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Lubrication System in Automobile: Method, Purpose & Application

In this article, you’ll learn what is the lubrication system in the automobile vehicles, it’s purpose applications and more

Lubrication System in Automobile

Lubrication is essentially required in motor vehicle maintenance. To supply lubrication oil between the moving parts is simply termed as lubrication. lubrication of all moving parts (Other than nylon, rubber bushed or pre-lubricated components) is essential to reduce friction, wear and to prevent seizure.

Lubrication must be done properly and the right type of lubrication should be used. Improper lubrication of the engine will cause serious trouble such as scored cylinders, dirty spark plugs, worn or burned-out bearings, misfiring cylinders, stuck piston rings, engine deposits and sludge and excessive fuel consumption.

Types of Lubrication System in Automobile:

In motor vehicles, there are two separate systems of lubrication;

  1. Engine lubrication system.
  2. Chassis lubrication system.

Engine Lubrication System

The engine lubrication system may be either pressure or splash type. although a various combination of these two systems is used. A single system lubricates the whole engine of all modern-day motor vehicles. only equipment outside the engine, such as starter, generators, water pump and distributors, are separately lubricated.

This system circulates the oil from a reservoir to the main bearing connecting rod bearings, wrist pins camshaft bearing cams, cylinder walls, valves timing drive. The pump is located at the bottom of the crankcase.

All modern American passenger cars and trucks use the pressure system in which oil is a force under pressure by a geared pump to the various rotating and reciprocating parts. In the splash system, the connecting rod end has a dipper which splashes the oil on the carious parts as it travels through the oil while moving the connecting rod.

Read also: List of Car Engine Parts: Its Function (With Pictures)

Chassis Lubrication System

In the chassis lubrication system, each lubricating point is lubricated separately. About 34 points are to be lubricated in the chassis of a modern passenger car.

Chassis Lubrication System

These points may vary from 21 to 45 depending upon the design and construction of the vehicle. No single universal lubricant has yet been devised for all these points. Some of the points require lubrication more often than others.

Objects of Lubrication

The primary objects of lubrication are as follows:

  1. Reduce friction between the moving parts.
  2. Reduce wear of the moving parts.
  3. Act as a cooling medium for removing heat.
  4. Keep the engine parts clean, especially piston rings and ring grooves, oilways and filters.
  5. To absorb shocks between bearings and other engine parts, therefore, reducing engine noises and increasing engine life.
  6. To form a good seal between piston rings and cylinder walls.
  7. Prevent deposition of carbon, soot and lacquer.
  8. Absorb and carry away harmful substances resulting from incomplete combustion.
  9. Prevent metallic components from corrosive attack by the acid formed during the combustion process.
  10. To resist oxidation which causes sludge and lacquers.

Purpose of Lubrication

Following are the various purposes of lubrication:

  1. Very heavy pressure and slow speed.
  2. Heavy pressure and high speed.
  3. Heavy pressure and slow speed.
  4. Light pressure and high speed.
  5. Ordinary machinery.
  6. Steam cylinders.
  7. Clock and watches.

Applications of Lubrication System

The following are the applications of lubrication system:

  1. Lubrication is widely used in the automotive manufacturing industry.
  2. Lubrication system is used to distribute oil to the moving parts to reduce friction between surfaces in an engine.
  3. The lubrication system has a basic function to lubricate the compressor’s moving components.
  4. Lubrication system is used to cool the system by removing heat from the compressor’s moving parts.

That’s it, thanks for reading. If you have any questions about “lubrication system in automobile” you can ask in the comments. If you like this article then please share with your friends.

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About Saif M

Saif M. is a Mechanical Engineer by profession. He completed his engineering studies in 2014 and is currently working in a large firm as Mechanical Engineer. He is also an author and editor at www.theengineerspost.com

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