Sometimes, it becomes difficult to decode the language car enthusiasts use in a conversation or online forums. That’s because they tend to use a lot of automotive slang in their discussions. It’s almost like gearhead Klingon – an entirely different vocabulary.
If you are new to the automotive world, don’t worry, we are here to help you out with slang for a car. We have compiled a list of new and old slang for a car that can help you to understand.
Let’s begin with some basic car slang words that every person should know to be able to connect to automotive enthusiasts.
Common Slang for Car Enthusiast
Knowing common slang for cars not only makes you sound like a pro but can also help you to talk to local people at the auto parts store. Besides, here are some technical car terminologies that you might not be aware of.
Let’s dive in and learn some car slang words.
Hoon
Hoon is usually used by Australian car enthusiasts. It means driving a vehicle dangerously or recklessly. The word is taken from the post-apocalyptic muscle car movie Mad Max. The word honing is used for reckless driving and automotive shenanigans. It was popularized due to the Hoonigan brand by Ken Block.
Four-Banger/Six-Banger
It is old car slang. The term is used for the cylinders placed in an internal combustion engine. However, it is important to note here that this term only refers to four and six-cylinder. You don’t say eight-bangers, ten-bangers, or twelve-bangers. The internal combustion engine has small controlled explosions which generate power and help in moving the piston. The term ‘banger’ comes from the explosion that generates within the cylinder.
Slammed
Generally, the term means something smashed or banged. However, in the automotive world, ‘slammed’ means lowering the car solely for performance purposes or making it look different.
End Can
An end can is a common car slang that you might have heard while driving around. The term refers to an extremely loud vehicle exhaust system. The sound typically comes when changing the last silencer in the exhaust system.
Bondo
Bondo is a brand which commonly refers to any putty or filler products that you can use to remove car dents in the car’s body. However, sometimes, Bondo is a saviour, and sometimes it becomes the opposite when inexperienced people use it to fill the gaping holes. When using Bondo, it is important to pay attention to details because it can leave a poor patchwork on your car’s exterior.
Turning a Wrench
Sometimes ‘turning a wrench’ can be confusing with its literal meaning i.e. tightening or loosening a nut. However, according to the latest car for slang, ‘turning a wrench’ means being good at working on cars. So, if someone says how to turn a wrench, that means they can work on cars.
That’ll Buff Right Out
This is a common sarcastic phrase usually used in the garage when a tough project comes into the shop. If a car has some serious damage, the workers answer with satisfying sarcasm, “That’ll buff right out,” knowing they have got a lengthy project to complete.
Tuner
A ‘tuner’ is the opposite of ‘ricer’ – another slang for a car. A tuner car refers to a vehicle that has been tuned to improve its performance and handling. These cars are designed considering the requirements and demands of each owner. However, you can also add a little bit of appearance modification which can help in improving the car’s performance.
Ricer
You must have seen around a compact car with obnoxious fittings such as a huge spoiler, loud exhausts or an anaemic four-cylinder engine. These modifications are done in ricers and have nothing to do with the performance of a car. Ricers have noticeable upgrades which include but are not limited to lighting and car stickers. It is also one of the ways to make your car look expensive.
Slush box
The term slush box refers to an automatic transmission due to the fluid coupling of the torque converter.
Dab of oppo
Many car enthusiasts use this car slang to sound proficient behind the wheel. You apply some opposite lock on your steering wheel when your vehicle’s rear wheel starts sliding. Hence, you turn the steering wheel of your car in the opposite direction where you are sliding. That is when you would use a dab of oppo.
Heel-and-Toe
Heel-and-toe is a technique in which the driver hits the downshifts, brakes and then blips the throttle to rev-match to keep the car moving at high speed. Usually, car racers use this technique to match the transmission and engine speed before taking a corner.
With this, we conclude our list of some of the common slang for cars. Now the meaning of these car slang terms can help you to join almost any car enthusiast conversation. Be it just a chat with your mechanic or a conversation with your fellow gearheads, you are good to go.
You can also learn a car language to better communicate with like-minded people. If you think you know enough about cars and can understand car lingo, then it is the right time to buy a used car in the UAE.
Stay tuned to UAE’s top auto blog to learn everything a car enthusiast must know.
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