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Modulator: A pressure control or adjusting valve used in the hydraulic system of the automatic transmission. When the vehicle is under heavy load or full throttle, the modulator increases the pressure to hold the clutches in place. In a light load situation, the modulator reduces pressure to give smoother shifts. If the vehicle tends to stay in low gear, shifts with difficulty, or produces a white smoke, and has low transmission fluid or has leaked transmission fluid, you have a transmission problem. It may be cured by an expensive repair or by simply replacing the modulator. Also called "vacuum modulator."

Module: A packaged functional assembly of wired electronic components for use with other such assemblies.

Mold: 1. The hollow unit into which molten metal is poured to form a casting. 2. A device, that includes a matrix, enclosing the tire and supplying heat and pressure to cause curing.

Molecule: The smallest portion that matter may be divided into and still retain all the properties of the original matter.

Moly: Abbreviation for "molybdenum" which is a lightweight metal which is often combined with chromium. It is used in piston rings (chrome moly rings) and even bicycle frames (chrome moly frames).

Molybdenum: A hard white metallic element (symbol Mo; atomic number 42; atomic mass 95.94) which forms hard steel and/or chromium alloys to make piston rings and bicycle frames. See moly.

Moment of inertia: This is similar to inertia except that it relates to rotating movement rather than linear movement. Linear movement is the tendency of an object to remain motionless if at rest and to keep moving in a straight line if already in motion. The moment of inertia, however, is the tendency of an object to resist being accelerated when it is rotating. The polar moment of inertia is the rotating movement around a vertical axis through the center of rotation. It greatly affects steering and handling response in an automobile. The greater the length of the axis the greater the polar moment of inertia. By having the heavy components of a vehicle such as the engine and transmission between the two front wheels, the polar moment of inertia is low so that the tires can easily change the direction of the vehicle.

Momentum: A measure of a body's motion. It can be calculated from the product of the body's mass and velocity.

MON: Acronym for "Motor Octane Number." See octane number.

Money factor: !!!.

Monkey wrench: A wrench with an adjustable jaw. Also see left-handed monkey wrench.

Monoblock: All cylinders cast as one unit.

Monocoque: A design of a vehicle's body where a single shell has the engine and suspension attached to it in various places to spread the load evenly over the whole shell. Holes are cut only to install the engine and allow the driver to get into it. Otherwise it is completely closed. Also called "unit" or "unitized construction."

Monoxide: See carbon monoxide.

Monster: A type of vehicle, usually a truck, which has very large tires.

<>Moon: 1. Only the Custom bodies with required application are classic cars. 2. A type of hubcap which does not cover the whole wheel and is perfectly smooth and dome shaped.

Mopar: Trade name of Chrysler Corp for its motor parts (i.e., MOtorPARts). Chrysler also uses the name Autopar to indicate its automobile parts (i.e., AUTOmobilePARts).

Moped: !!!.

Morgan: The 1950-64 Plus Four models are milestone cars.

Most-Favoured-Nation Treatment: (MFN) one country's commitment to extend to another country the lowest tariff rates that it applies to any third country.

Motor: 1. An electrically driven power unit (electric motor). This term is often incorrectly (but commonly) applied to an internal combustion engine. 2. Attaching a generator to a battery in such a way it revolves like an electric motor. 3. A starting motor. See starter.

Motorbike: A motorcycle.

Motorcycle: A two-wheeled motorized vehicle where the two wheels are not side-by-side but in line. Also called "motorbike" or just "bike." See cafe racer, chopper, cruiser, scooter, sportbike touring bike, trike, and wing.

Motor mount: The rubber-covered bracket that hold the engine and transmission to the frame of the vehicle and cushions vibrations.

Motor mounts: The rubber-covered brackets that hold the engine and transmission to the frame of the vehicle and cushions vibrations.

Motor Vehicle Safety Act: (MVSA) Act which regulates the manufacture and importation of motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment to reduce risk of death, injury and damage to property and the environment.

Motor wheel type: (Spoke steel type) - A type of dual mounting wheels similar to the Chevrolet type using single cone locking nuts on each stud, however, the conical washer which forms the base of the cone is loosely attached to the nut and swivels independently.

Mould: hollow form, matrix or cavity into which materials are placed to produce goods of desired shapes.

Mountain bike: A bicycle with straight handlebars, sturdy fat tires, and wide-range gearing designed for off-road use. Also called "All-Terrain Bike" or "ATB."

Mounting bolt: A bolt upon which some component is secured. See pivot bolt.

Mount: A device for attaching something. See motor mounts.

Mpg: Abbreviation for "miles per gallon," as a measure of fuel consumption. The U.S. gallon is 3.785 liters. The Imperial gallon is 20% larger (4.546 liters). When a vehicle gets 30 mpg (US), he will get 36 mpg (Imperial). The metric system calculates fuel consumption as the number of liters per 100 kilometers. The same vehicle will be giving 7.8 l/100 km.

Mph: Abbreviation for "miles per hour." The metric equivalent is Kilometers per hour (kph). To convert Miles to Kilometers, multiply by 1.609344. It may be easier to divide the miles by 10 (i.e., knock off a zero) and then double it four times. Thus 60 mph divided by 10 is 6. Doubled is 12, doubled is 24, doubled is 48, doubled is 96. The accurate figure is 96.56, but 96 is probably close enough. To convert from Kilometers to Miles, divide by 1.609344. It may be easier to multiply is by 10, then chop it in half four times. Thus 70 kilometers becomes 700. Chopped in half it is 350, chopped again is 175, again is 87, and one more time is 43.5. Accurately it is 43.49.

MPV: Acronym for "Multi-Purpose Vehicles" (like Ford Villager and Windstar, and Daimler-Chrysler Voyager).

MS oil: Motor Severe oil used in engines that operate under heavy loads and at high speeds. MS oil is required for automotive engines.

MSRP: Acronym for "Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price."

Mud and snow: (M+S) A type of tire tread which gives maximum traction in mud and snow.

Mud flap: A rubber or plastic shield which is positioned behind a wheel (usually the rear wheels) to prevent mud and small rocks from being thrown up against the body of the vehicle or from being thrown at a following vehicle.

Muffler: A unit through which the exhaust gases are passed to quiet the sounds of the running engine. Also called a "silencer." Also see glass pack muffler, gutted muffler, and steel pack muffler.

Multileaf spring: A leaf spring with several leaves bundled together by steel bands.

Multilink suspension: A rear suspension consisting of at least four links, or "arms," and no struts. Because multilink suspensions assign specific wheel-locating duties to each element, they provide great flexibility for optimizing both ride and handling.

Multiple disc: See multiple disc clutch.

Multiple disc clutch: A clutch which has several clutch discs in its construction. The greater number of discs allows the size of the bell housing to be smaller in diameter and still maintain efficiency.

Multi-viscosity oil: Oil meeting SAE Requirements for both low temperature requirements of a light oil and the high temperature requirements of a heavy oil. Example: (SAE 10W-30). Also called Multiweight.

Multi-viscosity oils: Oils meeting SAE Requirements for both low temperature requirements of a light oil and the high temperature requirements of a heavy oil. Example: (SAE 10W-30). Also called Multiweight.

Multiweight: See multi-viscosity oils.

Muntz: The 1950-54 Jet models are milestone cars.

Mustang: The 1965-67 GT/GTA V-8 models are milestone cars. The 1969-70 Boss 302/Mach 1 models are milestone cars.

MVAN: Acronym for "Medium Van" (e.g., Toyota Hiace).

MVMA: Acronym for "Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Association."

MVSA: Acronym for "Motor Vehicle Safety Act .

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Page Updated Sun May 20, 2001 8:08pm EDT