Alternator - Electrical generator turned by an engine. Takes over from the battery when the engine is running. Recharges the battery and supplies power to all electrical components.

Alignment - An adjustment to bring related suspension components into alignment.

Antifreeze - The liquid used for many heat transfer applications, such as electronics cooling and for the HVAC.

Automatic Transmission - A transmission that allows changing gears without the use of a foot-operated clutch.

AWD (All-Wheel-Drive) - A vehicle drivetrain with all four wheels driven at the same time.

Axle - A shaft on which a wheel revolves, or which revolves with a wheel.

B

Ball Joint - Flexible joint using ball and socket construction in steering and suspension systems.

Backfire - Loud popping noise from the exhaust muffler, often the result of a poorly timed engine.

Battery - Device used for storing and making electricity. Supplies the initial electrical power that starts the engine.

Bearings - Metal support for a turning crankshaft of camshaft.

Blow-By - Combustion and vapor leakage past the piston rings and into a crankcase causing loss of power.

Blower Motor - Electrical motor that blows or forces air through a heater, defroster, or air conditioner and into a passenger compartment.

Boots - Rubber covers that protect CV joints and certain steering parts.

Brake - The component used to stop the car.

Brake Disc - Used on a disc-brake system, the component that rotates with the wheel and is squeezed by the brake caliper and pads.

Brake Dust - The dust created as the brake linings wear down in normal use.

Brake Fluid - Hydraulic fluid used to maintain pressure in either a disc or drum brake system.

Brake Fluid Reservoir - The plastic bottle that stores brake fluid.

Brake Lines - Tubing system which carries brake fluid throughout the brake system.

Brakes (Disc) - Brake system using pads grabbing against a disc or rotor.

Brakes (Drum) - Brake system that uses shoes that expand outward and press against a drum.

Brakes (Power)  - A disc or drum brake system with a powered assistance to brake pedal application.

Brake Pads - Used on a disc-brake system, the replaceable pads that squeeze the brake disc when the brakes are applied.

Bumpers - Rubber of chrome components on the front and/or rear of a vehicle designed to absorb impacts.

C

Caliper - The non-rotating part of a disc-brake assembly that straddles the disc.

Camber - Outward tilt of the tops of the front wheels.

Camshaft - The component used to open and close the valves during the timed mechanical sequence.

Capacity - The current output capability of a cell or battery.

Carburetor - This component mixes air and fuel in the proper ratio for burning in the engine's combustion chambers.

Caster - Backward tilt of the center axis of the front wheels.

Catalytic Converter - Component located in the exhaust system where hot exhaust gas comes in contact with special metals that promote more complete combustion of unburned hydrocarbons.

Chassis - The automobile frame with an engine, transmission and all moving parts excluding the passenger compartment.

Clutch - Any device which connects and disconnects a driven component from the driving component.

Clutch Disc - The rotating circular metal plate splined to the transmission input shaft.

Combustion - A controlled burning or explosion within a combustion chamber caused by igniting a gaseous vapor with a spark.

Compressor - The part of the air conditioning system that condenses the freon gas in the system.

Condenser - The radiator like device in the air conditioning system in which refrigerant gas condenses into a liquid.

Coolant - Water and antifreeze mixture

Coolant Reservoir (Tank) - Holds hot coolant (antifreeze) that overflows from the radiator and also draws back into the radiator as it is needed.

Coupling - A connecting means for transferring movement from one part to another.

Crankshaft - The shaft at the bottom of the engine that converts the up and down piston motion into spinning motion.

Current - The movement of free electrons along a conductor.

Cylinder - The hole in the engine block where the piston moves up and down.

D

Differential - The center rear axles where a gear arrangement allows spin force to be directed to the rear wheel assemblies.

Distributor - Distributes high voltage electricity to the spark plugs, one at a time.

Diode - A semiconductor which permits current to flow steadily in only one direction.

DOHC - Double Over-head Camshaft

Driveline - Universal joints, drive shaft and other parts connecting transmission with driving axles.

Driveshaft - A long hollow shaft which is turned by the transmission which in turn transmits spinning power to the rear wheels via a differential.

Drivetrain - The power-transmitting components in a vehicle.

E

Electronic Control Module (ECM) - The electronic brains of the vehicle computer system.

Emergency Brake - A braking system, which is independent of the main braking system, that can be used to slow or stop the vehicle.

Emissions -  Gaseous compounds expelled from the vehicle's crankcase, exhaust, carburetor (if equipped) and fuel tank.

Engine - The component that creates spinning motion from exploding gaseous fumes.

Exhaust - The by-product of the combustion process.

Exhaust Manifold - Set of pipes, one for each cylinder that conducts exhaust away from cylinders.

EVR - Electronic Voltage Regulator

F

Flywheel - The large gear which engages with the pinion gear on the starter motor.

Four Wheel Drive - A vehicle where all four wheels receive engine power.

Front Wheel Drive - A vehicle with an engine and drive wheels in the front.

Fuel Injection System - Sprays controlled amount of fuel directly into either the intake manifold or combustion chambers, resulting in a very precise air to fuel ratio that improves fuel economy.

Fuel Pump - A mechanical or electrical component used to deliver gasoline from the fuel tank to either the carburetor or the fuel injection system.

Fuse - A component that protects the vehicle from electrical overload.

Fuse Block - An insulating base on which fuse clips or other contacts are mounted.

G

Gear Box -

Gear Ratio - The ratio between the number of teeth on meshing gears.

Gears - Wheel-like parts with teeth cut into the rim.

Generator- The component that generates electricity through magnetism by converting rotary motion into electrical potential.

H

Hood - The component on the front of the vehicle that opens and closes to allow access to the engine compartment.

Hydraulic - Any operation that uses the incompressibility of liquids and their ability to offer resistance when being forced into a small cylinder.

Hydrocarbon - Any chemical compound made up of hydrogen and carbon.

I

Indicator Light - An instrument-panel display used to convey information or condition of system.

Inertia Switch - The switch in the fuel pump circuit that shuts off power to the fuel pump in the event the vehicle is involved in a collision.

Injector - The component that sprays fuel using small solenoids to regulate fuel spray size and duration.

Intake Manifold - The component directly underneath either the carburetor or the throttle body fuel injection system, where the air/fuel mixture is distributed and drown into the combustion chambers.

L

Lower Arm - The suspension arm which connects the vehicle chassis to the bottom of the steering knuckle.

Lug Nuts - The large nuts which are used to secure the wheel and tire to the wheel hub.

M

Manual Steering - A steering system without a power booster to reduce steering effort.

Manual Transmission - A transmission with gearsets that vary the power and torque delivered to the driven wheels as function of engine load and speed.

Master Cylinder - The primary fluid pressurizing device in a hydraulic system.

Muffler - The interior "baffles" and tubes quiet the explosive release of exhaust.

O

Octane - The system used to rate fuel according to its volatility of the temperature at which it will ignite.

OEM (Original Equipment Manufacture) - Components made specific for a vehicle by the manufacture.

Oil Dip Stick - The stick that's used to check the level of the motor oil.

Oil Filter - The screw-on canister that filters and removes solid impurities from the lubricating system.

Oil Pan - The large tank on the bottom of the engine which is used to store oil.

Oil Pump - The mechanical component that is located in the oil pan and is used to pump oil to the engine.

Overdrive - A gear assembly which produces more shaft revolutions than that transmitted to it.

Overhaul - To completely disassemble a unit, clean and inspect all parts and reassemble it with the original or new parts.

Oxygen Sensor - This component registers the amount of oxygen in the exhaust gas.

P

Pad - Disc brake friction material.

Parking Brake - The mechanically actuated portion of a drum brake or disc brake caliper, which is used to prevent the vehicle from rolling when parked.

Pinion - A small gear which engages a larger geared wheel or rack.

Piston - The component inside a cylinder that is forced downward by the combustion explosion and turns the crankshaft via a connecting rod.

Power Brakes - Brakes with a vacuum or hydraulic assist to reduce braking effort.

Power Steering Reservoir - This reservoir contains fluid for your power steering system. Once the reservoir cap is unscrewed the cap will consist of a dip stick. This will identify the fluid levels.

Powertrain - The components of the vehicle that propel it: the engine, the transmission, the driveshaft, the differential and the rear axle.

Q

Quarter Panel - The sheet metal from the rear door opening to the taillights and from the rear wheel opening to the base of the roof and trunk opening.

R

Rack-And-Pinion Steering - A steering system with a pinion gear on the end of the steering shaft that mates with a rack.

Radiator - The device that helps to remove heat from the cooling system as coolant passes through it.

Rear Axle - A shaft that connects the power from the transmission to the wheels.

Retread - A used tire with new rubber bonded to worn surfaces.

Rotor - The component of an alternator which rotates inside the stator.

Rotary Engine - An engine that has a different type of internal combustion. It does not have pistons, connecting rods or a conventional crankshaft.

S

Sheet Metal - The sheets of metal that are used to make the exterior body parts ( ex: Fenders, Door Panels, Hood, Quarter Panels, Trunk Lid and Roof).

Shock Absorber - A Hydraulic device which absorbs and dampens road shocks and spring vibrations. Shock absorbs are found positioned near each wheel and are also used with bumpers, hoods, doors and trunk lids.

SOHC - Single Over-Head Camshaft.

Solenoid - An electric switch that uses electromagnetic force to move a plunger.

Spark - An ignition spark or fire caused by a spark plug

Sparkplug - The component that conducts high voltage electrical current, which ignites the fuel air mixture in the combustion chamber.

Speedometer - A device for measuring and indicating the speed of a vehicle.

Spline - A long keyway. One of several lengthwise grooves cut in a shaft or gear.

Starter Motor - The high-speed electric motor which forces the crankshaft to rotate.

Stator - The component in an alternator which contains the conductors within which the field rotates.

Steering Column - A shaft connecting the steering wheel with the steering gear assembly.

Strut -

Suspension System - This system receives a great deal of punishment from the roads. This system consists of shock absorbers, Struts, springs, and motor mounts, tires, tie rods, ball joints, control arms, torsion bar, strut rods, spindle, axles.

T

Tie-rod - A balljoint connecting the steering linkage or the rack to the steering arm or steering knuckle

Thermostat - A valve which is located in the cooling system of an engine, shaft, gear, etc.

Toe-In - The amount the front wheels are closer together in front than at the rear when viewed from the from of the vehicle.

Torque - The twisting force applied to an object.

Torque Converter - A fluid coupling that transmits power from a driving to a driven member.

Transaxle - A transmission and differential combined into one integral unit.

Transfer Case - An auxiliary device in a four-wheel-drive vehicle that allows power to be delivered to both axles.

Transmission - The component that uses various gears and shafts to transform the power generated by the engine to produce forward and rearward motion.

V

Viscosity - The measure of thickness or thinness of a liquid.