Automobile Vocabulary: words, meaning, exercise
Automobile vocabulary in English practice
Automobile vocabulary is an integral part associated with the automotive industry and vehicles. It is a specific set of terms used to describe various components, systems, and processes related to automobiles. In the English language, automobile vocabulary plays an important role as a component of expanding one’s vocabulary. Let’s look at some advantages that highlight the importance of learning automobile vocabulary:
- Real-life situations: Many people regularly use cars, so knowledge of relevant vocabulary becomes important for understanding and communicating in real-life situations.
- Career opportunities: Many jobs in the automotive industry, maintenance, car sales, and automobile-related services require knowledge of specialized vocabulary.
- Technical knowledge: Understanding the technical aspects of cars can be useful for car owners in troubleshooting and interacting with mechanics and service centers.
- Tourism and travel: Road trips by car are becoming increasingly popular, especially in countries with developed automobile infrastructure. Understanding automobile vocabulary is useful when traveling on your own or interacting with car rental services.
- Exam preparation: Some language exams may include tasks related to transportation and cars, so knowledge of this vocabulary can be helpful for successful test-taking.
Thus, automobile vocabulary plays a key role in maintaining safety and efficiency on the road, as well as facilitating communication between participants in the automotive industry. Let’s look at popular words about cars, and at the end of the article, we’ll test our knowledge by completing an exercise.
Common automobile vocabulary in English
Windscreen – /ˈwɪndˌskriːn/ – is the transparent surface in front of the driver’s cabin that protects from wind, dust, precipitation, and other external factors.
- Example: If the windscreen is damaged, the driver may have a limited view of the road.
Headlights – /ˈhɛdˌlaɪts/ – are the light sources used to illuminate the road when driving in darkness.
- Example: Turn on the headlights when driving at night.
Clutch pedal – /klʌtʃ ˈpɛdəl/ – is the pedal in a car that the driver presses to disengage the clutch in order to shift gears.
- Example: Press the clutch pedal before shifting gears.
Radiator – /ˈreɪdiˌeɪtər/ – is a device in the engine that transfers heat away from the coolant.
- Example: The radiator helps to keep the engine cool.
Generator – /ˈdʒɛnəˌreɪtər/ – is a device that produces electricity to charge the car’s battery and power its electrical systems.
- Example: The generator powers the car’s electrical systems.
Shock absorbers – /ʃɑk əbˈzɔrbərz/ – are suspension components that absorb bumps and vibrations when driving over uneven surfaces.
- Example: Good shock absorbers provide a smoother ride.
Turn indicators – /tɜrn ˈɪndɪˌkeɪtərz/ – are blinking lights that indicate to other drivers that the car is about to turn.
- Example: Always use your turn indicators when changing lanes.
Choke – /tʃoʊk/ – is a device in the carburetor that regulates the air-fuel mixture for cold engine starts.
- Example: Pull out the choke to start a cold engine.
Oil – /ɔɪl/ – is a lubricant that coats the moving parts of the engine to reduce friction and wear.
- Example: Regularly check the oil level in your car’s engine.
Ignition – /ɪɡˈnɪʃən/ – is the process of starting a car’s engine.
- Example: Turn the key to start the ignition.
Timing chain – /ˈtaɪmɪŋ tʃeɪn/ – is the mechanism that controls the opening and closing of the valves in the engine.
- Example: A worn timing chain can cause engine misfires.
Carburetor – /ˈkɑːrbjʊˌreɪtər/ – is a device that mixes air with fuel to create the combustion mixture for an internal combustion engine.
- Example: Modern cars typically use fuel injection instead of a carburetor.
Spark plugs – /ˈspɑrk plʌɡz/ – are electrical devices that create sparks to ignite the air-fuel mixture in the engine’s cylinders.
- Example: Fouled spark plugs can cause engine misfires and poor performance.
Battery – /ˈbætəri/ – is a device that stores electrical energy to start the engine and power a car’s electrical systems.
- Example: A dead battery can prevent a car from starting.
Pump – /pʌmp/ – is a device used to move fluid or gas through a system in a vehicle.
- Example: The fuel pump delivers gasoline from the tank to the engine.
Accumulator – /əˈkjuːmjəˌleɪtər/ – is a device that stores electrical energy to support the car’s ignition system and electrical devices.
- Example: The accumulator helps to provide power to start the engine.
Panel lights – /ˈpænəl laɪts/ – are lights that illuminate a car’s instrument panel for the driver’s convenience during evening or nighttime driving.
- Example: Adjust the brightness of the panel lights for better visibility at night.
Taillights – /ˈteɪlˌlaɪts/ – are lights located at the rear of a vehicle that indicate direction of travel and provide visibility to other drivers.
- Example: Make sure your taillights are working properly to avoid accidents at night.
Gear shift – /ɡɪr ʃɪft/ – is the mechanism that allows the driver to change gears to regulate speed and engine revolutions.
- Example: Move the gear shift into “reverse” to back up the car.
Fenders – /ˈfɛndərz/ – are parts of a car’s body that protect the wheels and doors from dirt, rocks, and other road debris.
- Example: Mudguards, also known as fenders, prevent dirt from splashing onto the car’s body.
Bumpers – /ˈbʌmpərz/ – are protective parts at the front and rear of a vehicle’s body designed to absorb impact in a collision.
- Example: The bumpers protect the car’s body in case of a collision.
Steering wheel – /ˈstɪrɪŋ wil/ – is the wheel in a vehicle that the driver uses to control the direction of travel.
- Example: Hold the steering wheel firmly while making turns.
Horn – /hɔrn/ – is a device in a vehicle that produces a loud sound to alert other drivers or pedestrians.
- Example: Use the horn to alert others of your presence in case of an emergency.
Rack and pinion – /ræk ən ˈpɪnjən/ – is a steering system used to convert the rotational motion of the steering wheel into linear motion to steer the vehicle’s wheels.
- Example: The rack and pinion steering system provides precise control over the car’s direction.
Brakes – /breɪks/ – are devices that slow or stop a vehicle’s motion using friction or compression against brake discs/drums.
- Example: Always apply the brakes gently to avoid skidding.
Fuel tank – /ˈfjuːəl tæŋk/ – is the container that holds the fuel to power a vehicle’s engine.
- Example: Fill up the fuel tank before a long journey.
Grease – /ɡris/ – is a lubricant used to reduce friction and wear on the moving parts of a vehicle’s mechanisms.
- Example: Apply grease to the wheel bearings to keep them lubricated.
Water – /ˈwɔːtər/ – is the liquid that can be used to cool a vehicle’s engine in the radiator (though antifreeze is better).
- Example: Check the water level in the radiator regularly to prevent overheating.
Cream – /kriːm/ – is a material used to restore or buff a vehicle’s paintwork.
- Example: Apply a layer of cream polish to restore the car’s paintwork.
Gearbox – /ˈɡɪərˌbɒks/ – is the mechanism containing a set of gears that can be shifted to change the rotational speed of the wheels.
- Example: Shift the gearbox into first gear to start moving forward.
Brake pedal – /breɪk ˈpɛdəl/ – is the pedal in a vehicle that the driver presses to engage the brakes and slow or stop the car.
- Example: Press the brake pedal firmly in case of an emergency stop.
Fuel – /ˈfjuːəl/ – is the substance burned in an engine to generate the power needed to propel a vehicle.
- Example: Fill up the tank with fuel before starting a long journey.
