← Motor Vehicle & Road User Studies syllabus

Northern IrelandMotor Vehicle & Road User Studies

The motor vehicle: engine and systems

9 dot points across 9 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

Why does an engine need oil, and how does the lubrication system work?

The functions of engine oil (reducing friction, cooling, cleaning, sealing) and the lubrication system - sump, oil pump and oil filter - plus the need for oil changes.
A CCEA GCSE Motor Vehicle and Road User Studies answer on why an engine needs oil, the functions of engine oil, and the lubrication system - sump, oil pump and oil filter - and why oil must be changed.
9 min answer →

How do a vehicle's brakes work, and what is the difference between disc, drum and ABS brakes?

The hydraulic braking system, disc and drum brakes, the handbrake, ABS, and how friction converts the vehicle's kinetic energy into heat to stop it.
A CCEA GCSE Motor Vehicle and Road User Studies answer on braking: the hydraulic system, disc and drum brakes, the handbrake, ABS, and how friction turns kinetic energy into heat to stop the car.
10 min answer →

How does a car engine get rid of its waste heat and stay at the right temperature?

The water (liquid) cooling system - radiator, water pump, thermostat, fan and coolant - why engines need cooling, and the role of antifreeze.
A CCEA GCSE Motor Vehicle and Road User Studies answer on the engine cooling system: the radiator, water pump, thermostat, fan and coolant, why engines must be cooled, and the role of antifreeze.
9 min answer →

How does a four-stroke petrol engine turn fuel into movement?

The four strokes of the petrol engine cycle (induction, compression, power, exhaust), the valve positions in each, and the main engine components.
A CCEA GCSE Motor Vehicle and Road User Studies answer on the four-stroke petrol engine: the induction, compression, power and exhaust strokes, the valve positions in each, and the main engine parts.
10 min answer →

How does fuel get from the tank into the engine and mix with air to burn?

The petrol fuel system from tank to cylinder, the role of the air-fuel mixture and the carburettor or fuel injection, and the air filter and exhaust system.
A CCEA GCSE Motor Vehicle and Road User Studies answer on the petrol fuel system: tank, pump, filter and the air-fuel mixture made by the carburettor or fuel injection, plus the air filter and exhaust system.
9 min answer →

How does a car make the spark and power its electrical equipment?

The vehicle electrical system - battery, alternator, starter motor - and the ignition system that makes the high-voltage spark via the coil and spark plugs.
A CCEA GCSE Motor Vehicle and Road User Studies answer on the vehicle electrical system - battery, alternator and starter motor - and the ignition system that makes the spark using the coil and spark plugs.
9 min answer →

How is the engine's power passed to the driving wheels, and what do the clutch and gearbox do?

The transmission system - clutch, gearbox, propeller/drive shaft and differential - and why a vehicle needs a clutch and a range of gears.
A CCEA GCSE Motor Vehicle and Road User Studies answer on the transmission system: the clutch, gearbox, drive shaft and differential, and why a vehicle needs a clutch and different gears.
9 min answer →

What do the tyres, steering and suspension do, and what makes a tyre legal and safe?

The jobs of the tyres (grip, tread depth and pressure, the legal minimum), the steering system, and the suspension that gives a smooth, controlled ride.
A CCEA GCSE Motor Vehicle and Road User Studies answer on tyres (grip, tread depth, pressure and the legal minimum), the steering system, and the suspension that gives a smooth, controlled ride.
9 min answer →

What routine checks and servicing keep a vehicle safe and roadworthy?

Routine driver safety checks (the FLOWERY checks), regular servicing, and why keeping a vehicle roadworthy is both a safety need and a legal duty.
A CCEA GCSE Motor Vehicle and Road User Studies answer on routine safety checks a driver should make, regular servicing, and why keeping a vehicle roadworthy is both a safety and a legal duty.
9 min answer →