A car in the twenty-first century is no longer a luxury at all. Most likely, this is an urgent need. However, most vehicle owners simply do not have enough time to scrupulously study its components. Therefore, the device of the car for "dummies" allows you to get acquainted with the fundamentally important points in the shortest possible time.
The simplest diagram of a car device looks like this:
- upper shell or ;
- chassis apparatus (transmission, control mechanisms, chassis);
- the power unit, which is the most important part of the machine.
Main body elements
The separation and connection of a running motor and gearbox provides exactly the clutch. Thanks to its work, the car starts smoothly from a place, and the gear teeth of the gearbox do not experience strong pressure during their shift.
running block
The running block is 50% of all car. It includes the frame, axles (front and rear), and wheels. Literally all the leading elements are attached to the frame. There are also frameless designs. In this case, attached to the body. Such a scheme can be found in the structure of buses and some cars. The front and rear axles carry out the removal of excessive load from the body and distribute most of it between the wheels. The rear axle is usually hollow inside. It concentrates the mechanisms of power transmission. The front axle is a certain number of trunnions connected to the beam with the help of hinges. These parts are responsible for turning the car.
The suspension unites both axles and the frame. Together with the wheels, it performs the function of mitigating shocks and shocks during direct driving.
Springs (beams made of steel sheets) are parts of the suspension that are distinguished by a certain elasticity. Twisted and rod springs can also be taken as the basis for the part.
In most vehicles, suspension vibrations are eliminated by hydraulic or friction (mechanical) shock absorbers.
Sufficient maneuverability of the car primarily depends on the location of the wheels. They must be installed in . To control these parameters, specialized laser or computer stands have been developed. It is also recommended to the motorist to systematically balance all wheels on the technical machines designated for this event.
Video about the device of the car:
Vehicle control mechanism
It is divided into two main sections:
Steering is the interaction of the steering mechanism and the steering gear. Steering creates a change in the direction of the vehicle. The process involves swivel front wheels and their drive system. it becomes much easier when amplifiers (pneumatic, hydraulic, combined) are introduced into the steering drive. For right-hand traffic roads, the left-hand steering control mechanism is used and vice versa. This is done to achieve the maximum viewing angle.
Thanks to the braking system, the car is able to reduce speed in the process of movement, up to a complete stop. Its functioning is based on the laws of friction force. The brake mechanism can be either movable or fixed. In the first case, the movable part is a brake disc or drum, in the second -. Depending on the type of brake system, the parts either rotate simultaneously with the wheels, or this does not happen.
Types of brake system are based on the operation of one or another brake actuator. For most passenger cars, a hydraulic drive is provided. In addition to it, there are also mechanical, electrical, pneumatic and combined types of drive.
The engine is the most important component of the car device
The piston internal combustion engine is present in most cars produced at the present time. Models equipped with gas turbine internal combustion engines are considered promising. are designed only for the transportation of small and bulky goods. Steam engines are outdated today.
There is a certain division of piston engines according to the fuel used:
- petrol,
- diesel,
- gas generating,
- gas-balloon.
Vehicles on the roads of our country can be found much more often than others. Diesel representatives mainly include buses and trucks.
The video discusses the main types of internal combustion engines:
For gas-generating and gas-balloon vehicles, the use of local types of fuel is typical.
With the active operation of the power unit, the thermal energy of a suitable fuel is converted into mechanical energy, a torque appears on the engine shaft. Depending on the speed of rotation and for each particular engine, its maximum power is characteristic.
The number of engine cylinders ranges from two to twelve. Their minimum number is typical for small cars, the maximum - vice versa. Cylinders can be arranged either vertically or in a V-shape.
The power unit is not always located in front of the machine. There are representatives in which the engine is installed in the rear, along or across the body.
Knowing well the technical device of the car, the owner will be able to cope with many minor problems on his own. This will significantly reduce its cash costs for maintaining the vehicle, because the services of most service centers are quite expensive.
Have you ever wondered what an alternator or water pump looks like in cars? Unfortunately, many vehicle owners are not familiar with the design of cars, not to mention its maintenance and repair. Yes, it is much more convenient to service the car in technical dealerships, where you do not even need to purchase spare parts yourself.
But we believe that every driver should know what the vehicle consists of, how certain components work. Thanks to this, each of you can independently buy spare parts without overpaying the dealer. Therefore, our online publication offers you a detailed guide to all the main components of most cars, from which you will find out what parts any car consists of and what each vehicle component is responsible for.
ABS control unit
Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) is designed to prevent the wheels from locking during braking, which reduces the vehicle's stopping distance and reduces the risk of skidding when braking hard on slippery or wet roads.
The main component of the ABS system is the anti-lock brake system control unit, which measures the pressure in the brake system and uses data on the speed of each wheel. This information, which is processed by the ABS unit, is necessary in order to regulate the required optimal speed of each wheel and the pressure in the brake system. It is this block that calculates that the car's wheel can lock up, which will either increase the braking distance of the car, or this will lead to the car skidding.
If the ABS control unit fails, then, as a rule, an error will appear on the dashboard indicating a malfunction of the ABS system (the ABS icon on the dashboard will light up).
True, before making sure that the malfunction is related to the block, it is necessary to check the wheel speed sensor and the brake pressure sensor.
The anti-lock brake system control unit is one of the expensive components of the brake system.
Air conditioning compressor
Summer is coming, and each of us does not want the interior cooling system (air conditioning) to not work in his car. Therefore, it is necessary to take care of the health of the air conditioner in the car in advance by making the appropriate diagnostics in a specialized service.
The most common problem with an air conditioner in a car is a refrigerant leak, without which the air conditioner cannot cool the warm air coming from the street. Also, a fairly common problem that owners of modern cars encounter is problems with the power supply of the air conditioning compressor. Like many car equipment, the compressor is powered by the vehicle's electrical network. In the event of an electrical problem, the air conditioning compressor may not receive enough electricity.
As a result, it will not be able to cool the air enough. Some air conditioning compressors have a shaft in their design that can wear out. Also, the compressor has various seals and seals, which can be damaged over time. As a result, the compressor can completely fail. In this case, you will have to purchase a new compressor.
Alternator
The task of a car generator is simple. It generates electricity in order to supply electricity to your car, keeping the voltage in the electrical circuit at a given level. The alternator also maintains the proper level of charge in the car's battery.
If the alternator fails, most often this will result in an icon (battery indicator) appearing on the instrument panel, which warns of a loss of battery charge. As a rule, as a result of this, the car stalls.
The worst thing is that it can happen unexpectedly at the most inopportune moment.
A common cause of alternator failure is component brush wear or alternator bearing failure. In this case, there are two types of solution to the problem - buying a new generator or repairing the old one. True, it is worth noting that the bulkhead of the old generator is not always possible and less reliable.
Drive shaft (axle)
A drive shaft or axle shaft is a vehicle component that transmits torque from a differential to the vehicle's front or rear wheels (depending on the type of drive used on the vehicle).
A common cause of failure of this component is damage to the rubber anthers. As a result, dirt, dust, etc. begin to enter the drive shaft mechanism. This leads to all sorts of problems associated with the operation of the axle shaft.
If you start to hear annoying clicks or crunches when cornering, one of the drive shafts in your car may have failed.
If, during suspension diagnostics, you are informed that rubber anthers are torn on the axle shaft, then they need to be replaced as soon as possible, since damage to them will lead to a fairly quick breakdown of the drive shafts.
Ball joint (ball)
The ball joint is the fulcrum for the suspension and steering. A ball joint is a rotational kinematic pair (a movable connection of two parts, which provides them with rotational movement around a common axis).
Over time, these components of the car wear out and fail (wear of the anther or wear of the mechanical part of the hinge).
As a rule, when the ball joint is worn, the driver begins to listen to a knock or creak on any bumps on the road.
So if you start to hear such knocks in the suspension, then diagnose the chassis as soon as possible and, if necessary, replace the ball joints with new ones. When choosing ball joints, give preference to original spare parts. Remember that if you save and buy non-original ball joints, then their service life will be much less.
Cabin blower motor
When the passenger compartment blower stops working, air stops flowing into the passenger compartment through the air ducts. In this case, the probable problem may be a malfunction of the interior blower fan motor.
The motor is usually located somewhere behind the glove compartment or behind the center console. Thanks to the motor, air from the street enters through the ventilation holes into the interior of the car.
Sometimes a motor malfunction can be a noisy blower. In order to establish a true malfunction, diagnostics of the interior ventilation system are necessary.
Stopping support
The brake caliper is one of the main components of the vehicle's braking system. In order to stop the car, the caliper presses the brake pads against the brake disc.
That is, as soon as you press the brake pedal, the caliper immediately begins to press the pads against the brake disc, and the car stops.
Like everything in any car, over time, the caliper wears out and fails. For example, the main symptom of a caliper malfunction is uneven wear of the brake pads, as well as traction (skidding) of the car in one direction during braking on dry pavement (to the right or left). As a rule, these signs indicate that the caliper does not decompress the pads in time.
In this case, it is necessary to replace the old caliper with a new one.
But not always similar symptoms are observed when the caliper malfunctions. Therefore, if you notice a malfunction in the brake system, it is necessary to check the reliability of the entire brake system, from checking the brake fluid level to checking the wear of the brake discs.
Stop lamp switch
This is one of the few components of cars, by the name of which you can understand without understanding the structure of the car, where it is used and what it is for. In front of you is a small brake light switch, which is installed behind the brake pedal. This component turns on the brake lights at the moment when we press the brake pedal if necessary.
If you are faced with a problem with a malfunction of the rear brake lights, and after diagnosing, you find out that the brake lights are in good condition, then there is a high probability that the cause of the malfunction is the brake light switches, which is located under the brake pedal in the car.
Brake discs
The brake disc is one of the key components of the vehicle's braking system. Just like everything else in a car, a brake disc can fail due to excessive wear or overheating.
The brake discs of a car are subjected to enormous overheating due to the heat that is generated as a result of the friction of the brake pads and brake discs during the braking process.
As we have already described, brake calipers press the pads against the brake discs, causing the car to slow down or come to a complete stop.
Naturally, over time, any brake discs wear out, as a result of which, when braking, you will feel vibration in the brake pedal. Also, the braking process will become ineffective.
Remember that the replacement of brake discs, as well as calipers, must be carried out in pairs (simultaneous replacement of the front brake discs or replacement of the rear brake discs on both sides of the car).
Camshaft (camshaft)
The camshaft is not a component that often fails. However, if it fails, you can run into costly problems. For example, if you are faced with a lack of oil pressure (or oil starvation of the engine), then you must first check the health of the camshaft.
The camshaft is needed in order to open and close the engine valves. An engine has both intake valves (which let fuel and oxygen into the engine) and exhaust valves (which release exhaust gases that are produced during the combustion of fuel in the engine).
Camshaft position sensor
When it comes to a malfunction of the camshaft, the first thing to check is the operability of the camshaft position sensor. This sensor tells the engine control unit how fast to rotate the camshaft in order to synchronize the operation of the engine block with the valves that supply fuel to the intake manifold.
That is, in other words, this sensor helps the engine control unit to report the information necessary to accurately determine the timing of fuel injection into the engine (according to information from the camshaft sensor, the engine control unit knows the exact location of each piston in the engine block).
If this sensor fails, "Check Engine" will appear on the instrument panel. If the camshaft position sensor fails, the vehicle will usually lose traction and consume more fuel. The fact is that if this sensor malfunctions, the engine control unit ceases to receive accurate and so necessary information for optimal fuel injection.
As a result, the engine control unit software begins to guess when the valves are in the open position in order to inject fuel into the engine.
Clutch
In vehicles equipped with a manual transmission, the clutch is the key link between the engine and the transmission. Thanks to the clutch, engine torque is smoothly transferred to the gearbox, which in turn transmits torque to the wheels. The clutch also dampens torsional vibrations, as well as vibration when shifting gears. If there was no clutch, the car would not move. Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever and the clutch disc wears out over time.
Wishbone
Car suspension arms come in a variety of shapes and sizes. These components are the parts that connect the car's wheels to the rest of the suspension. As a rule, the transverse levers (pictured) usually have several ball joints and bushings (silent blocks) in their design that soften the blows. Unfortunately, ball joints and silent blocks often wear out due to heavy loads and require replacement.
As we have already said, when the ball joints are worn, you will hear a knock on the bumps. Sometimes when ball or bushings are worn, your car can wander along the road when changing direction. This is due to backlash in the transverse levers. Backlashes are formed due to wear of ball or silent blocks.
Fortunately, in case of wear of ball or silent blocks, there is no need to purchase a new lever assembly. For example, ball and silent blocks can be pressed out from the lever and replaced with new ones. But sometimes such a repair will not help in case of severe wear of the lever. In this case, you will have to purchase a new lever assembly.
Crankshaft (Crankshaft)
The crankshaft is the place in the car where the force from the combustion of fuel transmitted from the engine block is converted into the rotating force needed to propel your car.
The crankshaft, like the camshaft, does not rotate on its own. The crankshaft receives energy for rotation due to the movement of the pistons in the engine block, which in turn move from the energy obtained by igniting the fuel in the combustion chamber of the power unit.
Unfortunately, the bearings on the crankshaft can fail (for example, they do not receive enough oil). As a result, due to bearing wear, not only the crankshaft can be damaged, but the entire engine can completely fail.
Depending on the design of the engine, the cost of a new crankshaft can be very high. For example, the cost of dismantling and installing a new crankshaft for a BMW M3 can be a huge amount.
Crankshaft oil seals
The most common failure of crankshaft components is oil seals, which act as seals to prevent oil from leaking from the engine.
As a rule, two oil seals are installed on the crankshaft. One front and one rear. The front oil seal is located behind the main engine pulley. The other oil seal is at the rear of the engine where the gearbox is bolted to the engine.
Sooner or later, these seals wear out, causing oil to leak from the engine.
Door lock drive
With the advent of central door locking in cars, the automotive industry began to use a door lock drive. This drive is responsible for the operation of all door locks in the car. The drive is powered by the machine's power supply.
Sometimes the drive may stop working. For example, due to worn electrical connections or poor wiring. The drive itself is very durable and its failure is a rarity.
cardan shaft
Unlike drive shafts (axles), the propeller shaft is the link between the gearbox and the rear differential in rear-wheel drive vehicles.
There are two places in the driveshaft where failure can occur. This is a U-connection (cross) and a bearing (outboard bearing of the cardan shaft). The support (pendant) bearing can be replaced separately. But if the U-connection (cross) fails, then this can lead to a complete failure of the cardan. Therefore, in the event of ringing, crunching or knocking that comes from the driveshaft, the task of the owner of the car is to fix the problem as soon as possible. Otherwise, repairs can be too expensive.
The engine control unit
The engine control unit - also known as the engine control module (ECU, DME, DDE, etc.) is responsible for the efficient operation of the engine. Thanks to this module, electronic fuel injection into the engine is controlled.
The breakdown of this car unit does not happen so often. But, nevertheless, if the engine control unit fails, then this can cause a lot of trouble to the owner.
exhaust manifold gasket
The exhaust manifold gasket, which is installed between the engine block head and the exhaust manifold, can wear out over time and begin to leak exhaust gases. This is the very first place in the car that needs to be inspected in the event of an exhaust leak.
If the exhaust manifold gasket is worn out, your car will start to work too loudly, as the exhaust system will not be sealed.
Flywheel
The flywheel is the other half of the equation when it comes to transferring power from the engine to the gearbox. If the car is equipped with a manual transmission, then as soon as the driver depresses the clutch pedal, the flywheel is connected to the clutch basket and the torque of the power unit begins to be transmitted from the flywheel to the transmission.
Over time, just like the basket and clutch disc, the flywheel wears out. Especially if the driver did not squeeze the clutch correctly and shifted gears at the wrong time. If the flywheel is worn out, the basket and clutch disc will not be able to connect with it, which will ultimately lead to the impossibility of transmitting torque from the motor to the gearbox.
Unfortunately, you will not be able to find out about flywheel wear until you remove the gearbox and clutch assembly from the car.
Fuel pump (fuel pump)
Fuel pumps are usually mounted inside the fuel tank (gas tank). There are also some car models in which the fuel pump is located under the car, where it is attached to the fuel line between the fuel tank and the engine.
Over time, the fuel pump fails. Unfortunately, as a rule, this happens unexpectedly for the owner, since a worn-out fuel pump does not show any signs of malfunction in advance. Only on some cars, a faulty fuel pump may start to work loudly before completely failing.
Gas tank cap
We all know what a fuel tank cap (fuel filler cap) looks like. But many of us often forget about the importance of this seemingly trifling part of the machine. The fact is that the fuel tank cap must always be securely closed.
Sometimes at the gas station, we or the refuellers do not completely tighten the fuel cap, which leads to the appearance of the "Check Engine" icon on the dashboard. In this case, it is not uncommon for owners, having seen the indication on the "Check Engine" dashboard, go to a technical center for troubleshooting, where unscrupulous craftsmen start a long and unnecessary diagnostics, offering to subsequently change any expensive sensors, etc. And the reason, perhaps, is simple - the gas tank cap is not screwed up to the end.
Some automakers also equip their vehicles with a separate indicator on the instrument panel that alerts drivers to a leaky fuel cap.
Over time, the gas tank cap can harden or begin to break. As a result, the tightness of the fuel tank may be broken. In this case, the "Check Engine" or an icon warning about an open gas tank may also light up on the dashboard.
Fortunately, the tank cap is very cheap and any driver can easily replace it himself.
Head gaskets
The operation of the engine cylinder head is critical to the operation of the entire powertrain. The block head helps the engine maintain the required level of oil, coolant, and also closes the combustion chamber from the supply of unnecessary oxygen. Thanks to the block head, where the engine valves are located, fuel is supplied and supplied to the engine, and exhaust gases are removed from the engine after fuel ignition.
The most common cause of head failure is the gasket that holds the oil between the cylinder block and the head. Also, depending on the wear of the gasket, coolant may begin to enter the combustion chamber. As a result, their exhaust system will emit a large amount of white smoke.
A set of head gaskets is not very expensive. But in order to replace all the gaskets in the head of the block, it is necessary to do serious work, which will not be very cheap.
stove radiator
The heater core is usually a miniature radiator that is used to heat the interior of a car. This component is installed in the car behind the dashboard (usually not far from the engine). Therefore, in case of wear of this part, it will be very problematic to get the stove radiator.
As a rule, the stove radiator begins to leak over time due to depressurization of factory seams. Also, in some cases, the stove radiator may become clogged. In this case, the stove will not be able to transfer heat to the interior of the car.
Hoses, pipes (Fuel, coolant and others)
Any car has various hoses in its design, through which, as a rule, any liquids circulate. This means that sooner or later any hose or fitting can start leaking fluid.
Radiator hoses, fuel hoses, transmission coolant hoses, brake hoses, power steering hoses, etc. are all candidates for possible leakage due to damage.
The fact is that, like any rubber material, automotive hoses are prone to drying out and cracking over a long period of time.
Therefore, every car owner from time to time should inspect the engine compartment for leakage of fluids from all rubber hoses. It's also a good idea to inspect the road surface under the car every morning, because in the event of a fluid leak, you will see liquid stains under the car anyway.
Ignition coil
All modern cars have ignition coils that supply voltage to the spark plugs. Over time, ignition coils can wear out. As a result of a faulty ignition coil, the spark plugs may not receive the necessary voltage to produce the optimum spark to ignite the fuel.
As a result, misfires (misfires) can occur. Depending on the cost and model of the car, in some cases, even if one ignition coil has failed, automakers recommend replacing all other ignition coils.
ignition switch
After the massive press on General Motors' ignition switch recall (the largest ever factory recall for defective ignition locks), more people around the world are beginning to understand where that same ignition switch is located in modern cars.
As you can see, the ignition switch is linked to your ignition key. So in addition to natural wear and tear, in the automotive industry there are cases of factory defects of this component, which leads to serious accidents. So if your car is manufactured by General Motors, it's a good idea to check your model on the list that lists cars subject to factory recalls.
intake manifold gasket
Problems with the intake manifold gasket can result in several problems. Firstly, the engine of the car with a broken intake manifold gasket will not work correctly. For example, your engine control unit, with a problematic intake manifold gasket, will not be able to control the required amount of air entering the engine.
Because of this, incorrect fuel atomization into the combustion chamber occurs.
Secondly, with an excess supply of oxygen to the engine, the "Check Engine" indicator will light up on the dashboard. In order to identify problems with the intake manifold gasket, computer diagnostics are needed, which will allow you to find errors that affected the operation of the power unit.
For example, this will allow you to establish exactly where the air is leaking into the engine. True, it is worth noting that in order to install this, you will need to spend too much time for a thorough diagnosis of the machine.
Rear license plate light
We are all used to the fact that from time to time all the lighting bulbs in the car fail. Replacing them yourself is not difficult. But for some reason, many drivers forget about the rear license plate light, which, according to the law, must be illuminated.
Therefore, from time to time, check this bulb in your car and, if it malfunctions, replace it with a new one. Fortunately, you can do it yourself.
Mass air flow sensor
This sensor is also sometimes referred to as the Mass Airflow Sensor. This sensor measures the amount of oxygen consumed by the engine. Further, the sensor transmits information about this to the engine control unit, which regulates the required amount of fuel required to be supplied to the combustion chamber.
Over time, dirt and dust can contaminate the mass air flow sensor, causing inaccurate data to be sent to the engine control module.
It is also not uncommon for this sensor to fail completely. In this case, fuel consumption can seriously change and traction will disappear. In addition, in most cases, if the mass air flow sensor malfunctions, the "Check Engine" light on the dashboard will light up.
Motor Mount (Motor Mounts)
By the name of the car part, you can already guess that this is an engine fastener. Any car has an engine that must be fixed to the car body. For this, special fasteners "motor mounts" or "engine cushions" are used, which in their design use rubber seals to absorb engine vibrations and not transmit them to the body.
But like everything in a car, these engine fasteners can wear out over time. In this case, the ability of the engine mounts to stop the vibration is weakened, and you begin to feel a strange vibration in the car that passes through the entire cabin.
This is especially noticeable at idle, as well as at the moment of starting to move from a place. Depending on the configuration and design of your vehicle, engine mounts can be replaced fairly quickly and easily.
But more often than not, modern cars are designed in such a way that these components cannot be easily changed. As a result, despite the low cost of "motor mounts", the cost of replacing them can cost the owner of the car a round sum.
Muffler
The meaning of the muffler is simple. Engines, by their nature and because of their design, actually run very loudly. And the work of the silencer allows you to reduce the level of noise that is generated during the combustion of fuel in the engine.
Thanks to the muffler, which is installed on the exhaust system, the sound of the engine does not irritate our hearing.
Over time, rust will damage muffler welds. As a result, the muffler device depressurizes and the unmuffled sound of the car exhaust begins to enter the street.
There are two ways to solve this problem.
The first is buying a new muffler. The second repair of the old one with the help of welding works.
oxygen sensor
The oxygen sensor is another important vehicle component that affects engine performance. The oxygen sensor is one of the components that helps the engine control unit regulate the level of fuel supply and the amount of oxygen supplied to the engine.
Oxygen sensors are installed on both sides of the catalytic converter. Their task is to monitor the level of exhaust gases. If the sensor detects too much oxygen in the exhaust gases, the engine control unit automatically changes the fuel mixture (fuel + oxygen) in order to adjust the efficient operation of the engine.
A malfunctioning oxygen sensor can result in inaccurate data being sent to the engine control module, which will affect the quality of the fuel mixture entering the engine.
oiled radiator
Oil coolers are used for both engine oil cooling and transmission oil cooling. Most often, such oil coolers are used on cars that are constantly subjected to heavy stress on the power unit and gearbox.
For example, this component is used on most sports cars. Cooling the oil in the engine or transmission keeps the oil at a certain temperature, which keeps the oil pressure at roughly the same level.
Also, oil-cooled oil coolers are used in many heavy trucks.
Most often in trucks, such radiators are installed on the gearbox. Unfortunately, sooner or later, due to wear and tear, such radiators can start to leak. As a result, you will have to buy a new oil cooler.
Piston rings
If gray smoke with a bluish tint is observed from the exhaust pipe of a car, then a clear sign that engine oil has begun to enter the exhaust system. As a result, due to its combustion in the exhaust system, a similar color of exhaust smoke is obtained.
In this case, there is a high probability that the piston rings in the car engine are worn out. Normal piston rings should not allow engine oil to pass from the engine block, which allows you to keep the combustion chamber in a closed position from the external environment. Unfortunately, to replace the piston rings, an extensive engine repair is required, which is associated with the dismantling of the power unit from the machine. Naturally, this repair is very expensive, as it is associated with a complete disassembly of the motor.
power steering pump
If the steering wheel becomes heavy and difficult to turn, and under the hood you start to hear some incomprehensible howl or whistle, then most likely your car's power steering is out of order. There are two options for a malfunction of the power steering (GUR) of the steering wheel. Either the power steering pump has lost all the power steering fluid, or the power steering pump has worn out.
Power window buttons
Power window switches are a very simple electronic component in modern vehicles. But due to their heavy use and exposure to dust and debris, this window control box often fails.
Pressure meter
Pressure sensors are installed in various places in the engine compartment of most vehicles. These types of sensors are able to control the pressure of any liquids, from engine oil pressure to fuel pressure in the system.
The main thing in any car is the oil pressure in the engine. Therefore, if the icon on the dashboard lights up, indicating low oil pressure in the engine, you should stop immediately, as low oil pressure can seriously damage the vehicle's powertrain. The next step is to carry out a thorough diagnosis of the vehicle.
Air cooler
The air cooler is the main and main component of the engine cooling system in any car. Unfortunately, radiators (especially in modern cars) tend to get damaged often, causing coolant to leak.
Some car owners, having noticed an antifreeze leak from the radiator, sometimes purchase various chemicals that can fix radiator leaks.
However, this does not help for long and only for small leaks.
Later, due to the use of such substances, the radiator may be clogged.
It is best if the radiator is depressurized and leaking, buy a new radiator.
shock absorbers
The main task of shock absorbers in a car is to soften the blows on pits, potholes, potholes and any other bumps on the road. As the shock absorbers reach the end of their service life, the suspension springs take over the main task of cushioning the bumps on the road.
As a result, a car with faulty shock absorbers begins to bounce and sway strongly (especially during heavy braking).
How to check shock absorber wear? There is a simple test. Rock the front of your car and take a close look at its bumper. Then, after releasing the car, notice how many times the body of the car lowered and rose. If more than two times, then, most likely, the shock absorbers are very worn out.
Spark plug
Spark plugs are the source of ignition for a car engine. Earlier, we already told you about ignition coils, which generate electricity that is supplied to spark plugs. As a result, a large amount of voltage passes through the spark plugs.
All this is done so that the candles produce a high-quality spark to ignite the fuel.
All spark plugs naturally wear out over time. Also often, spark plugs can be damaged by bad fuel and engine oil in case of fluid leakage from the engine.
As a general rule, spark plugs need to be changed every 30,000-50,000 km, depending on how much the vehicle is used and the type of fuel used.
Starter (starting motor)
If nothing happens when you turn the key in the ignition switch or when you press the "engine start" button, then there is a high probability that the engine starter has failed.
The starter is a powerful electric motor that starts the internal combustion engine.
The starter is powered by a battery. In most cases, in all modern cars, starters are quite reliable and durable. Especially in those cars that have a stop / start system that allows you to automatically turn off the engine when the car stops.
But, unfortunately, as is often the case, the starter fails at the most inopportune moment. Fortunately, the cost of the starter is not too high. True, in many cars it is difficult to replace it, since it can be hidden under numerous engine attachments.
Steering angle sensor
The steering angle sensor is an important factor for the normal operation of the traction control system. This sensor allows the electronic traction control system to know in which direction the vehicle is moving.
When the steering wheel is turned in one direction, but the car moves in the other direction, this is determined electronically as a loss of traction (skidding). In this case, the stability and skid control system is automatically activated and the electronics manage to avoid skidding, as well as return control to the driver.
This is achieved by automatic engine speed reduction and automatic braking.
Sometimes the steering angle sensor fails. In most cases, a sensor failure warning will appear on the dashboard. Usually, the ABS warning light or traction control system malfunction warning icon will also come on in this case.
steering rack
As we have already said, handling problems can occur when the power steering is malfunctioning. But that's not all the steering problems a driver may face.
A common cause of poor steering can be a faulty steering rack. This component links your steering wheel to the mechanism that sends power to the front wheels.
Over time, the steering rack mechanism can wear out. In this case, the steering rack must be replaced. Remember that in the event of play in the steering wheel, as well as in the presence of other signs of a malfunctioning steering rack, we do not recommend ignoring wear symptoms and replacing the rack with a new one as soon as possible.
Stabilizer's pole
The stabilizer links are the link of your suspension. These components reduce body roll when your car is cornering. Also, the stabilizer bars prevent the machine from rocking, from side to side, when cornering.
temperature sensor
Any car has several temperature sensors. The sensor can be installed both in the engine and in the gearbox. The main task of the temperature sensor is to control the power unit and transmission in order to avoid overheating.
Like all other vehicle components, the temperature sensor can fail. If the engine temperature sensor on the instrument panel is faulty, the engine temperature needle remains in the blue zone even when the engine is warm. Also, sometimes the temperature needle may remain in the red zone when, for example, the engine is cold.
Remember that engine temperature control is very important. Since overheating of the motor can completely fail. Therefore, do not delay replacing a faulty engine temperature sensor.
Thermostat
The thermostat performs an important function in the engine compartment of a car. This component opens or restricts the flow of coolant between the engine and the radiator.
This is necessary to help the engine warm up faster, but at the same time protect the power unit from overheating.
Thermostats have two positions - the thermostat is open, the thermostat is closed.
The purpose of a thermostat is simple. To warm up the engine in cold weather, the thermostat is in the closed position and the engine starts to warm up quickly. But as soon as the engine reaches operating temperature (the temperature arrow on the dashboard is in the middle), the thermostat automatically opens and the engine temperature setting stops.
There are two types of thermostat malfunction:
- The first malfunction - the thermostat is stuck in the closed position. In this case, the engine may quickly overheat.
- The second malfunction - the thermostat is stuck in the open position. In this position, the engine cannot warm up for a long time.
Pomp (water pump)
In the automotive industry, two types of water pumps are used - mechanical and electric. But regardless of the type of pump used in the car, the pump may fail.
For example, electric water pumps tend to fail unexpectedly and with no prior indications of failure. Mechanical pumps, as a rule, make themselves known in advance before they fail.
First of all, the bearing can wear out in the pump, as well as other mechanical components of the pump. As a rule, in this case, either a coolant leak or a hum from the pump can be observed.
As you already understood, the pump plays an important role in the engine compartment. This is a pump that is responsible for the circulation of antifreeze or antifreeze in the engine cooling system. Without this important component, the car's engine would constantly overheat.
Wheel speed sensor
The wheel speed sensor is critical to the proper functioning of the ABS system, as well as to the full operation of the traction control system.
Unfortunately, wheel speed sensors are located on the wheel bearings, as a result of which they are constantly exposed to dust, dirt and other aggressive substances, which can damage them. The only plus is that the sensors are not expensive and they are quite easy to replace.
Wiper motor
We all know the important role wiper blades play in cleaning the windshield of a car from dirt and water. We especially understand this when it is raining heavily outside.
The wiper blades are mounted on leashes that are driven by an electric motor. Unfortunately, like other electrical components, sometimes the wiper blade motor stops working.
If you're lucky, the engine will start making a lot of noise before it fails. Then you will be able to replace it in time and will not encounter situations when the wiper blades failed in your car during a downpour.
Of course, within the framework of this guide to automotive parts, we have not given many other important car components, due to the fact that modern cars are very complex technical devices that contain thousands of different components, which cannot be described in one article.
Here we have also listed the most frequently worn components of modern cars, the breakdowns of which are most often encountered by vehicle owners.
As you have already understood, this guide is, of course, created for those who do not understand anything about the design of cars, but, nevertheless, want to find out in a simple and accessible form what are the most important parts of the vehicle that allow the car to work.
Now a woman driving is not uncommon.
Now a woman driving is not uncommon. In driving schools of the Eastern Administrative District, as well as in driving schools in Moscow, more and more often it is women, because every year the number of beautiful ladies who are fond of cars is only increasing. Someone chooses a car for work, someone - for entertainment, and someone else - for both. For a comfortable ride, you need not only to choose the right car from thousands of others, but also to be able to handle it correctly.
Machine cost.
Not all women know that the cost of a car is the initial amount of money for the purchase plus the cost of spare parts and fuel. Therefore, you should think carefully so as not to make a mistake in choosing a car. In a big city for a month runs 2 thousand kilometers on the speedometer. It turns out that in a year the number of kilometers will increase by 20-25 thousand (provided that the owner of the car drives it only to work and shopping). If this is translated into money, then a decent amount will accumulate over the year.
Much depends on the appetite of the iron horse, and on the roads that you have to drive. Of course, the car takes less fuel on the highway than in the city. For this reason, you need to understand that when buying a car, focusing only on how much gasoline it needs on the highway is not always correct.
When buying a car, you need to know that it is necessary to change the oil and tires in it from time to time. Oil needs to be changed every 10 thousand kilometers (in some cases even more often), but tires will have to be changed twice a year. In addition, you will have to spend money on replacing the pads. If this is not done on time, then there will be much more problems. To choose good brake pads, you need to shell out a considerable amount of money. Such a spare part is enough for an average of 40 thousand kilometers. A separate item is the replacement of spark plugs.
True, only those car owners who have a gasoline engine need to spend money on them. Spark plugs, like other spare parts, are cheap and expensive. It is better to buy expensive ones, because cheap ones wear out quickly and do not justify their price.
If, when braking, a rustling is heard on the right, then it is necessary to change the belts and broaching mechanisms. The alternator belt can be tightened on its own for a while, but the timing belt needs to be changed urgently.
If the timing belt breaks, it will disable the engine, and the consequences of this can be dire. In a car that has already been used, the first step is to change this belt (if the previous owner did not change the timing belt before selling the car).
What should a woman choose: "mechanics" or "automatic"?
This question is quite complex, it is simply impossible to answer it unambiguously. But still, a decision needs to be made, while it does not hurt to weigh all the pros and cons.
Some girls believe that they do not need to know all the characteristics of the car.. But this is an erroneous opinion. To properly manage an iron horse, you need to know its features. This also applies to the gearbox. The gearbox is an intermediary between the "heart" of the car and the wheels.
A manual transmission will require more effort on the part of a female driver compared to an "automatic". But having chosen “mechanics” for the first time, a woman will then easily be able to drive a car on which an “automatic” is installed. But doing the opposite is not always possible. The "automatic" must be set in the desired direction of movement, and with the "mechanics" you will have to control it manually, while thinking in order to turn on the correct gear.
An automatic transmission is good because it is convenient to drive through traffic jams, you do not need to turn on the gear yourself every time. The main disadvantages: a car with such a gearbox is much more expensive, repairing an “automatic” will cost a lot, automatic transmission breaks down more often than “mechanics”.
On the "machine", in the absence of fuel in the gas tank, a woman will not be able to even get to the nearest gas station. But she can do it if her car has a manual transmission. In this case, you can start from a tugboat and move several kilometers.
You can list the pros and cons of both "automatic" and "mechanics" for a long time, but in any case, every woman chooses a car to her liking. Someone says that automatic transmission is cool, and someone trusts only cars with “mechanics”.
Service station selection rules
Whatever the car, all its owners sooner or later have to contact the service station. There, specialists will help solve many problems: change tires, oil, make car diagnostics, “cure” the iron horse. For these purposes, you can choose authorized centers that provide after-sales service for machines. But their specificity of work is such that these centers specialize in only one brand of car. Highly qualified car mechanics work there, they are trained in all the subtleties of repair at the manufacturing plant.
In authorized centers, the cost of the work performed is quite high, and you need to sign up for repairs in advance. To get rid of machine malfunctions, you can contact a private service station. At such a station, the quality of work is usually at a high level, and prices are lower than in authorized centers. For those women who are not bound by warranty, this car maintenance option is perfect.
If the wiper sticks or you need to change the oil in the engine, you can contact the master who repairs cars at home. There are craftsmen who, even without special equipment, can find a breakdown or replace any spare part at home.
However, such automotive psychics are rare and hard to find. But if a woman is familiar with a good master, then you should not refuse his auto repair services.
Regardless of the brand and mileage of the car, it must be regularly inspected, undergo MOT, make sure everything is in order. This is the only way to enjoy driving your own car, feel like a confident driver, and not create problems for yourself and others.
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Before considering the issue how a car engine works, it is necessary at least in general terms to understand its structure. In any car, an internal combustion engine is installed, the operation of which is based on the conversion of thermal energy into mechanical energy. Let's look deeper into this mechanism.
How a car engine works - we study the device diagram
The classic engine device includes a cylinder and a crankcase, closed in the lower part by a pan. Inside the cylinder is located with various rings, which moves in a certain sequence. It has the shape of a glass, in its upper part there is a bottom. To finally understand how a car engine works, you need to know that the piston is connected to the crankshaft with the help of a piston pin and a connecting rod.
For smooth and soft rotation, main and connecting rod bearings are used, which play the role of bearings. The composition of the crankshaft includes the cheeks, as well as the main and connecting rod journals. All these parts, assembled together, are called a crank mechanism, which converts the reciprocating movement of the piston into circular rotation.
The upper part of the cylinder is closed by the head, where the intake and exhaust valves are located. They open and close in accordance with the movement of the piston and the movement of the crankshaft. To accurately understand how a car engine works, the videos in our library should be studied in as much detail as the article. In the meantime, we will try to express its effect in words.
How a car engine works - briefly about complex processes
So, the piston movement boundary has two extreme positions - top and bottom dead centers. In the first case, the piston is at the maximum distance from the crankshaft, and the second option is the smallest distance between the piston and the crankshaft. In order to ensure that the piston passes through dead centers without stopping, a flywheel made in the form of a disk is used.
An important parameter for internal combustion engines is the compression ratio, which directly affects its power and efficiency.
To correctly understand the principle of operation of a car engine, you need to know that it is based on the use of the work of gases expanded during the heating process, as a result of which the piston moves between the top and bottom dead centers. When the piston is in the upper position, combustion of fuel enters the cylinder and is mixed with air. As a result, the temperature of gases and their pressure increases significantly.
The gases do useful work, due to which the piston moves down. Further, through the crank mechanism, the action is transmitted to the transmission, and then to the car wheels. Waste products are removed from the cylinder through the exhaust system, and a new portion of fuel is supplied in their place. The entire process, from fuel injection to exhaust gas, is called the engine's duty cycle.
The principle of operation of a car engine - differences in models
There are several main types of internal combustion engines. The simplest is an in-line engine. Arranged in one row, they make up a certain working volume as a whole. But gradually, some manufacturers moved away from this manufacturing technology to a more compact version.
Many models use the V-engine design. With this option, the cylinders are located at an angle to each other (within 180 degrees). In many designs, the number of cylinders ranges from 6 to 12 or more. This allows you to significantly reduce the linear size of the engine and reduce its length.
Thus, a variety of engines allows them to be successfully used in vehicles for various purposes. It can be standard cars and trucks, as well as sports cars and SUVs. Depending on the type of engine, certain technical characteristics of the entire machine follow.
Any motorist makes for himself an idea of \u200b\u200bhow his car works. This is necessary for many reasons. Firstly, all sorts of unforeseen situations can happen along the way. For example, a car in the middle of the road suddenly stalls. Then the driver will immediately have to figure out how to fix the problem on their own. After all, colleagues on the road will not always be nearby, and the tow truck is not cheap. Secondly, knowledge about cars will be needed when updating your own fleet. Here, a person must clearly understand what this or that parameter means.
It is important to have an idea about the principle of the device and the operation of the car.
How to learn to understand cars, including girls
Before a novice hits the road, he should get a license. To do this, he needs to complete a driving course. Among the numerous driving schools, we recommend choosing those that will provide initial information about the device of the car and the principles of its operation. Naturally, to understand what the instructor is talking about, you need some technical knowledge.
It would be useful to buy in a store or find books and manuals on the device of a car on the Internet. They are divided into two types. The first talk about the principle of operation of the car as a whole. Others pay attention to the description of a specific model of the machine.
By learning to correctly identify the types of car, you can choose the car that suits you best.
When buying your first car, it is important to talk to acquaintances and friends who already have driving experience. You can also take them with you to the store or to the car market. At the same time, you should remember the tips received, as they will be useful in the future.
How to choose your first car:
To gain new knowledge, it is also useful from time to time to look into automotive magazines and special thematic forums on the Internet. From glossy publications you can learn about the latest in the automotive market. Also there are often practical advice from motorists on how to get out of a particular difficult situation. On the forums, you can make a useful acquaintance with colleagues.
If I want to know how the engine and other parts of the car are arranged.
It is impossible to understand cars well without knowing the structure of its main parts, in other words, what is under the hood. The main thing in the car is the engine. This is fuel consumption, this is the number of positions in the gearbox. In addition, as practice shows, the lion's share of breakdowns falls on the engine. Therefore, without knowing the principles of its operation, it is difficult to find a suitable spare part.
The best way to learn to understand cars is to learn to understand a car.
In order to get acquainted with the insides of the machine, you should study in detail the instructions for its operation. If it is not enough, then all the necessary descriptions and drawings can be found on the Internet.
In addition to the engine, the battery, generator, brake system and ignition system play a leading role in the car. Without a clear idea of the order of their work, it is also impossible to form an objective opinion about the car.
It is impossible to learn how to understand a car without knowing about the structure of its main parts.
You can make good money on the ability to understand cars. Motorists are probably familiar with such a thing as "tuning". It consists in changing the parameters of the car on an individual order. As a result, a different engine may be installed on the machine or new components may be added, etc. As a result, the car is often transformed externally.
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