After exploring the exterior parts of a car in our previous article, it’s time to delve into the often-overlooked but equally crucial components that make up your car’s interior. Join us as we navigate the world of Car Inside Parts Names With Pictures, uncovering their individual roles and significance within your vehicle.
Understanding the names and functions of each interior car part is more than just automotive trivia; it’s practical knowledge that empowers you when considering a new car purchase, planning interior upgrades, or ensuring a safe and comfortable driving experience. Many of these components offer opportunities for personalization, from custom seat covers to advanced infotainment systems, allowing you to tailor your vehicle to your specific needs and preferences. Let’s embark on this journey to discover the key elements of your car’s interior.
Essential Car Interior Parts: An Overview
Here’s a list of the primary car inside parts:
- Steering Wheel and Horn
- Ignition System
- Pedals (Accelerator, Brake, Clutch)
- Gear Shifter/Selector
- Dashboard and Instrument Cluster
- Hazard Lights Button
- Seat Belts
- Airbags
- Rearview Mirrors (Interior and Exterior)
- Parking Brake (Emergency Brake)
- Turn Signal Lever
- Center Console
- Glove Compartment
- Power Window and Door Lock Controls
- Interior Door Handles
- Audio System (Car Stereo)
- Central Control Screen (Infotainment System)
- Sun Visors
- Car Seats
- Floor Mats
- Roof and Headliner
Exploring the Interior Car Parts in Detail
Let’s take a closer look at each of these car inside parts, understanding their function and importance.
#1. Steering Wheel and Car Horn
The steering wheel is arguably the most fundamental control within your car’s interior. It’s the primary interface for directing the vehicle, translating the driver’s rotational input into the movement of the front wheels. This intricate system involves a series of mechanical and hydraulic linkages, ensuring precise control on the road.
Modern steering wheels have evolved beyond basic steering. Many now integrate controls for cruise control, audio volume and track selection, and even heating elements for added comfort in colder climates. For those looking to personalize their driving experience, aftermarket steering wheel covers offer a range of materials and designs to enhance both the look and feel of this essential car inside part.
The car horn, typically activated by pressing the center of the steering wheel, is a vital safety feature. It allows drivers to audibly alert other road users to their presence, warn of potential hazards, or communicate in various driving situations.
#2. Ignition System
The ignition system is the starting point of your journey. Located near the steering column on the dashboard, the ignition is where you insert your car key or press the start button to bring the engine to life.
When activated, the ignition switch initiates the flow of electrical power to the engine’s starting system and other essential vehicle functions. This process engages the starter motor, which cranks the engine until combustion begins, allowing the car to move.
#3. Pedals: Accelerator, Brake, and Clutch
Looking down at the driver’s footwell, you’ll find the pedals – crucial car inside parts for controlling speed and stopping. The accelerator pedal, typically the rightmost pedal, regulates the fuel supply to the engine, directly influencing the car’s speed. Pressing it increases engine power and acceleration.
To the left of the accelerator is the brake pedal. Applying pressure to the brake pedal activates the braking system, slowing the vehicle down or bringing it to a complete stop. The brake pedal is larger for easy access and quick response in braking situations.
In vehicles equipped with a manual gearbox, a third pedal – the clutch pedal – is present on the far left. The clutch is essential for manual gear changes, disengaging the engine from the transmission to allow smooth shifting between gears. Automatic cars do not have a clutch pedal.
The pedal arrangement in manual cars is, from left to right: clutch, brake, and accelerator. In automatic cars, only the brake and accelerator pedals are present, arranged from left to right.
#4. Gear Shifter/Selector
The gear shifter (in manual transmissions) or gear selector (in automatic transmissions) is located in the center console, between the driver and front passenger seats. This car inside part allows the driver to choose the appropriate gear for driving conditions.
In manual transmission vehicles, the gear shifter is a lever used to manually select gears. It typically has a knob displaying the gear pattern. Shifting gears in a manual car requires coordinating the gear shifter with the clutch pedal.
For automatic transmission vehicles, the gear selector, sometimes referred to as the “PRNDL” (Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive, Low), allows the driver to select driving modes without manually engaging gears. Automatic transmissions handle gear changes automatically based on speed and engine load.
The gear shifting mechanism in a manual car involves intricate components like the clutch, synchronizer sleeves, and shift forks, working in concert to smoothly engage different gears and alter the vehicle’s speed and power output.
#5. Dashboard and Instrument Cluster
The dashboard is a prominent car inside part situated at the front of the car interior. It serves as a central panel housing essential instruments and controls, and acts as a visual interface between the driver and the vehicle’s systems. Dashboard designs vary widely, reflecting vehicle brand and features, with more sophisticated designs often indicating higher vehicle quality and technological integration.
The instrument cluster, a key component of the dashboard, typically includes:
- Fuel Gauge: Displays the amount of fuel remaining in the tank, enabling drivers to monitor fuel levels and plan refueling stops.
- Speedometer: Indicates the vehicle’s current speed, crucial for maintaining safe and legal driving speeds. It can be analog (needle-based) or digital.
- Tachometer: Shows the engine’s revolutions per minute (RPM). It helps drivers optimize engine performance and is particularly useful in manual transmission vehicles for knowing when to shift gears.
- Temperature Gauge: Monitors the engine’s operating temperature, alerting the driver to potential overheating issues that could indicate problems with the cooling system.
Beyond these gauges, the dashboard also houses various warning lights and indicator lights. These lights illuminate to signal potential malfunctions or issues within the vehicle’s systems, prompting the driver to take necessary action.
Car Dashboard with Instrument Cluster
#6. Hazard Lights Button (Emergency Flashers)
The hazard lights button, also known as the emergency flasher, is a critical safety control. Activating this button, usually marked with a red triangle, causes all four turn signal lights to flash simultaneously.
Hazard lights are used to warn other drivers of emergency situations, such as a breakdown, accident, or when the vehicle is parked in a hazardous location. They are essential for increasing visibility and alerting others to potential dangers.
#7. Seat Belts
Car seat belts are fundamental safety restraints designed to significantly reduce the risk of injury or fatality in vehicle collisions. When used correctly, seat belts are highly effective in preventing occupants from being ejected from the vehicle during a crash.
Ejection from a vehicle is extremely dangerous, increasing the likelihood of severe injuries from impact with the road or being crushed by the vehicle. Seat belts keep occupants securely in their seats, minimizing the risk of ejection and secondary collisions within the car.
Furthermore, unrestrained occupants become a danger to others in the vehicle during a crash. In a collision, unsecured objects and people can be thrown around with tremendous force, causing serious injuries to everyone inside. Seat belts play a crucial role in protecting all occupants by preventing such dangerous internal impacts.
#8. Airbags
Airbags are supplemental safety devices designed to work in conjunction with seat belts. These inflatable cushions deploy rapidly in the event of a significant collision to protect vehicle occupants from impacting the interior of the car or external objects.
Sensors throughout the vehicle detect the severity of a crash. If the impact exceeds a certain threshold, the airbag system is triggered. Inflators rapidly fill the airbags with gas in milliseconds, creating a cushioning barrier between the occupant and the steering wheel, dashboard, or windshield.
Airbags are designed for single-use deployment and must be replaced after activation. It’s crucial to have airbags replaced by qualified technicians using original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts to ensure proper functionality. Counterfeit airbags can malfunction, failing to deploy correctly or even deploying with dangerous metal fragments.
#9. Rearview Mirrors: Interior and Exterior
Rearview mirrors are essential for driver awareness, providing visibility of the road and surroundings behind the vehicle. Regulations typically mandate multiple rearview mirrors for passenger cars, including an interior rearview mirror and exterior mirrors on both the driver and passenger sides.
The interior rearview mirror is mounted centrally, usually on the windshield or dashboard. It’s a flat, unit magnification mirror, meaning objects appear at their actual size and distance.
Exterior rearview mirrors provide wider views of the sides and rear of the vehicle, helping drivers monitor blind spots and safely change lanes or maneuver. These mirrors are often convex to provide a wider field of view, although this can slightly distort distances.
#10. Parking Brake (Emergency Brake)
The parking brake, also known as the emergency brake, is an independent braking system designed to hold the vehicle stationary when parked. It operates separately from the primary hydraulic braking system used for regular stopping.
While primarily for parking, the parking brake can also serve as a backup braking system in case of primary brake failure. In an emergency braking situation, gradually applying the parking brake can help slow the vehicle down.
It’s recommended to engage the parking brake every time you park, regardless of the terrain or transmission type. This ensures the vehicle remains securely in place, preventing unintended rolling.
#11. Turn Signal Lever
The turn signal lever, or indicator stalk, is located on the steering column and is used to activate the turn signals (indicators). This car inside part is crucial for communicating intended turns or lane changes to other road users.
Moving the lever up or down activates the right or left turn signals, respectively. Turn signals are vital for safe driving, ensuring clear communication of driver intentions and preventing accidents.
#12. Center Console
The center console is the storage and control area located between the driver and front passenger seats. It’s a common feature in most modern cars, positioned behind the gear shifter/selector. Center consoles are typically not found in vehicles with front bench seats.
The center console often integrates various features beyond storage, including:
- Storage compartments for small items.
- Cup holders.
- Auxiliary power outlets or cigarette lighters.
- Audio system controls.
- Climate control (heating and air conditioning) controls.
- Infotainment system display screens.
The center console area often corresponds to the transmission tunnel beneath the car, but the term can also encompass the central portion of the dashboard in some vehicle designs.
#13. Glove Compartment (Glove Box)
The glove compartment, or glove box, is an enclosed storage space typically located in the dashboard on the passenger side, above the footwell. Despite its name, it’s used for general storage of vehicle-related documents and small items.
Common items stored in the glove compartment include:
- Owner’s manuals.
- Vehicle registration and insurance documents.
- Maps.
- Flashlight.
- Napkins or tissues.
- Tire pressure gauge.
#14. Power Window and Door Lock Controls
Power windows and door locks are electronically operated systems that allow for convenient control of the vehicle’s windows and doors.
Power window controls, usually buttons or switches located on the door panels or center console, enable raising and lowering the windows at the touch of a button, replacing manual crank handles.
Power door locks allow the driver or front passenger to simultaneously lock or unlock all vehicle doors using a single button or switch, enhancing security and convenience.
#15. Interior Door Handles
Interior door handles are located on the inside door panels and are used to open the car doors from the inside. Pulling the interior door handle disengages the door latch, allowing the door to be pushed open.
Modern interior door handles are often made of plastic for lightweight and cost-effectiveness. The mechanisms connecting both interior and exterior door handles to the door latch are located within the door structure, behind the door panel.
#16. Audio System (Car Stereo)
The car audio system, or car stereo, is the vehicle’s sound system. It comprises components like speakers, amplifiers, and a source unit (head unit) to play music and other audio entertainment within the car.
Modern car audio systems can range from basic AM/FM radios to sophisticated infotainment systems with features like Bluetooth connectivity, smartphone integration, and high-fidelity sound reproduction.
#17. Central Control Screen (Infotainment System)
The central control screen, also known as the infotainment system or multimedia display, is a prominent feature in contemporary car interiors. It acts as a central hub for information and entertainment functions.
Infotainment systems integrate a wide array of features, including:
- Audio and video playback.
- Navigation systems.
- Smartphone integration (Apple CarPlay, Android Auto).
- Vehicle settings and controls.
- Backup camera display.
These systems often feature touchscreens, voice control, and physical buttons for user interaction. They represent a significant advancement in car inside parts, providing a centralized and integrated interface for various vehicle functions.
#18. Sun Visors
Sun visors are located above the windshield, on the interior roof of the car. These hinged flaps can be adjusted and flipped down to block sunlight and glare, improving visibility for the driver and front passenger, especially during sunrise or sunset.
#19. Car Seats
Car seats are designed for support, comfort, and safety. They typically consist of a robust frame made of metal or high-strength materials, and padding for cushioning and shock absorption.
Many car seats offer adjustability features, including:
- Seat height adjustment.
- Seatback angle adjustment.
- Lumbar support adjustment.
These adjustments allow occupants to personalize their seating position for optimal comfort. Car seats can be upholstered in various materials, including fabric, vinyl, and leather. Regular cleaning and conditioning can help maintain car seat appearance and longevity. Seat covers are a popular accessory for protecting seats and enhancing comfort and style.
#20. Floor Mats
Floor mats are essential car inside parts for maintaining interior cleanliness and protecting the vehicle’s flooring. They trap dirt, mud, and spills, preventing them from staining or damaging the carpet underneath.
Car floor mats are typically removable for easy cleaning. They may be secured with fixation points to prevent them from shifting. In some vehicles, particularly commercial or off-road vehicles with durable rubber flooring, floor mats may be less common or unnecessary.
#21. Roof and Headliner
The car roof and headliner form the upper interior structure of the vehicle cabin. The roof provides structural integrity, contributing to the car’s overall strength and rollover protection. It also shields the interior from weather elements.
The headliner is the fabric or material layer covering the interior roof. It serves multiple functions:
- Insulation against heat and cold.
- Sound absorption to reduce cabin noise.
- Concealing wiring and components located in the roof structure.
- Enhancing interior aesthetics.
Together, the roof and headliner create a functional, comfortable, and visually appealing cabin environment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are common names for car interior parts?
Common names for car inside parts include: steering wheel, dashboard, seats, floor mats, center console, glove compartment, rearview mirrors, pedals, gear shifter, and headliner. This article provides a comprehensive list of essential interior components.
What is considered an interior panel in a car?
Interior car panels are the molded or shaped components that cover the inner surfaces of the car’s doors and sometimes other interior areas. They serve to protect door mechanisms, wiring, and speakers, while also contributing to interior aesthetics and sound insulation.
What is the material on the top inside of a car called?
The material covering the ceiling of a vehicle’s interior is called the headliner. It provides insulation, sound dampening, and a finished appearance to the car’s cabin.
What is the purpose of the dashboard in a car?
The dashboard serves as the central control panel in a car’s interior, housing essential instruments, gauges, warning lights, and controls for various vehicle systems. It provides the driver with critical information and access to vehicle functions.
What materials are commonly used for car interiors?
Modern car interiors utilize a range of materials, including polymers, fabrics (nylon, polyester), vinyl, and leather. Polymers are used for lightweight seats, dashboards, and door panels. Upholstery materials vary based on vehicle trim level and desired aesthetics.
What are the different types of car interior upholstery?
Common types of car interior upholstery include:
- Nylon Upholstery: A durable and common fabric choice.
- Polyester Upholstery: Another popular fabric option.
- Vinyl Upholstery: A synthetic, leather-like material, more water-resistant and easier to clean than fabric.
- Leather Upholstery: A premium, luxurious upholstery material, offering comfort and durability.
