Guide to Car Parts

Knowing what about the parts of a car helps you to understand how cars are constructed mechanically and how they work together. All cars, regardless of make or model, have certain key components that make them work. The main components are the engine, transmission, drive train and axles.

The Engine

The engine compartment, which houses the engine, is under the hood in front of the car on most vehicles. Some Volkswagens had rear engines. Inside the engine compartment is the block, which is the core of the engine, the battery, radiator, which cools the engine and coolant, and the radiator fan. The engine provides power to the transmission and powers the alternator, A/C unit and power steering with a belt.

Transmission

The transmission may be difficult to see from the engine compartment, but it sits just under the engine and extends out toward the back of the car. It may have a clutch, pressure plate and throw out bearing in it if it's a manual transmission. The transmission bolts to the engine block on that end and has a drive shaft coming out the other end. That leads us to the drive train.

Drive Train

The drive train extends from the transmission in a series of heavy, interconnecting drive shafts. The drive shaft, assembled, leads to the back axle. It connects to and turns the back axle, which turns your wheels. In a rear-wheel-drive vehicle, only the back axle is driven by the engine.

Axles 

The vehicle has two axles: one at the front and one at the back. The wheels and tires are attached to the wheel assembly at the end of each axle, which also contains the brake assembly.