Lesson 6.

1 – Car Familiarization 2020

LESSON 6.1

CAR FAMILIARIZATION
Concept

Car Defined. A car is a motor vehicle with a room for a small

number of passengers (Car in Collins Online Dictionary, n.d.). It
also refers to an automobile which is a wheeled motor vehicle
used for transportation (Car in Wikipedia, n.d.).

Rationale. In today’s motorized society, owning a motor

vehicle or a car is no longer a matter of luxury but a matter of
necessity. Hence, many earning individuals and professionals are
buying their own vehicle – from motorcycles to automobiles.

There are numerous driving schools but some opt to practice

driving through the help of their relatives, friends, and/or
colleagues. Some may be hesitant to lend their motor vehicles for
practice driving purposes because of the risks of incurring
mechanical and engine defects own their vehicles.

It is also observed in many government and non-government

companies where unwarranted early car failures were experienced
because some of their personnel are using their company car for
practice driving. Same is observed in some law enforcement
agencies. It is in this reason that B.S. Criminology students and
other aspiring professionals should learn the skills in driving by
enrolling in legitimate driving schools.

There are also instances that unwarranted motor vehicle

defects occur because of unfamiliarity with the parts and
accessories of motor vehicles and the operating system of a motor
vehicle such as the electrical system, cooling system, lubricating
system, and braking system. For traffic law enforcers, familiarity
with car parts and accessories could enable them to properly
describe what part of motor vehicle is damaged in cases of motor
vehicle accidents. It may also give them practical knowledge on

[317]
 Lesson 6.1 – Car Familiarization 2020

how to assist motorists who are unexpectedly stocked in the

middle of a roadway.

With these, the following discussion are focused on the car

parts and accessories.

A. External Parts and Accessories. For clarity, some of the

external parts and accessories of a car or motor vehicle are shown
and labeled below:

1. Front external parts and accessories

2. Rear external parts and accessories

[318]
 Lesson 6.1 – Car Familiarization 2020

3. Side external parts and accessories

4. Definition and description of each in part or accessory.

Some parts not labeled are also defined and described
particularly those parts and accessories that should be known
by a driver. The definitions are base mostly from Macmillan
Online dictionary (n.d.), unless the reference is specified.
Some of the definitions and descriptions are from the author’s
concept. Other parts are no longer defined or described
because they can be self-explained.

a. Bull bar – a frame of strong metal bars around the

front of a car or truck, used for protecting it if there is
an accident
b. Bumper - a long thin bar of metal or plastic attached to
the front or back of a vehicle, designed to protect it if
it hits anything
c. Chassis - the frame and wheels of a vehicle which is
located under the motor vehicle
d. Exhaust pipe – used to direct the flow of exhaust gas
and smoke coming from the engine.
e. Fender - it covers or protects the area around the
wheel.
f. Gas cap or fuel tank cap - the cover that fits on the
hole where the fuel is placed
g. Grill – a metal screen in front serving as air vent to
help cool down the engine

[319]
 Lesson 6.1 – Car Familiarization 2020

h. Hood - it covers the engine and that can be raised. The

British word is bonnet
i. Hubcap of center cap - a metal cover for the central
part of a wheel on a car
j. License plate – a plate containing letters and numbers
attached on the back and front of a car, that shows its
official number and the region (state) where it was
licensed.
k. Luggage rack (top load rack) - a metal frame fixed on
the roof of a car, used for carrying large objects,
bicycles etc. the British word is roof rack
l. Mudguard (mudflap) - a piece of metal, plastic, or
rubber over or behind a wheel of a vehicle that stops
dirt from the road from hitting the vehicle
m. Muffler - a piece of equipment attached to the exhaust
pipe to make the sound of the engine quieter. The
British word is silencer.
n. Panel - a piece of shaped metal that forms part of the
body of a vehicle
o. Roof - the top outer part of a vehicle
p. Roof box - a large hard container that fits on the roof
of a car
q. Running board - a step outside the door of a vehicle,
especially on an old car
r. Sideview mirror (side mirror) - a mirror on the side of
a car to enable the driver see any thing or activity on
the side and/or rear of the vehicle
s. Spoiler - part on the back of a race car that keeps it on
the ground at high speeds. Sometimes attached to
ordinary cars as decoration
t. Stabilizer - a part on a vehicle or machine that keeps it
steady or in the correct position
u. Sunroof - part of a roof of a car that can be opened
v. Tailgate (tailboard) - a door at the back of a van or
truck that opens downward
w. Taillight – light of different colors attached at the back
to guide other motorists and road users on the actions
or intentions of a driver

[320]
 Lesson 6.1 – Car Familiarization 2020

x. Tailpipe - the pipe at the back of a motor vehicle that

takes waste gases out of the engine
y. Tow bar - a metal bar on the back of a vehicle used for
towing another vehicle
z. Trunk - the covered space at the back of a car, used
for carrying things in.
aa. Wheelbase - the distance between the front and back
wheels of a vehicle
bb. Windshield (windscreen) – the large glass window at
the front of a vehicle. The British word is windscreen
cc. Windshield wiper - a long thin piece of equipment that
moves across a vehicle’s windshield in order to
wipe the rain (or water) off it
B. Internal Parts and Accessories. For clarity, some of the
external parts and accessories of a car or motor vehicle are shown
and labeled below:

1. Driver compartment parts and accessories.

Illustration is from 2019 Toyota Corolla Automatic
Transmission. Hence, there is no clutch pedal.

a. Turn signal lever and Headlight switch – The turn

signal lever is used when either turning right or left.
[321]
 Lesson 6.1 – Car Familiarization 2020

Aside from turning-on the headlight, the headlight

switch is also used as “passing light” by pulling upward
the lever. The headlight switch also enables the driver
to place in “high (bright)” or “low (dim)” the headlight.
b. Multi-information display – The panel behind the
steering wheel which shows the various indicators such
as the fuel tank indicator, temperature gauge, speed
meter and odometer, and engine revolution per minute
(RPM).
c. Meters (Speedometers, Temperature gauge, Fuel tank
indicator, etc.)
1) Fuel level meter – it shows the actual content of
the fuel tank
2) Odometer – it shows the total distance traveled
3) Speedometer – it shows the actual velocity or
speed of the vehicle at the moment
4) Temperature gauge – it shows the temperature of
the engine
5) RPM meter – it shows the speed of revolution of
the engine
d. Windshield wiper and washer switch
e. Emergency flasher switch – The emergency flasher is
used to inform other motorists that you are on
emergency such as when bringing a critical patient to
the hospital.
f. Audio display
g. Hood lock release lever – It is used to unlock the
engine hood.
h. Tilt and telescopic steering control lever – It is used to
adjust the inclination of the steering wheel
i. Brake pedal
j. Engine switch (keyhole) – It is also used to lock and
unlock the steering wheel.
k. Accelerator pedal – It is used to increase or decrease
the amount of injected fuel.
l. Engine switch (push button)
m. Parking brake (Hand brake handle)
n. Shift lever
o. Airconditioning system/switch
[322]
 Lesson 6.1 – Car Familiarization 2020

2. Other important interior parts and accessories

a. Clutch pedal (for Manual Transmission) – It disengages
the clutch disc and the pressure plate to facilitate
smoot shifting of gears.
b. Steering Wheel – It is used to control the direction of
the motor vehicle.
C. Major Operating Systems of a Motor Vehicle. Better
operation or driving of a motor vehicle is attained when the
operator or driver understands the major operation systems of a
motor vehicle. Failure to properly maintain the different operating
system of the vehicle usually shortens the life-expectancy of the
motor vehicle particularly the engine.

1. Lubrication system – It consists of the oil pump and

other hoses used to distribute engine oil to different internal
parts of the engine to reduce friction. Once this system
malfunctioned, it may cause mechanical deterioration of the
moving parts such as the piston rings and engine valves. It
also causes overheating of the engine.
2. Cooling system – It consists of the radiator, water pump,
cooling fan, hoses and water passages (ducts) in the engine
block and heads. The water absorbs the heat while passing
through the ducts. Failure of this system also causes
overheating of the engine.
3. Electrical system – It consists of the car battery,
alternator, voltage regulator, starter, and the distributor (in
cases of gasoline-fed motor vehicles). Failure of the electrical
system affects the life-expectancy of the car’s battery, and in
cases of gasoline-fed motor vehicles, it affects complete
combustion of the gasoline by the spark plugs. Worst, it may
cause accidental burning of a motor vehicle due to short
circuiting.

4. Brake system – It is designed to slow down or to stop a

motor vehicle. It consists of the hydrovac, brake fluid cup and
brake fluid line. In front wheels, brake discs and brake pads

[323]
 Lesson 6.1 – Car Familiarization 2020

are usually used. In rear wheels, brake drums and brake

shoes are usually used.

5. Intake system – It allows the engine to inhale oxygen

which is vital in the complete combustion of the fuel. The
intake system is composed of the intake manifold, air filter,
throttle, and air passageway. Some use turbocharged to re-
flow the exhausted air, others use supercharged or a pumped
to increase the amount of air passing through the intake
system. For gasoline-fed engines, the carburetor could be a
vital element in the intake system because the carburetor
mixes the gasoline with the incoming air. Failure of the intake
system causes incomplete burning of combustion resulting to
weaker engine power and black or grayish smoke coming out
from the exhaust tail pipe.

6. Exhaust system – It aids in the free flowing of exhausted

air out of the engine. It starts from the exhaust manifold and
ending at the exhaust tail pipe. The muffler is also a vital
element of the exhaust system because it reduces noise.
Defects in the exhaust system may contribute to the
overheating of vehicle due to the smothering of exhaust
heated air and smoke.
A motor vehicle driver needs to be conscientious on the
various operating systems or mechanism of a motor vehicle to
enable him preserve the life-expectancy of the engine and the
motor vehicle. Thorough knowledge on the various operating
systems will also help the driver to detect possible
malfunctioning of the vehicle while on operation therefore
preempting any accident. It is also recommended that drivers
should not only be skilled in operating the vehicle but also to
troubleshoot basic vehicle malfunctioning.

[324]
 Lesson 6.1 – Car Familiarization 2020

Progress Check 6.1

Analyze carefully each statement or question before
identifying what is being referred to by writing your answers on
the provided spaces.
1. Enumerate five (5) external parts of a motor vehicle locate in
the front area of the motor vehicle.
a. _______________________________________________
b. _______________________________________________
c. _______________________________________________
d. _______________________________________________
e. _______________________________________________
2. Enumerate five (5) external parts of a motor vehicle located in
the rear area of a motor vehicle.
a. _______________________________________________
b. _______________________________________________
c. _______________________________________________
d. _______________________________________________
e. _______________________________________________
3. Enumerate five (5) parts of a motor vehicle located in the
front interior portion of a motor vehicle.
a. _______________________________________________
b. _______________________________________________
c. _______________________________________________
d. _______________________________________________
e. _______________________________________________
4. Enumerate the six (6) operating systems of a motor vehicle.
a. _______________________________________________
b. _______________________________________________
c. _______________________________________________
d. _______________________________________________
e. _______________________________________________

[325]