Car modifications are more than just cool looks, they’re a way to express yourself and get the best out of your vehicle. But there’s one thing every new and old car enthusiast has in common: they often find themselves faced with a barrage of specialty car terms that are unfamiliar and hard to understand—especially when it’s time to upgrade the car itself.

All this industry slang can feel overwhelming. That’s why here at Mars Performance, we share the most common specialty car terminology, from car body parts down to the slang every car enthusiast says, to help you learn what it really means to understand the language of aftermarket culture.

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Whether you’re a lifelong car enthusiast with a vast wealth of knowledge about car body parts or someone who’s just stepping into the world of cars, we know you’ll succeed when you buy your aftermarket parts with us at Mars Performance to find the car parts of your dreams. Check out our stunning collection.

Car Terminologies Glossary

A

Aftermarket Parts

Parts that can be added or are upgraded parts made by companies other than the car’s original manufacturer. Aftermarket parts are used to upgrade or replace OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts.

Air Suspension

A type of suspension that uses air-filled bags instead of springs. You can raise or lower the car with a button, making it great for both looks and comfort. 

Alternator

The part that charges your car’s battery and powers the electrical system while the engine runs.

Anti-Lag

A system used in turbocharged cars to keep the turbo spinning even when you're off the throttle. This reduces turbo lag and keeps power ready for when you hit the accelerator again.

Axleback 

Axle-back systems improve sound and appearance without needing to change the full exhaust setup. This exhaust system upgrade replaces the section of the exhaust from the rear axle to the muffler tips. 

B

Battery

The part that starts your car and powers electrical systems when the engine isn’t running. 

BOV (Blow-Off Valve)

A valve that releases pressure from the turbocharger when you lift off the throttle. It makes that iconic "psshhh" sound.

Boost

The extra air pressure pushed into your engine by a turbocharger or supercharger. More boost means more power because your engine gets more air to burn with fuel.

Body Kits

A set of exterior parts like bumpers, side skirts, and spoilers that alter your car’s appearance and aerodynamics.

Bonnet

The Aussie term for the car’s hood that covers the engine compartment. 

Boot

Australian term for the trunk where the storage compartment at the rear of the vehicle, used for carrying luggage, groceries, or other cargo

BHP (Brake Horsepower)

The measure of an engine’s power output at the crankshaft before any losses from the drivetrain (such as the transmission, differential, and wheels). BHP represents the raw, true power produced by the engine itself and does not account for friction or power loss between the tyres and the road.

Brake Caliper

The part of your braking system that squeezes the brake pads against the rotor to slow down the car.

Brake Lights

Rear lights that turn on when you press the brake pedal. They warn drivers behind you that you're slowing down. 

Brake Pads

Friction material that presses against the brake rotors to stop your car. 

Bumper

The front or rear exterior panel is designed to absorb small impacts. 

Bumper Bars

The internal metal bars behind the front and rear bumpers. They absorb impact in a crash and protect your car’s frame. 

C

Camber

The angle of your wheels when you look at them from the front of the car. If the tops of the wheels tilt inward, its negative camber; if they tilt outward, its positive camber. Modders use negative camber (especially in cornering) for better handling or for style in stance builds.

Cat-Back (Exhaust)

A performance exhaust system that replaces everything from the catalytic converter to the tailpipe. Helps improve airflow, sound, and sometimes adds a small boost in power. 

Clapped (Out)

Slang for a car that’s been heavily used or modified in a rough way. A "clapped-out" car is in poor condition and would require a lot of work to be restored to good shape.

Clutch Kick

A drifting technique where the driver quickly kicks the clutch to break traction in the rear wheels. It sends power back to the drivetrain and helps start or maintain a drift. It’s common in rear-wheel-drive cars during drift events.

Coilovers

Adjustable suspension components that let you control your car’s ride height and handling. This suspension upgrade combines springs and shocks.

Cold Air Intake

A system that brings cooler air into the engine for a better combustion, which can improve horsepower.

Crankshaft

The main rotating shaft in your engine that turns the up-and-down motion of pistons into spinning motion that drives your wheels.

D

Diffuser

An aerodynamic panel under the rear bumper that helps manage airflow and reduce drag at high speeds.

Downpipe

A part of the exhaust that attaches to the turbine housing. Replacing it can improve flow and power, achieving the best performance. 

Driveshaft

A long spinning shaft that sends power from the engine or transmission to the rear wheels in RWD or AWD cars.

Dyno (Dynamometer)

A device used to measure your car’s power output, torque, and overall performance. 

E

Euro

Short for European cars like BMW, Audi, Volkswagen, and Mercedes-Benz. In the mod scene, "Euro" builds often feature lowered suspension, OEEM+ upgrades, and a focus on precision, fit and finish, and high-end details. 

ECU (Engine Control Unit)

Reprogramming or tuning the ECU involves modifying its software to optimise power, torque, and fuel efficiency, resulting in better overall engine performance.

F

Fender Rolling

The process of modifying the inner lip of a vehicle's wheel arches (fenders) by rolling or bending it inward and upward. This modification prevents tyre rubbing against the fender and is useful for lowered cars.

Fitment

Refers to how well your wheels, tyres, and suspension sit together, especially your ride height, wheel gap, and overall stance. Good fitment means the wheels fill the guards properly, and there’s no rubbing when you drive.

Floor Mats

Protective mats placed on the car’s floor to keep dirt, mud, and spills off the carpet. 

Flush

A flush fitment means your car’s wheels sit perfectly aligned with the fenders, neither sticking out nor tucked in. 

Fog Lights

Low-mounted lights that improve visibility in foggy or rainy conditions, which offer brighter output or tinted lenses. 

Forged Wheels

Stronger, lighter wheels created through a forging process, enhancing performance and aesthetics.

FBO (Full Bolt-On)

A car has all the major performance parts you can bolt on without opening the engine. These FBO mods include an intake, exhaust, BOV, headers, ignition coils, downpipe, and ECU tune. 

G

Grille

The front mesh or opening that allows air to enter and cool the radiator. 

Grille Delete

Removing or replacing the front grille for airflow or aesthetic reasons.

Ground Effects

Refers to aerodynamic features, primarily applied to the underside of a vehicle, that create downforce by optimizing airflow between the car's body and the road surface. 

H

Header

A part of the exhaust system that helps push exhaust gases out of the engine more efficiently, boosting horsepower and torque.

Headlights

The front-facing lights on a vehicle which are primarily designed to illuminate the road ahead during low-light conditions such as nighttime, fog, rain, or snow, thereby improving the driver's visibility and safety. 

Heel-Toe (Shifting)

A driving technique used in manual cars to match engine speed with wheel speed during downshifting. You press the brake with your toe and blip the throttle with your heel at the same time. 

HICAS (High Capacity Actively Controlled Steering)

A rear-wheel steering system found in some JDM cars like the Nissan Skyline. It helps improve handling and cornering by actively adjusting the rear wheels’ angle based on speed and steering input, but these are often deleted or disabled by track drivers. 

Hooning

Driving a car in a reckless or aggressive way like doing burnouts, donuts, or speeding in public. It’s popular in car culture slang but often illegal and unsafe. In Australia, hooning can lead to fines, loss of licence, or having your car impounded.

I

Intake (Cold Air or Short Ram)

An intake system funnels cooler air into the engine to improve combustion and increase power. 

Intercooler

Used with turbocharged or supercharged engines to cool the air before it enters the engine, helping to boost performance.

Interior Trim

The pieces that make up the inside of your car like dash panels, door cards, and gear surrounds. Modders

J

JDM (Japanese Domestic Market)

Parts or cars made specifically for the Japanese market but often imported for their high performance and unique styling.

Jumper Wire

A short wire used to bypass or test electrical circuits during modifications.

K

Kit Car

A vehicle sold as a set of parts that the buyer assembles, often using mechanical components from donor vehicles. Kit cars allow enthusiasts to build or customize vehicles themselves, frequently replicating classic or specialty cars.

Knock

Uncontrolled combustion (also called detonation or pinging) in the engine cylinder that can cause damage. Tuners aim to avoid knocks with proper tuning and fuel. 

Knock Sensor

A sensor that detects engine knocking or pinging by sensing the vibrations and sounds caused by abnormal combustion. It sends signals to the ECU to adjust timing to prevent engine damage.

KDM

Stands for Korean Domestic Market, which refers to cars and parts made for South Korea. It includes brands like Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis.

K Swap

The popular practice of swapping a Honda K-series engine into another chassis.

L 

Lighting (Aftermarket)

Includes LED strips, underglow, interior lights, headlight upgrades, and custom taillights.

Locker

A differential that locks the axle to prevent one wheel from spinning excessively when traction is low, distributing torque evenly to both wheels on the axle to improve grip.

LOF (Lube, Oil, Filter)

LOF stands for Lube, Oil, and Filter. A basic but important service that includes changing the engine oil, replacing the oil filter, and greasing key parts. 

Lift Kit

A modification that raises a vehicle’s suspension using parts designed to increase its height, commonly seen in off-road builds.

LSD (Limited Slip Differential)

A type of differential that helps both wheels get power when traction is low which are ideal for high-speed turns or off-road.

M

Matching Numbers

The engine, transmission, and sometimes other key parts have serial numbers that match the car’s original factory records.

Meth

A system that sprays a mix of methanol and water into the engine to cool the intake air and boost power

Mirror Caps

Removable covers or housings placed over the exterior side mirrors of a vehicle. 

Money Shift

A slang term for accidentally shifting into the wrong lower gear at high RPMs like dropping from 5th to 2nd instead of 4th.

Muffler

A part of the exhaust system that reduces noise from the engine.

Muffler Delete

Refers to the removal of the muffler from a car’s exhaust system. It is not always legal in Australia, so check the ADR to ensure compliance with Australian car modification laws.

N

NA (Naturally Aspirated)

NA stands for Naturally Aspirated, which means the engine gets air without using a turbocharger or supercharger. Power comes from engine size, air flow, and RPMs. 

Number Plate Relocation

Moving your number plate to a different spot on the bumper or grille for aesthetic or airflow reasons.

NOS / Nitrous Oxide

A performance booster that injects nitrous into the engine for a temporary increase in power. 

O

Offset

The distance between the centerline of the wheel and the mounting surface that connects to the hub.

Overfender

A bolt-on or molded panel that extends the wheel arches to cover wider wheels and tyres. 

OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer)

Parts made by the car’s original brand.

P 

Performance Exhaust

Upgraded exhaust systems for improved sound, power, and efficiency.

Poke

A wheel fitment where the wheels stick out past the fenders. It happens when the offset is too low or the wheels are too wide.

Port and Polish

A process of smoothing engine intake/exhaust ports to improve airflow and performance.

Pull

Refers to reshaping or stretching the metal outward to create extra clearance for wider wheels or tires. 

Q

Quarter Panel

The section of a car’s body between the rear door and the boot.

Quick Shifter

A device that shortens the distance between gear changes faster, but with less movement of the gear. 

Quick Release Steering Wheel

A racing accessory allowing the steering wheel to be easily removed for security or convenience.

R

Rep Wheels (Replica Wheels)

Rep wheels are aftermarket wheels designed to look like expensive or rare brands but sold at a much lower price. 

Restored

A restored car has been repaired or rebuilt to look and run like new, often using original parts. Restoration focuses on bringing a vehicle back to its factory condition, especially in classic or vintage cars.

Rev Matching

A driving technique where you raise the engine RPM to match the lower gear during a downshift. It helps make the gear change smoother, reduces wear on the transmission, and keeps the car balanced, especially during spirited driving.

Riceburner

A slang term often used to describe a heavily modified Japanese car with loud exhaust, flashy styling, and little performance. While the term started with hate, some enthusiasts now use it jokingly or with pride.

Rims

The outer edge of the wheel. 

Roadster

A roadster is a small, lightweight, two-seater car with no fixed roof. Roadsters are built for fun and open-air driving, often featuring rear-wheel drive and sharp handling.

Roll Cage

A structural metal frame inside the car designed to protect occupants by reinforcing the cabin in the event of a rollover or a crash. 

Roof Spoiler

An aerodynamic device mounted at the top of the rear window or rear edge of a car’s roof.

S

Shitbox

A slang term for an old, cheap, or beat-up car that still runs, barely. 

Side Skirts

An aerodynamic panel installed along the lower sides of a vehicle below the doors, typically running from the front to the rear wheel wells. 

Slammed

Refers to a car ride that is dramatically lowered, often via coilovers or air suspension.

Spoiler

A wing or lip added to the rear of a car to reduce lift and increase stability at high speeds.

Stance

Refers to the overall posture the way a car sits, especially focusing on wheel fitment in the arches (guards). 

Static

A static car is one that is lowered through traditional suspension components such as coilovers or lowering springs instead of adjustable air suspension. 

T

Tail Lights

Rear-facing lights that are on whenever the headlights or parking lights are on to make the vehicle visible from behind at night or in low-light conditions.

Tandem

In drifting, "tandem" means two drivers drifting closely together where one leads, and the other follows. Tandem drifting shows skill, control, and trust, and it’s a big part of drift competitions.

TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System)

A system that alerts you when your tyre pressure drops too low. It uses sensors inside each wheel to track air pressure and helps keep your car safe and fuel-efficient.

Trims

The finish level of a car like base, sport, or luxury or the styling parts that decorate both interior and exterior. 

Tucked

Describes when the wheel and tyre sit up inside the fender, usually from lowering the suspension.

Turbocharger

A device that forces more air into the engine, creating more power. It’s one of the most popular mods.

Turn Signals

Integrated into or near the tail light assembly to indicate directional changes.

Two-step

A launch control system used in turbocharged or drag cars. When you hit the two-step, it holds the revs at a set limit while building boost, causing loud pops and flames from the exhaust.

U

Underbody Kit

Custom parts that go underneath the car which are often for protection or for better looks and airflow.

Underdrive Pulley

A pulley that reduces engine accessory speeds, freeing up horsepower.

V

Valve Exhaust System

Exhaust that opens or closes valves to change sound on demand.

Valve Springs

A mechanical component in an engine that applies force to keep the valves closed until they are opened by the camshaft. 

Valve Timing

Controls how the engine’s valves open and close. Adjustable valve timing can help tune your engine’s performance.

W

Welded Diff (Welded Differential)

A welded diff is when the gears inside an open differential are welded together so both wheels spin at the same speed all the time. 

Wheel

The round metal part that your tires mount onto. Wheels come in different sizes, styles, and materials, based on your car model. 

Widebody

A body kit that makes your car wider. It gives a bold look and allows for bigger wheels and tyres.

Wiper (Windshield Wiper)

A moving arm with a rubber blade that clears rain, dirt, and debris from your windshield. 

Wiper Delete

Removing the rear windshield wiper for a cleaner look.

X

Xenon Lights

High-intensity discharge (HID) lighting offers better visibility and style.

X-Factor Mods

Catch-all for unique touches like the custom paint, LED kits, engine bay dress-up, and other creative or aesthetic modifications that add individual flair.

X-pipe

A part of a dual exhaust system that helps improve exhaust flow and engine efficiency.

Y

Yaw Control

A system that helps keep the car stable during cornering by adjusting power or braking.

Y-Pipe

An exhaust pipe configuration where two pipes merge into one, impacting exhaust flow.

Z 

Zip Ties

Believe it or not, these are commonly used for quick fixes and temporary installs. A modder’s best friend in a pinch!

Ready to Mod Like a Pro?

Now that you’ve got the lingo down, you’re ready to explore the exciting world of aftermarket upgrades. Our Mars Performance Glossary holds a treasure trove of valuable information from the aftermarket industry. By learning these glossary terms before buying, you gain a powerful tool that no one can take from you.

Remember, knowledge is power as you begin your journey to understand car parts better. Whether you're planning your first build or just want to follow what your mates are talking about, knowing these terms puts you in the driver’s seat.

Need expert help choosing the right mods for your car?
Let us match you with the best aftermarket accessories in Australia. Trust Mars Performance to be your go-to partner—let’s build your dream ride, one mod at a time.

Did We Miss Something?

Do you know a slang term, car part, or engine-related word that should be added to this dictionary? Let us know in the comments section!