3 Engine Parts to Familiarize Yourself With as a Driver
Being a driver basically means you have the ability to operate a machine and do so safely. This machine has an engine, so if you know nothing about the engine and its parts and components, you may not be equipped to handle things that could go wrong. The fact is, there are a handful of engine parts that every driver should at least be basically familiar with so they can handle problems that are bound to come up at some point. Take a look at these three engine components you should get to know as a driver.
Battery - The battery is one of the most important parts of a car's engine. There are many different components in the engine that will not function if the battery is dysfunctional or needs to be charged, such as the starter and ignition, fuel pump, radiator, and various others. You should familiarize yourself with where the battery is located under the hood, which is information that can usually be found in your owner's manual. However, you should also know the basic steps to charging the battery if you need a jump and how to change the battery when it refuses to hold charge.
Plugs and Plug Wires - The plugs and plug wires in your vehicle serve the vital purpose of carrying charge from the plugs to the interior combustion chambers that give your engine its power. Even though you may fully rely on a mechanic to change the plugs and plug wires as needed, it is at the least helpful if you know how to recognize these components and have a good idea of what happens if one or more is faulty. Plug and plug wire problems are usually signaled by an engine miss or inability to idle.
Oil Dipstick - Your engine uses motor oil to keep all moving parts lubricated to prevent the engine from overheating during operation. Therefore, having the proper amount of good oil in your engine is an absolute must. In order to check the oil level and condition in your engine, you have to know where the oil dipstick is located. The dipstick can be in different locations depending on the type of car you drive, but most often has a colored loop at the end that you use to pull the stick from its resting position. On the dipstick, there are tick marks that show you where your motor oil level is.
For more information about your vehicle's engine parts, talk to a mechanic at a shop like Dean's Auto Repair Inc the next time you have it inspected.