Automotive terms explained
Your car’s alternator converts mechanical energy from the engine into electrical energy to recharge the battery and power the electrical system while the engine runs. A healthy alternator outputs 13.5–14.5 volts at the battery terminals with the engine idling. Without it, the battery drains in minutes and the engine stalls once voltage drops. This guide…
Coilovers and struts both handle damping and support your vehicle’s weight, but the real difference comes down to adjustability. A strut is a factory-designed, fixed-height assembly that combines the spring and shock absorber into one non-adjustable unit—it’s what most cars roll off the line with. A coilover is a performance-oriented, one-piece spring-and-shock unit that lets…
A CV joint (constant-velocity joint) is a flexible connector that transfers power from the transmission to the wheels while allowing the suspension to move and the wheels to turn. When a CV joint wears out, it typically produces a rhythmic clicking or popping noise that gets louder during sharp turns. That sound means the joint…
A MacPherson strut is a single suspension unit that combines the shock absorber, coil spring, and steering pivot into one assembly. It’s the default front suspension on most front-wheel-drive cars sold in the U.S.—including the Honda Civic, Toyota Camry, Ford Focus, and Chevrolet Cruze—because it’s compact, cheap to manufacture, and saves space under the hood….
Power steering uses either hydraulic pressure from a belt-driven pump or an electric motor to reduce the effort needed to turn the steering wheel. Hydraulic systems (HPS) are common on vehicles built before 2010; electric systems (EPS) dominate most 2010+ models, though some heavy trucks and SUVs still use hydraulic. The type affects maintenance, repair…
A wheel bearing is a set of steel balls or rollers inside a metal race that lets your wheel spin with minimal friction. When it starts to fail, you’ll hear a low-pitched humming, growling, or rumbling that changes with speed and often gets louder when you turn one way. The quickest diagnostic check is a…
Wheel alignment adjusts the suspension angles so your tires contact the road straight, wear evenly, and the car tracks properly. Three critical angles—camber, caster, and toe—are set to manufacturer specs for your specific make, model, and trim. When any of these falls out of range, you’ll feel it in the steering wheel and see it…
A sway bar (also called an anti-roll bar or stabilizer bar) is a steel torsion spring that connects the left and right sides of your suspension through rubber or polyurethane bushings. Its job is to reduce body lean in corners while minimizing the impact on straight-line ride comfort. When those bushings wear out, you will…
A tie rod is the steering link that connects your steering rack (or gearbox) to the steering knuckle. Every front-wheel-steering vehicle has two per side: an inner rod that screws into the rack, and an outer rod that attaches via a ball joint. When either wears out, you’ll feel loose steering, clunking, or uneven tire…
A ball joint is a pivot component in your vehicle’s front suspension that connects the control arm to the steering knuckle. It allows the wheel to move up and down while turning left and right. When it fails, you’ll notice clunking noises, uneven tire wear, and loose steering. This article explains how ball joints work,…