In the A/C
system, this is where clean, dry refrigerant is stored as it
circulates through the system.
Brake
Cylinder
A cylinder
containing a movable piston activated by pressure on the brake
pedal. The piston produces hydraulic pressure that pushes fluid
through the lines and wheel cylinders. This forces the brake
lining or pad against the drum or disc to slow or stop the car.
Brake
Fluid
Fluid used in a
hydraulic brake system.
Air Bag
(supplemental restraining system)
An inflatable
bag that deploys upon impact that works in conjunction with your
car’s seat belts.
Air
Conditioning System
The cooling
system for the interior of your car. This system shares air ducts,
controls and a blower with the heater but has its own refrigerant
system.
Air
Filter
A filter that
removes dust and dirt from entering your engine.
Air Flow
Sensor
A sensor that
measures the amount of air entering the fuel injector system.
Alignment
The process of
checking and adjusting the caster, camber and toe angles in a
vehicle's suspension to maintain specifications engineered by the
vehicle manufacturer for optimum performance.
All-Wheel
Drive
Front and rear
tires can be engaged at any time, as needed.
Alternator
A device that
converts rotational energy to AC current. Alternators provide
energy for the vehicle electrical system. The alternator also
recharges the battery.
Antifreeze
A liquid
solution inside the radiator that lowers the freezing point and
raises the boiling point of water. It circulates through the
engine to absorb excess heat created during combustion. Also
called coolant.
Anti-Lock
Brakes
A braking system
comprised of wheel-speed sensors that monitor wheel rotation,
computer-controlled hydraulics that pulse the brakes on and off
rapidly and the on-board computer. ABS prevents wheel lock-up
during severe braking conditions.
Automatic Transmission
A transmission
that shifts its own gears according to the prevailing speed, load,
and road condition. Also called automatic gearbox. Operation can
be electrical or hydraulic.
Usually refers
to the outboard (wheel) end of a CV joint (halfshaft). The ball
joint allows the wheel to steer and move with the suspension and
still receive power from the engine. The term ball joint can also
be used to refer to how suspension components are attached.
Battery
A device that
produces and stores electrical current via a chemical reaction.
Battery
Cables
Heavy duty
cables that deliver electricity from the battery to other vehicle
systems.
Bearings
Small, hard
metal balls designed to reduce friction between moving parts.
Belt
Belts are used
to drive many engine accessories. Most overhead cam (OHC) engines
use cogged (toothed) belts to drive the camshaft(s). Belts drive
the power steering pump, water pump, air-conditioning compressors,
etc. Could also refer to safety belts/harness.
Bias-Ply
Tires
A type of tire
construction utilizing plies that run diagonally from one bead to
the other. One ply is set on a bias in one direction, and
succeeding plies are set alternately in opposing directions
crossing each other. Sometimes called a cross-ply tire.
Body
The metal or
plastic "skin" of your vehicle.
Brakes: Disc Brakes
Stops the wheel
from turning by clamping the disc brake rotor with the disc brake
pads.
Drum
Brakes
A brake system
that stops the wheels of your vehicle by applying two shoes
against the brake drum. This creates friction between the shoes
and drum to slow or stop your car.
Brake
Lines
Steel brake
lines are an avenue through which pressurized brake fluid travels.
Brake
Hoses
High-pressure
rubber brake hoses are an avenue through which pressurized brake
fluid travels.
Brake
Shoes
The replaceable
friction material that contacts the brake drum in a drum brake
system to slow or stop the car.
Brake
Pads
These brake
linings are composed of high temperature materials that create
friction that stops your car.
This refers to
the tilt of the wheels toward or away from one another when viewed
from the front.
Brake
Caliper
Brake pads are
mounted to calipers, which "float" next to the brake disc. The
caliper ensures that the brake pads exert even pressure on the
disc.
Cam
Shaft
A metal shaft
that rotates to open and close engine valves.
Carburetor
A device through
which air and fuel are atomized and drawn into the engine. It
meters the proper proportions of fuel and air to form a
combustible mixture and varies the ratio according to the engine
operation.
Caster
This refers to
the angle of the steering axis in relation to an imaginary
vertical line through the center of the wheel when viewed from the
side.
Catalytic
Converter
An exhaust
system component that purifies the exhaust gases produced by the
engine.
Charging
System
This is the
heart of your car's electrical system it is composed of the
alternator, various electrical circuits and a voltage regulator.
The charging system supplies power to the electrical system and
charges the batter after your car has started.
Clutch
A device that
connects and disconnects the engine from the transmission. The
clutch allows you to change gears.
Coil
Springs
Springs, which
absorb bumps and keeps your vehicle level as it turns.
Combustion Chamber
The top portion
of the engine cylinder where the fuel/air mixture is ignited under
pressure.
Compression Ratio
The ration of
the area when the piston is at the top of its cycle to that when
it is at the bottom.
Compressor
This is a pump
that pressurizes and circulates the refrigerant through the AC
system.
Computerized Ignition System
An ignition
system that uses electronic components rather than mechanical
parts.
Condenser
As the
refrigerant flows through the condenser, it gives up heat and
converts a gas to a liquid.
Connecting Rod
A metal rod
connecting the piston to the crankshaft.
Control
Arm
A suspension
element that has one joint at one end and two joints at the other
end, typically on the chassis side. Also known as a wishbone or an
A-arm.
CV
Joint
Flexible
coupling that allows for changes in the angle between rotating
shafts without affecting the rate of rotation of the drive wheels.
Coolant
A liquid
solution inside the radiator that lowers the freezing point and
raises the boiling point of water. It circulates through the
engine to absorb excess heat created during combustion. Also
called antifreeze.
A system that
removes excess heat from the engine and prevents overheating.
Crankcase
The lower part
of your engine that contains the crankshaft.
Crankshaft
The main shaft
of an engine with a U-shaped offset at each cylinder to which the
connecting rod is attached. It delivers rotary motion taken from
the reciprocating pistons and connecting rods.
Cylinder
A cylindrical
hole or bore in the metal engine block. The pistons go up and down
inside the cylinder.
Cylinder
Head
The removable
part of an engine that sits above the cylinders.
Dashboard
The control
panel for your vehicle that usually contains a speedometer, fuel
and electric gages and various warning lights.
Differential
A gearbox
between two wheels that transfers power from the driveshaft to the
wheels.
Distributor
The moving part
of the internal-combustion engine ignition system that directs the
high-voltage current from the coil to the spark plugs in the
proper firing order.
Distributor Cap
The plastic cap
that serves as conduit for electrical firing of cylinders at
proper time.
Double
Overhead Cam
An engine
configuration that uses 2 camshafts to control the cylinder
valves.
Driveshaft
A spinning shaft
that transmits power from the transmission to the differential.
Drive
Train
That combination
of gears, clutches, shafts, etc., which transmits the engine power
to the wheels.
Electrical System
Your car's
electrical system powers everything from the ignition and fuel
systems to accessories such as the radio, headlights and wipers.
The system is powered by the engine.
Electronic Fuel Injection
An
electro-mechanical device that precisely meters fuel into an
internal combustion engine based on a timed electronic input.
Emergency
Brake
Also called a
parking brake, this brake uses cables to mechanically apply the
brakes. Used to prevent a vehicle from rolling when it is not
being driven.
Emission
Control System
A system of
metal pipes that transports the exhaust gases from the engine to
the atmosphere.
Generally
speaking, the lower portion of the engine that houses the pistons
and crankshaft.
Engine
Control Module (ECM)
Your vehicle’s
on-board computer that measures and controls the engine.
Engine
Fan
Sandwiched
between the engine and radiator, the fan pulls air through the
radiator in order to dissipate heat from the cooling system.
Engine
Knock
A sound made by
the engine when the fuel ignites prematurely due to poor engine
timing or use of low octane fuel.
Engine
Oil
A viscous liquid
that provides lubrication for the moving parts inside the engine.
Engine
Valve
A mechanism that
allows for the flow of the air/fuel mixture to enter the
combustion chamber or exhaust gases to escape.
Evaporator Core
Refrigerant
enters the evaporator core as a liquid. Heat from the air converts
the liquid refrigerant back into a gas, which cools the air before
it enters your car.
Exhaust
Emission Control
A monitoring
system designed to reduce the release of harmful gases into the
atmosphere.
Exhaust
Manifold
The network of
passages that gathers the exhaust gases from the various exhaust
ports and routes them toward the catalyst, the muffler and the
exhaust system.
Exhaust
Pipe
A metal tube
that carries exhaust gases to the muffler.
Transmission Fluid
A red-colored
oil that is used to create hydraulic pressure and to cool and
lubricate the internal parts of an automatic transmission.
Power
Steering Fluid
Special fluid in
the steering system that when pressurized via the power steering
pump assists in steering the vehicle.
Radiator
Coolant/Antifreeze
A fluid mixture
containing water and ethylene glycol that increases the
dissipation of heat via the radiator.
Flywheel
A heavy metal
wheel at the end of the crankshaft that passes the engine's power
to the transmission.
Four-Wheel Drive
A vehicle that
is powered by all four wheels.
Freon-12
Refrigerant that
is found in most pre-1994 vehicles. Newer vehicles use R-134a
which is "safer" for the ozone.
Friction
Plate
A component of
the clutch that couples the engine with the transmission.
A drive system
that sends power to the front wheels.
Fuel
Filter
A filter that
removes dirt particles from the fuel before it enters the engine.
Fuel
Hose
This hose
transports fuel from the fuel tank to the engine.
Fuel
Injection
A method of
delivering fuel under pressure into an engine's combustion
chamber. Fuel injection systems can be single-point, multi-point,
etc. Replaces carbureted system.
Fuel
Line
A hose that
carries fuel from the fuel tank to the engine.
Fuel
Pump
A mechanical or
electrical device that draws fuel from the fuel tank and delivers
it to the carburetor or injectors.
Fuel
Tank
A large
container that stores fuel for your vehicle.
Fuse
A safety device
in an electric circuit that fails prior to overload of the
electrical system.
Fuse
Box
A box or panel
containing your vehicles various fuses.
Heating
System
Heat generated
by your vehicle's engine is absorbed by coolant in the radiator.
The coolant is then circulated through the heater core before
returning to the radiator. The heating system includes a series of
air ducts, a blower motor and fan, and temperature and duct
controls that direct the flow of warm air.
Heater
Hose
This hose
conveys coolant to the heater core.
Horsepower
A measure of
power output. Horse power equals the energy required to lift 550
pounds one foot in one second.
Ignition
Coil
A device that
sends electric current to the spark plugs.
Independent Suspension
A suspension
system that allows 2 wheel s on the same axle to move
independently of one another.
Intake
Manifold
A set of tubes
that carry the air/fuel mixture from the carburetor to the
cylinders.
Leaf Spring
A type of spring
made up of several thin, curved, hardened steel plates. The plates
are attached at the ends to the underbody. The curved shape of the
plates allows them to flex and absorb bumps.
A combination of
a coil spring and a shock absorber in one device. The strut
smoothes out your vehicles ride by absorbing bumps from the road.
Manual
Transmission
A system where
the driver must change the gears using a clutch and stick
shift.
Master
Cylinder
The master
cylinder creates hydraulic pressure which pushes brake fluid to
the wheel brakes.
Motor
Oil
A viscous liquid
that provides lubrication for the moving parts inside the engine.
Muffler
A muffling
devise to reduce decibels created by the engine.
Oil
Filter
A metal,
can-shaped device that cleans the motor oil as it passes through
the filter.
Oil
Pan
A reservoir at
the bottom of the engine/crankcase that stores oil.
Oil
Pump
Pumps oil from
the oil pan throughout the engine.
Overdrive
An optional gear
that decreases engine speed by permitting the wheels to turn
faster than the engine. Overdrive increases an engine's fuel
efficiency.
Overhead
Cam Engine (OHC)
OHC means
overhead cam. The cam is above the cylinder head. SOHC engines
have a single cam over the cylinder head. DOHC engines have two
cams above the cylinder head. All OHC, SOHC, and DOHC engines are
also OHV.
Oxygen
Sensor
A device that
monitors the oxygen levels of the exhaust gases and feeds the data
back to the engine computer.
Parking
Brake
Used to prevent
the car from rolling when not being driven, the parking brake uses
cables to mechanically apply brakes, usually the rear brakes.
Piston
A partly hollow
cylindrical part closed at one end, fitted to each of the engine's
cylinders and attached to the crankshaft by a connecting rod. Each
piston moves up and down in its cylinder, transmitting power
created by the exploding fuel to the crankshaft via a connecting
rod.
Piston
Rings
Thin rings
between the piston and the cylinder wall that help seal the
compression chamber.
Pitman-Arm Steering
A component that
connects the steering gear to the steering linkage.
Power
Steering
A hydraulic
system that makes turning the steering wheel easier.
Connects the
power steering pump to the steering gear.
Rack-and-Pinion Steering
A common
steering type. The steering wheel is connected to a pinion gear
that meshes with a rack, or linear gear. As the pinion rotates,
the rack moves side to side, this moves the steering linkage,
causing the wheels to pivot left or right.
Radial
Tires
A tire design
where the body plies are laid at a 90-degree angle to the bead.
Radiator
A metal device
that cools the engine by dispersing heat that has been absorbed by
the coolant as it circulates around the hot engine.
Radiator
Hose
This hose
conveys coolant to the engine.
Rear-Wheel Drive
A vehicle drive
system that sends power from the engine to the rear wheels.
Rim
The portion of a
wheel incorporating the well, seats, and flange onto which a tire
is mounted.
Rotor
The disc on a
disc braking system.
Shock
Absorber
A cylindrical
hydraulic or gas-charged suspension component that minimizes the
bounce as your vehicle drives over bumps.
Spark
Plug
A small device
that produces an electrical spark to ignite the fuel/air mixture
in the cylinder.
Speedometer
An instrument
that measures the speed of your vehicle.
Starter
An electric
motor that turns the crankshaft in order to start the engine.
Strut
A combination of
a coil spring and a shock absorber in one device. The strut
smoothes out your vehicles ride by absorbing bumps from the
road.
Tachometer
An instrument
that measures the engine revolutions per minute (RPMs).
Thermostat
Bimetal control
valve controls circulation of coolant in engine to maintain proper
engine temperature.
Thrust
Angle
This refers to
the relationship of all four wheels to each other as well as to an
imaginary center line that runs from bumper to bumper.
Tie-Rod
Connects the
wheels to the steering system.
Timing
Belt
A belt that
synchronizes the revolutions of the camshaft to the crankshaft
controlling ignition timing.
Timing
Chain
See Timing Belt,
except a metal chain is used instead of rubber belt.
Toe
This refers to
the tilted direction of the wheels toward or away from one another
when viewed from the top.
Torque
Converter
Connects the
engine to an automatic transmission.
Transaxle
A combination of
a transmission and a differential axle in front wheel drive
vehicles.
Transmission
A gear box that
send power from the engine to the wheels. Two basic types include
automatic and manual transmissions.
Turbocharger
A type of
supercharger that uses a turbine to drive a compressor. The
turbine, driven by hot gases in the exhaust manifold spins the
compressor. The compressor increases the intake air density, and
combined with additional fuel, produces more power.
