While talking to your mechanic or having a car-related discussion with friends, you may come across terms that you have heard before but never understood the meaning.
For example, while reviewing a new car model, we often hear that the car produces X amount of horsepower and Y amount of torque. Want to know what those terms mean?
Here is a list of common car terms that you should know. If you want to boost your vehicle’s performance, you need to know how to increase horsepower and understand these fundamental concepts.
Horsepower
It is a unit of measurement that represents the vehicle’s capacity to work over time. Higher numbers mean more power and the ability to push the vehicle to faster speeds. If you want to boost your vehicle’s performance, understanding this concept is essential.
ABS
ABS stands for antilock braking system. It helps to avoid locking of wheels in case of hard braking. It is a safety feature that deters you from losing control of the vehicle.
EBD
The full form of EBD is electronic brake-force distribution. This feature decides the amount of brake force applied on the wheels depending on speed, road conditions, gross weight of the vehicle, etc., and helps stop the car immediately. Similar to ABS, EBD is also a safety feature.
Alternator
An alternator is an electric generator present in your vehicle, converting mechanical energy from the engine into electrical energy. This device generates and provides electrical supply to maintain battery charge. It also operates a vehicle’s electrical components (such as lights, infotainment system, weather control system, etc.).
Carburetor
A carburettor is a device that mixes fuel and air in the right proportions to create a combustible mixture for the vehicle’s internal combustion engine. It is an essential component for the vehicles that run on fossil fuels. Without this component, the engine will choke out, and fuel won’t ignite.
Crankshaft
A crankshaft is an internal engine component that converts vertical or horizontal movement of the pistons/conrods into a rotational force. This force is supplied to the transmission and driveline to drive the wheels. According to automotive engineering principles, this component is crucial for converting the up-and-down motion of pistons into the rotational motion needed to turn the wheels.
Dipstick
A dipstick is a measurement tool that tells you if your oil level is within the optimum range or you need to add oil. It is a long and flat metal rod with a plastic ring handle. It extends into the engine’s crankcase, where oil is stored.
Odometer
An odometer is a device on your car that records how many kilometres the vehicle has travelled throughout its life. While older cars have analogue odometers, most modern cars, especially EVs, are equipped with digital odometers. It is usually displayed behind the wheel on your car’s dashboard.
Fan Belt
As the name suggests, this component is a belt that is driven by engine pulleys to operate a fan. The purpose of the fan belt is to draw air over the radiator to keep the car engine cool. This component can be found in older cars. Modern cars no longer have them.
Power Steering
Power steering is a mechanical system installed on a vehicle that reduces the effort needed to turn the steering wheel. It uses hydraulic or electric assistance to make steering easier and quicker. It makes driving more comfortable and safer by improving manoeuvrability and reducing driver fatigue.
Radiator
A car radiator serves as a heat exchanger that helps cool down the engine by transferring heat from the engine’s coolant to the air. This component plays a crucial role in preventing the engine from overheating, which can damage the engine and other components. The radiator consists of tubes and fins through which hot coolant flows, releasing heat to the air as it passes through the fins.
Suspension
Suspension is a collection of components that connect the wheels to the frame, allowing for relative motion between them. It includes components such as springs, shock absorbers, and linkages that connect and suspend the vehicle’s cabin to the underbody driveline components.
Torque
Torque is the twisting force generated by a car’s engine. It tells you how an engine feels when you accelerate. Cars with high-torque engines tend to accelerate slower off the mark but quicker from low revs in a high gear. Higher torque means more twisting force, leading to quicker acceleration and the ability to handle heavy loads or steep inclines.
Traction Control
Traction control is a car safety feature designed to prevent wheels from spinning when accelerating, particularly on slippery surfaces. It detects and prevents wheel slip, which can occur when the tyres lose grip on the road. It can spot if any of the wheels are losing their grip and automatically correct the problem to ensure the car’s stability.
Conclusion
Whether you are planning to buy a car or just want to increase your knowledge, these terms can be useful while dealing with car-related information. Knowledge of these terms will help you understand your car better, get a clear idea of your mechanic’s suggestions, and flaunt your knowledge amongst your friends while discussing cars.
