Car Engine Vocabulary

General

Engine: The heart of the car, which converts fuel into power.
Cylinder: A chamber in the engine where the combustion process takes place.
Piston: A cylindrical part that moves up and down inside the cylinder, compressing the air-fuel mixture and pushing it out during combustion.
Crankshaft: A rotating shaft that converts the reciprocating motion of the pistons into rotational motion.
Camshaft: A shaft that controls the opening and closing of the valves in the cylinder head.
Valve: A device that controls the flow of air and fuel into and out of the cylinder.
Spark plug: A device that generates a spark to ignite the air-fuel mixture in the cylinder.

Air filter: A device that removes impurities from the air before it enters the engine.
Carburetor: A device that mixes air and fuel in the correct proportions and delivers it to the engine.
Fuel injector: A device that sprays fuel directly into the cylinder.
Exhaust system: A system that removes exhaust gases from the engine.
Catalytic converter: A device that reduces the harmful emissions in the exhaust gases.

Battery: A device that stores electrical energy and provides it to the engine starter and other electrical components.
Alternator: A device that generates electrical energy and charges the battery.
Starter: A device that cranks the engine to start it.
Ignition system: A system that generates a spark to ignite the air-fuel mixture in the cylinder.

Transmission: A device that transfers power from the engine to the wheels.
Clutch: A device that disengages the transmission from the engine when shifting gears.
Differential: A device that distributes power between the wheels.