When to Use Vehicle Parts？

How Car Engines Work

It's the reason you can put the pedal to the metal and go from zero to 60 in about 8 seconds. The car engine is a piece of engineering genius and one of the most amazing machines we use on a daily basis. Learn how the four-stroke internal combustion engine works.

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How Diesel Engines Work

Ever wonder what the difference is between a gasoline engine and a diesel engine? Diesels are more efficient and cheaper to run than gasoline engines. Instead of using carburetion or port fuel injection, diesel engines use direct fuel injection. Find out what else makes diesel engines different!

How Hemi Engines Work

The HEMI engine has an awesome design and great performance, and it's pretty unique in operation. With the revitalization of the HEMI in the 2003 Dodge trucks, industry and consumer attention is once again on this interesting configuration. Check out how the HEMI works and see what makes it different from the typical engine design.

How Rotary Engines Work

A rotary engine is an internal combustion engine, but it's not like the one in most cars. Also called a Wankel engine, this type of engine performs intake, compression, combustion and exhaust in a different part of the housing. Learn about the unique rotary setup and how it compares performance-wise to a piston engine.

How Radial Engines Work

Radial engines reached their zenith during WWII. But today they are not that common. One place where you can still see the radial engine's influence is in the two-cylinder engine of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. This remarkable engine can be thought of, in a way, as two pistons from a radial engine. Find out about radial engines.

How Quasiturbine Engines Work

The quasiturbine engine takes the Wankel concept and improves on it: Instead of three combustion chambers, it has four, and the setup of a quasiturbine allows for continual combustion. That means greater efficiency than any other engine in its class. Learn about the quasiturbine and why it might be the most promising internal combustion engine yet.

How Camshafts Work

The camshaft has a huge effect on engine performance. It helps let the air/fuel mixture into the engine and get the exhaust out. Learn all about the camshaft and how a new one can radically change an engine's behavior.

How Superchargers Work

Since the invention of the internal combustion engine, automotive engineers, speed junkies and race car designers have been searching for ways to boost its power. One way is by installing a supercharger, which forces more air into the combustion chamber. Learn how superchargers can make an engine more efficient.

How Turbochargers Work

When people talk about race cars, or high-performance sports cars, the topic of turbochargers almost always comes up. Turbochargers use some very cool technology to make an engine more powerful, but the concept is really quite simple. Find out how turbos increase the speed.

How Fuel Injection Systems Work

The last carburetor-equipped car came off the assembly line in 1990. Since then, fuel injectors have been the primary means of getting gasoline into the engine cylinder so it can combust and you can drive. Find out how fuel-injection systems work.

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Do you ever think about how your car works? Do you know what parts are most important? It’s essential for a responsible vehicle owner to have basic knowledge and understanding about the vehicle he or she drives. Here are the most important car parts you should educate yourself about in case you run into some unexpected issues. 1-800-Injured is a lawyer referral service if you are in need of a car accident lawyer in your area.

The Battery
Without the battery, your car isn’t going to turn on. You may want to keep that in good condition.

Axles
Without them, your wheels wouldn’t be able to rotate.

Brakes
This is something you need to be very careful with. If your brakes start to squeak when you push down on the pedal, it may be time to get them replaced.

Pistons
Ideal, these should pump smoothly and quickly. They handle all gasoline explosions, so keep those in check. This is what determines your vehicle’s horsepower.

The Fuel Injector
This is what gets gas from your fuel tank into the engine. It is the carburetor’s successor.

The Radiator
The radiator keeps the engine from overheating. The coolant gives off heat into the air before going back into the engine to pick up more heat. If your car has overheating issues, the radiator is what is most likely at fault.

The AC Compressor
This is what puts the Freon into the air conditioning system, under high pressure, to then pass it down the line. Without this, your summer days are going to be hot.

The Clutch
The clutch is moved from gear to gear to keep you driving smoothly. It allows you to switch gears, and when you push down on the pedal, it allows transmission to keep running when the car is in neutral. Without the clutch, the car would stall.

The Engine Fan
These help keep air flowing over the radiator, which makes the cooling of the engine coolant process easier.

A Spare Tire
This isn’t technically a car part, but it should be common sense for you to keep one in your car at all times. Towing your car is never fun.

A Car Jack
Yes, once again… with a spare tire but no tools, the process may be a bit tricky.

Shock Absorbers
These help keep your wheels’ grip on the road, and help, well, absorb shock, to make your ride smoother. Shock absorbers are actually very important for many reasons, which we will discuss in Tips & Education.

Transmission
This turns power into movement. The energy generated by the engine is transmitted to the wheels and allows movement with the use of the transmission.

The Spark Plug
This is what starts the car by using an electrical spark ignite fuel into the engine’s ignition.

Air Filter
The air filter will keep your AC from causing you to sneeze or get allergies. Keep it clean to keep yourself dust-free.

The Muffler
This is what keeps your car from making an uncontrollable ruckus. The gas coming from the combustion in the pistons of the engine would generate very loud noises straight into the exhaust valves if the muffler didn’t tone it down.

The Catalytic Converter
This helps reduce emission from your vehicle.

The Alternator
This charges the vehicle’s battery while the engine is running. This is why your lights can kill your battery if you leave them on when the engine isn’t running.

The Pressure Gauge
This is once again technically not a car part, but this will help inflate your tires properly and help avoid flat tires. They also help reduce your gas consumption.