Decoding Auto Lingo: Your Essential Guide to Car Part Names in English and Spanish

Have you ever found yourself in a garage, struggling to explain a car problem using gestures and vague descriptions? Or perhaps you’ve been on the receiving end, trying to decipher what your mechanic is saying about a “muffler bearing” (spoiler alert: it’s not a real thing!). The world of automotive terminology can feel like a foreign language, even before you introduce actual foreign languages into the mix.

As car enthusiasts, we’ve all been there – lost in translation, whether it’s due to obscure jargon or crossing language barriers. Inspired by this common frustration, and with a nod to resources like Rolly Brook’s excellent “Mexican Spanish English Car Parts Lexicon,” we’ve compiled an expanded guide to help bridge the communication gap. Think of it as your cheat sheet to understanding car part names in both English and Spanish, ensuring you’re never again stuck miming engine troubles.

This guide is designed to be practical and accessible. No need to lug around a heavy textbook – simply envision this as a handy reference you can mentally carry with you. Consider it your pocket translator for all things automotive, drawing from expert insights and comprehensive lists to provide clarity and confidence in your car conversations.

Let’s dive into the essential vocabulary, broken down by car sections for easy navigation. Whether you’re under the hood or inside the dashboard, you’ll find the terms you need to keep your car talk on track. And yes, we’ll even help you understand what “Valeros Car Part In English” truly means – and how to use the correct terminology for bearings and more.

The Gasoline Engine: English to Spanish

Understanding the core components of your engine is crucial. Here’s a breakdown of gasoline engine parts, translated from English to Spanish:

Air to Fuel Ratio (A/F) = Relación de Aire/Combustible
Belt tensioner pulley = tensor de la correa
Combustion chamber = cámara de combustión
Camshaft = árbol de levas
Camshaft drive belt = faja de distribucion
Crankshaft = cigüeñal
Engine block = bloque del motor
Exhaust manifold = válvula de escape
Flywheel = volante
Fuel injector = inyector
Gasket = junta, empaque, sello
Head cover = tapa de la cabeza
Head gasket = junta de la cabeza OR Empaque de Cabezote OR Cigueñal de cabezote
Hydraulic valve lifter = buso
Inlet valve = válvula de admisión
Insufficient Flow = Flujo Insuficiente
Intake manifold = colector de admisión
Misfire (Engine) = Falla (de Ignición)
Motor = motor
Motor Mount = Base del motor
Oil = aceite
- Drain plug = tapón del aceite
- Pan = cárter
- Pan gasket = junta del cárter
O ring = retén
Oxygen Sensor = Sensor de Oxigena
Piston = pistón
Piston ring = anillo
Piston rod = biela
Piston skirt = camisas del pistón
Pulley = polea
Rocker arm = balancín
Seal (shaft seal) = sello sinfin
Serpentine Belt = Banda Multiple
Spark plug = bujía
Thermostat = thermostato
Timing belt = banda de tiempo or faja de tiempo
Too Lean = Demasiado Pobre
Too Rich = Demasiado Rico
Vacuum diaphragm = diafragma
Valve = válvula
Valve cover = tapadera de válvulas, tapa de pistón
Valve cover gasket = empaque de tapadera de válvulas
Valve spring = resorte de válvula
Voltage (High/Low) = Voltaje Alta / Voltage Bajo

El Motor de Gasolina: Spanish to English

Flipping it around, here’s the Spanish to English translation for engine components. This section is particularly useful when your mechanic starts listing parts in Spanish:

Aceite = oil
Árbol de levas = camshaft
Balancín = rocker arm
Banda de tiempo = timing belt, aka faja de tiempo
Banda Multiple = Serpentine Belt
Base del motor = Motor Mount
Biela = piston rod
Bloque del motor = engine block
Bujía = spark plug
Buso = hydraulic valve lifter
Cámara de combustión = combustion chamber
Camisas del pistón = piston skirt
Cárter = oil pan
Cigüeñal = crankshaft
Colector de admisión = intake manifold
Demasiado Pobre = Too Lean
Demasiado Rico = Too Rich
Diafragma = vacuum diaphragm
Empaque = gasket
Empaque de tapadera de válvulas = valve cover gasket
Faja de tiempo = timing belt (aka banda de tiempo)
Faja de distribucion = camshaft drive belt
Falla Ignición = (Engine) Misfire
Flujo Insuficiente = Insufficient Flow
Inyector = fuel injector
Junta = gasket
- de la cabeza = head gasket
- del cárter = oil pan gasket
Motor = motor
Mugre = black sludge in a motor
Pistón = piston
Polea = pulley
Relación de Aire/Combustible (A/F) = Air to Fuel Ratio (A/F)
Resorte de válvula = valve spring
Retén = O ring
Sello = gasket
Sello sinfin = a basic shaft seal (steel outer support ring w/spring tensioned rubber seal)
Sensor de Oxigena = Oxygen Sensor
Tapa de la cabeza = head cover
Tapa de pistón = valve cover
Tapadera de válvulas = valve cover
Tapón del aceite = oil drain plug
Tensor de la correa = belt tensioner (pulley)
Termostato = thermostat
Válvula = valve
Válvula de admisión = inlet valve
Válvula de escape = exhaust manifold
Volante = flywheel
Voltaje Alta / Voltage Bajo = Voltage (High/Low)

Inside Dashboard and Controls: English-Spanish

Moving to the interior, let’s decode the dashboard and control terms. Knowing these can be just as important for diagnosing issues:

Accelerator = acelerador
Air bag = bolsa de aire
Brake = freno
Brake or hood release lever (incl. its cable) = chicote
Climate control = clima
Clutch = clutch, embrague
Cruise control = velocidad fija
Emergency brake = freno de emergencia
Floor mat = tapete, alfombra
Fuse = fusible
Gearshift = cambio de velocidades, palanca de cambios
Glove box = guantera, cajuelita
Hazard signal switch = palanca luces intermitentes
Heater core = nucleo de calentador
Hood or brake release lever (incl. its cable) = chicote
Horn = claxon
Ignition switch = encendió
Mirror = espejo
- Rearview = espejo retrovisor
- Side = espejo lateral
- Vanity — = espejo
Outside mirror control = control del espejo
Radio = radio
Sludge (in a motor) = mugre
Steering column = eje
Steering wheel = volante, guía
Stick shift = palanca de velocidades
Turn signal lever = palanca de direccionales
Vent = ventila, ventilador
Visor = visera
Wiper switch = palanca limpia+brisas

Interior Tablero y Controles: Spanish-English

Here’s the Spanish to English for dashboard and control components:

Acelerado = accelerator
Alfombra = floor mat
Bolsa de aire = air bag
Cajuelita = glove box
Cambio de velocidades = gearshift
Chicote = brake or hood release lever (incl. its cable)
Claxon = horn
Clima = climate control
Clutch = clutch
Control del espejo = outside mirror control
Eje = steering column
Embrague = clutch
Encendió = ignition switch
Espejo = mirror, vanity mirror
- Lateral = side mirror
- Retrovisor = rearview mirror
Freno = brake
Freno de emergencia = emergency brake
Fusible = fuse
Guantera = glove box
Guía = steering wheel
Luces intermitentes = hazard light switch
Nucleo de calentador = heater core
Palanca = lever
- de cambios = gearshift
- de direccionales = turn signal lever
- de velocidades = stick shift
- limpia+brisas = wiper switch
Radio = radio
Tapete = floor mat
Velocidad fija = cruise control
Vent = vent
Ventilador = vent
Visera = visor
Volante = steering wheel

Instrument Panel: English-Spanish

Warning lights and gauges – knowing these terms can prevent minor issues from becoming major problems:

Gas gauge = medidor de gasolina
High beam indicator = luz indicadora de larga
Odometer = cuenta+kilómetros
Odometer, trip = odómetro
Speedometer = velocímetro
Tachometer = tacómetro
Temperature gage = indicador temperatura
Turn signal indicator = direccionales
Warning lights = luces de advertencia
- Alternator = luz de advertencia del alternador
- Door ajar = luz de puerta abierta
- Fuel = luz de advertencia de gasolina
- Oil = luz de advertencia del aceite
- Seat belt = luz del cinturón
- Temperature = luz de advertencia de temperatura

Tablero de Instrumentos: Spanish-English

And the Spanish to English for the instrument panel:

Cuenta+kilómetros = odometer
Direccionales = turn signal indicators
Indicador temperatura = temperature gage
Luz de advertencia = warning light
- de advertencia del alternador = alternator
- de puerta abierta = door ajar
- de advertencia de gasolina = fuel
- de advertencia del aceite = oil
- del cinturón = seat belt
- de advertencia de temperatura = temperature
Luz indicadora de larga = high beam indicator
Medidor de gasolina = gas gauge
Odómetro = trip odometer
Tacómetro = tachometer
Velocímetro = speedometer

On the Door: English-Spanish

Details about door parts might seem minor, but are essential for complete car care knowledge:

Accessory pocket = bolsillo lateral
Armrest = descansa+brazo
Assist grip = jaladora
Door = puerta
Door handle = manija
Door latch = cerradura
Door lock = seguro
Door lock button = seguro
Hinge = bisagra
Trim panel = tapas de la puerta
Window handle = manivela del vidrio

En la Puerta: Spanish-English

Door part translations from Spanish to English:

Bisagra = hinge
Bolsillo lateral = accessory pocket
Cerradura = door latch
Descansa+brazo = armrest
Jaladora = assist grip
Manija = door handle
Manivela del vidrio = window handle
Puerta = door
Seguro = door lock
Seguro = door lock button
Tapas de la puerta = trim panel

The Seats: English-Spanish

Comfort and safety – seat components are important for both:

Back rest = respaldo
Backseat = asiento trasero
Center arm rest = descansa
Child’s seat = asiento para niño
Head rest = reposa+cabezas
Seat = asiento
- Adjustment knob = rueda para centrar asiento
- Belt = cinturón, cinturón de seguridad
- Belt buckle = seguro de cinturón
- Bench — = asiento
- Bucket — = individual
- Shoulder belt = cinturón
- Sliding lever = palanca del deslizador

Los Asientos: Spanish-English

Seat-related terms in Spanish to English:

Asiento = bench seat
Asiento = seat
- Individual = bucket seat
- Para niño = child’s seat
- Trasero = backseat
Cinturón, cinturón de seguridad = seat belt, shoulder belt
Descansa = center arm rest
Palanca del deslizador = Seat sliding lever
Reposa+cabezas = head rest
Respaldo = back rest
Rueda para centrar asiento = seat adjustment knob
Seguro de cinturón = seat belt buckle

Under the Hood: English-Spanish

The heart of your car – understanding under-the-hood components is vital for maintenance and repair:

A/C compressor = compresor del aire
Air bag controller = sensor de seguridad
Air filter = filtro de aire
Alternator = alternador
Alternator belt = banda del alternador
Band = banda
Battery = batería, acumulador, pila
Battery terminal = terminal de batería
Belt = banda
Brake booster = servofreno
Brakes = frenos
Carburetor = carburador
Catalytic converter = convertido catalítico
Coil = bobina
Cooling fan = abanico
Crash sensor = sensor de colisión
Dipstick = varilla del aceite
Distributor = distribuidor
Distributor cap = tapa del distribuidor
Fan belt = banda, banda del abanico
Filter = filtro
Gas filter = filtro de gasolina
Gas pump = bomba de gasolina
Hose = manguera
Oil filter = filtro del aceite
Power steering pump = bomba de la dirección hidráulica
Radiator = radiador
Spark plug = bujía
Spark plug wire = cable de bujía
Water pump = bomba de agua

Debajo de Toldo: Spanish-English

Under-the-hood terms translated from Spanish to English:

Abanico = cooling fan
Acumulador = battery
Alternador = alternator
Banda = belt, band
- del abanico = fan belt
- del alternador = alternator belt
Batería = battery
Bobina = ignition coil
Bomba = pump
- de agua = water pump
- de gasolina = gas pump
- de la dirección hidráulica = power steering pump
Bujía = spark plug
Cable de bujía = spark plug wire
Carburador = carburetor
Compresor del aire = air conditioner compressor
Convertido catalítico = catalytic converter
Distribuidor = distributor
Filtro = filter
- del aceite = oil filter
- del aire = air filter
- de gasolina = gas filter
Frenos = brakes
Manguera = hose
Pila = battery
Radiador = radiator
Sensor de colisión = crash sensor
Sensor de seguridad = air bag controller
Servofreno = brake booster
Tapa del distribuidor = distributor cap
Terminal de batería = battery terminal
Varilla del aceite = dipstick

Exterior of the Car: English-Spanish

From bumpers to windows, exterior car part names are essential for describing damage or upgrades:

Antenna = antena
Body side molding = moldura lateral
Bumper (front) = defensa delantera
Bumper (rear) = defensa trasera
Center post = poste central
Fender = guarda polvos
Gas cap = tapa de la gasolina
Gas tank door = puerta de la tapa de la gasolina, (commonly just) tapa
Grille = rejilla
Hood = toldo, cofre
Hubcap = copa, tapabocina
License plate = placa

Lights (various): English-Spanish

Visibility and safety depend on lights. Here’s the terminology:

Light = luz; lights = luces
Light bulb = foco
- Back-up = luz de reversa,
- Back-up (alt) = luz de marcha atrás
- Brake = luz del freno
- Fog = luz antiniebla
- Halogen bulb = foco halógeno
- Headlight = luz delantera, faro
- High beam = luz alta, faro alto
- License plate = luz para placa
- Low beam = luz baja, faro bajo
- Parking = luz para estacionarse
- Socket = zócalo
- Taillight = luz trasera
- Turn signal = luz direccional
Lug nut = tuercas del ring
Mud flap = cuvre+polvos
Quarter window = aleta
Rims = rines
Roof = techo
Sunroof = quemacoco
Tailgate (of a pickup) = tapa, puerta trasera de camioneta
Tail light assembly = calavera or mica
Tire = llanta, pneumatico
Trunk of a car = maletero, cajuela
Trunk lid = cajuela
Wheel = rin
Window = ventanilla
Windshield = (el) parabrisas
Windshield wiper = limpiador, limpia parabrisas
- Wiper = hule de parabrisas, goma de parabrisas
- Wiper arm = brazo

Exterior de la Coche: Spanish-English

Exterior car part terms in Spanish to English:

Aleta = quarter window
Antena = antenna
Cajuela = trunk or trunk lid (of a car)
Calavera (or mica) = tail light assembly
Cofre = hood
Copa = hubcap
Cubre+polvos = mud flap
Defensa delantera = bumper (front)
Defensa trasera = bumper (rear)
Faro = headlight
- Faro alto = high beam
- Faro bajo = low beam
Goma de parabrisas = windshield wiper blade
Guarda+polvos = fender
Hule de parabrisas = windshield wiper blade
Limpia parabrisas = windshield wiper
Limpiador = windshield wiper
Llanta = tire = pneumatico

Luces (varios): Spanish-English

Spanish to English light terms:

Luz = light y luces = lights
- Alta = high beam
- Antiniebla = fog light
- Baja = low beam
- de marcha atrás = back-up light
- de reversa = back-up light
- del freno = brake light
- Delantera = headlight
- Direccional = turn signal
- Para estacionarse = parking light
- Para placa = license plate light
- Trasera = taillight
Maletero = trunk of a car = cajuela
Mica (or calavera) = tail light assembly
Moldura lateral = body side molding
Parabrisas = windshield
Placa = license plate
Pneumatico = tire = llanta
Poste central = center post
Puerta de la tapa de la gasolina = gas tank door
Puerta trasera de camioneta = tailgate (of a pickup)
Quemacoco = sunroof
Rejilla = grille
Rin = wheel / rim
Tapa de la gasolina = gas cap
Tapa = gas tank door
- Tailgate of a pickup
Tapabocina = hubcap
Tapón de gasolina = gascap
Techo = roof
Toldo = hood
Tuercas del ring = lug nut
Ventanilla = window
Zócalo = light bulb socket

In the Trunk: English-Spanish

Emergency equipment and storage terms for your trunk:

Flare = señal luminosa preventiva
Jack = gato
Jumper cables = cables de pasar corriente
Lug wrench = cruzeta (cross wrench)
Spare tire = refacción

En la Cajuela: Spanish-English

Trunk terms Spanish to English:

Cables de pasar corriente = jumper cables
Cruzeta = lug wrench
Gato = jack
Refacción = spare tire
Señal luminosa preventiva = flare

Under the Car: English-Spanish

Essential for understanding chassis and suspension parts:

A-frame arm (front suspension) = orquillas or orquidea
Automatic transmission = transmisión automática
Axle = eje
Ball joint = rotula
Bearing = balero o idioma: ‘caja de bolas’
Brakes = frenos
Catalytic converter = convertido catalítico
Control arm (suspension) = horcilla de suspencion
Clutch = embrague
Coil spring = muelle helicoidal
Crash sensor = sensor de colisión
CV joint = balero espiga
CV joint boot = botas de las juntas de velocidad constante (aka botas VC)
Differential = diferencial
Disc brake = freno de disco
Drive shaft = flecha
Exhaust pipe = tubo de escape
Front suspension arm = orquillas or orquidea
Gas (gasoline) = gasolina
- Line = tubo de gasolina
- Tank = tanque de gasolina
Gearbox = caja de velocidades
Hydraulic brake line = circuito de frenado
Leaf spring = muelle
Muffler = silenciador, mofle
Radiator = radiador
Rack and pinion = cremallera
Shock absorber = amortiguador
Spring = muelle or resorte
Tie rod (with or without the ‘end’) = bieleta de direccion (with or w/o ends)
Tie rod end (part with little ball joint) = terminale de direccion
Suspension arm = brazo de suspensión

Debajo de le coche: Spanish-English

Under-car terms from Spanish to English. Note the inclusion of “valeros” here, as “balero” is a common Spanish word for bearing:

Amortiguador = shock absorber
Balero = bearing (This is where “valeros car part in english” leads us – “valeros” is likely a mishearing or variant of “balero”)
Balero espiga = CV joint
Bieleta de direccion = tie rod end
Botas de las juntas de velocidad constante (botas VC) = CV joint boots
Brazo de suspensión = suspension arm
Caja de bolas (idioma slang) = balero = bearing
Caja de velocidades = gearbox
Circuito de frenado = hydraulic brake line
Convertido catalítico = catalytic converter
Cremallera = rack and pinion
Diferencial = differential
Eje = axle
Embrague = clutch
Flecha = drive shaft
Freno de disco = disc brake
Frenos = brakes
Gasolina = gas, gasoline
Horcilla de suspencion = control arm (suspension)
Mofle = muffler
Muelle = spring, leaf spring
Muelle helicoidal = coil spring
Orquillas o orquidia = front suspension A-frame arm
Radiador = radiator
Resorte = spring
Rótula = ball joint
Sensor de colisión = crash sensor
Silenciador = muffler
Tanque de gasolina = gas tank
Terminale de direccion = tie rod end (part with the little ball joint)
Transmisión automática = automatic transmission
Tubo de escape = exhaust pipe
Tubo de gasolina = gas line

Other Things: English-Spanish

General car terms that don’t fit neatly into categories:

2-door sedan = sedán dos puertas
4-door sedan = sedán quatro puertas
Air = aire
Air pressure = presión de aire
Brake fluid = fluido de frenos
Convertible = descapotable
To drive = manejar
Gasket paper = garlo o velamoy
Hatchback = compuerta trasera
Light bulb = foco
- Halogen = foco halógeno
- Socket = zócalo
Limousine = limusina
Millage = millaje
Minivan = monovolumen
Oil level = nivel de aceite
To patch = remendar
Patches (tire) = parches
Pickup truck = camioneta, trucka
Power steering = dirección hidráulica
Sports car = deportivo
Sports utility vehicle (SUV) = vehiculo todo terreno
To start (the engine) = arrancar
Station wagon = coche familiar

Otras Cosas: Spanish-English

More general car terms Spanish to English:

Aire = air
Arrancar = to start (the engine)
Camioneta = pickup truck
Coche familiar = station wagon
Compuerta trasera = hatchback
Deportivo = sports car
Descapotable = convertible
Dirección hidráulica = power steering
Fluido de frenos = brake fluid
Foco = light bulb
- Halógeno = halogen light bulb
Garlo o velamoy = gasket paper / gasket stock
Limusina = limousine
Manejar = to drive
Millaje = millage
Monovolumen = minivan
Nivel de aceite = oil level
Parches = patches
Presión de aire = air pressure
Remendar = to patch
Sedán dos puertas = 2-door sedan
Sedán quatro puertas = 4-door sedan
Trucka = pickup truck
Vehiculo todo terreno = sports utility vehicle (SUV)
Zócalo = light bulb socket

Tools etc.: English-Spanish

Essential tool names for DIY repairs or understanding mechanic invoices:

Cutter = cortadora de metal
File = Lima de metal
Grinder = molinillo
Hammer = martillo
Pliers = pinzas
Ratchet = trinquete
Sandpaper = Papel de liga
Screw = tornillo
Screwdriver = desarmador o destornillador
Socket set = Juego de llaves de vaso
Tire = Llanta or neumático
Tire Tread = rodadura del neumático or Tire Tread = banda de rodedura or Tire Tread = cumbre de llanta
Tread Separation = Separación de cumbre de llana
Wheel = Rin
Wrench = Llave de tuercas
Wrench Set = juego de llaves
Wire (tie -solid core) = alambre
Wire (electrical – stranded) = cable

Herramientas etc: Spanish-English

Tool terms Spanish to English:

Alambre = tie wire or support wire – solid wire
Banda de rodedura = Tire Tread
Cable = Electrical wire or stranded wire
Cortadora de metal = Cutter
Cumbre de llanta = Tire Tread
Desarmador = Screwdriver
Juego de llaves (de tuerco) = set of wrenches
Juego de llaves de vaso = socket set
Lima de Metal = metal file
Llanta = tire
Llave = wrench
Martillo = hammer
Molinillo = grinder
Papel de liga = sandpaper
Pinzas = Pliers
Rin = Wheel or rim
Rodadura del neumático = Tire Tread
Separación de cumbre de llana = Tread Separation
Tornillo = Screw
Trinquete = ratchet

Auto Verbs: English-Spanish

Actions you might perform on your car or hear your mechanic describe:

Hit = golpear
Rotate / twist = hacer girar
Scrape (clean) = raspar
Scratch (gouge) = rayar
Tighten (a bolt) = apretar
Tighten (a belt) = apretarse

Verbos de Coches: Spanish-English

Car-related verbs Spanish to English:

Apretar (un tornillo) = tighten a bolt
Apretarse (un cinturon) = tighten a belt
Golpear = hit
Hacer girar = rotate / twist
Raspar = scrape clean
Rayar = scratch / gouge

BONUS IMAGE:

This glossary is a starting point, and the automotive world is constantly evolving. We encourage readers to contribute terms we might have missed in the comments below. For a more extensive, albeit less portable, resource, check out the ASE’s 58-page online glossary.

And if you’re venturing into car buying in Mexico, don’t forget to check out our companion article on Yucatan Living: “Buying A Used Car in Merida”.

Drive safely and stay informed!