Nowadays, a car is made up of a large number of individual components. Some of these car parts are familiar to every driver. But there are also parts that hardly anyone has heard of. We have listed 10 car parts for you that many drivers do not know.

Air flow meter

The air flow meter or mass air flow meter is a rather inconspicuous component in the intake tract of combustion engines. It is therefore not surprising that most drivers are unfamiliar with this part. In modern cars, the component has the task of collecting precise data on the combustion air drawn in from outside. This data is then available to the engine control unit to calculate, for example, the required amount of injected fuel. This includes information about the air mass, the air temperature or the prevailing pressure. As a good used part, the air flow meter is often available at a favourable price.

Cold start valve

One of the lesser-known components of cars is the cold-start valve. This component is often located in the engine compartment near the engine or in the injection area. Here, the cold-start valve ensures that an additional amount of fuel is injected when the engine is cold. In this way, the mixture of fuel and air becomes richer. This in turn prevents the engine from starting worse than usual when it is cold. If the valve receives a corresponding signal from the engine control unit, it injects the additional amount of fuel into the intake tract. If the part is defective, it can be purchased as a cheap used part.

ESP control unit

The ESP control unit is an important component for the Electronic Stability Programme, with which many modern cars are equipped. The stability programme is an electronic driving assistance system that prevents the car from skidding or swerving in critical driving situations. For this purpose, among other things, the individual wheels of the vehicle are braked in a targeted manner. These interventions are calculated and triggered by the ESP control unit. For this purpose, the control unit is connected to numerous sensors that measure, for example, the brake pressure, the steering wheel angle or the wheel speeds. Since the control unit is quite expensive as a new part, many car mechanics like to use used devices.

Strut bearings

The strut bearing is one of the most important parts of many modern chassis. Nevertheless, many drivers are completely unfamiliar with this component. This is not surprising, however, as the strut bearing is not visible at first glance. This component is located at the top of the strut dome and is part of the front axle suspension. Here, the strut mount connects the strut to the body.. The component is flexibly constructed and consists mostly of rubber and metal components. Thanks to the flexible attachment via the strut mount, the angle of the strut to the body can change during driving. Used strut mounts are often available in perfect condition at a reasonable price.

Wiper linkage

The Wiper linkage is a part of the mechanics responsible for driving the windscreen wipers. What many people do not know: The wipers are not driven directly from the windscreen wiper motor, but are passed on to the windscreen wipers via the linkage. Many cars also have only one windscreen wiper motor for both windscreen wipers, so that the power of the motor must be transmitted to both wipers via the linkage. If the windscreen wiper linkage is broken or bent, it can be replaced with a used part, which is usually available at a reasonable price.

Tank tape

A fuel tank strap holds the car’s fuel tank firmly to the body. Many drivers are unfamiliar with this component of the car because they assume that the tank is always bolted directly and tightly to the body. However, this is not the case with most cars. Instead, several tank straps usually surround the tank, which is often located under the car in the area of the rear axle. The tank strap is a thin and flexible metal band that is wrapped around the tank and bolted to the body at each end. Used tank straps in good condition are inexpensive replacements for rusted and defective tank straps.

Diesel preheater

The diesel preheater is one of the car’s components that even some diesel drivers are unfamiliar with. Hidden deep in the engine compartment, the diesel preheater ensures that the diesel fuel is preheated. This ensures the flowability of the diesel fuel even at low outside temperatures. If the diesel were not preheated, the fuel could become viscous in cold conditions and tend to secrete paraffin. This in turn can lead to clogging of filters and fuel system components. Preheated fuel can also lead to more economical operation with better engine running and lower emission combustion. Defective diesel preheaters are relatively easy to replace and can often be bought cheaply second-hand.

Headlight motor

Another component that is largely unknown to car drivers is the headlight motor. The small electric motor is installed in the headlamp area of the car and is part of the headlamp levelling system prescribed for modern cars in Germany. This regulation allows the headlights to be adjusted so that other road users are not dazzled if, for example, the rear of the vehicle is more heavily loaded. Many drivers never use the headlamp levelling system, so they have never heard of the headlamp motor. However, if the headlight motor is defective, for example due to moisture, there will be problems at the next general inspection. Therefore, the defective part should be replaced with a good used one beforehand.

Gear shift cable

The gearstick bowden cable is a component of the manual gearstick in many modern cars. Instead of the classic power transmission by means of a shift linkage, the more advantageous cable shift is used because it is often smoother. Many drivers are just as unfamiliar with this as with the gearshift bowden cable itself. With this type of gearstick, the control unit with the gear stick is connected to the manual gearbox via two of the Bowden cables. Depending on the position of the gear stick, the transmission engages the appropriate gear. The Bowden cables can wear out over time, but can easily be replaced with a good used Bowden cable.

EGR valve

An EGR valve or EGR valve guides exhaust gases from the exhaust tract back into the engine. The fact that this is possible is completely unknown to many drivers, as is the valve itself. In diesel engines, exhaust gas recirculation is primarily intended to lower the combustion temperature and reduce nitrogen oxide emissions. In petrol engines, the principle is supposed to lead to a reduction in fuel consumption. The EGR valve or EGR valve establishes the connection between the exhaust tract and the intake system in the engine compartment. It regulates whether and how much exhaust gas is mixed in the intake tract. If the component is defective, the engine may not run smoothly or the exhaust values may be poor. Then it is time to replace the EGR valve. For example, with a used part in good condition, which is often much cheaper than a new part.

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