Must-Know Car Specs Explained

While you’re shopping for your next vehicle, you’re likely doing some research into each model on your list. As you learn more about each vehicle, you might read about some specs or features that need more explanation. At Hanover Nissan, we want you to feel confident in the decisions you make, so let’s clarify those automotive terms so that you can find a model with the specs that matter to you.

• Horsepower (HP): This number measures the power of a car’s engine, giving you an idea of how fast a model could be.
• Torque: A vehicle’s aptitude for accelerating from a stationary position. This measure of rotational force also helps you see how well a vehicle would tow or climb steep inclines.
• Engine Displacement (Liters/Cubic Centimeters): The combined volume of air all engine cylinders can move. More cylinders and a larger volume usually imply more power.
• Transmission: This sends power from the engine to the drivetrain to move the wheels. It can be automatic, handling shifts between fixed gears itself, or automatic, requiring you to shift gears via knob or paddles. Continuously variable automatics don’t have fixed gears but adjust power as necessary via pulleys and bands.
• Drivetrain: Your vehicle can ride on either Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD), Front-Wheel Drive (FWD), Four-Wheel Drive (4WD), or All-Wheel Drive (AWD). This can influence traction, handling, and even fuel efficiency.
• Curb Weight: A vehicle’s weight without passengers or cargo.
• Wheelbase: Distance between front and rear axles. Vehicles with a long wheelbase may feature more interior space and a smoother ride on bumpy roads.
• Dimensions (Length x Width x Height): Size measurements of a vehicle.
• Ground Clearance: The space between the bottom of a model and the ground. A high ground clearance lets you go off-road with a lower risk of banging the bottom of your vehicle against objects below.
• Tire Size: The size and type (summer, winter, all-terrain, all-season) of tires on your vehicle can influence efficiency and performance.
• Infotainment System: Technology added for entertainment, information, and convenience. This can include navigation, audio controls, and a touchscreen interface.
• Connectivity: A vehicle’s tech capabilities for connecting your devices to the infotainment system or internet. This may be a smartphone synch, a Wi-Fi hotspot, or Bluetooth®*.
• Safety Features: In addition to basic safety equipment like airbags, a vehicle may be equipped with safety technologies to help you stay alert of potential hazards and even mitigate collisions.
• Warranty: A new vehicle’s repairs may be covered by a manufacturer’s warranty for a set period. If that period is relatively long, that’s a good sign that the maker considers the model to be very reliable.

Visit Our Nissan Dealership in Hanover, PA

No matter what you want from your next vehicle, we’ll help you find a model with the specs and gear that works for you. Come see us at Hanover Nissan to discover the vehicle you’ve been waiting for in our new Nissan selection. We look forward to seeing you soon at 75 West W Eisenhower Drive, Hanover, Pennsylvania 17331.

*Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Nissan is under license. A compatible Bluetooth®-enabled phone must first be paired. Phone performance depends on software, coverage and carrier.