Category: Glossary of Car Terms

What is Brake Rotors?

Brake rotors or discs, are fitted to most modern cars. They are flat, circular plates that rotate with the wheel when you drive. When you step on the brake, the brake calipers squeeze the brake discs, slowing or stopping the car.

What is Balancing?

The process of making sure a tire will not cause vibration when driving. By using a computerized machine, a technician can locate a non-balanced tire and balance it by attaching weights on the wheel rim to even out the tire’s balance.

What is Bleeding?

Bleeding removes fluid from a system, such as a brake or clutch system. When a technician bleeds a brake system, the old fluid is completely removed and replaced with new fluid.

What is Brake Pads?

Brake pads are used specifically with disc brake systems. The pads fit inside the calipers, and create friction and stopping power when pressed against the brake rotor. When you have your disc brakes replaced, it is often just the pads that are being replaced.

What is Air Pump?

Many emissions systems include an air pump, which pumps fresh air into a vehicle’s exhaust to help complete the combustion process and reduce emissions.

What is Anti-Roll Bar?

The anti-roll bar is a suspension system component that helps a vehicle to stay flat and not lean excessively when cornering. Also called a sway bar or stabilizer bar.

What is Automotive Pollutants?

The third major source of air pollution is automotive emissions. The emissions from the internal combustion engines were not an appreciable problem years ago because of the small number of registered vehicles and the nation’s small highway system. However, during the early 1950’s, the trend of the American people was to move from the cities…

What is Alignment?

Alignment is when all your wheels are pointing in exactly the right direction. If one wheel is off by even one or two degrees, it is considered out of alignment. When a vehicle is out of alignment, excessive tire, steering system and suspension system wear may be the end result.

What is Antifreeze?

The fluid mixed with water that is put into your vehicle’s radiator. Antifreeze is traditionally green in color; however, newer long-life antifreezes may be red or orange. Please refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual for the proper antifreeze for your vehicle.

What is Ball Joint?

A joint between two parts that allows movement in any direction by the two parts. Ball joints are most often found in a vehicle’s suspension and steering systems.

What is Anti-Theft Code?

Radio Anti-Theft Code. Many modern radios have special anti-theft circuitry that prevents them from operating after being disconnected from a power source. For these types of radios, it is necessary to enter a factory-supplied code to get the radio to work again.

What is Air Filter?

This device filters the air that goes into your engine. Without an air filter, harmful particles would enter your car’s engine and cause internal wear and damage.

What is Air Bag?

A safety device found on most recent cars that protects the driver (and in some cases, the passenger) in a crash by inflating a cushion hidden in the steering wheel and dashboard.