GLOSSARY OF CAR TERMINOLOGY

Anti-lock Braking System ABS!

Braking systems "#ic# sense "#eel rotation an$ a%tomatically &'%m'& t#e
(rakes )or t#e $ri*er in emergency (raking con$itions+ T#e '%m'ing an$ t#e
're*ention o) "#eel lock%' allo" t#e $ri*er to retain steering ca'a(ilities
$%ring t#e (raking emergency+ Any Fool '%rc#asing a *e#icle "it# s%c# a
system "o%l$ (e "ell a$*ise$ to insist on t#e $ealers#i' $emonstrating t#e
'ro'er %se an$ maintenance o) it+ Most o) t#ese systems "ork "#en t#e
$ri*er a''lies #ea*y, constant (raking 'ress%re, an$ $o not "ork 'ro'erly i)
t#e $ri*er &'%m's& t#e (rakes as #e may #a*e (een 're*io%sly ta%g#t+
Air-con$itioning-AC
Intro$%ce$ $%ring t#e ./012s in 3SA, as stan$ar$ on many cars since .//1,
glo(ally+ Ca%ses 4%ick cooling o) ca(in (y "ay o) c#ille$ air 5o"+
Air Brakes
3s%ally )o%n$ on #ea*y-$%ty tr%cks, %sing com'resse$ air to o'erate+
Air In6ection
A met#o$ )or re$%cing e7#a%st emissions+ T#e in6ection o) )res# air into t#e
engine e7#a%st 'orts, com(ine$ "it# t#e #ig# #eat 'resent in t#e e7#a%st
mani)ol$, ca%ses t#e (%rning %' o) le)to*er )%el *a'ors+
Aero$ynamic
T#e "in$ resistance o) a *e#icle2s $esign elements+ Aero$ynamic *e#icles
claim to o8er increase$ 'er)ormance an$ re$%ce$ "in$ noise "#ile mo*ing+
See Coe9cient o) :rag+
Alloy ;#eels
Any non-steel roa$ "#eel+ Mostly al%min%m, (%t tec#nically a mi7t%re o) t"o
or more metals+
Alternati*e F%els
May (e alco#ol-(ase$, s%c# as et#anol or met#anol< com'resse$ nat%ral gas<
or com(inations o) gasoline an$ alco#ol+
All-Season Tyres
Tyres $esigne$ to 'ro*i$e goo$ traction in "inter sno" an$ sl%s# "it#o%t
"earing too 4%ickly on $ry roa$s+
Anti-Roll Bar
A s%s'ension com'onent+ A steel ro$ or t%(e t#at connects t#e le)t an$ rig#t
s%s'ension mem(ers to resist roll or s"aying o) t#e *e#icle+ Im'ro*es
#an$ling+
A-'illar
=ertical roo) s%''ort (et"een t#e "in$s#iel$ an$ )ront e$ge o) t#e )ront si$e
"in$o"+
As'ect Ratio
T#e ratio (et"een t#e "i$t# an$ si$e"all or #eig#t! o) t#e tyre+ Tyres "it#
lo"er as'ect ratios, %s%ally )o%n$ on s'orts mo$els, 'ro*i$e s%'erior
#an$ling (%t a #ars#er ri$e+
A%to Mall
Se*eral :ealers#i' o'erations locate$ on one site+
A%tomatic Locking Retractor
Stan$ar$ on .//> an$ later mo$els, t#is $e*ice is (%ilt into t#e s#o%l$er (elt
retractor an$ kee's t#e (elt cinc#e$ tig#tly, "#ic# is essential )or 'ro'erly
sec%ring a c#il$-sa)ety seat+
A%tomatic Transmission
A system t#at *aries t#e 'o"er an$ tor4%e to a $ri*etrain "it#o%t t#e %se o) a
)oot-o'erate$ cl%tc#+
Alternator
A $e*ice t#at con*erts mec#anical energy into electrical energy )or t#e
'%r'ose o) c#arging t#e car (attery+
ATF
A%tomatic Transmission Fl%i$+ A li4%i$ %se$ "it#in an a%tomatic transmission
to trans)er t#e mo*ement o) t#e tor4%e con*erter to t#e $ri*es#a)t+
ATC
A%tomatically controls a *e#icle2s #eating an$ cooling systems, maintaining a
tem'erat%re 'reset (y t#e occ%'ant+
B-'illar
=ertical metal roo) s%''ort (et"een )ront an$ rear si$e "in$o"s on t#e si$e
o) t#e *e#icle+
Back ?ress%re
T#e 'ress%re 'ro$%ce$ (y restrictions in an e7#a%st system+ Back 'ress%re
a8ects t#e rate at "#ic# e7#a%st gases are e7tracte$ )rom t#e cylin$ers+
Ball @oint
A $ynamic 6oint o) (all-an$-socket conAg%ration %se$ in t#e steering an$
s%s'ension systems+
Base-Coat
A coat o) 'aint acting as t#e (ase )or ot#er layers to (e a''lie$+
Beltline
A #oriBontal line, %s%ally imaginary (%t sometimes in$icate$ (y a )eat%re in
t#e (o$y $esign, 6%st (elo" t#e "in$o" o'enings on a car or tr%ck (o$y+
Benc# Seats
F%ll-lengt# seat t#at r%ns along t#e rear "i$t# o) t#e car ca(in so t#at more
t#an t"o 'assengers can sit t#ere+
BenBene
An air 'oll%tant 'ro$%ce$ *ia t#e com(%stion engine an t#e )ossil )%els it
(%rns+
Booster Seat
T#is c#il$-sa)ety seat is $esigne$ )or c#il$ren "#o are too large )or a (a(y
seat, (%t not (ig eno%g# to sit sa)ely in t#e *e#icle2s seats+
Bo$y Style
T#e ty'e o) e7terior s#ell or s#a'e to a *e#icle se$an, co%'e, #atc#(ack,
etc+!+
Booster Seat
T#is c#il$-sa)ety seat is $esigne$ )or c#il$ren "#o are too large )or a (a(y
seat, (%t not (ig eno%g# to sit sa)ely in t#e *e#icle2s seats+
Bore
:iameter o) an in$i*i$%al engine cylin$er+ Relates to t#at o) t#e 'iston stoke
lengt#, (ot# (eing gi*en in millimeters, eg- 00+1-C>+>mm
Blo"(y
Gases create$ $%ring com(%stion t#at leak 'ast t#e 'iston rings an$ are
remo*e$ )rom t#e crankcase *ia t#e ?C= system+
Brake Booster
:e*ice or system t#at #el's re$%ce t#e )orce t#e $ri*er m%st e7ert against
t#e (rake 'e$al+ May (e #y$ra%lic or electric+
Brake Cali'er
A #y$ra%lic li4%i$-'ress%re$! 'iston assem(ly t#at #ol$s $isc-(rake 'a$s+
Brake ?a$
3se$ in a $isc system, it is a re'lacea(le 'iece o) (acking 'late an$
a$$itional )riction lining+ T#e :isc, a t#ick, ro%n$ metal 'late locate$ (e#in$
eac# "#eel, against "#ic# a set o) (rake 'a$s are a''lie$ (y a cali'er $%ring
(raking+
Brake ?%ll
Occ%rs "#en t#e *e#icle '%lls s%$$enly to t#e le)t or rig#t as t#e (rake 'e$al
is $e'resse$+ It in$icates t#e (rakes may (e o%t o) a$6%stment+
Brake Rotor
S#iny metal $isk t#at (rake 'a$s s4%eeBe to sto' t#e *e#icle< #ence t#e
name $isc (rakes+
Brake S#oe
A c%r*e$, re'lacea(le 'iece o) )riction material %se$ on $r%m (rakes+ T#e
"#eel cylin$er '%s#es t#e (rake s#oes against t#e (rake $r%m+
B%cket Seats
In$i*i$%al $ri*er or 'assenger seats, t#at enclose a 'erson (y means o) $e't#
c%r*at%re an si$e li's+ 3s%ally )o%n$ in c%stomise$ an s'orting cars+
B%m'er
a lengt# o) metal "it# s'ring or r%((er (acking t#at sits rear-most on a car,
an$ )ronts t#e ra$iator+
Bo7 car
a small car ma$e )rom lig#t "oo$ an metal, "it# no mec#anical content ot#er
t#an a steering mec#anism 'l%s D a7els+
Bo7er Engine
T#e cylin$ers are o''osite .C1 $egrees a'art! )rom eac# ot#er+ Also calle$
5at engines, t#ese are relati*ely 5at com'are$ to In-line or = engines+
C-'illar
T#e *ertical metal roo) s%''ort (et"een t#e si$e e$ge o) t#e rear "in$s#iel$
also calle$ t#e (acklig#t! an$ t#e rear e$ge o) t#e rear "in$o"+
Ca(in
T#e interior 'eo'le-s'ace "it#in a car+ For a tr%ck its calle$ a Ca(+ T#e
2Green#o%se2 is a term %se$ in a%tomoti*e circles to $escri(e all o) t#e
"in$o"s enclosing t#e 'assenger com'artment+
Ca(riolet
A t"o-$oor small o'en car "it# a #an$- retracta(le roo), (eing eit#er a rag
clot#! to' or #ar$ to'+ Seating E %s%ally, it a''eare$ Arst in t#e ./D12s (%t
)a$e$-o%t a $eca$e later, an ret%rning to )as#ion (y t#e ./F12s+
Cam
An irreg%larly s#a'e$ $isc or 'ro6ection "#ose rotation creates a rocking
motion in an a$6acent 'art+
Cam(er
In"ar$ or o%t"ar$ tilt o) t#e "#eels tyres+ T#is a$6%stment a8ects #o" t#e
*e#icle #ol$s t#e roa$ an$ #an$les cornering+
Cams#a)t
A metal s#a)t s%''orting t#e cams t#at ca%se t#e o'en-close o'eration o) t#e
intake an$ e7#a%st *al*es+ T#e cams#a)t t%rns at .-D t#e s'ee$ o) t#e
cranks#a)t an$ is connecte$ to it eit#er *ia gears, a timing c#ain or a timing
(elt+
Car(on Brakes
Intro$%ce$ (y t#e Bra(#am Team in ./0C, t#ese o8er im'ro*e$ 'er)ormance
an$ s%'erior $%ra(ility to t#e steel (rakes t#ey s%'erce$e$+ Car(on $isc
(rakes o'erate at t#eir (est "#en #eate$ to e7tremely #ig# tem'erat%res, %'
to .111G centigra$e+ T#ere)ore, t#ey are not s%ita(le )or roa$ going cars as
t#ere 'er)ormance "#en col$ is *ery 'oor+
Car(on Fi(re
T#is is an %ltra-lig#t, (%t e7tremely strong material t#at #as (een %se$ to
man%)act%rer *e#icle 'arts )or roa$ an racing cars+ It "as intro$%ce$ to t#e
;orl$ o) Form%la . racing in t#e ./012s in t#e )orm o) large (%t lig#t "ings+
McLaren "ere t#e Arst team to %se it to 'ro$%ce t#e "#ole monoco4%e o) a
Form%la . car in ./C.+
Car(%retor
:e*ice t#at mi7es air "it# )%el, $eli*ering t#e mi7t%re into t#e engine2s
com(%stion c#am(ers+ Only )o%n$ on ol$er *e#icles+ By t#e mi$-./C1s, ne"
emissions stan$ar$s le$ to t#e %se o) )%el-in6ection systems, "#ic# $o not
re4%ire )re4%ent a$6%stment+
CATS
Com'%ter Ai$e$ Traction System, in "#ic# a mac#ine a%tomatically a$6%sts
t#e roa$ #ol$ing a(ility o) a car "#ile it co*ers sli''ery or %ne*en gro%n$+ A
stan$ar$ #ig#-tec# a$$-on )or e7'ensi*e s'orts-cars an l%7%ry saloons,
intro$%ce$ in t#e .//12s+
Catalytic Con*erter
A com'onent o) t#e e7#a%st system t#at creates a #eat- 'ro$%cing c#emical
reaction to con*ert 'otentially #arm)%l com(%stion (y'ro$%cts into car(on
$io7i$e an$ "ater+
Ca'italiBe$ Cost
In a lease transaction, t#e 'rice at "#ic# a Anancial instit%tion (%ys a *e#icle
)rom a $ealer+ E4%i*alent to t#e cas# '%rc#ase 'rice i) t#e cons%mer "ere
(%ying t#e *e#icle o%trig#t, it incl%$es ta7es an$ any ot#er a$$itional
c#arges+ Also calle$ Ca'ital Cost+
Ca'ti*e Finance Com'any
A car ins%rance instit%tion o"ne$ (y a car man%)act%rer+ E7am'les incl%$e
C#rysler Cre$it, For$ Motor Cre$it an$ General-Motors-A%toCre$it+
Center-Locking :i8erential
On all-"#eel $ri*e *e#icles, a t#ir$ $i8erential in a$$ition to t#ose )or t#e
)ront an$ rear a7les+ T#is t#ir$ $i8erential allo"s t#e )ront an$ rear "#eels to
t%rn at $i8erent s'ee$s as nee$e$ )or cornering on $ry 'a*ement+ On
sli''ery s%r)aces, it locks all )o%r "#eels toget#er, eit#er a%tomatically or
man%ally $e'en$ing on t#e system, )or greater traction+
C$A
Aero$ynamic e9ciency C$! m%lti'lie$ (y )rontal area A!+ T#is "ill tell yo%
#o" m%c# e8ort is re4%ire$ to '%s# t#e car t#ro%g# t#e air at a gi*en s'ee$+
C: c#anger
a 6%ke(o7 style enclos%re containing > to >1 a%$io C:s, eac# (eing accessi(le
*ia a (%ilt-in C: 'layer, all remotely controlle$ )rom t#e car-#i-A 'anel on t#e
$as#(oar$+
Central Locking System
On a *e#icle "it# 'o"er $oor locks, t#e system locks or %nlocks all $oors at
one time+
CHMSL
Center Hig#-Mo%nte$ Sto' Lig#t - re4%ire$ (rake lig#t mo%nte$ #ig#er t#an
t#e taillig#ts, at t#e to' center or (ottom center o) t#e rear "in$s#iel$, as )or
racing '%r'oses (y reg%lation+
C#eck *al*e
A sa)ety *al*e "#ic# allo"s )%el, air or a *ac%%m to 5o" in only one $irection+
C#icane
A se4%ence o) tig#t corners+ O)ten inserte$ on straig#ts to slo" cars into t#e
)ollo"ing corner+ A n%m(er o) race tracks #a*e (een mo$iAe$ to re$%ce
s'ee$s+
C#assis
T#is is t#e 'art o) t#e car in "#ic# t#e $ri*er sits an$ to "#ic# t#e engine an$
s%s'ension are attac#e$+ In mo$ern Form%la . cars t#e c#assis is a
monoco4%e $esign man%)act%re$ )rom car(on A(re+
C#ristmas Tree
T#e 'ole o) lig#ts t#at starts a $rag race, name$ )or its re$ an$ green lig#ts+
Most $rag races %se t#e 'ro or #ea$s %' start "#ic# #as t#ree lig#ts in
(et"een t#e Arst re$! an$ last green! stage+
C#o'to'
T#e res%lt o) t#e 'rocess o) lo"ering t#e to' o) a car, %s%ally as 'art o) a
c%stomiBe$ $esign+
Clearcoat
T#e trans'arent to' coat o) 'aint on many ne"er *e#icles< $esigne$ to create
a long-lasting, l%stro%s a''earance+
Climate-Control System
T#e non-tec#nical term )or t#e #eating, *entilation an$ air-con$itioning
system H=AC!+ Most c%rrent *e#icles #a*e all t#ree - #eating, $e)rost, an$
AC+
Cl%tc#
T#is $ri*etrain com'onent is )o%n$ (et"een t#e engine an$ t#e transmission+
It acts as a co%'ling $e*ice "#ic# is %se$ to engage an$ $isengage t#e
transmission )rom t#e engine "#en s#i)ting gears+ It is necessary to $o t#is
6oining an$ $etac#ing (eca%se t#e engine is t%rning at a relati*ely #ig# rate
t#o%san$s o) re*ol%tions 'er min%te!, an$ attem'ting to alter a gear ratio at
t#is 'oint co%l$ sen$ *ario%s (its o) transmission s#ra'nel careening a(o%t
t#e occ%'ant com'artment+
Cl%tc# :isk
?resses against t#e transmission 5y"#eel to trans)er 'o"er )rom t#e engine
to t#e transmission+
Cl%( seat
T#e rear seat in a co%'e+
Coe9cient o) :rag C$!
A meas%re o) t#e aero$ynamic resistance o) t#e *e#icle (o$y+ T#e smaller t#e
n%m(er, t#e more "in$-c#eating t#e (o$y $esign an$ t#e greater likeli#oo$
t#at 'assengers "on2t #a*e to en$%re "in$ noises+
COD emissions
Car(on $io7i$e 'oll%tion e7'elle$ )rom t#e e7#a%st 'i'e, t#at since t#e
.//12s m%st (e at lo" eno%g# le*els to make t#e car meet "orl$ to7icity
reg%lations+ Fig%re gi*en in grams 'er kilometer+
Coil
A trans)ormer %se$ in t#e ignition system )or ste''ing %' t#e *oltage o) t#e
electric c%rrent con$%cte$ t#ro%g# t#e s'ark 'l%gs+ T#is #ig# le*el o)
&electrical 'ress%re& is "#at ca%ses t#e c%rrent to 6%m' t#e ga' at t#e ti' o)
eac# s'ark 'l%g an$ create t#e act%al s'ark t#at ignites t#e )%el insi$e t#e
cylin$er+
Coil S'ring
A #ea*y-$%ty, s'irale$ metal com'onent o) t#e s%s'ension system "#ic#
)orms a $ynamic connection (et"een t#e (o$y o) an a%tomo(ile an$ its
c#assis+
Collision Co*erage
O'tional ins%rance t#at 'ays )or $amage to yo%r car ca%se$ (y collision "it#
anot#er car or o(6ect+
Com'ression
T#e stage 'rior to com(%stion $%ring "#ic# t#e 'iston in a cylin$er '%s#es
$o"n on t#e )%el *a'or "it#in to 'ress%riBe it+
Com'ression Ratio
T#e ratio o) t#e *ol%me "it#in an engine cylin$er "#en t#e 'iston is at t#e
(ottom o) its stroke, com'are$ to t#e *ol%me in t#e cylin$er "#en t#e 'iston
is at t#e to' o) its stroke+ T#e #ig#er t#e ratio, t#e more com'ression $%ring
com(%stion an$ t#e more 'o"er)%l t#e engine+ Eg- CIJI.
Com're#ensi*e Co*erage
O'tional ins%rance t#at 'ays )or $amage to yo%r car ca%se$ (y t#ings ot#er
t#an collision+ For e7am'le, i) yo%r car is stolen or *an$aliBe$+
Com(%stion C#am(er
To' section o) t#e engine cylin$er, "#ere t#e air-)%el mi7t%re is ignite$ (y a
s'ark 'l%g+ T#e e7'losion o) t#e com(%stion '%s#es t#e 'iston $o"n into t#e
cylin$er, 'ro$%cing t#e )orce t#at t#e transmission $eli*ers to t#e $ri*e
"#eels+
Constant-=elocity @oint C= @oint!
On )ront-"#eel $ri*e an$ all-"#eel $ri*e *e#icles, a co%'ling t#at allo"s t#e
)ront a7le to t%rn at a constant s'ee$ at *ario%s angles "#en t#e *e#icle
t%rns+ T#e C= 6oint is a s#a)t t#at transmits engine 'o"er )rom t#e
transmission to t#e "#eel+
Continental kit
A s'are tyre mo%nte$ on t#e (%m'er at t#e rear o) t#e car, %s%ally re4%iring
a (%m'er e7tension+
Con*erti(le
A me$i%m-large siBe$ car seating %'to > 'eo'le an #a*ing 'ossi(ly E $oors+
Largely occ%rring in America, as "it# a to' t#at can (e eit#er lo"ere$ or
remo*e$+ Originally, many 'o'%lar American cars "ere o) t#is $esign, (%t
soon t#e 'rotection o) t#e close$ in se$an gaine$ $ominance+ Con*erti(les
#a*e al"ays #a$ a nic#e e7ce't )or a (rie) 'erio$ in t#e 2012s an$ 2C12s "#en
t#e $isa''eare$ $%e to sa)ety concerns+
Cor'orate A*erage F%el Economy CAFE!
T#e go*ernment tracks t#e a*erage )%el economy o) all t#e *e#icles
'ro$%ce$ in a single mo$el-year (y eac# in$i*i$%al man%)act%rer+ CAFE is
t#at rating+
Co%'e
Generally, a t"o-$oor car "it# close-co%'le$ 'assenger com'artment+
Co%'e $e =ille
A co%'e "it# an enclose$, rear 'assenger section an$ an o'en $ri*er2s
section+
Crankcase
T#e area insi$e t#e engine (lock "#ere t#e cranks#a)t, 'iston ro$s an$ ot#er
mo*ing 'arts o'erate an$ recei*e contin%o%s l%(rication+
Cranks#a)t
T#e main s#a)t o) an engine t#ro%g# "#ic# t#e 'o"er 'ro$%ce$ $%ring
com(%stion is trans)erre$ to t#e transmission an$ %ltimately t#e "#eels! as
tor4%e+ Its rotation res%lts )rom t#e reci'rocating motion o) t#e 'istons+
Cras#-Test
Cras# 'rotection researc# 'rograms r%n (y go*ernment (acke$ a%t#orities+
Cars are cras#e$ #ea$-on into a rigi$ (arrier at J> m'#, an$ instr%mente$
$%mmies meas%re cras# )orces en$%re$ (y 'ro'erly restraine$ occ%'ants+
Eac# teste$ *e#icle is assigne$ a score in$icating t#e likeli#oo$ o) mo$erate,
se*ere or )atal in6%ry+
Cr%ise Control
A $e*ice t#at, "#en set (y t#e $ri*er, "ill #ol$ t#e car at t#e c#osen s'ee$+
Cr%iser skirts
O'tional accessory similar in )%nction to )en$er skirts (%t are normally longer,
At on t#e o%tsi$e o) t#e (o$y o) t#e car, an$ are most o)ten %se$ in
c%stomiBation "ork+
Cr%m'le Kone
?ortions o) a *e#icle2s str%ct%re $esigne$ to (%ckle an$ )ol$ in an im'act,
a(sor(ing cras# )orce rat#er t#an transmitting it to *e#icle occ%'ants+
Cylin$er
One o) a gro%' o) c#am(ers in t#e engine "it#in "#ic# t#e 'rocess o)
com(%stion takes 'lace+ T#e most common engine conAg%rations %tiliBe
eit#er )o%r E!, si7 F! or eig#t C! cylin$ers+
Cylin$er Block
T#e main 'art o) t#e engine to "#ic# ot#er 'arts are attac#e$+
Cylin$er Hea$
At t#e to' o) t#e engine (lock is t#e cylin$er #ea$ "#ic# contains intake an$
e7#a%st *al*es+ Air an$ )%el enter t#e cylin$er #ea$ t#ro%g# t#e intake *al*es
an$ s'ent le)to*ers are release$ a)ter com(%stion t#ro%g# t#e e7#a%st *al*es
:am'er
A $e*ice "#ic# re$%ces *i(ration+
:aytime R%nning Lig#ts :RL!
T#ese lig#ts come on "#ene*er t#e *e#icle is t%rne$ on< t#ey make t#e
*e#icle more *isi(le to ot#er $ri*ers+ Man$atory in Cana$a an$ stan$ar$
e4%i'ment on many *e#icles sol$ in t#e 3nite$ States+
:as#(oar$
T#is may re)er to t#e %nit )o%n$ (et"een t#e )ront $ri*er an$ 'assenger seat
t#at contains t#e a%tomatic transmission s#i)ter, c%'#ol$ers an$ a storage
com'artment+ B%t it can also re)er to t#e section o) t#e instr%ment 'anel t#at
incl%$es t#e controls )or t#e so%n$ system an$ climate-control system,
'artic%larly i) t#e 'anel 5o"s $o"n t#e center o) t#e *e#icle an$ incl%$es t#e
a%tomatic-transmission s#i)ter+ Calle$ a Console in 3SA+
:ealer In*oice ?rice
Also calle$ $ealer cost+ T#e amo%nt t#e $ealer 'ays )or a car or tr%ck+
:e$%cte$ )rom t#is 'rice may (e a $ealer incenti*e, "#ic# is a set $isco%nt
o8ere$ )or a limite$ 'erio$ o) time, or a $ealer #ol$(ack, "#ic# is a
'ercentage o) t#e *e#icle2s "#olesale 'rice+
:e'reciation
T#e $ecrease in a *e#icle2s market *al%e o*er time+ T#e amo%nt o) yearly
$e'reciation is a8ecte$ (y *e#icle con$ition< resale-market'lace s%''ly an$
$eman$< an$ make an$ mo$el re'%tation+ Con*erti(les, #ig#-'er)ormance
cars, tr%cks an$ *ans ten$ to $e'reciate less t#an ot#er *e#icles+
:ecke$
t#e 'rocess o) remo*ing t#e (o$y trim or conto%r lines )rom t#e #oo$ or tr%nk
o) a car, %s%ally as 'art o) a c%stomiBe$ $esign+
:iesel
An internal com(%stion engine in "#ic# t#e air-)%el mi7t%re is ignite$ (y
com'ression in t#e cylin$er rat#er t#an (y a s'ark+ :iesel engines %se $iesel
)%el rat#er t#an gasoline an$ ten$ to (e more )%el-e9cient an$ re4%ire less
maintenance t#an gasoline engines, (%t it is more com'licate$ to get t#em to
r%n cleanly+ Also %se$ as a slang termI a)ter t%rning o8 t#e ignition, t#e
engine contin%es to r%n )or a s#ort 'erio$+
:i8erential
A mec#anical gear(o7 or 5%i$ co%'ling t#at allo"s "#eels to rotate at
$i8erent s'ee$s+ 3s%ally locate$ on an a7le, it allo"s t#e o%tsi$e "#eels to
t%rn )aster t#an t#e insi$e "#eels $%ring cornering+ Fo%r-"#eel-$ri*e an$ all-
"#eel $ri*e *e#icles #a*e t"o $i8erentials, one )or t#e rear a7le an$ one )or
t#e )ront+ all-"#eel $ri*e *e#icles also may #a*e a t#ir$ or center $i8erential
on t#e $ri*e s#a)t t#at r%ns (et"een t#e )ront an$ rear a7les+
:i8%ser
A rear o%tlet )or e7'elling engine noise+
:ing
A small $ent or scra'e in t#e (o$y o) t#e *e#icle+
:isc Brakes
S#iny metal $iscs, calle$ (rake rotors, are attac#e$ to t#e "#eel #%(, rotating
"it# t#e "#eel+ ;#en t#e (rake 'e$al is $e'resse$, t#e (rake cali'ers
s4%eeBe t#e $iscs to slo" t#e *e#icle+ See Brake Cali'er an$ Brake Rotor+
:iameter gi*en in millimeters+
:is'lacement
T#e *ol%me $is'lace$ (y an engine2s cylin$ers+ Formerly meas%re$ in c%(ic
inc#es, it is no" more commonly e7'resse$ in liters+
:istri(%tor
?art o) t#e ignition electrical! system+ :eli*ers electricity )rom t#e ignition
coil to t#e $istri(%tor ca' an$ t#e s'ark 'l%g "ires in t#e correct Aring or$er+
T#e Aring or$er is t#at se4%ence in "#ic# eac# cylin$er (egins its 'o"er
stroke+! T#e s'ark 'l%gs ignite t#e )%el an$ air mi7t%re in eac# cylin$er
t#o%san$s o) times a min%te, 'ro$%cing t#e e7'losion t#at '%s#es t#e 'iston
$o"n in t#e cylin$er to 'o"er t#e *e#icle+
:ogleg
?o'%lar name a''lie$ to t#e angle create$ at t#e $oor o'ening (y t#e "ra'-
aro%n$ "in$s#iel$s )o%n$ on many mi$ to late 2>12s mo$els+
:o"n)orce
T#e air 'ress%re a''lie$ to t#e s%r)ace o) a car at #ig# s'ee$, (y means o)
aero$ynamic (o$y $etails, t#%s im'ro*ing its traction, as air5o" tries to li)t
t#e car+
:o"n'i'e
T#e 'i'e t#at 6oins t#e entire e7#a%st system to t#e e7#a%st mani)ol$+
:o%(le ;is#(one S%s'ension
A ty'e o) in$e'en$ent s%s'ension in "#ic# t#e %''er an$ lo"er s%''ort
'ieces, or mem(ers, look some"#at like a "is#(one+
:ragster
A straig#t-line racing car "#ere t#e engine is #al) e7'ose$ an t#e rear "#eels
are larger t#an t#e )ront "#eels+ E7otic (ooster )%els are %s%ally a$$e$ like
nitro-gas+
:ra)ting
A '#enomena "#ere t"o cars r%nning nose to tail toget#er can mo*e )aster
t#an an in$i*i$%al *e#icle+
:ri*e A7le
Connects t#e transa7le to t#e )ront "#eels on a )ront-"#eel $ri*e *e#icle+
:ri*e Range E=!
T#e $istance an electric *e#icle can $ri*e "it#o%t re-c#arging its (atteries+
:r%m Brakes
A (raking system t#at %ses a metal $r%m+ Brake s#oes 'ress against t#e
$r%m to slo" or sto' t#e car+
:ri*etrain
=e#icle com'onents "#ic# act toget#er to mo*e t#e *e#icle )or"ar$ or
(ack"ar$+ On a rear-$ri*e *e#icle, it is t#e com(ination o) t#e engine,
transmission, $i8erential an$ $ri*e s#a)t+ On a )ront-$ri*e *e#icle, it consists
o) t#e engine, transa7le an$ $ri*e a7les+
:ri*es#a)t
A long metal cylin$er locate$ (et"een t#e transmission an$ t#e rear a7le, in
)ront-engine rear-"#eel $ri*e *e#icles+ T#e s#a)t is connecte$ to t#e
com'onents on eac# en$ "it# a %ni*ersal 6oint, "#ic# allo"s )or mo*ement
%' an$ $o"n "it#o%t (en$ing t#e s#a)t+
EB:
Electronic Brake :istri(%tion is a com'onent %se$ "it# ABS an %s%ally a (rake
assist mec#anism, )or small 'o"er)%l cars, like t#e ne" Mini o) .//C+
Electronic M%Lers
In an electronic m%Ler system, sensors an$ micro'#ones in t#e e7#a%st
system sense t#e 'attern o) e7#a%st 'ress%re "a*es+ T#is in)ormation is sent
to an on-(oar$ com'%ter t#at controls lo%$s'eakers in t#e m%Ler+ T#e
com'%ter o'erates t#e lo%$s'eakers to generate so%n$ "a*es t#at o''ose
an$ cancel t#e original e7#a%st so%n$ "a*es 'ro$%ce$ (y t#e engine+
Electronic Sta(iliBation ?rogram
ES?! increases *e#icle control in sit%ations near t#e *e#icle2s limits+ It
re$%ces t#e risk o) ski$$ing an$ #el's to kee' t#e *e#icle on co%rse+ ES?
recogniBes t#e co%rse $esire$ an$ t#e car2s reactions+ T#ro%g# (rake
a''lication at in$i*i$%al "#eels, it generates one-si$e$ )orces "#ic# #el' t#e
car to mo*e in t#e $esire$ $irection+ T#e ES? 'rogram %ses ot#er $ri*ing ai$s
an$ is 'ermanently engage$+
Electronic Control Mo$%le ECM!
Electronic Control Mo$%le+ T#e master com'%ter res'onsi(le )or inter'reting
electrical signals sent (y engine sensors an$ )or acti*ating a%tomate$ engine
com'onents an$ 'rocesses accor$ingly in or$er to 'ro$%ce o'tim%m
'er)ormance+
Electronic Ignition
A system "#ic# %ses an electronic %nit as o''ose$ to an ol$er mec#anical
style $istri(%tor "it# 'oints contacts! to control t#e timing an$ Aring o) s'ark
'l%gs+
Electronic =al*e Timing E=T!
System in "#ic# a com'%ter controls t#e timing o) t#e o'ening an$ closing o)
cylin$er *al*es+
Engine
T#e (asic 6o( o) an engine is to take )%el an$ con*ert its energy to some
%sa(le mec#anical )orm (%rn gasoline to s'in a s#a)t an$, %ltimately, t#e
"#eels!+ 3s%ally ma$e )rom alloy M (lock+ Its C%(ic Ca'acity n%m(er NccO
re'resents t#e interior )%el s'ace "it#in it+ T#e #ig#er ccP t#e greater 'o"er
it generates+ Most *e#icles to$ay are Atte$ "it# "#at is kno"n as a E-cycle
internal com(%stion engine+ T#e )o%r cycles areI Intake, Com'ression, ?o"er,
E7#a%st+
Engine :is'lacement
T#e total o) t#e *ol%me %se$ )or com(%stion insi$e t#e cylin$ers o) an
engine+ Meas%re$ in liters on ne"er mo$els, or in c%(ic inc#es on ol$er
mo$els+
Engine layo%t
T#e 'osition it sits "it#in t#e c#assis, t#e cylin$er amo%nt, t#eir
arrangement, t#e CC total, 'l%s any e7tra a$$-ons+
Engine management system
Com'%teriBe$ control o) t#e ignition an )%el systems, making $ri*ing more
economical, 4%ieter, an$ 'o"er-e8ecti*e+ It can (e ma$e (y t#e com'any
%sing it, or (e (o%g#t )rom anot#er car man%)act%rer, or )rom a s'ecialist
electronics maker+
Engine noise 'oll%tion
An en*ironmental concern meas%re$ in S?L $eci(els, at *ario%s s'ee$s, an
"#en t#e engine is i$ling+ Lea$e$ emissions relate to 2to7ic 'oll%tion2+
Engine cooler
An air intake "it# (e#in$ it a large in$%cting )an, $ra"ing air t#ro%g# a "ater
coole$ 'i'ing arrangement, t#%s 're*enting engine o*er#eating, "#ere t#e
e*ent is #ig#ly e7'ecte$+
En*ironmental ?rotection Agency E?A!
T#e )e$eral agency t#at reg%lates air 4%ality an$ sets a%tomoti*e )%el-
economy an$ emissions stan$ar$s+
E4%ity
T#e *al%e le)t in a %se$ *e#icle a)ter s%(tracting t#e o%tstan$ing loan
(alance )rom its market *al%e+ For e7am'le, i) QE,111 is still o"e$ on a car
"ort# QC,111 on t#e o'en market, t#en it #as an e4%ity o) QE,111+
Escro"
A 'rocess in "#ic# a ne%tral t#ir$ 'arty takes care o) t#e trans)er o)
o"ners#i' o) t#e *e#icle+
E*a'orati*e Emissions
E*a'orate$ )%el )rom t#e car(%retor or )%el system "#ic# mi7es "it# t#e
s%rro%n$ing o%tsi$e air+
E*a'orator Core
?art o) t#e climate-control system t#at contains a li4%i$ re)rigerant "#ic#
t%rns to gas to a(sor( #eat )rom t#e air+
E7cess Mileage
Any mileage o*er t#e amo%nt agree$ %'on "it#in a car #ire lease contract+
Generally inc%rs a 'er-mileage c#arge at t#e en$ o) t#e lease+ E7'erts
recommen$ a yearly mileage limit, or Mileage Ca', t#at e7cee$s normal
$ri*ing nee$s+
E7tra %r(an
A go*ernment )%el cons%m'tion rating in m'g )or "#en $ri*ing along
motor"ays+
E7#a%st Mani)ol$
A cast set o) 'i'es or 'assages t#ro%g# "#ic# e7#a%st gases e7it t#e engine
cylin$ers on t#eir "ay into t#e e7#a%st system+
E7#a%st =al*es
:e*ices t#at o'en 'assage"ays )rom t#e cylin$ers )or e7#a%st gases to e7it
(%t "#ic# also close t#em $%ring com'ression an$ com(%stion to maintain
cylin$er 'ress%re+
E7#a%st Gas Recirc%lation EGR!
?art o) t#e emissions system, it recirc%lates e7#a%st gases into t#e intake
mani)ol$, cooling t#e com(%stion c#am(er+
Factory stan$ar$
T#e (asic $esign an$ o'tions t#at make %' t#e 'ackaging o) an entry-le*el
*e#icle+
Fan Belt
Transmits 'o"er )rom a cranks#a)t-$ri*en '%lley to an engine )an an$ ot#er
accessories+
Fee$-t#ro%g#
T#e acce'te$ an sa)est met#o$ (y "#ic# a $ri*er t%rns a steering "#eel+
Fen$er
A (o$y 'anel t#at lies (elo" eit#er si$e o) t#e (onet, (et"een t#e )ront
(%m'er an$ )ront-most $oor e$ge, encom'assing t#e "#eel s'ace in-
(et"een, ND o8O+
Fi)t# ;#eel
?ro*i$es a 5e7i(le connection (et"een car an t#at "#ic# it to"s, like a
cara*an+
FIA
Fe$eration Internationale :e L2A%tomo(ile
Final :ri*e Ratio
T#e re$%ction ratio o) t#e transmission gear set )%rt#est )rom t#e engine+ In
ot#er "or$s, t#e ratio o) t#e n%m(er o) rotations o) t#e $ri*e s#a)t )or one
rotation o) a "#eel+ In general, a lo" Anal $ri*e ratio res%lts in (etter )%el
e9ciency, an$ #ig#er Anal $ri*e ratio res%lts in (etter 'er)ormance+
Fire"all
T#e metal 'anel t#at se'arates t#e engine com'artment )rom t#e 'assenger
com'artment+ It also o)ten incl%$es so%n$ an$ #eat ins%lation+
Force$ In$%ction
;#en a gas is (lo"n into t#e engine to increase s'ee$, (y a t%r(o or
s%'erc#arger+
Form%la Racing
T#e most 'o'%lar, so'#isticate$, an$ e7'ensi*e o) all t#e )orms o) a%to racing
is Form%la . NF.O+ It ten$s to (e $ominate$ (y E%ro'ean $ri*ers, "#o race
t#ro%g# non-o*%lar circ%its aro%n$ t#e glo(e+ T#e 'arallels to In$y Car racing
#a*e lea$ to t#e $e)ections o) $ri*ers like Nigel Mansell, "#o so%g#t t#e
greater s'oils o) *ictory in t#e 3S, e*en t#o%g# t#e tec#nical e7'ertise an
racing c#allenge are lo"er t#eir+ Form%la D, J, an E are lesser *ersions o) F.,
in terms o) Anance, s'ectacle, an Skillman-s#i'+ Since ./01, FD cars #a*e
ten$e$ to s%ccee$ in t#e Le Mans DE#r race+ O) t#e J cars )rom le)t o) t#e
'ict%re (elo", t#ey re'resent F., FD, M FJ+ Ne7t is a rally car, t#en a *intage
racer, an$ rig#t-most is a to%ring-car racer+
Fo%r-;#eel :ri*e E;:!
A trans)er case $istri(%tes 'o"er to (ot# a7les in or$er to $ri*e all )o%r
"#eels+ Sometimes calle$ All-;#eel-:ri*e in 3SA+
Fo%r-;#eel Steering
=e#icle on "#ic# all )o%r "#eels t%rn "#en t#e $ri*er t%rns t#e steering
"#eel+ T#e rear "#eels t%rn at a smaller angle t#an t#e )ront "#eels+ T#is
system a''eare$ on a )e" s'orts mo$els in t#e ./C1s (%t "as ne*er *ery
'o'%lar in Nort# America+
Fog lig#ts
T"o s'ecial #ea$lig#ts $esigne$ )or c%tting t#ro%g# )oggy con$itions along
t#e roa$ a#ea$+
Firing Or$er
T#e se4%ence in "#ic# s'ark 'l%gs Are an$ com(%stion takes 'lace in t#e
engine cylin$ers+
Fly"#eel
A large $isc (olte$ to t#e rear en$ o) t#e cranks#a)t+ T#e 5y"#eel is encircle$
(y a ring gear "#ose teet# are $esigne$ to mes# "it# t#e 'inion gear in t#e
starter $%ring t#e 'rocess o) starting t#e engine+
Frame-o8 restoration
A restoration met#o$ in "#ic# t#e car is com'letely $isassem(le$ "it# all
'arts cleane$ or re'lace$ as necessary, incl%$ing t#e engine an$ all ot#er
mec#anical com'onents! so t#e restore$ car meets t#e e7act )actory
s'eciAcations o) t#e time as closely as 'ossi(le+
Front ;#eel :ri*e
T#e )ront "#eels are t#e ones t#at are (eing 'o"ere$ (y t#e
engine-transmission, an$ t#e rear "#eels 6%st )ollo" along+ Generally
s'eaking, t#ese cars are more )%el-e9cient t#an t#eir rear-"#eel $ri*e
co%nter'arts, an$ t#ey o'erate more easily in sno", (%t t#ey are more
e7'ensi*e to (%il$ an$ maintain+
F%el
A com(%sti(le, *a'oro%s mi7t%re o) air an$ gasoline "#ic# is ignite$ "it#in an
engine to 'ro$%ce 'o"er+ &F%el& is a term o)ten %se$ in re)erence to t#e
gasoline itsel)+
F%el Cell
T#e name )or a *ol%mo%s )%el tank %se$ in )orm%la racing cars, t#at sits
(e#in$ t#e $ri*er an is rein)orce$ "it# Re*lar+
F%el In6ection System
In6ects )%el into t#e engine2s cylin$ers "it# electronic control to time an$
meter t#e )%el 5o"+
F%el System
T#ese systems are *ast an$ co%ntless, (%t to$ay2s (asic systems $i*i$e into
t"o )%n$amental gro%'sI car(%retor systems an$ )%el In6ection systems+
Car(%retor systems "ork (y allo"ing t#e *ac%%m create$ (y t#e engine in
t#e intake stroke to '%ll )%el an$ air into t#e engine+ F%el In6ection systems
are more common t#ese $ays+ Sensors an$ com'%ter controls monitor
*ario%s engine s'ee$s, air 5o"s an$ t#rottle 'ositions, an$ t#en tell t#e
system "#at to $o+ A )%el '%m' is %se$ to trans)er t#e gasoline )rom t#e )%el
tank to t#e in6ector "#ic# is kin$ o) like a s'ray noBBle!+
F%el In6ector
Taking t#e 'lace o) car(%retors in t#e ./C1s, t#e )%el in6ector is an electrically
controlle$ *al*e t#at $eli*ers a 'recise amo%nt o) 'ress%riBe$ )%el into eac#
com(%stion c#am(er+
GA? Ins%rance
Stan$s )or G%arantee$ A%to ?rotection ins%rance+ E7tra ins%rance )or lease
c%stomers to co*er t#e $i8erence in t#e act%al *al%e o) t#e *e#icle an$
"#ate*er is o"e$ on t#e lease+ Im'ortant i) t#e car is stolen or totale$ early
in t#e lease term+ It also co*ers t#e $i8erence in *al%e (et"een "#at may (e
'ai$ (y an ins%rance carrier an$ "#at is still o"e$ to t#e leasing com'any,
incl%$ing )%t%re lease 'ayments+
Gas-C#arge$ S#ocks
Also calle$ gas-Alle$ s#ocks+ T#ey are s#ock a(sor(ers Alle$ "it# a lo"-
'ress%re gas to smoot# t#e *e#icle2s ri$e $%ring %'-an$-$o"n mo*ement+
Gasket
A t#in, e7'an$ing material %se$ to seal t#e ga's an$ im'er)ections (et"een
#ar$, a$6oining s%r)aces+
Gear Ratio
T#e ratio o) teet# co%nts (et"een mes#ing gears+
Gear(o7
A metallic enclos%re containing se*eral cogs, eac# one a8ecting t#e e8ort in
"#ic# t#e car mo*es+ Eac# cog-gear #as a $i8erent m'# ratio 'er .111r'm+
O*erall control may(e man%al *ia t#e gear stick, a%tomatic, or semi *ia a
#an$ 'a$$le+
Go-Cart
A small lig#tly 'o"ere$ single seat s'orting car, $ri*en (y 6%*eniles )or
leis%re, or more serio%sly as a 'rec%rsor to 'ro)essional s'ort $ri*ing, as like
F. c#am'ion Ayrton Senna $i$ "#ile training (e)ore t%rning ?ro+
Gran$ ?ri7
A ty'e o) car race 'o'%lar in E%ro'e+ Also, a Frenc# term meaning great 'riBe+
Gray Market =e#icle
Any car t#at is im'orte$, (%t not t#ro%g# a%t#oriBe$ retailers+ May #a*e
ins%9cient emissions stan$ar$s+
Gri$lock
A tra9c sit%ation "#ere most *e#icles cannot mo*e in any $irection+
Grille
An o'ening in t#e )ront o) t#e *e#icle t#at allo"s air to reac# t#e ra$iator+
Gross =e#icle ;eig#t Rating
T#e ker( "eig#t o) t#e *e#icle 'l%s t#e ma7im%m loa$ it is $esigne$ to carry+
Gro%n$ Clearance
T#e $istance (et"een t#e gro%n$ an$ t#e lo"est 'oint o) t#e *e#icle c#assis
%s%ally t#e a7le!+ A *e#icle can $ri*e o*er any o(6ect s#orter t#an its
minim%m gro%n$ clearance+
Gross =e#icle ;eig#t Rating
T#e act%al "eig#t o) t#e *e#icle 'l%s t#e ma7im%m loa$ it is $esigne$ to
carry+
Har$to'
A car $esigne$ to resem(le a con*erti(le in looks an$ )eel (%t "it#o%t a
remo*a(le to'+ Har$to's $o not #a*e t#e A7e$ 'ost (et"een t#e si$e
"in$o"s+
Halogen (%l(
A s'ecial #ea$lig#t )orm "#ose (rig#tness 'o"er is greater t#an stan$ar$
(%l(s, t#o%g# t#ey cost more an last s#orter+
Hair'in
A tig#t loo'ing c%r*e on a race track+
Han$ling
T#e ease o) *e#icle steering an$ mane%*era(ility aro%n$ t%rns, %' #ills, etc+
Hatc#(ack
A 'assenger car "it# a )%ll-#eig#t rear $oor t#at incl%$es a rear "in$o"+
3s%ally #as a rear )ol$ing seat+ Calle$ a 2Com'act2 (y leasing com'anies in
3SA+
Hea$ Room
T#e $istance )rom t#e to' o) an occ%'ant2s #ea$ to t#e #ea$liner+
Hea$liner
T#e interior co*ering o) t#e roo)+ Hea$liners o)ten contain consoles "it# slots
)or garage-$oor o'eners an$ ot#er $e*ices, as "ell as $ome lig#ts an$ "iring
)or electrical an$ electronic com'onents attac#e$ to t#e #ea$liner+ T#e
co*ering %s%ally incl%$es a so%n$-a(sor(ing material+
Hi' Room
T#e allotte$ room (et"een a 'assenger2s #i's an$ any ot#er 'art o) t#e
*e#icle+
Horse'o"er #', (#'!
A((re*iate$ as #', as in D11-#' engine, or (#' (rake #orse'o"er or net
#orse'o"er! to $esignate 'o"er 'ro$%ce$ (y an engine+ In general, t#e
#ig#er t#e #orse'o"er, t#e #ig#er t#e *e#icle2s to' s'ee$+ One #orse'o"er is
t#e 'o"er nee$e$ to li)t a >>1-'o%n$ "eig#t one )oot in one secon$+
Hot Ro$
A normal *e#icle t#at #as (een altere$ to im'ro*e s'ee$ an$ o*erall
a''earance or look+ ;#en racing acts as a *ariation o) a $ragster (y #i$ing
t#e %s%al )ront engine c#assis %n$er a lig#t"eig#t (o$y t#at looks like a
street car+
Hol$(ack
Man%)act%rer re)%n$ to a $ealer a)ter a *e#icle is sol$+ 3s%ally a 'ercentage
o) t#e recommen$e$ retail 'rice+
Hoo$ ornament
A c#rome'late$ metal Ag%rine t#at sits ato' t#e ra$iator or at t#e mi$$le-
)ront o) t#e (onnet+
Hy$ra%lic
An integral car com'onent o'erate$ (y means o) li4%i$ %n$er 'ress%re, as
%se$ in t#e (raking system+ ;or$ $eri*e$ )rom Grecian origin+
I-Beam S%s'ension
A s%s'ension (eam %n$er t#e car t#at s%''orts t#e (o$y in t#e s#a'e o) a
ca'ital I+
I$le S'ee$
T#e s'ee$ o) t#e engine at minim%m t#rottle an$ t#e engine in ne%tral+
Ignition System
T#e system res'onsi(le )or generating an$ $istri(%ting t#e electrical s'ark
nee$e$ to ignite )%el in t#e cylin$ers an$ )or altering t#e )re4%ency timing!
o) t#at s'ark in relation to c#anges in engine s'ee$+
In(oar$ Air @ack
A $e*ice a$$e$ to some racing cars "#ic# raises t#eir c#assis a)ter making a
'itsto', so 4%icker action can (e taken on t#eir maintenance+ It is 'o"ere$ (y
a com'resse$ air canister+
In6ectors
:e*ices "#ic# recei*e )%el at lo" 'ress%re an$ s#oot it into t#e engine
cylin$ers at 're$etermine$ inter*als %n$er #ig#er 'ress%re+
Intake Mani)ol$
A cast set o) 'i'es or 'assages t#ro%g# "#ic# )%el or air is $irecte$ into t#e
cylin$ers+
Intake =al*es
:e*ices t#at o'en 'assage"ays )or )%el *a'or to enter t#e cylin$ers (%t
"#ic# also close t#em to maintain cylin$er 'ress%re $%ring com'ression an$
com(%stion+
In$e'en$ent S%s'ension
A s%s'ension $esign t#at lets eac# "#eel mo*e %' an$ $o"n in$e'en$ently
o) t#e ot#ers+ A *e#icle can #a*e t"o-"#eel or )o%r-"#eel in$e'en$ent
s%s'ension< s'ortier mo$els #a*e )o%r-"#eel in$e'en$ent s%s'ension+ See
also M%lti-Link S%s'ension, Li*e A7le+
Installation
t#e engine location may(e )ront, rear, or mi$+ I) its mi$ or )%rt#er (ack t#e
car is rear-"#eel $ri*e+ Its orientation may(e tra*erse or longit%$inal+
IHRA
International Hot Ro$ Association
IMSA
International Motor S'orts Association, )o%n$e$ (y @o#n Bis#o' in ./F/+
Sanctions, organiBes, markets an$ o9ciates 'ro)essional a%to racing e*ents+
In-Line Engine
Cylin$ers are arrange$ si$e (y si$e in a ro" an$ in a single (ank+ Most )o%r-
cylin$er an$ some si7-cylin$er engines are in-line engines+ In =-F, =-C or =-.D
engines, t#e cylin$ers are $i*i$e$ into t"o (anks, eac# o) "#ic# is angle$
a"ay )rom t#e ot#er in a 2=2 'attern+
Imo(iliser
An electronic sa)ety )eat%re t#at 're*ents a car )rom (eing illegally $ri*en
a"ay+
In$y >11
T#e (ig race #el$ in In$iana'olis e*ery year on Memorial :ay "eeken$+
In5ata(le T%(%lar Restraint
T#is t%(e o) "o*en material is sti8er an$ stays in5ate$ longer t#an a
tra$itional air(ag c%s#ion+ T#e t%(e 'rotects t#e occ%'ant2s #ea$ an$ torso in
a si$e im'act, in 'art (y kee'ing t#em a"ay )rom t#e 'oint o) intr%sion+ T#e
%nin5ate$ t%(e is t%cke$ into t#e e$ge o) t#e roo) #ea$liner+ T#e t%(e is
attac#e$ at t#e (ase o) t#e A-'illar in )ront o) t#e occ%'ant, an$ at t#e
roo5ine (e#in$ t#e occ%'ant+ ;#en it in5ates, t#e t%(e angles across t#e
"in$o" to kee' t#e occ%'ants #ea$ )rom #itting t#e "in$o" glass or metal
si$e 'illar+ Beca%se o) t#e longer time t#e t%(%lar restraint stays in5ate$, it is
e7'ecte$ to also o8er 'rotection in a rollo*er+
Intercooler
:e*ice t#at cools air as it lea*es a t%r(oc#arger or s%'erc#arger (e)ore t#e
air is (lo"n into t#e engine air intake+ Cooling makes t#e air $enser an$
ric#er in o7ygen, "#ic# lets t#e engine 'ro$%ce more 'o"er+
Interior ?ayloa$
T#e amo%nt o) s'ace or material t#at can (e carrie$ insi$e t#e *e#icle+
@-gate
A metal 'late "it# a @ s#a'e$ "#ole, in "#ic# t#e gear-stick m%st sli'
(et"een $%ring gear c#anges+
@ackkni)e
T#e 'oint at "#ic# t#e ca( o) an artic%late$ lorry is o*ertaken (y t#e trailer
its '%lling "#ile still attac#e$+
@o%rnal
T#e s%r)ace o) a (earing against "#ic# a mo*ing s#a)t t%rns+
@%m' start
To trans)er electrical 'o"er )rom one car (attery to anot#er to ena(le t#e
cars ignition system to start%', %sing 6%m' lea$s+
Reyless Entry
A system )or locking an$ %nlocking $oors o) a *e#icle "it# a central locking
system "it#o%t %sing t#e key+ 3s%ally, t#e %ser controls t#e locks (y 'ressing
a (%tton on a remote key-)o( transmitter+ Some *e#icles #a*e electronic
com(ination locks on t#e $oors near t#e #an$le+
Rilometers ?er Ho%r R?H!
M%lti'ly (y 1+FD. to con*ert to miles 'er #o%r+
Rit Car
A *e#icle t#at is $esigne$ )or assem(ly (y t#e 'ri*ate #o((yist+
Lan$a% to'
A roo) style c#aracteriBe$ (y a %s%ally small! rear section (eing co*ere$ (y
*inyl )a(ric or ot#er"ise set a'art+
La'-an$-S#o%l$er Belt
A sa)ety (elt t#at sec%res t#e $ri*er an$-or 'assenger in t#e seat "it# a
contin%o%s "e( o) material "#ic# Ats across t#e la' an$ crosses t#e %''er
(o$y+ It kee's t#e occ%'ant )rom 6erking )or"ar$ in t#e e*ent o) a cras#+ Also
calle$ t#ree-"ay (elt, t#ree-'oint (elt, or t#ree-'oint sa)ety #arness+
Lan$ yac#t
A large l%7%ry car, es'ecially t#e #%ge, c#rome la$en, Anne$ monsters o) t#e
late 2>12s+
Lea) S'ring
S%s'ension s'ring ma$e %' o) se*eral t#in, c%r*e$, #ar$ene$-steel or
com'osite-material 'lates attac#e$ at t#e en$s to t#e *e#icle %n$er(o$y+ T#e
c%r*e$ s#a'e o) t#e 'lates allo"s t#em to 5e7 an$ a(sor( (%m's+
Lean or Ric# F%el Mi7t%re
T#e )%el mi7t%re is lean "#en it #as too m%c# air, an$ ric# "#en it #as too
m%c# )%el+ T#ese terms can also (e %se$ to re)er to a$6%stments t#e
electronic control mo$%le makes to t#e )%el mi7t%re in res'onse to *ario%s
$ri*ing con$itions, 'artic%larly on engines "it# *aria(le-*al*e tec#nology+
Leg Room
;it# t#e )ront seat a$6%ste$ all t#e "ay (ack, t#e $istance )rom t#e
accelerator 'e$al2s #eel 'oint to t#e (ack o) t#e )ront seat c%s#ion+
Lien
A legally $oc%mente$ claim against a *e#icle (y anot#er 'arty to "#ic# t#e
*e#icle #as (een o8ere$ as sec%rity )or re'ayment o) a loan or ot#er $e(t+ A
lien against t#e title may make it im'ossi(le to sell t#e *e#icle an$ trans)er
t#e title %ntil t#e lien is cleare$+
Li)t Gate
T#e rear o'ening on a #atc#(ack+ Calle$ a tailgate in E%ro'e, or #atc# $oor+
Li)to*er
T#e $istance a 'erson m%st li)t an o(6ect o8 t#e gro%n$ to '%t it in a tr%nk,
(oot, or cargo (ay+
Limite$-Sli' :i8erential
A $e*ice t#at #el's 're*ent t#e $ri*e "#eels )rom ski$$ing or losing traction
(y $i*erting 'o"er )rom t#e sli''ing "#eel to t#e o''osite "#eel on t#e same
a7le+
Litre
Engine-$is'lacement meas%rement, as in a D+1-litre engine+ T#e metric
e4%i*alent to t#e im'erial meas%ring stan$ar$, "#ic# is largely )a*o%re$ (y
American car makers+ A Gallon is t#is ot#er li4%i$ *ol%me stan$ar$, an
contains J+0C>E. litres+
Li*e A7le
A soli$ a7le allo"ing mo*ement o) t#e "#eel on one en$ to a8ect t#e
o''osite "#eel+ Fo%n$ on ol$er rear-$ri*e cars an$ t%cks+ Also calle$ a rigi$
a7le+
Lease$ car agreement
A contract (et"een leasor an$ lessee )or a s'eciAe$ time 'erio$ an$ at a
s'eciAe$ 'ayment+ T#e title to t#e car remains in t#e name o) t#e leasor as
o"ner o) t#e asset+
Loan to =al%e Ratio LT=!
O(taine$ (y $i*i$e$ 'rice or *al%e into loan amo%nt+ A *e#icle "it# a Q.1,111
'rice an$ an QC,111 loan "o%l$ #a*e a loan-to-*al%e ratio o) C1 'ercent+
Lock-to-lock
T#e amo%nt o) t%rns t#e steering "#eel m%st rotate$ )or t#e "#eels to (e
t%rne$ )rom rig#tmost to le)tmost+ Eg - )or t#e Mini Coo'er its D+>+
Lo"ri$er
Generally, a car on "#ic# t#e c#assis #as (een lo"ere$< #o"e*er, ot#er
c%stomiBations are o)ten 'resent+ Some American cars #a*e a #y$ra%lic
mec#anism t#at $oes t#is action $%ring $ri*ing+
MSS Rating
A tyre rating "#ic# in$icates a tyre $esigne$ to 'er)orm "ell in m%$ an$
sno"+
Mac?#erson Str%t
A Mac?#erson str%t is a %nit t#at incl%$es a $am'er or s#ock a(sor(er
cartri$ge insi$e a large, long metal s'ring+ Mac?#erson str%ts are %se$ o*er
t#e )ront "#eels o) most )ront-$ri*e cars+ Re'lacement o) Mac?#erson str%t
cartri$ges re4%ires a s'ring com'ressor+
Mani)ol$ A(sol%te ?ress%re Sensor MA? sensor!
:etects engine loa$ (y meas%ring air 'ress%re or *ac%%m in t#e intake
mani)ol$+
Man%al Transmission
A transmission t#at *aries t#e 'o"er an$ tor4%e t#ro%g# a )oot 'e$al
controlle$ cl%tc# an$ a 5oor-mo%nte$ or steering-s#a)t-mo%nte$ gear
selection le*er+
Mass Air5o" Sensor
:e*ice t#at meas%res t#e 5o" o) air entering t#e t#rottle #o%sing+
Master Cylin$er
T#e 'rimary com'onent )or 'ress%riBing 5%i$ in a #y$ra%lic system+ 3se$ in
t#e (raking system, it s%''orts a reser*oir )or #ol$ing (rake 5%i$ an$ is
acti*ate$ eac# time t#e $ri*er $e'resses t#e (rake 'e$al+
Ma7 'o"er
T"o Ag%re totals gi*en in (rake-#orse-'o"er (y engine re*s 'er min%te+ N(#'
7 r'mO+
Ma7 tor4%e
T#e "eig#t o) )orce 'er )oot, gi*en in 'o%n$s, an$ t#e r'm le*el, eg .11 l( )t
at .111 r'm+
Metallic 'aint
A glittery s#een "it#in t#e 'aint"ork (y c%stomer re4%est at an a$$itional
cost+
Mini*an
A 4%ite large car o) saloon ca'acity (%t resem(ling a small *an "it# "in$o"s+
Miles ?er Gallon - M?G
F%el economy meas%rement+ Generally, a *e#icle maker may o8er m'g
ratings )or city $ri*ing, #ig#"ay $ri*ing, an$ com(ine$ $ri*ing, so t#eir is no
$eAniti*e single meas%re o*erall+
M%Ler
A c#am(er in t#e engine e7#a%st system %se$ to s%''ress e7#a%st noise an$
smoot# e7#a%st '%lsations+ Also re)erre$ to as a &silencer&+ Motor(ike an
mo'e$ o"ners sometimes remo*e t#ese to (ee)-%' t#eir so%n$+
M?=
A m%lti-'erson *e#icle, 'ioneere$ (y Rena%lt, like a "in$o"e$ *an "it#
se*eral seats+ Similar to a mini-(%s (%t "it# mo$cons an )or 'ri*ate %se+
M%lti-Link S%s'ension
In$e'en$ent s%s'ension controlle$ "it# se*eral link arms t#at restrict
%n$esire$ motion o) t#e s%s'ension )or a smoot#er ri$e an$ more 'recise
#an$ling+
M%lti-?ort F%el In6ection
An electronic )%el-in6ection met#o$ t#at %ses in$i*i$%al in6ectors to s'ray )%el
$irectly into eac# intake 'ort, (y'assing t#e intake mani)ol$+ Also calle$
m%lti-'oint )%el in6ection+
M%scle car
A term %se$ (eginning in t#e mi$-2>12s to re)er to cars "#ic# #a$ *ery #ig#
#orse'o"er an$ is still in %se to$ay+ Occasionally calle$ a 2'ony car2 in 3SA+
T#e Aston-Martin =an4%is# is a 'er)ect e7am'le+
NASCAR
National Association o) Stock Car A%to Racing< t#e go*erning (o$y "#ic# sets
t#e r%les an$ reg%lations )or stock car racing+
Nitro-met#ane
A mi7t%re o) nitric aci$ an$ met#ane "#ic# is %se$ to )%el To' F%el :ragsters
an$ Hotro$s< is also calle$ nitro or to' )%el+
Nose
A small )rontal (o$y section o) a car "#ic# e7ten$s (eyon$ t#e (onnet line,
ty'ically slanting $o"n"ar$s+ T#e narro"er *ersion %se$ on Form%la cars is
calle$ a s#ark-nose+ 2Nose$2 re)ers to t#e 'rocess o) raising a small 'eak in
t#e center o) t#e (onnet o) a car, %s%ally as 'art o) a c%stomiBe$ $esign+
Octane
T#e #y$rocar(on s%(stance in gasoline t#at re$%ces engine knock or 'inging,
"#ic# is a noise ca%se$ (y 'remat%re ignition o) )%el in t#e cylin$er
com(%stion c#am(er+ T#e #ig#er t#e octane n%m(er, t#e less c#ance o)
'remat%re ignition+ Hig# octane, "#ic# #as a rating a(o*e /., is %se)%l only
"#en recommen$e$ (y t#e man%)act%rer+
O$ometer
In$icates t#e n%m(er o) miles a *e#icle #as (een $ri*en, an is also calle$ a
Mileometer+ It is illegal to tam'er "it# t#e o$ometer rea$ing+ T#is illegal
'ractice o) rolling a *e#icle2s o$ometer (ack to in$icate t#at it tra*ele$ )e"er
miles t#an it act%ally #as, is $one (y Dn$-#an$ sellers+ O$ometer Rollo*er
occ%rs "#en t#e *e#icle2s mileage e7cee$s t#e mec#anical limits o) t#e
o$ometer - %s%ally //,/// miles+ T#is m%st (e certiAe$ (y t#e seller, %n$er
la" (in$ing Mileage Acts+
O8roa$er
A "#eele$ roa$ *e#icle "#ose $esign allo"s it to mo*e across r%gge$ terrain
"it# greater ease t#an stan$ar$ *e#icles+
O*er#ea$ Cam OHC!
T#e cams#a)t is on to' o) t#e cylin$er #ea$ on o*er#ea$-cam engines+ Single
o*er#ea$-cam SOHC! engines #a*e a single cam a(o*e t#e cylin$er #ea$+
:%al o*er#ea$-cam :OHC! engines #a*e t"o cams a(o*e t#e cylin$er #ea$+
OH=! engine
An o*er#ea$-cam engine "it# o*er#ea$-*al*es, "#ic# means t#e intake an$
e7#a%st *al*es sit ato' t#e cylin$er #ea$+
O*ersteer
Occ%rs "#en t#e rear tyres lose a$#esion %n$er cornering+ In motor s'orts,
t#is is also calle$ loose+ O*ersteer can lea$ to a s'in i) t#e $ri*er $oesn2t
re$%ce acceleration+ See also 3n$ersteer+
O*er$ri*e
A transmission gear "it# a ratio (elo" .I., "#ic# im'ro*es )%el economy (y
re$%cing engine re*ol%tions 'er min%te at #ig#"ay s'ee$s+ On a A*e-s'ee$
man%al transmission, t#e )o%rt# an$ A)t# gears are o*er$ri*e+ On a )o%r-
s'ee$ a%tomatic transmission, t#e )o%rt# gear is o*er$ri*e+ ;#en an
o*er$ri*e gear set is engage$, t#e o%t'%t s#a)t t%rns at a #ig#er rate t#an
t#e in'%t s#a)t, re$%cing engine re*ol%tions at cr%ising or #ig#"ay s'ee$s+
O7ygen Sensor
An emissions relate$ $e*ice "#ic# senses t#e 'resence o) o7ygen in t#e
e7#a%st+ T#e *oltage it '%ts o%t is inter'rete$ (y t#e main com'%ter ECM!
along "it# ot#er sensor in'%t to $etermine a%tomatic a$6%stment o) t#e
air-)%el mi7t%re+
O'tional E4%i'ment
Mac#ines or )eat%res t#at can (e a$$e$ to a 'artic%lar mo$el "#ic# are not
'art o) t#e stan$ar$ 'ackage+ T#ese %s%ally in*ol*e a$$itional cost an$ can
(e or$ere$ in$i*i$%ally or as 'art o) a 'ackage+ A C: c#anger-6%ke(o7 is an
e7am'le+
?ace Car
Seen at racing meets, t#e 'ace car lea$s race cars into t#eir 'ole 'ositions at
t#e (eginning o) races, or a)ter a yello" 5ag or restart #as (een calle$+
?arts car
A car t#at is s%ita(le only )or gleaning 'arts+ S%c# cars are o)ten, "recke$,
incom'lete an$ $o not r%n+ S%c# a car "o%l$ normally #a*e a con$ition
n%m(er o) PF+
?assi*e Restraint
A $e*ice or str%ct%re t#at a%tomatically #el's restrain *e#icle occ%'ants in
an im'act+ T#is incl%$es air(ags, (elt 'retensioners, 'a$$e$ knee (olsters,
an$ s#o%l$er (elts t#at are motoriBe$, or attac#e$ to t#e $oor+
?ackage S#el)
T#e le$ge (et"een t#e rear seat an$ t#e (acklig#t or rear "in$s#iel$!+ T#e
name is mislea$ing (eca%se it2s a (a$ i$ea to '%t anyt#ing on t#e 'ackage
s#el)+ Ho"e*er, it o)ten contains t#e so%n$ system2s rear s'eakers an$, on
some *e#icles, t#e CHMSL or center (rake lig#t+ Sometimes also calle$ t#e
'ackage tray+ On E%ro'ean cars t#e 'ackage tray o)ten contains a Arst-ai$ kit<
on #ig#er-en$ mo$els it may contain storage com'artments+
?#aeton
A )o%r-$oor o'en car con*erti(le!+ Most tr%e '#aetons #a$ *anis#e$ (y t#e
late 2J12s, (%t as late as t#e 2F12s, a )e" mo$els t#at ro%g#ly 4%ali)y )or t#e
term "ere (rie5y re-intro$%ce$ (y Lincoln+ =; (ro%g#t (ack t#e term in D11D
)or t#eir l%7%ry saloon mo$el+
?ick-%'
T#e ty'e o) lig#t-$%ty tr%ck "it# an o'en cargo (e$ (e#in$ a close$ ca(+
?inion
A ty'e o) gear t#at #as small teet# t#at mes# "it# ot#er, larger gears+
?inion Gear
T#e smaller o) t"o mes#ing gears+ A 'inion gear is %se$ in a starter motor to
engage t#e 5y"#eel ring gear an$ also ri$es along t#e s%r)ace o) t#e steering
rack #ence &rack an$ 'inion& steering!+
?itsto'
T#is is t#e garage area at F. races, "#ere ma6or mec#anical "ork is $one on
t#e cars+ T#e 'itlane r%ns its lengt#+ At In$y racing Nin 3SAO its calle$ t#e
2gasoline alley2+
?iston
A soli$, cylin$rically s#a'e$ 'art t#at alternately com'resses )%el *a'or
"it#in a cylin$er t#e com'ression stroke! an$ is t#r%st $o"n"ar$ t#e 'o"er
stroke! (y t#e )orce o) t#e e7'losion t#at res%lts "#en t#e *a'or is ignite$+
Rocker arms connect t#e 'istons to t#e cranks#a)t+
?iston Rings
Metal rings seate$ in groo*es on t#e o%tsi$e o) a 'iston t#at are %se$ to
ens%re a 'ro'er seal (et"een t#e 'iston an$ t#e cylin$er "all+ Ty'ically, t#ree
J! rings are %se$I t"o D! ens%re 'ro'er com'ression is 'ro$%ce$ an$ one
.! 're*ents oil )rom leaking into t#e cylin$er+
?oke
T#e $egree o) acceleration a)ter e7iting a s#ar' t%rn, as in 2'okey2+
?ole 'osition
T#e lea$ing s'ot amongst an array o) cars on t#e starting gri$ o) a race+
?ositi*e Crankcase =entilation =al*e
An emission $e*ice t#at ro%tes oil 'an *a'ors to t#e intake mani)ol$ to (e
(%rne$ $%ring com(%stion+ Also kno"n as t#e ?C= *al*e+
?o"er Steering
A steering system t#at %ses a se'arate motor or engine 'o"er to re$%ce t#e
e8ort necessary to t%rn t#e )ront "#eels+
?o"er Steering Fl%i$
Many 'o"er steering systems %se #y$ra%lic 'o"er+ T#ese systems %se a
'o"er steering '%m' $ri*en (y a (elt )rom t#e cranks#a)t+ T#e '%m' mo*es
5%i$ %n$er 'ress%re t#ro%g# #oses to t#e steering gear+ T#e 'ress%re is %se$
in t#e steering gear to re$%ce steering e8ort+ A reser*oir )or 5%i$ is attac#e$
to t#e rear o) t#e '%m'+
?o"er-to-;eig#t Ratio
T#e ma7im%m 'o"er o%t'%t o) t#e *e#icle 'er %nit mass+ T#e #ig#er t#e
ratio, t#e more 'o"er)%l t#e *e#icle+ In com'aring se*eral *e#icles, t#is can
(e a (etter meas%rement t#an engine #orse'o"er or tor4%e (eca%se it
consi$ers t#e "eig#t *aria(le+ In ot#er "or$s, a car t#at seems to #a*e a
'o"er)%l engine (%t is also #ea*y may #a*e less get-%'-an$-go t#an a *e#icle
t#at #as a similar or less 'o"er)%l engine (%t also "eig#s less+ Lot%s are t#e
(est e7'onents o) t#is+ Gi*en in a BH? 'er tonne *al%e+
?o"ertrain
T#e com(ination o) engine an$ transmission+
?retensioner
A $e*ice t#at ra'i$ly yanks in s#o%l$er-(elt slack "#en a cras# sensor
$etects an im'act+ Some 'retensioners are acti*ate$ (y a small e7'losi*e
c#arge in t#e (elt retractor< some contain t#eir o"n inertial sensors+ So )ar,
'retensioners are still )o%n$ on more e7'ensi*e mo$els, 'artic%larly t#ose (y
E%ro'ean man%)act%rers+ By '%lling in (elt slack "it#in millisecon$s o) an
im'act, 'retensioners #el' re$%ce c#est an$ #ea$ in6%ry (y restricting
occ%'ant motion an$ 're*enting t#e occ%'ant )rom #itting t#e (elt+
?ro6ector-Beam Hea$lig#ts
A #ea$lig#t t#at %ses a s'#erical re5ector to tig#tly control t#e lig#t (eam+
T#e (%l( or lig#t so%rce $irects t#e lig#t in"ar$, to"ar$ t#e re5ector at t#e
(ack o) t#e #ea$lig#t assem(ly, "#ic# t#en 'ro6ects it )or"ar$ )rom t#e
*e#icle+ T#ese lig#ts are more 'o"er)%l, acc%rate an$ e7'ensi*e t#an
stan$ar$ seale$-(eam an$ #alogen #ea$lig#ts, an$ are generally )o%n$ on
s'ort an$ l%7%ry mo$els+
?RO
?ro)essional Racers OrganiBation
?ro Start
A met#o$ o) starting a $rag race t#at $i8ers )rom most starts in t#at it only
#as one am(er lig#t (et"een t#e initial staging an$ t#e Anal lig#ts on t#e
track-o"ners car+
?ro street
A c%stomiBe$ a%tomo(ile $esigne$ )or *ery #ig#-'er)ormance an$ racing+
?ro6ect car
An essentially com'lete, %s%ally r%nning car, t#at is ca'a(le o) (eing
restore$+ A 'ro6ect car %s%ally #as a con$ition n%m(er o) PE or P>+
?ro Rallies
Roa$ rallies "#ic# are *ery com'etiti*e an$ are r%n at #ig# s'ee$s on roa$s
close$ to t#e '%(lic+ O)ten s'onsore$ (y t#e SCCA+
?ress%re ?late
Hol$s t#e cl%tc# $isc against t#e 5y"#eel+
?SI
Acronym )or 'o%n$s 'er s4%are inc#+ A 'ress%re meas%rement %se$ in tyre
in5ation an$ t%r(oc#arger (oost+
?%s#ro$
A metal ro$ t#at transmits t#e motion o) t#e cams#a)t to t#e *al*e act%ators
to o'en an$ close t#e *al*es+ 3se$ on engines "it# o*er#ea$ *al*es (%t
"it#o%t o*er#ea$ cams#a)ts+
T%arter ?anel
S#eet o) metal 'anel t#at co*ers t#e )ront an$ rear 4%arters o) t#e *e#icle+
T%ality control
A $e'artment "it#in a com'any t#at ens%res its 'ro$%cts meet t#e re4%ire$
stan$ar$, s%c# as c#ecking i) a car #as a$e4%ate "eat#er-'rooAng+
T%ickest La'
Co%nte$ o9cially (y race organisers, t#is $etermines eac# cars 'osition on
t#e 2starting gri$2+ It is ac#ie*e$ (y eac# com'etitor $ri*ing t#eir cars t#eir
)astest aro%n$ . circ%it o) t#e race-co%rse, o*er . session+
R-.JEa
T#e en*ironmentally sa)e re)rigerant no" %se$ in air-con$itioning systems+ It
re4%ires a slig#tly (%lkier con$enser %nit t#an t#e ol$er R-.D ty'e+ =e#icles
e4%i''e$ "it# R-.D systems can (e con*erte$ to %se R-.JEa+ Since Freon is
no" (anne$, e7'ensi*e an$ #ar$ to o(tain, t#e con*ersion may (e a goo$
i$ea "#en an R-.D-(ase$ system nee$s rec#arging, 'artic%larly i) tec#nicians
$etect a leak+
Roa$ster
An o'en car #a*ing a single seat )or t"o or t#ree 'assengers, "it# originally a
r%m(le seat in t#e rear, an %s%ally a )ol$ing roo)+
Rack an$ ?inion Steering
T#e steering "#eel is connecte$ to a 'inion gear t#at mes#es "it# a toot#e$
(ar, also calle$ a rack or linear gear+ As t#e 'inion t%rns, t#e rack mo*es si$e
to si$e, mo*ing t#e steering linkage an$ ca%sing t#e )ront "#eels to t%rn le)t
or rig#t+ T#e en$s o) t#e rack are linke$ to t#e steering "#eel "it# tie ro$s+
RACMSA
T#e RAC Motor S'orts Association is recogniBe$ (y t#e FIA as t#e go*erning
(o$y o) motor s'ort in Great Britain+
Ra$iator
T#e co''er or al%min%m $e*ice in )ront o) t#e engine t#ro%g# "#ic# #ot
engine coolant is circ%late$ an$ coole$+ T#e li4%i$ is t#en recirc%lates (ack
t#ro%g# t#e engine (lock to cool it+
Rag To'-So)t-to'
A con*erti(le "it# a so)t to', %s%ally ma$e )rom can*as or a 'olymer+
Rally
Com'eting teams, consisting o) a $ri*er an$ a na*igator, are gi*en ro%te
instr%ctions, "#ic# t#ey m%st )ollo" e7actly+ Eac# team )ollo"s t#e co%rse
in$e'en$ently, trying to rack %' 'oints (ase$ on #o" "ell t#ey meet a 're-
$etermine$ sc#e$%le+
Rear a7el assem(ly
T#e $ri*e s#a)t t%rns s'ins! a set o) gears "it#in t#e rear a7le assem(ly
kno"n as t#e $i8erential, or rear $i8erential+ T#e $i8erential c#anges t#e
$irection o) 'o"er )rom t#e $ri*es#a)t o%t to t#e rear "#eels *ia t#e rear a7le+
Rear-;#eel :ri*e R;:!
T#e $ri*etrain in "#ic# 'o"er is a''lie$ t#ro%g# t#e rear "#eels only+
Recall
A man%)act%rer calls in *e#icles to re'air $e)ects, %s%ally sa)ety-relate$+
Recalls may (e *ol%ntary, re4%este$ (y t#e go*ernment, or man$ate$ (y
NHTSA+
Recirc%lating Ball
A steering mec#anism in "#ic# t#e steering s#a)t t%rns a "orm gear ca%sing
a toot#e$ metal (lock to mo*e (ack an$ )ort#, t%rning t#e )ront "#eels+ Ball
(earings re$%ce )riction (et"een t#e "orm gear an$ t#e metal (lock+
Re$line
T#e 'oint on t#e engine tac#ometer t#at in$icates t#e ma7im%m R?M t#e
engine can sa)ely "it#stan$+
Release Fork
:isengages t#e cl%tc# $isc )rom t#e 5y"#eel (y 'ressing on t#e 'ress%re
'late release s'rings+
Retracta(le
A car #a*ing a mec#anically retracta(le #ar$to' s%c# as t#e late 2>12s For$
Skyliner+
Restrictor
An electronic sa)ety $e*ice 're*enting #ig#-s'ee$s a(o*e .F1m'# )rom
(eing reac#e$+
Re*ol%tions ?er Min%te R?M!
:escri(es at "#ic# s'ee$ t#e engine cranks#a)t is t%rning+
Re* co%nter
3s%ally sits near t#e S'ee$ometer+ S#o"s t#e $ri*er t#e r'm le*el "#ile
'ressing t#e accelerator, t#%s in$icating #o" m%c# )%el may(e %nnecessarily
(e (eing (%rne$+
Rim
T#e o%ter e$ge o) a (are "#eel+ A #%(-ca' sometimes sits "it#in t#is+
Rocker ?anel
T#e (o$y 'anel t#at r%ns (eneat# a *e#icle2s $oors+
Roa$ test
A ne%tral roa$ *e#icle e7amination $one (y trans'ort $e'ts+, '%(lis#ers, an
cons%mer associations+ It co*ers - $esign, engineering, 'er)ormance, (raking,
#an$ling, ri$e, com)ort, sa)ety, e4%i'ment, s'eciAcations, economy, market M
Anance+
Rotor
T#e rotating 'art o) a mac#ine or mec#anism+ T#e (rake $isc itsel) is re)erre$
to as a &rotor,& as is t#e center o) a $istri(%tor or starter motor+
Rollcage
A 'rotecti*e steel cage to 're*ent $ri*er in6%ry $%ring a rollo*er+
Rollo*er
T#e ty'e o) *e#icle im'act in "#ic# t#e car or tr%ck rolls o*er on its si$e, onto
its roo), or t%rns o*er com'letely+ T#e (iggest ca%se o) in6%ry in a rollo*er is
e6ection o) t#e occ%'ant or any 'art o) t#e occ%'ant+ Rollo*er is a greater risk
in any s'ort-%tility *e#icle - (eca%se o) its #ig# center o) gra*ity - t#an in a
mini*an, 'ick%' tr%ck or 'assenger car+ Rollo*er can occ%r imme$iately %'on
im'act or in t#e secon$s a)ter an im'act, "#ic# makes it more $i9c%lt to
'rotect occ%'ants "it# tra$itional air(ags+ In5ata(le t%(%lar restraints an$
similar $esigns t#at stay in5ate$ longer t#an tra$itional air(ags "ill (e more
e8ecti*e in rollo*er sit%ations+
R%nning Yello"
T#is in$icates t#at somet#ing may (e "rong on t#e race track, (%t t#e cars
are allo"e$ to stay, r%nning at a re$%ce$ s'ee$+ A 4%ick c#eck (y t#e o9cials
%s%ally resol*es t#e iss%e an$ t#e green lig#t comes (ack on+
R%m(le seat
Fol$-%' seat in t#e rear o) a car+
R%nning (oar$
A stri' r%nning (et"een t#e )en$ers an$ (elo" t#e $oors o) early a%tos %se$
(ot# as a ste' %' into t#e car an$ to "i'e t#e m%$ )rom one2s )eet+
R%s# #o%r
A time 'erio$ (et"een CamU.1am, "#ere tra9c 'eaks more so t#an at any
time $%ring t#e $ay, (%t e7cl%$ing "eeken$s+
Sat-na*
An LC: s#o"ing t#e *e#icle 'osition "it#in t#e local area, as 'in'ointe$ (y a
G?S satellite+
Scr%( ra$i%s
T#e $istance )rom t#e 'oint "#ere t#e steering a7is intersects t#e gro%n$ to
t#e longit%$inal line t#at r%ns t#ro%g# t#e center o) t#e tyre2s contact 'atc#+
Also calle$ &steering o8set+&
Se$an
A A7e$-roo) car "it# at least )o%r $oors or any A7e$-roo) t"o-$oor car "it# at
least JJ c%(ic )eet o) rear interior *ol%me+ Calle$ a Limo%sine o%tsi$e
America+ :aimler only make t#is car ty'e+
Se$anette
A t"o-$oor se$an #a*ing a slante$ (ack "it# t#e rear "in$o" an$ tr%nk along
one %n(roken c%r*e+ T#is name )or t#e early streamline$ $esign is most o)ten
%se$ )or B%ick an$ Ca$illac mo$els, (%t similar $esigns o) ot#er makes are
kno"n (y *ario%s names+
Sensor Algorit#m
An algorit#m is a mat#ematical )orm%la or series o) )orm%las %se$ (y an on-
(oar$ com'%ter or 'rocessor to make $ecision+ In an air(ag system, a cras#-
sensor algorit#m $etermines "#et#er t#e c#ange in *elocity in$icates an
im'act o) great eno%g# )orce to re4%ire air(ag $e'loyment, (ase$ on 're-
'rogramme$ 'arameters+ I) t#e c#ange in *elocity is great eno%g#, t#e
'rocessor sen$s a signal to t#e $e*ice t#at in5ates t#e air(ag+
Se4%ential F%el In6ection
Similar to m%lti-'ort )%el in6ection, (%t t#e in6ectors s'ray )%el into t#e
in$i*i$%al intake 'orts e7actly at t#e (eginning o) eac# cylin$er2s intake
cycle+ T#e 'recise )%el control 'ro*i$es (etter engine 'er)ormance+
Semi-trailing-arm s%s'ension
An in$e'en$ent rear-s%s'ension system in "#ic# eac# "#eel #%( is locate$
only (y a large, ro%g#ly triang%lar arm t#at 'i*ots at t"o 'oints+ =ie"e$ )rom
t#e to', t#e line )orme$ (y t#e t"o 'i*ots is some"#ere (et"een 'arallel an$
'er'en$ic%lar to t#e car2s longit%$inal a7is+
S#i)t Interlock
On a *e#icle "it# a%tomatic transmission, a sa)ety $e*ice t#at 're*ents t#e
$ri*er )rom s#i)ting o%t o) 'ark %nless t#e (rake 'e$al is $e'resse$+
S#i)t gate
T#e mec#anism in a transmission linkage t#at controls t#e motion o) t#e
gears#i)t le*er+ T#e s#i)t gate is %s%ally an internal mec#anism< #o"e*er, in
some transmissionsI incl%$ing Ferrari A*e-s'ee$s an$ Merce$es-BenB
a%tomaticsI t#e s#i)t gate is an e7'ose$ g%i$e aro%n$ t#e s#i)t le*er+
S#ock a(sor(er
A $e*ice t#at con*erts motion into #eat, %s%ally (y )orcing oil t#ro%g# small
internal 'assages in a t%(%lar #o%sing+ 3se$ 'rimarily to $am'en s%s'ension
oscillations, s#ock a(sor(ers res'on$ to motion< t#eir e8ects, t#ere)ore, are
most o(*io%s in transient mane%*ers+
S#ort Block
T#e lo"er 'ortion o) an engine (elo" t#e cylin$er #ea$+
Si$e Air(ag
An in5ata(le c%s#ion t#at Alls t#e s'ace (et"een t#e $oor an$ t#e occ%'ant
to 're*ent #ea$, torso an$ 'el*is in6%ries "#en a *e#icle is #it )rom t#e si$e+
Si$e air(ags may (e store$ in t#e $oor-trim 'anel or t#e o%t(oar$ si$e o) t#e
seat< t#ey may 'rotect t#e #i' an$ torso only or also 'rotect t#e #ea$+ A ne"
$esign, calle$ an in5ata(le t%(%lar restraint, is store$ in t#e e$ge o) t#e roo)
#ea$liner an$ attac#e$ at t#e (ase o) t#e A-'illar at t#e )ront en$ an$ a(o*e
t#e $oors along t#e roo5ine at t#e ot#er+ T#e $e*ice in5ates into a some"#at
sti8 t%(e t#at 're*ents t#e occ%'ant2s #ea$ )rom #itting t#e si$e 'illar or t#e
"in$o"+
Si$e-Im'act
sa)ety reg%lations re4%ire t#at *e#icles a(sor( a certain amo%nt o) )orce
"#en #it )rom t#e si$e+ To meet si$e-im'act stan$ar$s, a%tomakers #a*e
sti8ene$ si$e-im'act (eams, "#ic# resist intr%sion into t#e 'assenger
com'artment, an$ a$$e$ sa)ety $e*ices s%c# as si$e air(ags an$ e7tra
'a$$ing, "#ic# are $esigne$ to '%s# t#e occ%'ant to"ar$ t#e interior o) t#e
*e#icle an$ a"ay )rom t#e 'oint o) intr%sion+
Si$e mo%nt
A s'are tyre mo%nte$ on t#e si$e o) a car, normally on t#e )en$er 6%st a(o*e
an$ (e#in$ t#e )ront "#eel+
Single O*er#ea$ Cam SOHC!
An engine "it# a single o*er#ea$ cam generally #as one intake an$ one
e7#a%st *al*e 'er cylin$er< t#e single cam o'ens an$ closes (ot# *al*es+ See
also O*er#ea$ Cam an$ :%al O*er#ea$ Cam+
Ski$'a$
A large area o) smoot#, 5at 'a*ement %se$ )or *ario%s #an$ling tests+ Roa$
#ol$ing is meas%re$ (y $eAning a large-$iameter circle Car an$ :ri*er %ses
J11 )eet! on t#e ski$'a$ an$ meas%ring t#e )astest s'ee$ at "#ic# t#e car
can negotiate t#e circle "it#o%t sli$ing o8+
Slicks
A ty'e racing tyre c#aracteristically *ery "i$e "it# no trea$+
Slalom
Se*eral so)t t%rns in a ro" at a race-track, like at Bran$s Hatc# in t#e 3R+
Society o) A%tomoti*e Engineers
T#e 'ro)essional association o) trans'ortation-in$%stry engineers+ T#e SAE
sets most a%to-in$%stry stan$ar$ )or t#e testing, meas%ring, an$ $esigning o)
a%tomo(iles an$ t#eir com'onents+
Solenoi$
T#e electromagnetic $e*ice 'ositione$ a(o*e t#e starter "#ic# t#r%sts t#e
'inion gear against t#e engine 5y"#eel "#en starting &t%rning o*er&! t#e
engine+
S'ace )rame
A 'artic%lar kin$ o) t%(e )rame t#at consists e7cl%si*ely o) relati*ely s#ort,
small-$iameter t%(es+ T#e t%(es are "el$e$ toget#er in a conAg%ration t#at
loa$s t#em 'rimarily in tension an$ com'ression+
S'eciAc o%t'%t
T#e amo%nt o) BH? 'ro$%ce$ )rom . litre o) )%el+
S'ark ?l%g
Con*erts *oltage into an arc t#at 'asses (et"een its electro$es< t#e arc
ignites t#e )%el-air mi7t%re in t#e com(%stion c#am(er+ T#e mi7t%re e7'lo$es,
creating 'o"er (y '%s#ing $o"n t#e 'iston+
S'ee$o
An instr%ment $ial a(o*e t#e steering "#eel "#ic# in)orms t#e $ri*er o) t#e
c%rrent s'ee$, in M?H an$-or R?H+
S'ort 3tility =e#icle S3=!
Re)ers to a style o) tr%ck "#ic# #as a s4%are 'assenger ca(in an$ #atc#(ack,
an$ may (e e4%i''e$ "it# t"o- or )o%r-"#eel $ri*e+
S'orts Car
A (o$y ty'e $esignation+ Generally a small, 'o"er)%l car seating only t"o
'eo'le+
S'rint Car
T"o ty'es o) s'rint cars e7ist, t#e Arst is t#e o'en-"#eel cars t#at )eat%re a
%'rig#t roll cage+ T#e secon$ is a similar car t#at #as a large "ing mo%nte$ to
t#e to' )or sta(ility+
S'oiler
An aero$ynamic $e*ice t#at c#anges t#e $irection o) air5o" in or$er to
re$%ce li)t or aero$ynamic $rag an$-or im'ro*e engine cooling++
S'y$er
A *ery )ast s'orts car "it# a remo*a(le roo) an$ a to' s'ee$ a(o*e .01m'#+
Smart Air(ag
T#ere are many $esigns, (%t eac# contains similar elements incl%$ing a
system o) sensors an$ mat#ematical algorit#ms to $etect t#e 'resence or
a(sence o) an occ%'ant in t#e seat< to $etermine t#e siBe, "eig#t an$ nat%re
o) any occ%'ant incl%$ing "#et#er it is a rear-)acing in)ant an$ $etermine
"#et#er t#e occ%'ant is an a$%lt, a $og, a (ag o) groceries or a rear-)acing
in)ant seat!< an$ to $etermine "#et#er t#e occ%'ant is too close to t#e air(ag
$oor )or sa)e $e'loyment+ A smart system "ill %se t#at in)ormation to $eci$e
"#et#er to in5ate t#e air(ag in an im'act+ Later generations o) smart air(ags
"ill a$6%st t#e rate o) in5ation (ase$ on )orce o) im'act an$ siBe o) t#e
occ%'ant+
Sli' angle
T#e ang%lar $i8erence (et"een t#e $irection in "#ic# a tyre is rolling an$ t#e
'lane o) its "#eel+ Sli' angle is ca%se$ (y $e5ections in t#e tyre2s si$e"all
an$ trea$ $%ring cornering+ A linear relations#i' (et"een sli' angles an$
cornering )orces in$icates an easily controlla(le tyre+
Sl%s#(o7
A slang )or an a%tomatic transmission+
S4%at
T#e o''osite o) $i*e, s4%at is t#e $i''ing o) a car2s rear en$ t#at occ%rs
$%ring #ar$ acceleration+ S4%at is ca%se$ (y a loa$ trans)er )rom t#e )ront to
t#e rear s%s'ension+
Straig#t-line tracking
T#e a(ility o) a car to resist roa$ irreg%larities an$ r%n in a straig#t line
"it#o%t steering corrections+
Stator
As o''ose$ to t#e mo*ing rotor, t#e stationary 'ortion o) a $e*ice+ In an
alternator, )or e7am'le, t#e stator incl%$es an intricate co''er "in$ing t#at
'icks %' t#e c%rrent in$%ce$ (y t#e rotation o) t#e rotor "it#in a magnetic
Ael$+
Starter
An electric motor %se$ to initiate mo*ement o) internal engine 'arts so t#at
com(%stion can (egin+ Acti*ating t#e starter ca%ses t#e solenoi$ to t#r%st t#e
'inion gear in t#e starter against t#e engine 5y"#eel ring gear an$ (egin
t%rning it+
Street ro$
A c%stomiBe$, %s%ally mo$erniBe$, most o)ten classic, a%tomo(ile $esigne$
)or s#o" an$-or 'leas%re $ri*ing+
Starting Gri$
T#e Arst section or 'ortion o) a race track+
Station ;agon
A t"o- or )o%r-$oor 'assenger car "it# a cargo area t#at e7ten$s all t#e "ay
to t#e rear (%m'er+ A mo$el *ariant $eri*e$ )rom an e7tension o) a 'o'%lar
saloon mo$el+ In E%ro'e is terme$ an estate *ersion+
Steering a7is
T#e line t#at intersects t#e %''er an$ lo"er steering 'i*ots on a steere$
"#eel+ On a car "it# a str%t s%s'ension, t#e steering a7is is $eAne$ (y t#e
line t#ro%g# t#e str%t mo%nt on to' an$ t#e (all 6oint on t#e (ottom+
Steering )eel
T#e general relations#i' (et"een )orces at t#e steering "#eel an$ #an$ling+
I$eally, t#e steering e8ort s#o%l$ increase smoot#ly as t#e "#eel is rotate$
a"ay )rom center+ In a$$ition, t#e steering e8ort s#o%l$ (%il$ as t#e
cornering )orces at t#e steere$ "#eels increase+ Finally, t#e )riction (%ilt into
t#e steering mec#anism s#o%l$ (e small in com'arison "it# t#e #an$ling-
relate$ steering )orces+
Steering gain
T#e relations#i' (et"een ya" an$ t#e steering "#eel2s 'osition an$ e8ort+ All
t#ree s#o%l$ (e 'ro'ortional an$ s#o%l$ (%il$ %' smoot#ly+
Steering Ratio
T#e ratio o) t#e $i8erent steering gears+ 3s%ally a lo"er gear means a )aster
res'onse+
Steering Rack
T#e $e*ice (y "#ic# t#e mo*ement o) t#e steering "#eel is trans)erre$ to t#e
)ront "#eels o) an a%tomo(ile+
Steering Ro$s
T#e metal ro$s on eac# en$ o) t#e steering rack t#at connect it to t#e )ront
"#eels *ia (all 6oints tie ro$ en$s!+
Str%t
A single, sel) containe$ 'i*oting s%s'ension %nit t#at integrates a coil s'ring
"it# a s#ock a(sor(er+ Str%ts are %se$ on )ront "#eel $ri*e a%tomo(iles+ A
s%s'ension element in "#ic# a rein)orce$ s#ock a(sor(er is %se$ as one o)
t#e "#eel2s locating mem(ers, ty'ically (y soli$ly (olting t#e "#eel #%( to
t#e (ottom en$ o) t#e str%t+
Stock Car Racing
Starte$ (y NASCAR2s )o%n$er, Bill France, in t#e ./E1s+ Initially meant track
cars e4%i''e$ "it# s#o"room 'arts+ To$ay, )e" cars %se stock 'arts+ Most are
(%ilt )rom c%stom 'arts, ma$e es'ecially )or t#ese race cars, t#at look like
t#ose in s#o"rooms+
Stroke
T#e %'-an$-$o"n $istance t#e 'iston tra*els "it#in t#e cylin$er+ On a
tra$itional internal com(%stion engine, t#e 'iston makes )o%r strokes $%ring
t#e com(%stion cycle, only one o) "#ic# is a 'o"er stroke+ On t#e 'o"er
stroke, t#e 'iston is near t#e to' o) t#e cylin$er, an$ it #as com'resse$ t#e
air an$ )%el mi7t%re+ T#e s'ark 'l%g ignites t#e mi7t%re, an$ t#e )orce o) t#e
e7'losion '%s#es t#e 'iston $o"n into t#e cylin$er, 'ro$%cing t#e )orce t#at
t%rns t#e cranks#a)t+ T#e 'iston ret%rns to t#e to' o) t#e cylin$er to e7'el t#e
e7#a%st gases on t#e secon$, or e7#a%st, stroke+ It sli$es $o"n to t#e (ottom
o) t#e cylin$er $%ring t#e intake stroke, "#en t#e *al*es o'en to let in air an$
)%el+ T#e 'iston rises to t#e to' o) t#e cylin$er on t#e com'ression stroke to
(egin t#e cycle ane"+ T#is 'rocess re'eats #%n$re$s or t#o%san$s o) times a
min%te, res%lting in t#e n%m(er o) cranks#a)t re*ol%tions 'er min%te at "#ic#
t#e cranks#a)t is rotating+ Lengt# meas%re$ in millimeters+
S%(com'act
T#e car siBe class one ste' %' )rom t#e mini-car, like t#e Ro*er E> an A%stin
Maestro+
S%ici$e $oors
Car $oors t#at o'en )rom t#e )ront rat#er t#an t#e rear, (y (eing #inge$
(eneat# t#e "in$screen or rear "in$o"+ Alt#o%g# most o)ten t#o%g#t o) as
a''lying to rear $oors o) )o%r-$oor cars, se*eral early mo$els #a$ s%ici$e-
style )ront $oors+ Some o) t#e last s%ici$e $oors to a''ear on an American car
"ere on t#e 2./F12s Lincolns+ In D11D MaB$a intro$%ce$ a car calle$ t#e RVC
"#ic# (ro%g#t (ack t#is o(sc%re i$ea+
S%'erc#arger
Ser*es t#e same )%nction as a t%r(oc#arger (%t a*oi$s lag time (eca%se it
r%ns o8 an engine-$ri*en '%m'+ Bot# t%r(oc#argers an$ s%'erc#argers are
%se$ to 'ro$%ce more 'o"er "it#o%t increasing engine $is'lacement, (%t
neit#er are 'artic%larly )%el e9cient an$ (ot# can re4%ire costly maintenance
as *e#icles age+ A stan$ar$ 'iece o) e4%i'ment o) Hotro$s an$ To' F%el
$ragsters, t#is 'ro*i$es more 'o"er (y (lo"ing a com(ination o) more air
an$ *a'oriBe$ )%el into t#e car2s engine+
S%s'ension
S'rings, $am'ers, s#ock a(sor(ers, #y$ra%lics, "is#(ones, roll (ars, str%ts,
an$ links %se$ to s%s'en$ t#e )rame, (o$y an$ engine a(o*e t#e "#eels+
S%m'
T#e s'ace in t#e engine (lock %n$er t#e cranks#a)t into "#ic# t#e oil $rains
)rom its *ario%s a''lications+
S"itc#-gear
T#e *ariety an 4%ality o) )%nction controls t#e $ri*er can %tiliBe "#ile $ri*ing+
Synt#etic oil
Engine l%(ricant not $eri*e$ )rom ra" 'etrole%m+ It #as s%'erior engine-
'rotection 'ro'erties (%t costs as m%c# as A*e times more t#an 'etrole%m
oil+
T-to'< Targa to'
A #an$ remo*a(le 'lastic roo), as "it# T=R2s T%scan mo$el, lea*ing a T
s#a'e$ roo) o'ening+
Tac#ometer
T#e instr%ment ga%ge t#at s#o"s engine s'ee$, or re*ol%tions 'er min%te+
On a *e#icle "it# man%al transmission, t#e $ri*er can %se t#e tac#ometer to
tell "#en to %'s#i)t or $o"ns#i)t+ Also calle$ tac#+
Ta''et
A 'i*oting act%ator t#at o'ens an$ closes cylin$er intake an$ e7#a%st *al*es+
Ta7ometer
A mac#ine "#ic# co%nts t#e tra*el-time o) a ta7i 6o%rney+
T#rottle-Bo$y F%el In6ection
A )orm o) electronic )%el in6ection in "#ic# t#e in6ectors are centrally locate$
in a t#rottle-(o$y #o%sing t#at contains a *al*e to reg%late air 5o" t#ro%g#
t#e intake mani)ol$+ Less e9cient an$ 'recise t#an m%lti-'ort or se4%ential
)%el in6ection+
Timing Belt
On o*er#ea$ cam e4%i''e$ engines, an e7ternal (elt %se$ to sync#roniBe t#e
o'eration o) intake-e7#a%st *al*es "it# t#e com'ression-ignition 'rocess
occ%rring in t#e cylin$er #ea$ an$ engine (lock (elo"+
Timing =al*e
A *al*e in a )%el in6ection '%m' "#ic# times t#e $eli*ery o) )%el+
Tie Ro$ En$
A ty'e o) (all 6oint "#ic# trans)ers t#e mo*ements o) t#e steering "#eel to
t#e "#eels+
Toe-in
A "#eel-alignment term t#at in$icates t#e lea$ing e$ges o) a 'air o) "#eels
angle slig#tly to"ar$ eac# ot#er+ Front-$ri*e cars are o)ten aligne$ "it# slig#t
toe-in to com'ensate )or t#e e8ects o) tor4%e steer, or t#e ten$ency o) t#e
)ront "#eels to '%ll to t#e si$e %n$er #ar$ acceleration+
Toe-o%t
A "#eel-alignment term t#at in$icates t#e lea$ing e$ges o) a 'air o) "#eels
angle slig#tly a"ay )rom eac# ot#er+
To'-F%el :ragsters
T#e )astest o) $rag racing *e#icles, t#ese #a*e a c#aracteristically long (o$y
an$ %se to' )%el "#ic# acco%nts )or t#e tremen$o%s s'ee$s t#ese *e#icles
can attain+
Tor4%e
A meas%re o) t"isting )orce, gi*en in )oot-'o%n$s a((re*iate$ as l(+-)t+! or
Ne"ton-meters N-m!+ In t#e case o) an a%tomo(ile, it is t#e t"isting or
rotational )orce t#e engine e7erts on t#e cranks#a)t+ =e#icle s'eciAcations
o)ten incl%$e t#e ma7im%m tor4%e an engine 'ro$%ces at a s'eciAc n%m(er
o) re*ol%tions+ An engine t#at 'ro$%ces D11 l(+-)t+ o) tor4%e at J,111
re*ol%tions 'er min%te, or D11 l(+-)t+W J,111 r'm, accelerates (etter at lo"
s'ee$s t#an an engine t#at 'ro*i$es D11 l(+-)t+W>,111 r'm+
Tor4%e Con*erter
An enclose$ $e*ice connecte$ to t#e cranks#a)t t#at %ses a t%r(ine-(ase$
system an$ a t#in 5%i$ ATF! to 'ro'el t#e mo*ement o) t#e a%tomatic
transmission mains#a)t+ As o''ose$ to an a%tomo(ile e4%i''e$ "it# a
man%al transmission an$ cl%tc# t#at m%st (e engage$-$isengage$, t#is
&5%i$& connection (et"een t#e engine an$ t#e "#eels is "#at ena(les a car
to come to a )%ll sto' "it# its a%tomatic transmission still in gear+
Tor4%e Steer
T#e ten$ency o) t#e )ront "#eels on a )ront-$ri*e *e#icle to '%ll to t#e si$e
%n$er #ar$ acceleration+
Tor4%e-to-"eig#t
T#e amo%nt o) tor4%e $eri*e$ 'o"er e8ort, in 'o%n$s 'er )oot, o*er t#e
tonnage o) t#e *e#icle+
Torsion Bar
A sim'le, r%gge$ ty'e o) s%s'ension s'ring t#at t"ists as it is com'resse$ or
stretc#e$+
Torsional Sti8ness
A *e#icle (o$y2s resistance to t"isting motions+
To"ing Ca'acity
T#e amo%nt o) "eig#t a *e#icle can to" (e#in$ it, eg a trailer carrying a
s'ee$-(oat+
Track
=e#icle "i$t#, meas%re$ )rom t#e center o) one tyre2s contact 'atc# to t#e
center o) t#e o''osite tyre2s contact 'atc#+ D - a racing s%r)ace at race-
co%rse, like at Sil*erstone in t#e 3R+
Traction Control
A system )or limiting "#eel sli' %n$er acceleration, t#%s maintaining eac#
"#eel2s contact "it# t#e roa$ s%r)ace+ Traction-control systems generally %se
t#e anti-lock (raking system to sto' "#eel s'in an$ re$%ce 'o"er )rom one
or more engine cylin$ers "#en an electronic sensor $etects "#eel s'in+
Traction
T#e amo%nt o) )riction (et"een t#e tyre an$ t#e gro%n$+
Tra$e-in =al%e
T#e amo%nt a $ealers#i' cre$its yo% )or t#e %se$ *e#icle yo% 'ro*i$e as
'artial 'ayment )or anot#er *e#icle+ T#e amo%nt cre$ite$ is o)ten a(o%t >
'ercent (elo" t#e *e#icle2s "#olesale market *al%e+
Trans)er Case
On )o%r-"#eel $ri*e *e#icles, a gear(o7 t#at allo"s 'o"er to (e $eli*ere$ to
)ront an$ rear "#eels+
Transa7le
A transmission an$ $i8erential #o%se$ toget#er in t#e same enclos%re+ T#is
set%' is most commonly )o%n$ in to$ay2s )ront-"#eel-$ri*e-$ominate$ car
not tr%ck! market+ T#e transmission an$ $i8erential are marrie$ toget#er
(eca%se no $ri*e s#a)t is re4%ire$ in )ront-"#eel $ri*e )ront engine! *e#icles+
Transmission
T#e transmission is %se$ to take t#e #ig#-s'ee$, lo"-tor4%e 'o"er o) t#e
engine an$ con*ert it to a lo"er-s'ee$, #ig#er-tor4%e o%t'%t, "#ic#
%ltimately t%rns t#e $ri*e "#eels+ Transmissions come in a "i$e *ariety o)
c#oices, (%t t#ey (asically $i*i$e into t#ree categoriesI Man%al, A%tomatic,
an$ Man%matic+ Lo"er gears allo" )ast acceleration, #ig#er gears 'ro*i$e
(etter gas mileage+ Man%al transmission %ses a system o) gears to create t#e
#ig# tor4%e o%t'%t re4%ire$ )rom t#e engine2s #ig# s'ee$ in'%t+ A cl%tc# is
%se$ to $isengage t#e transmission )rom t#e engine "#en s#i)ting gears+
A%tomatic transmissions $o t#e s#i)ting )or t#e $ri*er+ No cl%tc# is re4%ire$+
T#e s#i)ting is accom'lis#e$ (y a #y$ra%lic oil system+ Man%matic
transmissions are a #y(ri$ o) man%al an$ a%tomatic transmissions+ In most
cases t#ey re4%ire no man%ally o'erate$ cl%tc#, (%t t#ey allo" )or t#e $ri*er
to s#i)t gears man%ally "#en $esire$+
Trea$-;ear In$e7
A tyre rating consisting o) a n%m(er )ollo"e$ (y t"o letters, s%c# as J11AB+
T#e n%m(er in$icates t#e %se)%l li)e o) t#e tyre, t#e Arst letter A, B, or C, A
)or (est, C )or "orst! in$icates its traction in "et con$itions, an$ t#e secon$
letter A, B, or C, A )or (est, C )or "orst! its resistance to #eat (%il$%'+
Tri-Link S%s'ension
A )%lly in$e'en$ent rear s%s'ension )eat%ring a single A(erglass or com'osite
lea) s'ring+
Trim :ecor
t#e em(ellis#ments a$$e$ to t#e cars interior t#at gi*e it i$entity an
c#aracter, s%c# as leat#er, "oo$, )a(ric, c#rome etc+
Trim Le*el
T#e le*el o) o'tions or )eat%res a$$e$ to a mo$el as like "it# a GT *ersion!+
An o'tional e7tra as selecte$ (y t#e c%stomer, like an air(ag, $oesn2t
instigate a ne" trim le*el+ Only t#e car maker selects t#e attri(%tes to a car
to make it a s'ecial *ariant o) t#e (asic *ersion, "#ic# is t#e 2)actory
stan$ar$2 *ersion, an is t#e c#ea'est "it#in t#e range+
Tr%e M?H
T#e act%al *elocity a (o$y mo*es at as o''ose$ to t#e rea$ing gi*en (y
internal instr%mentation+ 3se$ (y s'ee$ cameras an 'olice "it# timing g%ns
in s'ee$-tra's+
T%ne-%'
A reg%larly sc#e$%le$ maintenance to c#eck normal o'eration o) t#e *e#icle+
T%r(ine
An integral 'iece o) t#e t%r(oc#arger, t#is small )an $ri*es t#e com'ressor+ A
rotor "it# *anes or (la$es "#ic# is $ri*en (y t#e mo*ement o) 5%i$ or gases
across its s%r)ace+ T#e t%r(ine "#eel in a t%r(oc#arger s'ins as a res%lt o)
e7#a%st gases+ In a tor4%e con*erter, a t%r(ine is %se$ to 'ro'el ATF "it#in
t#e %nit+
T%r(o Lag
T#e time it takes t#e t%r(oc#arger to kick in a)ter t#e $ri*er accelerates< t#e
lag res%lts (eca%se a t%r(oc#arger com'ressor is s'%n (y e7#a%st gases in
t#e e7#a%st mani)ol$+
T%r(oc#arger
:e*ice t#at com'resses an$ )orces e7tra air into t#e intake mani)ol$ to
'ro$%ce e7tra 'o"er+ Bot# t%r(oc#argers an$ s%'erc#argers are %se$ to
'ro$%ce more 'o"er "it#o%t increasing engine $is'lacement, (%t neit#er are
'artic%larly )%el e9cient an$ (ot# can re4%ire costly maintenance as *e#icles
age+ By )orcing )%el t#ro%g# t#e engine, t#is system allo"s t#e car to gat#er
more s'ee$+ 3s%ally t#ey2re ma$e (y s'ecialist com'onent makers like Roots,
V-Trac, Bosc#, etc+
T%rning circle
T#e minim%m $istance a car nee$s to t%rn aro%n$ in one ste'+ A lo" Ag%re is
a 'rere4%isite )or a 'ro'er Ta7i $eign, an in t#e *en%es o) (ig cities is a
reg%lation+
T"ist-Beam A7le
A semi-in$e'en$ent rear a7le o)ten %se$ on )ront-$ri*e *e#icles+ T#e
#oriBontal (eam, "#ic# connects t#e t"o rear "#eels, can t"ist to re$%ce t#e
e8ect o) one "#eel2s motion on t#e ot#er+ Less e7'ensi*e an$ more com'act
t#an )%lly in$e'en$ent s%s'ension+
3n$ersteer
Occ%rs "#en t#e )ront "#eels #a*e lost a$#esion or t#e $ri*er is t%rning t#e
steering "#eel too s#ar'ly )or t#e *e#icle2s s'ee$+ In %n$ersteer, t#e )ront
"#eels $o not )ollo" t#e steering "#eel angle, an$ t#e car re)%ses to t%rn an$
'%s#es a#ea$+ In motor s'orts, t#is is calle$ '%s#+ T#e $ri*er can regain
traction (y re$%cing s'ee$+ Also may (e calle$ 'lo"+
3ni$irectional tyre
Tire "#ose trea$ 'attern is $esigne$ to get o'tim%m traction only "#en t#e
tyre is mo%nte$ to roll in one $irection+
3nitiBe$ constr%ction
A ty'e o) (o$y constr%ction t#at $oesn2t re4%ire a se'arate )rame to 'ro*i$e
str%ct%ral strengt# or s%''ort )or t#e car2s mec#anical com'onents+ A
%nitiBe$ (o$y can em'loy monoco4%e constr%ction, or it can %tiliBe strong
str%ct%ral elements as an integral 'art o) its constr%ction+ Be)ore ./C1 cars
"ere (%ilt almost e7cl%si*ely )rom )rames+ In ot#er "or$s, %n$erneat#
e*eryt#ing "as a (asic rectang%lar steel assem(ly+ E*eryt#ing else on t#e car
attac#e$ to t#e )rame in one "ay or anot#er+ To$ay, nearly e*ery car an$
many tr%cks are (%ilt on t#e &%ni(o$y& conce't, )or reasons o) "eig#t an$
cost+ 3ni(o$y constr%ction %ses t#e (o$y assem(ly itsel) to create t#e
in)rastr%ct%re o) t#e *e#icle an$ is constr%cte$ in most cases (y s'ot "el$ing
toget#er #%n$re$s o) smaller metal assem(lies+ On a mo$ern assem(ly line
yo% may see a%tomate$ s'ot "el$ers s'arking a"ay on #%nks o) s#eet metal,
e*ent%ally )orming a car (o$y+
3ni*ersal 6oint
A 6oint t#at transmits rotary motion (et"een t"o s#a)ts t#at aren2t in a
straig#t line+ :e'en$ing on its $esign, a %ni*ersal 6oint can accommo$ate a
large ang%lar *ariation (et"een its in'%ts an$ o%t'%ts+ T#e sim'lest kin$ o)
%ni*ersal 6oint, calle$ a &Hooke 6oint,& ca%ses t#e o%t'%t s#a)t to s'ee$ %'
an$ slo" $o"n t"ice )or e*ery re*ol%tion o) t#e in'%t s#a)t+ T#is s'ee$
5%ct%ation increases "it# t#e ang%lar $i8erence (et"een t#e s#a)ts+
3nins%re$ Motorist Co*erage
Ins%rance "#ic# 'ays )or costs res%lting )rom a #it-an$-r%n or an acci$ent
"it# an %nins%re$ motorist+
=F
A *e#icle "it# si7 cylin$ers+ T#e cylin$ers are $i*i$e$ into t"o (anks, eac# o)
"#ic# is angle$ a"ay )rom t#e ot#er at t#e to', )orming a 2=2+ Ty'ically, t#is
angle is F1 $egrees on =-F engines+
=C
A *e#icle "it# eig#t cylin$ers+ T#e cylin$ers are $i*i$e$ into t"o (anks, eac#
o) "#ic# is angle$ a"ay )rom t#e ot#er at t#e to', )orming a 2=2+ Ty'ically, t#is
angle is /1 $egrees on =-C engines
=.D
A *e#icle "it# a $oBen cylin$ers+ T#e cylin$ers are $i*i$e$ into t"o (anks,
eac# o) "#ic# is )acing eac# ot#er at t#e to', an slig#tly )orms a 2=2 s#a'e+
Ty'ically t#is angle is J1 $egrees on most =-.D engines+ Occasionally t"o =F
engines can (e com(ine$ to act as a =.D+
=al*e Train
T#e *al*es an$ cams#a)ts! "it#in an engine, an$ any 'arts attac#e$ to t#e
*al*es, s%c# as rockers an$ '%s#ro$s, to mo*e t#em %' an$ $o"n+
=al*es
Many o*er#ea$-cam engines, 'artic%larly m%lti-*al*e mo$els, are $escri(e$
(y t#e total n%m(er o) intake an$ e7#a%st *al*es in t#e cylin$er #ea$+ A DE-
*al*e =-F engine "o%l$ #a*e )o%r *al*es 'er cylin$erI t"o intake an$ t"o
e7#a%st *al*es+ A .F-*al*e =-C engine #as only t#e stan$ar$ single e7#a%st
an$ single intake *al*e )or eac# o) its eig#t cylin$ers+
=al*e gear
T#e *al*e n%m(er 'er cylin$er an$ t#e cam n%m(er 'l%s its 'osition+
=al*e 5oat
A #ig#-r'm engine con$ition in "#ic# t#e *al*e li)ters lose contact "it# t#e
cam lo(es (eca%se t#e *al*e s'rings are not strong eno%g# to o*ercome t#e
moment%m o) t#e *ario%s *al*etrain com'onents+ T#e onset o) *al*e 5oat
're*ents #ig#er-r'm o'eration+ E7ten$e$ 'erio$s o) *al*e 5oat "ill $amage
t#e *al*etrain+
=al*e li)ter
Also calle$ a &*al*e )ollo"er&I t#e cylin$rically s#a'e$ com'onent t#at
'resses against t#e lo(e o) a cams#a)t an$ mo*es %' an$ $o"n as t#e cam
lo(e rotates+ Most *al*e li)ters #a*e an oil-l%(ricate$ #ar$ene$ )ace t#at
sli$es on t#e cam lo(e+ So-calle$ &roller li)ters,& #o"e*er, #a*e a small roller
in contact "it# t#e cam lo(eI t#ere(y re$%cing t#e )riction (et"een t#e cam
lo(e an$ t#e li)ter+
=al*etrain
T#e collection o) 'arts t#at make t#e *al*es o'erate+ T#e *al*etrain incl%$es
t#e cams#a)ts! an$ all relate$ $ri*e com'onents, t#e *ario%s 'arts t#at
con*ert t#e cams#a)t2s rotary motion into reci'rocating motion at t#e *al*es,
an$ t#e *al*es an$ t#eir associate$ 'arts+
=isco%s co%'ling
A 'artic%lar kin$ o) 5%i$ co%'ling in "#ic# t#e in'%t an$ o%t'%t s#a)ts mate
"it# t#in, alternately s'ace$ $iscs in a cylin$rical c#am(er+ T#e c#am(er is
Alle$ "it# a *isco%s 5%i$ t#at ten$s to cling to t#e $iscs, t#ere(y resisting
s'ee$ $i8erences (et"een t#e t"o s#a)ts+ =isco%s co%'lings are %se$ to limit
t#e s'ee$ $i8erence (et"een t#e t"o o%t'%ts o) a $i8erential, or (et"een
t#e t"o a7les o) a car+
=an
A (o7-s#a'e$ tr%ck "it# a )or"ar$ ca( an$ a cargo area to t#e (ack (%m'er+
=aria(le-Assist Steering
A 'o"er-steering system t#at *aries t#e amo%nt o) assistance it 'ro*i$es
accor$ing to $ri*ing con$itions+ It 'ro*i$es ma7im%m assistance at lo"
s'ee$s )or mane%*ers s%c# as t%rning into a 'arking s'ace or t%rning a
corner a)ter lea*ing a sto' lig#t+ It 'ro*i$es minim%m assistance at cr%ising
or #ig#"ay s'ee$s to 'ro*i$e greater *e#icle sta(ility+
=e#icle I$entiAcation N%m(er =IN!
A se*enteen-$igit i$entiAcation n%m(er, %ni4%e to eac# *e#icle, "#ic#
incl%$es co$es )or t#e man%)act%rer, year, mo$el, (o$y, an$ engine
s'eciAcations+
=ente$ :isc Brakes
A (rake $isc t#at #as cooling 'assages (et"een t#e )riction s%r)aces+
=-Ty'e Engine
In a =-F, =-C or =-.D engine, t#e cylin$ers are $i*i$e$ into t"o (anks, eac# o)
"#ic# is angle$ a"ay )rom t#e ot#er at t#e to', )orming a 2=2+ Ty'ically, t#is
angle is F1 $egrees on =-F engines an$ /1 $egrees on =-C engines+ From t#e
rear are i$entiAe$ (y #a*ing t"in e7#a%st 'i'es, an (y ear #a*e a $ee'
r%m(le engine so%n$+
;aste gate
A *al*e %se$ to limit t#e (oost $e*elo'e$ in a t%r(oc#arger+ A "aste gate
o'erates (y allo"ing some o) t#e engine2s e7#a%st 5o" to (y'ass t#e
t%r(oc#arger2s t%r(ine section %n$er certain con$itions+
;ater ?%m'
T#e '%m' t#at circ%lates coolant t#ro%g# t#e engine (lock, cylin$er #ea$ an$
ra$iator+ It is $ri*en (y t#e engine cranks#a)t+
;eig#t $istri(%tion
Meas%re$ in Rg, re'resenting t#e (alance, control an sta(ility, "it# t#e centre
o) gra*ity acting as t#e )%lcr%m+
;#eel SiBe
:etermine$ (y t#e $iameter an$ "i$t# o) t#e "#eel on "#ic# t#e tyre is
mo%nte$+ A .>-inc# "#eel #as a $iameter o) .> inc#es+ A .> V 0 "#eel #as a
.>-inc# $iameter an$ a 0-inc# "i$t#+
;#eel(ase
T#e $istance (et"een t#e center o) t#e )ront "#eels to t#e center o) rear
"#eels+
;#eelstan$
A mainstay in $rag races, t#is re)ers to "#en t#e )ront en$ o) car li)ts %'
$%ring a race+ It is also kno"n as a "#eelie+
;#eel #o'
An %n$esira(le s%s'ension c#aracteristic in "#ic# a "#eel or se*eral! mo*es
%' an$ $o"n so *iolently t#at it act%ally lea*es t#e gro%n$+ ;#eel #o' can (e
ca%se$ (y many 'ro(lems, incl%$ing e7cessi*e %ns'r%ng "eig#t, ins%9cient
s#ock $am'ing, or 'oor torsional a7le control+
;#eels'in
;#en a "#eel contin%es t%rning a)ter its lost traction $%ring a s#ar' t%rn, or
looses s%r)ace contact "#ile o*er %ne*en gro%n$+
;#eel "ell-arc#
T#e area o) s'ace (et"een a "#eel an$ t#e )en$er t#at s#ro%$s it+ T#e arc#
)ollo"s t#e 'roAle o) t#e "#eel siBe+
;ing
D (o$y 'anels t#at e7ist eit#er rear si$e, (eneat# t#e tr%nk co*er, 'artly
enclosing t#e rear-"#eel-s'ace+
;inston C%'
T#e #ig#-'oint o) NASCAR racing, a race t#at s'ans t#e entire season as
$ri*ers acc%m%late 'oints at eac# o) J. e*ents+ T#e $ri*er t#at acc%m%lates
t#e most 'oints, not t#e most "ins, (ecomes t#e e*ent%al ;inston C%'
"inner+
;oo$y
Re)ers to a *e#icle "#ic# #as 'art o) its si$e (o$y-'anels co*ere$ or re'lace$
"it# $ecorati*e "oo$+
V series
T#e name gi*en to t#e )amo%s c#assis $esigns %se$ (y @ag%ar since t#e
./F1s, s%c# as t#e V@, VR an V-ty'e+
V-ray $etection
T#is is %se$ (y la" en)orcement agencies "#en searc#ing )or illegal materials
conceale$ "it#in t#e $oor 'anels an (o$y"ork o) cars, s%c# as Semte7 an
#eroin+
Ya"
T#e rotation a(o%t a *ertical a7is t#at 'asses t#ro%g# t#e car2s center o)
gra*ity+
Y%go
T#e only car com'any name$ a)ter a co%ntry t#at no longer e7ists, ie
Y%gosla*ia+
Kero-o8set steering
A steering system "#ose geometry #as a scr%( ra$i%s o) Bero+ T#is
conAg%ration minimiBes t#e steering e8ects 'ro$%ce$ $%ring acceleration
"it# )ront $ri*e! or (raking on *arying traction s%r)aces+
K-a7is
T#e 'lain o) mo*ement a roa$ *e#icle cant access+