Tools

These are some common tools used to work on this device. You might not need every tool for every procedure.

Background Information

Auto parts date back to the origination of the first automobile, which was a steam-powered vehicle built around 1672. Transportation vehicles, like cars and buses, employed steam power through the early 19th century until the transportation industry was revolutionized with the birth of the combustion engine. In 1807, what was likely the world’s first internal combustion engine was invented in France. Early combustion engine vehicles weren’t very successful, but many iterations to these designs over time led to success. Modern automobiles today still utilize internal combustion engines.

Internal combustion engines are powered by the combustion of a fuel-air mixture after it is compressed by a piston and ignited by a spark plug. The combustion of the fuel-air mixture forces the engine’s piston upwards, which rotates a crankshaft. Through a transmission and drivetrain—basically a collection of gears and other mechanical elements that relay movement—the combustion engine powers the machine it is paired with. Essentially, internal combustion engines convert the fuel they burn into work.

While automobiles today have achieved impressive feats in efficiency, they are far from perfect and auto parts still often need repair. Auto parts housed in this category include engines, transmissions, brakes, tires, windshield wipers, etc.

Additional Information