Can You Pass This Car Parts Quiz?
Written by Dan Henry Trivia Expert
Last updated · 13 min play time
It's estimated that the US has 253 million cars and trucks on the road with an average vehicle age of about 11.4 years. With all those vehicles on the road, it's hard to imagine how many car parts are in existence. This quiz will see how many of them you know. Can you pass this car parts quiz?
Quiz written by
Dan HenryCar Parts Quiz Questions
42 Questions · 419.4K Plays · 180 Comments
Question 1
These pictured components help stop your car, but do you know what they are?
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ADecelerators
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BBrake pads
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CFriction Cushions
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DStopper mats
Brake pads
Your car's brakes work similarly to the braking system on your bicycle — with one key difference. While your bike's brake pads squeeze the tire directly, automotive brakes apply pressure to a disc known as a rotor when it's time to decelerate.
Question 2
You might get a new one of these pictured components every 3,000 miles, but do you know what they're called?
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AOil filter
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BViscosity limiter
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CPetroleum strainer
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DDe-cruder
Oil filter
Your engine oil serves the important function of lubricating each moving part, which is why it's important to keep contaminants out. Your oil filter constantly strains unwanted particles, and the mechanic changes it whenever you get a lube service.
Question 3
What are these pictured engine workhorses called?
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AReciprocators
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BPistons
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CUndulaters
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DMotivators
Pistons
Your pistons live inside the engine's cylinders; they move up and down to spin the crankshaft. If your pistons start to fail, you'll notice a misfiring engine, rattling and even a loss of power.
Question 4
What is this pictured item that sits on top of your engine?
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ADust sieve
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BAir filter
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CDe-pollinator
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DHoneycomb
Air filter
Every car has at least one air filter, but many have multiple filters to help keep the atmosphere clean in the passenger cabin. The one for your engine helps ensure dust and other atmospheric particles don't interfere with the oxygen supply used in combustion.
Question 5
What do ordinary cars use to ignite the fuel with energy from the battery?
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AThe exhaust
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BThe carburetor
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CThe spark plug
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DFlint and steel
The spark plug
Spark plugs deliver current from the ignition system to ignite the fuel/air mixture inside the engine. They literally create an artificial bolt of lightning within the engine's combustion chamber. Shocking!
Question 6
What is the device that accumulates rotational energy?
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AThe flywheel
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BThe battery
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CThe energy sink
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DThe storage unit
The flywheel
Flywheels, which are designed to store rotational energy, have a history dating back to antiquity in human-powered devices.
Question 7
What do you call the pictured safety features, which are crucial for driving in harsh weather?
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AFrame reinforcements
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BHumidity regulators
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CWindbreakers
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DWindshield wipers
Windshield wipers
Windshield wipers, also known as windscreen wipers, were first patented all the way back in 1896.
Question 8
What is the name of the pictured item, typically visible in a car’s interior?
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AThe transmission
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BThe bumper
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CThe antenna
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DThe emergency hand brake
The emergency hand brake
The emergency hand brake, also known as the parking brake, is often used to park the car on a slanted surface. It usually activates a corkscrew mechanism that pushes a piston into the brake pads to stop the vehicle.
Question 9
What's the name of the springy part found beneath cars, trucks and motorcycles?
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AShock absorber
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BInertial dampener
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CImpact cushion
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DVibration compensator
Shock absorber
Engineers might endeavor to make highways straight and smooth, but you don't always get that luxury on surface streets. To help diminish the intensity of bumps in the road, automakers include shock absorbers in vehicle suspension systems.
Question 10
What sits behind the grill of this pictured car?
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AEvaporator
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BSweater
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CWater bubbler
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DRadiator
Radiator
Your car's radiator takes heated coolant from the engine and releases that thermal energy out into the atmosphere. If you're ever going to do work on this component, make sure the car is cool so you don't burn yourself.
Question 11
What is the name of the pictured device, which reduces the toxicity of automotive exhaust?
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AThe redox device
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BThe purifier
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CThe sequester
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DThe catalytic converter
The catalytic converter
Catalytic converters use chemical reactions to convert pollutants in automobile exhaust into less harmful emissions. Some can reduce automobile pollution by up to 40%!
Question 12
What is the name of the pictured device, which changes reciprocating motion into rotational motion?
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AThe crankshaft
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BThe under-shaft
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CThe transmission
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DThe cylinder
The crankshaft
The crankshaft is what converts the reciprocating motion of the cylinders to rotational motion. They were first used in water mills and sawmills, made their way to paddle boats, and eventually became one of the core components of automobiles.
Question 13
What are these lower headlights called?
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ADe-misters
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BLow brights
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CFog lights
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DIllumination enhancers
Fog lights
No matter if they're factory-installed or an aftermarket addition, fog lights help you see better while you're driving at night. They're mounted lower to prevent the fog from reflecting light directly back into your face.
Question 14
What car part is used to check fluid levels?
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AImmersion measure
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BDipstick
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COil plumb
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DTank derrick
Dipstick
Your car has more than one dipstick, but the most recognizable one is used to check engine oil levels. To get an accurate reading, pull the dipstick completely out, wipe it clean and then insert it into the tank. When you pull it out again, you'll see if you need to add more lubricant.
Question 15
Which system connects a car's engine to its wheels?
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ATransmission
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BPower plant
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CEngine core
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DMotion chamber
Transmission
Your engine puts out a lot of raw power, but that output needs some processing before it makes your wheels turn. The transmission runs that intense energy through a series of gears that keep it all under control.
Question 16
What is the name of the machine that mixes air with fuel and has now been largely replaced by fuel injectors?
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AStatic pressure system
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BRototiller
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CCarburetor
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DCompressor
Carburetor
Carburetors, once one of the most important components, have begun to see their purpose supplanted by fuel injectors, though they are still common on small engines for lawn mowers, rototillers, and other equipment.
Question 17
What is this pictured bulbous part of your car's exhaust system?
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AMuffler
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BRestrictor plate
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CDampener
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DSuppressor
Muffler
It takes a constant stream of explosions to make your car run, and all of that combustion can create a lot of noise. The muffler helps to reduce that sound by running it through a series of fiberglass pockets and resonance chambers.
Question 18
What pictured device is common on older cars, as well as new cars designed to save fuel or provide the driver with more control?
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AThe ignition switch
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BThe manual transmission
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CThe fuel gauge
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DThe charging port
The manual transmission
Manual transmissions account for less than 10% of the cars sold in the US, but are still popular among sports car and economy car drivers. Most new cars on the road these days are automatics, and some can even drive themselves!
Question 19
Which is the real part of your car's anti-roll system?
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AGyrometer
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BVeloscope
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CRotary plane
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DSway bar
Sway bar
Your car's sway bar, which is also known as an anti-sway bar, helps to stabilize your vehicle while driving. Without this important component, you'd be in for a much rougher ride when driving on roads that aren't perfectly straight and flat.
Question 20
Which of these is a real component of your car's drivetrain?
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AFloater
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BDifferential
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CRadial compensator
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DOver-under valve
Differential
The differential is a component on every car, and it helps compensate for the different distances traveled by inner and outer wheels while taking a turn. While all vehicles have them, they're especially important in all-wheel-drive designs as well as four-wheel-drive autos.
Question 21
What is this metal cage you often see in racing cars?
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ASafety girder
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BFlip catcher
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CSupport pipe
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DRoll cage
Roll cage
While it might be more prominent in some designs than others, many vehicles come equipped with a roll cage that protects the driver in the event of a rollover. Some luxury cars actually have roll hoops that can be deployed if the computer detects a rollover.
Question 22
What is this pictured decorative piece of your wheel called?
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ATire cover
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BWheel board
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CLogo disc
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DHubcap
Hubcap
Your car's hubcap serves a mostly decorative function, but there is a practical reason for getting a replacement if you ever lose one. Hubcaps can help protect lug nuts from rust and corrosion, and that could come in handy when it's time to change a tire.
Question 23
What is this pictured item that resides behind your tires?
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ATire bustle
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BMudflap
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CWheel skirt
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DDirt guard
Mudflap
While some drivers use their mudflaps to display messages or advertise their businesses, they also serve an important function by protecting your vehicle — and the people around it — from flying debris. Most mudflaps are made out of flexible materials, but they can be fashioned out of firmer metals, too.
Question 24
What component is responsible for distributing coolant throughout your entire engine?
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AWater pump
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BRecirculator
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CArterial drive
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DFlowmaster
Water pump
Your engine produces a lot of heat, and it takes a constant flow of coolant to keep temperatures under control. The water pump takes the freshly cooled liquid from the radiator and drives it through the engine block before the whole cycle starts over again.
Question 25
What do you call this pictured multi-colored panel?
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ACircuit breaker
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BJunction case
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CFuse panel
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DConnector box
Fuse panel
Fuses play an important function in your car, as they help protect your wiring and electrical components. Every vehicle has its fuse panel in a different location, and some models even have multiple panels.
Question 26
What is the name of the pictured key part of the vehicle’s ignition system?
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AThe distributor cap
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BThe collection cap
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CThe amplifier
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DThe fuel injector
The distributor cap
The distributor cap covers the distributor and the rotor, protecting them from contamination..
Question 27
What do you call this pictured functional component that also adds to a car's style?
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ATire lid
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BAccent wing
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CFender
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DHood flare
Fender
When your car's wheels spin around, they kick up all sorts of debris, especially when driving on unpaved roads. Fenders became commonplace by the 1930s and became an integral part of the era's Art Deco automotive styling.
Question 28
What's the name of this important part of your engine?
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ATwister pin
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BPiston arm
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CRotary wing
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DCrankshaft
Crankshaft
Your engine's pistons move up and down in a reciprocating motion, and the crankshaft turns that into the rotations needed to make your engine work. In older vehicles, the driver had to manually grab onto a handle and crank the motor to make the car start.
Question 29
What's the name for the two posts that stick out of the top of your car's battery?
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APower ports
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BPlugs
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CTerminals
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DStalks
Terminals
Your car's battery is responsible for igniting the engine, but there are plenty of other tasks performed by this power cell. The battery has two terminals on top, positive and negative, and these posts are where you connect it to the car.
Question 30
What part of your car generates electricity?
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APower plant
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BAlternator
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CGenerator
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DBoiler
Alternator
If your car's battery isn't recharging while you drive, the culprit could be a faulty alternator. This device generates power for your headlights, radio and other electronic devices by using properties of electromagnetism.
Question 31
The pictured part, which is necessary to keep the amount of energy in the car steady, goes by what name?
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AThe carburetor
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BThe battery control system
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CThe voltage regulator
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DThe battery plate
The voltage regulator
Modern voltage regulator designs use transistors to regulate the current in a vehicle. They generally force an alternator to maintain a voltage between 13.5 and 14.5 volts to recharge the battery safely while protecting the car's electrical circuits.
Question 32
What is the name of the device that carries and positions a wheel?
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ASuspender
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BBalance
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CControl arm
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DWheel link
Control arm
The control arm is a critical part of the suspension that links between the chassis and hub that carries the wheel. They allow wheels to move up and down while preventing forward and rearward movement.
Question 33
What is the name for the coupling that can transmit rotary power by a shaft over a range of different angles?
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AThe cross shaft
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BThe rotary
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CThe hinge
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DThe universal joint
The universal joint
Universal joints are often used in driveshafts to facilitate the transmission of rotary motion. If the drive shaft isn't in a straight line between the transmission and the drive wheels, you need a universal joint.
Question 34
Which of these is the technical name for the display panel that contains the speedometer and other gauges?
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AInstrument cluster
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BInformation window
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CData panel
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DReadout pane
Instrument cluster
Your car's instrument cluster is your one-stop shop for information about your vehicle's performance. In this space, you'll find the speedometer, odometer and other important gauges. Some high-end models even recreate these instruments digitally on a small display screen.
Question 35
What is the name for the pictured link between the piston and the crankshaft?
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AThe joiner
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BThe connecting rod
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CThe piston hand
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DThe sub-shaft
The connecting rod
Both ends of the connecting rod are free to pivot: The part of the connecting rod which connects to the piston is called the small end, and the end that attaches around the crankshaft is called the big end.
Question 36
What is the name for the device that covers the manual clutch or the torque convertor of the transmission?
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AShield
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BDecklid
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CBellhousing
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DGearbox
Bellhousing
The bellhousing protects many components of the transmission, and is named for its usually bell-like shape.
Question 37
What is the name of the component that provides both air and fuel to the cylinders?
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AExhaust manifold
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BIntake manifold
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CIgnition advance
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DAncillary system
Intake manifold
The intake manifold's purpose is to evenly distribute the air/fuel mixture to the cylinders. The air is admitted to the combustion chamber on the intake stroke and is mixed with fuel from the injector, after which the combustion cycle continues.
Question 38
What is the name of the pictured device, which is necessary to start diesel engines in cold conditions?
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AThe igniter
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BThe spark plug
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CThe fuel injector
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DThe glow plug
The glow plug
Glow plugs are used to help start diesel engines in cold weather. They can reach a temperature of more than 1000 degrees Celsius within a few seconds and literally glow with heat.
Question 39
What pictured part of a car's suspension carries the hub for the wheel and attaches to the upper and lower control arms?
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AHub cap
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BSpindle
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CSuspender
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DWheel mold
Spindle
Not to be confused with the sewing component, a spindle connects to the control arms and holds the wheel hubs. They are also known as "steering knuckles".
Question 40
What is the name of the device that uses hydraulic pressure to stop a car's wheels?
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AShoe
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BWheel cylinder
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CHydraulic press
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DBacking plate
Wheel cylinder
Wheel cylinders are found in drum brake systems on top of the wheels and serve to bring the shoes into contact with the drum.
Question 41
What components are designed to provide ventilation on vehicles that use petrol?
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AThe PCV valve
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BThe air ignition system
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CThe air flow regulator
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DThe petrol case
The PCV valve
The Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve keeps pollutants created by your engine from being released into the atmosphere.
Question 42
Which genuine part of your transmission sounds like it's out of a science fiction novel?
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AImpulse drive
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BDeflector dish
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CHyperdrive
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DPlanetary gear
Planetary gear
The planetary gear, or planet gear, might sound like it's out of this world, but it's a common component in every transmission. Much like the planets in the solar system, planet gears revolve around a central gear, which is known as the sun.
Comments (180)
We want to hear your feedback! Share your scores and discuss the quiz, but keep it civil.
Liked the quiz missed two one guest and one just hit the wrong button
@user2208925same here
It helps pass the time
The 4 I missed is the answers jumped on my screen and I hit the wrong answer !!!!
I'm not a mechanic and get about a 90%
@user1027723 It also goes by how fast you did the quiz ,others finished it faster than you give you a different percentage
They are great 👍
I took quiz first time got everything right all 42. Next time I got all right but it said I missed two...what a joke..im 57 years old and work on my own vehicles..so there's not nothing I can't answer on these quizzes
I didn't miss any but it gives me a 99% what a joke wasted my time again on line crap sucks
I think if you really tried you could cram a couple more ads in this space.5 ads just ain't enough. :(
I also got 100% right 42 out of 42 and 43% score higher than me? This is a joke and a bait to get me to give up information.
I got all questions and 41% scored higher than me. How is that possible
Great test! And I'm not even a mechanic
Would be nice to see what question I answered incorrectly
Pretty basic…
On one question both generator and alternator are correct. It depends on how old the vehicle is. Generators were used before alternators we're used. My first 2 cars had them. Antiques
Simple
Easy as ?
Loved it
That was great 42 out of 42, not bad for a old fart.. (dont tell anyone I'am a Transmission Mech for 46 years ok)