Cars have many components under the hood and in the body of the car that work together to make it move, turn and stop.
An internal combustion engine mixes gasoline and air and ignites it to produce power and move the car. The gasoline burns in a little chamber and pushes a piston up and down. The piston moves a rod and a crank to convert the motion to a rotating motion. The rotating power from the crank passes through a set of gears called the transmission on its way to turn the wheels and make the car go.
Other important parts of the engine include the battery, which powers the starter which starts the engine. The alternator provides power for the electrical system in the car to power the head lights and stereo. The alternator also keeps the battery charged so you can start the engine after you turn it off.
When the engine is operating it produces a great deal of heat, the radiator is a system of water filled tank and hoses that takes the heat from the engine and gets rid of the heat to the atmosphere. Air also helps to cool the engine and as air goes through the air filter, the filter stops dirt and sand from getting into the engine.
The steering system allows the driver to control the direction of the car. Power steering means that the steering wheel activates a booster to help the driver turn the wheels of the car.
When the driver pushes the brake pedal, the master cylinder compresses the brake fluid. The pressure created passes through the brake lines to the push the brake discs that are behind the tires to slow down the tires and bring the car to a stop.
Car performance refers to how well the car maneuvers and reacts to the driver’s actions. This includes the steering, brakes, handling and acceleration.
If the handling isn’t good on your car, you may not be able to avoid accidents. Good handling allows you to turn away quickly from, for example, rocks that fall off of a mountain or from a vehicle in front of you that brakes quickly and suddenly.