If You’ve Ever Wanted to Learn the Parts of a Car Here’s Your Chance

Contents

It is obviously impossible le to list out every single part of a car but this article will provide you with an overview of all the essential; components that make up your car. This is just for reference purposes and could vary depending on the make and model of your car.

Chassis or Frame:

This is the basic structure around which the car is built on. It has the same function to the skeleton in the human body. This is what gives the car its strength and stiffness and the ability to withstand the immense forces generated under braking, cornering, and accelerating.

Engine or Motor:

This is the heart of the car and features an internal combustion unit that burns fuel-air mixture to produce energy that is then used to move the car. They are traditionally petrol or diesel powered. Modern alternatives can use CNG and hydrogen fuel cells. There are multiple cylinders usually more than 4 where this combustion takes place which pushes a piston up and down.

Transmission or gear box:

The transmission is a system of gears that allows the engine to provide different torque and power values at the same rate of revolution of the engine’s piston that transfers the power to the wheels of the car. Modern cars feature the option to have an automatic gear box system. The ones with a manual transmission feature a gear shifter that can be operated as per the driver’s needs.

Crankshaft or Harmonic balancer:

As there are multiple pistons, they have to transmit their energy to the wheels at the same time. This is done by using a crank shaft which converts the power of the internal engine to and fro motion of the pistons into a circular motion that turns the wheels.

Fuel delivery system:

It consists of a fuel tank to hold the fuel and a fuel supply system consisting of fuel injectors, fuel pressure regulator, fuel filter, pipes or hoses, and multiple valves. If it is a petrol engine, then a carburetor will also be present which will mix air with a fume of petrol before sending it into the engine cylinders.

Electrical system:

It consists of an alternator, a battery, fuses, switches, relays, and various electrical components. The alternator generates the electricity to keep the battery charged up which in turn is used to power the headlamps, wiper blades, starter motor, horns, and other electrical systems.

Wheels and Tires:

This is the point of contact between the car and the road. They are usually four in number and made of rubber. Depending on the terrain they can have different types of patterns on them known as the tread. In snowy places, they are covered with chains to improve traction.

Steering system:

The front wheels can be turned to change the direction of the car and that is accomplished by turning a steering wheel which then turns the front axle. The steering system of the car is also supported by the power steering pump, steering knuckle, inner/ outer tie rods, rack and pinion, upper and lower control arms, upper and lower ball joints, and subframe.

Differential:

Often shortened to diff, they allow the wheels to turn independently so that they can turn at different rates which are very helpful in going around corners, over really rough, rocky, and wet roads.

Entertainment system:

The entertainment system includes the radio, CD player, DVD player, TV, speakers, subwoofer, and amplifier.

Air condition system and Heating system:

In order for the air condition system to produce cold air, it works with the air condenser, air compressor, serpentine belt, AC high-pressure hose, AC low-pressure hose, AC pressure switch, blower motor, blower resistor and AC evaporator.

To produce heat for the car the car works with the engine coolant, radiator, heater core, engine thermostat, heater control valve and water pump.

Brake system:

The brake system consists of brake calipers, rotor, brake line, brake reservoir, brake shoes, backing plate, brake drum, wheel cylinder, and ABS antilock brake.

The parts of a car that’s listed here is a small list compared to what’s actually on the car. It would take up many pages. This will give you an idea of what parts are on a car.