US speak to English speak

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by Bill, Oct 14, 2003.

  1. Bill

    Bill Guest

    What are the equivalent type of cars.

    I am assuming that a wagon is what we call an estate, ie, no trunk, longer,
    with a back door. A sedan is a saloon, with a trunk at the back. We call
    the trunk a boot. Backup lights are reversing lights, the hood is a bonnet,
    and the windshield is a windscreen. So what do you call a hatchback, saloon
    length, but with an opening rear door.

    Never really thought about it much until getting my Volvo and looking at
    predominately American postings to various forums. Backup lights really go
    me going, I though Volvo's had mysterious lights that came on if the bulb
    failed!

    Bill
     
    Bill, Oct 14, 2003
    #1
  2. We call it a hatchback!
     
    Erik Schneider, Oct 14, 2003
    #2
  3. Bill

    Rob Guenther Guest

    Here is some Canadian (probably with a German twist)

    It will be British first, then Canadian:

    Estate, or Estate wagon: Wagon, Station Wagon, 5 Door.
    Saloon: Sedan (4 door), Coupe (2 door)
    Hatchback: Hatchback, 5 door, 3 door
    Boot: Trunk
    Bonnet: Hood
    Reversing lights: Reverse lights (I have never heard of backup lights,
    sounds British to me tho)
    Windscreen: Windsheild (I use both)
    Tyres: Tires (I use both)
    Dipped beam: Low beams

    Do you call a Convertible a Cabriolet?

    4 way flashers I have heard of Hazards, Emergency lights

    I honestly don't know what parking lights are, as my cars don't allow me to
    shut of my main beams, apparantly parking lights are ambers only

    Do you call fog lights driving lights? Or are driving lights seperate things
    altogether.
     
    Rob Guenther, Oct 14, 2003
    #3
  4. From a point at sea, to the circles of your mind, this is Rob
    Guenther:
    What's all this 'Estate' business? Shirley you mean 'Shooting Brake.'

    [..]
    Only on a Friday or Saturday night, when it is necessary to impress
    the neighbourhood with your fascinating personality by turning your
    fog lights on.
    You often hear of people talking about 'driving lights,' but they are
    quite mistaken - there is no such thing in the UK. The law is quite
    specific about lights and the conditions under which they can be used.
    Basically, if they are not a headlight, then they are, by definition,
    a fog light. Fog lights may only be used under conditions of adverse
    visibility.

    And on Friday and Saturday nights, obviously.



    --

    Stewart Hargrave

    A lot faster than public transport


    For email, replace 'SpamOnlyToHere' with my name
     
    Stewart Hargrave, Oct 15, 2003
    #4
  5. Bill

    Barney Guest

    Backup lights are mentioned regularly in SwedishBricks forums.

    Parking lights can be pilot lights, parking lights or side lights, depending
    wether you drive a Rolls or a Ford! I had a lift in a Rolls once, and the
    driver asked me if I had been in one before. "Not in the front" I replied.

    Cabriolet is the same here, commonly known as convertable or soft top.

    Fog lights are just that, fog lights. Our driving lights are our
    headlights.

    Hazards are hazards, commonly known as four ways.

    Petrol is gas, and the sidewalk is the pavement.

    Thank heavens for American films or it would be like learning a new
    language.

    Bill
     
    Barney, Oct 15, 2003
    #5
  6. Bill

    brackenburn Guest

    Hi Stewart,

    Can't you buy Lucas "Flamethrowers" in the UK any more? I had an old Jowet
    Bradford over there with wobbly headlights bolted to the fenders
    (mudguards.......) In frustration I finally ripped them off, filled the
    holes and mounted a Lucas fog light on the bumper curb-side. It produced a
    wide flat beam, fantastic in falling snow as well as fog. Later when I
    could afford it, I invested in a Lucas "Flame Thrower" and mounted it on the
    bumper, driver's side. That was a real DRIVING LIGHT! It produced a narrow
    long range beam. Finally I had a brainwave and fitted a switch to alternate
    between the two, a dimmer switch!! (dipper switch to you). I guess
    regulations have tightened up somewhat since then, even in the boonies (
    country-side) where I was indulging in these activities.

    Andy I. (Volvo 445 -not 544; 122S wagon; 121; 142; 145 wagon; 245 wagon; 245
    "Classic" wagon.)


     
    brackenburn, Oct 15, 2003
    #6
  7. Bill

    Alex Zepeda Guest

    Fog lights and driving lights are two separate things.

    - alex

    '85 244 Turbo
    '84 245 Turbo
     
    Alex Zepeda, Oct 15, 2003
    #7
  8. Bill

    Guest Guest

    Don't forget the Hooter (Horn).

    JJ

     
    Guest, Oct 15, 2003
    #8
  9. Bill

    Rob Guenther Guest

    What are driving lights?
     
    Rob Guenther, Oct 15, 2003
    #9
  10. Bill

    James Sweet Guest

    Aux highbeams
     
    James Sweet, Oct 16, 2003
    #10
  11. Bill

    Rob Guenther Guest

    ....... I want them..... I want them now :)
     
    Rob Guenther, Oct 17, 2003
    #11
  12. Bill

    Alex Zepeda Guest

    Alex Zepeda, Oct 19, 2003
    #12
  13. Bill

    brackenburn Guest

    Hi Alex,

    Pull the other one...............It's got bells on it :) .... or is that
    your tongue stuck in your cheek? I almost took your question seriously
    until I looked at the "Lighting" website you provided and found this:

    "Auxiliary Lamp Harnesses and Relay Installation Kits
    RIK-AUX Relay kit for custom installation of two fog or DRIVING LAMPS, $40."

    Otherwise I was going to refer you to my earlier post mentioning Lucas
    "Flamethrowers".............. but I see now that won't be
    necessary..........

    Happy DRIVING!
    Andy I.




     
    brackenburn, Oct 20, 2003
    #13
  14. Bill

    Alex Zepeda Guest

    Um, my TV and hair dryer use the same sort of electrical plug. Do you
    mean to tell me they're both the same thing? I'll have to try sticking my
    head into the TV next time...

    It looks like Daniel has taken down his FAQ.. hmm.

    Most of his usenet posts allude to the fact that driving and fog lamps are
    indeed different things. Here's a post that should clarify what I was
    trying to convey:

    http://groups.google.com/groups?selm=

    - alex
     
    Alex Zepeda, Oct 20, 2003
    #14
  15. Bill

    brackenburn Guest

    Sorry, Alex, I didn't make myself clear. Quoting the item from the website
    was intended to show that you know perfectly well what Driving Lights are,
    and the difference between Driving Lights and FOG lights.

    My reference to the Lucas "Flamethrowers" in my first post, I should have
    thought, would have suggested that I too was aware of the difference.

    (These NG discussions sure lack something in the ability to make clear the
    intended meaning, and lead to misunderstandings! I think we need an old
    fashioned chalkboard.............)

    Happy DRIVING!
    Andy I.


     
    brackenburn, Oct 20, 2003
    #15
Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments (here). After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.