Getting to Know the Major Components of an Automobile Having spent more than a decade tinkering around in the industrial equipment and automotive world, I can tell you this: understanding the key parts of a car is less about memorizing endless lists and more about appreciating how these components interact in a living machine. Sure, the engine is the heart, but every part plays a role — from the smallest bolt to the massive suspension struts that keep you grounded. Oddly enough, many people picture an automobile as just an engine and wheels when really, what’s under the hood and beneath the ch…