To help you understand what\u2019s going on with your vehicle, here\u2019s a breakdown of some common mechanic mechanic jargon explained and what they really mean in simple language. When you take your car to the mechanic, you might hear words or phrases that sound like a foreign language. Don\u2019t worry\u2014you\u2019re not alone! Mechanics often use jargon that can leave car owners confused. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When a mechanic mentions OEM parts<\/strong>, they\u2019re talking about parts made by the same company that built your car. These parts are basically identical to the ones your car came with from the factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Example<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Translation<\/strong>: They suggest using parts made by the car\u2019s manufacturer, not a third-party brand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aftermarket<\/strong> parts are made by companies other than your car\u2019s manufacturer. These parts are often cheaper than OEM parts but may vary in quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Example<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Translation<\/strong>: You\u2019re being offered a non-manufacturer part, which can be less expensive but not always the same quality as an OEM part.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A blown gasket<\/strong> usually refers to a blown head gasket<\/strong>, which seals the engine. If it fails, it can lead to overheating and leaks, and it\u2019s a serious issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Example<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Translation<\/strong>: A seal in your engine has broken, and it needs to be fixed ASAP to avoid further damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Modern cars have onboard computers that monitor different systems. When something goes wrong, the computer “throws a code,” meaning it detects a problem and generates a diagnostic trouble code.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Example<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Translation<\/strong>: Your car\u2019s computer found an issue, and this specific code points to misfiring in the engine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When mechanics talk about torque<\/strong>, they mean the amount of force used to tighten bolts and nuts. It\u2019s important to get this just right\u2014too loose or too tight can cause problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Example<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Translation<\/strong>: They\u2019re going to tighten your wheel nuts to a specific strength to make sure they\u2019re safe and secure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stalling<\/strong> is when your engine suddenly shuts off while driving or idling. This could be caused by fuel or electrical issues, or even a dirty air filter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Example<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Translation<\/strong>: Your car\u2019s engine is cutting off because it\u2019s not getting enough fuel, possibly due to a blockage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A misfire<\/strong> happens when one or more of the engine\u2019s cylinders doesn\u2019t fire properly. This can make the car run rough or lose power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Example<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Translation<\/strong>: One of your engine\u2019s cylinders isn\u2019t working right, likely due to an issue with spark plugs or fuel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tire balancing<\/strong> means adjusting the tires so they rotate evenly. If they\u2019re not balanced, you might feel vibrations while driving, and your tires could wear out faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Example<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Translation<\/strong>: Your tires need adjusting to smooth out your ride and prevent uneven wear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Camber<\/strong> refers to the angle of your wheels. If the wheels tilt too much inward or outward, your tires can wear unevenly, affecting how the car handles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Example<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Translation<\/strong>: Your wheels are tilted at the wrong angle, causing uneven tire wear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When your car is idling<\/strong>, the engine is running but the car isn\u2019t moving. If it idles roughly, it could point to engine issues, like dirty fuel injectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Example<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Translation<\/strong>: Your car isn\u2019t running smoothly when it\u2019s stopped, and they suspect it\u2019s a fuel issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Knocking<\/strong> is the sound your engine makes when the air-fuel mixture isn\u2019t burning correctly inside the cylinders. This noise can signal serious engine problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Example<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Translation<\/strong>: The noise indicates that something is off in your engine\u2019s combustion process, and it needs attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A blown fuse<\/strong> happens when an electrical circuit overloads. Fuses are designed to protect your car\u2019s electrical components, so when a fuse blows, something stops working.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Example<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Translation<\/strong>: A fuse needs to be replaced to restore power to the radio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your car pulls to one side or the steering feels off, it could mean your wheels are out of alignment<\/strong>. Proper alignment helps with tire wear and steering control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Example<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Translation<\/strong>: The wheels need to be adjusted so your car drives straight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A backfire<\/strong> is a loud pop from the exhaust, caused by unburned fuel igniting in the exhaust system. It can happen due to a fuel or timing issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Example<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Translation<\/strong>: There was too much fuel and not enough air, causing unburned fuel to ignite after it left the engine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rotors<\/strong> are part of the braking system that the brake pads press against to stop your car. Warped or worn rotors can cause a pulsing or shaking feeling when braking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Example<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Translation<\/strong>: The rotors need to be replaced to stop the uneven feeling when braking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mechanic jargon can sound intimidating, but once you break it down, it\u2019s much easier to understand. Knowing these terms can make your next visit to the shop feel less confusing, and you\u2019ll have a clearer idea of what\u2019s happening with your car. Next time you hear one of these phrases, you\u2019ll be in the know!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Buying a used VW.<\/a>\u00a0Buying used vauxhall<\/a>,\u00a0BMW<\/a>,\u00a0Jaguar<\/a>,\u00a0Ford<\/a>,\u00a0Volvo<\/a>,\u00a0Range rover<\/a>,\u00a0Bentley<\/a>,\u00a0Aston Martin<\/a>,\u00a0Porsche<\/a>,\u00a0Ferrari<\/a>,\u00a0Lamborghini<\/a>,\u00a0Maserati<\/a>,\u00a0Hyunda<\/a>i,\u00a0Tesla<\/a>,\u00a0Honda<\/a>,\u00a0Pagani<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" To help you understand what\u2019s going on with your vehicle, here\u2019s a breakdown of some common mechanic mechanic jargon explained<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":9716,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9715","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-driving-articles"],"yoast_head":"\n\n
2. Aftermarket<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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3. Blown Gasket<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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4. Throwing a Code<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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5. Torque<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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6. Stalling<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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7. Misfire<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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8. Tire Balancing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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9. Camber<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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10. Idle<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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11. Knocking<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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12. Blown Fuse<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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13. Alignment<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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14. Backfire<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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15. Rotors<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Wrapping It Up<\/h3>\n\n\n\n