Many people love cars and will talk about them enthusiastically, but you may not have the know-how to follow along and nod. But you shouldn’t despair: there are ways to sound like a car enthusiast to anyone and impress people while having little knowledge of the subject. Here are some helpful methods to sound like someone who knows a thing or two about the wonders of the automotive world.
Learn the Lingo
Most car enthusiasts won’t talk about the specifics of each car component in conversation. Instead, they’ll talk about certain features and go into a deeper discussion. Learning the slang and abbreviations in conversation will help you learn how to speak like an enthusiast.
For example, if two people talk about a 4×4 and maximum torque, become familiar with the context and how they use these terms. If necessary, do a quick Google search as new terms arise during the conversation. Here are a few terms to help you get started:
- Drivetrain
- RPM
- Stop-start
- Turbocharger
- Facelifted
As you learn more terms and how they relate to cars, your conversations about them will feel more fluid.
Pick a Specific Topic To Study
Like in college, there are too many fields of study to load into your brain to sound like an expert. Instead, focus on one area of automobiles to sound like a car enthusiast to anyone. Even if someone knows more about cars than you, they won’t know every detail about vehicles. Use their limited knowledge to your advantage by impressing them with your knowledge about one topic.
If they begin a conversation about gas mileage, flex your knowledge about hybrid vehicles and how they have great mileage. If someone asks a question about improving their mileage, you could provide a quick guide to how turbochargers work and advise them on how one could help.
Talk to a Mechanical Engineering Major
College is full of people with deep understandings of different subjects. For example, mechanical engineering majors are a convenient source of knowledge about how certain machines work. Find a fellow student in the automotive engineering track with the major and ask them for advice about cars and what certain parts do.
They may not have all the answers, but they will at least know the basics and explain them to you. With basic knowledge, you’ll lay the groundwork for conversing about cars with enthusiasts and grasping what they say.
Use these tips to navigate a conversation with car enthusiasts or impress others who don’t know much about vehicles. You’ll enjoy feeling like an expert, and you may have a chance of becoming genuinely knowledgeable on the topic!
