Global
Main Links
- Automotive Center
- Body Shop Locator
- Car Dealership Locator
- Emplyment Center
- Insurance Agent Locator
- Insurance Center
- Shari's Blog
- Vehicle Vendor
Automotive Center
- Automotive Center
- Automotive Brakes
- Automotive Law
- Automotive Miscellaneous
- Automotive P-pages
- Automotive Safety
- Automotive Steering
- Automotive Suspension
- Automotive Terminology
- Automotive Total Loss
- Engine Compartment
- Wheel Alignment
Insurance Center
AUTOMOTIVE CENTER
IAUTOINFO.COM: AUTOMOTIVE TERMINOLOGY
Automotive Information for the consumer
A |
AUTOMOTIVE TERMINOLOGY
A - Back to Top
Actual Cash Value (ACV): The fair or reasonable cash price for which the property could be sold in the market in the ordinary course of business and not at a forced sale; the price it will bring in a fair market after reasonable efforts to find a purchaser who will give the highest price. It is the greatest amount the insured can recover in practically all policies indemnifying for damage to property except in states where valued policy laws are in effect.
Alternating Current (AC): The movement of electric charge periodically reverses direction.
Alternator: An electromechanical device that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy in the form of alternating current.
A/M (Aftermarket parts):Any vehicle part or accessory that is purchased from a source other than the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts distribution network or a Salvage yard.
Appearance Allowance: Payment for a loss to property when the physical damage does not warrant either repair or replacement; a payment for diminished value, primarily from appearance.
Assembly: Two or more related parts of a vehicle that are pre-assembled by the manufacturer and sold under one part number.
Asynchronous Motor: A type of AC motor whose speed is not locked to the power supply frequency.
ARS (Airbag Restraint System): Refers to the air bags, modules, clock springs and all other components.
B - Back to Top
-Backfire: The sudden combustion of gases in the intake or exhaust system that results in a loud explosion.
-BAR (Bureau of Automotive Repair) California State Agency that regulates automotive repair facilities and licenses lamp and brake inspection stations.
-Betterment: A specific percentage, determined by the estimator, deducted from the cost to repair or replace a particular part in the event it is repaired or replaced with a part that is of a higher quality and will increase the value or condition of the vehicle. (Ex. tires, shocks, batteries) Betterment may also be applied to paint that is
faded, cracked, etc.
C - Back to Top
-CAPA Certified: A non-profit organization established in 1987 to develop and oversee a test program guaranteeing the suitability and quality of automotive parts.
-Caliper: A hydraulically activated device in a disc brake system, which is mounted straddling the brake rotor.
-Camshaft: Used to operate poppet valves. It consists of a cylindrical rod running the length of the cylinder bank with a number of oblong lobes protruding from it, one for each valve. The cams force the valves open by pressing on the valve, or on some intermediate mechanism as they rotate.
-Carburetor: A device, usually mounted on the intake manifold of an engine, which mixes air and fuel to allow combustion.
-Catalytic Converter: A device installed in the exhaust system that converts harmful byproducts of combustion into carbon dioxide and water vapor by means of heat-producing chemical reaction.
-Clip: A group of related vehicle parts purchased from a salvage yard as an assembly.(Salvage Clip)
-Coil (ignition): A transformer in the ignition circuit which steps up the voltage provided to the spark plug.
-Combustion Chamber: The part of an engine in which fuel is burned.
-Commutator: A device for varying the direction of flow of current to coils depending on the angle of rotor.
-Compression Ratio: A value that represents the ratio of the volume of its combustion chamber from its largest capacity to its smallest capacity.
-Condensor: A radiator-like device in the air conditioning system in which refrigerant gas condenses into a liquid, giving off heat.
-Crankshaft: The part of an engine which translates reciprocating linear piston motion into rotation.
-Cylinder: The central working part of a reciprocating engine or pump, the space in which a piston travels.
-Cylinder Block: The main structural member of an engine in which is found the cylinders, crankshaft and other principal parts.
-Cylinder Head: Sits above the cylinders on top of the cylinder block. It closes in the top of the cylinder, forming the combustion chamber.
D - Back to Top
-Diesel Engine: An internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber.
-Differential: A geared assembly which allows the transmission of motion between drive axels, giving one axle the ability to turn faster than the other.
-Diode: An electrical device that will allow current to flow in one direction only.
-Direct Current (DC): The flow of electric charge is only in one direction.
-Disc Brake: A hydraulic braking assembly consisting of a brake disc, or rotor, mounted on an axle, and a caliper assembly containing, usually two brake pads which are activated by hydraulic pressure.
-Distributor: A mechanically driven device on an engine which is responsible for electrically firing the spark plug at a predetermined point of the piston stroke.
-Drum Brake: A braking system which consists of two brake shoes and one or two wheel cylinders, mounted on a fixed breaking plate, and a brake drum, mounted on an axle, which revolves around the assembly.
-D&R (Disconnect and Reconnect): Disconnect, unplug or unbolt component assembly at point where it is attached to subject part. Component is not removed form the vehicle.
E - Back to Top
-Electronic Control Unit (ECU): Ignition module, module, amplifier or igniter.
-Electronic Ignition: A system in which the timing and firing of the spark plugs is controlled by an electronic control unit.
-EconomyPart: Any new vehicle part or accessory that is purchased from a source other than the OEM parts distribution network.
-Electric Motor: An motor that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.
-Exhaust Manifold: A set of cast passages or pipes which conduct exhaust gases from the engine.
F - Back to Top
-Firing Order: The order in which combustion occurs in the cylinders of the engine.
-Four-Stroke Cycle: An internal combustion engine in which the piston completes four separate strokes—intake, compression, power, and exhaust—during two separate revolutions of the engine's crankshaft, and one single thermodynamic cycle.
G - Back to Top
-Gear Ratio: The ratio between the number of teeth on meshing gears.
-Generator: A device which converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.
-Generic Auto Parts: Auto crash parts produced by firms that are not associated with car manufacturers. Insurers consider these parts, when certified, at least as good as those that come from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). They are often cheaper than the identical part produced by the OEM.
-Graduated Drivers Liscense: Licenses for younger drivers that allow them to improve their skills. Regulations vary by state, but often restrict nighttime driving. Young drivers receive a learner's permit, followed by a provisional license, before they can receive a standard driver's license.
H - Back to Top
-Heat Range: The measure of a spark plug's ability to dissipate heat from its firing end.
-Hub: The center part of a wheel or gear.
-Hydrocarbon: Any chemical compound made up of hydrogen and carbon. A major pollutant formed by the engine as a byproduct of combustion.
I - Back to Top
-Injector: A device which receives metered fuel under relatively low pressure and is activated to inject fuel into the engine under relatively high pressure at a predetermined time.
-Intake Manifold: A casting of passages or pipes used to conduct air or a fuel/air mixture to the cylinders.
-Internal Combustion Engine: An engine in which the combustion of a fuel occurs with an oxidizer in a combustion chamber.
L - Back to Top
-LKQ (Like, Kind, Quality): Also know as used items. These non damaged items are removed from a damaged vehicle and transferred to the existing vehicle.
M - Back to Top
-Manifold: A casting of passages or set of pipes which connect the cylinders to an inlet or outlet source.
-Master Cylinder: The primary fluid pressurizing device in a hydraulic system. In the automotive use, it is found in brake and hydraulic clutch systems and is pedal activated, either directly or, in a power brake system, through the power boost.
-Module: Electronic control unit, amplifier or igniter of solid state or integrated design which controls the current flow in the ignition primary circuit based on input from the pick-up coil.
N - Back to Top
-NAGS (National Auto Glass Specification, Inc): Organization that specifies, certifies, and publishes pricing for automotive glass.
O - Back to Top
-OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer): A new replacement part or accessory that is manufactured by and available through the vehicle manufacturer's parts distribution network.
-O/H (OverHaul): A type of flat rate labor that contains R&I and R&R labor plus time to completely disassemble and reassemble an assembly. (Ex.bumpers, suspension)
-Overhead Camshaft (OHC): The engine configurations in which the camshaft is mounted on top of the cylinder head and operates the valve either directly or by means of the rocker arms.
-Overlap: The labor associated with an operation that is common to the replacement of two or more parts.
-Oxygen Sensor: Used with the feedback system to sense the presence of oxygen in the exhaust gas and signal the computer which can reference the voltage signal to an air/fuel ratio.
P - Back to Top
-Paintless Dent Repair (PDR): The procedure where a skilled technician uses metal rods and picks to massage out minor dings and dents in the finish of an automobile.
-Pay-at-the-Pump: A system proposed in the 1990s in which auto insurance premiums would be paid to state governments through a per-gallon surcharge on gasoline.
-Pinion: The smaller of two meshing gears.
-Piston: The moving component that is contained by a cylinder and is made gas-tight by piston rings. Its purpose is to transfer force from expanding gas in the cylinder to the crankshaft via a piston rod and/or connecting rod.
-Poppet Valve: A valve consisting of a hole and a tapered plug on the end of a shaft. (Also called a valve stem)
-PRS (Passenger Restraint System): Refers to seat belts and shoulder harnesses.
R - Back to Top
-R&I (Remove and Re-Install): Refers to flat rate labor for the removal and re-installation of the same part or assembly. (Ex. R&I door trim panel to gain access to the glass regulator)
-R&R (Remove and Replace): Remove old or damaged part, transfer necessary items to new part, replace and re-align.
-Reconditioned: Repaired vehicle components.
-Refinishing (Painting): The practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other mediums to a surface.
-Rocker Arm: A reciprocating lever that conveys radial movement from the cam lobe into linear movement at the poppet valve to open it.
-Rotor: A rotating part of a mechanical device in an electric motor, generator, alternator or pump.
S - Back to Top
-Sectioning: The procedure of cutting an existing panel to save the undamaged portion of it. This procedure is done to Rear 1/4 Panels and Frame Rails to help secure the structural integrity of the vehicle.
-Solenoid: A coil used to produce a magnetic field, the effect of which is to produce work.
-Spark Plug: An electrical device that fits into the cylinder head of some internal combustion engines and ignites compressed fuels by means of an electric spark.
-Stator: The stationary part of a rotor system, found in an electric generator, electric motor and biological rotors.
-Synchronous Motor: An AC motor that is driven at a speed that is a fixed fraction of the power supply frequency.
T - Back to Top
-Thermostat: A valve, located in the cooling system of an engine, which is closed when cold and openings gradually in response to engine heating, controlling the temperature of the coolant and rate of coolant flow.
-Torque Converter: A turbine used to transmit power from a driving member to a driven member via hydraulic action, providing changes in drive ratio and torque.
-Transistor: A semi-conductor component which can be actuated by a small voltage to perform an electrical switching function.
-Turbocharger: An exhaust driven pump which compresses intake air and forces it into the combustion chambers at higher than atmposheric pressures.
-Two-Stroke Engine: An internal combustion engine that completes the process cycle in one revolution of the crankshaft (an up stroke and a down stroke of the piston).
U - Back to Top
-Unibody: The frame and the body panels are integrated as one. All components are welded together to form a shell structure.
V - Back to Top
-Valve: A device that regulates, directs or controls the flow of a fluid by opening, closing, or partially obstructing various passageways.
-VIN (Vehicle Identification Number): A seventeen-digit code that uniquely identifies a vehicle.