Deciphering Car Specifications: A Guide to the Essentials


If you're in the market for a new car, it's important to understand what you want clearly. To make things easy for you, we have created a thorough guide that covers all the essential terms you need to know. At Ventura Volkswagen, our goal is to assist you in finding the perfect vehicle that meets your specific needs. This guide can help you choose the car that best suits your requirements.

Engine and Powertrain Specs

When you’re searching for your next vehicle, you should be familiar with the powertrain and engine terms, such as:

  • Torque (lb-ft) – The amount of power your engine needs to tow or accelerate while towing.
  • Transmission Type – The transmission helps move power to the wheels.
  • Number of Cylinders – The total number of cylinders in your vehicle’s engine can impact fuel efficiency and gas mileage.
  • Horsepower (HP) – The force it takes to move your vehicle and accelerate.
  • Drive Type – The type of road conditions you drive on or the type of experience you’re looking for determines the drive type. Drive types include four-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, and rear-wheel drive.

Gas & Energy Specs to Know

You can save on gas by understanding fuel efficiency terms, such as:

  • Fuel Economy – Understanding how many miles a vehicle travels on a single gallon of fuel and what measures the fuel economy (MPG).
  • Kilowatt Hours (kWh) and MPGe – Kilowatt-hours (kWh) measure the distance an electric vehicle travels, and its efficiency per gallon equivalent is measured in MPGe.

Performance and Capability-Related Specs

If you’re looking for a new vehicle, you should also consider terms related to its performance and capabilities so you can pick a vehicle that meets your needs.

  • Tow Capacity – The maximum amount your vehicle can tow.
  • Ground Clearance – The amount of space between the bottom of your vehicle and the ground.
  • Zero-to-60 mph Time – How long before a vehicle can reach 60 miles per hour.
  • Curb Weight – How much your vehicle weighs when it is empty.
  • Turning Radius – The amount of space your vehicle takes to make a turn.

Vehicle Size and Interior Space Specs

Understanding a vehicle's size and interior space is also essential, so consider these terms when searching for your next vehicle:

  • Dimensions – The size of your vehicle, which includes its length, width, and height.
  • Wheelbase – The space between the front and back wheels.
  • Cargo Space – The size of the truck and how much it can hold.

Price and Protection Terms

You can save money and increase the security value by understanding these terms:

  • Warranty – The amount of time a manufacturer is responsible for specific repairs.
  • MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) – The negotiable price suggested by the manufacturer.
  • Resale Value – The amount that your vehicle is worth in the future.
  • Safety Features and Ratings – How safe your vehicle is compared to other similar vehicles.

Find the Vehicle with the Specs You Need

You can find your ideal vehicle when you shop at Ventura Volkswagen, so come see us at our dealership located at 3270 Perkin Avenue, Ventura, CA, 93003. We look forward to your visit.

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3270 Perkin Ave, Ventura, CA, 93003

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