Auto Repair & Car Parts Dictionary

In a self-leveling designed vehicle, the suspension maintains a constant ride height regardless of load (like how many people are in the car and how much cargo you’ve got on board). As many self-leveling suspension designs have a hydraulic component, a filter is needed to ensure the hydraulic fluid stays free of debris.

The Serpentine Belt drives your car’s alternator, water pump, power steering pump, and air conditioning compressor. Because this belt is responsible for many important systems, it’s important to inspect it and make sure it’s in good condition, free from cracks or uneven wear.

Service Reminder Lights come on to remind you when your car is due for service or when the car’s computer is detecting a problem. Every car is different and each has its own set of prompts to activate the reminder light. When you see this light come on, you should take your car in for an inspection and/or service.

Shift Linkage refers to the car cables that connect the gearshift or gear selector to the transmission. Gear shift linkage, shifting linkage and transmission shift linkage (transmission linkage) are related terms.

Shocks or Shock Absorbers hold the tires to the road. They reduce the amount of bounce and sway you feel when driving by controlling the spring in the suspension. To do this, they use hydraulic pumps.

Spark Plug Wires are the conduits by which electricity travels from the distributor or electronic ignition to the spark plugs.

Stability Control uses sensors connected to your car’s computer to help keep the car in control during a skid or slide. By looking at the steering of the driver and the actual path of the vehicle, the sensors can tell when your car is skidding, and apply the antilock brakes to one or all of the wheels to keep the car pointed in the direction you want.

Steering moves the wheels of the car in a particular direction thereby allowing you to navigate your vehicle.

The Steering Gearbox transmits the input of the steering wheel to the front wheels of your car.

The Steering Intermediate Shaft connects the end of the steering column to rack and pinion gearbox.

To optimize comfort and safety while driving, cars all come equipped with a Steering Wheel Adjustment lever that moves the steering wheel up, down, in and out to accommodate people’s height in the seat of the car.

Struts are used for shock absorption and load-bearing support. They are attached to the chassis and have a spring-like design.

A Supercharger is an air compressor used to increase the pressure, temperature, and density of air supplied to an engine. Having a greater mass of oxygen accelerates fuel burning, which increases the power produced by the engine. When the supercharger’s power source is a turbine, that supercharger is said to be a turbosupercharger (turbo for short).

Your car’s suspension is designed to maximize friction between the tires and the road so that there is good stability and handling while driving. Suspension allows the frame and body of the car to ride undisturbed as the wheels follow the irregularities (bumps, cracks, holes, debris) of the road.