When you have an automobile at your disposal, it’s easy to wonder, “How many parts are in a car?” After all, this powerful moving machine is made up of many different components which are mostly unseen. Depending on the vehicle that you own, there are about 30,000 parts housed in a single car from the exterior to the smallest parts inside it. These parts play their roles that help the modern car function as well as it should. In this article, you will not only get to know how many parts are in a car, but you will be able to understand the major parts of a car. This guide will answer some questions you may already have like, “What is the most important part of a car?” and “How can you best take care of your car?”
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What are the basic parts of a car?
Earlier, it was mentioned how many parts are in a car. Modern automobiles commonly have about 30,000 components. Among these car parts, there are basic parts that are important to note. Just like the organs in a human body, these basic parts play different functions and consists of other smaller parts. Regardless of how many parts are in a car, the four essential components are the chassis, the engine, the transmission, and the car’s body. Aside from these four basic components, your car also has controls and auxiliaries which make driving more comfortable. Here are the functions of the four major parts of your vehicle.
- Chassis
No matter how many parts are in a car, the chassis is the component that brings all other major car systems such as the engine, transmission, and suspension together. The chassis, simply put, is your car with its functions but without its body. The chassis comes together with the chassis frame which serves as the skeleton of your vehicle.
- Engine
The engine is the powerhouse of your vehicle. In short, without an engine, it is almost impossible to have an automobile to move. The performance of your car reflects the well-being of your engine. When the engine is working efficiently, the car will also be able to work at its best. There are also different types of engines which vary depending on the car you drive.
- Transmission
The transmission and the engine work connectively to each other. The transmission system is the one responsible for delivering power from the engine to the car’s wheels. The transmission system is composed of several different parts namely: the clutch, gearbox, differential and live axle, and propeller. The axle is linked to the road wheels. Without the transmission, your vehicle can never go anywhere.
- Body
You already know what the chassis is. So, what is the body for? Most modern vehicles do not have separate frames anymore. However, sub-frames are still used in some vehicles to makes them more compact and durable. Although adding a sub-frame aside from the main-frame may seem to make the vehicle too heavy, adding sub-frames help make the vehicle feel more lightweight. With the body employing separate frames, the chassis is strengthened while keeping the cost of the vehicle stable at the same time.
- Controls and Auxiliaries
The major parts of the vehicle are the ones responsible for the movement of your car. The control system and auxiliary are not part of the major parts of the vehicle but any automobile won’t be complete without them. The control system gives you the power to operate your vehicle so you can drive wherever. Parts of the control system are the steering wheel and the brakes. The auxiliary parts of your car consist of the air conditioner, car instrument panel, power door lock system, just to name a few. As more modifications are applied to cars, more and more auxiliary parts and systems are made available. The auxiliary components in your vehicle may seem unnecessary but they make driving comfortable.
Now that you know the major components of your car, you should not miss checking up on them during your maintenance schedules. These major parts are made up of hundreds of smaller parts. If anything goes wrong with your vehicle, then you can check the parts mentioned above to see what is causing the problem. Additionally, you have to remember that these major components are closely linked to one another. There are instances that when a component is giving your car trouble, the car parts next to it are likely to follow if left unchecked.
What is the most important part of a car?
It is easy to know how many parts are in a car. The real challenge is to know which of the 30,000-ish parts is the most important. You can try asking mechanics, technicians, and other drivers and they would probably answer the engine. The engine is known as the heart of the modern vehicle and it is the most important component of your car for good reasons. The engine is hard at work every time you drive your car. It is the one that allows your vehicle to use energy and be able to move.
How does that happen? The engine consists of two vital parts: the cylinder and the cylinder block. The cylinder head is located on the upper part of the engine and the cylinder block is encased in the lower part. The engine also has a piston which is pushed by expanding combustion gases. When the piston is pushed, it then turns the crankshaft. This process is repeated to deliver the power for the vehicle to move. Car engines are typically heavy-duty. However, when it is damaged, engine replacement could cost you between $3,000 to $4,000. The price range varies depending on the model of your car. Yes, you know how many parts are in a car. But until you know how to care for the important part, you will face preventable problems.
What are the systems found in a car?
Simply saying that there are a lot of parts in a vehicle is truly an understatement. From the simple features like belts, batteries, and brakes, there is no wonder that one might ask how many parts are in a car. Though this may be the case, categorizing your car parts into several systems can minimize the pressure of knowing them all as well as their functions. To help you not get too overwhelmed with how many parts are in a car, here is a list that condenses the knowledge you need to get to know your vehicle:
- The batteries or engine system
Your car's batteries take the main responsibility in storing the electrical energy that is needed for starting the engine. It consists of a few parts including the starter, alternator, and ignition. The battery is a major system of your vehicle that needs close attention as it is closely related to the engine.
- The belts and horses system
This system of your car may sound like they have some correlation with the mobility of the car but their functions are somewhat far from what you would expect. The belt and horses work together to control your car's cooling system. Aside from that, the belts and horses also make sure that the accessories in front of the car are working properly and in sync with the car engine. Car features such as the air-conditioning, fan, and charging compartments all depend on the belts and horses system. It is safe to say that the accessories are also members of the system which makes it hard to give the exact number of how many parts are in a car.
- The brake system
The importance of the brake system of your car cannot be stressed enough when it comes to driving safety. With that said, it is not surprising how many parts are in a car that belongs to this system. The brake pedal is one of its main parts which is in charge of slowing down or completely stopping your vehicle. Other members of the brake system are the hydraulic lines and pressure, the master cylinder, and additional features that connect to the belt and horse system. Your car's brake system must be kept in good condition as always as it can affect other systems in your car the moment it starts to wear.
- The emission system
You might be wondering what the emission system does and how many parts are in a car that belongs to this arrangement. Well, the emission system is another member of the system that works closely with your car's engine. It would be smart for you to value the emission system of your car since the ventilation, exhaust components, and gas mileage relies on your emission system. It is indeed versatile as a major functioning system of your car.
- The engine cooling system
Do not get confused with the cooling system and the belt and horses system mentioned a while ago. Both share responsibility for the ventilation of the car. However, the cooling system has a little more to it than just its involvement in coolant transmission back and forth in the vehicle. The engine cooling system as its name states works to keep the engine at a neutral temperature to avoid overheating. This system concerns itself with the use of coolants to improve the quality of your engine and extend its life span.
- The Lighting and wipers system
The lighting and wipers system in your car might just be one of the most noticeable systems mentioned in this list. Nevertheless, what you see in your car's front view mirror is not all of how many parts are in a car. Since they play a major role in your driving safety, you can expect that they are not only external features but have a connection with the internal parts and systems of your car. There are a few sets of lights in your automobile and those are your headlights, tail lights, Fog lights, signal lights, daytime lights, brake lights, hazard lights, dashboard lighting, and driving lamps. All these lights have distinct functions that are equally important. The wiper system on the other hand specializes in certain weather conditions such as rain and snow.
- The steering and suspension system
Your car is a mode of transportation that makes its purpose dependent on its mobility. In short, it exists to take you where you are going. The system that deals with making sure you get to your destination is the steering and suspension system. You might wonder if in comparison to the other systems, how many parts are in a car focusing on the said system. The answer to that may vary depending on the model of the car you are driving but the basics are the steering wheel, steering column or shafts, the gears, ball joints, drag link, and steering axle. These parts make sure that the wheel is aligned to the control system inside the car. The suspension then again is primarily concerned with keeping the stability of your car by decreasing the impact when you run through road humps or any other road irregularity.
What can you do to best take care of your car?
Taking care of your automobile takes consistency on your part in doing basic maintenance from changing engine oil to inspecting your car for any malfunction. The lifespan of a vehicle varies due to different factors but then again, it greatly depends on how the car is maintained and handled. On average, a second-hand car can last for about 8 to 14 years but you need not fret because there are ways for you to care for your car. It may be quite overwhelming if you think of how many parts are in a car that you need to be mindful of, so here is a list to give you an idea of how many parts are in a car and to regularly maintain them.
- Wash your car regularly
Maintenance includes cleaning your car regularly. Normally, you should wash your car at least twice every month. This is a basic but still important step to protect your car from the dangers of road salts and first that can be damaging for parts of your car.
- Change your oils and coolant fluid
Doing so can be a game-changer for your car especially if you are already experiencing some problems with the engine of your automobile.
- Do regular checkups
Yes, it might be tiring to do regular car checkups but you will thank yourself later if you follow this step. Since you already know how many parts are in a car, you will be able to effectively investigate the needs of your car and the damages that require your immediate attention.
Keeping your car in its top shape can be a little challenging but knowing how many parts are in a car can help lessen the load. Keep in mind that maintaining your car is the key to securing your safety and optimal driving. You can never be too meticulous in taking care of your automobile. With this guide, there will be no stones left unturned.