[Chris]

I've done it!!! Here it goes (some may not be intiterely (sp) correct)
I will add more when I write them for myself.


HERE THEY ARE!!!

-4WD: Four Wheel Drive
Power is directed to all four wheels. There are many types of 4WD, but when 4WD is used it
usually means the power is directed to all the wheels all the time, with open or limited slips
on each end. A true 4WD has locked differentials besides the locked center differential. This
way, 25% of the power goes to each wheel.
-A-pillar
Most cars have three pillars. The one where the windshield rises up is the A-pillar. It is at
the front of the car.
-ABS: Anti-Lock Brake System
A hydraulic servo applies brake pressure many times a second, usually about 80 times a
second. This gives you greater control, and it lowers stopping distances on wet and dry
pavement. People argue about how well it works on ice and gravel, but it gives you better
control.
-Aerodynamics
Basically, how well the car goes through the air. ‘‘Better Aerodynamics’’ can mean it goes
through the air better or generates more downforce. The world-record for a car is 0.16Cd. A
truck gives more than .5Cd. A Porsche 911 Turbo GT2 makes .34Cd. Usually, sports cars
give of a good Cd for downforce.
-Air Bag
A bag in the car that inflates when you get in an accident. It works by sensors telling when
you get in a crash. This causes a pellet Sodium Azide decomposes to produce Sodium,
Nitrogen gas, and heat. 100g of Sodium Azide makes 60 litres of Nitrogen. This causes the
bag to inflate in 1 tenth of a second. The bag also has some iron[III] oxide, which reacts
with the sodium to make harmless sodium oxide and iron. Airbags will save your life if you
wear your seatbelt.
-Air Conditioning
A device that produces a lot of cold air, keeping you cool. They suck horsepower, lowers
fuel economy, and increases weight.-Air Dam
At the front of the car, it hangs down below the bumper. It is there for looks and better
aerodynamics (by forcing air around the car rather than under it, where it can be snagged,
and cause lift.)
-Air Vent
Any vent that lets air in or out.
-All Wheel Drive: See AWD
-Alternator
It generates power to recharge the battery, run accessories, and operates the sparkplugs. It
is a magnet connected to a wheel which is driven by the fan belt. The magnet is surrounded
by copper wire, which generates power.
-Anti-Freeze
Used as engine coolant. It is anti-freeze because water freezes in the winter, and has a
lower heat capacity.
-Anti-Lock Brake System: See ABS
-Automatic Transmission
A transmission that shifts by itself with no driver involvement. When the gas is pressed
hard, it creates a vacuum, telling the transmisssion to downshift. If the throttle is floored, ti
will wait for the redline to shift. If the throttle is applied lightly, it will shift at low rpm’’s to
reduce noise and improve fuel economy. And Everything in between.
-Automotive Shows
Car manufactures or private individuals show their cars to the public.
-AWD: All Wheel Drive
-Axle
Connects the wheels to the car. There are many types of axles, but they are all round,
connect to the wheels and somewhere on the body.
-B-pillar
The pillar between the front side windows and rear side windows. Some cars lack a B-Pillar
as a styling exercise.
-Base Price
The price of a car without any options; the lowest price for a car.
-BHP:
Brake Horse Power, that is the power the engine produces. A brake is connected a shaft
coming from the crankshaft. This measures torque. Horsepower is derived from torque. The
formula is (Torque*rpm)/5252. As a result, below 5252 rpm, torque is higher than hp, and
after 5252 rpm, horsepower is higher.
-BHP / Liter
The amount of power per liter of displacement. Hp/displacement (in liters)
-Blower: See Supercharger
-Boot
An english way of saying the trunk. The back of the car where you put groceries, luggage,
dead people, etc.
-Bore
The diameter of the cylinder or piston.
-Brake Horse Power: See BHP
-Brakes
Used to stop the car. 2 types are used today, drum and disc
-Brake Pads
With disc brakes, the part that touches the brake rotors and piece of metal attached to the
turning part of the axle connected to the wheel. When the brakes are applied, the rotors go
in, and the pads (attached to the rotor) hit the metal, turning kinetic energy into heat
energy.
-Brake Shoes
Pieces of abrasive material that get pushed into the inside wall of drum brakes.
-Bucket Seats
Seats in a car that only allow one person to occupy them. More sporty than bench seats,
they hold you better and give (arguably) better comfort.
-Bumper
The farthest extremity forward and behind the car. In North America, they must stand
5mph impacts and not cause damage to the rest of the car.
-C-pillar
In all cars, and many SUV’’s and Wagons, it is the last pillar (between the rear window and
rear side windows.)
-Camshaft
It is connected to the crank by a chain, pulley, or gears. It operates the valves, the loves
hitting either pushrods (in a OHV engine) or hit one of several types of devises, pushing
down on the valves (in SOHC or DOHC engine.) The cam has lobes on it, which are like
weird shaped donut (with no hole), which affects how long the valves stay open, and how
far down the valves go.
-Carburetor
Most modern cars do not use a carburetor. They mix gas and air together, then let it go into
the engine.
-Carbon Fiber
Simply, carbon is heated then threaded together, making an exceptionally strong and light
material. It is also very expensive. Used on very good cars.
-Catalytic Converter
It is part of the exhaust system. What is does is change Nitrous Oxides (bad), unburned
hydrocarbons (bad) and several other nasty stuff into harmless carbon dioxide. Almost.
Carbon Dioxide causes global warming, so it is just the lesser of evils.
-Chassis
The basis of the car. It is what the car is made on.
-Clutch
It connects the engine to the transmission. When engaged, it connects the two. When you
press in the clutch, it dis-engages the engine from the transmission, allowing you to change
gears with blowing anything up.
-Concept Car
A car created by a manufacturer. Usually just a wild idea, but sometimes they show what
type of styling or features new cars will have.
-Convertible
A car that can remove its roof, sometimes at the touch of a button, sometimes it requires a
lengthy stop to remove the top. These cars weigh more than a closed-top car, and have less
rigidity (their body’’s flex more, the car shakes on rough stuff.)
-Coolant: See Engine Coolant
-Cooling System
How the engines coolant is moved through the engine.
-Coupe
A type of car which has two doors. Not a hatchback. Usually sporty cars. Must have a back
seat.-Combustion System
How the engine makes power. Is it a rotary or piston engine (maybe even a turbine).
-Compression Ratio
The ratio of space left in the cylinder at top dead center as opposed to the space in the
cylinder when the piston is at the lowest point. Example: If a cylinder has a capacity of 500
cc’’s when the piston is at its lowest point (end of power stroke), and 50 cc when the piston
is a top dead center, then it is 500:50, or 10:1. The higher compression, the more stress is
placed on the cylinder wall and head, but the higher the power.
-Crankshaft
The ‘‘heart’’ of the engine. It is a piece of metal that the connecting rods connect to
(besides the piston)
-Cross-Drilled Discs
Disc brakes that have holes or slats in the face of the disc, to improve cooling (less fade).
Plus they look really neat.
-Cruise Control
A device that maintains a set speed
-Curb Weight
How much the vehicle weighs with a full tank of gas.
-Cylinder
The part of the engine that contains the explosion of gas and air.
-Defroster
A setting on the temperature controls. It directs air to the front window, heating it up and
removing ice and snow.
-De-Icer
On the rear window, it is a series of wires that heat up as power is passed through them,
melting ice and snow on the rear window.
-Differential
There are 3 types: Open, Limited-slip, and Locking. Some are computer-controlled (or
manually), and can change settings, which adds great confusion to which is which. Open
sends the power to the wheel with the least resistance, which is bad. Most cars come with
this. Limited Slip rear ends send power to the wheel with grip, which is good. Also called
viscous traction. Locking differentials send equal power to each wheel. Can be good or bad
(good off road, can be bad on road)
-Displacement
How much space the inside of the cylinders would take up if all the pistons were as low as
they could be (end of power stroke.)
-DOHC: Double OverHead Cam
There are two cams over each bank of cylinders. Usually makes the engine high-strung (it
revs very high, makes not much torque, but lots of horsepower.)
-Downforce
The amount of air pressure pushing the car towards the ground, expressed as pounds.
-Drag
How well (or badly) a car goes through the air. Measuered in Cd (next point)
-Drag Coeffectient (Cd)
How well the car goes through the air. The Porsche 911 Turbo has a Cd of .34, the lowest
drag car (GM EV1) is .19. A truck is more than .5, at least.
-Drive Ratio
See Final Drive Ratio.
-Drum Brakes
Brakes that keep the part used to stop it in the device. They are inferior to disk brakes.
-Dry Weight
The weight of a car when there is no fuel or occupants -- the weight of a car when it is
empty.
-Electrical System
The cars electrical system, how the power is routed from the battery and alternator to
sparkplugs, accessories, and so on.
-Electro-Hydraulic
When you tell the car to do something, the info goes through a wire, to a hydraulic servo,
which operates the system.
-Emergency Brake
It is usually the long handle in the center console, but it can be located elsewhere. It applies
the rear brakes with maximum pressure. If this is done while driving, when you steer the
back end will slide around, and you will get tons of oversteer. It is usually used when you
are parked to prevent the car from moving, especially in manual transmission cars. It is
used often by rally cars to lock up the rear wheels, allowing sharper turns. If you try this,
be careful, it is wild!
-Engine
Duh, the part (usually in front) that drives the car. If you didn’’t know that, you are stupid!
-Engine Configuration
How the cylinders are set up. They can be in a line, in a V, in a W (for lack of a better
letter), flat (H).
-Engine Coolant
The stuff used to cool the engine. Usually anti-freeze, but water can be used. Oil can also
be included, as it dissipates heat aswell.
-Environmental Protection Agency: See EPA
-EPA:
Environmental Protection Agency, it is a watchdog on all industry, tries to help the
environment.
-EPA City / Highway mileage
The EPA tests cars and tells us their mileage in city driving and highway driving. They are
usually a little optimistic, although calm (boring) driving can cause higher numbers for you.
-Exhaust Pipe
Where the exhaust goes from the engine. The pipe leads away, then lets the gas out into
the air.
-Exotic Car
This has no definition, but is best described as a rare, fast, luxurious (not always, and its
relative),very good looking, something special.
-F1-Style Transmission
You hit a paddle, and the transmission upshifts or downshifts, depending on which pedal
you hit or how you hit it. It has a hydraulic clutch, and operates very fast. In F1 cars, it can
shift in 0.015 seconds, faster than any driver. The Ferrari 360 does it in under 0.5 seconds.
On most road cars it can be switched to automatic, and it will shift by itself.
-F1-Style Paddles
Paddles on the steering wheel, when flicked they cause the transmission to change.
-Fairing
Any stressed part.
-Fan Belt
It is connected to the crankshaft, and operates lots of stuff, like the cam, distributor, Air
Conditioning compressor, power steering, alternator, etc.
-Final Drive
The gearing at the differential
-Final Drive Ratio
The total gearing (Final Drive ratio * gear ratio)
-Flat-#
A type of engine configuration in which the <cylinders> are arranged flat (horizontal to
each other.)
-Fog Lights
Lights mounted low down in the cars front, to help you see the road in bad weather.
-Four Wheel Drive: See 4WD
-Front Wheel Drive: See FWD
-Fuel
The stuff you put in your car. Can be gasoline, hydrogen, propane, methane, Compressed
Natural Gas, etc.
-Fuel Injection
Gas is sprayed into the intake plenium. There it is atomized as it goes to the cylinder. This
makes more power, cleaner emissions and better gas mileage than a carburetor.
-FWD: Front Wheel Drive
-G’’s, lateral acceleration
A unit of measurement used to describe the amount of gravity. For example, on earth we
feel 1 G, but when doing special maneuvors (or turning the car steeply) we can feel several
more or less. Commonly used with <lateral acceleration>
-Gear Ratios
The ratio of the number of turns of the driveshaft (connected to the crankshaft) as opposed to the
number of turns the shaft sticking out the other end of the gearbox is moving. Usually top gear is
.9 or so (for each revolution of the crankshaft, the shaft sticking out the back of the gearbox is
moving 1.11 times.) First gear is is much lower (numerically higher), say 4.5. (It takes 4.5 turns
of the crankshaft to move the shaft on the other side of the gearbox to move 1 time.)
-Gearbox
The mechanical device which houses the drive gears. People usually use this as the transmission,
which is incorrect but commonly acceptable.
-Global Positioning System: See GPS
-GPS:
Global Positioning System. It uses 24 satellites orbiting the earth to find your location. It is
accurate to a few meters in civilian use. It works by tri-angulation; 3 or more satellites
(whose position is know) find out how far away you are from them. A computer then figures
out where you are. By taking several readings, it can tell your speed, direction, etc. Many
navigation systems use this by having maps that know where on the map your GPS position
is. This is what allows them to give you turn-by-turn directions to where you are going.
-Guage
Anything with numbers on it that tells you how something is working.
-Hatchback
A type of car whose trunk includes the rear window. Usually a two door. Sometimes hard to
differentiate from a wagon.
-Heat
It keeps you warm! Usually created by engine coolant (which gets warm quickly) being run
through thin pieces of metal, heating them up. Air is blown over the metal, getting heated,
and then blown to you.
-Hood
The part of the car that covers the engine or luggage (if the car is mid or rear engined)
-Horn
It makes a noise to warn other people you are there and to show that them what you think
of their driving ability. Also useful in movies, when the car gets in an accident, the horn
goes off forever.
-Horsepower
A measurement of an engines ability. The formula to find horsepower is torque times rpm
divided by 5250. The higher the horsepower, usually the faster the car.
-Hot Rod
No real definition, but any car that has been modified to be cool or special or fast, or
whatever.
-Hub Cap
A cover that goes over the wheel. Usually because it looks nicer than the wheel, or to resist
corrosion.
-HUD [Heads Up Display]
It displays information on the windshield, like speed, rpm’’s, etc.
-Hybrid
A car that uses 2 or more power sources. Usually a gas-electric. (Usually) The electric motor
assists acceleration, where most fuel and pollutants are used/created. It is usually
recharged by the gas motor when not in use. It is also recharged from the brakes. This
results in much lower gas consumption and fewer pollutants.
-Ignition
It is what starts the engine. Your key goes into the ignition, you turn, the ignition closes a
circuit, and the car starts. Can also refer to the whole starting procedure (starter motor,
electircal system, etc.)
-Ignition Switch
Where you put your key.
-Instrument Panel
In the car, the part in front of the car that contains most of the instruments (speedometer,
HVAC controls, radio, etc.)
-Intake Manifold
It usually sits on top of the engine. It lets the air (and eventually the gas, except in GDI
engines) into the cylinder.
-Integral Hydraulic Damper (Steering)
Makes it easier to steer.
-Jack
A tool that is used to lift up part of the car to repair something. It can be operated alone.
-Kevlar
A type of plastic. When layered, it is the primary ingredient in bullet proof vests. It is very
flexible, and cannot be stressed. In cars it is used to keep various things safe. Not used
very often, as it isn’’t useful in many circumstances.
-Lateral Acceleration
How well the car holds to the ground, measured in <g's>.
-Longitudinal Powertrain Layout
The engine is arranged north-south. The crankshaft faces the front of the car and the
interior.
-Lubricating System
A name for how the cars moving bits are lubricated. The engine uses oil, the transmission
uses oil aswell. All parts use oil, but different kinds.
-Manual Transmission
The gears are shifted manually. You use the clutch, then move a lever to engage another
gear. The lever is connected to linkage that moves the gear in the transmission over.
-Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price: See MSRP -Miles Per Gallon: See MPG
-Modena
A place in Italy. Associated with ferrari's. It is where ferrar's are made.
-Moon Roof
A glass section in the roof of a car.
-MPG:
Miles Per Gallon. The number of miles (1 mile=1.6 km, or 5280 ft, or 1000m) the car can
travel on 1 gallon (3.78 litres) of gas.
-MSRP:
Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price. The price the manufacturer suggests the vehicle be
sold for.
-Neutral
In an automatic transmission, it releases the clutch, disconnecting the engine from the drive
wheels.
-OHV:
Overhead valve: A single block-mounted camshaft operates pushrods that push up on
rocker arms, which push down the valves. A very simple engine, usually makes a lot of
torque but not much horsepower. However, it can make a lot of horsepower aswell.
-Oil
Made of plants that have been crushed for millions of years. Oil has a high heat capacity
and lubricates well.
-Oversteer
When the front wheels gripe, and the back wheels slide. This is not good. It means you
could be losing control , it cuts speed, and if you lose it you spin and could end up ass-end
in a tree, or in another car. It is very fun to do though! Also known as ‘‘loose’’
-Park (Gear)
In an automatic transmission, it operates the parking brake.
-Petrol / Petroleum
Refined oil, used to power a car. Purity and goodness measured in Octane. An octane of 87
is standard in Canada, with 93 being premium. Racing fuels can use up to 130 Octane.
-Piston
A round piece of metal that is attached to the connecting rod. It moves up and down in the
cylinder. Must be very strong to withstand the heat and pressure.
-Power Assist
When something is assisted with powered hydraulics, like steering, brakes, etc. Makes it
easier to do something, also usually makes it quicker.
-Power Steering
When the steering has power assist.
-Power Windows
In the door, the is an electric motor which pulls the window down and pushes it up.
Operated by a button in the car. Still works underwater (for awhile.)
-Rack & Pinion
A type of steering. The steering wheel is connected to a rod with a bevel gear on the end.
This rubs against a corrugated piece of metal on a rod that steers the wheels. Usually very
accurate, offering good feed-back.
-Ragtop: See Convertible
-Rear Wheel Drive: See RWD
-Rearview Mirror
A mirror on the windshield that allows you to see behind your car.-Redline
The engine speed (in rpm’’s) that is the maximum recommended by the manufacturer.
Going over this can cause the engine to overheat or break.
-Reverse Lights
On the rear of the car, a light(s) that go on to tell people you are backing up. Usually an
ordinary light that flashes.
-Revolutions Per Minute: See RPM
-Rotary Engine
A type of engine that uses rotating energy instead of up and down motion of a piston
engine. A Mazda commercial put it this way: A piston engine is like a pogo, bouncey
bouncey. A rotary goes whirrrrr, smooth. Usually revs high and makes not much torque.
Makes a lot of power per litre.
-RPM:
Revolutions Per Minute (of the crankshaft)
-RWD:
Rear Wheel Drive
-Sedan
A type of car which has four doors. Not a <hatchback>
-Sequential Transmission
A F1 style transmission, you have no choice but to go through each gear in order, you can’’t
skip.
-Side Air Bag
An airbag in the side of a car, to protect your side in an accident.
-Skid Pad
A round track that is used to measure a cars grip.
-Slalom
A straight road with pylons in the middle a set distance apart. The car drives between the
pylons, and its speed is measured. 70 mph is really fast, and 55 mph is really slow.
-SOHC: Single OverHead Cam
Over each bank of cylinders there is a single camshaft that pushes the valves down.
-Spark Plug
One end sticks inside the cyliner, the other is attached to a wire. The point of the plug
inside the cylinder allows electricity to jump from one part to the other, igniting the gas and
air in the cylinder.
-Speedometer
A <guage> usually placed directly in front of the <steering wheel> which displays the
current speed of the car.
-Sport Seats
Seats that hold you better, usually an option.
-Sport Utility Vehicle:
See SUV
-Sports Car
No clear definition, but generally any car that offers good performance or fun. Usually a
two-door, two seat car. A four door is not a sports car. 4 seats are ok (usually called a 2+2)

-Starter
A device that uses the batteries power to turn the crankshaft, thus moving everything, and
allowing the engine to start.
-Station Wagon
A car, like a hatchback. It can be difficult to distinguish the two. A wagon has 4 doors, a
hatchback 2. Usually. A wagon has no trunk, instead the roofline continues and ends at the
end of the car.
-Steering Wheel
A device usually circular in shape which is used to control the car horizontally.
-Stroke
How far the up and down range a piston has. Generally, the shorter the stroke, the higher
the rpm’’s.
-Sun Roof
A glass section of the roof that can be moved, making an opening in the roof of the car.
-Supercar
No clear definition, but a car that does one or several things VERY well.
-Supercharged
A device that forces more air into the engine, increasing power. There are several types,
like Lysolm, roots-type, centrifigural. They all work on the same principal; a belt somehow
connected to the crankshaft that turns 2 ‘‘screws’’, which blow air into the engine at an
increased pressure (psi), giving the engine more air.
-SUV:
Sport Utility Vehicle
-Tach / Tachometer
A <guage> usually placed directly in front of the <steering wheel> which displays the
current <revolutions per minute> of the crankshaft.
-Timing Belt or chain
A belt connected to the crankshaft and cam(s), which turns the cam at the right time to
make the valves open at the right time to let the engine run.
-Titanium
A very strong, light, heat resistant metal. Used in cars in stressed parts as well as the
engine. The strength keeps parts from breaking, and lowers weight, especially important in
the engine, as saving, say , 10 pounds it the crank results in higher rpms and more power.
-Torque
A measure of how much work an engine can do. It is a circular force. Usually, torque drops
off near the redline.
-Track
The width of the car from the tires.
-Transformer
Something that converts electricity from lots of amps to volts and vice-versa. For instance,
spark plugs use up to 25 000 volts, but only have a 12 volt battery. The transformer makes
this possible.
-Transmission
It is connected to the engine, and changes the ratio of rpm’’s to pre-rear-end axle speeds.
It allows the engine to use the power to its maximum potential.
-Transverse Powertrain Layout
The engine is east-west. The crankshaft faces each wheel.
-Trunk
The back of the car where you put your luggage, spare tire, dead people, etc.
-Turbocharger
Technically a turbo-supercharge. It uses exhaust gas to spin a turbine, which is attached to
a shaft, which is attached to another turbine in the intake manifold. As the exhaust spins
the other turbine, the air going into the engine is compressed, making more power.
Turbochargers can spin up to 100 000 times a minute. The turbines can be made of many
materials, the lighter, the better (faster spinning, less turbo lag.)
-Turbo Lag
In a turbocharged engine, sometimes it takes awhile for the turbo to get spinning fast. The
time between when you press the gas and the turbo kicking in as known as turbo lag.
-Turbocharged Engine
An engine that has a turbocharger.
-Understeer
When the back tires grip, and the front tires slide. Known as ‘‘push’’. Preferable to
oversteer, as it is safe(r). Most cars have some built in, to keep the owners out of trouble.
Also, many cars prefer understeer at the limit, but be careful, as sometimes it can turn into
snap oversteer, then boom! You will probably never experience it, except in snow, wet, or
high speed.
-V-#
The cylinders are arranged in a V. The number is the number of cylinders.
-Valve
A round disc is in the cylinder, attached to a ‘‘stem’’. When the cam or pushrods push it
down, the disc goes into the cylinder, letting in the gas and air, and letting out the gas. All
engines have at least 2 valves per cylinder (1 intake, 1 exhaust) and up to 5 valve (3
intake, 2 exhaust). The more valves, the more advanced, and usually more power and more
rpm’’s.
-Valvetrain
Refers to all the equipment associated with the valves. The valves, cam, pushrods (if
equipped), tappets, etc.
-Vented Discs
Disc brakes that have slots in them to remove heat, prolonging pad and rotor life, and
reducing brake fade.
-W-#
A W-# is when the <cylinders> of an <engine> are arranged in a W, or a V with another
bank tacked on.
-Weight Distrubition Ratio
The ratio which describes what percent of the body weight is on one half of the car and the
other half. For example, 46/54 has 46 percent of the body weight resting on the front half
of the body of the car and 54 percent resting on the rear.
-Wheel
-Wheelbase
The distance between the center of the front wheel and the center of the back wheel.
-Wind Spoiler
A device commonly placed towards the rear of a car that increases downforce as a car
travels at high speeds. Many times referred to as a spoiler.
-Wind Tunnel
A big machine that blows air my a car or model, usually blowing paint to you can see how
the cars shape manages air flow.
-Xenon Headlights
Head lights filled with Xenon gas instead of argon. They also have different fillaments. They
produce more light than normal lights, look better (smaller lights), and are much more
expensive.
-ZR-Rated
Essentially meaningless. It means the tire can withstand speeds of 149 mph of higher.