Ultimate Auto Servicing Glossary
Wednesday 26th April 2023
At Formula One Autocentres we recommend bringing your car in for a service either every 12,000 miles or every 12 months, along with an interim service every 6,000 miles or 6 months. Our qualified technicians offer the highest level of customer service, with clear communication and transparency on any work that needs to be carried out, and why. However, if you’re a new driver, or just not confident with auto maintenance, it can be a bit daunting to bring your vehicle in for a service. You may not feel like you know the right questions to ask or you may feel intimidated by the technical jargon used by mechanics. In this guide, we’ll explain some of the commonly used terms that may crop up when bringing your car in for a service.
General servicing terms
Full service
A full service is a comprehensive maintenance procedure that should be performed at least once a year to keep your car running smoothly, safely and reliably. A full service runs through a series of checks on your vehicle, including on the road, on the floor and on the ramp along with general up-keep, like replacing your engine oil and replacing your air filter.
Interim service
An interim service is performed less often than a full service - instead of annually it should be performed every 6 months or 6,000 miles. An interim service follows a similar checklist to understand the condition of your car, but it won’t be tested on the road, or include scheduled service tasks like checking the pollen filter or spark plugs.
Brake Definitions
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
Anti-lock Braking Systems are a safety feature that prevent your wheels from locking up when braking too hard. This feature uses sensors to help maintain steering control and stability during hard braking.
Brake callipers
Brake callipers house your brake pads, and press them against your brake discs when braking.
Brake discs
Brake discs are circular metal discs that your brake pads press against to slow or stop your vehicle.
Brake fluid
Brake fluid is a hydraulic fluid that is used to transfer pressure from the brake pedal to the brake callipers.
Brake inspection
A brake inspection is when your full brake system is checked and evaluated to ensure it’s functioning safely. It includes checks of all brake components.
Brake lines
The brake lines are what carry the hydraulic fluid from the master cylinder to your brake callipers.
Brake Master Cylinder
The Brake Master Cylinder is where hydraulic pressure is generated in order to activate your brakes.
Brake Pads
Brake Pads are the part of your brakes that come into contact with your brake discs, to stop or slow the car. They are replaceable pads which create friction to make your car come to a stop.
Brake system flush
A brake system flush removes old and expired brake fluid from the brake system and replaces it with clean fluid to maintain your brakes’ safety.
Clutch Definitions
Clutch
A clutch connects and disconnects the engine from the transmission so that you can shift gears.
Clutch cable
The clutch cable is the part of the clutch that connects the clutch pedal with the throw out bearing.
Clutch disc
The clutch disc transmits torque from the engine to the transmission.
Clutch master cylinder
The clutch master cylinder generates hydraulic pressure which powers the clutch.
Clutch slave cylinder
The clutch master cylinder converts the hydraulic pressure into a mechanical force that activates the clutch.
Pressure plate
The pressure plate is the part of the clutch that applies pressure to the clutch disc to engage the clutch.
Throw out bearing
The throw out bearing is the component of the clutch that transfers force between the clutch pedal and pressure plate to disengage the clutch.
Cooling Definitions
Coolant
Coolant is the fluid that circulates around the engine and radiator to absorb excess heat to prevent the engine from overheating.
Cooling fan
The cooling fan draws air through the radiator to make sure that the engine coolant is cold enough to stop the engine from overheating.
Cooling system flush
A cooling system flush removes old coolant and replaces it with new coolant to maintain the performance of the cooling system.
Radiator
The radiator is the part of the cooling system that uses fins and tubes to release the heat captured by engine coolant, which is an important factor in keeping your engine from overheating.
Radiator hose
Radiator hoses are flexible pipes that carry engine coolant to and from the radiator.
Thermostat
The thermostat regulates the temperature of the engine, ensuring it runs at the optimum temperature.
Water pump
Put simply, the water pump pushes coolant through the engine and radiator.
Electrical Definitions
Alternator
The alternator generates electrical power and charges the battery.
Battery
Your car battery stores and provides power to your vehicle’s electrical systems.
Door window motor
The door window motor provides power to roll your windows up or down.
Door window regulator
The door window regulator is the mechanism that opens and closes your door and rolls your windows up or down.
Fuse
The fuses in a car protect your vehicle from any damage caused by an electrical power surge or a short circuit.
Relay
The relay controls the flow of electrical power to the different electrical components in your vehicle such as your lights, air conditioning and fuel pump.
Wiper motor
Your wiper motor is what powers your windscreen wipers as they move back and forth.
Engine Definitions
Diesel Injection Pump
This is only relevant to diesel drivers, but it is essentially where the pressure of the diesel fuel is injected into the engine’s cylinders.
Engine block
The engine block is the metal casing that houses the key components of your engine such as your cylinders.
Engine control module
The engine control module can also be known as the ECM. An electronic component that controls the operation of the engine.
Engine cylinders
The engine cylinders are where the fuel is combined with air and then burnt to convert it into power.
Engine gasket
The engine gasket seals the joints between the various parts of the engine to prevent fluids like oil or coolant from leaking,
Engine mount
The engine mount holds the engine in place and keeps it secure within the chassis of the vehicle.
Glow plug
The glow plug is only found in diesel cars and heats up the engine to make it easier for your car to start in cold weather.
Oil and filter change
An oil and filter change consists of draining the existing oil and replacing it with fresh oil and a new oil filter.
Oil pan
The oil pan holds engine oil and is attached to the bottom of the engine.
Oil pump
The oil pump transports oil to different parts of the engine to lubricate them and reduce wear and tear.
Overheated engine
An overheated engine occurs when the cooling system fails and can cause damage to the engine and in some cases engine failure.
Timing belt
The timing belt works with the camshaft and crankshaft to ensure the engine's valves open and close when they are supposed to.
Spark plug
A Spark plug is responsible for igniting the fuel mixture in the engine cylinder which provides power to the engine.
Exhaust Definitions
Catalytic converter
The catalytic converter reduces the harmful emissions released from the exhaust by converting them into less harmful gases.
Exhaust manifold
The exhaust manifold collects the exhausted gases from the engine cylinders and funnels them into the exhaust pipe.
Exhaust pipe
The exhaust pipe carries the exhaust emissions away from the engine.
Exhaust gas recirculation valve
Otherwise known as the EGR Valve, the exhaust gas recirculation valve is used on diesel cars to redirect some of the engine’s exhaust emissions back into the engine’s air intake. This reduces the amount of nitrogen oxide produced by the engine,improving emissions.
Oxygen sensor
The oxygen sensor is used to improve the engine’s efficiency and provides information to the engine management system to control the fuel-to-air ratio in the exhaust system.
Transmission Definitions
Automatic transmission fluid
In an automatic car, the automatic transmission fluid lubricates and cools the gear box to keep it running smoothly.
Drive shaft
The drive shaft transfers power from the transmission to the wheels of the car.
Gear box
A gear box controls the speed and direction of the vehicle.
Steering, Wheels and Suspension Definitions
Balancing
Balancing ensures the weight of the car is distributed evenly.
Coil spring
The coil spring absorbs the bumps and vibrations in the road making sure your driving experience is as smooth as possible.
Shock absorber
The shock absorbers help manage the rebound and compression of the springs and suspension against any bumps in the road.
Steering column
The steering column houses the steering mechanism and steering gears, which converts the motion of the steering wheel to the direction of the wheels.
Wheel alignment
Wheel alignment refers to the angle of the wheels in relation to the chassis.
Wheel bearing
The wheel bearing is the part of the wheel which allows it to spin smoothly.
Our qualified technicians are well experienced in servicing and if there’s anything you don’t understand about your service, we’ll be happy to explain it to you. We won’t carry out any extra work without your approval - so you have peace of mind about any costly repairs. So, remember, if you haven’t had a service in the last year or 12,000 miles, contact your local autocentre today and get booked in for a service.
