By: Todd Wheatley
(c) IQ-2k   01-22-16

Recent developments in my household have stressed the importance of proper terminology with respect to automobiles. Unfortunately drivers education fails to address the proper ways to communicate automotive problems and performance concerns. So here is a quick tutorial to get you headed in the right direction.

Consider, for example, THE CAR WON'T START ... This means very little to nothing!!

Does the engine TURN OVER ? (ie. does the starter engage and begin cranking the engine)? That would indicate the electrical system is working and may be a fuel problem - or - does is there a series of CLICKs when the key is turned. - or - is there no lights, no sound, no nothing?

Vital clues to automotive ailments are often found with what you can hear or observe.

Noises / SOUNDS
- clicks & ticks .. #1 common sounds
- squeak (most likely brake pads)
- taps
- sounds that increase with speed

Tire noises that persist or worse, grow louder with speed, need immediate attention. Other sounds need monitoring and may never get worse until something breaks.

Engine performance should be the first indication that something is amiss. Therefore you should calculate miles per gallon (MPG) on a regular basis. Natural variation due to city and highway driving will occur, but a steady decline in MPG indicates a performance problem.

Once you determine a problem exists telling someone that the car runs crappy or dies frequently means little to nothing! Instead you might say the car hesitates while accelerating or idles rough and then dies.

Simple statements are always insufficient when dealing with the complexities of machinery, but it is unnecessary to diagnose the problem yourself. On the other hand you do need enough information to converse intelligently. Quite often that information can be obtained by physically or mentally performing a test drive. A mental test drive has the benefit of getting you in the proper mindset to think and discuss automotive performance. Fortunately correct terminology can be supplanted with thoughtful descriptions.

TEST DRIVE
- quick start - or - hesitation
- low speed acceleration
- high speed acceleration
- top end speed
- automatic transmission - shift smoothness
- manual transmission - clutch & gear shift easy of entry
- low speed braking
- high speed braking
- bumps & dips > shocks & sway bar performance


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