Discover Your Inner Mechanic By Getting 100% On This Car Parts Quiz!
Written by Daniel Rackley
Last updated · 17 min play time
The average car takes several thousand parts to get you from point A to point B. Some are big, some are small, and some you don't even know exist. Take this quiz to see what you know about the parts that make up a car!
Quiz written by
Daniel RackleyCar Parts Quiz Questions
62 Questions · 39.9K Plays · 32 Comments
Question 1
What is this pictured little piece of auto tech that brings your engine to life?
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ASpark plug
-
BEnergizer
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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 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
-
BViscosity limiter
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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 3
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 4
What is this pictured item that sits on top of your engine?
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ADust sieve
-
BAir filter
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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 5
What are these pictured engine workhorses called?
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AReciprocators
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BPistons
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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 6
These pictured components help stop your car, but do you know what they are?
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ADecelerators
-
BBrake pads
-
CFriction Cushions
-
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 7
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 8
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
-
DWindshield wipers
Windshield wipers
Windshield wipers, also known as windscreen wipers, were first patented all the way back in 1896.
Question 9
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 10
How does a modern car's gasoline enter the combustion chamber?
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AAtomizer
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BGas sprayer
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CFuel injector
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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 11
What is the name of the component that stifles loud noises from the engine?
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AThe crankshaft
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BThe muffler
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CThe insulator
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DThe muter
The muffler
Mufflers reduce another kind of pollution from engines - noise pollution - and were patented all the way back in 1897. They work by reflecting the engine's sound waves in a way so that they partially cancel themselves out.
Question 12
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
-
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 13
Not everybody uses one, but what is this pictured manual automotive component called?
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ADriving lever
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BEngine engager
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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 14
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 15
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 16
What is this pictured part of your car's seat called?
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ASkull cushion
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BScalp pillow
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CHeadrest
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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 17
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 18
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 19
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 20
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 21
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 22
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 23
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 24
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 25
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 26
What do you call a system that clears condensation and thaws frost from the windshield?
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ADefroster
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BIce zapper
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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 27
Which is the real part of your car's anti-roll system?
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AGyrometer
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BVeloscope
-
CRotary plane
-
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 28
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
-
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 29
What is the name of the device that moves coolant liquid around, preventing the engine from becoming overheated?
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ARadiator
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BWater Pump
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CDistributor
-
DCooler
Water Pump
Water Pumps are essential to keeping engines cool by transferring coolant around the vehicle and through the vehicle to keep your engine from overheating.
Question 30
What do you call this pictured multi-colored panel?
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ACircuit breaker
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BJunction case
-
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 31
What is the name of the device used for absorbing a car's jolts and vibrations?
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ACushion
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BShield
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CDissipator
-
DShock absorber
Shock absorber
Shock absorbers do their job by turning the kinetic energy of the disturbance into heat, then dissipating the heat. They also keep your tires in contact with the ground at all times.
Question 32
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 33
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 34
What do you call this pictured functional component that also adds to a car's style?
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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 35
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 36
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
-
CTerminals
-
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 37
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 38
The single, continuous belt used to drive multiple peripheral devices in an automotive engine, such as an alternator, power steering pump, water pump, air conditioning compressor, air pump, etc., is known as what?
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ASuper band
-
BSerpentine belt
-
CPeddler
-
DPower strip
Serpentine belt
Your car's serpentine belt is one of the unsung heroes of the entire engine, as everything would grind to a halt if it broke. This long, continuous strip of rubber gives life to important components such as the alternator, power steering pump and air conditioning compressor.
Question 39
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 40
What's the name of this important part of your engine?
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ATwister pin
-
BPiston arm
-
CRotary wing
-
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 41
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 42
The pictured part, which is necessary to keep the amount of energy in the car steady, goes by what name?
-
AThe carburetor
-
BThe battery control system
-
CThe voltage regulator
-
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 43
What part of your car generates electricity?
-
APower plant
-
BAlternator
-
CGenerator
-
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 44
The heavy revolving wheel that is used to increase the machine's momentum and provide greater stability, or a reserve of available power during interruptions in the delivery of power to the machine, is known as what?
-
AFlywheel
-
BRotary cap
-
CPlate
-
DSpindleizer
Flywheel
The flywheel is a heavy disc that uses inertia to keep the engine running smoothly. Without this important component, the power coming from the crankshaft would be uneven and your engine would run roughly.
Question 45
What device is used to reduce high-speed internal combustion engine rotations to speeds acceptable for a car's wheels?
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AThe shift improver
-
BThe electrifier
-
CThe gearbox
-
DThe transformer
The gearbox
To transfer this power, the piston transfers the force of the expanding gas in the engine to the crankshaft via the connecting rod.
Question 46
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 47
What is the name of the device that carries and positions a wheel?
-
ASuspender
-
BBalance
-
CControl arm
-
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 48
What is the name for the coupling that can transmit rotary power by a shaft over a range of different angles?
-
AThe cross shaft
-
BThe rotary
-
CThe hinge
-
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 49
Which of these is the technical name for the display panel that contains the speedometer and other gauges?
-
AInstrument cluster
-
BInformation window
-
CData panel
-
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 50
What is the name of the component that provides both air and fuel to the cylinders?
-
AExhaust manifold
-
BIntake manifold
-
CIgnition advance
-
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 51
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 52
What is the name for the pictured link between the piston and the crankshaft?
-
AThe joiner
-
BThe connecting rod
-
CThe piston hand
-
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 53
What is the name for the device that covers the manual clutch or the torque convertor of the transmission?
-
AShield
-
BDecklid
-
CBellhousing
-
DGearbox
Bellhousing
The bellhousing protects many components of the transmission, and is named for its usually bell-like shape.
Question 54
Which term do British people use to identify a car's hood?
-
ASlipcover
-
BRocker
-
CFlat panel
-
DBonnet
Bonnet
While Americans refer to the door covering the engine as a hood, British English speakers call the same auto part a bonnet. Both words have their origin in fashion, as they're terms for a piece of cloth that covers the top of the head, just like the hood provides a cover for the car's delicate mechanics.
Question 55
What is the name of the pictured device, which is necessary to start diesel engines in cold conditions?
-
AThe igniter
-
BThe spark plug
-
CThe fuel injector
-
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 56
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 57
What part of your steering system attaches to the steering shaft and travels across the rack to turn your wheels?
-
ASlider
-
BPinion
-
CTooth grip
-
DAssist module
Pinion
The pinion is a small gear that sits at the end of your steering shaft and travels across a toothed bar known as a rack. The alternative to rack-and-pinion steering is known as a recirculating ball, and it is still in use for many older cars and trucks today.
Question 58
What pictured part of a car's suspension carries the hub for the wheel and attaches to the upper and lower control arms?
-
AHub cap
-
BSpindle
-
CSuspender
-
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 59
These components might have a funny name, but your engine wouldn't work properly without them.
-
ATappets
-
BRingers
-
CSuper springs
-
DShearing grids
Tappets
The tappet sits at the end of each of your engine's push rods, and helps keep everything in alignment. When these components start to wear out due to poor maintenance, the engine makes a noise and is called "tappety".
Question 60
What is the name of the device that uses hydraulic pressure to stop a car's wheels?
-
AShoe
-
BWheel cylinder
-
CHydraulic press
-
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 61
What components are designed to provide ventilation on vehicles that use petrol?
-
AThe PCV valve
-
BThe air ignition system
-
CThe air flow regulator
-
DThe petrol case
The PCV valve
The Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve keeps pollutants created by your engine from being released into the atmosphere.
Question 62
What is the name of the component that transfers power and torque from an engine to a set of the car's wheels?
-
AAxle
-
BConnector
-
CCrank shaft
-
DWheel rail
Axle
Axles are one of the key components of any wheeled vehicle, transmitting torque and maintaining the position of the wheels.
Comments (32)
We want to hear your feedback! Share your scores and discuss the quiz, but keep it civil.
You show a wheel cover and call it a hub cap ,a hubcap is on front hub that keeps dirt out of the wheel bearings!0
@user1933689 no a generator will only provide enough voltage to keep a car running. Not charge back to the sytem.
Needs to be harder
The question about the alternator could be generator also depending on age of car
Basic knowledge questions very easy
Very easy
Comprehensive
Simple,
Working on cars and motorcycles helped
62 correct
62 correct
59 out of 62
61 out of 62
It was easy
The tappets part, i thought they were called lifters but there was no lifters answer
43 out of 62 and I don't know much about vehicles.
100% generators quite being used in the 1950ies Just so that you know both alternators and generators are used on cars to make electricity generators disappeared electronics that where and still are cheaper made alternators a far better choice
I enjoyed it a lot it’s been a while since I’ve seen or thought about some of these things!!!
I enjoy it
Really 100% right. Bull shit.