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 S
- Seal
- A device that prevents passage of fluid beyond some point.
- Sidewall
- The side part of the tire that connects the tread to the wheel.
- Slip
- A condition where the clutch or automatic transmission seems to disengage and allows engine to rev up without transferring power to the wheels.
- Solenoid
- Large capacity relay designed to energize the starter when you turn the key.
- Sparkplug
- The electrical device that converts the high voltage surge into a spark to ignite the air-fuel mixture in the cylinder.
- Speedometer
- Device on the instrument panel to display current vehicle speed.
- Spring
- A device used to hold the vehicle up while providing a cushion against bumps or dips in the road. They can be coil, leaf or torsion bar.
- Stall
- A condition where the engine shuts off, usually when coming to a stop.
- Starter
- Electrical motor that cranks the engine, enabling it to start.
- Steering Box
- A mechanism at the lower end of the steering column which converts rotary motion to transverse linear motion.
- Steering Pump
- A pump that provides hydraulic pressure for power steering, which makes it easier to turn the steering.
- Sump
- The pan at the bottom of the automatic transmission that collects fluid and holds it there for the transmission to use.
- Surge
- Unevenness in the power output of an engine due to a fault in the air, fuel or ignition systems.
