Okuzeka
Automotive vocabulary · Body Structure and Safety

Chassis

Meaning in automotive, with examples

/ˈtʃæsi/nounCore term

In automotive, chassis means: The base frame of a vehicle together with the systems mounted on it, such as suspension, steering and brakes. In engineering it often means everything under the body that makes the car ride and handle.

In Turkish: şasi, alt yapı, yürüyen aksam

How it is used

Car makers have chassis engineers and chassis departments that work on ride, handling and braking. You also hear chassis number (another name for the VIN), chassis dyno and chassis tuning.

Example sentences

  1. The chassis team spent two weeks tuning the suspension for European roads.

  2. Please confirm the chassis number before you order the parts.

Common collocations

  • chassis number
  • chassis engineer
  • chassis dyno
  • rolling chassis
  • suspensionThe system of springs, shock absorbers and linkages that connects the wheels to the body. It absorbs bumps and keeps the tires in contact with the road.
  • steeringThe system that lets the driver turn the front wheels to change direction, from the steering wheel through the column and the rack to the wheels.
  • unibodyA construction in which the body and the frame are one welded structure that carries all the loads. Almost all modern passenger cars and crossovers are built this way.
  • VINShort for vehicle identification number: a unique 17-character code for each vehicle that shows the maker, model details and serial number. The letters I, O and Q are not used.

More terms: Body Structure and Safety

Practise with graded reading

Reading at the right level is the fastest way to make new words stick. Pick free English books by level: