CAADE Vehicle Construction and Parts 3

Question 1

Which glass type is used for automotive side windows because it shatters into small, relatively harmless pebbles upon breakage?

Accepted Answer

Tempered glass

Answer

Tempered glass is heat-treated to create surface compression stresses that cause it to fragment into small cubes rather than sharp shards when broken.

Question 2

What is the difference between a MacPherson strut and a double-wishbone suspension design in terms of vehicle construction?

Accepted Answer

MacPherson combines the shock absorber and spindle into one unit; double-wishbone uses separate upper and lower control arms

Answer

The MacPherson strut integrates the shock absorber, spring perch, and steering knuckle into a single assembly, while double-wishbone uses two separate A-arms to locate the spindle.

Question 3

What is a 'torque box' in the context of unibody vehicle construction?

Accepted Answer

A reinforced structural section at the junction of the rocker panel and floor pan that resists twisting forces

Answer

Torque boxes are heavily reinforced structural nodes where major body sections meet, designed to resist torsional loads transmitted through the chassis.

Question 4

When assessing damage to a vehicle's door, what is the term for the structural beam inside the door that provides side-impact protection?

Accepted Answer

Side impact beam or intrusion bar

Answer

Side impact beams (intrusion bars) are steel or aluminum reinforcements inside door panels mandated by FMVSS 214 to resist lateral intrusion during crashes.

Question 5

Which vehicle construction technology uses computer-designed sections that progressively buckle in sequence to maximize energy absorption?

Accepted Answer

Programmed deformation or 'triggered' crush zones

Answer

Triggered crush zones use engineered weak points (initiators) stamped or pressed into rails so that collapse progresses in a controlled accordion pattern.

(CAADE) Certified Automotive Appraisal and Damage Estimator Practice Test

(CAADE) Certified Automotive Appraisal and Damage Estimator Practice Test

CAADE Vehicle Construction and Parts 3