Simplified Automotive Terms for Ladies

Automotive Terms Definitions
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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 D

Decarbonize

Physically removing carbon deposits from combustion chamber surfaces.

Depreciation

Loss of value of a vehicle due to age and mileage, as well as physical condition.

Detonation

Slang for pinking or engine knock (US pinging); uncontrolled secondary explosion in the combustion chamber occurring after the spark.

Diagnostic Fault-Code

Numerical code that indicates problems in the computer system. (US Diagnostic Trouble Code)

Diesel

An internal combustion engine that fires without the use of an ignition system. Diesel engines use high compression to fire the mixture in the cylinders. Uses oil rather than petrol, no spark ignition system.

Dieseling

The engine seems to continue running after the ignition has been turned off; run-on that occurs when a petrol engine is idling too high. Differential A geared unit that allows the wheels on opposite sides of the vehicle to turn at different speeds. This is vital while turning.

Dipstick

A calibrated measuring rod for checking the level of fluids, e.g. oil

Direct Drive

A condition where the transmission connects the engine to the differential directly without altering the gear ratio.

Distributor

A rotary switch that distributes the high voltage ignition spark and delivers it to the proper cylinders at the right moment.

Distributorless ignition

An electronic ignition system that creates spark without the use of a mechanical distributor using signals from electrical sensors on the crankshaft.

Driveshaft

The rotating shaft that transfers power from the transmission to the differential on rear-wheel drive cars. Propeller shaft.

Drivewheel

Any wheel that transmits driving power from the engine to the road.

Dynamometer

A set of rollers designed to provide a load to simulate actual driving conditions while in the shop.