| Questions | 5 |
| Topics | Coolant, Crankshaft, Fluid Reservoir, Independent Suspension, Oil Pump |
Modern car engines are cooled by liquid which circulates through the engine block and cylinder heads absorbing excess heat. This liquid is made up of half water and half antifreeze (commonly, ethylene glycol) which both keeps the water from freezing at low temperatures and raises its boiling point making heat transfer more efficient.
The crankshaft converts the reciprocating motion of the piston into the rotational motion that's used to power the vehicle and its components.
The fluid reservoir stores the brake fluid that the master cylinder uses to maintain hydraulic pressure.
Most modern cars use an independent suspension system on the front wheels. This setup allows each of the wheels on an axle to move independently in response to road level variations. Independent suspension offers much better handling and stability when compared to a rigid axle suspension at the cost of being structurally weaker and more costly to maintain.
The oil pump is driven by the camshaft and is responsible for pumping oil through the oil galleries (passages) that run throughout the engine. It also contains the oil filter and a pressure relief valve which prevents excessive pressure from building up in the lubrication system.