Car engines are designed around sealed, flexible metal cylinders. Most modern vehicles have between 4 and 8 cylinders, but some can have up to 16! The cylinders open and close at the correct time to introduce fuel combined with a spark from internal combustion and to release the exhaust gases produced. Although there are multiple components on the engine, we have compiled a list of the most important basic parts of a car and their functions to power your vehicle.
 
Engine block
This is the heart of the vehicle engine. Usually made of aluminum or iron, it has several holes to house the cylinders and provide a flow path for water and oil to cool and lubricate the engine. The oil path is narrower than the water path. The engine block also contains the pistons, crankshaft, camshaft, and 4 to 12 cylinders - in a straight line, also known as inline, flat, or V-shaped, depending on the vehicle.
 
Pistons
Pistons are cylindrical devices with a flat surface on top. The function of the piston is to transfer the energy produced by combustion to the crankshaft in order to propel the vehicle. For every revolution of the crankshaft, the piston moves up and down in the cylinder twice. A piston on an engine rotating at 1250 RPM will move up and down 2500 times per minute. Inside the piston of the vehicle engine, piston rings are placed to help create compression and reduce friction caused by the constant friction of the cylinder.