If you're new to the world of auto parts, the lingo used by the pros may be confusing. Acronyms may perplex you. Shortened phrases might leave you wondering. And many terms are far from self-defining. Yet whether you're a beginning mechanic, ordering parts for an auto parts supplier or an amateur mechanic trying to maintain your business' vehicles, understanding auto parts key terms is essential.

Terminology linked to auto accessories and parts may be broken down into three general categories. These are:

1. Manufacturer terms used to describe car parts,

2. Words mechanics use to describe automotive parts repairs,

3. And terms used in the buying and selling of auto parts.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn manufacturer terms used to describe retail and wholesale auto parts

Manufacturers have a specific terminology for every part on a vehicle. Among those terms are 'ABS' (short for 'Anti-Lock Braking System,' a system that prevents wheels locking up), 'brake pedal assembly' (the foot lever that operates the brake system), 'carburetor kit' (all the parts needed to rebuild a carburetor) and 'ECA' ('electronic control assembly,' an automotive computer).

I recommend: To learn more about common domestic and foreign auto parts terms, including names of most auto parts, read the glossary at OddballAutoParts.com. Lawson's Auto Parts Club also offers a useful glossary of car accessories and parts terms.

Understand common automotive parts repair terms

Mechanics use their own vocabulary for describing repairs. Among the terms you may run across but not immediately recognize are 'anti-wear agents' (any chemical used to prevent oil thickening or engine deposits), 'fault code' (also known as a 'trouble code' or 'diagnostic trouble code,' a computer code telling mechanics what has gone wrong with a particular part) and 'revolutions per mile' (the number of tire revolutions made when traveling a mile).

I recommend: All Info About has a useful glossary of auto repair terms, as well as many other helpful automotive articles. Certified First Network also offers a free glossary of terms, many dealing directly with auto repairs.

Understand terminology used by auto parts stores

Some of the most common terms you'll hear among auto parts vendors include 'rebuilt parts' (when an old part is fixed by replacing only broken components), 'remanufactured parts' (parts that are fixed until they meet the manufacturer's high standards), 'OEM' (short for 'original equipment manufacturer' and sometimes shortened to 'OE,' which refers to parts from the vehicle's original manufacturer), 'genuine' (OE parts) and 'aftermarket' (non-OE parts).

I recommend: For a good article about terms applying to used auto parts, read "Auto parts: Rebuilt, remanufactured or reused?" at CNN.com. GotEngine.com offers a blog featuring an interesting article on "recycling" auto parts and what it means to those who buy and install them.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  One auto parts term everyone should know is 'counterfeit.' A surprising number of aftermarket auto parts are now counterfeited, and many pose a safety hazard. Tell-tale signs of counterfeit parts include a sales price that's much lower than the competition and flaws in the packaging.

Who needs a mechanic for auto repairs? Fixing simple automotive parts, like headlights, batteries and air filters, is easy. If you’re ambitious, you can try more advanced projects, such as adding aftermarket parts and auto accessories or replacing car parts like belts and brake pads. The obvious lure is saving money -- mechanics charge for their labor, and also tend to charge rather high prices for each automotive part they install. But there are other benefits in a sense of accomplishment and a feeling of control over your own vehicle and purse.

Fixing your own car nearly always means buying auto parts. Car parts come in three basic types, and sellers must always tell you which kind of part they're selling:

1. OEM (original equipment manufacturer). OEM parts are made by the same maker who made the original part on your car; in effect, they are identical replacements for the original car parts.

2. Aftermarket parts: Aftermarket parts fit and work just like the original (or better), but are not made by the original manufacturer and are often priced far lower than OEM parts.

3. Used auto parts. Used auto parts that have already been in service for awhile and may (or may not) have some life left in them.

Here are the most effective solutions for buying automotive parts:

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy car parts online from the major store brands

Most of the same car parts stores you pass every day also sell online. The advantage to buying online from these stores is that you can make returns to the store instead of return-shipping them. There's also something to be said for a vendor with a national consumer reputation, and someone to talk to face-to-face when you have questions about a part you bought online.

I recommend: Major auto parts stores with online outlets include NAPA, AutoZone and Pep Boys.

Buy auto parts from specialty online super-dealers

Online car parts retailers tend to position themselves much differently from the store-based retailers. They often claim that they carry a far greater range of automotive parts than the others -- they may stock that thermostat for a '67 Audi that AutoZone never heard of. Online sources also may have better prices, and they often carry the same part from a variety of manufacturers to give you more options -- often including OEM parts, aftermarket parts and used auto parts, so you can compare. Where a store-based retailer may offer three makes of spark plug to fit your vehicle, an online retailer may have ten, at a wide range of prices. On the flip side, many online parts stores are aimed at a higher proficiency level. Translation: They sometimes expect you to know what you want and what it does, and don't offer as much help as they might.

I recommend: Check out Auto Parts Warehouse, The Parts Center, Best Deal Car Parts, and Auto Parts Giant.

Locate hard-to-find used auto parts at online junk dealers

Sure, junkyards have always been the bargain basement of the car parts game. But now they are online, presented as 'used auto parts' dealers. Online used parts stores are great for things that can be reliably rebuilt, such as alternators or water pumps, or for items of trim or fittings that are impossible to find elsewhere, like a dashboard for '99 Taurus. Although many used parts dealers warranty their wares, bear in mind -- it's cheap, but it's still used.

I recommend: There are individual used auto parts dealers, like EverDrive, which carries a complete used car parts selection and warranties all of its parts for three years from purchase. But more common are sites like Auto Part Search, a used auto parts site from which you can search the inventories of 250 junkyards -- sorry, "auto recyclers" -- for the part you want. Junk Yard Dog and Barely Used Auto Parts offer similar services.

Get OEM parts straight from your car's manufacturer

The dealer? Yes, the dealer. Why not? It's auto parts orthodoxy that a car part from the dealer is always more expensive and for no good reason. But knowing that they compete directly now with online retailers, many manufacturers' sites now offer competitive prices for their OEM auto parts. One caveat: They tend to carry only late-model parts; you're more likely to find that car part for your '84 Volvo from another online seller than from Volvo. Note too that you do not have to buy your OEM auto parts direct from the dealer; third-party online retailers sell both aftermarket auto parts and OEM auto parts.

I recommend: Here are some of the major auto manufacturers who sell their auto parts online: GM Parts Direct for General Motors cars; Ford parts; Mopar for Chrysler cars, Toyota parts, and Honda parts.

Style up with auto accessories - the car parts with class!

It's important to appreciate the distinction between 'auto parts' and 'auto accessories': If it came on the car when it was new, and now it needs replacing, it's a part. If it's unnecessary and you want to add it, it's an accessory. Parts include mufflers and air filters and windshields. Auto accessories include bike carriers, leopard-print steering wheel covers and mud flaps that say 'back off!'. The Internet is auto accessory heaven. You can find anything and everything you could ever imagine adding to your car -- and lots of stuff beyond your imagination.

I recommend: JC Whitney is the gold standard of auto accessories dealers, stocking everything from custom cargo liners to a car horn that moos like a cow (seriously). Other options include eAutoWorks.com and CarGear.com.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Most mechanics will not install an automotive part you bought yourself, but some smaller outfits will, charging just an hourly rate for labor.
• •  Another place to look for hard-to-find auto parts is eBay's auto site, eBay motors.
• •  Some dealers and sites claim that OEM auto parts are superior to aftermarket auto parts, and therefore charge more for them. Others say aftermarket auto parts are just as good, but cheaper. Only you can decide, but you should take note of whether a part is OEM or not in making your choice.

The subject of automotive parts is vast. If you're just starting out in this field, you probably have a myriad of questions: What parts should be replaced frequently? Which can make the vehicle I'm working on run better? Which can improve fuel mileage? Which can increase power? And should I know anything special about buying them from an auto parts supplier? Whether you're buying parts for a shop, are a beginning mechanic or are just learning the ropes as you care for your business' vehicles, there's much to learn.

However, when it comes to familiarizing yourself with auto parts basics, there are three general areas you should focus on first. These are:

1. Commonly replaced auto parts,

2. Performance or custom car parts,

3. And getting the best results by buying wholesale auto parts in bulk.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Know what automotive parts are most commonly replaced

Some auto parts get replaced more often than others. Among these parts are fuel filters (which, when dirty, reduce fuel mileage and cause engine wear), spark plugs (as bad spark plugs cause engine fouling), break pads, heater hoses (which harden and crack over time, causing coolant leaks), gaskets, timing belts (which should be replaced periodically to prevent breakage and engine damage) and air filters (which, when clogged, make your vehicle not only loose power but also up to 10 percent in fuel mileage).

I recommend: Read "Replacement of Common Preventive Maintenance Parts Can Help Reduce Strain of Rising Gas Prices" at Reuters to learn about the top auto parts you can replace to encourage better fuel mileage. TrueDelta hosts the Common Auto Repairs Database (or CARDb), a valuable resource showing which auto repairs are most common among particular vehicles; just sign in as a guest to read the database.

Learn about performance and custom car parts

Performance parts increase vehicle handling, power and fuel economy. They aren't necessary for a well-running vehicle, but they enhance it considerably. Some of the most common performance parts include better than OEM ('original equipment manufacturer') air filters, exhausts and intake kits (which allow more air to flow to the engine, thereby increasing power).

I recommend: Check out "What Are Performance Car Parts?" at Crutchfield for tips about common performance parts and how to best use them. Blue Ribbon Motoring offers useful research guides, FAQs and glossaries about common performance parts.

Use auto parts wholesalers to your best advantage

When it comes to commonly used auto parts--things that must be regularly replaced on any vehicle--it makes sense to buy in bulk. When you do this, you'll always have the parts in hand when you need them, saving endless time and frustration. You'll also save money because you'll receive a better discount when you buy in bulk.

I recommend: Performance Parts Wholesale claims to have the lowest prices anywhere on performance and OEM parts. Shop by brand or vehicle make and year using their online catalog. Car Parts Wholesale will beat any competitor',s price by 10 percent--even on foreign auto parts; search their catalog using year, make and model.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  One auto part that should be replaced often is the oxygen (or O2) sensor. A bad O2 sensor can decrease your fuel economy by up to 40 percent.

Whether you're a mechanic, a shop owner or a consumer, it's tough to imagine not wanting to save money on auto parts. Domestic and foreign auto parts can cost a bundle! Fortunately, there are easy ways to save significant amounts of money on car parts and auto accessories. The trick is to ensure you're buying high quality parts without wasting too much time searching for what you need.

First, take some time to research a few important options for buying auto parts on the cheap. In particular, consider:

1. Purchasing non-OEM (original equipment manufacturer) wholesale auto parts -- often for considerably less than OEM parts.

2. Buying remanufactured or rebuilt items from auto parts stores for up to 30 percent off.

3. Carefully searching junk yards for domestic or import auto parts, saving up to 50 percent.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose non-OEM parts from auto parts wholesalers

Non-OEM parts, sometimes called aftermarket parts, are auto parts not made by the original manufacturer who supplied parts for the vehicle when it was assembled by the auto maker. Although a few experts believe OEM parts should be used for best performance, most experts agree that non-OEM parts are just as good--and they cost a fraction of the price of OEM parts. They are cheaper because the manufacturers don't need to spend money on research and development--the OEM manufacturers have already done so.

I recommend: Executive Autobody discusses the pros and cons of using non-OEM parts. PartsChannel, Inc, looks at myths associated with non-OEM parts.

Select remanufactured parts from your auto parts supplier

At times you should consider buying used parts, but avoid those that companies call 'used,' as they may or may not function properly. Remanufactured used parts meet OEM standards. Rebuilt or refurbished used parts are disassembled by mechanics and all broken or worn components are replaced. Whether you choose remanufactured or rebuilt parts, you'll save an average of 20 to 30 percent over the cost of new parts.

I recommend: CNN.com explains the sometimes subtle differences between remanufactured, rebuilt, and re-used parts. For more discussion about the benefits of remanufactured parts, see the Automotive Parts Rebuilders Association website.

Scour junk yards for quality used auto parts

If you're an expert mechanic, a terrific way to save money on auto parts is to get them at junk yards. Vehicles in junk yards usually have some broken parts, but if you know what you're looking at, you can determine which parts are still good and buy them for around 50 percent less than new parts.

I recommend: Car Craft offers excellent advice about finding parts in junk yards, while TrustMyMechanic.com gives tips for easily finding cheap parts through junk yards.