Sensors provide the data necessary for the vehicle's computer to make decisions and monitor everything from simple vehicle information like tire pressure to complexities like the chemical content of an engine's exhaust.

The oil pan contains the engine oil reservoir of from four to six quarts of oil and feeds the oil pump through the oil pickup tube. An oil strainer floats at the top of the oil in the oil pan and screens debris from the oil before feeding it to the oil pump.

The intake manifold distributes outside air to the intake ports on the cylinder heads. The intake air filter removes any airborne contaminants before the air enters the engine.

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

Preignition results from the buildup of fuel deposits and/or oil in the combustion chamber. These deposits increase chamber pressure and reduce heat tranfer to the coolant. The trapped heat then raises the temperature of the air-fuel mix to the point that it combusts before ignition.