subject: A Guide To Understanding Basic Car Parts [print this page] An automobile has many moving parts that have to work together for it to run properly. Starting a car and driving away often seems pretty straight-forward, but many of us are unfamiliar with the many components required to make this happen. Many modern vehicles have security systems that prevent the vehicle from being started without the use of the key. The key opens to circuitry that makes starting the vehicle possible. Upon turning the key, the ignition system sends electrical energy from the battery to the starter, which "turns over" the engine. As part of this process, gasoline is drawn from the fuel tank through a pumping system. A mixture of gasoline and air is then injected into each cylinder and ignited by the corresponding spark plug. This "explosion" in the cylinder drives the piston that is inside each cylinder assembly.
As the driver steps down on the accelerator pedal and increases speed, fuel ignition increases in intensity, which drives the pistons faster. The pistons themselves are attached by rods to the crankshaft, which provides the power that drives the vehicle. The spinning motion of the crankshaft is transferred into the power needed to move the vehicle through the transmission.
The transmission is an important part of a vehicle because it controls the power provided by the engine. In lower gears, there is a magnification of power that will help the vehicle accelerate. This is also useful when a vehicle is traveling uphill or when towing something. At higher speeds, the transmission will provide less assistance to the engine, and this will allow the vehicle to travel faster. In the past, vehicles were driven by the rear wheels, which required a drive shaft to transfer the power from the transmission to the rear wheels, and a differential to distribute the power to each rear wheel. Most modern vehicles have front-wheel drive, which eliminates the need for these additional components.
Besides the drivetrain assembly, there are many other parts to a vehicle. Since the constant explosions in the cylinders create considerable heat, the engine must be kept cool to prevent damage to the various components. This is achieved through the circulation of water, usually a specific type of coolant, around the block of the engine. The coolant itself is cooled by its circulation through the radiator. This circulation is made possible through a pump and hoses that link the engine with the radiator.
Two elements that are of utmost importance in the safe transit of a vehicle are its steering and braking systems. The steering wheel is connected to the steering shaft that changes the turning motion of the wheel to the left-right motion of the front wheels. Power steering, which is found in most modern automobiles, uses cylinders filled with hydraulic fluid to reduce the effort of the driver. The brake system also uses fluid that is pumped by the brake pedel. This fluid activates the brake mechanism that stops the wheel by increasing friction. Other parts of a vehicle are important in different ways. The alternator provides electrical power to the lights, radio and other accessories when the engine is running to relieve this burden from the battery.
Vehicles need to be maintained properly to assure that they will continue to run. The various components that make up a car also have to be maintained to guarantee a safe and comfortable drive. In the event that any of these components need replacing, and most will during the life of the vehicle, owners of GM cars should use GM OEM parts.
