“Awwgggghhh huuguughghg raaaaahhgh aaahnruh huuguughghg!”

That’s “what’s wrong with my car?” according to an online Wookiee translator.

If you can relate to this, then this glossary of mechanic jargon is for you. These explanations break down what a mechanic is telling you.

“We had to run a diagnostic check.”

A diagnostic check might sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, but it’s simply a technician trying to find out exactly what is wrong with your vehicle. They’re usually looking for problems with the engine or fuel/ignition system. A diagnostic check doesn’t immediately pinpoint the problem; instead it’s a valuable tool for further testing to figure out what’s amiss.

“The bushes are on the way out.”

Bushes are the rubber mountings that support your car’s suspension system, control arms and linkages. They allow movement and flexibility of suspension components as the car drives over bumps and undulations.

Being rubber held and moulded into a steel sleeve, the rubber part of the bush deteriorates over time and can lead to cracking and disintegration. Worst case scenario: the bush separates from the metal sleeve, which can cause the suspension to become loose. Excessive movement can cause handling issues.

“The brakes are spongy.”

Does the brake pedal feel soft when you press down on it? That’s what your mechanic is talking about when they refer to ‘spongy’ brake pedals. This can be quite dangerous because it indicates there’s a problem with the hydraulic part of the braking system. If this happens, get your brakes checked out straight away and don’t drive until it’s fixed.

“You need a trans service and flush.”

Servicing automatic transmissions can be a lottery. Most vehicle manufacturers don’t offer a specific schedule to follow, leaving it up to owners and service departments to make a judgment call based on various factors, such as how often you use your car and under what operating conditions. This includes driving in a hot, dry, dusty climate or when towing regularly.

Sometimes the repairer servicing your vehicle might offer flushing to get as much fluid out of the transmission as possible, as some areas of the transmission cannot be entirely drained.

Just like the oil in your engine, transmission fluid needs to be changed as it deteriorates over time and with use. If left unchanged, transmission fluid in poor condition will eventually damage the transmission.

“Your rotors need machining.”

Rotors and brake pads slow down your car when you apply the brakes. Over time, the rotors can become grooved and scratched by the brake pad pressing hard against its surface. When new brake pads are installed, rotors need to be ‘machined out’ so the surface is flat and smooth again. This process ensures they match with the new brake pads fitted.

“You’ve blown a diff.”

A catastrophic problem with the differential, or final drive unit of the vehicle, sounds bad, doesn’t it? This happens when the differential – generally the last part in the driveline supplying drive to the wheels – is placed under unusually high loads. When this happens, the differential will suffer significant damage due to everything rotating quickly in a confined area.

“The shockers are soft.”

Shockers control your vehicle’s suspension system. Since they work really hard, they generate heat and suffer internal wear and tear that can impact performance. This deterioration leads to your car bouncing more over bumps and undulations. Once the shock absorber has turned ‘soft,’ it can’t properly control the movement of the vehicle’s chassis.