The Different Parts of a Car
Chances are good you've been able to draw a vaguely Ferrari-looking shape since you were a kid. Perhaps your knowledge of cars has gotten better as you've gotten older, but do you know what the different parts of your car are? Gaining a loose grasp on what those parts are and how they function will give you a better understanding of how your car carries you between points A and B.
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Drivetrain
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Without your drivetrain, you aren't going anywhere. No matter whether your car is front, rear, four wheel drive, or all wheel drive, all cars have drivetrains. What is it? It's the assembly comprised of your engine, transmission, driveshafts, and differentials---basically, all the stuff that takes the power from your engine and transfers it to the wheels of your car. It's what moves you forward---or backward, if you're in reverse.
Suspension
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Even if you've never driven a car and have only ridden in one, you'll already be familiar with what a suspension does. It's the system of bars, springs, and joints that not only controls the ride comfort of your car as you navigate rough terrain, but also aids in guiding the power generated by your drivetrain through your wheels so you have traction (or grip) on the road.
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Brakes
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Going is no good without stopping. Your brake system is what allows you to stop in an efficient---and hopefully safe---manner. It contains your brake cylinders, hoses, rotors, pads, and of course the brake pedal you hold down with your foot.
Electrical System
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Your car's battery generates the electrical power that flows throughout the car. The moment you turn the key in your ignition, myriad electrical systems are activated, ranging from various sensors throughout the car to more obvious ones, like your heating/air conditioning unit and your car stereo.
Chassis
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On many modern vehicles, this may be considered an interchangeable word with "body" in terms of your car, although that wasn't always the case. On some trucks, the two may still be considered separate; check your owner's manual for more information on whether or not this distinction is made with your particular vehicle. Your chassis contains every system mentioned above, as well as pretty much every other subsystem within your car.
Fuel Differences
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No matter whether your car is fueled with diesel, gasoline, a biofuel, electricity, or a combination, the main systems listed above are largely the same. Specific parts within those systems will vary, but this information holds true for all vehicles on the road---from a McLaren F1 down to an aging, rusty Yugo.
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- Photo Credit melodi2: Morguefile
