Simplified Automotive Terms for Ladies

Automotive Terms Definitions
Click on the letter below to find the defintion you are looking for.

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J K L | M | N O | P Q R | S | T | U V W

We are providing these pages of automotive terms to assist those donating or recycling cars or other vehicles.

Terms beginning with the Letter A

Abrasive

1. Small, hard, sharp cornered, fragments of natural or synthetic material that will scratch or wear another material.

2. A substance used to smooth or polish a surface by grinding or scrapping.

Abreast

Two vehicles side by side and facing in the same direction.

ABS

Antilock braking system.

ABS override

Switch for the driver to turn off the ABS system when on soft surfaces (like sand or deep gravel) where locking the wheels would be an advantage.

Accelerate

To move faster; gain speed.

Acceleration skid

A traction control system control which prevents wheels from spinning during acceleration.

Accelerator

1. A device for increasing the speed of a motor vehicle engine.

2. A foot-operated throttle that varies the supply of fuel-air mixture to the combustion chamber.

3. Pedal operated by the driver s right foot that controls the flow of air into the engine.

Accelerator pump

Part of the carburettor. A small pump that enriches the fuel-air mixture during acceleration.

Access road

An exclusive road to a specific facility or facilities.

Aftermarket

Vehicle accessories that do are not fitted by the manu- facturer.

Aim high

Part of the scanning routing whilst driving. Looking ahead 12 seconds in the distance in all driving conditions.

Air

1. A component of air-fuel mixture.

2. A fluid used in compressed gas for inflating pneumatic tyres, operating air brakes, etc.

Airbag

A secondary safety restraint which will inflate in 25 milliseconds in serious front collisions to protect the passengers and driver.

Air cooled engine

An engine which is cooled directly by ambient air, where the cooling air passes direct- ly over fins on the cylinders and cylinder hood, without the need for a water jacket and radiator.

Air filter

A device on the engine air intake that prevents dust and dirt entering the engine.

Airflow

The passage of air over a moving vehicle.

Air-fuel Mixture

The air and fuel mixture mixed by the carburettor or fuel injection system and vaporized.

Air Jack

A device for lifting a car.

Alignment

The angles at which each wheel should be adjusted to maintain the specifications engineered by the vehicle manufacturer for the best performance of both the steering and suspension.

Alternator

An electrical generator that mechanical energy into elec- trical energy for powering circuits in a vehicle. With the engine running, the alternator recharges the battery. The alternator provides as well all the electrical power needed to run the headlights, radio, air conditioner etc.

Antifreeze

A liquid added to the water in the cooling system of a vehicle to lower its freezing point, raise the boiling point as well as prevent corrosion.

Antilock Brakes

A computerized control system designed to prevent wheels from locking during hard braking; thereby allowing some steering control during an emergency.

Apron

Hard shoulder.

Automatic Transmission

A computer system which decides when the transmission should shift and then delivers an electrical signal to create that shift. Power is transferred from the engine using a fluid coupling called a torque converter.

AXLE

A metal shaft that transfers torque from the differential to the wheels.