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The Open Road Classic Car Hire

Use of English

Oscar Wilde wrote: ‘We have really everything in common with America nowadays except, of course, language’. 

That is particularly true when it comes to technical terms used for our cars, so the table below translates from the Queen's English into what is now called American English.

The Queen's English

American English

999 (emergency number)911 (emergency number)
AcceleratorGas pedal
AerialAntenna
Anti-roll barStabiliser or sway bar
Big end bearingRod bearing
Bonnet (engine cover)Hood
Boot (luggage compartment)Trunk
BulkheadFirewall
BushBushing
Cam follower or tappetValve lifter or tappet
CarAutomobile
CarburettorCarburetor
CatchLatch
Choke/venturiBarrel
CirclipSnap ring
ClearanceLash
CrownwheelRing gear (of differential)
DamperShock absorber
Disc (Brake)Rotor
Dipped beamLow beam
Distance pieceSpacer
Drop armPitman arm
Drop head coupeConvertible
Dual carriagewayDivided highway
DynamoGenerator (DC)
Earth (electrical)Ground
Engine mountMotor mount
Estate CarStation wagon
Exhaust manifoldHeader
Fault finding (diagnosis)Troubleshooting
Float chamberFloat bowl
Free playLash
FreewheelCoast
GearboxTransmission
GearchangeShift
Give Way (on road sign)Yield
Grub screwSetscrew, Allen screw
Gudgeon pinPiston pin or wrist pin
HalfshaftAxleshaft
HandbrakeParking brake
HoodSoft top
Hot spotHeat riser
IndicatorTurn signal
Interior lightDome lamp
LaybyTurnout
Layshaft (of gearbox)Countershaft
Leading shoe (of drum brake)Primary shoe
Level crossingRailroad crossing
LocksLatches
Main beamHigh beam
Manual gearboxStick shift
Methylated spiritDenatured alcohol
MotorwayFreeway, turnpike
Number PlateLicense plate
ParaffinKerosene
PavementSidewalk
PetrolGasoline (gas)
Petrol stationGas station
Petrol tankGas tank
PinkingPinging
Prise (force apart)Pry
Propellor shaftDriveshaft
QuarterlightQuarter window
RetreadRecap
ReverseBack up
Rocker coverValve cover
RoundaboutTraffic circle
SaloonSedan
ScameraSee Speed Camera (colloquial term as the general public do not believe they are there for safety reasons but pureful for raising revenue)
SeizedFrozen
SidelightParking light
SilencerMuffler
Sill (panel beneath doors)Rocker panel
Slip road (motorway exit)On ramp or Off ramp (Freeway)
Small end - little endPiston pin - wrist pin
SpannerWrench
Speed CameraRadar operated speed trap either fixed or operated from white vans with black windows
Split pinCotter pin
Steering armSpindle arm
SumpOil pan
SwarfMetal chips or debris
Tab washerTang or lock
TappetValve lifter
Thrust bearingThrow out bearing
Top gearHigh
TorchFlashlight

Trackrod (of steering)

Tie rod
Trailing shoe (brake)Secondary shoe
TransmissionWhole drive line
TyreTire
VanPanel wagon/ van
ViceVise
Wheel nutLug nut
White Van Man

Driver of company van (normally white) who pays little attention to speed limits or general courtesy

WindscreenWindshield
Wing (mudguard)Fender

Copyright 2004 The Open Road