Some auto parts are tailor fit for one or more vehicles while others aren't. Is there a universally understood name for those two types of parts?
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Is that the case? The reason why I posted it here is I want to hear how vehicle enthusiasts call them, even if it's slang– AllanCaegJun 2, 2011 at 8:17
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It was just a suggestion, as the english stackexchange is very good at exactly this type of question.– Rory AlsopJun 2, 2011 at 8:20
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This should not have been migrated. I would expect an auto mechanic to be more knowlegeable about auto parts terminology than a bunch of English majors.– chosterMar 9, 2016 at 1:14
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2 Answers
Most parts have applications to several vehicles because the manufacturer
- Used the same part for several years of the same vehicle
- Used the same engine/component in multiple models
- Borrowed technology or used the same supplier as another manufacturer
There are many cases where a part was only used on one make/model/year of a vehicle and the manufacturer used something else the next year.
Aftermarket suppliers often find where two "OE" (Original Equipment) parts are identical or close enough to identical to combine the applications and offer a single part.
Last, there are cases like exhaust where a Direct Fit muffler that matches a specific vehicle is offered whereas a generic muffler that fits a large number of vehicles will also work but might need some custom welding or pipes upon installation.
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Cool! How do you think should non-Direct Fit parts be called, though?– AllanCaegJun 2, 2011 at 13:44
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There is not a specific name. It is just a part. In some case you might refer to it as a generic part, but that is normally only when there is also a direct fit component.– jzdJun 2, 2011 at 13:54
I typically think of parts that are not meant for a specific model or models of vehicles to be "universal" or "universal fit" parts. I can't say where exactly I picked that up though...