An A to Z (well, W) of Automotive Terminology
For the uninitiated, the automotive world can be a daunting one. So many technical terms… what do they all mean? While it’s impossible to teach the complexity of mechanics in just one sitting, let’s start with a glossary of car terms. So next time someone throws around some vehicular jargon, you’ll be in the driver’s seat.
A is for alternator – A device that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy and recharges the battery.
B is for brake system – The set-up of discs, callipers, pads, hoses and fluid that work to slow or stop a vehicle.
C is for chassis – The lower structure of a car — like a skeleton — to which the body panels and running gear are attached.
D is for drive train – All of the components, such as engine and transmission, which combine to deliver engine power to the road.
E is for exhaust system – The pipes, catalytic converter and muffler that direct exhaust gases from the engine to the atmosphere.
F is for fuel system – Consists of parts like a tank, pump, injectors, and intake manifold to delivers fuel to an engine’s cylinders.
G is for gasket – A thin piece of compressible material placed between two surfaces to form a tight seal.
H is for hydraulic – Any system operated by liquid under pressure. For example, brakes and clutch.
I is for ignition – A combination of parts, including a distributor and spark plugs, which provide spark to ignite the air/fuel mixture.
J is for jumper cable – Two heavy-duty leads used to connect two batteries to start a vehicle.
K is for keyless entry – Allows one to lock and unlock a vehicle’s doors via a button on a remote key-fob, rather than a conventional key.
L is for limited-slip differential – Helps prevent the driven wheels from skidding or losing traction by diverting power from the slipping wheel.
M is for manifold – The piping that channels the air/fuel mixture into an engine and ducts the exhaust gas out of it.
N is for neutral – The position of a transmission when an engine is disengaged from the drive train.
O is for odometer – The counter in the instrument cluster that indicates trip or total kilometres accumulated on the vehicle.
P is for piston – An internal engine part that thrusts up and down within a cylinder during the ignition and exhaust phase.
Q is for quarter panel – A metal panel that covers the front and rear quarters of the vehicle.
R is for radiator – Situated in front of the engine, through which hot coolant is circulated and cooled, then recirculated back to cool the engine.
S is for suspension – The components, including springs and shock absorbers, used to support the vehicle and suspend the frame, body and engine above the wheels.
T is for transmission – Takes power produced by the engine and converts it to turn the drive wheels.
U is for undercarriage – Also known as the “chassis” (see “C is for…”)
V is for valve – Used to control the flow of air/fuel mixture in and the flow of burned gasses out of the engine.
W is for water pump – Circulates coolant through the block, cylinder head and radiator to prevent the engine overheating.
