Your modern vehicle’s engine is a highly sophisticated piece of equipment. The days of your father’s gas-guzzler are long gone—instead, Federal Exhaust Emission and Fuel Economy regulations demand that today’s vehicles be equipped with electronic engine control systems, to curb carbon emissions and increase fuel efficiency.

A network of sensors and switches convert and monitor engine operating conditions into electrical signals. The computer receives this information, and, based on information and instructions coded within this savvy computer program, commands are sent to three different systems: ignition, fuel, and emission control.

Maintenance Tips/Suggestions: For best results, consult your owner’s manual, but consider that your driving probably constitutes a severe maintenance schedule.

The brake system is actually composed of two kinds of systems—Hydraulics and Friction Materials. Here’s what happens within these systems between the time your foot hits the brake pedal and your car stops.

Transmissions convert this power from the engine so that it can supply high torque at low speeds, in addition to selecting which gears are appropriate based on the driving conditions. This is especially true with automatic transmissions—by far the most popular transmissions found in the US.

Your car’s electrical system powers everything from the ignition and fuel systems to accessories such as your radio, headlights, and wipers. Here are the three key components of the electrical system: Battery, Charging System, and Starting System