Car parts are an integral component to the operation and safety of any vehicle, no matter its make or model. Understanding these comprehensive car part names and their functions is important whether you’re an avid mechanic or just taking casual drives on road trips.
An engine is at the core of every car, producing power by burning fuel. Next comes its transmission system which transfers that power onto axles and wheels that drive forward movement of the car.
Engine
Nothing is as essential to the operation of a car as its engine. Through carefully orchestrated explosions, pistons (which look like upturned mugs) attached to metal rods push down through explosions until they hit a large piece of metal called the crankshaft at the base of your engine that converts linear up and down motion of rods into rotating motion that turns all manner of parts and pieces that make up your vehicle into movement.
Cylinders are housed within the combustion chamber, while their respective cylinder heads protect them from spillage during compression and combustion processes.
Transmission
Your transmission is a crucial component of your car, enabling you to select the gear best suited to your driving style and ensuring sufficient power reaches your wheels at any speed.
Your transmission converts the energy that powers your engine into torque that spins your wheels and enables your car to move forward. Without it, there would be no movement.
Your car’s transmission, commonly referred to as a gearbox or clutch-based manual transmission, consists of many parts. The main ones include its valve body, clutches and transmission fluid – with its valve body controlling how much hydraulic pressure is sent through to each clutch and transmission fluid serving as its medium of transport.
Brakes
Brakes are often an overlooked component of their vehicle until something goes wrong. When you press the brake pedal, a pump within your car’s master cylinder creates hydraulic pressure that travels through flexible and rigid lines or hoses to each wheel’s disc or drum braking mechanism and releases as soon as you release them.
Calipers are clamping devices that grab onto the brake disc (rotor) like rubber pads on a bicycle wheel, creating friction to slow or stop your vehicle. If you notice any changes in how your car’s brakes feel or sound, have them checked right away; their performance plays an essential role in keeping you and others safe on the road.
Tires
Your car’s tires perform three roles: carrying the load of you and its passengers, absorbing any overloads associated with dynamic movements, and transmitting brake or acceleration forces determined by drivers. As they’re composed of many separate parts, it is crucial that drivers understand how they work together for optimal performance.
Each tire is marked with a code on its sidewall to indicate its size and speed rating. Although you can install different-sized tires on your vehicle, doing so could alter its handling or functionality.
The inner liner is made from rubber that functions like an inner tube to hold air at pressure and ensure proper inflation of the tire. Fabric cords give strength to this component.
Body
The body is the primary load-bearing structure in any vehicle and provides rigidity for the rest. In addition, its design protects occupants against environmental elements and collisions.
Bumper panels are intended to ensure both pedestrian and driver safety by dissipating energy generated during collisions. Constructed using EPP foam, which offers excellent shock absorption while remaining lightweight.
Wheel arch panels, another auto body part, are curved above the wheels and serve to improve their aesthetics and protect fenders from dirt, water and debris that tires pick up while driving on roads. Conversely, hood panels cover engines so as to shield it from direct sunlight exposure.