Ever since vehicles were invented, there seemed to be a never-ending argument or discussion about which side is the left, right, front, and even back. While some of these are obvious, some can get confusing, especially for a beginner. In this article, we’ll explain the different sides of a car and the name they are called.
The front of an engine is the part that is closest to you when you open the hood or bonnet.
Engines aren’t typically defined by the front or back. Instead, their position in the vehicle is more important. We’ll also be discussing the front of the car in general. Continue reading to learn more about your trusty automobile.
The Front Of A Car Engine Explained
As mentioned in the answer paragraph, the front of the engine is the part that’s closest to you when you open the hood. Parts like the radiator, which is usually concealed, and the wiper fluid compartment are usually found in the front of the engine. The main engine is somewhere in the middle, while the battery is found at the side or towards the front of the engine.
The front of the car consists of the bonnet or hood, depending on where you stay, and the lower part, called the bumper or skirt. If you pop open the hood, you’ll see the engine of the car. There are also side panels that hide the suspension components of the car, and they are referred to as fenders or quarter panels.
When you reach the panel separating the engine compartment from the passenger compartment, you are no longer at the front of a car. This panel is usually referred to as the “firewall,” and it is usually insulated to reduce the amount of heat that gets into the interior from the engine bay.
Right Side Vs. Left Side
Your left side is your left, and the right side is your right. This doesn’t change regardless of wherever you are, including your car. The left and right sides of a car are usually defined in relation to the driver’s seat. So, if you are still feeling confused, get into your car and sit in the driver’s seat. You know which side is your left and which side is your right. It doesn’t change as it applies to your car the same way.
While the left or right side of a car may seem unimportant, they are not. In fact, they are very important as some auto parts are labeled as “left-hand side” or “right-hand side.” So, if you buy a part designed for the left side for the right side, it just won’t fit, and it’ll be a waste of money if you are unable to get the right replacement.
Driver Side Vs. Passenger Side
While the left side and right side of a car are universal, the driver side and passenger side are not since steering wheels can be on the right-hand side or left-hand side. In countries like the United States, where most cars have the steering wheel on the left side, the driver side will be on the left while the passenger side will be on the right.
So, if you walk into an auto store in the US and see a part labeled for the driver’s side, then you should know the part is designed for the left side. Parts for the passenger side will be for the right side.
However, in countries like Australia, where the steering wheel is on the right side, the driver’s side will be on the right while the passenger side will be on the left. So, auto parts labeled driver side in Australia will obviously be for the right side while those for passenger side will be on the left side.
While the driver and passenger sides won’t cause any confusion in your country, be careful when ordering auto parts from another country. Since the driver’s side varies among countries, you may end up buying an incompatible part if the driver’s side in your country isn’t the same as that of the other country. To prevent confusion, you may instead ask that the parts you intend to buy be simply defined as whether for the right side or left side.
Engine Placements In Car – Front, Mid, And Rear
You are probably aware that the engine of a car can have different placements, namely the front, mid, and rear engine.
Front Engine
The front placement is the most common configuration since most cars are designed as forward wheel drive (FWD). There are benefits to this design, such as reduced production cost, reduced weight, and improved fuel economy. It’s worth mentioning that the front engine also makes more room for the interior. So, it’s easy to see why about 98% of cars have front engines.
It’s easy to check the engine of forward wheel drive as all you need to do is pop up the hood, and you’ll see the engine slightly forward from the front wheels.
Mid Engine
Some cars also have a mid-engine, and in this configuration, the engine is located at the rear of the car but before the rear wheels. The most important part of this design is even weight distribution and the increased ability of the suspension to absorb bumps. This makes rides smoother and more enjoyable but the location of the engine means less legroom for the rear passenger seats. To fix this problem, cars with a mid-engine configuration usually have only two seats. Also, the design is usually preferred in exotic sports cars to make them more agile and efficient at braking and cornering.
Rear Engine
The rear engine configuration is the least common engine configuration. As the name implies, the engine of the vehicle is mounted at the rear of the car beyond the rear vehicles. Automobiles with this engine configuration also have rear-wheel drive (RWD), which, together with the engine configuration, significantly improves traction and acceleration.
Rear-engine vehicles are prone to oversteering and have their own learning curve. It’s more difficult to drive a rear-engine vehicle compared to a front or mid-engine vehicle. However, there is the benefit of increased cabin seats as rear-engine vehicles can have four seats in contrast to mid-engines, which are limited to two seats. Rear engine configuration is usually found in race cars and some sports cars.
