What are the systems in a car?
4 Answers
Car systems include: engine system, cooling system, suspension system, steering system, transmission system, air conditioning system, fuel system, drivetrain system, braking system, electrical system, transfer case system, lubrication system, safety system, and electronic control system. Each system is composed of many components. For example, the engine system consists of cylinder block, cylinder body, crankshaft, crankshaft pulley, crankshaft sprocket, piston, piston rings, piston pin, bearings, bearing shells, bearing cap, connecting rod, balance shaft and balance shaft bearings, camshaft, camshaft bearing cap, rocker arm assembly, valve lifter, valves, valve springs, valve locks, valve guides, timing gear, timing chain tensioner, timing belt tensioner, idler pulley, and timing cover.
I've been repairing cars for over 30 years, and automotive systems can actually be divided into several major components. The most crucial is undoubtedly the powertrain system, where the engine transmits power to the wheels through the transmission—nowadays, turbocharging and hybrid systems are also part of this. The chassis system determines how stable the car drives, managing the suspension, brakes, and steering—whether the car shakes when going over speed bumps depends on this. The electrical system is becoming increasingly complex, not just involving headlights and air conditioning but also the vehicle's entire circuit brain. The body system comprises the frame and shell, with safety airbags also falling under this category. Modern new cars even come with intelligent driving systems, equipped with various radars and cameras that enable automatic following and braking. Oh, and remember to change the engine oil regularly and check the brakes—only when these systems work in harmony will the car behave as it should.
Those who are into car modifications all understand that the system is divided into three core parts. The powertrain is the heart—engine displacement, turbo pressure, and ECU tuning can squeeze out dozens more horsepower with just a Stage 1 remap. The drivetrain must be well-matched; clutch plates for manuals and transmission fluid temps for automatics are key upgrade points. The suspension system burns the most cash—adjustable coilover height, brake caliper piston count, and wheel ET values—get it wrong, and it becomes a safety hazard. When I upgraded my turbo, I forgot to reinforce the cooling system after a full intake and exhaust upgrade, and it overheated during a summer mountain run—a lesson learned the hard way.
Child safety is the top priority when traveling with kids. The car body acts like a steel cradle, where front and rear anti-collision beams along with crumple zone design are crucial. Active safety features include ABS anti-lock braking and ESP electronic stability control, which can be lifesavers in rainy or snowy conditions. For passive safety, the number of airbags matters – my car has six airbags including knee protection. The ISOFIX child seat anchors belong to the car body system, providing more secure fastening than seat belts. There's also automatic emergency braking – last time an e-bike suddenly appeared in a mall parking lot, the car stopped itself automatically.
