What Are the Names of Car Parts?

The most common car parts include the engine, transmission, brakes, suspension, steering components, wheels and tires, radiator, battery, alternator, exhaust, lights, airbags, and—on modern electrified vehicles—traction battery, inverter, and electric motor. Below is a clear, categorized guide to car part names you’ll encounter on gasoline, diesel, hybrid, and electric vehicles.

Exterior and Body

These are the visible structural panels, glass, and exterior hardware that shape the vehicle, protect occupants, and influence aerodynamics and noise levels.

• Front bumper, rear bumper, bumper cover, impact absorbers
• Hood/bonnet, trunk/boot lid, liftgate/tailgate, frunk lid (EVs)
• Fenders (wings), quarter panels, rocker panels/sills
• Grille, grille shutters (active aero)
• Doors, door shells, door handles (exterior), door mirrors/wing mirrors
• Windshield/windscreen, rear window, side glass, quarter glass
• Roof, roof rails, sunroof/moonroof, panoramic roof, antenna/fin
• Headlights, daytime running lights (DRL), fog lights, turn signals, taillights, center high-mount stop lamp (CHMSL)
• Wiper arms, wiper blades, washer jets/nozzles
• Underbody shields, wheel well liners, splash guards/mudflaps
• Emblems, badges, trim moldings, weatherstrips/seals, clips/fasteners

Together, these parts provide structure, reduce wind noise and drag, and house critical lighting and safety features.

Interior, Controls, and Safety

Inside the cabin you’ll find seating, controls, airbags, and trim that affect comfort, ergonomics, and crash protection.

• Seats (front/rear), head restraints, seat tracks, seat heaters/ventilation
• Seat belts, pretensioners, load limiters
• Airbags: front, side (thorax), curtain, knee, center airbags
• Steering wheel, steering column, paddle shifters, horn
• Pedals: accelerator, brake, clutch (manual)
• Gear selector/shifter, parking brake lever/switch
• Instrument cluster, digital display, head-up display (HUD)
• Infotainment screen, audio system, microphones, speakers
• Switches/stalks: lights, wipers, drive modes, window switches
• HVAC controls, vents/registers
• Dashboard, center console, glove box, door cards, trim panels
• Headliner, sun visors, interior lights/map lights
• OBD-II diagnostic port, USB/12V outlets, wireless charger
• Floor mats, cargo cover, tie-downs

These components shape the driving experience and integrate with safety systems to protect occupants in a crash.

Engine and Fuel System (Internal Combustion)

Conventional gasoline and diesel vehicles rely on combustion engines and fuel delivery components that convert fuel into motion.

• Engine block, cylinders, pistons, connecting rods, crankshaft
• Cylinder head, camshafts, valves, lifters, rocker arms
• Timing belt/chain, tensioners, guides, head gasket
• Intake manifold, throttle body, air filter/airbox
• Turbocharger/supercharger, intercooler, wastegate, blow-off valve
• Fuel tank, fuel pump (in-tank/low-pressure), high-pressure pump (GDI/diesel)
• Fuel lines, fuel rail, fuel injectors, fuel filter
• Sensors: MAF, MAP, throttle position, oxygen/AFR sensors, knock sensor
• PCV valve, EGR valve/system, evap canister (charcoal), purge valve
• Oil pan, oil pump, oil filter, dipstick, valve cover
• Serpentine/accessory belt, pulleys, engine mounts
• Spark plugs and ignition coils (gasoline); glow plugs (diesel)

In modern engines, precise fuel metering and turbocharging improve efficiency and performance while emissions systems reduce pollutants.

Cooling and Exhaust

Cooling parts manage engine and power electronics temperature, while exhaust components route and clean combustion gases.

• Radiator, coolant reservoir/expansion tank, radiator cap
• Water pump, thermostat, coolant hoses, radiator fans
• Heater core, auxiliary pump, coolant temperature sensors
• Exhaust manifold, flex pipe, catalytic converter (three-way/oxidation)
• Diesel particulate filter (DPF), selective catalytic reduction (SCR) with DEF tank/injector
• Resonator, muffler, tailpipe, exhaust hangers

Together, these systems stabilize operating temperatures and reduce noise and emissions across a range of driving conditions.

Electrical and Electronics

The low-voltage electrical system powers starting, lighting, infotainment, and control modules interconnected by data networks.

• 12V battery (lead-acid/AGM/EFB/Li-ion), battery sensor, ground straps
• Alternator, starter motor, starter solenoid
• Fuse/relay boxes, fuses, relays, wiring harnesses, connectors
• Control units: ECU/PCM (engine), TCU (transmission), BCM (body), ABS/ESC module, airbag/SRS module, ADAS domain controller
• Vehicle networks: CAN bus, LIN bus, Ethernet
• Sensors: crankshaft/camshaft position, coolant temp, oil pressure, wheel speed (ABS), TPMS, parking sensors
• Cameras (front/rear/surround), radar, ultrasonic, lidar (on some models)
• Lighting control modules, LED drivers, headlamp leveling modules
• Telematics unit, GPS antenna, keyless entry antennas, immobilizer

Modern cars are computer networks on wheels, with control modules and sensors coordinating performance, safety, and comfort.

Drivetrain and Transmission

These parts transmit torque from the engine or motor to the wheels, enabling motion across varying speeds and loads.

• Clutch assembly (cover, disc, release bearing), flywheel/dual-mass flywheel
• Manual gearbox (gears, synchros), automatic transmission, CVT, dual-clutch transmission (DCT)
• Torque converter (automatic), transmission oil pan/filter
• Transaxle (FWD), transfer case (AWD/4WD)
• Driveshaft/prop shaft, universal joints, center support bearing
• Axles/half-shafts, CV joints/boots, wheel hubs, wheel bearings
• Differential (open, limited-slip, e-diff), differential fluid

The drivetrain configuration—FWD, RWD, AWD—determines which components are present and how power is distributed.

Suspension and Steering

Suspension absorbs bumps and maintains tire contact; steering converts driver input into directional changes.

• Struts, shock absorbers/dampers, coil springs, leaf springs, air springs
• Control arms (upper/lower), ball joints, bushings, subframe
• Sway bar/anti-roll bar, end links, strut mounts/top hats
• Steering rack (hydraulic/electric), tie rods (inner/outer), steering knuckle
• Power steering pump, reservoir, hoses (HPS) or electric power steering motor (EPS)
• Alignment hardware: camber bolts, toe adjusters

Proper suspension and steering components ensure stability, ride comfort, and predictable handling.

Brakes and Wheels

Brake systems slow and stop the vehicle; wheels and tires provide the only contact patch with the road.

• Brake pedal, master cylinder, brake booster (vacuum/electric), proportioning valve
• Brake lines (hard lines), flexible brake hoses
• Disc brakes: calipers (fixed/floating), pads, rotors
• Drum brakes: wheel cylinder, shoes, drums
• ABS/ESC module, wheel speed sensors, parking brake (cable/electric)
• Wheels/rims, tires, tire pressure monitoring sensors (TPMS), lug nuts/studs, hubcaps

Healthy brakes and correctly inflated, properly sized tires are critical for safety, stopping distance, and tire life.

HVAC and Cabin Air

Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning regulate cabin comfort and defog windows year-round.

• HVAC blower motor, resistor/control module
• Heater core, engine coolant valves
• A/C compressor (belt-driven or electric), condenser, evaporator
• Expansion valve/orifice tube, accumulator/receiver-drier, refrigerant lines
• Blend doors/actuators, cabin air filter, ducts/vents

These components manage temperature and airflow, with modern systems using sensors and automatic climate controls for precision.

Fluids, Filters, and Service Items

Regular maintenance relies on consumables and fluids that keep systems lubricated, cooled, and clean.

• Engine oil, oil filter, drain plug/washer
• Coolant/antifreeze, coolant premix
• Transmission fluid, differential fluid, transfer case fluid
• Brake fluid, power steering fluid (if hydraulic)
• Windshield washer fluid
• Engine air filter, cabin air filter, fuel filter
• Spark plugs, glow plugs (diesel), ignition coils
• Serpentine belt, timing belt/chain components
• Wiper blades, fuses, key fob battery

Following the service schedule for these items preserves reliability, efficiency, and warranty coverage.

EV- and Hybrid-Specific Components

Electrified vehicles add high-voltage energy storage and power electronics while sharing many conventional chassis components.

• Traction battery pack (modules/cells), battery management system (BMS)
• High-voltage contactors, service disconnect, HV junction box
• Inverter, motor controller, DC-DC converter (HV to 12V)
• Electric motor(s), reduction gearbox/single-speed transmission
• On-board charger (AC), charge port (NACS/CCS/Type 2 region-dependent), EVSE/cable
• Thermal management: battery chiller, heat pump, PTC heater, coolant loops, cooling plates
• Regenerative braking components and blending controller
• Hybrid elements: motor-generator(s), power-split device, hybrid ECU, 48V belt-starter-generator (mild hybrid)

As of 2025, many North American models are adopting the NACS charge connector while supporting CCS via adapters; thermal systems and power electronics are central to EV range and performance.

Security and Driver Assistance

Modern vehicles integrate systems to prevent theft and assist drivers with awareness and automation features.

• Immobilizer, key fobs, smart entry antennas, steering lock
• Alarm siren, interior motion sensor, tilt sensor
• Adaptive cruise control radar, forward camera, surround-view cameras
• Lane-keeping/lane-centering actuators, parking assist modules
• Ultrasonic sensors, rear cross-traffic sensors

These technologies improve security and reduce driver workload, with sensors feeding advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).

Summary

Car parts span body panels, cabin components, combustion or electric powertrains, cooling, exhaust, electronics, drivetrain, suspension, brakes, wheels, HVAC, and service items. Knowing the names by category helps with maintenance, parts ordering, and understanding repair estimates—whether you drive a traditional gasoline car, a hybrid, or a modern EV.

What are car parts called?

Important vehicle parts include the engine, transmission, brake system, steering system, suspension, and electrical components, each playing a vital role in ensuring the vehicle’s safety.

What are the 40 basic parts of the car engine?

The different parts that make up your car’s engine consist of: the engine block (cylinder block), combustion chamber, cylinder head, pistons, crankshaft, camshaft, timing chain, valve train, valves, rocker’s arms, pushrods/lifters, fuel injectors, and spark plugs.

What are the names of the car parts?

What are the Parts of a Car?

• Engine. The heart and soul of your vehicle is the internal combustion engine.
• Transmission.
• Battery.
• Alternator.
• Radiator.
• Front Axle.
• Front Steering and Suspension.
• Brakes.

What are the main parts of the car?

Critical auto parts are those essential to the safe and functional operation of your vehicle. These include the engine, transmission, brakes, steering components, suspension system and tires. Safety-related parts such as airbags, seat belts and lighting systems are also considered critical.