать(ся)
shoulder-resistant belt - ремень безопасности to survive- выжить
inflation device – устройство, наполненное воздухом; воздушная подушка
inflated – надутый to overtake – обгонять
to run over - переехать, задавить (кого-л.), сбить
to drive/ride (into) – наехать на неподвижный предмет
drive yourself car - машина напрокат без шофера
ditch - кювет (по обе стороны дороги) head-rest - подголовник
passive car safety - пассивная безопасность автомобиля
blind spot - мертвая зона ( область, невидимая или недосягаема в нормальных условиях, у обычных автомобильных зеркал заднего вида )
behind the wheel, at the wheel - за рулем dash - приборная панель
crumple zone - зона смятия (максимального повреждения)
Pre-text exercise 3.Don’t mix such words.
infant - младенец, ребенок (до 7 лет) frail (passanger) - болезненный
concern - забота, беспокойство controversy - расхождение во мнениях
Pre-text exercise 4.Check your memory, try to guess the meanings of the following words and expressions: collision, collide with; compartment; cushion; occupant (in the car); interior of the car.
READ AND TRANSLATE THE TEXT
Safety Features
Manufacturers continue to build lighter vehicles with improved structural rigidity and ability to protect the driver and passengers during collisions.
Bumpers (rails or bars) are to protect the front and rear of the car’s body from damage in minor collisions. Over the years, bumpers became stylish and, in some cases, not strong enough to survive minor collisions without expensive repairs. Government regulations required bumpers designed to withstand low-speed collisions with less damage. Some bumpers can withstand 4-km/h (2.5-mph) collisions with no damage, while others can withstand 8-km/h (5-mph) collisions with no damage.
Modern vehicles feature crumple zones, portions of the automobile designed to absorb forces that otherwise would be transmitted to the passenger compartment. Passenger compartments on many vehicles also have reinforced roll bar structures in the roof, in case the vehicle overturns, and protective beams in the doors to help protect passengers from side impacts.
Seat belt and upper-body restraints permit comfort but tighten automatically during an impact and they are now more common. Some car models are equipped with shoulder-restraint belts that slide into position automatically when the car’s doors close.
An air bag is a high-speed inflation device hidden in the hub of the steering wheel or in the dash on the passenger’s side. Some automobiles have side-impact air bags, located in doors or seats. At impact, the bag inflates almost instantaneously. The inflated bag creates a cushion between the occupant and the vehicle’s interior. Air bags first appeared in the mid-1970s, available as an optional accessory. Today they are installed on all new passenger cars.
Air bags inflate with great force, which occasionally endangers a child or infant passenger. Some newer automobile models are equipped with switches to disable the passenger-side air bags when a child or infant is travelling in the passenger seat. Automakers continue to research ways to make air-bag systems less dangerous for frail and small passengers, yet effective in collisions. Because safety will continue to be a concern for automakers in the future. Air bags have saved numerous lives, but they have also been responsible for injuries and deaths of small children, due to the forceful action of the air bags when they inflate.
Another point of controversy concerns the recent popularity of large sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) and pickup trucks. When an ordinary car collides with a truck or SUV, studies show that the ordinary car passengers are much more likely to suffer injury or death than are the occupants of the larger vehicles. SUVs and trucks are heavier and higher off the ground than ordinary cars and frequently run over the bumpers of ordinary cars during collisions. Industry representatives, government agencies, and insurance groups are currently working on these problems to create practical solutions and increase safety on the road.
ANSWER THE QUESTIONS: 1. What safety features do you know? 2. Which of them is the most reliable and useful (to your mind)? 3. Some air bags are dangerous, don’t they? Why? 4. Speak about the safety features that on your opinion should be in any car?
Exercise 1.Read the text once more and make the plan of it in order to retell it.
Exercise 2.Look through the topics and choose one to make a report.
1. Passive car safety.
2. Air bags without seat belts can not prevent the injures of the passengers.
3. Children and inattentive pedestrians are the main dangers of our road.
Vocabulary exercises
Exercise 1.Find in the text
· the synonyms to the following words: minor accident; to resist or oppose the stress; passenger; the room inside the car; to injure or to override somebody;
· Russian equivalents: SUV, truck, manufacturers, severe accident, shoulder-restraint belts, crumple zones, safety features;
· English equivalents: подушка безопасности, пристегнуть ремни безопасности, зона смятия (максимального повреждения), опрокидывание автомобиля, устойчивость конструкции.
Exercise 2.Translate the sentences paying attention to the different meanings of the word ‘drive’.
· to run the car
· to go somewhere by car
· to override somebody or to damage something by the car
· to give somebody a lift
· to mean something particular
1. The guests got into their cars and drove away. 2. Just what are you driving at? 3. She drove me to the station. 4. Let's drive out into the country, it's such a nice day. 5. She drives a car skillfully. 6. I drove into another car as I was coming out of the car park. Fortunately, it was a minor accident.
Exercise 3. Read the dialogue and then make your own.
Policeman: Good evening, could you show me your driver’s license?
Driver: Here it is. What is wrong?
P: Nothing serious. We try to check all the cars of coming to our city today. It is a great holiday here. There are a lot of people and lots of cars. You should mind it when trying to find a parking lot.
D: Ok. Thanks. Could you tell how much does it cost to park my car in the centre of the city? My wife and I took our children to the festival and we’d like to have our car near by.
P: Ten twenty per hour, but on holiday it’s much more expensive about seventeen dollars.
D: That’s a lot isn’t it?
P: I think so, that’s why I take my car to the centre not as often as I’d like. Don’t forget about other drivers willing to get to the centre and we have a very heavy traffic. If you go to the centre by car now, you will have to spend all the night in a traffic jam. I advise you to go to the first right turn and find a parking centre near the tube station. You visit the place you need and then you won’t have problems with going home.
D: Thank you, we’ll do just this.
P: You are welcome
Exercise 4.Translate the sentences into English.
1. Каждый покупатель автомобиля имеет право на пробную поездку. 2. Ремни безопасности спасают жизни пассажиров при столкновениях, но могут и поранить ребенка. 3. Будьте внимательны, когда вы за рулем (управляете автомобилем). 4. При столкновении легкового автомобиля и грузовика пассажиры первого пострадают серьезнее. 5. Безопасность на дорогах зависит от всех участников дорожного движения.
Exercise 5.Translate the sentences into Russian.
1. Slow down, you might run someone over. 2. There was a terrible crack-up on the expressway. 3. The car hit a tree and overturned. 4. He advertised for а used car. 5. Next you must learn how to back a car into a parking space. 6. Harry had just bought a new car, and his son went and drove it into a lamppost! 7. Driving without seat belts is against the law. 8. The head-on collision between a passenger car and a truck is the most dangerous road accident. 9. The road is full of abrupt turns. 10. Last week she was involved in serious car accident because of her bad habit to speak over the hand-set while driving. 11. Drivers and passengers have to fasten a seat belt, except if they have certain medical conditions, and nowadays seatbelts should be also worn in the back seat. 12. If you “drink drive” (drive after drinking alcohol), the penalties can be severe. 13. Drivers should look over their right shoulder so that they can see what is happening in their blind spot – the place behind you that you can not see – even with mirrors. 14. If you break down, you should stay in the hard shoulder (a narrow lane on the left) and wait for assistance. 15. The accident was his fault, so he had to pay the damage to the other car.
Exercise 6.Match words with their meaning and translate the sentences with them.
| 1. traffic lights 2. junction 3. bend 4. pedestrian crossing 5. a blind corner 6. lane 7. motorway 8. speed limit 9. to overtake 10. collision | a. large, wide roads which are divided into some parts (most motorways have 3 or more lanes) b. a crash in which two moving vehicles hit each other c. in other words, it’s traffic way d. place where pedestrians can cross the road e. just the same as a sudden turn of a road f. the mechanism that controls the traffic flow. g. intersection h. to pass a car which is in front of you i. a corner around which one cannot see k. maximal velocity of a car on the part of the road |
1. Never overtake on a blind corner. 2. On motorways the speed limit is higher than on other roads, and there are at least three lanes of traffic. 3. Be especially careful to respect the speed limits on the road. 4. There are two main types of pedestrian crossing: zebra crossing that are marked by white stripes in the road, and pelican crossing where a red flashing light means the driver has to let pedestrians cross. 5. He was injured when the car he was in was involved in a collision. 6. You should get in lane according to which exit you need. 7. A sign tells you what the maximum speed limit is and if you break the speed limit, you may get a fine or points on your licence. 8. The dual carriageway was divided into two lanes in each direction. 9. There are many hidden speed cameras in operation, so watch out! 10. You have to take extra care when overtaking, joining or leaving the motorway. 11. In short, learner drivers (those who haven’t yet passed their driving tests). 12. Some junctions are controlled by traffic lights, and here the same rules apply as for traffic lights on other roads.
Exercise 7.Match the words with definitions.
| 1. Engine 2. Driver or motorist 3. Hood or bonnet 4. Trunk or boot 5. Wheel 6. Steering wheel 7. Speedometer 8. Gas pedal or Accelerator | a. covered space in the back where you put and carry your luggage. b. a circular object that turns around on a rod attached to its center, four such things fixed underneath the vehicle and actually move it. c. a metal cover over the engine of the vehicle. d. the part of the vehicle that produces the power to make it move. e. a person who drives the vehicle. f. a pedal in a vehicle which is pressed to make the vehicle go faster. g. the circular object held by the driver when driving, used to direct the vehicle's movement. h. the gauge that shows the speed you are driving at. |
Exercise 8.Match the type of auto with its description.
| 1. Coupe 2. Convertible 3. Saloon/Sedan 4. Hatchback 5. Station wagon 6. Minivan 7. Limousine | a. a large car with more than five passenger seats and usually five doors; rear seats can be folded or removed. b. a long, extended variant of a saloon/sedan, has up to six doors; number of seats varies; commonly used for fashionable occasions or by celebrities. c. a large car that looks like a small bus with at least six passenger seats; a popular family car. d. a car with a soft roof that can be folded or removed. e. a car with seats for four or five people with four doors, a fixed roof and a boot/trunk separated from the rear seats. f. a car with seat for four or more people with boot/trunk not separated from the rear seats; rear seats can be folded or removed; has either three or five doors. g. a car with seats for two or more people with two doors, a fixed roof and a boot/trunk separated from the rear seats. |
Exercise 9.Be ready to discuss or tell in a few words about the stated below problems that are concerned with the traffic safety. Use the following:
I don’t really know, but I think… I consider
To tell the truth I know a little about …, but…
…is something I am familiar with it. I can tell about …
1. What should you do to prevent the collisions? Prove your opinion.
2. Is it true that the road is the most dangerous place in the world? Discuss this issue.
3. Why do we have so many minor accidents in the urban areas?
4. Air bags and shoulder belts can save passenger life in any case.
5. Children should be kept in their special place in the car.
6. Any modern country has a lot of problems with traffic.
7. Drivers create traffic jams themselves.
Grammar exercises
Exercise 1.Read the following text and put the verbs into the proper tense.
An Accident
There … (to be) a serious accident on one of the main roads into Stuttgart yesterday. An old lorry … (to break down) in the middle of the road, and the driver couldn’t move it. It was eight o’clock, the middle of the rush hour, so it soon … (to create) a terrible traffic jam. Drivers … (to get) angry and a man in a Mercedes … (to try) to go round the lorry. Unfortunately another car was coming in the opposite direction. The driver … (to brake) hard and tried to stop, but he … (can/ not) prevent the accident – the Mercedes … (to crash) into the front of his car. The driver of the Mercedes was OK, but the other driver … (to injure) and both cars … (to damage).
main road - главная дорога, шоссе, магистраль rush hours - часы пик
Exercise 2.Complete the sentences using the given words.
1. Don’t forget to fasten your seat belt, … (you, the car, when, to get in). 2. It was raining so when I braked the car didn’t stop quickly enough, and … (into the back, I, to crash, of the car). 3. I was going on the inside lane, and … (a car, to overtake, suddenly, me).
Exercise 3.Translate the sentences using the words of the lesson. Mind your grammar.
1. Размер автомобиля – тоже средство пассивной безопасности. Чем больше автомобиль, тем безопаснее он. 2. Ремни безопасности являются лучшим устройством защиты водителя и пассажиров. 3. Подушки безопасности разработаны специально, чтобы работать вместе с ремнями безопасности. 4. Подголовники практически не защищают от травм. 5. Результаты краш-тестов многих современных автомобилей вы можете найти в Интернете. 6. Электроника удерживает колеса от блокировки на льду и на мокром асфальте. 7. Крутые повороты и, особенно, на дороге, покрытой снегом, следует проходить очень медленно.
Exercise 4. Translate into Russian.
I was just about to cross the road at the zebra crossing on East Street when a red car came speeding down the road. As I turned to watch, I saw a yellow car crossing the junction. The driver didn’t have time to brake and collided with the yellow car. The lights were red so the accident was definitely the red car’s fault, but I don’t think anyone was injured although both cars were badly damaged.
Exercise 5. Choose the right word from the list below. You have to change the word form some of them. For example: exhaust – exhausted (fumes)
Acceleration, engine, cars, line, noise, fuel, to redesign, cost, automotive, to burn, to minimize, drivers
2005 Honda Civic
Few carmakers offer the range or diversity Honda builds into the Civic (1) … . There are sedans, coupes and a hatchback, with an emphasis on convenience, performance or fuel efficiency and low (2) … of operation. All are notable for their excellent (3) … economy, free-revving engines and solid handling, including the electrically assisted Hybrid. Up-level Civics come with powerful VTEC engines that deliver (4) … . The Si hatchback is the flagship performance model, and a favourite among young enthusiast (5) … for good reason. All provide superb comfort for front-seat passengers.
Three specialized Civics are designed specifically to (6) … environmental impact and deliver better fuel economy than all but a few cars currently available. The Civic HX coupe drives on regular unleaded. There is also a Civic HX sedan that (7) … natural gas. Honda claims it has the cleanest internal combustion (8) … in the world.
Subtle styling changes were made for 2004 when bumpers, hoods, headlights and grilles on the coupe and sedan were (9) … to emphasize a baby-brother resemblance to the slick, smooth Honda Accord. The sporty Si hatchback was trimmed with new head- and tail lamps. All Civics were improved with less visible updates that reduced (10) … and vibration inside.
Nearly four decades after its introduction, the Honda Civic can be called an (11) … icon. It remains one of America’s best-selling small (12) … for good reason.
to rev - ускорять, повышать, увеличивать
Comprehension reading
Exercise 1.Read the article on braking systems. In the title of the article, what do the colors green and red refer to?
Green Brakes – a Red Hot Topic in Motor Racing
As motor racing goes green, Formula 1 is aiming to lead automotive research in finding hi-tech efficiency gains. One of the keys to this ecological drive is regenerative braking (also known as kinetic energy recovery), which recovers energy generated during deceleration, and stores it as a source of power for subsequent acceleration.
Regenerative brakes limit the energy loss inherent in traditional braking systems. In most vehicles, conventional brakes compromise pads previously made from asbestos-based composites, but now consisting of compounds of exotic, non-hazardous materials, and discs made of ferrous metal. The resulting friction generates heat, which is wasted. In performance cars, this phenomenon is taken to extremes and due to the high temperatures generated, brakes discs are often made out of ceramics.
The carbon discs and pads used on Formula 1 cars generate so much heat that they glow red-hot. High temperatures are, in fact, necessary for the effective operation of carbon brakes. But there is still plenty of potential for recovering the kinetic energy, rather than dissipating it in the form of heat.
The potential for recovering energy also extends to the heat generated by engines and exhaust systems. This area has been also discussed as a possible area for future exploration in motor racing. Heat recovery might offer the added benefit of reducing heat soak (thermal absorption by the chassis) as delicate alloy parts and sensitive non-metallic materials, such as polymers, are susceptible to heat damage.
ANSWER THE QUESTIONS:Why do most braking systems waste energy? What are regenerative braking systems, and how do they save energy? What is meant by heat soak, and why is it a problem in racing cars?
Exercise 2.Matchthe automotive parts to the descriptions. Then read the text and complete the text using these automotive parts.
| 1. drive belts (приводной ремень) | a. sheets inserted between parts to prevent gas or fluid leakage |
| 2. brake pads | b. pneumatic envelopes in contact with the road surface |
| 3. tyres | c. flexible bands used in transmission systems |
| 4. sealing gasket (уплотнительная прокладка) | d. protective barriers capable of resisting gunshots |
| 5.bullet-resistant armour | e. pads pressed against discs to induce deceleration |
Car and truck (1) … have incorporated Kevlar into their construction because it offers superb puncture (прокол шины), abrasion and tear resistance. The high modulus and abrasion resistance of Kevlar help (2) … retain their original shape and tension over the millions of revolutions they go through over the lifespan of a vehicle.
The frictional forces that (3) … are designed to endure take less of a toll on those made with Kevlar pulp (техническая) целлюлоза). The enhanced thermal stability and inherent abrasion resistance of Kevlar allow them to last long and stop the vehicle safely and quietly. Kevlar provides an effective, lightweight (4) … solution for vehicles that require protection against ballistic attack, allowing cars and light trucks to retain most of their original handling characteristics. Chemical stability and thermal stability help make (5) … reinforced with Kevlar pulp strong and durable. The galvanic corrosion resistance of Kevlar also contributes to improved long-term engine performance.
Exercise 3. Read and translate the text.
Road Rage
Fifty years ago, private car ownership was growing rapidly, and public transport was losing its dominant role. The process seemed quite natural and, on the whole, a good thing. Roads became over-crowded, of course, and the solution to that problem was simple — build more roads. Building new roads appears to generate new traffic.
It has long been noted that car driving has some strange psychological effects on human beings. The Canadian philosopher Marshall McLuhan said: "The car has become the carapace, the protective and aggressive shell, of urban man."
By the 1990s, however, it was no longer a joke, and a new phrase was coined: road rage. More and more often, people were getting out of their cars and starting fights with other drivers; murders have been committed. Hours of isolation, competition and frustration, while breathing in exhaust fumes, are obviously not good for people.
Road accident figures, on the other hand, have not increased with the number of vehicles on the road; in fact they have decreased. Various reasons are suggested for this: modern cars have better lights and brakes. One obvious reason is the slowness of city traffic — nobody gets killed when the cars are standing still. Whatever the reasons, Britain has a better record than most European neighbours; the number of deaths per 10,000 vehicles is less than half that of France, for example. Another significant factor is that seat belt laws for vehicle drivers and passengers are respected by almost everyone.
ANSWER THE QUESTIONS: 1. Why did public transportation lose its dominant role? 2. Why did roads become overcrowded? 3. What strange phenomenon occurred after building the new roads? 4. What is “road rage” and why does it happen? 5. What can you say about seat belt laws for drivers and passengers in different countries/ in Ukraine?
Exercise 4. Compare and mind the difference:
| British English (BrE) | American English (AmE) |
| petrol | gasoline or gas (for short) |
| petrol station | gas station |
| kilometre | kilometer |
| to hire a car | to rent a car |
| motorist | driver |
| bonnet | hood |
| boot | trunk |
| neighbour | neighbor |
Now write the following words into to two groups: BrE and AmE.
| British English (BrE) | American English (AmE) |
| bonnet, boot… | hood, trunk… |
trunk, roundabout, windscreen, sedan, fender (of a car), caravan, pavement, traffic circle, flashlight, tyre, truck, hooter, torch, windshield, saloon car, wing, traffic signals, sidewalk, to reverse, bonnet, to give away, estate car, hood, boot, tire, trailer, horn (of a car), lorry, traffic lights, to back up, to yield, wagon.
Exercise 5. Translate the sentences and decide whether it was written in British English or American English.
1. He had trouble with his lorry, got out his spanner and lifted the bonnet to see what was the matter. 2. I’m running out of fuel. I need to stop at the nearest gas station to fill up the tank. 3. A broken windshield should be replaced.
LESSON II
Pre-text exercise 1.These words you should know.
to run out of – иссякать to be out of balance – выйти из равновесия
to growl – греметь, рокотать to buzz – гудеть
to deplete - истощать; исчерпывать ( запасы) moaning - стонущий
dissipate – рассеивать; сбрасывать давление to keep out - не допускать
Pre-text exercise 2.These notions you should learn by heart.
squeal - визг ( тормозов ); визжать to pull – тянуть
alignment – синхронизация wobbling – неровный ход
to slip - скользить power steering unit - рулевой привод с усилителем
play – зазор looseness – разболтанность
dipstick - щуп для измерения уровня ( напр. масла )
flush - промывка; прокачка (жидкости) ; прокачивать (жидкость)
Pre-text exercise 3.Check your memory, try to guess the meanings of the following words and expressions: overheating, suspension, brake pads, fluid, calipers, heat relief, worn parts, fuel pipe, leak, running gear or chassis, fuel pump.
READ AND TRANSLATE THE TEXT
Car problems
Steering and driving safety
Problems with the steering occur gradually so pay attention to small changes in the way a car handles, especially when you turn the wheel.
If your steering is pulling to the left or right, it means that the suspension is out of alignment or unequal tire pressure may also be the cause. Besides, tires could be a reason of the steering wobbling. If you feel vibrations through the steering wheel, a tire may be out of balance. If it takes more effort to turn the wheel, you may have lost your power steering belt or run out of power steering fluid. When you turn the wheel and the steering growls or buzzes in turning at slow speed, it means low level of power steering fluid or a leak in the power steering system. If you hear a high-pitched squeal, the car’s drive belt is probably slipping on the power steering unit. A moaning noise while turning the wheel means that the power steering pump may be about to fail. If you have too much play or looseness in the steering, it may indicate worn parts.
Check power steering fluid once a month by means of a dipstick making sure that the fluid is within the correct range. If you have to add fluid more than once a year, you may have a leak.
Brakes trouble ahead?
We rely on our brakes to keep us out of trouble. Most of motorists know little about how to look after them and how to recognize that they need attention.
If a high-pitched noise or squeal is heard while driving and without applying brakes, it is a sign that the brake pads are worn down and need replacing. Especially if you hear a metal-on-metal grinding sound while applying brakes it means the brake pads are completely worn. This will damage the drums or rotors and considerably reduce braking effectiveness.
If the calipers are sticking or worn, it can cause the car to pull to either the right or the left when you brake. If you have to pump the brakes to stop a car, there could be a number of reasons. There may be a leak in the brake system, air in the brake lines or you may need a brake adjustment.
Check brake fluid once every month looking for the brake master cylinder on the upper right side of the engine compartment. Brake fluid depletes very gradually, so if a sharp drop is noticed, get your brake system checked.
What’s that leak?
Most leaks can be identified by color, smell, thickness and their position under the vehicle. Some leaks will require immediate attention from a service specialist, while others can wait for a regular scheduled maintenance.
The black and dark-brown spots are either engine oil or gear oil. Generally leaks from engine oil are serious of black spots. The locations should respond with the front and back of the engine. The engine could suffer major damage if this is left unchecked. Leaks from gear oil are thicker and have a slightly foul and sulfuric smell. Gear oil leaks generally come from the front and rear axle or manual transmission. If you find green spots on the garage floor it is probably engine coolant. Coolant can be also blue, orange and pinkish-red. Look under the hood at the transparent coolant reservoir to see which color is on the car.
If your engine overheats…
Summer temperatures mean that the cooling system has to work much harder to keep the engine from overheating. There are four main features to recognize if the engine overheats:1) temperature gauge is high; 2) temperature light is on; 3) steam is coming from under the hood; 4) unusual noise and a sudden loss of power.
If there is no outpouring of steam, but there is still power, the engine needs some fast heat relief. By switching the AC off and the heater on to its highest setting the heat will be diverted away from the engine. Try to increase the distance between your car and another one ahead. By blocking the flow of air, the exhaust from the vehicle in front will reduce the ability of your car to dissipate heat. If the temperature gauges have not respond, find a safe spot to pull off the road turning off the engine and lifting the hood. It will allow the engine to cool fast and also provide a warning for oncoming drivers. It may take a considerable amount of time the engine to cool. After it has cooled check the coolant. The level can be seen through the transparent reservoir near the radiator. If the level is below ADD or MIN level, top off with coolant, distilled water or a mixture of both. If the coolant level is within the correct range, you may have another problem such as a broken thermostat or temperature gauge, a leak hose, a radiator leak or slipping water pump drive belts. But never attempt to open the radiator cap on a hot engine to avoid the possibility of severe burning. If there is steam coming from the engine or you are losing power, this overheating situation is much more critical. Pull off the road and call roadside assistance or a repair shop.
Despite being the number-one cause of breakdowns, overheating is easily avoidable. Here is how to avoid getting stuck. Check the coolant every month and more often if you are on a road trip. Keep to your maintenance schedule as it includes regular belt and hose inspections, cooling system flushes and etc.
ANSWER THE QUESTIONS: 1. What are the main problems with a car? 2. Which one is the most important from your point of view? 3. Choose one of the described problems and retell it by your own words? 4. How can the car owner prevent the failure?
Exercise 1.Read the following statements and decide whether they are ‘true’ and ‘false’. Give your opinion.
1. If you ever find puddles of engine oil under the vehicles you should contact a service specialist.
2. Brakes are a normal wear item for any car, so sooner or later they are going to need replacement.
3. The greatest cause of summer breakdowns is overheating.
4. Leaks never fix themselves, they only get worse.
5. Low brake fluid can cause you lose braking altogether.
Exercise 2.Read the text once more and make the plan of it in order to retell it.
For example, look through the abstract about the overheated engine and here is an example of a plan for retelling.
1. Four features of overheating
2. Some fast heat relief
3. Some measures for preventing overheating
Exercise 3.Make a summary for the text of this lesson.
Vocabulary exercises
Exercise 1.Find synonyms:adjustment, to avoid, to steer, to reduce, superheat, alignment, to pull off, to keep out, to drive or operate, overheating, to prevent, to depart or drive off, to deplete.
Exercise 2.Translate the sentences paying attention to the different meanings of the following expressions:
· to dent a car – оставлять след, вдавливать; вминать (to dent up)
· to get out (of car) – выходить (Note: plane, train, bike - you use to get off)
· to get in/into – садиться, сесть (Note: plane, train, bike - to get on)
· to mount the pavement – заезжать на тротуар
· to skid – заносить ( об автомобиле ), проезжать ( на автомобиле ) повороты на большой скорости с заносом
· to speed – превышать допустимую скорость, увеличивать скорость
· to stall – глохнуть ( о двигателе ), (stall - остановка двигателя)
· to swerve to avoid something – сворачивать в сторону, чтобы избежаь
· to tow – буксировать(ся); тащить ( сломанную автомашину )
· to tow (something) away – буксировать
· to write (a car) off – разбить (машину) полностью, (write-off - обломки)
1. She tried to pull away (уехать), but she stalled. 2. I had parked on a double yellow line and my car had been towed away by the police. 3. He made a dent in the door of his car while parking. 4. It was raining hard, and the car skidded badly. 5. Help grandma get out of the car while I unlock the front door. 6. Her car was a complete write-off after the accident. 7. He was fined for speeding, as he was doing twice the speed limit. 8. Any cars parked on this side of the street will be towed away at the owner's cost. 9. John dented (up) the car in the accident. 10. He was fine, thank goodness, but the car was a write-off. 11. You will get off the bus at the next bus station. 12. At the second start Michael Schumacher stalls his engine. 13. In swerving to avoid the fox, he crashed into a telephone box. 14. I dropped a can of paint on the car roof and dented it. 15. He started skidding towards an oncoming lorry! 16. The car in front of us was towing a caravan.
Exercise 3. Read the dialogues and then make your own.