This is a simple overview of the main systems in your car. If you’ve ever wondered what’s actually happening when you turn the key, this is a good starting point. We’ve kept it general on purpose — there’s a lot of variation between vehicles, and the goal here is the big picture.

The engine

The engine is what turns fuel into motion. Air and fuel come together inside the cylinders, they ignite, and the controlled little explosions push pistons up and down. That movement gets turned into the spinning motion that eventually drives the wheels.

Most cars on the road today are gasoline engines. (We do not service diesel engines at our shop.)

The transmission

The transmission takes the spinning motion from the engine and adjusts it for what the car is doing — pulling away from a stop, cruising on the highway, climbing a hill. Some are manual (you shift gears yourself). Most modern cars are automatic, where the car shifts on its own.

The brakes

Brakes turn motion back into stillness. When you press the brake pedal, brake fluid pushes pads against rotors on each wheel, and the friction slows the car down. Brakes are a regular service item — pads wear out and need to be replaced.

The electrical system

A car has a battery, an alternator, and a lot of wiring and computer modules. The battery starts the engine. The alternator charges the battery while the engine runs. The computers manage just about everything — engine timing, transmission shifts, safety features, infotainment.

The cooling system

Engines make a lot of heat. The cooling system — coolant, water pump, radiator, hoses — keeps the engine at the right temperature. If the cooling system isn’t working, the engine can’t either, so this is a system worth paying attention to.

The suspension

The suspension is what keeps the wheels on the ground and the ride comfortable. Springs, shocks, control arms, bushings — they all work together to handle the bumps and turns.

How it fits together

You start the car, the engine runs, the transmission delivers the engine’s power to the wheels, the electrical system manages everything, the cooling system keeps the engine happy, the suspension handles the road, and the brakes bring it all to a stop. Each system has its own service needs and its own ways of telling you when something’s off.

What to do next

If something on your car doesn’t feel right and you’d like a plain explanation of what might be going on, bring it by 3645 Main Street in Chula Vista. We’ll take a look and let you know what we find.