50 Basic Parts of a Car With Name & Diagram

Do you think about how your car works? Do you know what parts are most important? It’s very important for a responsible vehicle owner to have a basic understanding of the vehicle he or she drives.

Here are the most important car parts you should educate yourself on in the event of a problem, or an even worse situation, like a car crash.

Car Parts Names

List of car parts names:

Read More: 30 Basic Parts of a Car Engine with Diagram

Car Parts Diagram

Parts of a Car

Here are the basic parts of a car:

#1. Engine.

Let’s start with the most significant part, the engine. It’s the heart and soul of your car and really does all the heavy lifting. Either the tried-and-true internal combustion engine or the exciting electric motor.

An internal combustion engine is a machine that mixes air and fuel, ignites that combination, and eventually produces power. I don’t need to explain the power it produces that moves pistons and ultimately turns your wheels and gets you moving on the road.

Electric motors run on rechargeable batteries, which are all the rage nowadays as EVs. They store energy and deliver it to your car to make it move. The exciting thing about electric engines is the immediacy of acceleration compared to fuel-powered engine acceleration.

Regardless of the engine, without an engine, your car is not going anywhere!

#2. Transmission.

A transmission is a gearbox that contains gears and gear trains, which uses the engine’s torque effectively enough to switch gears and power the vehicle. It is like a bicycle transmission, only far more sophisticated. Their job is to provide you with options so driving is manageable and so that your engine does not get fatigued.

There are two transmission types in the world:

• Automatic Transmission: This one is pretty neat, in that it automatically changes gears for you. It uses a special transmission fluid called automatic transmission fluid (ATF), and the shifts are controlled by the car’s computer, or the engine computer. Some automatics even take this a step further, known as continuously variable transmissions (CVT). A CVT does not have preset gears but continuously varies ratio throughout a range.
• Manual Transmission: In a manual transmission vehicle, the shift is done by you, like in those fanciful race cars in the movies. You are in control, with a manual transmission, you get to determine the relationship between engine revs and speed.

#3. Battery.

The battery in your car is an important component, I think we can both agree on that. It performs a number of functions, it provides power for your vehicle once you have turned the ignition key, and also makes sure all electrical components are operating correctly.

The battery stores chemical energy that it can give away if you need power to operate the different gadgets in your car. Your car will not run without a battery.

While we are on the subject of batteries, there are a few different terms we should define before we proceed:

• Battery Terminal – This just describe how the battery connects to your electrical system. There are three different types, post terminal (or top terminal), side terminal, and L terminal.
• Battery Capacity – This term describes how much energy your battery can provide, they measure capacity in amp/hours, so the bigger the number the more energy the battery can provide.
• Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) – This is a term you will likely hear a lot and is a short way of saying how much power (or juice) your battery can provide to your vehicle, so the bigger the CCA number, the more powerful the battery.
• Group Size – This term refers to the battery size, pretty simple, right? They have these fancy numbers that define Group Size batteries, like 24, 24F, 25, 34, etc.
• AGM – This is short for “absorbent glass mat” and describes a fancy design where the battery absorbs sulfuric acid with fiberglass mat which allows it to be spill-proof and provide a better charge.

Trust me, there’s nothing more disappointing then being left with a dead battery. If you hear a clicking sound when you turn the key in the ignition, or your headlights dim when you turn on the electrical system, it may be a good time to have someone test the battery; better to be safe than sorry, right?

#4. Alternator.

An alternator in a car is like a generator power supply—an important part of a car. Its purpose is to keep a steady supply of electricity to operate all the electrical parts in the vehicle—those things we rely on heavily when we’re driving!

When the engine is turned on, the alternator keeps the battery charged and feeds additional power to the electrical devices in the car. The alternator is connected to the engine by a serpentine belt, with the engine crankshaft driving the alternator.

Most likely, the alternator is mounted at the front of the engine along with a belt running to it. The alternator is a pretty low-maintenance little thing and can operate for 10-15 years before needing something done.

If the alternator fails, your car will keep moving for a little while with just battery power, but as soon as that battery runs out of power, say goodbye to the engine!

#5. Radiator.

“It gets super hot while the engine is running because of the countless fuel burnings and parts moving around. That’s where the radiator comes in to spread some love. The radiator functions as the engine’s cooling system with coolant liquid, hoses, a fan, and a thermostat.

So, how does it work? The coolant flows from the radiator through some hoses to the engine and absorbs the excess heat. This spent coolant returns to the radiator. The radiator has thin metal fins that allow the heat to dissipate from the coolant to air from the air outside as the liquid passes through the fins.

Moreover, fresh air flows into the side of the coolant in the radiator through the car’s front grille. When the car is idling, like at a red light, the fan for the system kicks in, it blows air to cool down the heated coolant, and it blows the hot air out of the car.

After the coolant goes through the radiator, it goes back to the engine again, and the process continues, making sure that the engine stays at the correct temperature and is not working harder than it should, and does not overheat. Cool, huh?”

#6. Front Axle.

The front axle is a part of the vehicle. It is located in the front part of the vehicle and is responsible for the following: The front axle supports the weight of the front part of the vehicle and allows for the steering to be easily performed, and it absorbs shocks from the road surface.

The front axle has four parts, which are the beam, the swivel pin, the track rod and stub axle.

The functions of the front axle are: To allow the front wheel to turn freely; To allow for some cushioning from the spring in the axle; To support the weight of the front of the car; and To accommodate the shock from the bumpy ride.

Front axles can either be alive or dead. A live front axle can perform the functions of the front axle that we describe above, by passing on the job of rotating the wheels.

#7. Front Steering and Suspension.

The front steering and suspension systems are critical components in a vehicle that allow for a safe and stable driving experience.

The suspension and steering systems allow the independent movement of the wheels from the car while keeping the vehicle “in suspension”. It also absorbs road shock, so that it does not transfer to the hands of driver.

The steering system is the driver’s will to turn the car, provides directional stability, and converts the rotary motion of the driver’s hands (steering wheel) into an angular movement of the front wheels. The two most common steering system types are rack-and-pinion (found on almost all cars) and recirculating ball (found on trucks and utility vehicles).

#8. Brakes.

To put it simply, the brake system of your car is what keeps your vehicle from rolling down the hill. The two most common systems are disc brakes and drum brakes. They are both vital to your safety.

Disc brakes are on both your front and back wheels. Disc brakes consist of several parts.

• The caliper is a non-rotating part that squeezes the brake pads towards the relief on the brake rotor to create friction to slow down or stop the car.
• Brake pads are the friction material that the caliper pushes against the disc to stop the vehicle.
• The brake rotor is a disk that spins with the wheel. When the brake pads push against the brake rotor, they create sufficient friction to slow down and stop the vehicle.

Drum brakes are used in most vehicles only on the back wheels. A drum brake system consists of a brake drum and shoes. The shoes have friction material on them and push against the inside of the drum to create friction to slow down the car.

#9. Catalytic Converter.

Are you aware that catalytic converters (catalytic as they use a catalyst for a chemical reaction) control gases from pollutants from the car engine? And that they can change harmful gases into not-so harmful gases?

Catalytic converters are mainly used in gasoline or diesel engines (or even lean-burn engines). They can also be used in kerosene heaters and stoves.

#10. Muffler.

The whole point of the muffler is to keep your ride nice and quiet. They do that with baffles or other material to dull or muffle the sound. 

Basically, the muffler is the piece right before the end of your exhaust pipe. Its job is to quiet the noise coming from your exhaust system. How does it work? It slows down the exhaust gases, before they exit your vehicle, to make your ride a lot quieter.

Some mufflers slow down the flow more or less, which gives you either a purr of a kitten or a roar of a lion, depending on your preference.

#11. Tailpipe.

The tailpipe is the part of your car that channels the unburnt exhaust fumes from your muffler or catalytic converter to the end of the car, where you find a pipe sticking out the back- the big output of all exhaust gases when driving.

#12. Fuel tank.

A fuel tank (or petrol tank for you Australians), and somehow also a gas tank, is a safe storage for flammable and explosive liquids, typically gasoline or diesel fuel. This fuel tank is not simply a fuel storage tank; It is generally a very specific part of an engine system.

This is where the fuel is contained before it is either pushed to the engine (with a fuel pump as an example) or released to the engine under pressure, like a pressurized gas. 

#13. Rear axle.

The Rear axle is the axle that sends muscle to the wheels that drive your car. The rear axle has two parts, also known as half shafts, that are connected to each other mechanically through the differential. Usually, the rear axle, spins with your wheels to keep your car on the go. 

#14. Rear suspension. 

The rear suspension on a car acts like a bunch of superheroes. They keep the body of the car standing up tall and keep you connected to the road. You can see how many parts make up the suspension system- frame (or body connections if it is a fancy self-supporting vehicle), joints, bearings and bushings, rods, shock absorbers, springs, wheels, and tires. There are a lot of parts to keep you in tow!

The rear suspension uses its superheroes (the body, frame, and attachment parts) to help the front suspension work. Together, your ride will be smooth and manageable. In other words, the rear suspension system/completely stops the car from hitting the ground and ensures your tires stay connected to the road as much as possible.

#15. Steering System.

The steering system helps you turn the steering wheel in the exact direction you want the wheels of the car to go. When you flip that 15-inch steering wheel left or right, it takes four whole turns from left to right and only moves the car about 12 inches.

Seriously?! And they did this so it is easy and relatively effortless to steer that heavy car. But if you had to turn the wheels with no steering system, you would have to push the wheels about 16 times harder than the steering depicted. But not to worry, the steering system makes it easy!

#16. Serpentine Belt.

The serpentine belt is a long rubber band in the engine, it has the important job of transferring power to multiple items in your vehicle. The serpentine belt powers your alternator, power steering pump, air conditioning, and in some cases your water pump.

We can’t forget about the famous belt called MVP that keeps all the power on and everything on so it stays cool!

#17. Cooling System.

The cooling system has to do with the three most important jobs. It removes extra heat away from the engine, it keeps the engine at a temperature where it is able to operate efficiently.

Efficiency, efficiency, efficiency, and finally, the engine is getting close to that sweet, reliable operating temperature, really quickly. We don’t want to keep our ride waiting!

# 18. Lubrication System.

The engine lubrication system is intended to keep everything running smoothly. It’s that oil superhero that swoops in and reduces friction between the moving parts. A well lubricated engine is a must for the long life of your car.

Think of it this way: without it, surfaces would be rubbing against one another adversely. Therefore, the lubrication system also must keep surfaces cool, hence it’s greatly important. If the lubrication system fails, it may go bad fast.

Your engine will overheat, start in on you and then ultimately stop running. Therefore it is our duty to keep that lubrication system operating correctly, at all times.

# 19. Ignition System.

In a gas engine, the ignition system is used to ignite a fuel-air mixture. The ignition system allows this to happen. The engine has a storage battery; an induction coil; a device that sends out high-voltage electricity; a distributor to keep the high-voltage electricity in order; and a set of spark plugs.

The ignition system uses a battery that gives a few volts of low voltage electricity (12 volts), and the ignition system generates a massive jolt of high voltage electricity (40,000 volts). The distributor sends out those huge bursts of electrical energy to the spark plugs with precision to fire the engine.

# 20. Power Train.

A powertrain is a system found within a vehicle, boat, or other type of machine. The system is designed to accelerate the machine. In a car the powertrain is the engine that powers a car along with internal engine components like the energy storage system, transmission, and drive shaft.

In a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) the powertrain takes the stored gasoline or diesel energy available in the engine and converts it to kinetic energy which is sent to the engine’s transmission, its drive shaft, and differential and then upon torque to the wheels of the vehicle, thereby, able to propel forward.

#21. The clutch.

If you have ever been in a manual transmission car, you are likely familiar with the word clutch. The clutch is the third pedal you have to depress to shift the transmission.

The clutch is an important part of the car, and it connects two or more rotating shafts. In a manual transmission car, the clutch connects the rotating shaft coming from the engine to the rotating shafts that turn the wheels.

A clutch is very important to the working mechanism of the automobile because the engine and its parts are always running and turning, but the wheels are not.

To allow an automobile to change speed or come to a complete stop (without turning off the engine), we must break the connection between the wheels and the engine.

#22. Drive shaft.

A drive shaft (which can also be called a propeller shaft or prop shaft) is a member of a drive train that transmits torque from the transmission to the differential, which , if transmitted to the wheels will move the automobile.

Drive shafts are mainly relied on to transfer torque between components that are some distance apart, or to give the driver some ability to adjust the torque, since each component must be in its location in the vehicle.

Front-engine rear-wheel drive vehicles require a long drive shaft to connect the transmission and rear axle, as these components are on opposite sides of the car.

#23. Differential.

The differential is a system that takes energy on its input side and then divides the energy into two output sides. This is particularly helpful, an auto, because the differential turns the rotational energy produced by the engine into torque that spins the drive wheels.

The differential allows each drive wheel to spin at a different speed from the other drive wheel; this difference in wheel speed produced by a vehicle’s differential is important to ensure a vehicle can corner smoothly.  

The car differential has three primary functions:

• Target engine power to the drive wheels
• To act as the final gear reduction in a vehicle, to slow the rotational speed of the transmission for the final time before it reaches the drive wheels
• Distribute power to the drive wheels while allowing them to rotate at different speeds.

#24. Gear Shift.

A gear stick, gear lever, gearshift, or shifter, which is more properly known as a transmission lever, is a metal lever attached to a car’s transmission. The gear stick has been used referring to the shift lever of a manual transmission and in an automatic transmission, such as a gear selector.

The gear stick is used to shift gears while the clutch pedal is pushed down with the left foot to disengage the engine from the wheels and drivetrain.

#25. Timing Belt.

In an engine, either a timing belt (also known as cambelt) or timing chain/set of timing gears are used to synchronize the crankshaft and camshaft rotation. Proper synchronization of the timing system ensures that the engines valves open and fully close at the correct times relating to the pistons position in its cycle.

The timing belt is also very important in interference engines as it helps to prevent the piston from hitting the valves. A timing belt is generally a toothed belting with one or both sides with teeth on the surface.

When a timing or cam belt does not function properly, then your vehicle’s valves will not be in sync with the position of the piston(s) and can lead to damaging them. The cost of damaged parts from a faulty timing belt can be much higher than $2,000 if multiple parts are damaged in a worst-case scenario.

#26. Suspension System.

The suspension system of your car consists of a number of different shock absorbing components, including both springs and dampers (absorbers).

Your suspension helps to keep you safe, and your ride smooth, by absorbing enough of the energy from a variety of bumps in the road or other kinetic impacts. Your suspension also helps keep the tires in contact with the road by increasing the friction of the tires.

You can think of the suspension of your car as a kind of chassis that the main car cabin sits on. The space provided by the suspension makes the cabin more comfortable because it resides on the suspension hydraulic system that is hooked to the vehicle tires, making those initial impacts less traumatic for your body, and all of the characteristics of the suspension system help to insulate the entire vehicle and cabin from common excessive impacts when driving on some kind of road surface, even a well-chartered one.

#27. Shock Absorber.

A shock absorber is a mechanical device which ameliorates or dampens sudden shock waves that are transmitted through a system. A shock absorber dampens or attenuates shock by converting the kinetic force of the shock into another form of energy and then dissipates that energy.

Generally, shock absorbers are a type of dashpot (a dashpot is a damper that resists motion via viscous friction).

Fundamentally, shock absorbers do two things. In addition to controlling the motion of the springs and the suspension, shock absorbers are constantly attempting to keep your tires, or the tread of your tires, in contact with the ground.

Whether your car is at rest or in motion, the only part of your vehicle that is in contact with the road is the bottom surface of the tires. Any time a tire loses or reduces contact with the ground, your ability to drive, steer, and brake is significantly impaired.

#28. Exhaust system.

An exhaust system is used to guide the effects of exhaust gases away from a controlled combustion occurring inside an engine or stove.

The exhaust system conveys the burnt gases from the engine and consists of one or more exhaust pipes, and depending on how the complete system is designed, exhaust gas may flow through one or more of:

• Cylinder head and exhaust manifold
• A turbocharger (to give higher engine power).
• A catalytic converter (to reduce air pollution).
• A muffler/silencer (to reduce noise).

#29. O2 Sensor.

The O2 sensor measures how much unburned oxygen is in the exhaust. It then sends that info to your vehicle’s electronic control unit (ECU) to help make sense of how much air/fuel ratio should be at work.

This way, the O2 sensor is measuring the oxygen levels to measure the fuel/air mixture, so that the fuel injection system can adapt to it. O2 sensors can communicate to the ECU if a fuel mixture is too lean (too much oxygen) or too rich (too little oxygen).

#30. Resonator.

Whether its for your job, vacation, or day-to-day commute, your vehicle’s engine is working hard to produce noise as much as power. Resonators exist to modulate that noise and change it, so it can be muted in part to a muffler.

It functions like an echo chamber, as the acoustical engineers have planned to try to create space that wasn’t adding too much demodulated exhaust sound to the exhaust, allowing the power train to produce a great amount of power without scaring small children as it passes by.

Resonators change the engine sound, and mufflers reduce the overall volume. In a vehicle application, the resonator operates sometimes in sync with the muffler to provide a more desirable sound, which is not unwanted volume to consume.

#31. Electronic Control Unit (ECU).

An ECU controls the electronics in a car ranging from fuel induction to controlling braking, acceleration, and suspension. Some cars have multiple ECUs controlling various features, while others have one ECU controlling everything.

An ECU receives input from one or more components in the vehicle and any modification of the program determines how the ECU acts. For example an airbag ECU will receive data from crash sensors and seat sensors.

When there is a crash, the ECU will determine which airbag(s) to deploy based on where the seat have been adjusted to. Then the actuators will deploy the airbag(s). Lastly, the actuators turn the electrical signal into the physical value needed to deploy the airbag(s), using valves, injectors or relays.

There may be more than one-hundred ECUs in a vehicle which not only control essential functions such as engine performance and power steering but, also a wide variety of comfort and security functions such as parking assistance, memory seats (set or recalls a seat position), and airbags.

#32. Air Filter.

The engine air filter protects your engine from dirt, dust, sand, and other contaminants that can damage your engine, but it can hold up fine for many years in most cases. However, a clogged engine air filter can negatively affect your vehicle’s performance.

The cabin air filter is used for decontaminating the air that is brought into the cabin of the vehicle.

You should change your engine air filter every 30,000-45,000 miles. If you drive on dusty roads, or in extreme hot conditions, check and change your filter more often.

#33. Airbags.

An airbag is a vehicle occupant-restraint system which uses a bag that is designed to inflate very quickly, but then deflate quickly in the event of a collision. It is composed of the airbag cushion, a flexible fabric bag, an inflation module, and an impact sensor.

The point of an airbag is to provide a vehicle occupant with a soft cushion and restraint in the event of a collision. It aids in preventing or reducing injuries between the flailing occupant(s) and the internal cavity of the vehicle.

Think of the airbag as providing an energy-absorbing surface between the vehicle occupants and a steering wheel, instrument panel, body pillar, headliner, and windshield.

#34. Seat Belts.

A seat belt is a vehicle safety device designed to secure the driver or a passenger of a vehicle against harmful movement that may result from a collision or a sudden stop.

A seat belt can reduce the chance of death or serious injury in a traffic collision, by reducing the force of secondary impacts with the interior strike hazards, keeping the occupants correctly positioned for maximum effectiveness of the airbag (if available), and prevents the occupants from being ejected from the vehicle in the event of a crash or rollover.

When the driver and other passengers are in motion, they are travelling at the same speed as the vehicle. When the vehicle suddenly stops or crashes, the driver and passengers will continue travelling at the same speed until something stops them.

A seatbelt provides an opposing force for the driver and passengers preventing them from contacting the interior of the vehicle or falling out.

#35. Headlights.

Headlights are one of the most important parts of the car. It helps light the road ahead, warns oncoming traffic of your presence, and more.

Headlight technology has come a long way from Carbide lamps of the early days of cars to laser lights of today. There are many types of headlights that are used by manufacturers.

#36. Taillights.

Taillights are the red lights located at the rear of your vehicle. They come on whenever you turn on your headlights.

Taillights are usually off during the day. That is because we tend to drive with our headlights off unless the conditions dictate otherwise.

They are not as bright as your vehicle’s brake lights but do activate when driving in certain conditions like heavy rain. Taillights are important because they alert other drivers to your presence on the road when visibility is affected for any reason.

#37. Indicator Lights.

Indicator lights are amber in color and can be seen on the front, rear, and sometimes on both left and right-hand sides of the car either at the side or the front and rear. You use your indicators to show an intended change of direction, whether turning left or right or even moving out into traffic.

Use indicators only when other road users (vehicles, cyclists, or pedestrians) are in view. This is because you should make your signals in good time, and give them plenty of time to react to what you are doing.  

After a manoeuvre is complete, ensure that the indicator has been cancelled so you do not confuse any other road users.

#38. Windshield. 

The windshield (front car glass/windscreen) serves many functions in your car. 

The windshield has a most basic function of providing the driver with a clear, unobstructed view of the road ahead. This is a clear view of great importance if you want to safely drive your car while avoiding what may be dangerous situations. 

A windshield is a shield or protection for the car’s occupants and the interior of the car, from dust, stones, debris, bugs, rain, wind, and all other outside elements you find on the roads. 

#39. Windshield wipers. 

A windscreen wiper or windshield wiper is a device used to remove rain, snow, ice, washer fluid, water, or debris from the front window of a vehicle. Almost all motor vehicles – including cars, trucks, buses, train locomotives, and watercraft that have a cabin – and some aircraft – are equipped with one or more such wipers, which are mandated by law. 

A wiper typically consists of a metal arm; one end pivots, and the other end has a long rubber blade attached to it. The arm is powered by a motor, in most cases an electric motor, but pneumatic power is used for some vehicles, too.

The blade is swung back and forth over the glass, pushing the water, either precipitation or any other impediment to visibility, from its face. 

#40. Proximity sensors. 

A car proximity sensor is a sensor that detects the presence of nearby objects, typically people or animals. 

Because proximity sensors work by using alternating current electrical signaling to detect an object without touching it, they are often used in security systems to detect possible automobile theft or tampering.  

Car proximity sensors can also park a car by detecting available space, and can automatically open doors when their owner is in proximity. Sometimes, we use proximity sensors at a distance that is only rough and approximate, to avoid damaging the autonomously driven vehicle or the person or animal nearby.

#41. Car Hood.

The car hood, or “bonnet” in some countries, is a hinged cover that rests above the engine bay of a front-engine automobile. The hood protects the engine and other parts from the weather and enables engine access for repairs and maintenance.

Car hoods are usually made of steel, and sometimes aluminum. Aftermarket car hoods can be made of other materials including carbon fiber, fiberglass, and dry carbon.

Usually, a concealed latch locks onto the body of the automobile to secure it closed for driving.

#42. Trunk.

A car trunk is a separate enclosed lockable storage area in a sedan, coupe, or convertible (not a SUV or truck), separate from the passenger cabin.

The trunk is usually located at the rear of the automobile. In automobiles with an engine mid-rear or rear-body location, the trunk may be in the front of the automobile.

Some cars, particularly a few new modern electric vehicles, use two trunk compartments.

Although a car trunk is commonly used to store transported goods, it can also be used for other add-ons. These might include necessities, particularly in North America, such as: emergency supplies, spare tire, on-board tool kit for the automotive owner and mechanics, in addition to additional electronic systems for video and audio equipment.

Convertible vehicles typically come with less usable rear trunk space than their hardtop counterparts since the fold-away roofs (mostly hardtops) are usually stored in the trunk in the down position.

#43. Wheel/Tire.

There are occasions when wheel and tire are used as words that mean the same or almost the same thing, but in actuality, that is not really so. The wheel of a car is the total assembly containing the rim and other parts to make the wheel operate.

When referring to a car, the wheel will fulfill the purpose of steering, supporting the weight of the vehicle, and transferring power from the engine to the roadway, among other things.

A tire or tyre is a ring-shaped part of the car that surrounds the rim of wheel to provide a means of transferring the vehicle load from the axle, through the wheel, to the ground, and provide traction to the surface over which the wheel rolls.

#44. Fuel Pump.

A fuel pump is a fluid handling device, that is used to move gasoline from a fuel tank to the engine. It is most commonly found in internal combustion engine applications.

In a spark ignition engine the fuel pump moves gasoline from the fuel tank to the fuel bowl where it mixes with air, go into an engine combustion chamber.

In the case of a combustion ignition engine, the fuel pump will deliver high pressure fuel to an engine combustion chamber. At the point of combustion all combustion enclosures and chambers are filled with highly compressed air.

As a result, the fuel pump needs to deliver fuel to the combustion chamber at a pressure greater than that in the combustion chamber, thereby causing ignition.

#45. Fuel Gauge.

A fuel gauge is an instrument for measuring a vehicle’s fuel amount that is present and often reported as the fuel amount still held in the tank. The gauge is often composed of two parts: an indicator and a sensing or sending unit.

The indicator is the portion of the gauge, usually in the vehicle’s instrument cluster on the dashboard. The sensing unit can be found in the fuel tank.

There exist several types of gas gauges that all work somewhat differently, but in general form the sensing unit measures the fuel level, and the indicator reports that level.

#46. Speedometer.

A speedometer or speed meter is a gauge in vehicles that measures instantaneous speed.

#47. Temperature Gauge.

The temperature gauge on your dashboard is designed to tell the temperature of your engine’s coolant, by showing cold, normal, or overheating.

If your temperature gauge shows high temperatures, it could indicate your engine is overheating or you are losing coolant.

Generally, most vehicles will read cold until you run the engine for a few minutes and, if the temperature gauge is still cold, it may show a temperature of a cold engine. However, the gauge might be broken.

#48. Odometer.

An odometer measures the distance traveled by the vehicle and is usually found on the dashboard in vehicles. The word “odometer” is derived from two Greek words, meaning path and measure.

An odometer can be digital or mechanical. In mechanical odometers, each cog represents a digit. The cogs tumble in response to wheel rotation and its respective drive mechanism and cable.

A vehicle may also have a trip meter or trip odometer. Trip odometers differ from odometers in that you may reset a trip odometer at any time. There could be multiple trip odometers in a vehicle.

Trip odometers are excellent ways to record distance traveled over a certain time, so drivers can know how many miles per gallon of fuel they consume over a full tank of fuel.

#49. RPM Gauge/Tachometer.

Most cars today have an RPM gauge or tachometer as a standard feature. The RPM gauge tells the driver the speed at which the crankshaft is spinning, in RPMs. The RPM gauge is an important metric that can tell a driver how an engine is performing.

An RPM gauge has numbers (1,2,3 …), each denoting 1,000 rpm. If a vehicle has an RPM meter which points to 3, then the vehicle is rotating at 3,000 rpm.

Normal RPM levels for cars is generally between 1500-2000 rpm most of the time when driving on the highway. Normal idle rpm ranges from 600 – 1000 rpm.

A diesel engine usually stays idle at 750 rpm and runs for a speed of 110 km/h in 6th gear at 2,000 rpm. For petrol engines, they can rotate as high as a 6000 rpm while driving at high speeds.

#50. Cruise control.

While driving for a long distance on an open road is tiring, constant manipulation of the accelerator pedal can make it even more tiring. Cruise control is a feature that helps reduce the inevitable fatigue drivers feel when driving long distances.

Cruise control works similar to how human drivers do when they drive. Instead of pushing and keeping down the accelerator pedal, it uses an actuator to operate the throttle, and maintain cruising speed.

In a cruise control system, drivers reduce the fatigue of pressing and releasing the accelerator pedal for long distances. Drivers will find the cruise control function most useful when driving on highways or the roads during Rush Hour traffic jams.