BAKE 169

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR AUTOMOBILE


[Picture from Auto Fundamentals (Ford Motor Co.)]

SYLLABUS

Course Description

This course is aimed at giving students a basic understanding of the mechanics, maintenance, troubleshooting, and history of automobiles. The first half of the course will consist of a historical background of early auto pioneers, automobiles, and engines. It will include a discussion of engine types, efficiency, and fuels. In the Mechanical Engineering Lab we will examine a Toyota F-4A engine and run a test to evaluate its performance. The second half of the semester will focus on car maintenance. Among other topics, we will learn about scheduled maintenance, repairs, emergency road repairs, trouble shooting and temporary fixes. The course will include a presentation on the MiniBaja off-road vehicle built by a student team, and if scheduling permits a demonstration of the vehicle.

Prerequisites

None

Texts

1) Auto Repair for Dummies by Sclar

2) Auto Fundamentals by Stockel, Stockel, & Johanson (more advanced optional text; one copy will be on reserve at the library for this course.)

3) Chilton's Manual for your car (optional)

Goals

General

Instructors:

1) D. M. McStravick, Ph D

E-mail: dmcs@rice.edu; phone: ext. 2427

Office Hours: 3:00 &endash; 4:00 PM (T and Th); Room 213 MEB

2) Sgt. L. Hulsey, Rice Campus Police; E-mail: lhulsey@rice.edu

Class schedule: Wednesday 4:00 to 5:15; Credit: 1 hour

Grading

Homework Assignments

40%

Lab Report

10%

Class Participation

20%

Term Paper

30%

 

 

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