Car Parts and Accessories

When you turn the key and start your car, an electric motor (the starter) turns the crankshaft inside the engine. Rods connected to the crankshaft move pistons up and down inside hollow cylinders. At the same time, electricity is supplied to spark plugs mounted in the top of the cylinders. A mixture of gasoline and air is drawn into the cylinders and ignited by the spark plugs. The explosion forces the pistons down, in a designed order, turning the crankshaft. A fuel pump delivers gasoline from the gas tank to the carburetor. The carburetor mixes the correct amount of air with the gas being drawn into the cylinders, and the engine runs.

When you put the car in gear, the transmission moves the power from the engine down the drive shaft to the differential (rear end). The differential transfers the power to the axle that turns the wheels. Because of the extreme heat generated by the engine, the engine temperature is stabilized by a cooling system.A 50/50 mixture of water and antifreeze flows through the engine block and draws heat from the engine into the radiator. Air flows through the radiator, cooling the mixture before it returns to the engine. When you step on the brakes, pistons inside the brake’s master cylinder exert tremendous pressure on hydraulic fluid in the brake lines, forcing other pistons to apply pressure to the brake shoes or pads. The shoes press against the brake drums, the pads press against rotating discs called rotors, and the car stops.

If you listen to your car, develop a feel for it, and are alert for any unusual smells, it usually lets you know when something is wrong.

Auto Car Tools & Materials

• Clean rag or paper towel
• Screwdriver

• Flashlight or droplight

Step 1-1. Checking the Auto Car oil.

Check the oil when the engine is cool and the car is parked on level ground. Locate the dipstick. It has a looped handle and should be somewhere on the side of the engine.

Step 1-2. Reading the Auto Car dipstick.

Pull the dipstick up out of the engine and wipe the end with a clean rag or paper towel. The end is marked to show the level of the oil. The distance between the ADD mark and the FULL mark is one quart.

Step 1-3. Reading the Auto Car oil level.

Insert the dipstick all the way back into the engine; then remove it. Hold the end of the dipstick horizontally against a paper towel. Clean oil is very hard to see on the stick. The paper towel will wet to the level of the oil. If the oil level is above the ADD mark, do not add any oil. If you overfill the engine, the oil could foam and damage the engine.

Step 1-4. Adding Auto Car oil.

If the oil level is at or below the ADD mark, remove the oil filler cap and add one quart of oil. If you don’t see any oil at all, recheck. If you still don’t see any oil, add one quart and check again. Continue to check and add oil until the level is above the ADD mark.

Step 1-5. Checking the Auto Car transmission fluid.

Drive the car for a few minutes to bring the transmission fluid up to operating temperature. Park the car on level ground. Leave the engine running at idle and put the transmission in PARK. Set the parking brake.

Step 1-6. Locating the Auto Car transmission dipstick.

The transmission dipstick is probably between the engine and the firewall. Remove the dipstick and wipe the end with a clean rag. Reinsert the dipstick all the way. Remove it again and check the fluid level. It should be between the ADD and FULL marks.

Step 1-7.

If the level is low, use a long funnel to add fluid through the dipstick tube. Don’t overfill. It only takes about a pint to raise the level from ADD to FULL. Add only the fluid recommended in your owner’s manual.

Step 1-8. Locating the Auto Car master cylinder.

About once a month or so, check the fluid level in the brake’s master cylinder. If you have to add fluid often, check for a leak somewhere. Add only the type of brake fluid recommended for the kind of car you have. Locate the master cylinder in the engine compartment. Most import cars have see-through plastic master cylinders with maximum and minimum marks. This type of master cylinder usually has a screw cap.

Step 1-9. Removing the Auto Car cover.

Other master cylinders might have a retaining clip. First, use a rag to wipe off the master cylinder cover to remove any dirt that could fall into the reservoir. Pry off the clip with a screwdriver and lift off the cover. If the reservoir is marked, the fluid level should be kept at the mark; otherwise, the fluid level should be about 1/4 inch from the top of the reservoir.

Step 1-10. Adding Auto Car brake fluid.

When adding brake fluid, make sure it meets the car manufacturer’s recommendations. Wash off any spills with water. Brake fluid is corrosive and can damage paint. Reinstall the cover and retaining clip.

Step 1-11. Checking the Auto Car power steering fluid.

Locate the fluid reservoir next to the power steering pump. Unscrew the cap and lift it out. You should see the attached dipstick. Check the fluid level on the dipstick. The level should be between the FULL and ADD marks.

Step 1-12. Removing an Auto Car air filter.

The air filter is usually located in a large metal housing on top of the carburetor. Some are factory-sealed and should be checked by a professional. If your air filter is accessible, remove the cover by unscrewing the wing nut or loosening the retaining clips. Then lift out the filter.

Step 1-13. Checking the Auto Car filter.

Hold a light inside the filter and rotate the filter as you examine it. Look for dirt, tears, or breaks in the filter paper. If the filter is damaged or you can’t see any light shining through the paper, install a new filter.

Step 1-14. Cleaning the Auto Car filter.

If the filter is not damaged and light does come through the paper, it probably does not need to be replaced. Bump the bottom of the filter sharply against something to jar loose any dirt. Be careful not to dent the filter frame. If an air compressor is handy, use low pressure to blow away any dust from the inside out. Then reinstall the filter.

More about: Checking the Car Basics, Before Hit on the Road

• Runs Rough or Dies: Auto / Car, Truck Jeep Engine Keeps Dying Repair (14-20)
• Car Won't Start, why? How to get your Auto Car checked and Repaired by yourself? step (31- 40)
• All thumbs up guide to car Glossary
• Fuel system, how to fix Auto Car Petrol supply
• Changing the Auto Car Oil & Oil Filter
• Fix your Car, Auto Parts Lubrication/Pumps and Filters Guide
• Caring for tires is an easy and very important part of car maintenance part 2
• Runs Rough or Dies: Auto / Car, Truck Jeep Engine Keeps Dying Repair (8-13)
• Runs Rough or Dies: Auto / Car, Truck Jeep Engine Keeps Dying Repair (1-7)
• Air Conditioning Troubleshooting Guide

• Bifocal Lenses - Contact Lenses Care
• Fatty Acids - Vitamin and Dietary Supplements
• Gas Permeables - Contact Lenses Care
• Latest Indian Fashion Outfits - Lifestyle Choices
• Sof Lens - Contact Lenses Care
• Organic Fruit | My Mysterious Garden
• Contact Lens Care - Contact Lenses Care
• Fitness Magazine - Exercise and Fitness