An automobile is a road vehicle that has four wheels and is powered by an engine. It carries people and primarily provides for personal transportation. The majority of automobiles are gasoline-powered. However, they can also be powered by other fuels such as electricity or natural gas.
Automobiles are built to transport passengers and cargo with safety, comfort, and convenience in mind. Modern automobiles enclose people and cargo in a closed compartment with a roof, doors, windows and other protective features that are not available or cost prohibitive on two-wheeled or three-wheeled vehicles, most motorcycles, bicycles, and most buses. Additionally, many cars have advanced safety features such as seat belts, airbags and crumple zones that improve passenger protection in the event of a collision.
Most automobiles burn gasoline to power the internal combustion engine, but some use diesel fuel or a mixture of gasoline and ethanol (called gasohol in Brazil or E85 in Sweden), and there are even some that run on more than one type of fuel — these are called flex-fuel vehicles.
Cars are an important part of our daily lives. They enable us to juggle our various commitments, from going out with friends to meeting a work deadline. They give us the freedom to travel where and when we want without relying on others for rides. Cars can be expensive to own and maintain, but if you shop smartly, buy a car that’s fuel-efficient and keep it well maintained, you can save money over time.