Automobiles are four-wheeled vehicles, usually seated for a driver and passengers and powered by an internal combustion engine fueled with gasoline or some other volatile fuel. Modern automobiles are complex technical systems with many subsystems designed to perform specific functions. They include systems for power transmission, control and steering, electrical systems, comfort, safety and navigation. The design of an automobile depends on its intended use. Automobiles designed for off-road travel need to be durable and simple in construction, while those for high-speed use need to be optimized for passenger comfort and handling.
The invention of the automobile dramatically changed twentieth-century life. It brought people to cities, where they could shop and live. It opened up vast geographic areas for exploration by individuals. It stimulated ancillary industries, such as steel and petroleum production and made affordable automobiles available to the general population. It influenced a shift in family lifestyles, encouraging vacations and recreational activities. It became the backbone of a new consumer goods economy. It created problems, such as traffic jams and a drain on dwindling world oil reserves.
Having your own car gives you a feeling of freedom and independence. You can go where you want, when you want without having to rely on friends and relatives or public buses. You can also tinker with your car and make it your own — it is an extension of yourself. Owning a car can be expensive, though, and it comes with many additional costs like insurance, parking fees and maintenance. It also pollutes the air we breathe and it can be dangerous in certain situations or locations.