List of auto parts

Whether you work on your car or just bring it to the service center, it helps to know the common parts of a car to make educated decisions on vehicle maintenance. Use this guide to help you get started and browse Sande’s glossary for more information about different car parts.

Engine
The heart and soul of your vehicle is the internal combustion engine. The engine block features parts such as the timing chain, camshaft, crankshaft, spark plugs, cylinder heads, valves and pistons.

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Transmission
The transmission is a gearbox filled with gears and gear trains that makes effective use of the engine’s torque to change the gears and power the vehicle.

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Battery
The battery delivers the electricity needed to run your vehicle’s electrical components. Without a battery, your car won’t run.

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Alternator
Part of the electrical system, the alternator charges the battery and powers the electrical system while your car is running.

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Radiator
The radiator is responsible for helping the engine keep cool by removing heat from coolant before it is pumped back through the engine.

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Front Axle
Part of the suspension system, the front axle is where the front wheel hubs are attached.

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Front Steering and Suspension
Helps improve the ride and handling of the vehicle. Though systems vary in makeup, they typically include shocks/struts, ball jointstie rod ends, rack and pinion steering system and idler/pitman arms.

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Brakes
Found on all four wheels, your brakes are one of the most important safety systems on your vehicle. Disc brakes can be found on the front and back wheels and feature brake pads and calipers. Drum brakes with brake shoes and wheel cylinders may be found on the back wheels of some vehicles.

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Catalytic Converter
A device that controls emissions from your vehicle, the catalytic converter transforms harmful gases and pollutants into less harmful emissions before they leave the car’s exhaust system.

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Muffler
Keeps the exhaust system quiet through the use of baffles or other materials that reduce or muffle the sound.

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Tailpipe
Carries exhaust fumes from the muffler to outside of the vehicle.

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Fuel Tank
Typically located before the rear axle, the fuel tank holds the gasoline that powers your vehicle. The placement is important to avoid areas that could crumple in a crash.

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Rear Axle
Key part of the suspension system to which the rear wheels are mounted.

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Rear Suspension
As with the front suspension, the rear suspension contributes to the handling and ride quality of the vehicle. Systems can vary, but they usually are made up of shocks, coil springsball jointscontrol arms and CV joints.

This is a list of auto parts, mostly for vehicles using internal combustion engines which are manufactured components of automobiles:

Car body and main parts

Body components, including trim

Doors

Windows

Low voltage/auxiliary electrical system and electronics

Audio/video devices

Cameras

Low voltage electrical supply system

  • Alternator
  • Battery
    • Performance Battery
    • Battery Box
    • Battery Cable terminal
    • Battery Cable
    • Battery Control system
    • Battery Plate
    • Battery tray
    • Battery Cap
    • Sulphuric Acid (American spelling: Sulfuric Acid) (H2SO4)
    • Distilled Water
  • Voltage regulator

Gauges and meters

Ignition system

  • Sparking cable
  • Distributor
  • Distributor Cap
  • Electronic timing controller
  • Ignition box
  • Ignition coil
  • Ignition Coil Connector
  • Ignition coil parts
  • Ignition magneto
  • Spark plug
  • Glow Plug

Lighting and signaling system

Main article: Automotive lighting

Sensors

Starting system

Electrical switches

  • Battery
  • Door switch
  • Ignition switch
  • Power window switch
  • Steering column switch
  • Switch cover
  • Switch panel
  • Thermostat
  • Frame switch
  • Fan ditch
  • Parts and functions of starter system
  • Neutral Safety Switch

Wiring harnesses

(wiring loom or cable loom)

  • Air conditioning harness
  • Engine compartment harness
  • Interior harness
  • floor harness
  • Main harness
  • control harness

Miscellaneous

Interior

Floor components and parts

Other components

Car seat

Power-train and chassis

See also: frame (vehicle)

Braking system

Electrified powertrain components

Engine components and parts

Engine cooling system

Engine oil systems

Exhaust system

See also: Exhaust gas recirculation

Fuel supply system

Suspension and steering systems

Transmission system

  • Adjustable pedal
  • Axle shaft
  • Bell housing
  • Universal joint
  • Other belts
  • Carrier assembly
  • Chain wheel and sprocket
  • Clutch assembly
  • Clutch cable
  • Clutch disk
  • Clutch fan
  • Clutch fork
  • Clutch hose
  • Clutch lever
  • Clutch lining
    • Clutch pedal
    • Clutch pressure plate
    • Clutch shoe
    • Clutch spring
  • Differential
    • Differential case
      • Pinion bearing
      • Differential clutch
      • Spider gears
      • Differential casing
    • Differential flange
    • Differential gear
    • Differential seal
  • Flywheel
    • Flywheel ring gear
    • Flywheel clutch
  • Gear
    • Gear coupling
    • Gear pump
    • Gear ring
    • Gear stick (gear-stickgear leverselection levershift stickgear shifter)
  • Gearbox
  • Idler gear
  • Knuckle
  • Master cylinder
  • Output shaft
  • Pinion
  • Planetary gear set
  • Prop shaft (drive shaftpropeller shaft)
  • Shift cable
  • Shift fork
  • Shift knob
  • Shift lever
  • Slave cylinder
  • Speed reducer
  • Speedometer gear
  • Steering gear
  • Torque converter
  • Trans-axle housing
  • Transfer case
  • Transmission gear
  • Transmission pan
  • Transmission seal and bonded piston
  • Transmission spring
  • Transmission yoke
  • Universal joint (UJcard-an joint)

Miscellaneous auto parts

Air conditioning system (A/C)

  • Automobile air conditioning
  • A/C Clutch
  • A/C Compressor
  • A/C Condenser
  • A/C Hose high pressure
  • A/C Kit
  • A/C Relay
  • A/C Valve
  • A/C Expansion Valve
  • A/C Low-pressure Valve
  • A/C Schroeder Valve
  • A/C INNER PLATE
  • A/C Cooler
  • A/C Evaporator
  • A/C Suction Hose Pipe
  • A/C Discharge Hose Pipe
  • A/C Gas Receiver
  • A/C Condenser Filter
  • A/C Cabin Filter

Bearings

  • Grooved ball bearing
  • Needle bearing
  • Roller bearing
  • Sleeve bearing
  • Wheel bearing

Hose

  • Fuel vapour hose
  • Reinforced hose (high-pressure hose)
  • Non-reinforced hose
  • Radiator hose

Other miscellaneous parts

The content contained in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be used in lieu of seeking professional advice from a certified technician or mechanic. We encourage you to consult with a certified technician or mechanic if you have specific questions or concerns relating to any of the topics covered herein. Under no circumstances will we be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on any content.

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