News Center

05

Auto Repair Jargon You Should Know

posted on 2/5/2019 1:01:52 PM
Unless you consider yourself a car enthusiast, you may find yourself feeling a bit lost when having conversations with your mechanic. At times, it can feel like you are speaking to someone using a different language with words like “grease monkey,” “kickdown,” and “oversquare” whizzing past your head like dodgeballs. Hopefully, this list of common auto repair terms will help your next conversation with your mechanic go a bit more seamlessly:Auto Mechanic Terms
 
  • Aftermarket – This term applies to parts which are not made by the original manufacturer. The best aftermarket parts will meet or exceed the quality of the original parts in your vehicle.
  • Hesitation – “Hesitation” refers to the lack of response which occurs when you first accelerate. 
  • Pull – Pulling is a sign you need a wheel alignment. Pulling occurs when your steering wheel is turning to the left or right on its own while you attempt to steer straight ahead.
  • OEM – OEM parts are those created by the original manufacturer. OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer.
  • Oversquare – “Oversquare” describes an engine with its cylinders having a greater bore diameter than its stroke length.
  • Kickdown – “Kickdown” describes the downshift in an automatic transmission which occurs when the throttle is depressed.
  • Grease Monkey – This term is just slang for a mechanic. 
  • ASE – “ASE” is the common abbreviation for the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, which issues certifications to professionals in the automotive service industry.
  • LOF – “LOF” is an abbreviation of “lube, oil, filter.” Similarly, LOFR is an abbreviation of “lube, oil, filter, rotation.”
  • TPMS – “TPMS” stands for tire pressure monitoring system. This is the system which tells you when your tire pressure is low.
  • Play – If you have excessive “play” in a part (typically suspension and steering parts), there is movement when there should be none. You may notice play in your steering wheel when there is a movement of the steering wheel before the wheels actually start to turn.
Hopefully, these explanations will help you the next time you take your vehicle in for regular maintenance or repairs!
Categories: Auto Repair 101 | View Count: (115) | Return

Related

Visit Our Shop

Contact Us

Email: [email protected]
Phone: (205) 320-7000
Fax:
Address: 2224 3rd Ave South
Birmingham, AL 35233
Powered by Net Driven
Login

Make a Tire or Auto Repair Appointment Today!

We’re glad that you decided to come to AutoTread for your tires and tire repair needs! At AutoTread Mobile Tire Service, customer service has always been at the center of our business and our culture. AutoTread got to where we are today through hard work, a friendly and responsive attitude toward our customers and our innovative mobile tire service truck, offering roadside assistance, tire repair, wheel changes, balancing and tire rotation. We think this is one of the things that makes AutoTread truly unique in Birmingham, AL – bringing the best in tires and tire service straight to you, wherever you are, rather than you trying to figure out the best time to come to us! Give us a try and schedule an appointment to find out why so many customers have turned to us for tires in Birmingham, AL. We’re sure that once you come to AutoTread Mobile Tire Service, you’ll be part of the loyal customer base that we’ve built up over all these years!