The innovation and advent of new technology in the automotive industry have introduced various technical terminologies we might not be aware of. Even some of the commonly used car terms are often misunderstood in general. Understanding these terms can help users understand their car better and also make a better decision when buying a car.
Common Car Terminologies
Take a look at some of the car terminologies to understand the purpose and function of confusing terms.
A
ABS
Anti-lock braking system (ABS) prevents the car’s wheel from locking up during brakes. This reduces the chances of slip and helps maintain grip on the road.
A-Pillar
A-Pillar is a support structure that extends from roof to floor, connecting the windshield and the front doors of the vehicle.
Air Filters
Air filters clean the air entering the engine from contaminants including dust, dirt and debris. It is located between the air intake and engine.
All Wheel Drive (AWD)
All wheel drive allows vehicle shift power to the front and rear wheel depending on the situation. The system works automatically and doesn’t require any input from the driver.
Alternator
The alternator is basically a generator that powers the car’s electrical components and recharges the battery. It is located near the front-engine, powered by the serpentine belt.
Air Intake
The air intake allows the flow of air towards the engine for combustion. Proper air fuel mixture is key to efficient engine performance.
B
Brake Linings
Brake linings refer to the consumable friction plate that helps stop the car by increasing resistive force against the brake disc.
Brake Lines
Since most brake systems are hydraulic, brake lines are basically tubes that carry the fluid to the brake system.
Brake Assist
Brake assist, also known as emergency brake assist (EBA) is an active safety feature that helps stop the vehicle faster in case of emergency. The sensor or ECU monitors the driver’s pedal reaction to apply more braking power to bring the vehicle to halt.
BHP
Brake horsepower (BHP) is a measurement of engine power. Like horsepower (hp), brake horsepower takes the power output of the whole engine into consideration including the frictional losses. This is the reason that engine bhp is less than hp. For instance: 1 hp = 0.986 bhp.
B-Pillar
The B-pillar is the central pillar extending from roof to floor. The rear door is hinged to the pillar while the front closes on it. The pillar is integral in increasing the structural support of the vehicle.
C
Chassis
The chassis is the supporting framework of the car. Most components including engine, transmission, differentials and suspensions are assembled over the chassis.
Climate Control
Climate control is the modern air conditioning and heating system that controls the cabin environment by automatically adjusting the fan speed and temperature as per user settings.
CVT
Continuously variable transmission (CVT) offers a better driving experience as compared to traditional automatic. Unlike a regular automatic transmission, CVT does not use gears but rather two pulleys connected to engine and wheels. As CVT can continuously change gear ratios, the vehicle usually performs at optimum efficiency with increased fuel economy.
Coolant
Coolant, also known as antifreeze, is added to the radiator or reservoir to protect the engine from overheating. As the coolant circulates, it carries and dissipates engine heat energy to keep it running at under temperatures.
Cylinder
The cylinder is the space in the engine block in which the piston travels to generate energy through the combustion of fuel and air. Cylinders are usually outfitted with removable metal liners that are more wear-resistant as compared to the engine block.
Cylinder Head
The cylinder head is fitted on the top of the engine cylinder block and houses essential components including inlet and exhaust valves. This is what makes the combustion chamber.
C-Pillar
The C-pillar is the rear support pillar of the car. For instance, in a sedan, the pillar support behind the rear door is referred to as C-pillar.
Carburettor
A carburettor is responsible for the mixture of fuel and air in the internal combustion chamber. However, its usage in automotive has phased out with the advent of fuel injectors as they offer better precision and control over air fuel ratio.
Catalytic Converter
Catalytic converter is located in the vehicle’s exhaust system, which makes use of expensive metals like platinum, rhodium and palladium, to either reduce or oxidize toxic emissions to produce less harmful gases. For instance, during the process, nitrogen dioxide is reduced to nitrogen and oxygen while carbon monoxide is oxidised to produce carbon dioxide.
Clutch
A clutch pedal is found in cars with a manual transmission, which is pressed to disengage the transmission system from the engine while changing gears. The clutch pedals are usually located on the side of the brake pedal and are absent in automatic transmission.
Curb Weight
The curb weight refers to the total weight of the vehicle excluding the weight of the passengers and cargo. It does include the weight of standard equipment and operational fluids.
Crankshaft
Crankshaft is a rotating shaft in the internal combustion engine that converts the reciprocating motion of a piston into a rotational motion. The crankshaft is installed in the engine block and connects to pistons via connecting rods.
Camshaft
The function of the camshaft is to control the valve mechanism located at the top of the cylinders. Each cylinder consists of two valves, where one acts as inlet for air fuel mixture and the other acts as the exhaust.
Cruise Control
Cruise control is a driver assistance feature that automates a vehicle’s acceleration when driving long distances. It does this through an actuator that controls the throttle.
D
D-Pillar
The D pillar is the back roof support of the car with the rear window, located after the C pillar. Unlike your usual sedans, D-pillar is found in larger vehicle types like station wagons.
Dampers
Damper is a term associated with shock absorbers. A damper is made of a piston sealed in a cylinder with fluid oil. The motion of the vehicle is dampened as the damper controls the oscillations of the piston.
Decal
Decals are specially prepared graphics stickers that can attach to the metal surface of a car for decorative purposes. Decals are normally made from vinyl, a synthetic polymer to withstand outdoor environments.
Depreciation
The depreciation rate is the drop in the value of a newly purchased car over the period of time. A new car can lose up to 30% of value by the end of the first year. The rate depreciation varies for each car depending on the brand or model popularity, total mileage and service history.
Dynamic Stability Control
Dynamic stability control (DSC) is an advanced traction control feature that functions by individually monitoring vehicle wheel speed through multiple sensors.
Drivetrain
The function of the drivetrain is to transfer power from engine to the wheels through the transmission. The drivetrain is made of multiple components including differential, transmission, driveshaft, axles and wheels.
Drive Belt
Also known as a serpentine belt, the drive belt is an integral part of the engine that powers various control components including power steering, alternator, water pump and air conditioning.
Detonation
Detonation or knocking occurs in the engine when the fuel pre-ignites in the combustion chamber. This might happen due to lack of fuel, excessive heat or improper ignition timings. Detonation can damage the engine components including connecting rod, pistons, cylinder head and valves.
E
EV
EV is the acronym for electric cars, which have gained considerable popularity as zero-emission cars. Such vehicles use electric motors with rechargeable batteries to drive the car. Tesla cars are a popular example for technological innovation when it comes to electric cars and self-driving capabilities.
Engine Displacement
Engine Displacement (cc) is often associated with the size of the engine. Technically, it refers to the amount of air & fuel processed by the cylinder in one cycle. Bigger engines mean higher engine displacement. This is why sometimes engine displacement is used to estimate the power of the engine.
Exhaust Manifold
The exhaust manifold is a part of the vehicle exhaust system, which collects the released gases from the internal combustion engine and forwards them to the catalytic converter.
F
Fog Lights
Unlike standard headlights, fog lights are designed to emit a bar-shaped beam. The fog lights are usually aimed low and use selective yellow for improved vision during foggy scenarios.
Four Wheel Drive (4WD)
Four-wheel drive is popularly advertised for off-road vehicles due to the flexible drivetrain. Since the transfer case is linked to the upper and lower differential, all four wheels receive the same amount of power. 4WD vehicles often come with a separate shift stick or knobs to activate various traction modes depending on the road.
Fuel Economy
Fuel economy means how fuel-efficient the vehicle is. It is usually measured in km per litre (km/l) or miles per gallon (mpg).
Fuel Filter
The fuel filter is located in between the fuel tank and the engine, fitted into the fuel lines. Like most filters, it prevents small contaminants like dust, particulates and debris from entering the engine.
Fuel Injection
The primary purpose of fuel injection is to deliver the fuel into the engine for combustion. The injection electronically controls the amount of fuel and timing to achieve optimum air fuel ratio for best performance.
G
Gross Vehicle Weight
The gross vehicle weight is the curb weight in addition to the weight of passenger, luggage and cargo. The weight limit comes in handy when purchasing load-carrying vehicles like trucks or prime movers.
Ground Clearance
Ground clearance refers to the distance between the lower vehicle body and the road. The manufacturer often specifies ground clearance in an unladen state that is without cargo or passenger load. Off-roaders prefer vehicles with better ground clearance to traverse tough terrain easily.
H
Handling
Handling refers to the responsiveness of the car to turns. A car with better handling means it is unlikely to lose control during cornering at high speed. Various factors contribute to the handling of the car including suspensions, tyres and vehicle traction.
Horsepower
Horsepower (hp) is generally used to define the power of a vehicle’s engine. Hence, more horsepower means a faster car. Most vehicle specs by the manufacturers include a combination of horsepower and torque to advertise engine power and acceleration.
HUD
Head-up display (HUD) is usually an optional feature in modern vehicles that displays travel information on a transparent screen. Some HUD projects the info directly on the windscreen. This helps drivers to keep track of essential information like speed and navigation without losing sight of the road.
I
Ignition System
The ignition system in vehicles is responsible for generating the electric spark to ignite the air fuel mixture in the internal combustion engine.
K
Keyless Entry
Keyless entry or remote keyless entry allows the user to unlock or lock vehicle doors without physically using the key. The system works by sending an encrypted radio frequency signal to the vehicle to operate car locks. Modern keyless entry systems are designed to operate locks when the user is within five feet of the vehicle. Hence, removing the need to press the remote buttons.
L
Lane Departure Warning
Lane departure warning is an active safety feature in vehicles that alerts the driver when your car drifts out of lane. The system makes use of cameras and sensors to monitor the road lanes. Cars with driver-assist features use lane departure warning along with adaptive cruise control for a safer driving experience.
Leaf Spring
Leaf spring is a type of vehicle suspension system that makes use of multiple stacked pieces of steel plates arranged to form an arc. Leaf springs are commonly used in load-bearing vehicles like trucks and buses. The suspension system in the vehicle prevents damage to the axle from extreme load and helps it bear more payload.
M
Make
A car make means the brand of the vehicle and is not to be confused with the model. For instance, Nissan is the car make and Nissan Patrol is the model.
Manual Transmission
Manual transmission requires drivers to use a gear stick and clutch to shift gears in the car. It does require some practice to operate the transmission as users need to familiarize themselves with the clutch operation and right rpm range to shift the gears.
Memory Seats
Memory seats are electronically adjustable seats that can save the seat adjustments as per user desire and change with a press of a button.
N
Navigation
A navigation system in cars is the GPS system that plots the destination route for the driver. The navigation system is usually integrated with the vehicle’s infotainment system to show the map on the display screen. Users can also use mobile apps like google map and Waze for navigation. Nowadays such systems can detect traffic jams or diversions to provide the shortest possible routes.
NOS
NOS is a brand that became a popular term for nitrous oxide systems. Nitrous oxide or nitrous in cars can boost the engine power by increasing horsepower for a short duration. The temporary boost can last 10 to 15 seconds and is commonly used in drift racing sports.
O
Oversteer
Oversteer in a car means the vehicle turns more than intended by the driver. Oversteer is unsafe, as it can lead to spinning when cornering.
OEM
Original equipment manufacturers (OEM) in the world of automotive parts refers to genuine components produced by the brand manufacturer. In some cases, such parts may be designed by the manufacturer but distributed or produced by another manufacturer. Nonetheless, unlike aftermarket parts, OEM parts are vehicle specific parts designed with manufacturer specifications.
P
Parking Assist
Parking assist in cars is a driving assist feature that uses sensors and cameras to assist drivers in parking. The sensors mounted on vehicles can detect obstacles and space to allow vehicles to automatically turn the steering wheel. In modern cars, automatic parking assist can autonomously control a vehicle including acceleration and brakes to park the car without user input.
Payload
The amount of weight including passenger and cargo a vehicle can carry is referred to as the payload. Payload defines the safe load limit a vehicle bears. Exceeding payload can result in unnecessary strain on vehicle components including engine, suspension, transmission and tyres. This can lead to an increased risk of damage.
Power Steering
A normal steering system requires considerable effort to rotate whereas a power steering reduces the amount of effort required to turn the wheel. This is either achieved through hydraulic or electrical assistance.
R
Radiator
A radiator is responsible for keeping the car from overheating by circulating the coolant across the engine. When the coolant enters the engine, it absorbs the heat. It is then directed towards the radiator to lose the heat and repeat the cycle. The heat is dissipated with the help of metal fins in the radiator with the help of outside airflow.
Regenerative Braking
Regenerative braking is commonly found in hybrid or electric cars, equipped with electric motors. The system stores the energy generated during deceleration in a battery, which can be used to power the electric motors. This is why regular hybrid vehicles don’t require plugged in charging as regenerative braking charges the battery. Since electric vehicles depend completely on their electric motors, regenerative braking can help increase battery life.
Roadside Assistance
Roadside assistance is often covered as part of a warranty that assists the user in case of vehicle breakdown. The feature will connect you to a professional to analyse the failure. For minor problems like a dead battery or a flat tyre, a professional will be sent to take care of the problem. In case the vehicle cannot be repaired on spot, a towing service will be arranged for the nearest workshop.
RPM
RPM stands for revolution per minute. In a vehicle, it refers to the number of revolutions the engine crankshaft makes in a minute. When you accelerate a car, the engine RPM increases along with the power.
Rear Wheel Drive (RWD)
Cars with Rear wheel drivetrain deliver the power from the engine through the rear wheels. Hence, the front wheels are generally free to move as they don’t receive any power. The drivetrain configuration results in better performance and is often found in high-end cars. However, it does make the car lose some traction, resulting in poor grip during rainy or snowy weather.
S
Seatbelt Pretensioners
A seatbelt pretensioner is an added safety feature that retracts the seatbelt in case of an accident or frontal collision. Once deployed, the pretensioners either must be replaced like airbags or reset with essential components as it uses a gas charge system to timely activate during a collision.
Side Curtain Airbags
Just like your regular frontal airbags, side curtain airbags are deployed from the side to protect against side collision. They are usually installed above the vehicle doors and cover the sides of the driver and passenger to protect against rollovers or side impact.
Skid Plate
Skid plate is mounted below the vehicle to prevent damage to the essential engine components from road contact or bumps. The protective barrier comes in handy in off-roading vehicles, which are driven on tough uneven terrains.
Spoiler
Spoilers in cars are usually mounted at the rear to improve the aerodynamics of the car. The purpose is to reduce lift and improve vehicle performance. Since such differences are usually noticeable at high speed, it is commonly found in sports cars.
Supercharger
A supercharger pumps air to the engine for improved performance. It is driven by the crankshaft of the engine connected through a belt to compress air.
Sump
Sump is the oil pan, located at the bottom of the engine to hold the oil for circulation. The oil is extracted through an oil pump which goes through an oil filter to circulate across the engine and cycles back to the sump. During an oil change, the drain plug in the sump allows easy drainage of oil.
T
Tail Lights
Taillights are the rear lights of the car. The tail light switches on along with the headlights to improve the visibility from the rear. Additionally, tail lights are also equipped with brake and reverse lights to prompt and alert with visual signals.
Throttle System
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