Scott Hinderer

A self-driving car is an independent or self-governing vehicle. Capable of safe operation under standard rules of travel without human intervention.

A water pump replacement is needed when the water pump stops circulating or is leaking coolant. The water pump is a mechanical device attached to the engine that forces liquid coolant through the hoses, passageways, and radiators to move heat in the system. In most engines, a belt connects the pump and the crankshaft, transferring rotational power. Water pump failure can lead to overheating, leading to engine failure, so when a water pump goes bad, it must be repaired or replaced.

The timing belt, or “cambelt,” synchronizes the rotation of the camshaft and the crankshaft and is an item that must be removed and replaced with a new timing belt on some cars in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications. The camshaft opens and closes the valves that let air into the combustion chamber. The crankshaft causes the pistons to move up and down. The timing belt turns the crankshaft and coordinates the firing of the pistons, which develops an engine’s power.

Spark plugs are wear items in an internal combustion engine (ICE) and must be removed and replaced periodically. Spark plug replacement is necessary to keep your car firing on all cylinders — literally. Spark plugs ignite the fuel-air mixture in the combustion chamber, which creates the engine’s power. Most vehicles have one spark plug per cylinder. Failure of timely spark plug replacement can cause your car to stall, become unable to start, or its engine to misfire (knocking sound), all of which can lead to engine damage.