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Grasping Auto Repair Terminology

You can feel confident that Center City Tire & Auto has the knowledge and expertise to service your vehicle.  Tire World service advisors pride themselves on having a solid grasp of auto repair terms and will explain the repairs to you in language you can understand.  However, knowing basic terminology is important for the consumer as well.  

No matter where our customers take their car for service, we want them to be safe and have a knowledge of basic auto repair terminology. Here are a few important terms every driver should know:

• Timing Belt - Your timing belt is typically made of reinforced rubber, is covered in bumps, and is responsible for coordinating the rotations of the camshaft and crankshaft so that the engine's valves and pistons move appropriately.  

• Battery Corrosion - If acid is leaking, rust is building up, or water sits on the outside casing, your battery can rapidly corrode.  A battery that is corroded does not function properly and can lead to a dead engine.

• Dipstick - Dipsticks are used to visually inspect the level and quality of the liquid, whether it be oil or another fluid.

• Brake Pad - Brakes wear out over time.  Tire World and Taneytown Tire & Auto's technicians will inspect your brake system to ensure that the brake pads' thickness is adequate and they are the proper width for effectively stopping your car.  

• Brake Rotor - A machined metal disc that the brake pads collapse upon in order for your vehicle to stop.  When pressing the brake pedal, the pads "squeeze" against the brake rotors.

• Spark Plug - The spark plug ignites the fuel-air mixture, which powers your engine when you turn the key in the ignition.  If you have a spark plug that has burnt out, then it will not properly ignite.  A spark plug covered in water could flood the engine.

• Steering Tie-rods - Most car's steering components are made up of a rack and pinion system.  This system incorporates tie rods to help move the wheels. The tie rods attach to both ends of the steering rack and as the pinion rolls over the slotted rack, they help pull and push the front tires when the steering wheel turns.  Tie rods are an important part of the vehicle's steering system and contribute to a car's overall safety.

Learning some basic auto repair technology will help you feel more confident when you are discussing repairs with your service advisor.