Problems of Sports Cars - Coursework Example

Problems of sports cars Student’s Name Subject Professor University/Institution Location Date A sport car is small in size as compared to other types of vehicles. It has two seats, two doors and a minimum weight designed for performance and handling. There are several types of sports cars like; the Birkin, Tvr S2, Tvr Roadster, Jaguar and Triumph. These mode of cars are classic, portraying an image of speed, sophistication and power. Consequently, they experience problems which may deter the experiences and healthy competition. Due to the high speed during the race, the sport car driver can experience the following problems; Over steer and under steer Under steer occurs when the car is moving towards the corner. The car front tires tend to lose the tract as it turns around the corner. When this happen, the driver can take the following action; 1. Try to make more turns, by increasing the steering input. 2. Decrease the steering input until the car regains its traction. 3. Reduce throttle input until the front tires are back to normal. In case the sport car begins to oversteer, then the rear tires automatically moves out of the traction. That means the rear side of the car has slide, causing the front tires to turn to the corner without more steering input. In case the car continues to oversteer, then the driver should increase the turn and reduce the slippage of the rear tires, hence maintain the throttle (Hirsch 2012). Vehicle Control The movement of the car is vital especially if there is control of the steering wheel and the tires as both are related. Therefore proper speed is necessary in order to produce the required response from the tires. When the driver increases the speed, the car tires work harder until they reach a saturation point. In most cases, cars react according to the driver input. Therefore there is need for a car to maintain balance and thus tires and wheels need to fit all terrains (Andersson 2002). Steering wheel Steering wheels of Sports cars generally are smaller as compared to other vehicles. Therefore the turning movement of the car depends largely on and if the hands of the driver are slow or out of the place. Quick turning is possible depending on car speed and efficiency of the steering wheel. A major problem arises when the body movement may affect the hands movement resulting to a different and risky turn. Such problem can be solved by allowing driver’s preferences, either for large, medium or small ones (Coley & Lemon 2008,). Most sports car can also be fitted with a coordinating button, fixed on a particular point of the steering wheel so that the driver can press it when necessary (Sharp 2005). This would avoid unwanted turns from shake, tension and movements. Brakes system Brakes failure may result to lack of hold and screeching sound. Faulty brakes majorly cause fatal accidents in sports. It is critical to consider more than one braking system so incase the one fails the other can efficiently work. Brakes are recommended to be the most efficient system of the vehicle. Therefore improper braking techniques can be very costly in time, especially to the sports race cars. A firm, rapid and steady brakes is efficient. For instance, when the threshold braking exceed, the brakes stop the tire to rotate, quickly pumping the brake pedal which restores the rolling friction better than jabbing the brakes. Therefore it is necessary for the braking system to allow the driver to master the braking techniques and maintaining brake system along with proper adjustment of brakes (The Brake Bible 2012). Engine As Dominy (2002) observes, most sports cars have problems with Check Engine light. It is a function for electrical engine system management. Thus it light in case a problem is detected but cannot turn off until a technician read the resulted error codes and set the light manually. There are also cases where the Check Engine lights would remain on even when service is performed. This may confuse the driver on the certainty of engine problem and curtail the speed due to increased confusion and tension. The engine’s timing chain is another common problem. It occurs in case the timing chain disengages or breaks due to worn or broken teeth. The engine may stop suddenly as a result which is dangerous to the driver and motorists. Other common transmission problems are an automatic transmission which in most cases shifts noisily and seems to labor. Ignition system Electrical issues in sports car may disable the car’s ignition system. This may also happen due to undiagnosed electrical problem caused as the hit something, turns and roll. It may fail to restart leading to an extensive testing to source the problem and treat it. This may be solved by integrating a sensory technology to detect the sources of problem. Overheating This is unavoidable even when most engine parts are exposed. Most problems arise if in the course of working the cooling systems parts break. Among them is radiator, the gasket and water pump. Hard wearing, high quality radiators can be specially prepared to avoid overheating. Tire Noise The noise here is defined as uncontrollable sound that comes from the rolling tire as they interact with the road surface. When the vehicle is running at 200km/h, the car tends to vibrate and to make noise. The noise is usually as a result of the air being sacked in and forced out of the rubber blocks of a tire. The driver can experience the exhaust noise, which is caused by the exhaust manifold, resonator, exhaust pipe, muffler and catalytic converter. The exhaust system being at the back is linked from the engine compartment which generates the exhaust noise. That is why there is less noise in front of the car (A. P. Dowling, &W. R. Graham, 2002). Design to fix the problems Upgrading the interior ensure that the occupants will stay in place despite the shaking. A tight-fitting seat and safety belt will make it easier in controlling the car. This solves the high speed, body movement and unwanted steering wheel turns problems. Braking system upgrading should aim at stopping ability. A big brake kit has massive stopping improvement. Cheaper cross-drilled and vented rotors that dissipate heat are also applicable. It should have a more aggressive pad and braided steel brake lines to achieve a firmer brake pedal (Dewitt 2012). Braking system that increase safety are needed because of sports car use in rough areas, and usual unstable condition. More efficient way can be achieved by se of the stainless steel brakes having an adjustable pushrod kit in order to allow constant adjustment and reduce of malfunctioning possibilities due to rusty lines, calipers and rotors. The rubbers can be adjusted according to tire’s pressure. Sports car should have sticker tires and lighter alloys. Lighter wheels are for reduction of suspension weight, making the car more nimble. The extra width improves grip. Tires can be specially prepared to adjust to different traction depending on drivers’ intention. This can be achieved by designing different front and rear wheels and tires and an engaged automatic system to engage any when desirable. The weight of the car would then be unevenly distributed to enable turns, speed and avoid overturning (Dewitt 2012). Exhaust system can greatly reduce noise, overheating and engine problems. A larger diameter exhaust unleashes more power from the engine and makes it sound better (Zane 2012). Exhaust systems for racing cars should include dual systems of equal length to ensure optimum volumetric efficiency and to compensate the cylinder offset. Other feasibility features needed are improved ground clearance, quieter operation and easy engine access. Metallic coated exhaust systems increase durability with improved bends and thermal barrier coating. Specific modes reduce loudness, breakage and increase the efficiency to push out and allow smooth transition of fumes. More modifications of sport cars may include a washer, silencer assy, defend plates and seal ring. Light engine check and ignition system require an electronic feature with sensing technology. Modern sports car relying on electronics can be installed with a performance computer chip or a reprogrammed engine control unit (Zane 2012). This networking permit remote and real-time access to the whole system can be assumed. An independent and wireless data transfer system can detect unfamiliar dislocation and movements and communicate. Instant report and solution can therefore be achieved. References Andersson, P 2002, ‘High frequency tyre vibrations, Ph.D. thesis, Dept. of Applied Acoustics, Chalmers Univ. of Tech., Gothenburg, Sweden. Coley, F., & Lemon, M 2008, ‘Supporting multiple stakeholders in the design of more sustainable and systemic solutions: The case of the sustainable sports car’. Design Principles and Practises: An International Journal, 2, 27-33. Dewitt, A 2012, ‘How to Design Your Own Sports Car’. Retrieved 2012, Dec 3 from eHOW; http://www.ehow.com/how_5032132_design-own-sports-car.html Dominy, R.G., 2002. Sports Prototype Race Car Optimization. SAE Technical Paper 2002013286. Graf, C. & Graham, W 2002, ‘On the horn effect of a tire/road interface part I: experiment and computation,” Journal of Sound and Vibration, vol. 256, pp. 417–431. Hirsch, J (2012, Sep 25), ‘Consumer Reports review details flaws in Fisker Karma sports car’. Los Angeles Times; http://articles.latimes.com. Sharp, R. S 2005, ‘Driver steering control and a new perspective on car handling qualities’. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part C: Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science, 219(10), 1041-1051. The Brake Bible (2012, Jul 19) ‘Brakes- What do they do?’ Retrieved 2012, Dec 3 from http://www.carbibles.com/brake_bible.html. Zane, W 2012, ‘How to Tune Sports Cars’. Retrieved 2012, Dec 3 from eHOW; http://www.ehow.com/how_5982461_tune-sport-cars.html. Read More