Fact of the day · History
The first car: 1886
Karl Benz patented his three-wheeled Motorwagen on 29 January 1886. It had less than one horsepower and a top speed of about 16 km/h.
Also available in PL · DE · UA · RU
Look under the hood
Curious how a car really works? Explore every part through clear diagrams, cutaways and simple, jargon-free explanations.
The car with no secrets
See a car in cross-section — from engine to suspension
- 1 Engine
- 2 Transmission
- 3 Airbags
- 4 Cabin
- 5 Fuel tank
- 6 Suspension & brakes
- 7 Exhaust system
The full diagram is available for ICE, hybrid, and electric cars
See all parts in cutawayCatalog sections
Pick a section to explore the car's construction in detail
Start here
Powertrain
Engine: construction and types
Engine types and how they are built: cylinders, pistons, valves, plus the fuel, cooling and lubrication systems.
Open sectionElectric motor
What moves hybrids and electric cars: motor types, the stator and rotor, and how a motor also recharges the battery.
Open sectionFuel & exhaust systems
How fuel travels from the tank to the injectors, and how the exhaust is cleaned and silenced on its way out: the pump, filter, catalytic converter, particulate filter, AdBlue and muffler.
Open sectionCooling & thermal management
How engines, batteries and motors stay at the right temperature: the radiator loop, thermostat, pumps and fans — and the chiller that cools an EV's battery.
Open sectionTransmission: construction and types
Manual, automatic, dual-clutch gearboxes, CVT, and the EV reduction gear.
Open sectionElectrical
Electrical system & charging
The 12V battery, alternator and starter, plus the high-voltage pack, inverter and everything behind plugging an EV in.
Open sectionLighting & fuses
All bulb types, headlight diagrams and complete fuse information.
Open sectionElectronics & networks
The car's brain and nerves: control units, data networks like CAN, fault codes, software updates and protection from hackers.
Open sectionChassis & steering
Suspension: types and construction
Suspension parts: shock absorbers, springs, control arms and stabilizers.
Open sectionSteering system
How the wheel turns the road wheels: rack-and-pinion, power assist, tie rods and steering knuckle.
Open sectionBrake system: construction and types
Disc and drum brakes, hydraulics, ABS and supporting systems.
Open sectionTires & wheels
Tire types and tread, wheel rims, and how grip changes with road surface and weather.
Open sectionBody & structure
What a car is built on: the shell or frame, pillars, floor, doors and hood, the steels and aluminium they are made from, and how it is all joined and protected from rust.
Open sectionSafety & cabin
Safety & driver assistance
Airbags, belts and crumple zones, ABS and ESP, and the radar and cameras behind modern driver aids.
Open sectionInterior layout
Dashboard, seats, controls and comfort features.
Open sectionClimate & HVAC
How the cabin gets cooled, heated and dried out: the refrigerant loop, the blower and vents, and why EVs increasingly use a heat pump.
Open sectionNot sure what a part is called?
Search the Glossary: hundreds of car parts named in all five languages of the site — handy at a garage or parts shop abroad.
Open the Glossary →
CarCurious on your phone
The same guide as an Android app — free, no ads, no account.
- Fact of the day as a widget on your home screen
- Listen to part names in all five languages
- Works without internet: everything is inside the app
About this project
A free, illustrated guide to how cars work — no ads, no trackers, no sign-up. Written in plain language for people who are curious rather than trained.