This glossary explains terms and concepts related to cars, including their parts, how they work, how they are made, as well as car engineering, repair, and the automotive industry overall.
Automotive Terms Glossary
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
A
A-Pillar
AC Compressor
AC Drain Hose
Accelerator Pedal Linkage
Acquisition Fee
Activator
Active Pedestrian Protection System
Active Suspension
ACV (Actual Cash Value)
Adaptive Cruise Control
Adaptive Headlight
AdBlue
Adjustable Pedals
Adjustable Suspension
Aerodynamic Drag
Aftermarket Accessory
Air Conditioner Refrigerant
Air Conditioning Filter
Air Dam
Air Filter Restriction Indicator
Air Pollution Score
Air Pump Filter
Airbag
Alignment
All-Season Tires
Alternator
Antenna
Anti-Dive
Anti-Locking Brake System
Anti-Roll Bar
Anti-Theft Alarm
Anti-Theft Code
Anti-Theft Immobilizer
Antifreeze
AT-PZEV
ATTS (Active Torque Transfer System)
Automated Manual Transmission
Automatic Transmission
Awareness Aids
AWD (All-Wheel Drive)
Axle
Acura
ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems)
AEB (Autonomous Emergency Braking)
Airless injection
Alfa Romeo
Alternative fuel vehicle
Audi
Autonomous driving levels (Level 1-5)
Automotive design
B
B-Pillar
Balance Shaft
Ball Joint
Battery
Bead
Beam Axle
Blind Spot
BMW
Bolstering
Boost Pressure
Brake Bias
Brake Booster
Brake Fluid
Brake Lining
Brake Pedal
Braking Assist
Brush Guard
Bumper
Bushing
Back fire
Backup camera
Bell housing
Bentley
Blind spot monitoring
Breeches pipe
Bull bar
C
C-Pillar
Cabin Lighting
Cadillac
Camber
Camshaft
Carbon Dioxide
Carbon Fiber
Carbon Monoxide
Carburetor
Catalytic Converter Heat Shield
Catalytic Converter
Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle
Chassis
Chevrolet
Child Seat
Chrysler
City Fuel Economy
Climate Control
Climate Controlled Seats
Clutch Pedal
Clutch
Combined Fuel Economy
Combustion Chamber
Comprehensive Insurance
Console
Contact Patch
Coolant
Cord Angle
Cord
Coupe
Crash Test Ratings
Crown
Crumple Zone
CUV (Crossover Utility Vehicles)
CVT
C-V2X (Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything)
CAN bus (Controller Area Network)
CCA (Cold Cranking Amp)
Clock spring
Cold inflation pressure
Cornering (automotive)
Crossflow cylinder head
Curb weight
CVT
Dipstick (automotive)
Direct injection
Dispersant
Donut spare tire
DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)
DRL (Daytime Running Lights)
Dynamometer
D
D-Pillar
Dashboard
Department of Transportation (DOT)
Design Rim
Diesel Engine
Differential
Direct Injection System
Disc Brakes
DMV
Driveshaft
Dynamic Balance
Econometer
Economizer
ECU (Engine Control Unit)
EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation)
Engine configuration
E
Electric Vehicle
Emission Standards
Engine Oil
Ethanol
ETRTO
Exhaust Manifold
F
Flywheel
Fog Lights
Ford
Fuel Pump
Fuel Tank
Ferrari
Flathead engine
Footprint
Footwell
Friction clutch
Fuel cell
G
General Motors
GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection)
Glove compartment
Gradeability
Gross axle weight
Gross power
Gross train weight
H
Headlights
Heated Windshield
HEMI
Highway Fuel Economy
Horsepower
Hydroplaning
Hyundai
Head-up display
Heat soak
Hybrid powertrain
I
Ignition Coil
Idle port
Infiniti
Infotainment system
Inline engine
Instrument panel (automotive)
ISG (Integrated Starter Generator)
J
K
Kia
KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System)
Kingpin
Knockout axle
L
Leg Room
Limited Warranty
Lamborghini
Land Rover
Lane departure warning
Lexus
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging)
M
MAF Sensor
Mazda
M+S Tires
Marque
Maserati
MDPS (Motor Driven Power Steering)
Mercedes-Benz
MINI
Moonroof
Multivalve engine
N
Nissan
NEDC (New European Driving Cycle)
Noseweight
NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness)
O
Opposite Lock
Optional Equipment
Original Equipment
Overdrive
Overheating
OBD-II (On-Board Diagnostics)
Over-the-air (OTA) updates
P
Parking Assist
Parking Sensors
Plus Size Wheels
Polymer
PSI (Pounds per Square Inch)
Pyrometer
PDC (Park Distance Control)
PEMS (Portable Emissions Measurement System)
Plug-in hybrid
Porsche
Q
R
Rear Defroster
Rear Seat Entertainment System
Rear Spoiler
Rim Drop
Rim Flange
Regenerative braking
Rolls-Royce
S
Seating Capacity
Sedan
Service Tire Monitor System
Shift Lock/Starter Safety Switch
Skid Resistance
Solenoid
Spark Plug
Speed Sensor
Stability Control System
Steering Angle Sensor
Steering Rack
Subaru
Supercharger
SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle)
Suzuki
SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction)
Solid-state battery
T
Tail Lights
Tesla
Tie Rod
Timing Belt
Tire Accelerator
Tire Age
Tire Air Pressure
Tire Antioxidants
Tire Aspect Ratio
Tire Load
Tire Oxidation
Tire Permeation
Tire Sidewall
Tire Sipe
Tire Tread
Toyota
Transmission Fluid
TCU (Transmission Control Unit)
Telematics
Torque
Turbocharger
U
V
V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) communication
Variable valve timing (automobile)
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
Volkswagen
Volvo
W
Water Pump
WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure)