Navigating car repairs can be challenging enough, but add a language barrier, and it can feel like you’re playing charades under the hood. Have you ever struggled to explain a car problem to a Spanish-speaking mechanic, or vice versa? Understanding automotive terminology is a specialized field in itself, filled with jargon that can be confusing even in your native language.
As fellow car enthusiasts, we at carparteu.com understand this frustration. That’s why we’ve compiled this comprehensive guide to automotive terms in both English and Spanish, with a special focus on clarifying terms like “Flecha Car Part“. “Flecha,” in automotive Spanish, directly translates to drive shaft in English, a critical component in your vehicle’s drivetrain.
This guide is inspired by the invaluable work of experts like Don Francisco, a seasoned auto mechanics professor with 30 years of experience at the Universidad Tecnologico, whose team even clinched a national car repair championship. We also drew upon resources like Rolly Brook’s excellent “Mexican Spanish English Car Parts Lexicon,” expanding and refining it to create an even more helpful resource for you.
Think of this article as your portable phrasebook for automotive language. Whether you’re a DIY mechanic, traveling abroad, or simply want to communicate more effectively with your mechanic, this guide will help you confidently discuss car parts and repairs. Let’s dive into the world of automotive Spanish-English terminology, ensuring you’re never lost in translation again.
The Gasoline Engine: Essential Terms
When it comes to the heart of your vehicle, the engine, knowing the right terms is crucial. Here’s a breakdown of gasoline engine components in English and Spanish:
| English | 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, Empaque de Cabezote, 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 |
| Oil drain plug | Tapón del aceite |
| Oil pan | Cárter |
| Oil 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 | Termostato |
| 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 |
Inside the Dashboard and Controls: Spanish Translations
The interior controls and dashboard are where driver interaction is key. Here’s how to discuss these components in Spanish:
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Accelerator | Acelerador |
| Air bag | Bolsa de aire |
| Brake | Freno |
| Brake/Hood release lever | 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/Brake release lever | Chicote |
| Horn | Claxon |
| Ignition switch | Encendió |
| Mirror | Espejo |
| Rearview mirror | Espejo retrovisor |
| Side mirror | Espejo lateral |
| Outside mirror control | Control del espejo |
| Radio | Radio |
| 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 |
Instrument Panel: Understanding Warning Lights
Warning lights on your instrument panel communicate crucial information about your vehicle’s status. Learn to understand these signals in Spanish:
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Gas gauge | Medidor de gasolina |
| High beam indicator | Luz indicadora de larga |
| Odometer | Cuenta+kilómetros |
| Trip odometer | Odómetro |
| Speedometer | Velocímetro |
| Tachometer | Tacómetro |
| Temperature gage | Indicador temperatura |
| Turn signal indicator | Direccionales |
| Warning lights | Luces de advertencia |
| Alternator warning light | Luz de advertencia del alternador |
| Door ajar warning light | Luz de puerta abierta |
| Fuel warning light | Luz de advertencia de gasolina |
| Oil warning light | Luz de advertencia del aceite |
| Seat belt warning light | Luz del cinturón |
| Temperature warning light | Luz de advertencia de temperatura |
On the Door: Exterior and Interior Components
The car door is more complex than it seems. Here’s the terminology for door components:
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| 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 |
The Seats: Comfort and Safety Features
Understanding seat components is important for both comfort and safety. Here are the terms:
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Back rest | Respaldo |
| Backseat | Asiento trasero |
| Center arm rest | Descansa |
| Child’s seat | Asiento para niño |
| Head rest | Reposa+cabezas |
| Seat | Asiento |
| Seat adjustment knob | Rueda para centrar asiento |
| Seat belt | Cinturón, Cinturón de seguridad |
| Seat belt buckle | Seguro de cinturón |
| Bench seat | Asiento |
| Bucket seat | Asiento individual |
| Shoulder belt | Cinturón |
| Seat sliding lever | Palanca del deslizador |
Under the Hood: Engine Bay Essentials
The engine bay is a world of its own. Let’s explore the components under the hood:
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Air bag controller | Sensor de seguridad |
| A/C compressor | Compresor del aire |
| 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 |
Exterior of the Car: Body and Lights
From bumpers to lights, here’s the Spanish vocabulary for the car’s exterior:
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| 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, Tapa |
| Grille | Rejilla |
| Hood | Toldo, Cofre |
| Hubcap | Copa, Tapabocina |
| License plate | Placa |
| Light bulb | Foco |
| Halogen bulb | Foco halógeno |
| Light socket | Zócalo |
| Lights | Luces |
| Back-up light | Luz de reversa, Luz de marcha atrás |
| Brake light | Luz del freno |
| Fog light | Luz antiniebla |
| Headlight | Luz delantera, Faro |
| High beam | Luz alta, Faro alto |
| License plate light | Luz para placa |
| Low beam | Luz baja, Faro bajo |
| Parking light | Luz para estacionarse |
| Taillight | Luz trasera |
| Turn signal | Luz direccional |
| Lug nut | Tuercas del ring |
| Mud flap | Cubre+polvos |
| Quarter window | Aleta |
| Rims | Rines |
| Roof | Techo |
| Sunroof | Quemacoco |
| Tailgate (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 | Parabrisas |
| Windshield wiper | Limpiador, Limpia parabrisas |
| Wiper blade | Hule de parabrisas, Goma de parabrisas |
| Wiper arm | Brazo |
In the Trunk: Emergency and Spare Parts
What you keep in your trunk can be crucial in emergencies. Here’s the Spanish terminology:
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Flare | Señal luminosa preventiva |
| Jack | Gato |
| Jumper cables | Cables de pasar corriente |
| Lug wrench | Cruzeta (cross wrench) |
| Spare tire | Refacción |
Under the Car: Chassis and Drivetrain
Beneath the car is where the drivetrain and suspension live. This section is particularly relevant for understanding “flecha car part,” the drive shaft.
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| A-frame arm (front suspension) | Orquillas or Orquidea |
| Automatic transmission | Transmisión automática |
| Axle | Eje |
| Ball joint | Rótula |
| Bearing | Balero o 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 (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 |
| Gas line | Tubo de gasolina |
| Gas 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/without ‘end’) | Bieleta de direccion (with/without ends) |
| Tie rod end | Terminale de direccion |
| Suspension arm | Brazo de suspensión |
As you can see, “flecha car part” is clearly identified as the drive shaft, a key component in transferring power from the engine to the wheels, especially in rear-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive vehicles.
Other Useful Automotive Terms
Beyond specific parts, here are some general automotive terms that can be helpful:
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| 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 bulb | Foco halógeno |
| Light socket | Zócalo |
| Limousine | Limusina |
| Mileage | 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 (SUV) |
| To start (the engine) | Arrancar |
| Station wagon | Coche familiar |
Tools and Equipment: Spanish Names
If you’re working on your car yourself, knowing the names of tools in Spanish is essential:
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| 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, Banda de rodedura, Cumbre de llanta |
| Tread Separation | Separación de cumbre de llanta |
| Wheel | Rin |
| Wrench | Llave de tuercas |
| Wrench Set | Juego de llaves |
| Wire (tie-solid core) | Alambre |
| Wire (electrical-stranded) | Cable |
Auto Repair Verbs: Actions in Spanish
Describing actions during car repair is just as important as knowing the parts. Here are some useful verbs:
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| To hit | Golpear |
| To rotate/twist | Hacer girar |
| To scrape (clean) | Raspar |
| To scratch (gouge) | Rayar |
| To tighten (a bolt) | Apretar (un tornillo) |
| To tighten (a belt) | Apretarse (un cinturon) |
This glossary provides a solid foundation for communicating about car parts and repairs in both English and Spanish. Remember, clear communication is key to ensuring accurate diagnoses and effective repairs, saving you time and potential misunderstandings. For an even more extensive resource, consider exploring the ASE glossary, a 58-page document available online, although perhaps less portable than this guide for carrying in your car.
We encourage you to use this guide and share it with anyone who might find it helpful. If you have suggestions for additional terms or improvements, please let us know in the comments!
Feel free to share and use this information, attributing credit to carparteu.com.
