Can You Name These Car Parts?
Written by Don Ayres
Last updated · 7 min play time
Your car is a complicated assembly of parts. Can you name each of the components that work together to get you safely from one place to another?
No matter if you're a novice driver or a seasoned veteran, it's important to have a good grasp of the various components that make your car operate. While some have obvious names, others might not be immediately familiar. See if you can guess the names of each of these car parts when given a picture.
Quiz written by
Don AyresCar Parts II Quiz Questions
30 Questions · 516.7K Plays · 10 Comments
Question 1
What makes noise when you press the middle of your steering wheel?
-
ALoudspeaker
-
BHorn
-
CTonal defender
-
DBuzzer
Horn
You've probably had your share of times when you needed to get another driver's attention, and the horn is the best way to accomplish the task. When you press the button, an electromagnet makes a thin metal plate oscillate, which creates the desired sound.
Question 2
What is this pictured little piece of auto tech that brings your engine to life?
-
ASpark plug
-
BEnergizer
-
CElectrical cell
-
DArtificial flint
Spark plug
Your car has one spark plug per cylinder, and it's used to ignite the fuel in the combustion chamber. The earliest version of this component dates all the way back to 1860.
Question 3
What are these pictured engine workhorses called?
-
AReciprocators
-
BPistons
-
CUndulaters
-
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
These pictured components help stop your car, but do you know what they are?
-
ADecelerators
-
BBrake pads
-
CFriction Cushions
-
DStopper mats
Brake pads
Your car's brakes work similarly to the braking system on your bicycle โ 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 5
What's the name of the springy part found beneath cars, trucks and motorcycles?
-
AShock absorber
-
BInertial dampener
-
CImpact cushion
-
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 6
What sits behind the grill of this pictured car?
-
AEvaporator
-
BSweater
-
CWater bubbler
-
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 7
What are these lower headlights called?
-
ADe-misters
-
BLow brights
-
CFog lights
-
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 8
You might get a new one of these pictured components every 3,000 miles, but do you know what they're called?
-
AOil filter
-
BViscosity limiter
-
CPetroleum strainer
-
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 9
What is this pictured part of your car's seat called?
-
ASkull cushion
-
BScalp pillow
-
CHeadrest
-
DCranial cushion
Headrest
Your car's headrest gives you a bit of comfort, but there's an important safety reason behind it, too. If you're ever in an accident, proper placement of this component could help you avoid severe whiplash. Doctors recommend positioning the top of the headrest even with the top of your ears.
Question 10
What is this pictured item that sits on top of your engine?
-
ADust sieve
-
BAir filter
-
CDe-pollinator
-
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 11
How does a modern car's gasoline enter the combustion chamber?
-
AAtomizer
-
BGas sprayer
-
CFuel injector
-
DMist pump
Fuel injector
While older cars used carburetors to get gasoline and air into the combustion chamber, they often flooded, which affected normal operation. Today's vehicles use a fuel injector to spray the combustible material into the engine, which is much more reliable.
Question 12
Not everybody uses one, but what is this pictured manual automotive component called?
-
ADriving lever
-
BEngine engager
-
CGearshift
-
DHelm
Gearshift
The gearshift is an integral component of any vehicle with a manual transmission. While these devices are common in tractor-trailers, a mere 3 percent of cars and trucks sold in the United States still use this type of transmission.
Question 13
Many sports cars have one of these pictured stylish accessories on the back. What is it called?
-
ATrunk topper
-
BDown wing
-
CStabilizer
-
DSpoiler
Spoiler
You've probably heard of spoiling a movie, but your car's spoiler actually spoils the airflow over the vehicle's back. This component helps reduce drag and boosts fuel economy while also making the auto look stylish.
Question 14
Which system connects a car's engine to its wheels?
-
ATransmission
-
BPower plant
-
CEngine core
-
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 15
What is this pictured item that resides behind your tires?
-
ATire bustle
-
BMudflap
-
CWheel skirt
-
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 โย and the people around it โย from flying debris. Most mudflaps are made out of flexible materials, but they can be fashioned out of firmer metals, too.
Question 16
What do you call this pictured multi-colored panel?
-
ACircuit breaker
-
BJunction case
-
CFuse panel
-
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 17
What do you call these pictured cogs that transfer power from your engine?
-
AEngagers
-
BTooth wheels
-
CGears
-
DDriving cogs
Gears
No matter if you have a manual or automatic transmission, your car relies on gears. While the lower gear levels provide additional power, they also require the engine to work harder to keep them moving.
Question 18
What car part is used to check fluid levels?
-
AImmersion measure
-
BDipstick
-
COil plumb
-
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 19
What do you call this pictured functional component that also adds to a car's style?
-
ATire lid
-
BAccent wing
-
CFender
-
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 20
What is this pictured bulbous part of your car's exhaust system?
-
AMuffler
-
BRestrictor plate
-
CDampener
-
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 21
What is this metal cage you often see in racing cars?
-
ASafety girder
-
BFlip catcher
-
CSupport pipe
-
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's the name of this pictured bass-boosting speaker found in some vehicles?
-
ABoom box
-
BSubwoofer
-
CBass cannon
-
DHonker
Subwoofer
Speakers come in a few different sizes, ranging from subwoofers to tweeters. Subwoofers help deliver the bone-shaking bass that can often be heard well outside the confines of the vehicle.
Question 23
What do you call a system that clears condensation and thaws frost from the windshield?
-
ADefroster
-
BIce zapper
-
CReverse freezer
-
DGlass cooker
Defroster
When you get into your vehicle on a cold or foggy day, you need your defroster to help you see clearly. While the one for your front windshield relies on forced air, rear defrosters use electrical wire to melt ice or evaporate condensation.
Question 24
What's the name of this pictured hot rod enhancement?
-
AIn-pipe
-
BIntercooler
-
COxygenator
-
DSupercharger
Supercharger
Your car needs a mix of oxygen and fuel to operate properly, and extra air can help you get additional power out of the engine. The supercharger allows you to pump more oxygen into the combustion chamber, which burns more gasoline.
Question 25
What is this pictured decorative piece of your wheel called?
-
ATire cover
-
BWheel board
-
CLogo disc
-
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 26
You've probably seen one of these pictured components under the hood, but do you know what they're called?
-
ASpark shield
-
BVoltage blocker
-
CAmp insulator
-
DDistributor cap
Distributor cap
Your distributor cap controls the electrical charges that go to each spark plug. If this component fails to operate properly, you'll see issues with your ignition system and could even experience heavy vibration while idling.
Question 27
What do you call this pictured part of your car?
-
AFuel screw
-
BPetrol protector
-
CTank tarp
-
DGas cap
Gas cap
Your gas cap helps keep fuel fumes safely inside the tank. If you've ever forgotten to screw this lid on tightly, you might have gotten a "check engine light" on your display panel. Lucky for you, this is an easy fix, as you can simply tighten it the next time you stop.
Question 28
What are these pictured fasteners that keep your wheel secure while you drive?
-
ALug nuts
-
BRestraining bolts
-
CTire toggles
-
DWheel screws
Lug nuts
Since lug nuts keep your wheels securely attached to the vehicle, a loose one could pose a significant hazard. While you can check each nut on a standard passenger car, larger vehicles, such as tractor-trailers, come with a detection system that alerts the driver if there's an issue.
Question 29
What do you call this pictured group of informative gauges?
-
ADashboard
-
BReadout zone
-
CLight center
-
DGauge garden
Dashboard
Your car's dashboard tells you everything you need to know about how the vehicle is running. On a typical instrument cluster, you'll have a speedometer, tachometer, odometer, fuel gauge and temperature readout.
Question 30
What is the name for the metal part of a seat belt?
-
AElbow
-
BEye
-
CArm
-
DTongue
Tongue
Your seat belt is one of the most important pieces of safety equipment in the car. While shapes and sizes differ from one manufacturer to another, they all rely on sliding a metal tongue into the slot on the buckle.
Comments (10)
We want to hear your feedback! Share your scores and discuss the quiz, but keep it civil.
I think that it's pretty much fun to take these quizzes at my age of 65
I'm an auto mechanic HAHAHA WITH A OO'YEAH.
It's good basic knowledge to know
If the cell would stop loading ads I would have a score of 29 out of 30.
some dumb questions, and even dumber answers. #14 is "drive train" of which the tranny is part! #29 is "instrument cluster," which you find mounted IN the dashboard! #30 is "buckle," which is how you keep the belt around yourself.
It registered three of my answers incorrectly.
Too easy. I worked parts for 5 years.
Good Test...BUT, I'm nothing like Trump!!!
Good test, BUT I'm nothing like Trump...
good test. Like Trump Im a stable genius