Pictures and more in the blog post: motorandwheels.com/car-gearbox-explained/Connect with Peter Jones.📘 Peter Jones' book on car parts for beginners.Check our website: MotorAndWheels.com.

Pictures and more in the blog post: motorandwheels.com/car-fuses-explainedConnect with Peter Jones.📘 Peter Jones' book on car parts for beginners.Check our website: MotorAndWheels.com.

Pictures and more in the blog post: https://motorandwheels.com/fuel-pump-explained/Connect with Peter Jones.📘 Peter Jones' book on car parts for beginners.Check our website: MotorAndWheels.com.

Pictures and more in the blog post: motorandwheels.com/car-brakes-explainedConnect with Peter Jones.📘 Peter Jones' book on car parts for beginners.Check our website: MotorAndWheels.com.

Pictures and more in the blog post: motorandwheels.com/catalytic-converter-explainedConnect with Peter Jones.📘 Peter Jones' book on car parts for beginners.Check our website: MotorAndWheels.com.

Pictures and more in the blog post: motorandwheels.com/car-alternator-explained Connect with Peter Jones.📘 Peter Jones' book on car parts for beginners.Check our website: MotorAndWheels.com.

Pictures and more in the blog post: motorandwheels.com/car-batteries-explainedConnect with Peter Jones.📘 Peter Jones' book on car parts for beginners.Transcript:I’m Peter Jones, and today we are diving into the world of car batteries, understanding their role, lifespan, and the costs associated with them.The car battery is an essential part of any car. It stores energy like any other battery you find around your household, and the battery power is used to start the engine, the ignition system, and the basic electronic systems in your vehicle. When you turn the key (or press start), the battery supplies the energy to start the engine. Once the engine is running, the alternator takes over to power the electrical components and recharge the battery when necessary. We’ll get back to what the alternator is and what it does in a later episode.A car battery is a rectangular box with two terminals on the top or the side, connecting your vehicle's electrical system.Batteries come in different varieties, such as wet cell, dry cell, and deep cycle batteries, with wet cell batteries being the most common type found in vehicles. Typically, a car battery measures around 12 inches in length, 6.5 inches in width, and about 9 inches in height, though sizes can vary.Now, let's discuss where you can locate your car's battery. Usually, it is found under the hood, either on the left or right side towards the front of the car. However, it can sometimes be situated in different locations under the seat or in the trunk to save space or balance the car's weight. If you have trouble finding the battery, just check your owner's manual for guidance. Remember to take precautions when handling car batteries as they can be heavy and contain hazardous materials. When it comes to the life expectancy of car batteries, they last about 3-5 years on average. This duration can be influenced by several factors including the climate, your driving habits, and the health of your vehicle's charging system. Therefore, it's advisable to get your battery checked regularly, especially as it nears the three-year mark, to prevent unexpected failures.Moving on to the cost aspects, new car batteries generally range from $100 to $200, though premium models can cost up to $300. You might also find used batteries at scrap yards for a much lower price, but be sure to inspect their condition before purchasing. Apart from the cost of the battery itself, remember to factor in labor costs if you're planning to get it replaced at a service center, which typically ranges from $50 to $100 for an hour of work.If your car battery fails, you might notice signs like slow starting or complete failure to start, dimming lights, and loss of power to essential components. It's not advisable to continue driving with a faulty battery, as it is crucial for powering your vehicle's electrical system.However, if you're looking to save some money, you can consider replacing the car battery yourself. It's a very straightforward process involving basic tools. Just make sure your car is off and parked on a flat surface before you begin. Disconnect the cables starting with the negative one, remove the old battery, and then install the new one. Consult your car's manual to check if there are any specific steps or resets needed post the battery replacement.If you want to learn more about the car battery, there’s a link in today's show notes to an article where I dive a bit deeper. There are also pictures to help you understand it all better. There’s also a link to an overview of all the main parts of the car so you can learCheck our website: MotorAndWheels.com.

Pictures and more in the blog post: https://motorandwheels.com/airbags-explained/Connect with Peter Jones.📘 Peter Jones' book on car parts for beginners.Transcript:First things first, what exactly is an airbag? It's a safety feature found in all newer cars designed to cushion you in the event of a crash. They inflate extremely quickly, in a fraction of a second, and then deflate upon impact to protect you. This is made possible by a quick chemical reaction initiated by an electrical circuit when the car detects a significant change in speed.These airbags are always ready to spring into action during a collision, hence referred to as passive restraints, as opposed to seat belts which you need to fasten yourself. Remember, wearing your seatbelt is still vital as it works together with airbags to maximize your protection.Now, if you're curious about what airbags look like, they are generally concealed behind panels in the car's interior such as the steering wheel, dashboard, and side doors. The airbag system consists mainly of impact sensors, an inflation module, and the airbag itself, typically made of nylon or polyester. When deployed, front airbags can be quite large, sometimes up to 60 liters in volume, whereas side airbags are comparatively smaller.Moving on, let's talk about where these airbags are situated within a vehicle. Different types of airbags have different locations. You have the driver airbag in the steering wheel and the passenger airbag in the dashboard. Then there are seat-mounted airbags, found on the sides of the seats, and roof rail airbags, installed in the roof rails of the vehicle. Handling airbags should be left to professionals since they can be hazardous if mishandled.Now you might wonder, how to ascertain if your airbags are functioning correctly? Keeping an eye on the airbag warning light on your dashboard is a good starting point. If it stays illuminated or lights up while driving, it's time to consult a technician. You can also perform an airbag diagnostic test to check the system's functionality or regularly check for any recalls from your car manufacturer regarding airbag issues.A common query is about the lifespan of airbags. Good news here - they are built to last the lifetime of your vehicle, so there's no periodic replacement required. However, do keep an eye on any warning lights to ensure the system is functioning correctly.Speaking of replacements, if you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to replace an airbag, the costs can vary. Generally, the prices could range between $250 to $800 for driver-side airbags and $400 to $1500 for other types. But remember, it's vital to get new airbags as opposed to used ones to adhere to state laws and prioritize safety. When it comes to replacing them, it is a task best left to the professionals, given the central role airbags play in ensuring passenger safety.If you want to learn more about airbags, there’s a link in the show notes where I dive a bit deeper. There are also pictures to help you understand it all better. Until next time, take care and drive safely!Check our website: MotorAndWheels.com.

Pictures and more in the blog post: https://motorandwheels.com/car-air-cleaner-filter/Connect with Peter Jones.📘 Peter Jones' book on car parts for beginners.TranscriptionHello, I’m Peter Jones, the founder of MotorAndWheels. Welcome to our series on car parts where complete car beginners can master the basics in 10 minutes or less.Alright, let's get started: This lesson will be all about your car’s air cleaner. We'll cover what it is, what it looks like, how often it needs to be replaced., and the costs involved.First things first, the air cleaner or air filter in your car is essentially the guardian of your engine. Its main job is to filter out dust, debris, and other unwanted particles from the air that gets into your engine. By doing this, it helps improve the efficiency and performance of your car, contributing to better fuel economy and lower emissions.Now, what exactly is an air cleaner? Well, sometimes the terms air cleaner and air filter are used interchangeably. Essentially, it includes the air filter and sometimes the casing that holds it. You can generally find it in the engine compartment of your car, housed in a box-like or cylindrical component, which might be black, gray, or silver. To find it, pop the hood and look around the center or one side of the engine compartment.Now, you might wonder if all cars have an air cleaner. In modern cars, yes, it's a vital component. However, electric cars, which don't have internal combustion engines, don't need an air cleaner for the engine, though they might have cabin filters to purify the air inside the vehicle. Some very ancient cars might not have them, but these are usually confined to museums or antique car shows.Okay, moving on to maintenance. You should inspect the air filter about every 6,000 miles or at each oil change. On average, it lasts around two years or between 20,000 to 25,000 miles, depending on how and where you drive. As for the costs, a new air cleaner can set you back anywhere from $20 to $70, depending on your vehicle type. If you're looking to save some money, you might find used ones at scrap yards for about $10 to $40. And if you're thinking of getting it replaced at a shop, labor costs could range from $25 to $100. Remember, getting quotes from various local repair shops can help you find the best deal.Now, what happens if the air cleaner isn't functioning properly? Well, it could lead to reduced fuel efficiency as the engine has to work harder. It might also cause less power output, especially during acceleration, and potentially lead to engine damage in the long run.And here's some good news – replacing an air cleaner is something you can do on your own! To do this, you first need to locate the air filter box under the hood of your car. Once you find it, turn off your vehicle and make sure the engine is cool. Open the air filter box by releasing the latches or tabs and take a look at the existing filter. If it's releasing a significant amount of debris when you shake it, it's time for a new one. Remove the old filter, insert the new one in the same orientation, and secure the box. It's as simple as that!If you want to learn more about the oil filter, there’s a link in the show notes to an article where I dive a bit deeper. There are also pictures to help you understand it all better. I hope this information helps you understand your car a little better and keeps it running smoothly. Until next time, take care and drive safely!Check our website: MotorAndWheels.com.