The lighting system consists of interior lights, instrument panel lighting, headlights, and taillights. Like household electrical circuits, the vehicle's lighting system is protected from current spikes by fuses and circuit breakers.

Both drum brake and disc brake assemblies use friction to stop a car's wheels from turning but each do it in a slightly different way. A drum brake assembly uses a large iron drum attached to the wheel and brake shoes that press against the drum to slow the rotation of the drum and, consequently, the wheel. A disc brake assembly employs friction in the same way as a drum brake but instead uses a rotor, also attached to the wheel, and two brake pads that squeeze against the surface of the rotor.

In V-type engines the numbering sequence varies by manufacturer.

Spark plugs receive current from the distributor and use it to spark combustion in the combustion chamber of a cylinder.

The transfer case splits engine power between the front and rear axles of four-wheel drive vehicles.