Car Part Meanings

Next time you’re driving, take a look around and I’ll bet you spot a set of 45 aspect, low profile tyres on a car that didn’t roll out of the showroom with them. Their popularity from both an aesthetic and performance enhancing perspective shows no sign of waning. There are some common (and correct) perceptions about the benefits of changing from a standard profile tyre to a low profile including increased steering response, and improved dry handling and cornering ability.

MacPherson struts A modern front suspension system which supports the car's weight and acts as shock absorbers. The main alternative is a double wishbone arrangement. McPherson Struts consists of a small subframe (or a substantial link stabilized by a secondary link) which allows a mounting point for the axle of the wheel. Generally the McPherson Strut is only used for the front wheels, but it also used for rear wheels in some cars.

Foglamp Foglights An auxiliary headlamp mounted low on the front of a car (often on the bumper) for use in fog. Casts a broad, flat beam on the left-hand kerb. Sometimes the fog lamps can in different colours. For example the old Nissan Silva (S13) used a yellow beam. Alternative coloured fog lamps can be rather annoying for other motorists on the road.

Timing BeltThe job of the timing belt is to turn the camshaft(s) at exactly 1/2 the speed of the crankshaft while maintaining a precise alignment. This means that the crankshaft will make two revolutions for every revolution of the camshaft. Engines will have at least one camshaft, or as many as four camshafts in some of the V-type engines. The camshaft causes the intake and exhaust valves to open and close in time with the pistons which move up and down in the cylinders. The valves must open and close at exactly the right time in relationship to the piston movement in order for the engine to run properly.

The instrument that indicates distance travelled by a vehicle. Usually located near the Speedometer the Odometer tells the driver how far he has gone since last reset and also how far the car has travelled in its life. The KM reading on the Odometer go a long way to determine the resell value of cars, however the older style analogue odometers can easily be changed to show lower KMs and the electronic, digital display odometers are also not tamper proof.