Learning how a vehicle works can be very helpful in learning how everything fits together and makes a vehicle work properly. There are a few major components that help a vehicle run properly such as the engine, cooling system, transmission, brakes, electrical system, and exhaust. It is very important that all of these components function properly for the vehicle to run efficiently. Without one of these components the vehicle may not run at all, or it will run but be unable to stop, or it may pollute the earth more than usual. That's why it's so interesting to know how all the components of an efficient vehicle come together to ensure a smooth and quiet ride. A vehicle must have an engine of some kind to convert gasoline, diesel or some other type of fuel into motion, which will propel the vehicle forward. Gasoline engines now use internal combustion, which burns fuel inside the engine. Currently, gasoline-powered cars or trucks use a four-stroke combustion cycle to convert gasoline into motion. The four phases of the cycle are the intake stroke, the compression stroke, the combustion stroke and the exhaust stroke. This cycle is completed in the engine's cylinders, which are made up of pistons connected to the crankshaft via connecting rods. During the intake stroke the piston starts from the top, the intake valve will open letting in the right amount of air and fuel. A small drop of gasoline is enough to make the process work. The piston then moves back to compress the fuel-air mixture; this is called a compression stroke. After the compression phase comes the combustion phase. In this stroke, when the piston reaches the top, the spark plug lights... in the center of the card... w.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/repair-questions/1302716>.10 March 2014. Brain , Marshall. March 10, 2014. March 10, 2014 .—. March 10, 2014 .Karim Nice, Charles W. Bryant. March 10, 2014 .—. March 10, 2014. Nice, Karim. March 10, 2014. March 10, 2014 .—. March 10, 2014 .—. March 10, 2014 .—. March 10, 2014 .—. March 10, 2014 .Parker, Akweli. March 10 2014 .