Vehicle vocabulary is an incredibly important thing to know. As car technology continues to progress, the terms and definitions used to describe them remain essential knowledge for anyone involved in buying, selling, leasing, and maintaining vehicles. Knowing these words can help keep you informed and make you a better informed car buyer.
1. ABS: Anti-Lock Braking System. ABS is a safety feature of many newer cars that uses the cars brakes to help keep the car from skidding during sudden stops.
2. Airbag: A kind of cushioning device that can be triggered in the event of a collision. It is designed to help protect the occupants of the vehicle.
3. Alignment: Alignment is the term used to describe the way the tires of a vehicle are oriented to one another. Properly aligned tires will help ensure the car drives straight and can improve handling.
4. Alternator: The part of the engine that produces electrical current to power the cars electrical systems.
5. Automatic Transmission: A type of transmission that uses hydraulic pressure to shift gears. It allows the driver to operate the car without having to use a clutch.
6. Auxiliary Input: Often referred to as an AUX input, this is an input found on a car stereo that can be used to connect an external device such as an MP3 player.
7. Battery: The power source of the cars electrical system. It converts stored chemical energy into electrical energy to run the cars lights, radio, and other electrical components.
8. Brakes: Disc brakes, drum brakes and calipers all work together to slow the rotation of the wheels and bring the vehicle to a stop.
9. Bumper: Generally made from plastic or metal, a bumper is a protective part of the vehicle that mounts to the front and rear of the car to absorb some of the impact from low speed collisions and protect other components from damage.
10. Cabin Air Filter: A filter that is responsible for cleaning and recirculating the air inside the cabin of the car. It helps remove pollen, dust, and other particles from the air.
11. Carburetor: The part of the engine that mixes fuel and air in the right proportions to create combustion.
12. Catalytic Converter: A device found in the exhaust system of most cars. Its purpose is to reduce the amount of toxic gases released into the atmosphere.
13. Clutch: The part of the car that disengages the engine from the transmission, allowing the car to shift gears or remain in neutral.
14. Cruise Control: A feature found on many cars, cruise control allows the driver to set a steady speed and then the car will maintain that speed for cruising on long trips.
15. Differential: A device that is connected to the rear axle of the car and is responsible for allowing the drive wheels to rotate at different speeds. This is necessary because the outside wheel has to travel farther than the inside wheel when cornering.
These are just a few of the many terms and definitions that are used to describe vehicle components and their various functions. As auto technology continues to improve and evolve, car vocabulary will become even more important to understand.
