OTHER than knowing how to actually drive, it’s also important to be well acquainted with the parts and terms and what they do and mean, whether you’re a soon-to-be car owner or just a driver who wants a little reviewer. So to expand our vocabulary a bit, at least in some of the basics of the automotive field, here are 20 words you need to familiarize yourself with:
ABS
The Anti-lock Braking System is a safety feature that enables the driver to maintain steering control of the car even in the event of sudden braking.
Aerodynamics
This concerns how a vehicle’s body and construction affect air resistance and drag effect.
AWD
All-Wheel Drive means the vehicle has a drivetrain that is able to put all four wheels of the vehicle in motion.
Bumper
Usually made of either plastic or steel, the bumper is a reinforcement attached to the front and rear of the vehicle to absorb force in a minor collision and protect interior parts.
Chassis
This is basically the skeletal framework of the car.
Clutch
This is a device that engages and disengages power transmission, as well as switching gears.
Dashboard
This is the instrument panel in front of the steering wheel where the gauges and indicators are.
Daytime Running Lights
These are lights dotting the headlights. They are always on as long as the engine is so that other cars can you see you on the road clearly.
Drivetrain
Essentially, this is the cluster of parts that works with the engine to set the vehicle in motion. This includes the transmission, driveshaft, axles and wheels.
Euro emission standards
In an effort to help improve air quality, these were set to define and regulate the carbon emissions of vehicles. Stages start from Euro 1 to Euro 6.
Fascia
This is the front of the vehicle, which includes headlamps, the bumper and the grille.
Gearbox
In a car, this is a system of gears that enables the car to run on a different range of speeds.
Hatchback
This is a car with a hatch-type rear door that fully opens upwards for easy loading of cargo.
Hybrid
A hybrid car has both a classic gas engine and an electric engine, which is recharged through regenerative braking.
Infotainment
A portmanteau of “information” and “entertainment,” this is a feature of a car with various functions such as making hands-free calls, playing music and using GPS.
Mileage
This is to somewhat estimate the quality of the car or how much it has driven. A car with higher mileage means it has been used more than a car with low mileage.
Suspension
Car suspension is designed to maintain friction between the wheels and the road at all times, thus keeping a comfortable level of steering stability and handling.
Tachometer
This is an instrument used for measuring the speed of a rotating device, in this case, the shaft of the car driven by the engine.
Torque
This is the twisting force exerted from the engine that is then transferred to the wheels.
Wheelbase
This is the distance between the front and rear wheels.