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Autospeak - Automobile index Category: Travel and Transportation > Cars Date & country: 24/11/2013, USA Words: 71

B-Pillar
The roof support between a vehicle's front door window and rear side window, if there is one.

C-Pillar
The roof support between a vehicle's rearmost side window and its rear window. Also known as a C-Post. On a vehicle with four side pillars, the rearmost roof support may be called a D-pillar.

D-Pillar or D-Post
The vertical or sometimes diagonal roof supporting member located at the extreme rear of the roof or greenhouse structure on station wagons and some sedan models.

Fuel Pump
A mechanical or electrical device that draws fuel from the fuel tank and delivers it to the carburetor or injectors

Fuel Injection
A method of delivering fuel under pressure into an engine's combustion chamber. Fuel injection systems can be single-point, multi-point, etc.. Replaces carbureted system.

Front-Wheel Drive (FWD)
A drive system where the engine and transaxle components apply the driving force to the front wheels rather than the rear wheels. Benefits of Front-Wheel drive include: Maximized passenger space. Enhanced cargo area. excellent drive traction; particularly on wet or slippery surfaces, since the drive is through the front wheels, which carry a heavier load.

Four Wheel Independent Suspension
A type of suspension in which all wheels are mounted to separate suspension members with no rigid axle connecting them. Therefore a disturbance affecting one wheel has no effect on the opposite wheel. Four wheel independent suspension reduces the un-sprung weight, improves ride and handling over rough surfaces and permits room for a larger trunk.

Four Wheel Drive (4WD)
In a Four Wheel Drive system, a secondary transmission assembly, called a transfer case, is driven from the main transmission. The transfer case distributes power to both axles to drive all four wheels. It is the heart of the Four-Wheel Drive system. Four-Wheel Drive can be full-time, in which power is delivered to both axles at all times or part-time, where the driver selects two or four wheel drive. Four wheel drive is often combined with independent suspension systems and off-road type tires to enhance driveability on rough, off-road terrain, or on-road driveability in unfavorable driving conditions.

Fifth Wheel
Load supporting plate mounted to the frame of a vehicle. Pivot mounted, it contains provision for accepting and holding the kingpin of a trailer, providing a flexible connection between the tractor and the trailer. Center of the fifth wheel should always be located ahead of the centerline of the rear axle.

Four Wheel
On a vehicle equipped with Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brakes, all four wheels are equipped with speed sensors. When these sensors determine that the wheels are decelerating so rapidly that lockup may occur, the Electro-Hydraulic Control Unit (EHCU) is activated. The EHCU then modulates the brake pressure in the appropriate brake lines by means of the solenoid-operated valves. This is intended to prevent wheel lockup and help the vehicle maintain directional stability during potentially hazardous braking situations

EPA Fuel Economy Rating
Comparative mileage figures generated from laboratory fuel-economy tests administered by the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) using simulated weight and drag to approximate real driving conditions.

Exhaust Manifold
The network of passages that gathers the exhaust gases from the various exhaust ports and routes them toward the catalyst, the muffler and the exhaust system.

Exhaust-Gas Recirculation (EGR)
An exhaust-emission control system in which a portion of the exhaust gas is picked up from the exhaust manifold and sent back to the intake manifold t be reburned in the engine. Mixing exhaust gases with the fresh air/fuel mixture lowers the combustion temperature and reduces the formation of oxides of nitrogen in the exhaust.

Electronic Ignition System
An ignition system that uses transistors and other semiconductor devices as an electronic switch to turn the primary current on and off.

Dynamometer
A device which absorbs and measures the power derived by an internal combustion engine.

Electrolyte
Any solution that conducts an electrical current, such as a mixture of sulfuric acid and distilled water found in automotive batteries.

Electronic Fuel Injection System
A system that injects fuel into the engine and includes an electronic control unit to time and meter the fuel flow.

Distributor
A component of the ignition system, usually driven by the camshaft that directs high-voltage surges to the spark plugs in the proper sequence.

Drive Shaft
The shaft that transmits power from the transmission to the differential in a rear-drive power train.

Drivetrain
The power-transmitting components in a car, including clutch, gearbox (or automatic transmission), driveshaft, universal joints, differential and axle shafts.

Directional Stability
A vehicle's ability to maintain a true course of travel despite bumps, crosswinds, uneven road surfaces.

Disc Brakes
Properly called caliper disc brakes, a type of brake that consists of a rotor that rotates at wheel speed, straddled by a caliper that can squeeze the surfaces of the rotor with brake pads near its edge. Disc brakes provide a more linear response and operate more efficiently at high temperatures and during wet weather than drum brakes.

Displacement
In an engine, the total volume of air or air-fuel mixture an engine is theoretically capable of drawing into all cylinders during one operating cycle. Generally expressed in liters or cubic inches. Engine displacement is equal to (bore) x (bore) x (stroke) x (number of pistons) x (.785).

Differential
The gear assembly connected to the drive shaft that permits the wheels to turn at different speeds when going around a corner, while transmitting power from the drive shaft to the wheel axles.

Differential, Locking
The same attributes of a standard differential, except that when one wheel is slipping, the most torque is supplied to the wheel with best traction. A locking differential reduces the possibility of a vehicle becoming immobile when one driving wheel loses traction.

Dieseling
A condition in which gasoline continues to fire after the ignition has been shut off. In late-model engines, dieseling , or run-on, is caused by heat and the unusually high manifold pressure that result from retarding the spark at idle. In fuel-injected cars when the engine is turned off, fuel is automatically shut off, eliminating dieseling.

Diesel Engine
A diesel engine uses heavier weight components than gas engines to handle higher compression ratios. Typically, diesel engines run with greater efficiency and higher torque than similar size gas engines. These attributes lead to better fuel economy and towing performance. Diesel engines do not have spark plugs or carburetors. Instead glow plugs are used to preheat air in the cylinders to ensure easy starts. Once the engine is started, compression heats the fuel in the cylinders for combustion.

Crossmember
One of several horizontal members in a vehicle frame which join the side members and add to overall strength and stability.

Cylinder Block
The basic part of the engine to which other engine parts are attached. It is usually a casting and includes engine cylinders and the upper part of the crankcase.

Cylinder Head
The removable part of the engine that attaches to the cylinder block directly above the cylinders. The head is cast from aluminum or iron and houses the combustion chambers, the intake and exhaust ports, spark plugs and much or all of the valve train. It has oil and water passages for cooling and lubrication.

Cost of Ownership
Several items enter into the calculation of how much it actually costs to own a vehicle. Understanding these items can help determine what is the best purchase for each person. Ownership costs are divided into fixed costs and running costs. Fixed costs are the same whether the car is used or just sits. These costs usually decrease each year. Running costs are variable and are incurred when the vehicle is used. Running costs could increase as the vehicle ages.

Crankcase
A case that encloses the crankshaft. In most engines, the oil pan and the lower portion of the cylinder block form the crankcase.

Cooling System
The system that removes heat from the engine by the forced circulation of coolant and thereby prevents engine overheating. In a liquid-cooled engine, it includes the water jackets, water pump, radiator, and thermostat.

Connecting Rod
The metal rod that connects a piston to the crankshaft.

Contact Patch
The area of a tire's tread that is in contact with the ground.

Control Arm
A suspension element that has one joint at one end and two joints at the other end, typically on the chassis side. Also known as a wishbone or an A-arm.

Coolant
The mixture of water and anti-freeze that picks up heat from the engine and transfers it to the air passing through the radiator. This transfer of heat keeps the engine operating within its optimum temperature rant preventing premature engine wear.

Condenser
A device for storing electrical energy. In A/C application, an air conditioning component used to remove heat from the inside of a vehicle.

Compression Ratio
The volume of the combustion chamber and cylinder when the piston is at the bottom of its stroke, divided by the volume of the combustion chamber and cylinder when the piston is at the top of its stroke. Higher compression ratios tend to increase engine efficiency.

Compressor (Air Conditioning)
The machinism is an air conditioner that pumps vaporized refrigerant out of the evaporator, compresses it to a relatively high pressure, and then delivers it to the condenser.

Cold Cranking Amps (CCA)
A rating, measured in amperes. Used for comparing cranking strength of automotive batteries during extremely cold (0 F or lower) weather.

Combustion Chamber
The volume of space at the top of the cylinder where burning of the air/fuel mixture begins.

Composite Headlamps
Usually manufactured with replaceable halogen bulbs and separate hard acrylic or glass lenses. This type of lamp provides superior illumination compared to the long-conventional sealed beam unit.

Caster Angle
The forward or backward tilt of the steering axis as viewed from the side. If the point of load is ahead of the point of contact, the caster angle is positive. The caster angle tends to keep wheels in a straight line. Proper caster adjustment improves both tire wear and fuel economy.

Center of Gravity
Point where the weight of a vehicle appears to be concentrated and if suspended at that point would balance front and rear.

Closed Crankcase Ventilation (CCV)
A system in which crankcase vapors are discharged into the engine intake system (usually via the intake manifold) where they are burned during the combustion process rather than being discharged into the atmosphere.

Camber Angle
The inward or outward angle which a front-wheel spindle makes with a vertical line, as viewed by either the front or the rear of the vehicle. Positive camber results when the top of the tire tilts out further than its bottom. The adjustment of this setting affects both tire wear and vehicle handling.

Camshaft
The shaft in the engine which is driven by gears, belts or chain from the crankshaft. The camshaft has a series of cams that opens and closes intake and exhaust valves as it turns.

Capitalized Cost
The price of the leased vehicle plus any other charges such as fees or taxes that become the cost basis for calculating the terms of a lease.

Caliper
In a disk brake, a housing for cylinder, pistons and brake shoes, connected to the hydraulic system. The caliper holds the brake shoes so they straddle the brake disc.

Brakes, Disc
A type of braking system in which brake shoes, in a vise-like caliper, grip a revolving disk mounted on a wheel to slow or stop disc and wheel rotation for braking.

Brakes, Drum
A type of braking system that utilizes a metal drum mounted on a wheel to form the outer shell of a brake. The brake shoes press against the drum to slow or stop drum and wheel rotation for braking.

CAFE
The acronym for Corporate Average Fuel Economy. This single mileage figure is determined by taking a sales weighted average of the fuel consumption for all models produced by a manufacturer. The minimum required figure is an established U. S. government standard. Manufacturers which do not meet the minimum standard are fined.

Brake Pads
In a disc system, they are the replaceable flat segments consisting of a rigid backing plate plus frictional lining that takes the place of the shoe and lining in a drum brake. Brake pads are sometimes referred to as brake pucks.

Brake Shoe
The arc-shaped carrier to which the brake linings are mounted in a drum brake. They also force the lining against the rotating drum during braking.

Brake Fade
A condition brought about by repeated brake applications, resulting in build-up of heat that causes a temporary reduction or fading of braking effectiveness.

Brake Horsepower (BHP)
The actual horsepower of an engine, measured by a brake attached to the driving shaft and recorded by a dynamometer.

Brake Linings
The replaceable friction material which contacts the brake drum in a drum brake system to slow or stop the car.

Brake Master Cylinder
A cylinder containing a movable piston activated by pressure on the brake pedal. The piston produces hydraulic pressure that pushes fluid through the lines and wheel cylinders. This forces the brake lining or pad against the drum or disc to slow or stop the car.

Belted Radial Tires
A reinforcing bank, normally textile, fiberglass or steel, running around the circumference of a tire and strengthening the tread area.

Bias-Ply Tires
A type of tire in which the plies or layers of cord in the tire casing are laid diagonally, criss-crossing one another at an angle of 30 to 40 degrees.

Body-On-Frame Construction
A type of automobile construction in which the body structure is attached to a separate frame.

Bore
The diameter of an engine cylinder or bearing.

Ball Joint
A flexible joint consisting of a ball within a socket. Ball joints act as pivots which allow turning of the front wheels and compensate for changes in the wheel and steering geometries that occur while driving.

Axle Ratio
The ratio between the rotational speed (RPM) of the drive shaft and that of the driven wheel. Gear reduction in final drive is determined by dividing the number of teeth on the ring gear by the number of teeth on the pinion gear.

Balance Shaft
A shaft designed so that, as it turns, it counter rotates the rotational direction of the engine crankshaft in a manner that reduces or cancels out some of the vibration produced by the engine.

Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
On a vehicle equipped with Anti-Lock Brakes, the wheels are equipped with speed sensors. When a sensor determines that a wheel is decelerating so rapidly that lockup may occur, the electro-Hydraulic Control Unit (EHCU) is activated. The EHCU then modulates the brake pressure in the appropriate brake lines by means of the solenoid-operated valves. This is intended to prevent wheel lockup and help the vehicle maintain directional stability during potentially hazardous braking situations. (See also: Rear-Wheel Anti-Lock and Four-Wheel Anti-Lock.)

Alloy Wheels
A generic term used to describe any non-steel road wheel. The most common alloy wheels are cast aluminum. Technically, an alloy is a mixture of two or more metals. These wheels are known for their light weight and strength.

All-Wheel Drive
Often confused with Four-Wheel Drive (4WD), this drive system features four, full-time active drive wheels to reduce wheel slippage and provide greater driver control over the vehicle. All-Wheel Drive automatically splits engine torque between the front and rear wheels as needed, improving on-road traction in unfavorable road conditions. Unlike Four-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive is an on-road system and is not designed for off-road use. AWD does not require the driver to actively engage the system. It is operational at all times, and requires no switches, lights or visor instructions for system operation.

Airfoil
An aerodynamic device designed to improve traction by increasing the downforce on the car. The use of airfoils (also called wings) increases the cornering capability and improves stability at speed, but often at the expense of additional aerodynamic drag.

Alignment
Generally refers to wheel alignment, which is the proper adjustment of the car's front and rear suspension for camber, toe, caster and ride height.