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Automotive

400 entries in this trade.

donut spare

A type of spare tire. The undersized spare wheel (tire and rim) provided by automotive manufacturers in lieu of a full-sized tire, for use in emergencies, when one of the regular ones can no longer be used.

double-declutch

verbAutomotivedated

A method of changing gear in a vehicle which doesn't have synchromesh. The clutch is depressed to disengage the current gear, released while in neutral, and depressed again to obtain the next gear.

downshift

A shift of a transmission into a lower gear, as dictated by heavier load on the engine, as for example when climbing a hill or strongly accelerating.

downsizing

Reducing engine's capacity at same power or increasing engine's power without increasing capacity.

DRE

Initialism of design release engineer or design and release engineer.

drive-by-wire

The use of electrical or electromechanical systems to perform vehicle functions traditionally achieved by mechanical linkages.

driving under the influence

Operating a motor vehicle while impaired due to the consumption of drugs or alcohol.

DRL

Initialism of daytime running lights, headlights that cannot be turned off, intended to make cars more visible during the day.

drugged driving

The act of driving under the influence of mind-altering drugs (excluding alcohol).

drunk driving

The act of driving under the influence of alcohol.

dry sump

A type of engine sump where oil that flows down from the crankshaft, etc. is collected into an external reservoir.

duco

verbAutomotivecolloquial

To paint with automotive paint.

dune buggy

A recreational vehicle with large tires, designed for use on beaches and sand dunes.

dynamic ignition timing

A computational process that calculates the optimal ignition timing for an engine.

e-turbo

An electrified turbocharger; a turbo with electrically assisted ramp-up, using an accessory electric motor, to bring the turbine up to speed, reducing turbo lag. (When operating in electric mode, the turbo functions like a supercharger, driven by input power instead of exhaust gas.)

E15

A motor vehicle fuel composed of 10.5-15% ethanol and 85-89.5% gasoline.

E5

A motor vehicle fuel composed of 5% ethanol and 95% gasoline.

econometer

An instrument in a motor vehicle that indicates the fuel consumption.

EFI

Initialism of electronic fuel injection.

EGR

Initialism of exhaust gas recirculation.

electronic stability control

An electronic system that assists in the control of car stability.

engine bay

The section in a vehicle where the engine is situated.

engine braking

The act of slowing down a motor vehicle using the retarding forces of the engine rather than the normal braking mechanism.

enricher

The choke; the component that supplies a richer mixture of fuel to the engine when required.

entry ignition engine

A type of extended-Brayton-cycle-based two-stroke engine which uses four cylinders for a combustion cycle of four strokes, but having a power stroke rate of that on regular two-stroke cycles.

EPAS

Initialism of electric power assisted steering.

ESC

Initialism of electronic stability control.

ESP

Initialism of electronic stability program.

EV

Initialism of electric vehicle (a type of road vehicle).

EVAP

Abbreviation of evaporative emission control system.

exhaust system

The subsystem of an engine that takes the products of the combustion chamber through a catalytic converter and silencer to the final pipe that releases the gases to the air.

fit and finish

The cosmetic quality of an automobile, in terms of the spacing and alignment of parts.

flip a bitch

verbAutomotiveslang

To make a rapid and illegal U-turn.

floor it

verbAutomotiveidiomatic, informal

To depress the accelerator to the maximum extent.

fog lamp

A bright red lamp (normally one of a pair) at the rear of a motor car that can be switched on during foggy weather so as to avoid collisions from cars approaching from behind

fog light

One of a pair of lights, mounted at the front of a car, below the headlights, usually white or yellow in colour, for increased visibility ahead in foggy driving conditions.

fork oil

A lubricant for use on the fork of a motorcycle.

four-on-the-floor

A four-speed manual transmission whose gearshift lever is mounted beside the driver on the floor of the vehicle.

frame rail

Each of the two main longitudinal structural members of a body‑on‑frame vehicle, running parallel front to rear and supporting the chassis, to which cross‑members, suspension, drivetrain, and body are attached.

frame table

a supporting framework that is true and square, used to square up a vehicular frame, to elevate a vehicle's frame to work on it, or to build a framework that should be square and true.

front seat

A seat in the front of the vehicle, especially the one next to the driver.

front wing

The section in the front of a Formula One vehicle which deflects the turbulent air that is generated on the sides of the wheels so that it does not disturb the rest of the vehicle.

froot

A boot (storage compartment) located at the front rather than the rear of a car, especially an electric vehicle.

gaiter

A protective flexible sleeve covering a moving part, intended to keep the part clean.

gangsta lean

nounAutomotiveslang

A driving position in which the driver holds the wheel with the hand nearest the window while leaning toward the passenger seat or sitting in a very reclined position.

gap insurance

An optional auto insurance coverage that pays the difference between the vehicle's actual cash value and the remaining balance on the car loan or lease if the vehicle is totaled or stolen.

gas cap

The cap that closes a gas tank and may be opened to refill it.

gas pedal

An accelerator; a foot control for fuel flow.

GB/T

A plug, cable, charger, or outlet using the electric vehicle charging standard

GCWR

Initialism of gross combination weight rating: the maximum weight rating of a vehicle including its contents and the weight of anything being towed.

GDI

Initialism of gasoline direct injection (“fuel injection”).

giggle juice

nounAutomotiveslang

Nitrous oxide, laughing gas.

glasspack

A kind of automobile muffler in which the exhaust gas passes straight through the center of the muffler. It consists of a smaller tube centered inside a larger tube that is enlarged or swollen in the middle, the gap between tubes being filled with fiberglass.

glove box

A small compartment with a door on the dashboard of a car, usually on passenger side, used to store (and sometimes lock) items.

glove compartment

A compartment recessed in an automobile’s dashboard, that usually has a door and can be locked, intended to hold gloves, papers, etc.

grand tourer

A kind of sports car designed for high speeds and long distances, combining performance and luxury attributes.

ground clearance

The measured distance between a level surface and the lowest part (other than tires or equivalent) of the bottom of a vehicle surmounting that surface.

GVWR

Initialism of gross vehicle weight rating, the maximum allowed weight of a vehicle and its contents.

HAC

Initialism of hill-start assist control.

half shaft

Either of the pair of drive shafts that extend from a differential to the wheels.