Cars - http://maxpages.com/carsinhistory/A

alarm: A warning sound made by a security or safety device to warn off theives, alert the driver to take some preventative measures (e.g., secure the seat belts), or warn those around the vehicle (e.g., backup warning alarm).

alarm system: A theft protection system which may do one or more of the following: sound the horn or an auxillary siren, flash the lights, lock the hood and trunk, make the ignition inoperative, put the engine in a "limp home" mode (i.e., greatly reduce speed), notify the police, and alert the vehicle owner.

alarmed: protected by an alarm system

alcohol: [1] A substance used as fuel. See methanol. [2] A beverage which impairs a driver's skill in operating a vehicle safely. Although the law has set down limits of the amount of alcohol allowable in the bloodstream before a person is considered drunk, the effects of the slightest amount of alcohol can impair one's driving skill.

Alfa-Romeo: The 1925-48 models are classic cars. The 1956-64 Giuletta Spider models are milestone cars. The 1959-61 Giuletta/Giulia Sprint Speciale models are milestone cars. The 1949 6C 2500 Super Sport models are milestone cars.

Alfa Romeo: The 1925-48 models are classic cars. The 1956-64 Giuletta Spider models are milestone cars. The 1959-61 Giuletta/Giulia Sprint Speciale models are milestone cars. The 1949 6C 2500 Super Sport models are milestone cars.

Alfin: A trade name to describe the bonding of a steel piece with a light alloy that has fins. The fins help to dissipate the heat. For instance a steel brake drum produces a lot of heat in the braking process (and thus reduces the effective braking ability) so an alloy heat sink is bonded to the drum to bleed off the heat. Also see Alfin process.

Alfin process: A procedure developed by the Fairchild Engine and Airplane Corporation to secure light alloy to steel.

al fresco driving: Driving in a convertible with the top down.

align: [1] Process of bringing two or more items into mating conjunction so that all the bolt holes and locating pins fit properly. [2] Process of adjusting the wheels and other devices so that they are in a straight line.

aligner: See wheel aligner.

aligning punch: A tool shaped like a thin rod used to make sure holes line up when assembling two or more components. Especially used on items which may move to one side before the other side can be aligned or another component installed or when the gasket is likely to slip out of place.

alignment: [1] When referring to wheel alignment, it is the proper adjustment of a vehicle's front or rear suspension for camber, toe-in, toe-out, kingpin inclination or steering axis inclination, and turning radius or toe-out on turns, caster, and ride height. Four-wheel alignment is necessary for front-wheel drive vehicles. [2] The adjustment of two objects to bring them into the proper relation to each other.

alkaline battery: A storage battery which uses an alkaline electrolyte (dilute potassium hydroxide).

alkaline degreasing: A process of removing an oily or greasy substance with the use of an alkaline solution. Often used in preparing a surface for painting.

all-alloy engine: An engine which uses a light alloy for the block, crankcase, sump, and cylinder head.

all-aluminum body: A body shell which is mostly made of aluminum.

Allard: The 1946-56 Series J2, K2, K3 models are milestone cars.

all electronic ignition: See breakerless.

all-electronic ignition: See breakerless.

Allen key: See Allen wrench.

Allen screw: A fastening device (either a wood screw type or bolt threads) with a recessed hexagon hole in the head.

all-enveloping body: A modern passenger car body style in which the fenders, headlamps, and radiator grille are one smooth body line. It contrasts with the style before World War II where the fenders and headlights were separate from the main body.

Allen wrench: An rod with six sides and often L-shaped. Used to remove certain screws and fastenings, especially set screws. Sometimes called "hex wrenches" or "Allen key."

alligator clip: A small spring clip which is "X-shaped." As you squeeze the two "legs" of the clip, the other two jaws (usually serrated) open. Used to make temporary electrical connections. Larger ones are used at the ends of jumper cables. The British call it a "crocodile clip."

all-out braking: A situation where the driver uses the maximum braking effort possible. Although this seems to be the best way to stop a vehicle, in fact it may not because there may be the tendancy to swerve or the brakes may overheat and lose effectiveness. It is better to pump the brakes (if ABS is not available) to control steering and get maximum braking.

alloy: A mixture of two or more elements, especially where one is aluminum.

alloying: the addition of one or more elements to a pure metal to alter the pure metal's properties such as strength, elongation, weight reduction, etc.

alloy piston: A piston made primarily of aluminum.

alloys: colloquial term for alloy wheels.

alloy wheel: A generic term used to describe any non-steel road wheel. The usual alloys are either aluminum or magnesium; the latter material led to the common usage of the term "mag wheel," often referring to any non-steel wheel.

all-steel body: A vehicle body shell which is made entirely of steel rather than one with a wooden frame with steel panels or steel fram with aluminum panels.

all terrain: for use on any kind of ground surface (not on lakes or ocean, though)

all terrain bike: (ATB) A bicycle with straight handlebars, sturdy fat tires, and wide-range gearing designed for off-road use. Also called "mountain bike."

all-terrain bike: (ATB) A bicycle with straight handlebars, sturdy fat tires, and wide-range gearing designed for off-road use. Also called "mountain bike."

all terrain tire: A tire which has a number of lugs or knobs used to propel the vehicle over rough surfaces.

all terrain vehicle: A vehicle used in rough surface conditions. Also called "off-road vehicle."

all-weather tire: A tire that can be used on roads that are bare or covered with rain, snow, or ice.

all wheel drive: See all-wheel drive.

all-wheel drive: (AWD) A variation of four-wheel drive (4WD) designed to improve on-road traction in unfavorable road conditions or for ultra high performance driving. All-Wheel Drive (AWD) reduces wheel slippage and provides greater driver control over the vehicle. AWD usually does not require the driver to actively engage the system and does not have a low range. AWD automatically splits engine torque between the front and rear wheels as needed. All-Wheel Drive is generally an on-road system and is not designed for off-road use.

all-wheel steering: See four-wheel steering.

alnico magnet: A magnet using (Al) aluminum, (Ni) nickel, and (Co) cobalt in its construction.

alpine gearing: A gearing system in which a shift between chainwheels on a bicycle is equivalent to one-and-a-half shifts on the freewheel.

alternating current: (AC) An electric current that first flows one way in the circuit and then the other. This is the type used in homes. It contrasts with direct current.

alternator: (ALT) A device which produces alternating current (AC) by converting the engine's turning (mechanical) energy into alternating electrical current at all engine speeds. The AC must be rectified (converted from AC to DC) before reaching the vehicle's electrical system. The alternator is driven by a belt at the front of the engine. Alternators replaced the direct-current (DC) generators used up to the 1960's because they were less efficient especially at idle. The electrically demanding options like air conditioning forced the use of alternators over generators.

altimeter: An instrument to reveal the height (or barometric pressure) above sea level.

alum.: Abbreviation for "aluminum."

alumina: A form of aluminum oxide used as a substrate for ceramic catalysts.

: Tiny beads of alumina used in some catalytic converters

aluminum: (Al or Alum) A metal which is used in cars because of its lightness. In pure form, it does not have the strength of the same size of iron. Thus vehicle manufacturers use aluminum in an alloy form to produce body panels, wheels, engine blocks, transmission housings, differential housings, and even frames. British spelling adds an "i" near the end of the word: "aluminium" and pronounces it al-you-MIN-ee-um instead of ah-LOO-min-um.

aluminum alloy: A metal which is formed from aluminum and another metal.

aluminum oxide: A metallic abrasive used to manufacture sandpaper and sanding discs.

aluminum wheel: See alloy wheel.

aluminized: Something that is coated with aluminum or aluminum paint.

Alvis: The Speed 20, 25, and 4.3 litre models for 1925-48 are classic cars.

AM: amplitude modulation.

ambient air: Air outside and surrounding the vehicle

ambient temperature: The surrounding air temperature.

ambient temperature switch: A control device in an air conditioning system which delays the compressor action when the outside temperature is low.

ambulance: A vehicle designed for carrying sick or injured people.

AMC: Acronym for "American Motors Corp" an organization which merged with Chrysler Corporation.

American Automobile Labelling Act: (AALA) regulations requiring vehicle manufacturers to include content information on vehicle labels for cars and trucks for sale in the U.S. after October 1, 1994.

American Motors: The 1968-70 AMX models are milestone cars.

AM/FM: A radio capable of receiving amplitude modulation (AM) and frequency modulation (FM) signals.

AMIA: Acronym for "Asocicion Mexicana de la Industria Automotriz" on http://www.amia.com.mx/.

Amilcar: The 1925-1948 Supercharged Sports models with required application are classic cars.

ammeter: An instrument used to measure the rate of electrical current flow in amperes.

amp: Abbreviation for "ampere."

amperage: The strength of an electric current in amperes

amperage rating: The strength of an electric current in amperes

ampere: (amp) A unit of measurement used in expressing the rate of electrical current flow in a circuit. It is determined by dividing the voltage by the resistance.

ampere-hour: Measurement of the ability of a battery to deliver a stated amount of current for a stated period of time. The higher the amp/hr. rating, the more powerful the battery.

ampere hour capacity: A measurement of storage battery ability to deliver a specified current over a specified length of time.

amp/hr. rating: Measurement of the ability of a battery to deliver a stated amount of current for a stated period of time. The higher the amp/hr. rating, the more powerful the battery.

amplifier: A device used to produce a larger electrical signal such as the radio signal. Most radios have a built-in amplifier; but a few have a separate amplifier which is sometimes located in the trunk.

amplitude modulation: (AM) A type of radio wave in which the amplitude changes rather than the frequency. See frequency modulation.

AMVIR: Acronym for "Association of Motor Vehicle Importers Representatives" (Greece) on http://www.amvir.gr/.

analog: A display which uses a dial rather than a read-out of numbers (digital).

analog cluster: An instrument panel display using dials. Opposite to electronic cluster.

analogue cluster: See analog cluster.

analyzer: A device for evaluating something. See exhaust-gas analyzer and engine analyzer.

ANC: Acronym for "at no extra cost"

anchor: A securing device. See brake anchor.

anchorage: The point where something is attached -- such as where the seat-belt is attached to the frame

anchor bolt: The bolt which goes through a bracket to secure something. British term is "through bolt."

ancillaries: The various components attached to the main part of the engine and driven by the engine itslef -- such as the alternator, generator, power steering pump, supercharger, fuel pump, and water pump

aneroid-type thermostat: An older style thermostat located in the engine coolant system. It has a metal expandable bulb partially filled with acetone, alcohol, or another volatile liquid. As the coolant reaches operating temperature, the liquid in the bulb will boil and expand the bulb, closing the valve to allow coolant to the radiator.

ANFAC: Acronym for "Asociacion Espanola de Fabricantes de Automoviles y Camiones" (Spain) on http://www.anfac.com.

ANFAVEA: Acronym for " Associação Nacional de Veículos Automotores" (Brazil) on http://www.anfavea.com.br/Index.html.

ANFIA: Acronym for "Associazione Nazionale Fra Industrie Automobilistiche" (Italy) on http://www.anfia.it/.

angle: See dwell, steering knuckle angle, front triangle, rear triangle, rake, shallow angle, slip angle, steep angle, triangle-split system.

angle grinder: A power tool (driven by electricity or compressed air) which has abrasive discs. The tool helps to remove old paint or rough metal surface

angle-nose pliers: A pair of pliers with long jaws that are bent at right angles to aid in gripping something which cannot be reached with regular pliers.

angle of lock: The angle between the line through the center of the wheel seen from above when turning a corner and the same line when going straight.

angle parking: A system of parking on the side of the street where the car is about 45 degrees from parallel with the edge of the street. also called "echelon paking"

angle screwdriver: A tool that is shaped like the letter "L" and has a blade at either end.

angular motion: See rotation.

angular vibration: Side to side movement or shimmy of a tire. See dynamic balance.

anisotropy: Something that has different mechanical properties when measured in different directions

anneal: To remove hardness from metal by heating, usually to a red color, then allowing it to cool slowly. Unlike steel, copper is annealed by heating, and then plunging it into cold water. It is the reverse of hardening.

annealing furnace: An oven or furnace with controllable atmosphere in which metal is annealed.

annular: Something in the form of a ring.

annular gap: Something in a circular gap.

annulus: A hollow gear which is in the form of a ring with internal teeth. See epicyclic gearbox.

anode: In an electrical circuit it is the positive pole.

anodic coating: A protective, decorative, or functional coating which is formed in the anodizing process. Also called anodic film or anodic oxide layer.

anodic film: See anodic coating.

anodic oxide layer: See anodic coating.

anodize: By electrolytic action, this is the process of coating or plating a metal (usually aluminum) with a protective material such as chrome.

anodizing: The process by which a hard, non-corroding oxide layer is deposited on aluminum

anodizing bath: A tub in which the anodizing process is performed.

anodizing tank: A tub in which the anodizing process is performed.

ANS: Acronym for "anti-noise system"

ANSI: Acronym for "American National Standards Institute"

antenna: A device which pulls in radio reception. A power antenna automatically rises when the radio is turned on and lowers when it is shut off. Some cars had the antenna wires imbedded in the windshield. Also called "aerial."

antibackfire valve: See anti-backfire valve.

anti-backfire valve: Valve used in air injection reaction (exhaust emission control) system to prevent backfiring during the period immediately following sudden deceleration by diverting the air coming from the air pump away from the exhaust ports. Otherwise the exhaust gases which contain unburned gasoline could mix with fresh air and cause unwanted backfiring.

anti-chip coating: A resilient coat of "paint" between the primer and the top coat to protect the body shell from chipping damage caused by gravel or stones

anti-corrosion: A substance used to protect against rust

anti-corrosion warranty: Manufacturers usually state that all body sheet metal components are warranted against rust-through corrosion for 6 years or 160,000 kilometers (100,000 miles), whichever comes first.

anti-corrosive: that which prevents or limits corrosion

anti-dazzle mirror: A mirror that can be set to reduce the glare of the lights from a vehicle following your vehicle. See dimming mirror

antidive: See anti-dive system.

anti-dive: See anti-dive system.

anti-dive system: dive is the action of the front of the vehicle to point downward during braking. The suspension in cars is designed to remove this tendency.

anti-drum compound: A sticky material which is applied to the inside of panels to reduce the noise caused by vibration or "drumming"

antifreeze: A chemical (usually ethylene glycol) added to the cooling system to prevent the coolant from freezing in cold weather. It also inhibits the formation of rust and other deposits which may clog the radiator and other cooling passageways. Its resistance to freezing is better with a mix of 50:50 with water than 100% antifreeze.

anti-friction bearing: See antifriction bearing.

antifriction bearing: A bearing containing rollers, needles, or balls plus an inner and outer race. The bearing is designed to roll instead of slide thus minimizing friction between two moving parts. To avoid disintegration, the bearing must use lubrication (i.e., wet friction)

anti-knock additive: See anti-knock agent.

antiknock agent: See anti-knock agent.

anti-knock agent: A substance like tetraethyl lead which is added to gasoline to raise the octane number and reduce the gasoline's tendency to detonate, knock, or ping. In unleaded gasoline, tetraethyl lead is not used because of its environmental danger.

anti-knock agents: See anti-knock agent.

anti-knock index: The measure of the anti-knock properties of a brand and type of gasoline. It is defined as half the sum of the research octane number (RON) and motor octane number (MON)

antilift: See anti-lift.

anti-lift: Lift is the action of the rear end of the vehicle to rise during braking. The suspension in cars is designed to remove this tendency.

antilock brake: (ABS) See anti-lock brake system.

anti-lock brake: (ABS) See anti-lock brake system.

anti-lock brake system: (ABS) Sometimes called "anti-skid brakes." A device which senses that one or more of the wheels are locking up during braking. It is controlled by both mechanical and electronic components. When you apply the brakes, the ABS will regulate the flow of brake fluid being delivered to the brake calipers. It must be remembered that a wheel cannot be steered unless it is rolling; so if the wheel is locked up, there is no steering control. By the use of electronic computers, the brakes rapidly alternate (at a rate of 30 times per second) from full pressure to full release. This process will also alternate from the left-front wheel and the right-rear wheel and switch to the right-front wheel and left-rear wheel. In this way both maximum braking and maximum steering control is allowed during braking. Before the advent of ABS, drivers were advised to pump the brakes to maintain the same effect. However, the human foot cannot pump the brakes faster than the computer control. Also, steady application of the brakes without ABS may cause brake failure (brake fade) because of the excess heat. Never pump the brakes if you have ABS. When you firmly apply the brakes with ABS, you may feel a pulsing sensation and hear a banging noise.

anti-lock braking system: See anti-lock brake system

anti-noise system: (ANS) A noise counteraction system. This is a sophisticated system which has a number of small microphones placed around the vehicle to detect driving noises. A computer microprocessor analyzes these noises and generates matching counter-frequencies which are sent to small speakers located in the passenger compartment. In this way the road noises are cancelled or erased.

anti-ozone compound: See ozone compound.

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