In order to begin diagnosing a problem with a vehicle, clear communication is essential. Knowing the symptoms of a problem help eliminate possibilities and narrow the search down. The more you know, the more the technician knows from the get go! Even ASE-Certified Master Technicians (like at Mr. Tire Auto Service Center) benefit from solid communication with customers. So here’s a super awesome vehicle parts guide from A-Z…hopefully this guide to your vehicle’s parts comes in handy.
ABS (Anti-lock braking system): Stops your wheels from locking up, increasing control…especially on slippery surfaces.
Brake pedal: Push it, and your go becomes a stop.
Clutch pedal: On manual cars, push it to shift without grinding gears. It’s highly recommended you don’t grind anyone’s gears.
Dead pedal: That pedal looking thing that’s not a pedal? It’s a footrest, especially useful during a hard turn.
Exhaust pipe: The tube typically sticking out the back of the vehicle that lets some of the heat and combustion byproducts out.
Floorpan: Like the name implies, forms the floor of your vehicle and pretty much sets the dimensions for much of the rest of the vehicle.
Gear: Toothed, rotating cogs. Changing ratio sizes of gears (“shifting gears”), changes the torque and the amount of “work” your vehicle needs to do to obtain and maintain higher speeds.
Headlights: Driving at night is much safer when you can see where you are going.
Intercooler: Resembling a radiator, mentioned later in this guide to your vehicle’s parts, cools compressed air heated by a supercharger.
Jounce bumper: Keeps the suspension from fully compacting when exposed to a large impact.
Knock sensor: Detects vibrations caused when air-fuel mixture is “knocking” in the engine, and allows the engine to run close to this limit, increasing efficiency.
Limited-slip differential: Makes sure some torque is given to both wheels, even if one is on a slippery surface.
Main bearings: The bearings that support the crankshaft.
Navigation system: Many modern cars come equipped with GPS…a little more wieldy than using a phone, and in many states, a little more legal.
Oil pan: Deep pan bolted to the bottom of your engine that holds upwards of 5 quarts of oil. Your oil has to be stored somewhere.
Parking brake: Further fixes your vehicle when stopped. Quite useful on hills especially.
Radiator: Cools your engine by pulling heat from the fluid passed over said engine and dispersing it into the air, circulating cooled (but by no means cool) fluid back over the engine to repeat.
Seat belt: Keeps you from flying about should you have an accident.
Tire: Mounted to your wheels, made of rubber. Allow for a much smoother ride. Visit your local tire EXPERTS at Mr. Tire!
Undercarriage: The underside and supporting structure of your vehicle
Visor: Useful for helping keep the sun out of your eyes…can also hold stuff, and often contains a mirror.
Wheel: Used to mount TIRES on and connect with lugnuts to the wheel studs. Without these, a car would just be a very small house.
Xenon headlights: Bright, but fragile.
Yoke: End of part of the drive shaft, looks like a Y.
Z-bar: Used to manage the rear of the car rolling in older model cars.
Hopefully, this guide to your vehicle’s parts has been helpful! When you need quality automotive service, contact our El Campo or Bay City location to schedule an appointment.
