Mechanic Slang Terms:
General:
* "Grease monkey": A mechanic, often used in a playful or slightly derogatory way.
* "Tin basher": Another term for a mechanic, particularly one who works on car bodies.
* "Shade tree mechanic": A mechanic who works on cars in their own driveway or garage, often without formal training.
* "Fix-it-up": A car or vehicle that needs a lot of work.
* "Lemon": A car or vehicle that is constantly breaking down or having problems.
* "Clunker": An old, rusty, or worn-out vehicle.
* "Honey do": A repair job or task requested by a spouse or partner.
* "Bondo": A type of body filler used to repair dents and holes in car bodies.
Engine and Parts:
* "Knocking": A metallic sound in the engine, often caused by a worn out bearing or piston.
* "Pinging": A high-pitched sound in the engine, often caused by pre-ignition.
* "Running rough": An engine that is misfiring or not running smoothly.
* "Head gasket": A gasket that seals the cylinder head to the engine block.
* "Timing chain": A chain that synchronizes the movement of the crankshaft and camshaft.
* "Valve train": The system of components that control the flow of air into and out of the cylinders.
* "Spark plugs": Components that ignite the air/fuel mixture in the engine.
* "Muffler": A device that reduces the noise from the engine exhaust.
* "Cat": Short for "catalytic converter", a device that reduces harmful emissions from the engine exhaust.
* "Oil pan": The bottom of the engine that holds the engine oil.
* "Rod": A connecting rod, which connects the piston to the crankshaft.
* "Crankshaft": The main rotating shaft in the engine.
Transmission and Drivetrain:
* "Clutch": A component that connects the engine to the transmission.
* "Transmission": A gearbox that changes the speed of the engine's power to the wheels.
* "Differential": A component that allows the wheels on each side of the vehicle to turn at different speeds.
* "Axle": A shaft that connects the wheels to the differential.
* "CV joint": A joint that allows the driveshaft to turn at different angles.
Brakes:
* "Calipers": Components that clamp the brake pads onto the brake rotors.
* "Rotors": Disc-shaped components that the brake pads rub against to slow the vehicle down.
* "Drums": Cylinder-shaped components that hold the brake shoes.
* "Brake lines": Lines that carry hydraulic fluid to the brakes.
Suspension and Steering:
* "Shocks": Components that absorb bumps and vibrations in the road.
* "Struts": Components that act as both a shock absorber and a strut to support the vehicle.
* "Tie rods": Components that connect the steering wheel to the wheels.
* "Ball joints": Joints that allow the wheels to move up and down and side to side.
* "Alignment": Adjusting the angles of the wheels to ensure proper handling and tire wear.
Other:
* "Rattle trap": A vehicle that is noisy and making various rattling sounds.
* "Check engine light": A warning light on the dashboard that indicates a problem with the engine.
* "Mechanic's special": A vehicle that has been repaired with used or salvaged parts.
* "The dreaded "V" word": A reference to "vehicle inspection," which can be a source of anxiety for mechanics and car owners.
This is just a small sample of common mechanic slang. There are many other terms used in the automotive industry, depending on the specific area of specialization.