In this article, you will learn what are different types of car interior parts? And their functions? All explained with pictures. Also, download the PDF file of the article at the end of it.
Car Interior
A car is a four-wheeled motor vehicle used for travel or transportation purposes. In other words, we can also say that the car mainly runs on roads, which seats one to eight people, has four wheels, and mainly transports people rather than goods.
In 1886, the first car Benz patent – the Motorwagen was invented by a German inventor Karl Benz. Cars have their own controls for driving, parking, passenger comfort, and different types of lighting.
Over the years, additional features and controls have been installed in vehicles, making them more complex, but also safer and easier to operate.
These include rear-reversing cameras, air conditioning, navigation systems, and in-car entertainment, ventilation controls, mirrors, and more that we’ll cover in this article. So let’s know about the parts of the car interior one by one.
Types of Car Interior Parts
Following are the main parts of the car interior:
- Steering wheel
- Speedometer or fuel gauge
- Turn signal indicator
- Air ventilation
- Side mirror
- Rear view mirror
- Vehicle audio
- Emergency flashers
- Glove or storage compartment
- Air bags
- Clutch pedal
- Brake pedal
- Gas pedal
- Power window or door lock controls
- Transmission or stick shift
- Ventilation controls
- Cup or beverage holder
- Emergency brake handle
- Floor carpet
- Seat and seat belt
#1 Steering Wheel
A steering wheel is a type of steering control in cars or automobile vehicles. It is also known as the driving wheel or handwheel. It is the part of the steering system that is controlled by the driver. The rest of the steering system reacts to driver inputs.
This can be through direct mechanical contact such as rewiring ball or rack and pinion steering gear, hydraulic power steering, or in some modern cars with the aid of computer-controlled motors, known as electric power. It also has a horn device that produces audible sounds to get the attention of nearby vehicles and pedestrians.
#2 Speedometer and Fuel Gauge
A speedometer is a device that measures and displays the speed of a car. A fuel gauge is a device used to indicate the amount of fuel in a fuel tank. They are perfectly suitable for motor vehicles, they began to be available as standard equipment at the beginning of the 20th century.
Speedometers have special names for other vehicles and use some other means of speed sensing. This is known as the Pit log in boats and in aircraft, it is called the airspeed indicator.
#3 Turn Signal Indicator
The car is equipped with turn signal lights at all four corners. Inside a car, these signs usually appear as green arrows in the direction of the expected turn.
In some vehicles, the turn signal lever is found on the left side of the steering wheel. It works as if moving the lever up indicates a right turn and moving it down indicates a left turn.
#4 Air Ventilation
Nowadays most vehicles are equipped with air ventilation. It is also known as the air conditioner. Usually, it is available in two methods.
In the air recirculation method, the air conditioning system re-circulates the air inside the car for cooling purposes. In the Fresh air method, it brings outside air into the car by opening an air duct at the front of the vehicle. Both these modes have their benefits and drawbacks.
#5 Side Mirror
A side mirror is a mirror mounted on the exterior of vehicles, designed to help the driver see areas outside of peripheral vision, the rear of the vehicle, and the sides of the vehicle. It is also known as a wing mirror.
Side mirrors are used for manual or remote vertical and horizontal adjustments to afford enough coverage to operators of varying heights and seating positions.
#6 Rear View Mirror
It is a type of car interior part, designed to allow the driver to look behind from the rear window of the vehicle. The rear-view mirror is enhanced by one or more side-view mirrors, which serve as separate rear-view mirrors on trucks, motorcycles, and bicycles.
#7 Vehicle Audio
Vehicle audio is also an essential part of a car interior that serves in-car entertainment and information for vehicle passengers. In the early 1950s, it contained a simple AM radio.
As technology progressed, it came with FM radio, 8-track tape players, cassette players, record players, CD players, DVD players, Blu-ray players, navigation systems, and smartphone controllers such as CarPlay and Android Auto.
#8 Emergency Flashers
Emergency flashers are visible warning lights mounted on a vehicle. They are activated when a driver pushes the hazard light button or switch.
These lights alert other drivers to an emergency in which you may be in or that your car is parked on the side of the road. All turn signal lights switch on when you start your emergency flasher.
#9 Glove or Storage Compartment
It is a storage compartment built into the dashboard of a car, which is used for miscellaneous storage. It is located above the footwell of the front seat passenger.
The glove compartment is also known as a glove box. The name originated from the purpose of the compartment to store driving gloves. They are rarely in a box on the floorboard near the driver.
#10 Air Bags
An airbag is a part of the car interior that uses a bag designed to expand very quickly, then quickly empty during a crash. It includes airbag cushions, a flexible cloth bag, an inflation module, and an impact sensor.
The purpose of using airbags is to provide soft cushioning and control to the person sitting in the vehicle during an accident. It reduces injuries between the flailing occupant and the interior of the vehicle.
Read Also: How a Manual Transmission works? Its Types and Parts
#11 Clutch Pedal
If you’ve ever driven a car, then you’re familiar with clutches. The clutch pedal is only found in manual transmission-type cars. It is found on the floor to the left side of the brake pedal.
When it is pressed by the driver, it closes the clutch which ends the transmission of power from the engine to the transmission. And when it is released, it simply applies power through the transmission.
#12 Brake Pedal
In modern cars, the braking system is controlled by a pedal located on the floor to the left of the accelerator pedal.
When it is pressed by the driver, it applies the brakes, causing the vehicle to slow down and/or stop. You must use your right foot to apply force on the pedal to apply the brakes.
#13 Gas Pedal
The accelerator pedal is also known as the gas pedal. It is found on the floor on the right side. It controls the amount of gas being pumped into the engine and thus controls the speed of the vehicle. Slowly push the gas pedal while your car is accelerating.
#14 Power Window or Door Lock Controls
Car windows that can be opened or closed with the help of buttons are called power windows. Power windows were first introduced in 1941 with Ford Motors.
These power windows are first used in Lincoln Custom and Packard Custom Super 180 cars. The power window has replaced the traditional manual handle.
#15 Transmission or Stick Shift
Vehicles with a manual or standard transmission are usually referred to as a stick shift. The driver uses a stick shift to manually shift gears as they accelerate and slow down their vehicle. It is located on the center console of the car. The shift lever is joined to the transmission by a linkage.
#16 Ventilation Controls
The heating or cooling mood in the car is controlled by the driver’s control panel. Ventilation blower either sends cold air from A/C or warm air is taken from engine cooling medium to car cabin through ventilation openings presented at the appropriate locations.
#17 Beverage or Cup Holder
A cup or beverage holder is a device used as a car restaurant table or car drink holder while traveling. They can be made into automobiles or chairs or mounted on the walls of airplanes, boats, buses, and trains.
These are sustainable, strong materials and easy to use. It can be used to hold drinks, food, and any small things you want to keep.
#18 Emergency or Parking Brake
The emergency brake or handbrake acts like a handheld lever for immediate braking and is located on the center console of the car.
It consists of a cable attached to the two-wheel brake, which is then connected to a pulling mechanism. The parking brake is used to prevent the car from rolling forward or backward while it is parked.
#19 Floor Carpet
Dirt from our shoes can also spread inside the car, creating an unhygienic environment that really smells. By using floor carpet, the collection of dust and water in the interior can be prevented.
#20 Seat and Seat Belt
A car interior system has a driver seat and passenger seat with a seat belt. The person who drives the car sits in the driver’s seat. The passenger seat is located on the side of the driver’s seat where the passenger car sits.
A seat belt is a vehicle safety device that helps keep you safe and secure inside your vehicle during an accident or a sudden stop of the vehicle.
Wrapping It Up
So now, I hope you have learned something new from this article. If you like this article then please share it with your friends. If you have any doubts about “Car Interior Parts”, let me know in the comments.
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All Images used under creative commons licenses
I HAVE 2000 ELDORADO CADILLAC. ON THE DRIVER SIDE BELOW THE SEAT WHERE THE POWER BUTTONS ARE HAS A BIG CRACK IN THE PLASTIC. I COULD NOT FIND THE NAME OF IT. AND WHERE CAN I GET A GOOD USE ONE ? HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU. THANK YOU
Sorry to hear about the crack in the plastic on the driver’s side of your 2000 Eldorado Cadillac. I’m not sure of the specific name of the part you’re referring to, but you might try looking for it online or contacting a local dealership or auto parts store to see if they can help you find a replacement. Good luck!
Such a nice informative post
Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome.
So interested
Thanks for reading.
What is the a pillar of acar called when it’s on the interior of the car and it’s got a fabric covering over it that’s next to your front seat side windows
Pillars are the roof support structure on either side of a vehicle’s windshield. Additional pillars are located between the front and rear doors of a typical sedan.
,so interested ❤️👍
Thanks for reading.