Understanding How Your Car Works: 8 of the Most Important Components
Do you ever wonder how your car works, or which parts are the most important? Here we run through some of the most important auto parts, explaining how they work together to keep your car running smoothly.
1. Engine
Think of the engine as your car’s beating heart. The engine block consists of several components, including valves and pistons, spark plugs, and cylinder heads, as well as the crankshaft, timing chain, and camshaft.
Inside the engine, pistons move up and down in metal tubes called cylinders, in a similar way to a cyclist’s legs turning the pedals. The pistons and crankshaft are connected via rods. As they move up and down, they cause the crankshaft to spin. Modern car engines feature anywhere between two and 12 cylinders.
The engine converts the heat of burning gasoline into energy, or torque. Torque is the force that sets the wheels in motion. From Fords to Ferraris, the engines of virtually all cars work according to the same basic principles.
2. Battery
Without the battery, the car will not run. The battery delivers electricity to the car’s electrical components. Most cars incorporate a 12-volt battery. If the battery’s voltage drops, even by a small amount, it can significantly impact performance.
A flat car battery can be a major inconvenience. It is important to keep an eye out for low battery fluid level, and to look out for slow engine crank and heed the check engine light. Replace the battery when necessary.
3. Brakes
Obviously one of the most important components in any vehicle, the brake system slows the car to a standstill quickly and effectively. Whether your car features a drum brake or disc brake system, it is important to ensure that it is in good working order at all times.
When your foot presses down on the brake pedal, the force generated by this movement is amplified by mechanical leverage. A piston slides in the brake cylinder, squeezing out hydraulic fluid. This fluid is forced around the entire braking system via a series of hoses and lines, with pressure transmitted equally to all four brakes. The resulting force creates friction between the brake pads and brake disc, which is what ultimately stops the car.
4. Axles
Attached to the vehicle’s wheels, axles support the weight of the vehicle, transferring power and serving as a vital component in the steering system. Most modern cars incorporate a split axle, with each wheel connected to an independent shaft. This makes the ride smoother and more comfortable, improving traction and cornering capabilities, which in turn extends the life span of the vehicle’s tires.
5. Transmission
The transmission converts power created within the engine into a controlled energy source. It essentially acts as a mediator between the engine and the wheels, transferring torque to the axles to rotate the car’s wheels.
The transmission incorporates toothed gears that interact with one another. Gears are selected in accordance with the speed of the car. Car transmissions come in two types: automatic and manual. With a manual transmission, the driver selects the gear, whereas an automatic transmission relies on transmission fluid to create the necessary pressure to activate clutches and bands and determine which gear the car should be in.
6. Alternator
The alternator powers the car’s electrical system while it is running, charging the vehicle’s battery. It is bolted to the engine and driven by the drive belt. In some cases, this maintenance-free unit can last for up to 15 years without any repairs. Even after an alternator has failed, the car may continue to run for a short time on battery power, although the engine will eventually stall once the battery’s power is depleted.
7. Radiator
The radiator keeps the engine cool by removing heat from coolant before pumping it back into the engine to prevent it from overheating.
Most modern cars have aluminum radiators, consisting of thin fins brazed to flattened tubes. Coolant is transferred from the inlet to the outlet via numerous tubes. The fins channel heat from the tubes, using the air flow through the radiator to disperse heat.
8. Suspension
The suspension maximizes friction between tires and the road surface, improving handling and steering stability and providing a smoother, more comfortable ride. If roads were perfectly smooth, we would have no need for car suspensions. Unfortunately, most are far from flat. Even freshly resurfaced highways have subtle irregularities that can interact with the wheels of the car. These imperfections apply forces to a vehicle’s wheels, affecting steering. If a car had no suspension, vertical energy would transfer to the frame, causing the wheels to lose traction. The suspension is not only important for a smoother ride, but it is also integral to vehicle safety, by helping the car to accelerate, corner, and brake safely.
