Mechanic Jargon To Know

Meaning: Spongy brakes.Spongy brakes cause the:brake pedal feels soft.You notice less resistance instead of the usual firm feel. This usually happens when the car's brake fluid system has an issue. This is a dangerous problem you must fix right away.

Use It In A Sentence: Spongy brakes cause poor stopping power."My mechanic found air in the brake line, which is why my brakes felt spongy."

Meaning: Mayo under the oil cap.When another liquid, like water or condensation, mixes with a car's engine oil,it createsa thick, mayo-like substance under the oil cap. This white or beige gunk signals a serious engine problem, like a failed head gasket.

Use It In A Sentence: Check for mayo under the oil cap."I found mayo under the oil cap after a blown gasket; fixing it cost me $1,000."

Meaning: Excessive play.If you can turn the steering wheel more than an inch before the wheels move, that isexcessive play.This means the steering wheel has extra movement. Various steering parts can cause this.

Use It In A Sentence: Excessive play shows worn components."Excessive play on my truck's steering hurt my ability to control the vehicle."

Meaning: Diagnostic check.diagnostic checkchecks for problems in the vehicle. A computer connects to your car to inspect the transmission, brakes, or engine.Use It In A Sentence:

I had to get a diagnostic check done on my car when the check engine light came on."I needed a diagnostic check after the 'check engine' light came on."

Meaning: TPMS.TPMS meanstire pressure monitoring system.It is a warning light showing your tire pressure is too low. Keeping correct tire pressure is important for tire performance and safety. Under-inflated tires cause issues like hydroplaning and poor handling.

Use It In A Sentence: Check your TPMS system. "My TPMS light came on after a nail punctured a hole in my tire."

Meaning: Pull.Pulling in a vehicle meanswhen a car steers to the right or left. Several reasons cause a car to pull. A wheel alignment issue or low tire pressure might be the cause.There are several reasons why a car may pull. It could be a wheel alignment issue or low tire pressure.

Use It In A Sentence: The mechanic will pull the brake line.There is so much pull in my Bronco that I have to hold the wheel several inches to the left to keep the car straight.

Meaning: LOF.LOF meanslube, oil, and filter.When a vehicle needs a standard oil change, the car drains the oil and replaces it with new oil. The filter gets replaced, and the chassis gets lubricated.

Use It In A Sentence: I need a LOF job done on my brakes. "After 3,000 miles, I took my car to Jiffy Lube to get a LOF job done."

Meaning: CAN Bus.A CAN bus, the controller area network, isa message systemin a vehicle that lets parts work together. The system links all sensors to run the car efficiently. For instance, an engine sends speed data to the transmission, which then tells other parts to shift gears.

Use It In A Sentence: Electric park brakes use the CAN bus message system. "Electric park brakes, speed sensors, and cruise control all rely on your car's CAN bus message system."

Meaning: Aftermarket.Anaftermarket partAftermarket parts are not made by the original car manufacturer. Often, these parts perform just as well, or even better, than the original ones.

Use It In A Sentence: "I bought an aftermarket engine for my Mustang. I wanted to avoid dealership prices."

Meaning:OEM means original equipment manufacturer. This refers to the original partsparts that come with your vehicle. The vehicle's manufacturer makes these.

Use It In A Sentence: "My car is a collectible. I only buy OEM parts for repairs, even though they cost more."

Meaning:Hesitation happens when you press the accelerator pedal and the the car jerks or the engine misfires. A vacuum leak, bad spark plugs, a dirty fuel injector, or low fuel pressure can cause this. A scan of the car's computer usually finds the cause.

Use It In A Sentence: "My mechanic fixed the hesitation issue on my Jeep after swapping the spark plugs."

Meaning:DPF stands fordiesel particulate filter. Since 2009, all new diesel cars have a DPF. This filter removes particles like soot and unburnt fuel from the exhaust, helping the environment.

Use It In A Sentence: "My car needs a DPF. Without it, my car endangers people and the planet."

Meaning: "Grease monkey" is slang for a person who describes a mechanicwho works on cars or aircraft.

Use It In A Sentence: "I come from a long line of grease monkeys. My grandfather built Model Ts; my brother fixes vintage cars."