On nuts and bolts: Car Parts you didn’t know about

Posted on: Jan 5, 2022 | | Written by:

On nuts and bolts: Car Parts you didn’t know about

Published on January 05, 2022. EST READ TIME: 3 minutes

You wake up in the morning, get in your car and begin driving to work. But, how does your car get you to work? Let’s take a look at some essential parts you might not have known your car has.

Battery

Our cars run primarily on fuel. However, without a battery to provide the jolt of electricity required to get the electrical components moving within your car, your car will not be able to start up at all.

Axles

In its simplest terms, an axle is the shaft that connects to the wheels, and are responsible for allowing you to steer the vehicle. A car insurance policy cannot save your car from severe axle damage, making it best to operate your car with the best care possible.

Pistons

The pistons are a key part of a combustion engine, playing the integral role of pumping gas pressure, and are also responsible for removing oils from cylinder walls. Your pistons should be pumping smoothly and are also what decide the horsepower of your car.

Brakes

Your brakes, while not contributing to moving the car in any manner, are probably the most integral part of your vehicle as far as safety is concerned. Without breaks, vehicles would be exponentially more dangerous. Brake pads press against the disc attached to your wheel in an attempt to bring the rotating tire to a halt, slowing your car down in the process.

The Fuel Injector

This one is fairly self-explanatory. A fuel injector is an electronically controlled device that is responsible for delivering fuel to the engine as it combines with air to cause combustion to take place. A fuel injector provides 1 of 2 important elements of the combustion reaction.

The Radiator

A car radiator aids in the elimination of excess heat in the engine, and as part of the process, in the circulation of coolant throughout the engine through a number of hoses.

The AC Compressor

Similar to your air conditioner at home, the air conditioning system in your car also requires a compressor in order to ensure the refrigerant continues to flow, allowing for the delivery of cool air into your vehicle. This may or may not be covered by your car insurance policy, so you might want to keep tabs on this regularly.

The Clutch

The clutch is what enables you to shift from gear to gear to ensure a smooth drive. If you ride the clutch too hard or in traffic, you could risk damage to the gearbox.

The Engine Fan

The engine fan performs a fairly simple function: As you may have guessed, it supplies air to the engine, allowing for better cooling.

A Spare Tire

Often located in the boot of your car, a spare tire will always come in handy in the event that you experience a puncture, especially if your car insurance policy provider cannot provide on-road assistance at the time.

A Car Jack

Oftentimes part of your car toolkit, a car jack is what you use to elevate the car from the ground in order to change to install or remove a tire. While it is no car insurance policy, it is always good to keep one handy.

Shock Absorbers

A shock absorber is part of the suspension system of a car and is responsible for absorbing the force applied by the springs in your car’s suspension.

Transmission

This is responsible for delivering just the right amount of power/energy from your car’s engine to its wheels at any given speed. Cars can come with both manual and automatic transmission systems.

The Spark Plug

Similar to multiple entrants on this list, a spark plug is part of the combustion reaction in the engine. With air and fuel, all that is now required for a combustion reaction is a spark, and that is exactly what the spark plug is tasked with providing.

Air Filter

Your engine requires air for the combustion reaction, but not other contaminants like insects, dust or debris. An air filter prevents these objects from entering the engine.

The Muffler

Your car is bound to emit some amount of both, noise and air pollution. A muffler is a dampening device installed at the end of your exhaust system to dampen the sound of your vehicle.

The Catalytic Converter

Similar to having a muffler helps against sound pollution, a catalytic convertor plays this role for air pollution, as it helps in reducing the output of harmful pollutants first through a reduction and oxidation reaction.

The Alternator

This is what causes the production of electric energy from mechanical energy, and this is done through an alternating current. It plays an integral role in powering your car along with your battery.

The Pressure Gauge

Your tires require air in them to operate efficiently, with a recommended 25-35 psi for most vehicles being standard. A pressure gauge is what is used to measure this air tire pressure, and while there is no car insurance policy, it's good to keep one handy.

Conclusion

There are multiple parts in your car that play essential functions that you may not know about. Just how a car insurance policy covers you against damage, knowledge of these parts will help your car for your car better as well. If you are looking for a car insurance policy, HDFC Ergo has a number of offerings.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

No helmet? Your bike insurance claim might not be honoured

7 motorbike hacks for a smarter and safer ride

‘Better Safe Than Sorry!’ – How a well-equipped safety kit can ensure a safe drive