Join us as we look at various automotive terms that may need clarification. If there is a term in this list that you feel is missing, fear not, as there are four more glossaries just like this on the AutoTrader platform which covers different segments of the automotive world. In this glossary, we look at common terms and acronyms associated with buying a car.
Related: What to look out for when test-driving a car?
A
AC: Air Conditioning.
Active Suspension: A suspension system that adjusts damping automatically according to driving conditions.
Airbag: Safety feature in a car which gets deployed when a collision occurs.
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS): A safety system that prevents the wheels from locking up during hard braking, helping the car maintain stability and control.
AT: Automatic Transmission.
AWD: All-Wheel Drive, which is where power is sent to all four wheels of the car, but can be adjusted on the fly, at any speed, to shift power where it's needed.
Axle Ratio: The ratio of the drive shaft’s rotations to the axle’s rotations when the car is moving.
B
Battery: The storage device that provides electrical energy to start the car.
Blind Spot Monitor: The technology used to detect objects present in a driver’s blind spots.
Brake Assist: Technology that enhances the brake system's performance to stop the car faster.
Brake Discs: Rotors that apply pressure on the brake pads to stop the car.
Braking Distance: The distance a car travels after applying the brakes until it comes to a complete stop.
C
Carburettor: A component of an engine that mixes fuel and air to provide combustion.
Catalytic Converter: A device that converts harmful gases into harmless ones before they leave the car's exhaust system.
Chassis: The car's skeleton and the frame that connects all the parts of a car.
Clutch: A component that disconnects the engine from the transmission system when changing gears.
Cruise Control: An electronic system that maintains a steady speed without requiring the driver to operate the accelerator pedal
Cylinder: A part of the engine where air and fuel are ignited to produce energy.
D
Differential: A gearbox that distributes power from the engine to the wheels, allowing them to rotate at different speeds.
Dipstick: A tool that helps measure the oil level in the engine.
Drag Coefficient: A measure of the aerodynamic resistance of a vehicle.
Drive-by-wire: An electronic system that controls the throttle and other components instead of manual cables and rods.
E
ECU: Engine Control Unit.
Electric Vehicle (EV): A vehicle powered solely by an electric motor and rechargeable batteries.
Electronic Stability Control: A safety feature that detects and prevents a skid.
Engine: A machine that converts fuel into mechanical energy to move the car.
Engine Displacement: The volume of space inside an engine's cylinders where the fuel and air mixture is ignited and burned.
Exhaust System: A system of pipes that removes the engine's combustion gases.
F
Fenders: The metal panels that cover the wheel arches.
Four-Wheel Drive (4WD): Four-Wheel Drive connects the front and rear wheels through a transfer case that splits power evenly.
Fuel Injection System: A system that delivers fuel to the engine through electronically controlled injectors.
Fuel Injectors: The component that sprays fuel to the engine's cylinders for combustion.
Fuel Pump: The component that pumps fuel from the tank to the engine.
FWD: Front-Wheel Drive.
G
Gearbox: The system transmits power from the engine to the wheels via the transmission system.
GVWR: Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, the maximum weight of the car, passengers, and cargo it can carry.
H
Halogen Headlights: Headlights that use halogen gas inside the bulb.
Hybrid Vehicle: A vehicle that combines an internal combustion engine with an electric motor and battery pack.
I
Idle Speed: The engine's RPM when the car is idle.
Independent Suspension: A system where each wheel moves independently for better ride comfort.
Intake Manifold: A part of the engine that directs air to the cylinders for combustion.
K
kW- A unit of power measurement in a vehicle.
km/L- A way of measuring fuel consumption by looking at how many kilometres a car can cover per litre of fuel used.
L
LED Lights: Light Emitting Diodes that consume less energy and last longer than traditional bulbs.
Locking Differential: A differential that locks both wheels, making them rotate at the same speed.
L/100km: A way of measuring fuel consumption by looking at how many litres a vehicle used per 100km.
M
Manual Transmission: A system where the driver manually shifts gears using a clutch pedal.
N
Navigation System: A device that shows directions and GPS coordinates.
Nitrogen-inflated tyres: Tyres that are inflated with nitrogen instead of air, which leads to better tyre life and fuel efficiency.
Nm: The unit measurement of how much torque an engine produces.
O
Odometer: A device that measures the distance travelled by the vehicle
Oil Filter: A filter that traps contaminants from entering the engine.
Overdrive: The top gear in certain transmission systems that provides higher speeds and better fuel efficiency.
P
Paddle Shifters: Buttons on the steering wheel are used to shift gears in automatic transmissions.
Parking Sensor: A device that detects obstacles around the car.
Pedal Box: The area of the car where the pedals (brake, accelerator, and clutch) are located.
Power Steering: A feature that helps steer the car with minimal effort.
Powertrain: The combination of the engine, transmission, and other components that generate and transmit power to the wheels.
R
Racing Suspension: A specially tuned suspension with stiffer springs and shocks for handling and cornering at high speeds
Radiator: A device that cools down the engine coolant.
Rear Wheel Drive: A drivetrain system where the rear wheels rotate the car.
Regenerative Braking: A system that converts the kinetic energy of the car during braking into electrical energy and stores it in the battery.
Rev Limiter: A safety feature that restricts the engine's RPM limit to avoid damage.
Rim: Outermost part of a wheel that holds the Tyre in place.
RWD: Rear Wheel Drive.
S
Seat Belt: A safety device that protects passengers from being ejected from the car during a collision.
Side Impact Airbags: Airbags installed in the car's doors that protect the passengers from side impacts.
Spark Plug: A component that ignites the air/fuel mixture in the engine.
Spoiler: An aerodynamic device that helps reduce drag and enhances the car's performance.
Starter Motor: A component that assists with the ignition of a vehicle engine.
SUV: Sport Utility Vehicle.
T
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS): A system that monitors the air pressure in the tyres and alerts the driver if the pressure is too low, helping to prevent accidents and improve fuel economy.
Turbocharger: A device that compresses and forces more air into the engine, increasing its power output.
