The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
(c)1998-2002; (c)2002 by Gale. Gale is an imprint of The Gale Group, Inc., a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Gale and Design and Thomson Learning are trademarks used herein under license.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
All other sections in this Literature Study Guide are owned and copyrighted by BookRags, Inc.
Advances in materials science have been a leading factor contributing to improvements in vehicle fuel economy and performance since the 1973 oil embargo. Better tire materials have reduced rolling resistance, better materials for moving parts have reduced friction, and most importantly lighter body parts have reduced the overall weight of vehicles.
The average 1993 model American car weighed about 3,200 pounds (1,450 kg) and delivered 28 miles per gallon of fuel (171 km/liter), representing a 19 percent reduction in weight and a 44 percent reduction in fuel consumption as compared to the average 1975 model. This reduction was achieved by substituting polymers for interior metallic trim, aluminum engines for cast iron, and careful design attention to weight factors. Weight reduction and improved engine design contributed greatly to better fuel economy. There is further potential for weight reduction through increased substitution of polymer matrix composites, aluminum, and ceramics for metals in vehicles.