ERODE SENGUNTHAR ENGINEERING COLLEGE

(An Autonomous Institution Affiliated to Anna University)

Approved by AICTE, New Delhi & Accredited by National Board of Accreditation
(NBA), New Delhi and National Assessment &
Accreditation Council (NAAC), Bangalore with ‘A’ Grade)
Perundurai, Erode - 638 057

Automobile Engineering Interview Questions

1. What is actual power delivered by the engine known as?

a) Shaft power
b) Horse power
c) Brake power
d) None of the mentioned

Answer: c
Explanation: The power delivered by the engine is called brake power.

2. If ‘T’ is torque(in Nm) and ‘N’ is speed(in rpm) then the required expression for Brake power
‘B.P’ in kWs is
a) 2πNT/6000
b) 2πNT/60000
c) πNT/6000
d) πNT/60000

Answer: b
Explanation: The required expression is B.P = 2πNT/60000.

3. The torque available at the contact between road and driving wheel is called
a) Brake power
b) Friction power
c) Tractive effort
d) Engine torque

Answer: c
Explanation: The torque between road and wheel is called tractive effort.

4. If ‘V’ is vehicle speed(in metres/min) and ‘R’ is radius of driving wheel(in metres) then the
rpm of the driving wheel is given by
a) rpm = V/2πR
b) rpm = 2πV/R
c) rpm = πR/V
d) rpm = πV/R
Answer: a
Explanation: The rpm of the driving wheel can be expressed as rpm = V/2πR.

5. Which of these is not a power loss which takes place between engine and driving wheel
a) Power loss due to friction of piston bearings and gears
b) Power loss from clutch to drive wheel due to friction of various parts
c) Transmission line loss
d) None of the mentioned

Answer: d
Explanation: All the above mentioned losses are encountered while transmission of power.

6. The force that opposes the motion of a vehicle is

a) Rolling resistance
b) Gradient resistance
c) Wind or air resistance
d) All of the mentioned

Answer: d
Explanation: Rolling resistance, gradient resistance and air resistance all oppose the motion of a
vehicle.

7. Rolling resistance doesnot depend on which of the following factors

a) Load on each road wheel
b) Radius of driving wheel
c) Wheel inflation pressure
d) Nature of road surface

Answer: b
Explanation: Rolling resistance does not depend on radius of driving wheel.

8. For an average type of road surface what percentage of vehicle’s weight constitutes rolling
resistance
a) 5 to 10%
b) 1 to 2%
c) 2 to 5%
d) 0 to 3%

Answer: b
Explanation: On an average road surface rolling resistance is 1 to 2% of vehicle’s weight.

9. Wind or air resistance depends on which of the following factors

a) Shape and size of vehicle body
b) Air velocity
c) Speed of vehicle
d) All of the mentioned

Answer: d
Explanation: Air resistance on a vehicle depends on all the above mentioned factors.

10. If ‘k’ is coefficient of air resistance, ‘A’ is frontal area projected by the vehicle in square
metres and ‘V’ is vehicle speed(in km/h) then the expession for air resistance ‘A.R’ on the
vehicle is
a) A.R = k*A*V^2
b) A.R = k*A*V^3
c) A.R = 2k*A*V
d) A.R = k*A*V

Answer: a
Explanation: The correct expression for air resistance is A.R = k*A*V2.

11. The value of coefficient of air resistance for average cars is approximately equal to
a) 0.32
b) 0.032
c) 0.0032
d) 1.32

Answer: c
Explanation: For average cars, value of coefficient of air resistance is approx 0.0032.

12. One Horse Power(H.P) is approximately equal to _____ Watts.

a) 810
b) 545
c) 634
d) 746

Answer: d
Explanation: 1 H.P = 746 Watts.

13. Gradient resistance for a vehicle depends on which of the following factors
a) Weight of the vehicle
b) Size of the vehicle
c) Width of tyres
d) Speed of the vehicle

Answer: a
Explanation: Gradient resistance depends on weight of the vehicle.
14. Power to weight ratio for high performance cars can range upto
a) 150
b) 190
c) 230
d) 280

Answer: c
Explanation: The ratio of power to weight of high performance cars can range as high as 230.

15. What is Automobile Engineering?

Automobile Engineering is a branch of engineering which deals with designing,
manufacturing and operating automobiles. It is a segment of vehicle engineering which deals
with motorcycles, buses, trucks, etc. It includes mechanical, electrical, electronic, software and
safety elements.

16. List out the various materials used in the construction of chassis frames.
• Low Carbon Steel – 0.18 or 0.20 % carbon content
• High Carbon Steel – 0.25 % carbon content
• Alloy Steel – With alloying elements like Ni & Cr

17. Write down any two main sections of vehicle construction.

• Chassis construction
• Body construction

18. What are two types of vehicle suspensions?

•Rigid axle suspension
• Independent suspension

19. What loads are coming to axle?

• Vertical bending load due to vehicle weight
• Driving torque
• Braking torque
• Side thrust

20. What are the functions of a gear box?

• It has to provide torque multiplication
• It has to provide neutral position
• It has to provide the means to reverse a vehicle

21. Why you need a gear box?

When a vehicle is moving on a road, it has to encounter different resistances depending
upon the road surface, vehicle speed and road gradient. Hence, wheel torque required at road
wheels is different for different operating conditions. To satisfy this requirement, a gearbox is
necessary in a vehicle.

22. Name the different kind of resistances to vehicle motion.

 • Air resistance
• Rolling resistance
• Gradient resistance

23. Why is the frame narrow at front?

The frame is narrowed at the front to provide a better steering lock.
This also permits smaller turning circle radius

24. List out the various materials used in the construction of vehicle body
• Wood
• Metals
• Plastics
• Mixed construction of all these materials

25. Why are the side members of the frame upswept at two places?
The frame is upswept at the rear and front to accommodate the movement of the axles
due to springing. It also keeps the chassis height low.

26. What is the function of a bumper?

A bumper is the front-most or rear-most part, which is designed to allow the vehicle to
sustain an impact without damage to the vehicle’s safety systems

27. What are the stresses to which the frame members are subjected to?
• Frame longitudinal members – bending stress
• Frame side members – twisting stress

28. What is meant by self-propelled vehicle?

A self propelled vehicle is known as an “Automobile”

29. List the various manufacturers of automobile products in India.

• Maruti, Hyundai, Nissan, Ford – Passenger Vehicles
• Tata, Ashok Leyland – Heavy Commercial Vehicles
• Bajaj, Hero Honda, TVS Suzuki – Two Wheelers
• Bajaj, Mahindra – Three Wheelers

30. State the major types of automobiles according to the fuel used.
• Petrol Engines (SI engines)
• Diesel Engines (CI engines)
• Gas Engines (either SI or CI mode)
31. Classify automobiles with respect to the drive of the vehicle.
• Front wheel drive
• Rear wheel drive
• All four wheel drive
• Left hand drive
• Right hand drive

32. What are the two types of cylinder liners?

• Dry liners
• Wet liners
33. What are the functions of piston rings?
To provide a gas tight seal between the piston and cylinder liner to prevent the escape of
gases from top side of the piston to the underside.

34. What are the two types of piston rings?

• Compression rings
• Oil rings

35.What is tractive effort?

It is the force available at the road wheelsfor propelling the vehicle.
T = µW
Where, T = Tractive effort
µ– Coefficient of friction between tyre and road surface
W – Load of the vehicle

36. What are the functions of front axles?

 It carries the weight of the front of the vehicle
 It carries the horizontal and vertical loads on bumpy roads
 It works as a cushion through its spring for a comfortable side
 In a four wheel drive, it also transmits power to the road wheels
 When brakes are provided at the front wheels, it withstands bending stresses and torsional
stresses

37. What I section at middle and oval section at end is preferred for front axle?
‘I’ section is suitable for bending loads and ‘circular’ or ‘oval’ section is suitable for
torsional loads.
Hence I section at middle and circular or oval section at ends is provided in the front axle.

38. What are the different types of stub axles? Which is the most preferred one?
 Elliot
 Reversed Elliot
 Lamoine
 Reversed Lamoine
 Out of these four types, Reversed Elliot is the most preferred type.

39. What is meant by the term “tread”?

The tread of a tire refers to the patterns on its rubber circumference that makes contact
with the road.

40. What is regenerative braking?

A regenerative brake is an energy recovery mechanism, which slows a vehicle by
converting its kinetic energy into another form, which can be either used immediately or stored
until needed. This contrasts with conventional braking systems, where the excess kinetic energy
is converted to heat by friction in the brake linings and therefore wasted.

41. List the advantages of hydrogen fuel used in automobiles.

  It can be manufactured from water through electrolysis process
 It does not contain carbon. Hence, CO and unburned HC emissions are not present
 The flame speed is highest. Hence it results in high thermal efficiency
 It has wide ignition limits.

42. What is a hybrid vehicle?

A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that uses two or more distinct power sources to move the
vehicle. The term most commonly refers to hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), which combine an
internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors.

43. What is a fuel cell?

A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that converts a source fuel into an electrical
current and water. It generates electricity inside a cell through reactions between a fuel and an
oxidant, triggered in the presence of an electrolyte.

44. Write the composition of LPG and CNG.

 Composition of CNG
CH4 = 70.9%, C2H6 = 5.10%, H2 = 3%, CO + CO2 = 22%
Composition of LPG:
Propane= 30 % and Butane = 70 %

45. Define detonation and pre-ignition.

The abnormal combustion occurring in IC engines is called as detonation. This results in
sudden rate of pressure rise, abnormal heat release, heavy vibrations of the engine and loud noise
operation. The ignition of the air-fuel mixture before the introduction of the spark in the
combustion chamber is called as pre-ignition.

46. What are the advantages of an electric car?

 No emissions from an electric car
 It does not depend upon the availability fossil fuels

47. State the advantages of fuel cell.

 Higher efficiency than diesel or gas engines.
 Quiet operation.
 Fuel cells can eliminate pollution problems
 Don’t need conventional fuels such as oil or gas and can therefore reduce economic dependence
on oil producing countries, creating greater energy security for the user nation.
 The maintenance of fuel cells is simple since there are few moving parts in the system.

48. What are the types of fuel cell?

 Proton exchange membrane fuel cell
 Alkaline fuel cell
 Direct methanol fuel cell
 Solid oxide fuel cell
 Molten carbonate fuel cell

49. Define flame speed.

 The speed at which flame travels inside the combustion chamber is called as flame speed.
The unit is m/s

50. List out the various forms of natural gas.

 Natural Gas (NG)
 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)
 Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)