Are You Smart Enough to Name These Car Parts?

By: Robin Tyler
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Are You Smart Enough to Name These Car Parts?
Image: Wiki Commons via Interiot

About This Quiz

Without a doubt, a motor vehicle is one of the most complex machines on the planet. 

And it is not only the engine that contains thousands and thousands of parts, some big and some small, all working in harmony to ensure that you can move from Point A to Point B. Sure, the engine is essential in this regard and often the first thing we think of when we are asked to name car parts. 

But what about things like the transmission? This is another vital part of any vehicle, be it a manual or automatic. Without a properly working transmission, a vehicle is simply going nowhere. And it, too, is filled with many intricate parts, all working in unison to ensure the proper gears engine so the power produced by the engine can be transferred to the driveshaft for the vehicle actually to move. 

And then there is the car structure that comprises the bodywork and the chassis. Again, many parts all fitting perfectly together to ensure a beautiful end product!

So a car is made up of many parts, all just as important as the next.

But if we gave you an image of different parts, do you think you could identify them?

Let's see, shall we?

bumper
Shutterstock
The car part in this image is a _________?
Gas tank
Bumper
Shock absorber
Side panel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In years gone by, the bumper stood proud, separate from the rest of the bodywork of your vehicle and protected it in the event of an accident. This has disappeared in modern designs.

Clutch Pedal
Youtube via Kalvins Garage
This part is found inside the cabin of your vehicle. Do you know what it is?
Gear shift
Clutch pedal
Handbrake
Windshield-wiper toggle
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In manual transmissions, this pedal is pressed down by the driver's left foot, which in turn engages the clutch plate and allows for a new gear to be selected.

Clutch Cable
Youtube via CJ Pony Parts
This is only found in cars with a manual transmission. Do you know what it is?
Bumper
Clutch cable
High tension leads
Fuel 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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headlights
Shutterstock
Very important for illumination, especially at night! What are these?
Turn signal lights
Taillights
Headlights
Fog lamps
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The headlights on a vehicle ensure that the driver can see in conditions where light is poor or at night.

Ring Gear
Youtube via realfixesrealfast
An essential part of the transmission is shown in this image. Do you know what it is?
Sparkplug
Clutch pedal
Ring gear
Camshaft
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The ring gear is the large outer gear in the transmission's planetary gear system.

Exhaust System
Luca Car Mods via Youtube
Do you have any idea as to what this part of a car might be called?
Exhaust system
Gas tank
Radiator
Manifold
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The exhaust system removes the gases formed during the combustion process within the engine.

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Air filter Dirty
Wiki Commons via Ahanix1989
Essential for keeping the air entering the engine clean, what part is shown in the image?
Distributor
Crankshaft
Tailpipe
Air filter
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.

Crankshaft
n/a
The __________ rotates as piston moves, which in turn helps a car move forward.
Crankshaft
Spark plug
Fuel filter
Exhaust system
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As fuel burns, it pushes the pistons within the engine, which in turn rotate the crankshaft, which then moves the vehicle, either forward or backward determined by the gear selected.

Spark Plugs
Youtube via Engineering Explained
This part gets things going in the engine, so to say. What is it?
Piston
Spark plugs
Cambelt
Radiator fan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Spark plugs are a key factor in a vehicle starting. They provide the spark that ignites the air-fuel mixture which starts the motor and keeps it running.

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grille
Shutterstock
Some of these are iconic and are used by manufacturers (such as Jeep) as part of their overall look and signature. What are we talking about?
Radiator
Headlights
Bumper
Grille
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Appearing on the front of the car — specifically in front of the engine — the grille is often used by manufacturers as an iconic way to identify their cars. Think of BMW and the famous grille that appears on all their models.

Seals and gaskets - Transmission
Youtube via Suburban Speed Shop
These are found in various areas of your car engine, including the transmission. What are they called?
Ring gear
Seals and gaskets
Flywheel
Sump
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There are various seals and gaskets found within your car's transmission system. This ensures that the vital hydraulic fluid does not leak out.

Tires
Shutterstock
You're going nowhere without these. What are they called?
Tires
Seals and gaskets
Hubcap
Brake drum
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A car has only four points of contact with the road — its tires. They provide essential grip in all conditions. Specialist vehicles, like off-roaders, can have very specific tires.

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spoiler
Shutterstock
This is often found on sports cars but not on regular daily runners. What is it called?
Hood
Rear spoiler
Trunk
Bumper
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Many sports cars have spoilers on the back of the vehicle. These provide more aerodynamic downforce for the vehicle.

Piston
Shutterstock
An essential moving part of the engine. Name it, please.
Piston
Spark plug
Water pump
Engine block
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Combustion in the engine's cylinders causes the pistons to move. This, in turn, moves the crankshaft and drives the car forward or backward, depending on the gear selected.

High Tension Leads - Engine
Youtube via Mark's Garage
This part is a connection between the spark plugs and distributor in your engine. What is it called?
Cyclinder
Camshaft
Piston
High tension leads
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

High tension leads connect the sparks plugs to the distributor. The word "tension," in this case, is another word for "voltage."

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Oil Pump
Youtube via HumbleMechanic
This moves a lubricating liquid around the engine. Do you know this car part's name?
Brake fluid reservoir
Sump
Fuel filter
Oil pump
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The basic function of the oil pump is to circulate oil, which lubricates moving parts within the engine such as the camshaft, bearings and pistons.

Automatic Transmission Pump
Youtube via TK42138
Only found on cars that do not have a manual transmission, what is the part in this image?
Clutch pedal
Automatic transmission pump (gear pump)
Brake rotor
Tailpipe
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Often considered to be the heart of the transmission system, this pump moves hydraulic fluid through the gearing system to ensure it operates efficiently.

Ignition System
Car and Driver Magazine via Youtube
Needed for your car's engine to turn over, do you know the name of this car part?
Water pump
High tension leads
Automatic transmission pump
Ignition system
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This system helps to start the engine by generating a spark (generally) that causes the air-fuel mixture within the combustion chamber to ignite.

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Flywheel
n/a
Found in the transmission of a manual vehicle, what is this part called?
Ring gear
Flywheel
Brake pad
Starter motor
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Found in manual transmissions, a flywheel does two things. Firstly, it provides a toothed gear for the starter motor to engage on, rotating the engine on startup. Secondly, it is used to push torque from the car's engine to its transmission by use of the clutch.

Planetary Gear Set
Youtube via WeberAuto
Found in your transmission, what is this set of parts collectively known as?
Starter motor
High tension leads
Sparkplugs
Planetary gear seat
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A crucial part of the transmission, this helps to make all the various ratios that the gears in the transmission can produce. It consists of the sun, planetary and ring gears.

hood
Shutterstock
This car part is commonly known as the _______?
Trunk
Bumper
Tires
Hood
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The hood is the protective cover for the engine.

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trunk
Shutterstock
Can you name this car part, please?
Rear spoiler
Hood
Trunk
Bumper
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The trunk is a protected storage area on your vehicle.

Hydraulic fluid - Transmission
Youtube via Richard Lloyd
An essential lubricant in your car's transmission system, can you name this liquid?
Brake fluid
Water
Gasoline
Hydraulic fluid
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The hydraulic fluid in the transmission system ensures that all moving parts, of which there are many, remain lubricated.

Water Pump
n/a
It helps keep your car engine at an optimum temperature. Can you name this car part?
Cylinder head
Water pump
Oil filter
Fuel filter
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This pump ensures that coolant that is kept in the radiator is moved through the coolant system on the car, keeping the engine nice and cool, relatively speaking.

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windshield wiper
Shutterstock
Swish, swish, swish! What moving part is this?
Rear window
Windshield
Hubcap
Windshield wiper
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Raining? The windshield wiper clears the windscreen to keep the driver's view clear. The first operational windscreen wiper was patented by Mary Anderson in 1903.

roof rack
Shutterstock
An excellent alternative storage space, perfect for off-road vehicles, can you name this auxiliary car part?
Roof rack
Sunroof
Hood
Roof
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Roof racks attach to the top of the vehicle and can carry luggage, surfboards, equipment — well, almost anything that fits.

Sun Gear
Youtube via Learn Engineering
A crucial part of the transmission gearing, can you name this part?
Clutch
Sun gear
Oil filter
High tension leads
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The sun gear is the central gear in the transmission's planetary gear system.

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Carburetor
Shutterstock
This part regulates the amount of air taking into the engine as part of the combustion process. Do you know what it is?
Carburetor
Starter motor
Spark plugs
Engine mounting
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The carburetor regulates the amount of air that enters the engine while it is running. If not calibrated correctly, the mix can be too lean or too rich.

Radiator
n/a
Do you know what this car part is called?
Gas tank
Radiator
Sump
Oil filter
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This reservoir holds coolant, which is used to keep the engine cool during operation. It also helps to regulate the coolant to the right temperature before passing it back into the system.

Quarter Panel
Wiki Commons via Interiot
Found near the trunk, what is this body panel called?
Quarter panel
Door panel
Roof
Hood
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Quarter panels are found between the rear doors and trunk. The similar part on the front of the vehicle is the fender.

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Thermostat
n/a
Helping with maintaining the optimum temperature for an engine, this part is called the ________?
Oil filter
Sump
Fuel pump
Thermostat
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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

Transmission Bands - Transmission
Youtube via Michael Cramer
This part, found in your vehicle's transmission, is called the ___________?
Flywheel
Clutch cable
Transmission bands
Sun gear
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Made from steel, these straps are found on drums within the transmission. These drums will rotate when the band is not pressed against it to grip it. Stopping their rotating means components within the transmission interact in different ways, depending on what the driver is doing regarding gear selection.

side windows
Shutterstock
This part allows air into a vehicle on a hot day. Do you know what it is?
Windshield
Side window
Rear window
Sunroof
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Side windows are found in the doors of the vehicle. They can be lowered and raised again when necessary.

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side mirror
Shutterstock
Name this car part, please.
Door handle
Camshaft
Side mirror
Rearview mirror
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

All modern cars are equipped with two side mirrors, one on the left and one on the right of the car. This helps the driver observe behind them to the left and the right, which is crucial when changing lanes.

Hubcap
Wiki Commons via Infrogmation of New Orleans
The car part in this picture is commonly referred to as a ________?
Hubcap
Tires
Rims
Brake drum
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This is a covering for the wheel nuts that hold the wheel to car axle.

Planet carrier
Wiki Commons via Elacy
Another part of the transmission system that holds many gearing mechanisms. Can you name this part?
Planet carrier
Transmission bands
Gear shift
Clutch wire
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The planetary gear system within a transmission system is attached to the planet carrier, which is then connected to the output shaft.

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Fan Belt
Youtube via HumbleMechanic
This connects a number of engine components, including a cooling fan. What is it called?
Radiator
Cambelt
High tension leads
Fan belt
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 pulley.

Clutch piston - Transmission
Youtube via Frank 87
Found only in manual transmission vehicles, this part is the _________?
Gear pump
Clutch piston
Accelerator
Flywheel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Clutch pistons help to engage the clutch and activate the gearshift in a manual transmission vehicle.

Cylinder head - Engine
Youtube via Pete's Garage
Moving pistons are found here. Name this part, please.
Valve
Camshaft
Cylinder head
Crankshaft
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Found above the cylinder, the cylinder head is the area the piston compresses into as it moves. It also houses intake and exhaust valves, springs and lifters and the combustion chamber.

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Rocker Panel
Wiki Commons via CZmarlin
Not always found in the bodywork of a vehicle, what part is this?
Side panel
Rocker
Door
Hood
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The rocker is a body panel found below the door. It is normally very small and not found on every model of vehicle.

You Got:
/40
Wiki Commons via Interiot