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

DAB: Acronym for "Digital Audio Broadcast."

Dagmar: 1. Large bullet-shaped protrusion on bumpers of cars in the 1950s. It was named after a buxom television star. 2. An automobile of which only the 25-70 models of 1925-1948 are classic cars.

Daimler: Austro-Daimler. The 1925-1948 models with required application are classic cars. The 1949-53 DE-36 Custom Built models are milestone cars. The 1949-53 2.5 Special Sport Convertible models are milestone cars.
Damper: 1. A friction device sometimes called a "shock absorber." Used for controlling and damping spring oscillations. The springs actually absorb road shocks; the dampers convert the energy imparted to the springs into thermal energy (by friction), which is dissipated to the atmosphere or the vehicle's chassis. Dampers are distinguishable by the type of friction involved, mechanical or hydraulic, but most modern cars used tubular-shaped hydraulic shock absorbers. Because they affect up and down wheel motions, dampers are an important link in tuning a vehicle's ride and handling. Also see pulsation damper, vibration damper, and harmonic balancer. 2. A moveable plate which permits or restricts the flow of liquids or gasses.

Damping: !!!.

Darracq: Only the 8-cyl. cars and 4-litre, 6-cyl. cars of 1925-1948 are classic cars.

Dash: See dashboard.

Dashboard: That part of the body containing the driving instruments, switches, etc. Also called the "instrument panel" or "dash panel" or just "dash."

Dashpot: A unit using a cylinder and piston, or a cylinder and diaphragm, with a small vent hole, to retard or slow down the movement of some part.

Days' supply: number of days needed to sell all vehicles in inventory, based on the previous month's sales rate.

Daytime running lights: A safety-oriented lighting system in which the headlights or other front lights are constantly on even during the day. They help to prevent possible accidents because oncoming traffic can be seen.

dba: A unit of measure for decibels, the measure of sound intensity or pressure named after Alexander Graham Bell. It is a logarithmic measurement; every 3dB increase represents a doubling of the sound pressure. The "A" in dBA indicates that the measurement was taken with an A-weighted scale; sound pressure varies across the audible spectrum, and the A-weighted scale approximates the human ear's sensitivity to various frequencies.

DBI: Acronym for "De Danske Bilimport rer" (Denmark) on http://www.bilimp.dk/.

Dbl: Abbreviation for "double," as in dbl.-wide rear wheels..

DC: 1. As an electrical term, it is an acronym for "direct current." 2. As a piston position, DC is an acronym for "dead center" where the piston at the extreme top or bottom of its stroke.
Dead axle: An axle that does not rotate nor is driven but merely forms a base upon which to attach the wheels. Also see beam axle. It contrasts with a live axle.

Dead center: The point at which the piston reaches its uppermost or lowermost position in the cylinder, the rod crank journal would be at 11 o'clock UDC or 6 o'clock LDC.

Dead pedal: A footrest located to the far left of the driver so that he can brace his left leg during hard cornering or to balance the position of the right foot on the throttle pedal during normal driving.

Dealer: a firm that buys and sells, adding some value for the consumer in the process. Dealer often means a firm which operates closer in the distribution channel to the consumer than a distributor or wholesaler, and may add more value for consumers than either of the above-mentioned terms.

Dealer invoice: The price the dealer pays for a vehicle.

Dealer principal: the individual or corporation that owns and controls one or a number of auto dealerships.

Decal: A sticker which is applied to a smooth surface to identify a particular product. Pronounced dee-KALL in the United States, but DECK-ull in Canada.

Decarbon: The action of removing carbon buildup from the surface of the cylinder head and the dome of the piston. The accumulation of carbon indicates poor combustion and will result in loss of performance.

Deceleration: Negative acceleration; the rate of change in velocity as a vehicle slows down during braking.

Decelerometer: An instrument for measuring deceleration.

Deck lid: The panel which covers the engine in a vehicle with the engine in the rear of the car. Also see hood.
De Dion axle: A rear axle setup developed by Count de Dion in the 19th century in which the driving wheels are attached to curved dead axle that is attached to the frame by a central pivot, the differential unit is bolted to the frame and is connected to the driving wheels by drive axles using universal joints. The De Dion system keeps the wheels upright (the same as a live axle does), but unsprung weight is reduced because the differential is out of the axle. De Dion suspension also leaves room around the differential for inboard brakes, which can further reduce unsprung weight.

Deer alert: A device which is mounted on the outside of a vehicle and which makes a high-pitched sound to warn deer and other animals away. Whether it really works or not is debatable.

Deflection rate: The distance that a spring squeezes together (deflects) in relation to the pressure applied. E.g., 5 inches per 1000 lb load.

Deflector: A device which causes bugs, tar, and grime from hitting other components.

Defog: The action of removing mist or condensation from the inside of a window or the outside of a mirror by means of blowing air or heated wires imbedded in the glass. See defogger.

Defogger: An electric or hot air device to remove the fog or ice from both the inside and outside of the windshield, backlight, or even mirrors. Some are designed to remove fog from the side windows.

Defrost: The action of removing frost from the inside of a window or the outside of a mirror by means of blowing air or heated wires imbedded in the glass.

Deglaze: The action of removing the smooth finish on cylinder walls so that a new set of rings will seat.

Deglazer: An abrasive tool used to remove the glaze from cylinder walls so that a new set of rings will seat. Also see glaze breaker.

Degrease: Wiping the surface to be painted with a clean cloth saturated in a solvent. This is essential to good paint adhesion.

Degreaser: A substance which removes dirt and grease from a mechanic's hands. Also called "hand cleaner."

Degree: 1/360 part of a circle.

Degree wheel: A wheel-like unit that is attached to the engine crankshaft, it is used to time the valves to a high degree of accuracy.

Delage: The Model D-8 (not 4-cyl.) of 1925-1948 with required application are classic cars. The 1946-49 D-6 Sedans are milestone cars.

Delahaye: The Series 135, 145, 165 (not the 4-cyl.) for 1925-1948 with required application are classic car. The Type 135, 175, 180 (1946-51) are milestone cars.

Delaunay: Only the 6-cyl Belleville of 1925-1948 are classic cars.

D'elegance: See concours.

Delugger: A machine used to cut the lugs from tires prior to buffing.

Demagnetize: Removing residual magnetism from an object.

Demountable flange: A side ring or side and lock ring combination that retains the tire on the rim. It is removable to permit tire mounting or removal.

Demountable rim: A two piece rim found on trucks. The main part of the rim remains on the axle while a side piece and a locking ring is removable. In this way the whole rim is not removed from the vehicle like a passenger car's rim and wheel.

Density: Compactness; relative mass of matter in a given volume.

Depolarize: Removal of residual magnetism thereby destroying or removing the magnetic.

Derailleur: A lever-activated mechanism that pushes the chain off one sprocket of a bicycle and onto another, thus changing the gear ratio.

Derailleur chain, narrow width: chain made especially for use on an "ultra" or narrow freewheel, often recognizable by bulging inner link plates and flush chain pins.

Derailleur chain, standard width: chain designed to fit a freewheel of standard width, usually characterized by straight-edged plates and chain pins that protrude slightly beyond the outer link plates.

DeSoto: The 1956-58 Adventurer models are milestone cars.

Detent ball and spring: A spring loaded ball that snaps into a groove or notch to hold some sliding object in position.

Detergent: A chemical added to the engine oil (particularly MS oil) to improve its characteristics and keep the engine clean by controlling the formation of sludge and gum as well as controlling foaming. .

Detonation: The action of the fuel charge firing or burning too violently, almost exploding. It sometimes results in a noise called "pinging." Detonation is caused by autoignition of the "end gas" i.e., that part of the charge not yet consumed in the normal flame-front reaction. Detonation occurs because piston motion and compression of the end gas raise its temperature and pressure to the point where the end gas autoignites. The pinging or knocking noise is the result of intense pressure waves in the charge which cause the cylinder walls to vibrate. Also called "fuel knock."

Deuce: Hot rod built around a 1932 Ford coupe body.

Deutsche Industrie Normen: See DIN.

Devon: The 1958-62 S/S models are milestone cars.

DG: Acronym for "Diesel General" oil for use under ordinary conditions in diesel engines.

Diagonally split system: See dual brakes -- especially the picture.

Dialed in: !!!.

Dial gauge: A precision micrometer type instrument that indicates the reading via a needle moving across a dial face.

Dial indicator: See dial gauge.

Diamond frame: The traditional men's bicycle frame, the principal parts of which form a diamond shape.

Diaphragm: A flexible cloth-rubber sheet that is stretched across an area thereby separating two different compartments. A diaphragm is used in pumps to create a pressure differential that causes a fluid to be pushed or pulled from one point to another. Some carburetors have no float bowl (i.e., Tillotsen), but use a series of diaphragms to pump gasoline into the engine.

Diamond star: The name of Chrysler Corporation which comes from the pattern of its emblem.
Diaphragm spring: A type of spring shaped like a disc with tapering fingers pointed inward or like a wavy disc, used in some clutches. In an automotive clutch the diaphragm spring is part of the clutch pressure plate. When the clutch is engaged, this spring forces the pressure plate against the clutch disc; driver effort through the clutch linkage overcomes the spring pressure to disengage it.

Dickey: British term for rumble seat.

Die: 1. One of a matched pair of hardened steel blocks that are used to form (by stamping, pressing, extruding, drawing or threading) metal into a desired shape. 2. A tool for cutting threads. See tap and die set.

Die back: die-back.

Die-back: In a lacquer finish, the loss of gloss after compounding, caused by continued evaporation of thinner.

Die cast: !!!.

Die casting: Formation of an object by forcing molten metal, plastic, etc., into a die. See cast.

Diesel engine: An internal combustion engine that uses diesel oil for fuel. The true diesel does not use a carburetor or an ignition system (i.e., spark plugs) but injects diesel oil into the cylinders when the piston has compressed the air so tightly that it is hot enough to ignite the diesel fuel without a spark. Because a cold engine cannot ignite the diesel fuel, glow plugs are used to heat the mixture, but they do not provide a spark. Named after Rudolf Diesel, the inventor. Also see compression ignition.

Diesel fuel: !!!.

Diesel oil: Fuel for cars with diesel engines. This is not a form of lubricating oil. See cetane rating.

Dieseling: A form of autoignition in which a gasoline engine continues to fire after the ignition has been shut off. In late-model emission-controlled engines, dieseling or run-on is caused by heat and the unusually high manifold pressure that result from retarding the spark at idle.

Die size: Retread rubber is designated by its crescent shaped dimensions in inches and eighths, and its thickness in 32nds of an inch; (e.g., 66-72-16; the crown would measure 6 and 6 eighths, the base 7 and 2 eighths wide; and the thickness 16/32 of an inch, or gauge of the stock rubber.)
Differential: A unit that takes the power of the rotating driveshaft at right angles to the rear axle and passes it to the axle. It will not only drive both rear axles at the same time, but will also allow them to turn at different speeds when negotiating turns. In this way the tires do not scuff or skid. Also see limited-slip differential.

Differential case: The steel unit to which the ring gear is attached. The case drives the spider gears and forms an inner bearing surface for the axle and gears.

Differential gear: See differential gears.

Differential gears: The gears that transmit engine power to the driving axles and are arranged so as to permit the rear wheels to turn at different speeds as required when the vehicle is negotiating a turn.

Differential grease: See gear grease.

Differential housing: The enclosure which contains the differential gears.

Diffusion: the way in which innovations spread through market or non-market channels.

Dig out: To accelerate at top power.

Diluent: A fluid which thins or weakens another fluid.

Dilution: See crankcase dilution.

DIN: Acronym for "Deutsche Industrie Normen" (German industrial standards). DIN horsepower is similar to the SAE net horsepower. It is measured at the output shaft of an engine fully equipped with normal accessories.

Diode: An electrical component having the ability to pass electric current readily in one direction but resisting current flow in the other. When four diodes are connected in a certain way (i.e., "bridged") they will convert AC to DC, thus the rectifier. Also see zener diode.

Dipstick: The metal rod that passes into the oil sump it is used to determine the quantity of oil in the engine. The oil level is marked on the rod and matches level indicators on the rod. Dipsticks are used to check engine oil and transmission fluid. In most instances, the dipstick is inserted as far as it will go and then removed to check the level. In motorcycle engines, the dipstick is placed on the top of the threads (i.e., not screwed down) to check the level.

Direct current: (DC) An electric current that flows steadily in one direction only. This is the type of current found in a battery and throughout the lighting and accessory system of a vehicle. Contrasts with alternating current (AC).

Direct drive: When the gearing is such that the crankshaft and driveshaft revolve at the same speed, the vehicle is in direct drive. Usually this occurs in high gear (except for those with overdrive). It is represented as 1.00:1 ratio.

Direct drive powertrain: !!!.

Directional stability: Ability of a vehicle to move forward in a straight line with a minimum of driver control. A vehicle with good directional stability will not be unduly affected by side wind, road irregularities, etc.

Directional tire: Directional designs are recognized by the grooves in the tread that swipe away in a backward angle from the center of the tread face and rotate in only one direction. A direction of rotation arrow is located on both sidewalls of the tire. Directional tires enhance straight-line acceleration, provide maximum dry traction, and better wet performance which helps to reduce rolling resistance as well as providing shorter stopping distances. See asymmetrical tread directional tread, and Directional tread: An arrangement of bars, grooves, and ribs on a tire's tread in any manner that gives most effective traction when the tire revolves in only one direction. Also see directional tire.

Disc: May be spelled "disk." A flat dish shaped item which may or may not have a center hole. Also see brake disc type, clutch disc, and disc brake.

Disc brake: A type of brake that has two basic components: a flat rotor (disc) that turns with the wheel and a caliper that is stationary. When the brake pedal is depressed, linkage (mechanical or hydraulic) causes the caliper to force its heat-resistant brake pads against both sides of the rotating disc thus slowing or stopping the wheel. Almost all new cars have disc brakes on the front wheels with drum brakes on the rear. More expensive cars have four wheel disc brakes. Because of the need for greater pressure to activate disc brakes, most cars so equipped also have a power booster. Wear takes place in the pads and the rotors. The pads are usually replaced while the rotors can sometimes be reground else they too must be replaced. If the rotors are not tightened correctly when installed, they can warp and cause a jerking motion when stopping. Also see brake, disc type.

Disc brakes: See disc brake.

Disc wheel: 1. A wheel constructed of stamped steel. 2. A rim and metal disc that have been welded together. The disc is usually offset from the centerline of the rim to allow for dual tire mounting and to provide sufficient clearance between the duals. Disc wheels are attached to the hub with either single nuts or double cap nuts.

Disc wheel type: A type of dual mounting wheels where the discs are offset from the centerline of the rim to provide clearance between the tires. They are held in place by double cap nuts inner cap nuts and outer cap nuts.

Discharge: The action of drawing electric current from the battery. The opposite action to charging. Also see capacitive discharge.

Dish: Offsetting of the hub on a rear wheel on a derailleur bike to make room for the freewheel and still allow the wheel to be centered within the frame.

Dish washer: A washer is a flat disc with a hole in the center. The disc in a dish washer is dished or bent in a concave fashion.

Disk: May be spelled disc.

Displacement: The total volume of air displaced by all the pistons in travelling from BDC to TDC, i.e., the total volume of air and fuel the cylinder can hold before compression occurs. Also called "piston displacement." Also see engine displacement.

Displacement taxes: !!!.

Distillation: Heating a liquid and then catching and condensing the vapors given off by the heating process.

Distortion: A warpage or change in form from the original shape.

Distribution channel: The path goods take as their title transfers from producer to consumer. The title transfer for consumer goods is usually accompanied by transfer of the physical goods, as well.

Distribution tube: See distribution tubes.

Distribution tubes: Tubes used in the engine cooling area to guide and direct the flow of coolant to vital areas.
Distributor: 1. A unit in the ignition system designed to make and break the ignition primary circuit and to distribute the resultant high voltage to the proper cylinder at the correct time. The high voltage comes from the coil to the center terminal of the distributor cap and passes down the rotor. As the rotor turns, contact is made with each successive terminal on the circumference of the distributor cap. From there, the voltage goes into the spark plug wires and to the spark plug. Generally when your vehicle has its timing adjusted, it is the distributor that is adjusted. Also called "ignition distributor." 2. A distributor performs many of the same functions as wholesalers, such as selling, physical distribution, credit, etc.; but is between the dealer and the wholesaler. Some industries use the term distributor instead of wholesaler.

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