CV (constant velocity) joints are part of a car’s driveline. They allow a wheel to rotate freely in any direction while still receiving power from the axle.

A part of the ignition system. The coil takes the electrical voltage supplied by the battery and amplifies it many times until it is powerful enough to fire a spark plug.

A device in a carburetor which shuts off airflow so that the engine runs rich. This is necessary to start a cold engine.

The term circuit refers to a closed system, whether electric, fluid, or hydraulic, that brings energy or fluid from one part of a car and delivers it to another.

Many modern cars have a clear-coat finish. This is an extra, clear layer of paint that goes on top of the last color coat of paint to protect it from

Climate control, also called automatic temperature control, is a computerized system that automatically maintains a selected temperature for your car’s interior.

A clutch is found on cars with manual transmissions. The clutch lets the driver deliver the torque of a spinning crank and smoothly engage it to the gearbox to make the car move. Without a clutch, it would be nearly

A cable that goes between the clutch pedal and clutch fork to control clutch engagement.

A cable-operated clutch uses a metal cable between the clutch pedal and clutch fork to control clutch engagement.

The friction material lined plate that delivers power from the engine to the transmission.

A hydraulic clutch uses a hydraulic circuit between the clutch pedal and clutch fork to control clutch engagement.

The pedal on manual transmission cars that operates the clutch.

A bearing that lets the clutch smoothly engage and disengage with minimum wear.

An engine cooling fan that uses a heat-activated, viscous-fluid clutch which turns the fan on and off as needed.

Carburetors are what all cars had prior to fuel injection. A carburetor takes air and fuel and mixes them in the right proportion to allow a car to run smoothly and powerfully. Some cars have multiple carburetors to allow for

A fitting inside a carburetor that meters fuel into a metering circuit where it is mixed with air in the venturi.

The system which maintains the electrical charge in your vehicle’s battery. The charging system consists of the alternator, voltage regulator and battery.

A car’s chassis is like the foundation of a house – it is the basis upon which the rest of the car is constructed.

Brake pads are used specifically with disc brake systems. The pads fit inside the calipers, and create friction and stopping power when pressed against the brake rotor. When you have your disc brakes replaced, it is often just the pads

The pedal to the left of the accelerator pedal that controls a car’s brakes. When you step on the brake pedal, the car slows down or stops.