DriverSide's Car Dictionary has the most comprehensive definitions of automotive terms. This auto glossary can help you decipher what your mechanic is fixing and what the purpose or function of the particular auto part or accessory is for. We have taken the mystery out of automotive service jargon, so that you don't have to.
A sound that occurs when the air/fuel mixture is igniting too soon. It is usually caused by a poorly timed engine, the use of low octane gas, or the build-up of carbonb deposits on the piston tops. If your engine is "knocking," whether through repair or the use of higher octane fuel, it needs to be addressed immediately.