There are many parts that make up your car, and each one plays a vital role in its operation. It’s thanks to the performance of these components that you’re able to get from place to place.
It’s essential for a responsible vehicle owner to have basic knowledge and understanding of the car you drive. You may have heard of some of these car parts names, but it’s important to understand what are the main parts of a car and their functions.
We have compiled a list of the main parts of a car and their functions that make up your car. Refer to the diagram to locate where they are in your car.
Car Parts Diagram with Names
A car parts diagram is a visual representation of the various components that make up a car. It shows the location and function of each part in a clear and concise way, making it easy for car owners and mechanics to understand how the car works and identify any problems that may arise.
There are several types of car parts diagrams, including mechanical part diagrams, electrical part diagrams, and body part diagrams. Let,s find out each part’s location in a car with their name and function.
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Car Parts Names
List of car parts names:
- The Chassis
- Engine
- Transmission
- Battery
- Alternator
- Radiator
- Axle
- Suspension
- Steering System
- Shock Absorbers (Shocks and Struts)
- Brakes
- Catalytic Converter
- Muffler
- AC Compressor
- Serpentine belt
- Tailpipe
- Fuel Tank
- Windscreen
- Windshield wipers.
- Speedometer.
- Headlights.
- Taillights/Turn signal.
- Hood/Engine.
- Trunk
- Fuel gauge
- Temperature gauge
- Car trip meter
- Rev counter
- Wheel/Tire
- Seat and Seat belt
The Main Parts of a Car
There are different parts of a car that consist of: The Chassis, Engine, Transmission, Battery, Alternator, Radiator, Axle, Suspension, Steering, Shock Absorbers (Shocks and Struts), Brakes, Catalytic Converter, Muffler, Steering wheel, AC Compressor, Headlights, Speedometer, Seat belt, Wheel/Tire, Fuel gauge, Fuel Tank.
Let’s discuss the main parts of a car with their functions:
1. The Chassis
The chassis of an automobile has the frame, suspension system, axles, and wheel as the main components. The frame could be in the form of a conventional chassis or unit construction may be adopted.
In a conventional chassis frame, the frame forms the main skeleton of the vehicle. The frame provides a foundation for the engine and the body of the vehicle. The frame is constructed from square or box-shaped steel members strong enough to support the weight of the body and other components.
The automobile frame is usually made up of a number of members welded or riveted together to give the final shape. The engine is mounted on the frame with rubber pads which absorb vibrations and also provide damping of these vibrations. Absorption and damping of vibrations protect passengers from discomfort caused by shocks.
The frame is supported on wheel axles by means of springs. This whole assembly is called the chassis.
2. Engine
The engine is the main power source of a car. It is responsible for converting fuel into energy that is used to propel the car. There are many different types of engines, including internal combustion engines and electric motors.
Internal combustion engines use a fuel, such as gasoline or diesel, and an oxidizer, such as oxygen from the air, to create energy through a series of controlled explosions. Electric motors, on the other hand, use electricity as an energy source.
The engine consists of a number of different components including cylinders, pistons, crankshaft, and valves. The cylinders are hollow tubes containing pistons that move up and down inside the cylinder.
The crankshaft is a long shaft that connects to the pistons and converts their up and down motion into rotary motion used to turn the car’s wheels. The valves are used to control the flow of air and fuel into and out of the cylinders.
3. Transmission
The transmission is a system of gears that transmits power from the engine to the wheels of the car. It is responsible for changing the car’s gears when accelerating or decelerating. There are many different types of transmissions including manual and automatic.
With manual transmissions, the driver must shift gears manually using a clutch and a gear shifter. Automatic transmissions, on the other hand, use a complex system of gears and hydraulics to automatically shift gears based on the car’s speed and load.
The transmission is made up of a number of different components including gears, clutch, and flywheel. The gears are responsible for transferring power from the engine to the wheels, while the clutch is used to disconnect the engine from the transmission when shifting gears. The flywheel is a large, heavy wheel that is attached to the engine’s crankshaft and helps smooth the engine’s power output.
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4. Battery
The battery is a device that stores electrical energy and supplies it to the car’s electrical system. It is responsible for starting the car and powering the car’s electrical components when the engine is not running. There are many different types of batteries, including lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries, and nickel-metal hydride batteries.
Let’s take a look at how that powerful little box works:
- A chemical reaction puts your car in action: Your battery converts chemical energy into the electrical energy necessary to power your car, delivering voltage to the starter.
- Keep the electric current steady: Not only does your battery provide the energy required to start your car, but it’s also stabilizing the voltage (that’s the term for the energy supply) in order to keep your engine running. A lot’s riding on the battery. Call it the ‘little box that could.’
5. Alternator
An alternator is an electrical generator that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. It is an important part of a car’s charging system as it is responsible for keeping the battery charged and powering the vehicle’s electrical components when the engine is running.
The alternator is driven by a belt connected to the engine’s crankshaft and uses a magnet and a series of windings to generate electricity. As the belt spins the alternator, it produces alternating current (AC) that is converted to direct current (DC) by a rectifier. The DC power is then used to charge the battery and power the vehicle’s electrical systems.
The alternator powers most car’s electronic components while you’re driving around or idling, including your headlights, electric steering, power windows, windshield wipers, heated seats, dashboard instruments, and radio.
Related Articles:
- What is an Alternator?
- How to Jump-start a Car?
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- 7 Things That Can Drain your Car Battey?
- What is a Radiator in a Car?
6. Radiator
The radiator is an essential part of a car’s cooling system. It is responsible for removing heat from the engine and helps regulate engine temperature.
The radiator is usually located at the front of the vehicle and is a series of tubes that contain coolant, which is a mixture of water and a chemical coolant. When the engine is running, it generates heat. The coolant absorbs this heat and is circulated through the radiator where it is cooled by the air flowing through the radiator as the vehicle moves.
The cooled coolant is then returned to the engine to absorb more heat and the process is repeated. The radiator also has a fan that helps force air through it when the vehicle is stationary or moving slowly. This helps keep the engine cool. If the radiator is not working properly, the engine can overheat, which can cause serious damage.
7. Axles
An axle is a central shaft for a rotating wheel or gear. In the context of a vehicle, an axle is a structural component that connects the wheels to the vehicle frame and transfers the vehicle’s weight and load to the ground.
There are two types of axles in most vehicles: the front axle and the rear axle. The front axle is responsible for steering the vehicle, while the rear axle provides traction and power to the wheels.
The front axle is typically connected to the vehicle’s steering system and is responsible for turning the wheels in the desired direction. The rear axle, on the other hand, is connected to the vehicle’s drive train and is responsible for transferring power to the wheels.
On most vehicles, the axles are connected to the wheels through a system of bearings, hubs, and brakes. The bearings allow the wheels to rotate smoothly, while the hubs ensure a secure connection between the wheels and axles. The brakes, typically located on the hubs, are used to slow or stop the vehicle by applying friction to the wheels.
Overall, axles play a crucial role in a vehicle’s performance and safety, and it’s important to keep them in good condition.
8. Suspension System
A car’s suspension system is a group of components that work together to support the vehicle’s weight and provide a smooth ride. It consists of springs, shock absorbers, and other components that connect the wheels to the vehicle frame.
The main function of the suspension system is to keep the wheels in contact with the ground at all times while absorbing the shock and vibration that occurs when the car is driven over rough or uneven surfaces. This helps keep the car stable and comfortable for the passengers, and it also helps improve the vehicle’s handling and braking performance.
Overall, the suspension system is an important part of a car as it helps the vehicle to be comfortable to drive, easy to handle, and stable on the road.
9. Steering system
The steering system is an essential part of a car as it allows the driver to control the direction of the vehicle. It consists of several components, including the steering wheel, steering column, and linkage, as well as front wheels and tires.
The steering wheel is the part of the steering system that the driver uses to turn the front wheels. When the driver turns the steering wheel, it turns a shaft called the steering column, which is connected to the front wheels through a system of linkage components. These components may include steering gear, pitman arm, and tie rods.
The steering gear is a mechanical device that converts the rotary motion of the steering column into the linear motion required to turn the wheels. The front wheels and tires are also an important part of the steering system as they provide the necessary traction and stability to steer the vehicle’s direction. The front wheels are mounted on a suspension system that allows them to pivot and turn, and the tires provide the necessary friction with the road surface for the vehicle to steer.
Overall, the steering system is a complex and essential part of a car and plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and control of the vehicle. Modern steering wheels also often have accessory functions built-in, such as cruise control, audio system selection, and volume. Some steering wheels are even electrically heated.
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10. Power Train
The power train carries the power that the engine produces to the car wheels. It consists of the clutch (on cars with manual transmission), transmission (a system of gears that increases the turning effort of the engine to move the automobile), driveshaft, differential, and rear axle.
11. Clutch
A clutch is required with the manual transmission system to temporarily disconnect the engine from the wheels. Such disengagement of the power train from the engine is essential while changing the gear ratio or while stopping the vehicle.
12. Drive Shaft
The drive shaft or propeller shaft connects the gearbox and the differential unit. The driveshafts have universal joints at their ends.
13. Differential
The function of the differential is to split the power received from the propeller shaft to the rear axle shaft. It allows the rear wheels to be driven at different speeds when the vehicle takes a bend or falls into a ditch.
14. Shock Absorber
Shock absorbers are hydraulic (oil) pump-like devices that help to control the impact and rebound movement of your vehicle’s springs and suspension.
Along with smoothening out bumps and vibrations, the key role of the shock absorber is to ensure that the vehicle’s tires remain in contact with the road surface at all times, which ensures the safest control and braking response from your car.
15. Braking System
Brakes are required for slowing down or stopping a moving vehicle. The braking system is essential for the safety of passengers, and passers-by on roads. The braking system may be operated mechanically or hydraulically. 95 percent of the braking systems in use today are of the hydraulic type.
All brakes consist of two members, one rotating and the other stationery. There are various means by which the two members can be brought in contact, thus reducing the speed of the vehicle.
The major components of the braking system are the brake pedal, master cylinder, wheel cylinders, brake drum, brake pipe, brake shoes, brake packing plant, and linkages.
As the load on the vehicle and the vehicle speed has increased according to recent trends, in modern days, the importance of the brake system has also increased and power brakes are now being preferred. Power brakes utilize vacuum and air pressure to provide most of the brake-applying effort.
Shock absorbers do two things. Apart from controlling the movement of springs and suspension, shock absorbers also keep your tires in contact with the ground at all times.
At rest or in motion, the bottom surface of your tires is the only part of your vehicle in contact with the road. Any time that a tire’s contact with the ground is broken or reduced, your ability to drive, steer, and the brake is severely compromised.
16. Wheel/Tire
Every car has four wheels. The black part of the wheel, which is made out of rubber with air inside, is called a tire.
They’re where your tires are actually attached. The inner part of your car tire is attached to the rim. You’ll often hear people use “rims,” and “wheels,” interchangeably, whereas decorative wheels are called rims. Some people may also say “tire,” when they actually mean wheel.
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17. Lubrication System
An engine has many moving parts which eventually develop wear, as they move against each other. The engine circulates oil between these moving parts to prevent the metal-to-metal contact that results in wear. Parts that are oiled can move more easily with less friction and hence power loss due to friction is minimized.
The secondary function of a lubricant is to act as a coolant and also as a sealing medium to prevent leakages. Finally, a film of lubricant on the cylinder walls helps the rings in sealing and thus improves the engine’s compressions.
18. Cooling System
Due to the combustion of fuel with air inside the cylinder, the temperature of the engine parts increases. This increase in temperature directly affects the engine’s performance and the life of the engine parts.
The cooling system keeps the engine operating at an efficient temperature. Whatever the driving conditions, the system is designed to prevent both overheating and overcooling.
19. Ignition System
The purpose of the ignition system is to provide assistance for the combustion of fuel either by a high-voltage spark or self-ignition in each of the engine’s cylinders at the right time so that the air-fuel mixture can burn completely.
The fuel supplied to the combustion chamber must be ignited to deliver power. In a spark-ignition engine, an electric spark is used for this purpose. The compression-ignition engine does not require a separate ignition system because the ignition is affected by the compression of the mixture to high pressure.
20. Electrical System
The engine’s electrical system provides energy to operate a starting motor and to power all the accessories. The main components of the electrical system are a battery, an alternator, a starting motor, an ignition coil, and a heater.
21. Serpentine Belt
A serpentine belt is a type of drive belt commonly used in vehicles to drive multiple engine components. It’s called the “serpentine” belt because it wraps around the front of the engine and runs through a series of pulleys to drive the various components.
The serpentine belt is responsible for driving the alternator, which charges the battery and powers the vehicle’s electrical systems; the water pump, which circulates coolant through the engine; and the power steering pump, which makes steering the vehicle easier. On some vehicles, the V-belt can also drive the air conditioning compressor, transmission oil pump, and other engine accessories.
22. Speedometer
A speedometer, an instrument that indicates the speed of a vehicle, is usually combined with a device known as an odometer that records the distance traveled.
A speedometer or a speed meter is a gauge that measures and displays the instantaneous speed of a vehicle. Now universally fitted to motor vehicles, they started to be available as options in the early 20th century, and as standard equipment from about 1910 onwards.
Speedometers for other vehicles have specific names and use other means of sensing speed. For a boat, this is a pit log. For an aircraft, this is an airspeed indicator.
23. Seat Belt
A seat belt (also known as a safety belt, or spelled seatbelt) is a vehicle safety device designed to secure the driver or a passenger of a vehicle against harmful movement that may result during a collision or a sudden stop.
A seat belt reduces the likelihood of death or serious injury in a traffic collision by reducing the force of secondary impacts with interior strike hazards, keeping occupants positioned correctly for maximum effectiveness of the airbag (if equipped), and preventing occupants from being ejected from the vehicle in a crash or if the vehicle rolls over.
When in motion, the driver and passengers are traveling at the same speed as the car. If the driver makes the car suddenly stop or crashes it, the driver and passengers continue at the same speed the car was going before it stopped.
A seatbelt applies an opposing force to the driver and passengers to prevent them from falling out or making contact with the interior of the car (especially preventing contact with, or going through, the windshield).
Seatbelts are considered Primary Restraint Systems (PRS), because of their vital role in occupant safety.
24. Gear Shift
The gearshift is used to move a vehicle forward, in reverse, or remain neutral. On cars with a manual transmission, the gearshift is actually a stick shift.
A gear stick, gearshift, or shifter, more formally known as a transmission lever, is a metal lever attached to the transmission of an automobile.
The term gear stick mostly refers to the shift lever of a manual transmission, while in an automatic transmission, a similar lever is known as a gear selector.
A gear stick will normally be used to change gears whilst depressing the clutch pedal with the left foot to disengage the engine from the drivetrain and wheels.
Automatic transmission vehicles, including hydraulic (torque converter) automatic transmissions, automated manual, and older semi-automatic transmissions (specifically clutchless manuals), like VW Autos, tick, and those with continuously variable transmissions, do not require a physical clutch pedal.
Related Articles:
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- What is Automatic Transmission?
- What Is Manual Transmission?
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25. Windshield/Windscreen
The windshield or windscreen is the front window, which provides visibility while protecting occupants from the elements.
Modern windshields are generally made of laminated safety glass, a type of treated glass, which consists of, typically, two curved sheets of glass with a plastic layer laminated between them for safety, and bonded into the window frame.
Motorbike windshields are often made of high-impact polycarbonate or acrylic plastic.
Windshields protect the vehicle’s occupants from wind and flying debris such as dust, insects, and rocks, and provide an aerodynamically formed window towards the front. UV coating may be applied to screen out harmful ultraviolet radiation.
However, this is usually unnecessary since most auto windshields are made from laminated safety glass. The majority of UV-B is absorbed by the glass itself, and any remaining UV-B together with most of the UV-A is absorbed by the PVB bonding layer.
26. Windshield Wipers
A windscreen wiper or windshield wiper is a device used to remove rain, snow, ice, washer fluid, water, and/or debris from a vehicle’s front window so the vehicle’s operator can better see what’s ahead of them.
Almost all motor vehicles, including cars, trucks, buses, train locomotives, and watercraft with a cabin, and some aircraft are equipped with one or more such wipers, which are usually a legal requirement.
A wiper generally consists of a metal arm; one end pivots and the other end has a long rubber blade attached to it. The arm is powered by a motor, often an electric motor, although pneumatic power is also used for some vehicles.
The blade is swung back and forth over the glass, pushing water, other precipitation, or any other impediments to visibility, from its surface. On vehicles made after 1969, the speed is normally adjustable, with several continuous speeds, and often one or more intermittent settings.
27. Headlights
A headlamp is a lamp attached to the front of a vehicle to illuminate the road ahead. Headlamps are also often called headlights, but in the most precise usage, headlamp is the term for the device itself and headlight is the term for the beam of light produced and distributed by the device.
Headlamp performance has steadily improved throughout the automobile age, spurred by the great disparity between daytime and nighttime traffic fatalities: the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that nearly half of all traffic-related fatalities occur in the dark, despite only 25% of traffic traveling during darkness.
28. Tail Lights/Turn Signal
Tail Lights are mounted to the rear of the car above the bumper. They are red in color and have accompanying white lights beside them to indicate when the vehicle is in reverse.
When you’re on the road, tail lights make another car aware of your presence so that you can travel safely in the dark.
Direction-indicator lamps or turn signals, informally known as “directional signals”, “directional”, “blinkers”, or “indicators”, are blinking lamps mounted near the left and right front and rear corners of a vehicle, and sometimes on the sides or on the side mirrors of a vehicle, activated by the driver on one side.
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29. Car Hood
A car hood also referred to as a bonnet in some other countries is the hinged cover that rests over the engine of a front-engine vehicle. Its purpose is to provide access to the engine for repair and maintenance.
A concealed latch is typically used to hold down the hood. On vehicles with an aftermarket hood and on racecars, hood pins may be used to hold down the car hood.
Hoods sometimes also contain a hood scoop, wiper jets, power bulge, and/or hood ornament. Car hoods are typically constructed from steel and sometimes from aluminum.
More Resources: What is Car Hood?
30. Trunk
Typically, a car trunk is the primary storage area for cargo or luggage in a sedan, coupe, or convertible. The word “trunk” is used primarily in North America, while the word “boot” is often used in other English-speaking countries.
Prior to the introduction of automobiles, the boot was a compartment that was built into a horse-drawn carriage. It was usually used as a seating area for the coachman. Later, it was used for storage purposes.
The car trunk is typically located in the rear of the car in most models. In some vehicles in which the engine is located in the middle of the rear of the vehicle, and the trunk is located at the front. In some models, there have been two trunk compartments.
31. Catalytic Converter
A catalytic converter is an exhaust emission control device that converts toxic gases and pollutants in exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine into less-toxic pollutants by catalyzing a redox reaction.
Catalytic converters are usually used with internal combustion engines fueled by petrol or diesel, including lean-burn engines, and sometimes on kerosene heaters and stoves.
32. Muffler
Mufflers are part of your vehicle’s exhaust system and are located at the rear, or the bottom of your vehicle. They aid in dampening vehicle emissions and engine noise.
They are made of steel and are coated with aluminum to provide protection from the heat and chemicals released from the exhaust system. Mufflers are used mainly to dissipate the loud sounds created by the engine’s pistons and valves.
33. Tailpipe
The Tail Pipe is part of your car’s exhaust system. Like a chimney on a house, it is designed to release exhaust away from the vehicle and into the air. Exhaust pipes connect to the muffler and are often attached to the rear end of the car with a bracket.
Exhaust pipes are susceptible to damage from rear-end collisions, failed brackets, broken seals, and corrosion from age.
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- What is a Muffler?
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- What is Fuel Pump and How Does it Work?
34. Fuel Tank
The fuel tank on your car is typically located under the rear or middle of the vehicle. There can be a number of reasons why you would need to remove it; the most common reason is needing to replace the fuel pump.
This tank can be filled from the outside via a small hole that is sealed with a gas cap when not in use. The gas then goes through a few steps before it reaches the engine. The pump pushes gasoline into the fuel lines.
There are hard metal fuel lines in most vehicles that run the fuel from the tank toward the engine.
35. Fuel gauge
A fuel gauge is a device that measures the fuel level present in the vehicle. It consists of a sensing or a sending unit that helps to measure the amount of fuel.
A gauge or indicator which is placed outside the fuel tank uses the information from the sensing unit to give the measure of fuel.
The lines on the gas gauge are increments of 1/4 representing your gas tank’s fuel level. Anything between 2 lines would be an eight. If the needle were between 1/2 and 3/4, this would mean you have 5/8 of gasoline in your tank.
More Resources: What is a Fuel Gauge And How to Fix Bad Fuel Gauge?
36. Temperature gauge
The temperature gauge in your vehicle is designed to measure the temperature of your engine’s coolant. This gauge will tell you if your engine’s coolant is cold, normal, or overheating. It is an important dial that is located on the dashboard of your vehicle.
When the engine is functioning, and the coolant is doing its job, the temperature gauge needle should be somewhere in the middle between the hot and cold indicators.
“Normal” temperature readings can vary from vehicle to vehicle so don’t be alarmed where yours settles.
37. Car trip meter
A Trip meter is an instrument used for measuring the distance traveled by a vehicle, such as a bicycle or a car.
That is most likely the trip odometer showing the miles traveled for trip A. Push the button there near the speedometer and it should show the mileage traveled for trip B. Push it again and it should show the current ‘overall mileage’ on the vehicle.
To read an odometer, look for the small rectangle usually containing five or six numbers. It is typically located near the speedometer. If your vehicle is newer, it may be digital. If your vehicle is older or less luxurious, it will be a physical, mechanical set of numbers.
38. Rev counter
A tachometer (revolution counter, tach, rev counter, RPM gauge) is an instrument measuring the rotation speed of a shaft or disk, as in a motor or other machine. The device usually displays the revolutions per minute (RPM) on a calibrated analog dial, but digital displays are increasingly common.
A rev counter simply shows the number of revolutions an engine’s crankshaft (that’s the rotating bit which converts the reciprocating motion [in a car’s case, the up and down motion of the con-rods and pistons] to circular motion) is revolving per minute (RPM) – usually divided by 1000.
39. License Plate/Bumper Stickers
The license plate in the picture is a blue and white sign. Every car must have a license plate for identification. This car also has many bumper stickers. These are decorations you can put on your car.
This is a list of automotive parts, mostly for vehicles using internal combustion engines which are manufactured components of automobiles.
40. Accessories
The modern automobile uses a wide variety of accessories to make driving safer and more comfortable. Typical examples are self-starter driving and signaling lights such as headlights, tail lights, brake lights, parking lights, windshield wipers, horns, indicators, radio, heating, air conditioning systems, power steering, etc.
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