Encyclopedia
A system of lights that aids a driver or passenger in entering a vehicle in the dark.
What the tire is mounted on. Wheels can be made of steel or a light alloy, such as aluminum.
A car without an internal combustion engine that is powered exclusively by electricity stored in a large onboard battery pack. Most of toda […]
A graduated federal tax levied at the time of initial new-vehicle purchase on vehicles with especially poor fuel economy.
The amount of power at the driving wheels needed to move a car down the road at a steady speed. This power varies according to the car's sp […]
A vehicle warranty that covers everything except items that are subject to wear and tear or replacement in the ordinary course of vehicle o […]
A high-rrpm engine condition in which the valve lifters lose contact with the cam lobes because the valve springs are not strong enough to […]
Curved metal platforms faced with a friction material that is pressed against the inside of a brake drum to slow or stop the car. Brake sho […]
A composition or plastic sealing washer used on a bolt-type drain plug.
The relationship between yaw and the steering wheel's position and effort. All three should be proportional and should build up smoothly.
A four- to six-digit numerical key necessary to return functionality to a vehicles audio head unit after it has been removed or disconnecte […]
The linkage between the accelerator pedal and a vehicles throttle body or carburetor.
A feature of some vehicles that allows the rear wheels to be steered (by a computer and actuators), for the purpose of increasing high-spee […]
A device that automatically unlocks a vehicles doors after a collision.
The option(s) to disable a vehicles windows, door locks and/or passenger air bag in order to prevent injury to children.
A vehicle that is propelled solely by its rear wheels and whose engine is located forward of its front axle.
A heat exchanger that cools the air (or, in some installations, the intake charge) that has been heated by compression in any type of super […]
A generic term to describe the undercarriage weight-handling, body height, load-leveling, and powertrain components of a 4x4. Typical suspe […]
A steering column that collapses in the event of a hard frontal impact to reduce the risk of injury to the driver.
17-chars the unique code that is assigned to an individual vehicle by its manufacturer and that distinguishes it from all other vehicles. N […]
A spoiler that is flush-mounted to a vehicles trunk lid or liftgate that allows air to flow over it but not under it (and that is usually i […]
A type of brake that has an iron casting shaped like a shallow drum that rotates with the wheel. Curved brake shoes are forced into contact […]
The type of antennas used in vehicle audio systems and navigation systems: mast, power telescoping, element and diversity.