Engine oil dipstickThe oil should be between the two marks on its tip. To check, pull it out, wipe it, push it all the way in and pull it again.
Oil fill capEngine oil is poured in here. Unscrew it to add oil, then check the level again on the dipstick.
Coolant reservoirA see-through tank for engine coolant. The level should sit between the two marks on its side.
Brake fluid reservoirA small tank that holds the brake fluid. Check the level against the marks on it.
Power steering fluid reservoirHolds the fluid for hydraulic power steering. Cars with electric power steering do not have one.
Washer fluid reservoirHolds the fluid the washers spray on the windshield. Keep it filled.
BatteryA 12-volt battery in most cars. It powers the starter motor that starts the engine.
The other parts 10
Battery terminalsThe positive (+) and negative (-) posts. The car's cables are clamped to them.
Fuse boxHolds fuses that protect the car's electrical circuits. The lid shows which circuit each fuse is for.
EngineThe engine sits in the middle. The oil fill cap is on top of it and the dipstick goes down into it.
Drive beltA rubber belt the engine turns. It drives parts such as the generator and the power steering pump.
Air cleaner (air filter)Cleans the air going into the engine. A box with a filter inside.
RadiatorHot coolant from the engine flows through it. The coolant is cooled by the air passing between its fins.
Radiator capIt seals the cooling system. Leave it closed while the engine is hot.
Cooling fanIt pulls air through the radiator. An electric fan can start even when the engine is off.
Hood latchIt locks onto the hood when it closes. After pulling the release inside the car, you lift a second catch under the hood's front edge.
Hood support rod (prop rod)It holds the hood open. Its end fits a slot in the hood; clip it back in place before closing the hood.
How this list was compiled: Read 2026-09-30; a name is kept only where at least two independent sources use it. Three makers' owner's manuals, for naming only, full text on archive.org: (1) a 2007 Chevrolet Optra owner manual, Engine Compartment Overview and section 5, https://archive.org/details/manualzz-id-1276297 (engine air cleaner/filter, engine oil fill cap, engine oil dipstick, brake fluid reservoir, power steering fluid reservoir, engine compartment fuse block, windshield washer fluid reservoir, battery and its terminals, radiator, electric cooling fan, engine drive belt, hood latch, hood prop); (2) a 1998 Toyota Camry owner's manual, Engine compartment overview, https://archive.org/details/toyota-camry-1998-owners-manual (power steering fluid reservoir, engine coolant reservoir, engine oil filler cap, engine oil level dipstick, brake fluid reservoir, fuse blocks and fuse box lid, battery, electric cooling fans, windshield washer fluid tank, radiator cap, air cleaner, drive belt, hood support rod); (3) a 2007 Honda Ridgeline owner's manual, https://archive.org/details/manuals-plus-2007-honda-ridgeline-owners-manual-2362b88b (engine coolant reservoir, radiator cap, engine oil fill cap, dipstick, under-hood fuse box, support rod, hood latch). (4) Virginia Administrative Code 19VAC30-70-260, Hood latch system; batteries, https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title19/agency30/chapter70/section260/ . (5) Wikipedia, text only: Automotive battery, Radiator (engine cooling), Air filter, Dipstick, Hood (car), Power steering. Licence: own work
The drawing: Drawn for this site on 2026-09-30 from plain geometry; no maker's car, nothing traced. Licence: own work
How it works
What you see when you lift the hood: the engine, the battery, the radiator and the tanks a driver checks. Where each part sits differs from car to car; the owner's manual shows yours.
Read the full guide
What a driver checks
Most of what you touch here is a cap or a tank. Pull the oil dipstick, wipe it, push it all the way back and pull it again: the oil should sit between the two marks. The coolant and brake fluid tanks have level marks on the side. Keep the washer fluid tank filled.
Before you close the hood
Put every cap and the dipstick back, clip the support rod into its holder, then lower the hood and check that it has latched.
Leave the radiator cap closed while the engine is hot.
An electric cooling fan can start with the engine off, so keep hands and clothes away from it.
Questions and answers
What are the parts under the hood of a car?
The engine with its oil fill cap and dipstick, the battery, the fuse box, the air cleaner, the radiator with its cap and cooling fan, the drive belt, and tanks for coolant, brake fluid, washer fluid and power steering fluid.
What fluids can I check under the hood?
Engine oil on the dipstick, and coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid and washer fluid in their tanks. The owner's manual shows where each one is on your car and which fluid to use.
Why can't I find the power steering fluid reservoir?
A car with electric power steering has no fluid and no reservoir: an electric motor helps turn the wheels in place of a hydraulic system.
How do I open the hood of a car?
Pull the hood release inside the car. At the front, reach under the hood's edge, lift the second catch and raise the hood. If it has a support rod, fit the rod's end into the slot in the hood.