Automotive Technology is a study focusing primarily on the technological components and mechanics driving today's automobiles. Pursuing automotive engineering as a career path can be a very lucrative career choice for those with a strong interest in technological innovation and problem-solving, as well as a desire to work within a highly competitive environment.
The field of automotive engineering has developed over the last century or so, but the underlying theory and goals have remained essentially the same. In essence, automotive engineers are tasked with making vehicles that achieve greater efficiency in performance and emissions while allowing drivers to experience greater comfort. Automotive engineers can focus on one of these three key areas: airflow management, engine control, or powertrain optimization. However, it is often the combination of these three areas that will result in more efficient and reliable vehicles and overall better overall vehicle performance and fuel economy.
Air Flow Management (AFM) is an essential part of designing and manufacturing a vehicle and its operation. Air flows throughout a vehicle, including air from the engine, along the car body, and into the tires. Air is a highly reactive gas that must be controlled, and AAFM is an integral part of this control. An AFM system controls airflow speed and the amount of air flowing through a particular component, such as the air filter or an intake system. AAFM engineers are responsible for implementing and improving airflow systems and ensuring proper operation, safety, and efficiency.
Engine Control is one of the most crucial functions of a car and its engine. Engine control encompasses all aspects of engine function, including fuel management, spark plugs, fuel injection, ignition timing, combustion, fuel distribution, ignition system, and exhaust systems. Engine control engineers are responsible for ensuring that a car has a healthy engine free of any mechanical or chemical impurities and that a car has optimal power, horsepower, torque, and emission ratings. Engine control engineers are also responsible for maintaining, repairing, and developing new products and technologies in the engine control field.
The powertrain is another part of powertrain design, and engineers often take the role of controlling all of a car's electrical components, including its battery, electrical system, transmission, and powertrain systems. Powertrain engineering is essential because it encompasses the designing, manufacture, testing, and installation of high-performance vehicle parts and equipment and ensuring that a car's electrical system is installed and maintained correctly. Many powertrain engineers are involved with designing new vehicle components that will include performance parts, battery packs, alternators, engines, transmissions, interiors, and chassis.
Powertrain engineers must ensure that their job is done well by maintaining and testing all high-performance parts and systems and developing and refining new and improved ones. This means that powertrain engineers can become highly specialized, with many different subspecialties, including hybrid and electric vehicle technologies. As technology advances, powertrain engineers must keep up with new advancements in technology, including the development of hybrid and electric vehicles and the development of more energy-efficient engines. Powertrain engineers can become a highly sought after career choice, thanks to their ability to be innovative in both the automotive industry and the technology they use to design and manufacture cars and other vehicles.
