How Many Car Parts Can You Actually Name?

By: Robin Tyler
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
How Many Car Parts Can You Actually Name?
Image: Shutterstock

About This Quiz

Cars are loved the world over for their beauty, stance and good looks. Performance is also a critical factor in many people's decision to buy a car. All of these factors are as true today as they were 80 years ago.

What we often forget, however, is that cars are nothing without their internals bits. They not only contribute to that beauty and overall look but also to their performance at the end of the day.

Motor vehicles are made up of hundreds and thousands of parts, all working like clockwork and together to ensure that when you turn the key in your ignition, the car's engine fires and you can be on your merry way! If you think of it, it is nothing short of a miracle that early engineers had the brilliance to not only make an internal combustion engine work but also to get it to work in a vehicle. Indeed, the car is one of the greatest inventions ever created.

So let's test your knowledge about the many car parts found in these technological wonders. Would you be able to name a range of different car parts?

This quiz will see just how much you know.

Good luck.

car battery Critical to starting your vehicle, what is this part called?
Gas gauge
Voltage regulator
Odometer
Battery
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The battery is involved in the startup process of a vehicle. It feeds the starter motor so that it can turn over to start the engine.

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Engine Block This holds the piston, crankshaft and cylinders, all major parts of an engine.
Chassis
Engine mountings
Engine block
Sump
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The engine block is the lower section of the engine. It is cast out of metal and houses the crankshaft, pistons and cylinders.

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gas line Any ideas as to what this is called?
Radiator cap
Gas line
Brake shoes
Brake pads
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This brings gasoline from the gas tank to the engine, where it is burnt to aid propulsion.

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Air filter Dirty This removes particles from the air entering your engine. Can you name it?
Air filter
Gas filter
Oil filter
Hi tension leads
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

An air filter ensures the air entering the engine, which is used during the combustion process, is kept clean and free of any particles that may damage the engine.

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Turbocharger Although not found on all cars, those that do have this vehicle part have a significantly increased performance. Do you know what it is?
Cylinder
Turbocharger
Piston
Distributor
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In simple terms, a turbocharger pushes more air into the engine, which in turn creates more power as more fuel is burned.

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Brake Light Warning Warning lights on your dashboard are to be looked into straight away should they start to shine. Which one is shown in this image?
Low oil light
Brake warning light
Low gas light
Temperature light
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This warning light is found on the dashboard of your vehicle. It will come on when there is a problem with the brake system on your vehicle.

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Clutch Cable - Transmission  Name this part only found on manual cars, please.
Clutch cable
Accelerator pedal
Gas line
Water pipe
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This steel cable connects the clutch linkage in the transmission to the clutch pedal. It is only found on a car with a manual transmission.

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Shifter Found on manual transmission cars, this helps to change games. Any idea as to what it is called?
Handbrake
Shifter
Turn indicator selector
Wiper control unit
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The shifter is found on cars with a manual transmission. When the clutch pedal is pushed in, the clutch plate is engined and a new gear can be selected using the shifter.

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Radiator This houses coolant keeps the engine at the perfect operating temperature. Do you know what it is called?
Sump
Glow plug
Radiator
Gas tank
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This reservoir holds coolant, which is used to keep the engine cool during operation.

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Brake shoe copy This part is very necessary for your safety. Name it, please.
Ignition coil
Battery
Brake shoe
Voltage regulator
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This part of the braking system carries the brake lining. When the brakes are applied, the shoe moves, which then presses the lining to the brake drum, slowing down the car.

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Carburetor This part is crucial in ensuring the fuel/air mixture let into the combustion chamber is the correct ratio.
Oil filter
Carburetor
Air filter
Engine block
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This controls the amount of air and fuel entering the engine.

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Spark Plugs A crucial part of the process to get the engine on a vehicle running. Do you know what these are?
Sump plug
Radiator
Glow plug
Spark plugs
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Essentially, spark plugs are the most important factor in a vehicle starting. They provide the spark that ignites the air-fuel mixture that starts the motor and keeps it running.

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Piston This part is found within a cylinder. What is it called?
Crankshaft
Piston
Exhaust valve
Cambelt
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This piece of the engine moves in an up and down motion within a cylinder (The piston fits snugly within the cylinder. It moves up and down in the cylinder and is attached to a connecting rod.)

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Gas Gauge You better watch this if you don't want to walk! What is shown in this image?
Gas gauge
Tachometer
Speedometer
Odometer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This gauge has a sensor in the gas tank and tells you how much gasoline your car has left.

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shock absorber Name this car part that makes your journey just a little smoother.
Spark plugs
Shock absorbers
Brake shoe
Axel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These are important in any car as they help alleviate any bumpy roads you may drive on, leading to a smoother ride.

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Brake pads Not only ensures safety but also slows the car down. Name this part, please.
Rim
Brake pedal
Steering column
Brake pad
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Brake pads are used to slow down a vehicle when the brakes are applied. They are a component of a disk brake system.

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Oil Filter This removes impurities in a lubricating liquid needed throughout your car. What is it?
Sump
Oil filter
Gas filter
Radiator
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Oil keeps all the moving parts of an engine lubricated. An oil fill helps to remove impurities in the oil that might damage the engine.

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Odometer What is the name of the gauge in the image?
Gas gauge
Tachometer
Speedometer
Odometer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This gauge, found on the dashboard of your vehicle, tells you how far it has traveled, usually measured in miles in the United States.

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Voltage_Regulator This part is very important in the overall running of an engine. What is it called?
Voltage regulator
Speedometer
Odometer
Tachometer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The purpose of the voltage regulator in a vehicle is to supply a constant DC voltage, no matter what other processes are happening within the engine.

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speedometer Want to stay in the speed limit? Use this dial then. Any idea as to what it is called?
Gas gauge
Tachometer
Speedometer
Odometer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This gauge, found on the dashboard of your car, tells you what speed your vehicle is moving at.

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glow plug This part is only found in diesel engines. Do you know what it is?
Glow plug
Brake shoe
Speedometer
Spark plug
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Glow plugs are only found in diesel engines. They form part of the starting process and heat up to ensure first time ignition.

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Air intake manifold This distributes the fuel/air mixture evenly. Name it, please.
Engine block
Chassis
Intake manifold
Sump
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This part is essential to how your engine runs. It allows the fuel/air mixture into the cylinder of the engine where it will combust, causing the engine to run. It does this by evenly distributing the air/fuel mixture to the intake ports.

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Starter Motor This part turns the engine over. Any idea what it is?
Distributor
Glowplug
Starter motor
Spark plug
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When you turn the key of your car, the starter motor begins the combustion process by rotating the engine.

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Water Pump This moves a liquid needed for keeping the engine at an optimal temperature. Any idea as to what it is called?
Water pump
Gas pump
Oil filter
Sump
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This pump ensures that coolant, which is kept in the radiator, is moved through the coolant system on the car.

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climate control system What car part, found in the cabin, is shown in this image?
GPS system
FM radio
Climate control system
Vent selector
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Climate control systems didn’t exist in years gone by, but nowadays most cars have them. Essentially, this system lets the driver adjust the ambient temperature within the cabin. It can be turned up for heat or down for cool air.

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Valve Body - Transmission These can usually be automatic or manual. What car part are we talking about?
Engine block
Crankshaft
Transmission
Radiator
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In vehicles, a transmission can be manual (where the driver selects the gears) or automatic (where the system selects the gears.) Essentially, a transmission is a range of different gears used when the vehicle is moving forward and selected to keep the engine revolutions at an optimum running speed.

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steering column Identify the car part in this image, please.
Steering column
Rack and pinion
Shock absorbers
Driveshaft
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This links the steering wheel with the other parts of the steering mechanism which are situated outside the interior of the car, nearer the front wheels.

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Crankshaft When pistons move, this part is rotated. Name it, please.
Driveshaft
Axle
Crankshaft
Piston
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When fuel burns in the engine, it pushes the pistons, which in turn rotate the crankshaft. This causes the vehicle to move.

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Oil Pump This circulates a lubricating liquid around the engine. Do you know what it is?
Oil pump
Gas pump
Air filter
Sump
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This circulates oil within the engine.

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Sprocket Name this car part that includes a set of teeth.
Bearing
Sprocket
Sparkplug
Cylinder
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A sprocket is a wheel with a set of teeth on the outer circumference. It drives items like the chain or timing belt.

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Ignition System Any idea as to the name of this car part?
Voltage regulator
Ignition coil
Battery
Tachometer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As its name implies, the ignition coil forms part of the ignition system. It converts 12 V into several thousand more, which then jump the gap between the spark plug to ignite the fuel/air mixture.

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Bearing Name this part that helps to reduce friction between various engine parts.
Crankshaft
Fan belt
Oil filter
Bearing
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A bearing is a curved metal piece that reduces friction between components. It comes in many different shapes and sizes.

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tachometer This gauge tells you how fast the engine is spinning in revolutions per minute. Can you name it?
Gas gauge
Tachometer
Speedometer
Odometer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This gauge measures how fast the engine is spinning. It reads in revolutions per minute.

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Axle Shafts A critical part on your vehicle, there are two of these. Name them, please.
Wheel
Axle
Driveshaft
Chassis
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Regular vehicles have two axles on which the wheels and tires are found. One of these is connected to the driveshaft, which turns the wheels to move the vehicle.

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gasoline filter Removes impurities from a specific liquid needed to propel the vehicle. Do you know what part we are talking about?
Air filter
Oil filter
Gasoline filter
Engine block
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A fuel filter helps to remove impurities that might be in the fuel which, if they get into the engine, can cause complications.

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Ignition Coil Name this part of the suspension system, please.
Axle
Springs
Driveshaft
Rims
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Another important part of any suspension systems, coiled springs help absorb impacts caused by bumpy roads or obstructions you may drive over.

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Thermostat This is an essential part of helping the car run at an optimal temperature by regulating the release of coolant to the engine. What is it?
Fan belt
Radiator cap
Fan
Thermostat
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A thermostat ensures that coolant is only pumped from the radiator once the engine has warmed up sufficiently.

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Clutch Pedal Which pedal is shown here?
Clutch pedal
Brake pedal
Accelerator pedal
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Found in cars with manual transmissions, a clutch fulfills the same role as a torque converter in an automatic transmission car. Essentially, it keeps the engine turning over when the vehicle comes to a halt.

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Sump Name this vehicle part - the reservoir for the lubricating liquid found in your car's engine.
Gas tank
Sump
Radiator
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This is the reservoir where the oil used to lubricate the engine sits when it is not running.

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Fan Belt - Engine  This part connects other crucial engine parts. Name it, please.
Fan belt
Cambelt
Timing belt
Pulley
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This belt, made from rubber, connects a number of components of the engine including the cooling fan, alternator and the crankshaft pully.

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You Got:
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