US-British Technical Terms

Translations of terms with different meanings on different sides of the Atlantic.

Written by Skye Nott – 2006-04-02
How-To Library > Reference Section

Confused by the terms used in a manual or article written across the pond?

You're not alone, so here's a handy English - American translation guide.

Now you too can confuse your local mechanic!

English	American	English	American
Accelerator	Gas pedal	Locks	Latches
Aerial	Antenna	Methylated spirit	Denatured alcohol
Anti-roll bar	Stabiliser or sway bar	Motorway	Freeway, turnpike etc
Big-end bearing	Rod bearing	Number plate	License plate
Bonnet (engine cover)	Hood	Paraffin	Kerosene
Boot (for luggage)	Trunk	Petrol	Gasoline (gas)
Bulkhead	Firewall	Petrol Tank	Gas tank
Bush	Bushing	'Pinking'	'Pinging'
Cam follower / tappet	Valve lifter / tappet	Prise (force apart)	Pry
Carburettor	Carburetor	Propeller shaft	Driveshaft
Catch	Latch	Quarterlight	Quarter window
Choke/venturi	Barrel	Retread	Recap
Circlip	Snap-ring	Reverse	Back-up
Clearance	Lash	Rocker cover	Valve cover
Crownwheel	Ring gear (of differential)	Saloon	Sedan
Damper	Shock absorber, shock	Seized	Frozen
Disc (brake)	Rotor/disk	Sidelight	Parking light
Distance piece	Spacer	Silencer	Muffler
Drop arm	Pitman arm	Sill panel (beneath doors)	Rocker panel
Drop head coupe	Convertible	Small end, little end	Piston pin or wrist pin
Dynamo	Generator (DC)	Spanner	Wrench
Earth (electrical)	Ground	Valve Collet	Lock (valve spring retainer)
Engineer's blue	Prussian blue	Split pin	Cotter pin
Estate car	Station wagon	Steering arm	Spindle arm
Exhaust manifold	Header	Sump	Oil pan
Fault finding/diagnosis	Troubleshooting	Swarf	Metal chips or debris
Float chamber	Float bowl	Tab washer	Tang or lock
Free-play	Lash	Tappet	Valve lifter
Freewheel	Coast	Thrust bearing	Throw-out bearing
Gearbox	Transmission	Top gear	High
Gearchange	Shift	Torch	Flashlight
Grub screw	Setscrew, Allen screw	Trackrod (of steering)	Tie-rod (or connecting rod)
Gudgeon pin	Piston pin or wrist pin	Trailing shoe (of brake)	Secondary shoe
Halfshaft	Axleshaft	Transmission	Whole drive line
Handbrake	Parking brake	Tyre	Tire
Hood	Soft top	Van	Panel wagon/van
Hot spot	Heat riser	Vice	Vise
Indicator	Turn signal	Wheel nut	Lug nut
Interior light	Dome lamp	Windscreen	Windshield
Layshaft (of gearbox)	Countershaft	Wing/mudguard	Fender
Leading shoe (of brake)	Primary shoe
English	American	English	American

— US-British Technical Terms —

Written by Skye Nott – Created 2006-04-02 Published 2006-04-02
Contents © Copyrighted and published under the following terms:
Released under the terms of the CC Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 License

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Member Comments on US-British Technical Terms ↵

Rated 7 out of 10 based on 1 ratings

2008-12-19 21:15:24 # 1222

Comment by andrew perry

always wondered what a lug nut was

2009-05-27 09:55:40 # 1424

Comment by Ivo Fodor

The "small end" or "little end" refers to the piston end of the connecting rod. The piston pin is in British English the gudgeon pin

2011-01-16 15:08:29 # 2497

Comment by Peter Smart

wow, after reading that I am some what confused....been Australian we use a cross of both terms....oh well seems I can speak 2 more languages now

2013-10-31 06:44:43 # 12606

Comment by GEORGE BERNICK

Got one to add to the list...UK "nave plate"...US "hub cap". Back in 1963 I was wanted to tear down my TR3's front brakes. Wanting to d it right, I followed my Triumph repair manual. It started "Remove road wheel and nave plate". So, I took off the hub cap and wheel...then spent several hours trying to find something that looked like a nave plate! Next day a Brit friend translated for me...

2014-05-25 18:11:22 # 17364

Comment by Lawrence Reyes

A lot of the "American" terms are actually "layman's" terms used by backyard mechanics. Auto Technicians use different terms/names for parts/locations.

2016-08-18 10:37:44 # 36710

Comment by Sheila Dunn

I'm American, but I am a digital content creator for a MG dealership in the UK. This was an interesting list. I'm always coming across various differences in UK vs. American English. Just today, I was commenting on how we use the term "scheme" very differently. Here in America, "scheme" has a very negative connotation and is synonymous with "scam." There may be a couple that are a bit off maybe on your list is "van." I never heard of the term "panel wagon." From what I understand, what we call a van is what people in the UK call a people mover or transit van. Sometimes, you'll hear someone say "moving van" for a somewhat larger vehicle used to carry boxes, but usually they are referred to as trucks. I never heard of "whole drive line" but "drivetrain" is a very common word. And, "dome lamp" is called "dome light."

2016-08-18 10:42:48 # 36711

Comment by Sheila Dunn

One other car-related term that could be added to this list- I once saw a car review in which the person mentioned a "fly over." I had to look up that one. I had no idea what he meant, and thought he must be referring to the nearby airport. lol We call it an overpass.

2016-12-22 09:13:17 # 39207

Comment by Bev S

Rating: 7/10

another one to add to the list i learnt today us channel locks english expanding pliers

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