Moving Parts
These touch the road in four or more places and are needed for steering and a smooth ride.
What are tires?
This crosses your hips and chest to keep you safely in your seat no matter the road conditions. It's important to wear every time you're in a car.
What is a seatbelt?
This mirror in the center of the car allows drivers to see traffic behind them. You may also see decorations or air fresheners hanging from them.
What is a rearview mirror?
A car part salesman may try and sell you this imaginary fluid if he thinks you're inexperienced or don't know what you're doing.
what is blinker fluid?
These parts are made of glass and are controlled with a small switch usually inside the door. Before electricity was common in the cabin, these could be raised and lowered using a crank that rolled them up or down.
What are car windows?
This device is great for listening to music, but it can also let you hear about weather conditions and road closures.
This keeps the inside of your car nice and cool during the summertime, brrrr! Your engine has to work extra hard to power both itself and this system, so an older car might have trouble if it's turned all the way up.
What is an air conditioner?
This blue fluid helps remove water, dirt, and debris from the drivers view. Comes in "All Season," "Bug Remover," and "De-Icer."
What is windshield washer fluid?
While all cars come in a series of colors from the factory, you can pay extra for custom colors and designs. Some might choose racing stripes, others a wizard riding a snow tiger.
What is a custom paint job?
These parts move very fast from side to side and can help a driver see through rain, snow, or even mud!
What are windshield wipers?
These parts come in pairs, usually on the front and backs of cars. Some are used to slow down the car, others are to keep it stopped.
What are brakes?
This brown fluid is super slick! It helps keep an engine running by reducing friction between all the moving parts.
What is engine oil?
These parts come in pairs at the front, sides, and sometimes even the back of your car. If you want your music to play low notes really loud, you can pay money to install a "subwoofer" in the back. You can get in trouble for playing too loud!
What are speakers?
This stick in the center console allows a driver to change between gears. It may be labeled with a small map of the gearbox or just the letters PRNDL. Newer models may have it by the steering column.
What is the shift stick/gearstick?
These are hidden in the front and sides of your car. They are like big puffy marshmallows full of air, but will only come out if there's a big collision.
This small drawer in the passengers seat has become the "junk drawer" of the car. In here you can find everything from paperwork and spare parts to snacks and first aid. Named for the era when drivers needed goggles, hats and gloves to protect them in open cab cars.
What is a glove box?
This clear fluid is mixed with air and a spark in the engine to power a car. Its fumes are stinky so be careful not to take a whiff when fueling up.
What is gasoline?
Often display business information, logos, jokes, memorials, or how many people in your family via stick figures. As long as they don't obscure your rear view!
What is rear window cling?
These parts of an engine go up and down as fuel is aerated and combusted. They turn the crankshaft which provides power to the transmission and wheels. Engines usually have between four and eight.
What is a piston?
These can be found all over the back of your car. They can signal to other drivers when you're about to stop, turn, or have an emergency. If one has a missing or burnt out bulb, a police officer may stop your car to remind you to replace it.
This lamp is located in the center of the car and usually comes on automatically when your doors open at night. Be careful, if left on overnight it can kill your battery and leave you stranded.
What are dome lights?
This red fluid gives you the power to turn a huge or heavy vehicle with your teeny tiny arms using the science of hydraulics.
What is power steering fluid?
Each vehicle gets a pair of these when they register with the state, displayed at the front and back of the car. For a fee you can choose from a decorated background or personalize the letters and numbers. Keep it clean, the office won't allow bad words.
What is a personalized plate?