Did you know that cars have over 30,000 unique parts? When you think about it, it’s a miracle that they don’t break constantly. Most people don’t think about how their cars work. You’d be surprised just how many people assume that the engine and battery are all that goes into making a vehicle functional. 

Knowing about obscure car parts can help you if an unexpected issue occurs. You can also have an easier time listing your vehicle on car selling websites if you know all the ins and outs of your car. We’ve put together a list of essential car parts you might not have known existed. Read on to learn more!

9 Important Car Parts You Might Not Know About

These obscure car parts are essential in every car, and having basic knowledge about the functions they serve can be helpful in the long run. You can even sell any car in minutes with the proper knowledge and skills.

1- The Engine Fan

The engine fan (also known as a radiator fan) lies between the radiator and the engine. These fans make cooling the engine easier by blowing air through the car’s radiator. A worn-out engine fan can cause your engine to overheat, so keep that in mind if you have any engine troubles.

2- The Battery

Your car’s battery is one of its most essential parts, as it allows your engine to start and gives power to your vehicle’s electrical circuit. Some signs of a faulty car battery are your lights going out, a sluggish engine, cranking sounds as you drive, or your car not turning on.

3- The Radiator

If your car is constantly overheating, you probably have a faulty radiator. Your car’s engine generates heat as you move, and the radiator works to eliminate that heat. The radiator releases coolant and water to absorb excess heat from the engine, thus cooling it down. 

4- The Spare Tire & Car Jack

Although not parts of your car, they should both be on your vehicle at all times. Every driver knows how important it is to have a spare tire in an emergency, and you can’t replace your tire without a car jack. Both tools work in tandem to save you the time and money it would take to call a tow truck. 

5- The Muffler

The muffler reduces exhaust pressure and redirects gasses to make the engine quieter. Mufflers aren’t just designed to damped sounds but combine them to have them cancel one another. Most cars would be nearly undrivable without a muffler because of how much noise they would make.

6- The Alternator

The alternator powers a car’s electronic parts when you are driving around or idling. Alternators are responsible for providing direct power to the headlights, windshield wipers, windows, radio, heated seats, dashboard instruments, and more. If you’re having electrical issues and your engine is stalling, that could mean that your alternator is failing. 

7- The Spark Plug

The spark plug ignites the air and fuel in the combustion chamber to give your engine enough power to start. A spark plug doesn’t sustain energy; instead, it transmits heat away from the combustion chamber.

8- The Shock Absorbers

Shock Absorbers are designed to absorb and dampen the rebound of the suspension and springs. Essentially their job is to keep your tires on the road by controlling excess spring motion. A car’s shock absorbers are velocity-sensitive, meaning that they provide more resistance the faster the springs are moving.

9- The AC Compressor

An AC compressor pumps refrigerant through your AC system to supply the vehicle with cool air. Your car won’t be able to cool the air it pumps without the AC compressor, so you’ll be stuck with an AC that only pups out warm air.