The car owner is responsible for many things. As someone who owns a car for the first time, it can be daunting trying to put together everything you need to know. One of those things, no doubt, is knowing your auto parts.
This is especially important if you're looking to buy a used car. It is your responsibility as a car owner to know your car's parts and understand their importance. So, here is a list of ten auto parts that every car owner should be familiar with.
1. Battery
Your car cannot run without a battery. The battery is what lets you turn on the engine. It fires a switch, which then starts the motor and powers your engine. Your battery also powers many of the electronic components in your car. So if you leave things like lights or air conditioning on when the engine is off, your battery could die and die on you. Fortunately, the battery charges itself as long as the engine is running.
The battery also wears out and needs to be replaced or serviced every three years, as long as it hasn't experienced any other damage.
Signs of battery failure to look out for:
- Dim headlights. If your car battery fails, it won't be able to provide enough power to your vehicle's electrical components - including your headlights
- slow crank
- Need to step on the accelerator to start
- Backfired
2. Brake system
Your braking system is critical to safe driving. If anything goes wrong, you could be in an accident. So if you're buying a used car, you definitely want to make sure your braking system is working properly
If your braking system fails and you wait too long, you not only risk further damage to the braking system, but also endanger the safety of those around you.
So here are a few symptoms of a malfunctioning braking system:
- The brake light is on.
- Squealing, squeaking or grinding.
- Shaking, vibrating or scratching when braking.
- Leakage.
- Sponge or soft brake pedal.
- The car pulls to one side when braking.
- Burnt smell when driving.
- Bounce up and down when you stop.
If you experience any of these signs, take your car to a brake service immediately.
3. Axle
Axles are used for driving, braking and steering. They are the rods or axles that turn the wheels and support the weight of the vehicle. Axles are expensive and important parts of your car that you need to maintain properly
If it fails, you risk losing control of the vehicle, so here are some symptoms of axle failure to look out for:
- There is a clicking sound when cornering.
- knocking.
- Apply grease to the inside or edge of the tire.
- Vibration while driving.
4. Fuel injector
The fuel injectors receive gasoline and deliver it from the tank to the engine, which is controlled by the car's engine computer.
Fuel injectors typically last the life of the vehicle, but they can be damaged by contaminants such as dirt, poor-quality fuel, or carbon deposits. You may also experience leaks as the rubber seals in the injectors can age. Its electronic components may also begin to fail due to heat, moisture damage, and aging.
One of the easiest ways to tell if any part of the injector needs checking is to see if the "Check Engine" light on the dash comes on. If not, there is probably no problem.
If you have to replace it, it could cost a few hundred dollars, but if you ignore it, you risk a fire, so make sure you know the symptoms of a fuel injector failure:
- Engine misfires. Dirty injectors can cause your vehicle's engine to misfire.
- Idling gets rough.
- your gas tank.
- The RPM pointer starts to jump.
- Your car won't start.
5. Spark plug
It's a small part of the car, but still important. With effective spark plugs, your vehicle starts smoothly and can actually help improve fuel efficiency while reducing harmful emissions.
If you're having trouble starting your car, the spark plugs are most likely the problem. Although they are very durable, they usually only last about 45,000km before needing to be replaced.
Here are some symptoms of spark plug failure:
- The engine idles erratically. If your spark plugs are failing, your engine will make a rough and chattering sound when idling.
- Start trouble.
- Engine misfires.
- The engine roared.
- High fuel consumption.
- lack of acceleration.
6. Shock absorber
Shock absorbers are the part of your suspension that smoothes your ride by minimizing movement over bumps and uneven areas of the road. If your car doesn't handle bumps or uneven sections of the road well, there may be a problem with your shock absorbers.
If you live somewhere with flat roads, your shock absorbers will typically last up to ten years, otherwise 4-5 years is typical.
Some symptoms of a bad shock absorber are:
- Vibration while driving.
- Turn or dive while braking.
- Braking takes more time to bring the car to a stop.
- Tires wear unevenly.
- Leakage.
- The bushing is cracked at the connection point.
7. Transmission
This is one of the main components of your car. It connects your engine to your wheels, allowing the engine's power to move the wheels. You can't drive without it.
If you experience any slipping or vibration while driving, it's most likely a transmission problem. It can start with something as small as a bad fluid pump and eventually escalate to a total gear failure.
Here are some more symptoms of a corrupted transfer:
- burning sequence
- unusual whining noise
- Shifting Difficulty/Problems
- Grinding while moving
- transmission oil leak
If you experience any of these issues, you definitely want to have your car checked right away.
8. Exhaust/Muffler
This is the part of the car that emits exhaust. It also helps minimize the sound the car makes and allows it to run quietly. Essentially, it cancels out the sound.
Loud noises are the most obvious sign of a problem with your muffler, but any odors in your car could also indicate a problem with your muffler
Some other signs of muffler failure are:
- Excessive engine/exhaust noise
- reduced fuel efficiency
- Accelerate slowly
- strong stench of gas
- Banging or knocking noises under the vehicle
- Condensation and rust
- engine misfire
- Burning smell coming from the engine bay
- low hanging exhaust
- Exhaust Manifold Leak
9. HVAC compressors
You don't want this to be wrong, especially in Singapore. This compressor keeps your air conditioner running. If it's damaged, you may find that the air isn't as cool or as strong as it used to be. While you may still be able to drive, you'll be sweating profusely while doing so.
Keep an eye out for these signs of a failing HVAC compressor (although the heat of the car may be enough to tell):
- No hot air release outside
- Loud or strange noises from the air conditioning unit
- Compressor won't start
circuit breaker tripped - Water leaks around air conditioning unit
- Warm air is delivered to the cabin instead of cold air
- reduced airflow
10. Jack and spare wheel
It's not technically part of your car, but a jack and spare wheel are essential. These things should go hand in hand with your vehicle. They could end up saving you a lot of time and money.
A car jack lifts the car so you can attach the spare wheel, so if you ever experience a flat, you're prepared. there are manyFilmandarticleYou can read on to get a good idea of how to use these tools.
Here are plenty of guides to help you become a wiser car owner. So if you're in the market for a car, get it with Carro!
All of our cars undergo a rigorous 150-point inspection to ensure their quality. Additionally, all our cars come with a 6 month engine and transmission warranty for your safety. What are you waiting for?
Browse our car listingshereShop with Carro today!
FAQs
10 Car Parts Every Car Owner Should Be Familiar with? ›
Although there are many different designs to an internal combustion engine, there are three crucial components needed to make one run, a fuel to burn, oxygen to support combustion, and an ignition source to start combustion.
What parts are most important for a car? ›- Battery: The battery is what makes the car go. ...
- Brakes: Brakes are what make the car stop. ...
- Pistons: Pistons handle all gasoline explosions in your engine, and they should pump smoothly and quickly.
- Radiator: The radiator keeps the engine from overheating.
- Chassis. ...
- Engine. ...
- Transmission System. ...
- The Body.
- OIL AND COOLANT LEVELS. ...
- AIR FILTER. ...
- TIRE PRESSURE AND TREAD DEPTH. ...
- HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, BRAKE, AND PARKING LIGHTS. ...
- OIL & FILTER. ...
- ROTATE TIRES. ...
- WAX VEHICLE. ...
- TRANSMISSION FLUID.
Although there are many different designs to an internal combustion engine, there are three crucial components needed to make one run, a fuel to burn, oxygen to support combustion, and an ignition source to start combustion.
What parts improve car performance? ›- Aftermarket and Free Flow Exhaust Systems. ...
- Cold Air Intake Kits and High Flow Air Filters. ...
- Piggyback ECU. ...
- Aluminum Cylinder Heads. ...
- Iridium Spark Plugs. ...
- Lighter Crankshafts. ...
- Better Braking Systems. ...
- Chassis Bracing and Sway Bars.
Chassis Basics
Basically, the chassis is everything that's needed to make the car move: Frame or Unibody – Everything else attaches to this, the strongest part of the vehicle.
- Lt Front.
- Rt Front.
- Rt Rear.
- Lt Rear.
What are the basic parts of a car that one should know about? The essential car components include engine, gearbox, clutch, battery, brakes, radiator, steering and suspension. Basic knowledge about these components can be helpful as a car owner.
What is the most neglected car maintenance? ›- Transmission Fluid. Regularly changing your engine oil is a task embedded in most driver's brains and for a good reason. ...
- Air Filters. Most vehicles have two air filters, one for the cabin and one for the engine. ...
- A wheel alignment. ...
- A Coolant System flush. ...
- The Battery.
What car maintenance is really necessary? ›
Proper mechanical maintenance, including replacing spark plugs, drive belts, timing belts or chains, and changing air and fluid filters, is needed to identify problems and to keep the engine running as well as it should.
What are the 10 automotive systems? ›- Batteries.
- Belts & Hoses.
- Brake System.
- Emission System.
- Engine Cooling.
- Exhaust System.
- Filters & Fluids.
- Fuel System.
The trunk (North American English) or boot (British English) of a car is the vehicle's main storage or cargo compartment, often a hatch at the rear of the vehicle. It is also called a tailgate.
What is the front of a car called? ›bonnet. noun. British the front part of a car that covers the engine. The American word is hood.
What does my car need every year? ›What does regular car maintenance include? On a regular basis, you should bring your car in for a car tune up as well as replace consumable items such as motor oil, radiator coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, wiper blades and brake pads.
What are the 4 things to run an engine? ›The cycle includes four distinct processes: intake, compression, combustion and power stroke, and exhaust. Spark ignition gasoline and compression ignition diesel engines differ in how they supply and ignite the fuel.
What are the 4 things needed for an engine? ›An engine is complex, but these four things are basic to every vehicle: pistons, cylinders, connecting rods and a crankshaft.
What should I modify first on my car? ›- Coilovers. First and foremost, we feel that coilovers are definitely one of the best first mods you can do to your car. ...
- Wheels. Wow, this one probably comes as a surprise from a wheel company. ...
- Tires. Tires are the most aesthetically subtle way to drastically improve your car. ...
- Exhaust. ...
- Aero.
Supercharger or turbocharger
Also known as forced induction parts, both of these components force air into your car's engine which improves horsepower and torque. A turbocharger works with the exhaust system and can potentially give you gains of 70-150 horsepower.
Battery faults are the most common cause of breakdowns – especially in the winter. If you've got a problem with your battery, you might not be able to start your car. A car's battery powers the starter motor, and then the engine turns the alternator, which recharges the battery.
What parts on a car last the longest? ›
There is no other part in your car that is more important than the engine. Many factors influence its life span, so it's hard to put a concrete number of miles or years on how long it will last. Typically, engines last around 150,000 miles on the low end and up to 350,000 on the high end.
What is the weakest part of your car? ›The Car's Weakest Part is The Nut Holding The Steering Wheel Bumper Sticker (Funny Joke)
What is the top of the engine called? ›The upper part of the engine is called the cylinder head, while the lower part is the engine block. The cylinder head sits on the engine and closes off the combustion chamber. The gap that remains between the cylinder head and the engine is completed by the head gasket.
What parts are at the bottom of a car? ›Your muffler, brakes, axles, and transmission are all housed underneath your vehicle. You may not notice any of them until you have a problem: an oil leak or a piece of your exhaust falling off — or worse!
What is the top cover of an engine called? ›In the states, we generally refer to the front part of the car that covers the engine as a hood.
What is a 3 cylinder engine called? ›A straight-three engine (also called an inline-triple or inline-three) is a three-cylinder piston engine where cylinders are arranged in a line along a common crankshaft.
What is the heart of a car engine? ›The Combustion Chamber
The heart and lungs of the engine, where air is sucked in and combined with fuel before being tumbled, swirled, compressed, burnt and then released to exhaust.
As shown in the clip below, these dots, called the “third visor frit,” are there to help block the sun as it beams in from between the two front sun-visors.
What is the middle thing in a car called? ›The term "center console" (often Median console) often extends, as well, to the armrest between the driver's and passenger's seats, which in some vehicles (such as a Toyota RAV4) features one or more storage compartments under the armrest.
What is the left side of a car called? ›Left side is driver side, right side is passenger side. It is important to understand Right Hand vs.
How often should your engine oil be changed? ›
And while the old rule of thumb was to change your oil every 3,000 miles or so, modern automotive technology has stretched that figure even further. Due to better engineering and better oil formulations, now you can expect between 7,500 to 10,000 miles between oil changes!
Can bad spark plugs waste gas? ›The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence indicates that bad spark plugs can decrease fuel economy by up to 30%, and can cost drivers up to about 94 cents per gallon at today's prices.
What car repairs take the longest? ›- Engine.
- Transmission.
- Catalytic converter.
- Clutch.
- Spark plugs.
The report found that Lexus and Toyota make the most reliable cars, while Jeep and Mercedes-Benz make the ones you can depend on least.
What car does not have a lot of problems? ›Rank | Most Reliable | Least Reliable |
---|---|---|
1. | Toyota Prius | Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra 1500 |
2. | Lexus NX | Subaru Ascent |
3. | Buick Encore | Volkswagen Atlas |
4. | Lexus GX | Jeep Compass |
Sprains, strains and tears.
These are the leading injuries sustained by auto mechanics and auto technicians.
- A Bad Battery. ...
- Ignition coils and spark plugs. ...
- Fuel System Issues. ...
- Change your motor oil regularly. ...
- Tire Troubles. ...
- Exhaust system problems.
Your chassis is the most powerful structure in your car.
Can a car last forever with proper maintenance? ›It's possible for some properly maintained, well-built cars to reach 300,000 miles. Typically, a conventional vehicle lasts for 200,000 miles. The average automobile age in the United States has increased over the past several decades.
When should spark plugs be replaced? ›Spark plugs are designed for long-term durability, meaning that they only need to be replaced between every 80,000 and 100,000 miles. However, they can become damaged earlier than expected and require replacements to avoid pricey engine repairs.
What car maintenance should be done at 100 000 miles? ›
In all likelihood, your transmission fluid, oil, coolant, power steering fluid, and brake fluid will all require to be replaced during your 100,000 mile maintenance appointment.
What is (!) In a car? ›Modern cars come with tire pressure monitoring systems and the little exclamation point inside of a half-circle merely means one or more of your tires have low pressure. If you see this sign don't freak out. Instead, find a safe place to stop and inspect your tires.
What is the back of the car called? ›The trunk (North American English) or boot (British English) of a car is the vehicle's main storage or cargo compartment, often a hatch at the rear of the vehicle. It is also called a tailgate.
What is the most important thing in a car? ›Tires are the single most important safety and performance feature of any automobile. Since they are the medium through which the car and road cooperate, the performance of a car's tires greatly affects the engineering that goes into the overall vehicle design.
What are the 4 things a car needs to start? ›Insufficient Compression. In order to start running under its own power, an engine needs four essential things: air, fuel, compression and spark.
What are the five things a car needs to start? ›- Battery.
- Ignition switch.
- Starter relay.
- Battery cables.
- Starter motor.
The internal combustion engine is one of the most common types of engines in modern cars and is mainly used in petrol and diesel-powered cars.
How to learn everything about car engines? ›Car magazines, books, shows, podcasts, and videos are all great sources to learn about how engines actually work. These are great sources to learn about engine operation and repair. Magazines like Car and Driver or Popular Mechanics have lots of great articles about engines, and cars in general.
Should I learn in my own car? ›The benefits of buying your own car to learn to drive in
Convincing a family member or friend to accompany you on a practice session is a lot easier when you have your own car - and it means you can get used to all the little quirks of your own vehicle. You can also get your instructor to teach you in your own car.