Understanding Vehicle Specs | D’Iberville, MS

Explaining Common Vehicle Specs

Researching the best car to buy can be confusing if you need to learn all the terminologies. The complex jargon in the automotive industry might be confusing and overwhelming, especially for someone unfamiliar or inexperienced with owning a car.

Understanding technical specifications when shopping for your next vehicle is critical. Knowing the specifications can make finding the right vehicle for your needs easier. We at Volkswagen of South Mississippi have created a guide outlining some key terms to help you find the right vehicle. We will assist you in making the right choice so you can enjoy the ride of a lifetime.

Vehicle Terms You Should Know When Buying a Car

Some car specs make sense when you read them. For example, when you see the number of airbags, that means the car has that many airbags. However, with others, people often misunderstand their relevance to the process of choosing the most suitable car to buy. These are common spec sheet terminologies that can help you choose your new vehicle:

Drivetrain

While the engine powers the wheels, power is distributed to which wheels are based on your vehicle’s drivetrain type. There are four main drivetrain types: RWD (rear-wheel drive), 4WD (four-wheel drive), AWD (all-wheel drive), and FWD (front-wheel drive).

• Rear-wheel drive (RWD): In performance-driven vehicles, the engine transmits power only to the rear wheels.
• All-wheel drive (AWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD): Off-road vehicles use more traction control, meaning all four wheels receive equal power.
• Front-wheel drive (FWD): Power is only transferred to the front wheels when the engine is in FWD mode.

Transmission

One of your car’s most important engine components is the transmission or gearbox. In general, gearboxes come in two main types: automatic and manual. Speed indicates the number of gears available to shift into (for example, a 4-speed gearbox indicates four gears in the car). CVT (continuously variable transmission) automatic transmission is the only exception. With a CVT, gear ratios are infinitely variable.

Horsepower

In a vehicle, horsepower is the power output of the engine. In traditional terms, one horsepower equals the strength of one thoroughbred horse. To put it more scientifically, one horsepower is sufficient to lift 550 pounds one foot in a second.

Torque

Torque measures a vehicle’s low-end power, the power that forces its wheels to turn. Newton meters, or N m, are torque units, but pounds-per-foot are more common. Diesel engines generally produce more torque than gasoline engines.

Turning Radius

A vehicle must have a minimum turning radius (typically a radius or diameter) to make a semicircular U-turn without sliding.

Curb Weight

An automobile’s curb weight includes standard equipment and fluids, such as motor oil and transmission oil, but does not include passengers or cargo.

Ground Clearance

Ground clearance is the height of the undercarriage or chassis between the ground and the vehicle’s undercarriage. Sometimes called “ride height,” it is a crucial element of how a vehicle performs when navigating challenging terrain and conditions.

Tow Capacity

The towing capacity of your vehicle determines how much weight it can safely pull, which depends on its configuration, how much weight it already carries, and how you distribute and control the load.

0-to-60 Time

When a vehicle accelerates from a standstill to 60 miles per hour, its zero-to-sixty time is most commonly expressed as 0-60.

Fuel Economy

A vehicle’s fuel economy is determined by how far it travels and how much fuel it consumes. Fuel efficiency is measured in MPG, which allows you to save money and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Kilowatt Hours (kWh) and MPGe

kWh measures electric vehicle driving range, while miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) is used to measure efficiency.

Vehicle Size and Interior Space Specs

Cargo Space

The cargo space Measures how much space the vehicle has for carrying things, including the trunk and excluding passengers.

Wheelbase

Wheelbase refers to the distance between a vehicle’s front and rear axles. Essentially, the axle connects the wheel centers to the wheels and turns them. Longer wheelbases usually result in longer cabins, which means more space for passengers and cargo inside.

Dimensions

A vehicle’s dimensions are its length, width, and height. Dimensions usually include wheelbase length, trunk and cargo capacity, ground clearance, and more. In essence, dimensions indicate a vehicle’s size.

Find Your Next Vehicle at Volkswagen of South Mississippi

Discover top-notch vehicles at Volkswagen of South Mississippi in D’Iberville, MS, if you’re searching for a car to fit your lifestyle and budget. Our team will provide you with friendly and knowledgeable assistance. When you visit us today, you will discover the latest in modern features, performance, and versatility of Volkswagen vehicles and learn what specs matter.