Auto Terminology

The terminology included in the following tables is provided to ensure that we are talking the same language. These tables are provided just as a simple reference source.

Diagnostic terminology

• Symptom The effect of a fault noticed by the driver, user or technician 
• Fault The root cause of a symptom/problem 
• Diagnostics The process of tracing a fault by means of its symptoms, applying knowledge and analysing test results 
• Knowledge The understanding of a system that is required to diagnose faults 
• Logical A step by step method used to ensure nothing  procedure is missed 
• Report A standard format for the presentation of results

General terminology

• System A collection of components that carry out a function
• Efficiency This is a simple measure of any system. It canbe scientific for example if the power out of a system is less then the power put in, itspercentage efficiency can be determined (Pout/Pin 100%). This could, for example, begiven as 80%. In a less scientific example, a vehicle using more fuel than normal is said to be inefficient
• Noise Emanation of sound from a system that iseither simply unwanted or is not the normal sound that should be produced
• Active Any system that is in operation all the time (steering for example)
• Passive A system that waits for an event before it isactivated (an air bag is a good example)
• Short circuit An electrical conductor is touching something that it should not be (usually another conductor or the chassis)
• Open circuit A circuit that is broken (a switched off switchis an open circuit)
• High In relation to electricity, this is part of a resistance circuit that has become more difficult for the electricity to get through. In a mechanical system a partially blocked pipe would have a resistance to the flow of fluid 
• Worn This word works better with further additions such as: worn to excess, worn out of tolerance, or even, worn, but still within tolerance! 
• Quote To make an estimate of or give exact information on the price of a part or service. A quotation may often be considered to be legally binding 
• Estimate A statement of the expected cost of a certain job (e.g. a service or repairs) An estimate is normally a best guess and is not legally binding 
• Dodgy, Words often used to describe a system or  knackered or component, but they mean nothing! Get used  @#%&*! to describing things so that misunderstandings are eliminated.