Understanding Car Jargon – A Simple Glossary – Sewing Machines Los Angeles

If you’re confused and frustrated by endless amounts of car jargon then this simple to use car glossary is for you! Twenty of the most commonly used car terms have been translated in basic, simple to understand, English.

Unless you’re Jeremy Clarkson, buying, researching or simply just reading about a new car can prove very frustrating and complicated. Car manufacturers love using complicated car terminology to explain the simplest of things but this often leaves most consumers bewildered and confused.

To make car buying a little simpler, I’ve put together a list of 20 of the most commonly used car jargon and translated it into basic, simple to understand, English. Even if you’re not a car fan, by the end of this article, you’ll know all the essential basics and might even look like a pro amongst your Top Gear friends.

1. Chassis – The chassis is the metal frame that holds all the major parts of the car together e.g suspension system, wheels and body.

2. Powertrain / Drivetrain – The powertrain or drivetrain refers to all the devices that generate a car’s power and deliver it to the road. This includes the engine, transmission, wheels etc.

3. Transmission – The transmission refers to the gears of a car. A car’s transmission enables the engine to provide a wide range of different speeds. Without it, you’d be limited to just one gear.

4. Wheelbase – The wheelbase is the distance between the front and rear wheels.

5. Engine Litre Size – You may have seen a car described as a 1.2 litre. This refers to the size of the engine, or, more accurately, the amount of space inside the engine for the fuel – air mix. The more space inside the engine, the more power the car produces. For example, a 1.2 engine is smaller and less powerful than a 1.4 or 1.6 engine. This measurement is also known as engine displacement.

6. Horsepower (HP) – This one is very scientific but it’s basically the measurement of an engines power. It was invented by a man called James Watt who calculated that one horse could do 30,000 foot – pounds of work in one minute. He then used this measurement to calculate the power of a steam engine. Car manufacturers have been using this measurement ever since and use it to boast about a car’s power. For example, an Aston Martin DB9 boasts 470 hp.

7. Torque – Torque is the rotational force produced by the engine. It gives an indication of an engine’s strength and flexibility. Put simply, its another way of measuring an engines power.

8. Car Handling – The handling is the way the car’s wheels perform, particularly when cornering and swerving.

9. Four Wheel Drive – This is where the engine is capable of sending power to all four wheels, inside of the usual two wheels.

10. Turbocharger – A turbocharger helps an engine produce more power by using the pressure from the exhaust to blast a more accurate fuel – air mix into the engine.

11. CO2 emissions (g/km) – The CO2 emission figure refers to the level of carbon dioxide released via the car’s exhaust. It gives an indication as to how ‘environmental friendly’ a car is and your car tax is calculated by how much CO2 your car emits. The lower the figure, the cheaper the car is to tax.

12. Start/Stop – Start/Stop technology stops the car’s engine whenever it is stationary, then starts up again when the driver needs to move off. It is designed to save fuel that is normally wasted by keeping the engine ticking over unnecessarily (e.g. at traffic lights)

13. Hybrid engine – A hybrid engine has two different power sources, usually a petrol engine linked to an electric motor. At high speeds the car uses the petrol engine, at low speeds it switches to electric. A hybrid uses less fuel, is greener for the planet and usually offers more power for your money.

14. Metallic paint – Metallic paint is a highly reflective paint with glittery qualities. The little metallic particles within the paint reflect and shimmer in the light, giving an attractive, sparkling appearance.

15. Revs per minute (RPM) – The RPM tells you how hard an engine is working in its current gear. Another term for RPM is revs. The higher the number of revs, the harder the engine is working.

16. Cruise Control – Cruise control automatically maintains the car at a certain speed. It is particularly helpful on motorways when a driver can easily keep to a constant speed.

17. TDI / FSI – TDI (Turbo Direct Injection) and FSI (Fuel Stratified Injection) are direct – injection fuel systems. FSI applies to petrol engines and TDI for diesel engines. A direct – injection fuel system offers more power, better fuel economy and lower emissions.

18. Climate Control – Climate control refers to the car’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. It’s more complex than just standard air – conditioning because it allows occupants to specify an exact temperature.

19. Sports Suspension – Sports suspension improves the handling of the car by reducing body rolling when cornering and nose diving when braking.

20. Xenon Headlights – Xenon headlamps are brighter and whiter than conventional bulbs. They last longer and use less energy.