What is the source of electricity in a car?

2 Answers
DeAnnie
07/29/25 2:18am
Although a car does not have an external power source, it has its own power supply and can generate electricity autonomously, which constitutes the car's charging system. There are two power sources in a car: one is the battery, and the other is the alternator. Below is a detailed explanation: 1. Battery: It can store a certain amount of electrical energy. Before the engine starts, all electrical power in the car is provided by the battery, such as starting the engine, playing music, and the car's anti-theft system. 2. Alternator: It serves as the main power source in the car. When the engine is running normally, all electrical power is supplied by the alternator, with excess electricity stored in the battery. When the alternator cannot meet the car's electrical demands, the battery provides supplementary power to assist the alternator. Together, these two components form the car's power supply system.
Was this review help?
12
1
Share
StEli
08/12/25 6:16am
As someone who has driven for decades, I've noticed that a car's electricity mainly comes from two sources. Starting the engine relies on that black box-like battery, which acts like the car's power treasury - it delivers a strong current to ignite the engine when you turn the key. Once the car is running, the engine drives the alternator, which is essentially a small motor that continuously recharges the battery while powering the headlights, AC, and audio system. Be careful about draining the battery when listening to music with the engine off - don't leave accessories on too long or the battery may discharge. If the engine won't start, it's usually due to an old or dead battery; jumper cables can provide emergency power. Regular maintenance checks on battery health can prevent roadside breakdowns - safety always comes first.
Was this review help?
7
2
Share
Expand All
More Forum Discussions

What Happens When an Engine is Damaged?

Here are the situations that may occur when an engine is damaged: Sensor-related failures: such as coolant temperature sensor, crankshaft sensor, oxygen sensor, etc. Poor mixture combustion: engine spark plug failure, ignition coil failure, fuel pump failure, fuel line blockage, etc., can all cause poor mixture combustion in the engine. Air intake issues: when combustion occurs inside the engine, air intake is necessary. In this process, the air filter is very important. If the car's air filter is not clean and not regularly cleaned, it will affect the car's air intake. Over time, this can lead to blockages, and in severe cases, it can cause the engine fault light to come on. Turbocharging issues: intake turbocharging pipes and turbochargers can also cause the engine fault light to illuminate. The most common issue is turbocharger damage, accompanied by symptoms such as oil leaks, high oil consumption, reduced power, metallic noises, and blue or black smoke from the exhaust pipe.
14
0
Share

What Causes the Engine Sound to Fluctuate Between Loud and Quiet During Hot Idle?

When the engine is idling while hot, the sound may fluctuate between loud and quiet, but as long as the variation is not very noticeable and there is no shaking, it is considered normal. Below is an introduction to car idling: Introduction to Car Idling: Idling is a working condition of the car, referring to the engine running in neutral. The engine speed during idling is called the idle speed. The idle speed can be adjusted by modifying the throttle size, among other factors. Idling means the engine is "producing power without doing work." When the engine is running, if the accelerator pedal is fully released, the engine enters the idle state. Causes of Unstable Idling: Direct causes refer to mechanical parts being dirty, worn, or incorrectly installed, leading to changes in cylinder power and resulting in an imbalance of power among the cylinders, causing unstable idling. Indirect causes refer to abnormalities in the engine's electronic control system, leading to poor combustion of the air-fuel mixture, making it difficult to balance the power among the cylinders and causing unstable idling.
15
3
Share

Does the fuel gauge 'E' mean full or empty?

"The 'F' in a car's fuel gauge means the tank is full, and 'E' means the fuel level is low. In a needle-type fuel gauge, when the needle points to 'F', it indicates the fuel tank is full. The closer it gets to 'E', the lower the fuel level, meaning there's less fuel. 'F' stands for full, the full term being 'FULL'. The 'F' on a car's fuel gauge is derived from the English word 'FULL', representing a full tank, while 'E' stands for 'Empty', indicating low fuel. Precautions for refueling a car: Avoid overfilling the tank: If the tank is filled too much, during summer when temperatures are high and the car itself generates heat, the gasoline expands due to thermal expansion. To prevent the fuel tank from being damaged by the expanding gasoline, there is a vent hole. If the tank is overfilled, gasoline may overflow through the vent hole, which could lead to spontaneous combustion if exposed to an open flame, with unimaginable consequences. Additionally, gasoline overflowing through the vent hole can drip onto the car body, causing some corrosion. Try to avoid waiting until the fuel light comes on to refuel: While driving, always pay attention to the fuel gauge. When the needle indicates only a quarter of the fuel is left, it's time to refuel. It's best not to wait until the fuel light comes on before refueling. Modern cars use electric fuel pumps that require gasoline for lubrication and cooling. Frequently waiting until the fuel light comes on to refuel can prevent the fuel pump from getting proper lubrication and cooling, ultimately reducing its lifespan. Choose the right time to refuel: Avoid refueling at noon. Due to thermal expansion, the volume of gasoline increases with temperature. When the temperature drops, the volume of gasoline decreases. Since refueling is billed by volume, to save money, try to refuel in the morning or evening."
20
4
Share

Turn Signal First or Shift Gear First?

Shift gear first and then turn on the turn signal. Here is a detailed introduction about car turn signals: Overview: Car turn signals refer to the flashing indicator lights that are activated when the vehicle is turning, alerting pedestrians or vehicles in front or behind to the direction the vehicle is moving. Based on the materials used, they can be classified into car turn signals and LED car turn signals. Based on their positions, they can be divided into front turn signals, rear turn signals, and side turn signals. Principle: The lamp tube uses a xenon lamp tube, and the microcontroller controls the circuit, enabling the left and right lights to flash alternately and continuously. According to their structure, the flashers of turn signals can be divided into three types: resistance wire type, capacitor type, and electronic type.
15
1
Share

How Wide and Long is an Agricultural Tricycle?

Approximately 2.36 meters in length, 1.5 meters in width, and 0.4 meters in depth. Introduction to tricycle gear positions: High-end models: 4/5 forward gears, 1 reverse gear, with adjustable high and low speeds; Low-end models: 3 forward gears, 1 reverse gear. Additional information: Performance characteristics of tricycles: Flexible steering: The cargo box is fully thickened, with the floor using 2mm international standard plates, suitable for mining areas, construction sites, concrete mixing stations, etc. Flexible steering and fast speed. Durable and sturdy: Thick-walled reinforced double-layer integrated welded frame, durable and sturdy, offering great value for money. Powerful performance: Equipped with renowned domestic engines, advanced performance, and strong power.
12
3
Share

Can I pick up the car in full payment without being present?

It is not necessary for the car owner to be present when picking up the car, as there is no specific process for car pickup. Therefore, when the 4S store delivers the new car, the user does not need to be present. When entrusting someone else to help pick up the car, you need to hand over your original ID card and various materials required for purchasing the car to the agent. The methods for inspecting the car upon pickup are introduced as follows: Visually inspect the body paint: Check whether the paint has scratches and wear, observe whether there is color difference in the paint under sufficient sunlight, open the car door and push and pull it at several angles to let the light shine from different angles to check whether the sheet metal is flat. Check the vehicle nameplate: The car nameplate is located on the side of the driver's seat door or in the engine compartment. Pay attention to the vehicle's production date. Generally, if it exceeds half a year, it can be considered as a stock car. Check the production date of each piece of glass and each tire to ensure that the vehicle has not been replaced after leaving the factory, check whether the tire hairs exist, and whether there are obvious wear marks. Open the engine hood: Check whether the engine compartment is clean. If the vehicle has been parked for a long time or has been used, there will be obvious dust or stains in some places.
14
0
Share
Cookie
Cookie Settings
© 2025 Servanan International Pte. Ltd.