According to research to support the launch of the RAC’s complete breakdown policies more than half of drivers (56%) say they’ve been left struggling to understand the language used by garages when describing faults with cars.
As part of our complete breakdown service that includes garage support as standard, we've put together a jargon buster to help you better understand the lingo next time you take your car for a check-up.
Anti-lock braking systems (ABS) prevent your wheels from locking up so you can maintain grip on the road when you press hard on the brake pedal.
The technology comes as standard on modern cars and helps avoid dangerous skidding situations. If your ABS system is faulty, the dashboard warning light above should illuminate.
ADAS or Advanced Driver Assistance Systems come in many forms. Imagine systems that automatically brake when the car detects an imminent crash or helps with steering to maintain your position in a driving lane.
The systems are designed to help rather than replace drivers and it’s vital you keep control of a vehicle while using them. Car safety experts Thatcham Research and Euro NCAP launched a first-of-its-kind grading system in October 2020 to help drivers understand ADAS technology.
AGM or Absorbent Glass Mat batteries are well known for their performance in stop/start engines. They’re more reliable than conventional lead-acid batteries when starting an engine from cold and are well suited to vehicles with sophisticated electric systems.
Although stop/start technology can help reduce fuel consumption by 5%-10% not all cars are compatible with AGM batteries. You can check if your vehicle works with an AGM by entering your reg in the RAC battery checker.
Automated Lane Keeping Systems or ALKS are one of many ADAS or Advanced Driver Assistance Systems.
ALKS technology can steer vehicles for extended periods of time to help maintain your position in a driving lane.
In August 2020, the Department for Transport announced a consultation to consider how the technology could make driving “safer, smoother and easier for motorists”
The ‘big end’ on a car is easy to understand if you picture the pistons that work under your bonnet.
It simply refers to the larger side of a connecting rod or ‘conrod’ in a combustion engine. The rod powers the back and forth motion of the piston into the rotating motion of the crankshaft.
‘Rod knock’, or the sound of rods knocking against the crank, can be heard when bearings inside the engine have extra space and movement is affected.
