Simplified Automotive Terms for Ladies

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

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

Terms beginning with the Letter B

Backfire

A loud bang or pop from under the hood or tailpipe, usually caused when combustion takes place with the combustion chamber open.

Bald

The condition of the tyre having less than the legal minimum depth of thread.

Battery

Storage device for electrical power. In a vehicle this lead acid secondary cell stores chemical energy which can then be released as electrical power.

Battery Acid

A liquid mixture of 40% to 60% sulphuric acid and 60% water to form an efficient electrolyte.

Battery Cable

Heavy cable that provides power from the battery to the rest of the car.

Battery Charger

An electrical device used to recharge a vehicle battery from mains power.

Battery Terminal

The exposed ends of a battery that provide voltage when connected to a circuit; soft metal projection on the battery to which the electrical cable is clamped.

Ball Joint

A ball-and-socket joint giving good flexibility within a range of motion. Allows the suspension to move up and down while still being able to turn the wheels.

Beltway USA.

A ringroad or major highway encircling a city.

Black Smoke

Smoke from the tailpipe caused typically when the air-fuel ratio mixture is too high. The fuel is not fully burned and soot results.

Blindspot

An area behind and to either side of the drive which he cannot see when facing straight ahead.

Brake

A device that creates friction to a surface to slow it, stop it, or hold it stationary; a device that slows or stops the rotation of the wheels, so tyre friction slows or stops a vehicle.

Brake Drum

Rotating part of the drum brake system connected to the wheels; brake shoes press against the drum causing friction which stops the wheel.

Braking Distance

The distance for a moving vehicle to stop on a clean dry surface, not including any mechanical failures, perception problems of the driver, reaction time. The distance needed is increased with speed, poor road surface or any other non-ideal conditions.

Bump Start

The action of starting an engine with a flat (dead) battery by pushing the car or allowing it to roll down hill until it is moving about 10 km/h (6 mph), then in 2nd gear the clutch is rapidly popped or let up, thus allowing the inertia from the wheels to turn over the engine. Not possible with an automatic transmission.

Butane

A liquified petroleum gas sometimes used as a vehicle fuel except in colder climates as it vaporizes at -2 C. (28 F)