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Tire plies: The layers of nylon, rayon, etc., cloth that are used to form the casing. Most vehicle tires are two ply with a four ply rating. Two ply indicates two layers of cloth or plies.

Tire ply: See tire plies.

Tire roll-off: A condition in which the bead unseats because a tire was run while flat. Also, the sudden loss of air due to side forces, such as hard cornering, combined with underinflation. The safety ledge on passenger rims (a necessity for tubeless mountings) guards against a roll-off.

Tire rotation: Moving the front wheels to the rear and the rear to the front to equalize any wear irregularities in the tires.

Tire sidewall: That portion of the tire between the tread and the bead.

Tire Size Markings: Those designations that appear on the side of a tire to indicate its basic dimensions; width, and rim diameter.

Tire spreader: Any device, manual or hydraulic, used to spread tire beads for inspection, repair, service, etc.

Tire store: retail outlet selling and installing tires and often offering other vehicle repair services.

Tire tread: That part of the tire that contacts the road.

Tire unbalance: A tire that is not weighted properly can cause vibration. The condition is exaggerated by centrifugal force which increases as speed is increased and by the distance the heave spot is from the wheel axis.

Tire valve: A small valve, mounted on the wheel rim of a tubeless tire, that allows air to be added to the tire with an air hose and allows air to be withdrawn from an over-inflated tire by pressing on the little stem at the end of the valve. Some tire valves have little caps to protect against leaks and keep dirt from fouling the valve. On tires with inner tubes, the tire valve is mounted on the inner tube. There are two kinds of valves used: Presta and Schrader.

TISC: The Industry Safety Council.

TMPH: Acronym for "Ton Mile Per Hour." A system devised to ascertain the working capacity of earthmover tires; it is a supplement to the normal load and inflation tables.

Toe: See brake shoe toe, heel and toe, toe control link, toe-in, toe-out, toe-out on turns, toe steer, and tooth toe.

Toe control link: A lateral link in a multilink suspension designed to control a wheel's direction as the suspension moves up and down.

Toe in: See toe-in.

Toe-in: An adjustment of the front wheels where the distance from the center of the left wheel to the center of the right wheel is less at the front of the wheels than at the back of the wheels. A slight amount of toe-in is usually specified to keep the front wheels running parallel on the road by offsetting other forces that tend to spread the wheels apart. The major force is the backward thrust of the road against the tire tread while the vehicle is moving forward. Other factors include play in the tie-rod assembly and allowance for angular changes caused by wheel bounce or variations in road conditions. Toe-in is measured in fractions of an inch or millimeters

Toe out: See toe-out.

Toe-out: An adjustment of the wheels where the front of the wheels is further apart than the back. Generally toe-out is not desirable. Toe-out is measured in fractions of an inch or millimeters. See toe-in.

Toe out on turns: See toe-out on turns.

Toe-out on turns: When the vehicle negotiates a curve, the inner wheel turns more sharply and while the wheels remain in this position, a condition of toe-out exists.

Toe steer: The changes in the direction of a wheel that occur without driver steering input. Toe steer can be caused by ride steer or by deflections in suspension components caused by the stresses of cornering, accelerating, and/or braking on smooth and bumpy roads.

Toggle switch: A switch that is actuated by flipping a small lever either up and down or from side to side.

Tolerance: The amount of variation permitted from an exact size or measurement. The actual amount from the smallest acceptable dimension to the largest acceptable dimension.

Ton mile per hour: (TMPH) A system devised to ascertain the working capacity of earthmover tires; it is a supplement to the normal load and inflation tables.

Tonneau: See tonneau cover.

Tonneau cover: A cover of leather or other soft pliable material used for protecting the interior of a convertible when the soft top is down. The cover snaps to the dash, sides and rear of the vehicle and often has a zipper allowing the driver to operate the vehicle while the passenger side of the vehicle remains covered.

Tool: 1. As a noun, it is any device which assists in the installation or removal of a component. 2. To work material by turning, milling, grinding, polishing, drilling, punching, boring, shaping, shearing, pressing, or planing. 3. As a colloquial verb, it is the action of motion as in We were tooling down the highway when we saw you..

Tooling: Set of required standard or special tools needed to produce a particular part. It includes jigs, fixtures, gages, and cutting tools; but excludes machined tools. Also see tool.

Tooth heel: The wider outside end of the tooth in the differential ring gear.

Tooth toe: The narrower inside end of the tooth in the differential ring gear.

Top cap: When retreading a tire, new tread rubber is added to the buffed casing, covering only the crown area. Also see full cap.

Top case: !!!.

Top dead center: (TDC) Highest point of piston and connecting-rod travel in a cylinder; the ends of the compression and exhaust strokes in a four-cycle engine.

Top end gasket kit: The gaskets that apply to everything from the base gasket up (e.g., base gasket, head gasket, manifold gaskets, carburetor mounting gaskets) as well as all the O-rings and replaceable spacers. Contrasts with the bottom end gasket kit.

Top end speed: The maximum speed which a vehicle can attain. This may differ from the maximum speed allowed by the law and from the recommended maximum speed of a vehicle. In some vehicles, governors are installed to limit the speed so that top end speed is not attained. Others may use warning lights or flashing speedometer readings (i.e., on digital displays) or even warning sounds. Also see bury the needle and red line.

Top off: Fill a partially filled container to full capacity.

Top ring groove insert: A piston ring that has a nickel-iron or comparable metal insert cast into the piston heads. The top ring groove is cut into this metal. As the top ring grooves in aluminum pistons pound out of shape, this insert groove will prolong the useful life of the piston and ring.

Top tube: On a bicycle, the horizontal tube that connects the seat tube with the head tube.

Toronado: The 1966-67 Toronado models are milestone cars. Sometimes you will see this car incorrectly spelled "Tornado" in classified ads.

Torpedo: An open sports vehicle generally with an unbroken design line from the hood to the back of the car.

Torque: Turning or twisting force such as the force imparted on the drive line by the engine. Usually measured in lb-ft. It differs from work or power in that torque does not necessarily produce motion. Basically, the magnitude of a torque acting on a body is the product of the magnitude of a force and its force arm (perpendicular distance from the axis of rotation of the body to the line of action of the force). This product is called the moment of the torque about the axis or the torque. Also see self-aligning torque.

Torque converter: A unit in an automatic transmission, quite similar to the fluid coupling, that transfers engine torque to the transmission input shaft. It also cushions the flow of power. Unlike the fluid coupling, the torque converter can multiply engine torque. This is accomplished by installing one or more stators between the torus members. In the torque converter the driving torus is referred to as the "pump" and the driven torus as the "turbine." The engine drives the impeller which in turn impels fluid against the vanes of a turbine connected through transmission gears to the driveshaft of the automobile. The stator redirects oil flow from the turbine to boost impeller action and multiply engine torque.

Torque multiplication: Increasing engine torque in the automatic transmission through the use of a torque converter.

Torque rods: See stabilizer.

Torque sensitive limited slip differential: !!!.

Torque steer: A tendency for a car to turn in a particular direction when power is applied. Torque steer is common in front-drive cars because reaction forces created in the half-shafts can generate uneven steering forces in the front tires.

Torque tube drive: The method of connecting the transmission output shaft to the differential pinion shaft by using an enclosed driveshaft. The driveshaft is enclosed in a torque tube that is bolted to the rear axle housing on one end and is pivoted through a ball joint to the rear of the transmission on the other. The driving force of the rear wheels is transferred to the frame through the torque tube. This method was used on older cars in an attempt to get rid of the twisting forces of engine torque on the suspension and driveshaft.

Torque wrench: A tool used to draw nuts, cap screws, etc., up to a specified tension by measuring the torque (turning force) being applied.

Torsional rigidity: !!!.

Torsion bar: A long spring steel rod attached in such a way that one end is anchored while the other is free to twist. One end is fastened to the frame at one end and to a suspension part at the other. If an arm is attached, at right angles, to the free end, any movement of the arm will cause the rod or bar to twist the bar's resistance to twisting provides a spring action. The torsion bar replaces both coil and leaf springs in some suspension systems. The main advantage of the torsion bar over the coil spring in the front suspension is the ease of adjusting front suspension height.

Torsion bar suspension: A suspension system that makes use of torsion bars in place of the leaf or coil spring.

Torsional vibration: A twisting and untwisting action developed in a shaft. It is caused either by intermittent applications of power or load.

Torsion spring: See torsion bar.

Torus: The inner surface of a hollow doughnut-shaped structure, especially found in automatic transmissions. See fluid coupling.

Total quality management: (TQM) A management technique to improve the quality of goods and services, reduce operating costs and increase customer satisfaction.

Toughened glass: See laminated windshield.

Tourer: British term for touring car See loaded tourer, sports tourer, and AC Buckland Open Tourer.

Touring bike: 1. A motorcycle that comes from the manufacturer with saddlebags and a trunk. 2. A bicycle that has been equipped with saddlebags (often over the front wheels as well as the rear).

Touring car: A vehicle with a body longer than the phaeton style, but very similar to it. It permits the use of auxiliary seats in the rear passenger compartment. It was an open car with seats for four or more passengers. Early models had no side weather protection but later were fitted with detachable side screens and curtains. Made until about 1930.

Touring triple: A triple chainring crankset designed to provide the wide range of gears needed for loaded bicycle touring.

Tourist: A cyclist who takes short or long excursions by bicycle, often carrying several panniers containing clothing and camping equipment.

Town car: The same as the Imperial sedan without the rear quarter windows or a roof over the front compartment.

Tow rating: !!!.

TQM: Acronym for "Total Quality Management."

TRA: Tire and Rim Association.

Track: Front track is the distance between the center of the left front wheel and the center of the right front wheel when the vehicle is set to its normal ride height and wheel alignment specifications. Rear track is the distance between the center of the left rear wheel and the center of the right rear wheel. They are not always the same.

Tracking: The alignment of the vehicle with respect to axle centers of a vehicle being in the same plane, rear tires following front tires and trailer following the tractor, in the attitude designed. Correct tracking is when the rear wheels of a vehicle follow the same line as the front wheels.

Track rod: See panhard rod.

Traction: The force of adhesive friction exerted by a body on the surface on which it moves. Also see liquid traction.

Traction bar: articulated bar or link attached to both frame and rear axle housing to prevent spring windup (with resultant wheel hop) during heavy acceleration or braking. Also see panhard rod.

Traction control, low speed: A system that helps prevent front-wheel spin on slippery or gravel surfaces during acceleration at speeds up to 40 kph (25 mph).

Traction differential: See limited-slip differential.

Traction engine: A steam or diesel engine used for hauling heavy vehicles on roads or over difficult terrain.

Traction limited grade: Steepest negotiable grade where traction is the limiting factor.

Tractor: Truck portion of combination or train. Also called "semi," "semi-tractor," "truck tractor," or "tractor-trailer."

Tractor-trailer: See tractor.

Trail braking: A driving technique in which the driver begins to brake before entering a turn and then continues to brake as he eases into the corner. As cornering forces build, the driver gradually feathers off the brakes -- trading braking power for cornering grip. By increasing the vertical loading -- and thus the traction -- at the front tires, trail-braking can improve a car's turn-in.

Trail distance: The distance from the point at which the cornering force acts to the center of the wheel or steering axis.

Trailer: 1. Platform or container on wheels pulled by a truck or tractor. 2. Distance between fifth wheel pin and center of rear axle (or center between tandems).

Trailer towing package: See trailer-towing package.

Trailer-towing package: An optional equipment which usually includes a heavy-duty suspension, a larger radiator, a transmission cooler, and a rear bumper with a trailer hitch. This improves handling and allows a vehicle to haul a heavy trailer.

Trailing arm: Type of independent rear suspension in which the pivot axis is exactly across the vehicle, or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. This means the wheels are always upright relative to the body and hence leaning with the body in a corner. Widely used at the rear of front-wheel-drive cars. Also see semi-trailing arm.

Trailing brake shoe: The brake shoe that is installed facing the rear of the vehicle. Also called secondary brake shoe or reverse brake shoe.

Trailing link: A suspension link that is aligned to resist longitudinal motions in a wheel; it is mounted to the chassis ahead of the wheel.

Train: See drivetrain, powertrain, valvetrain, and wind trainer.

Trainer: See wind trainer.

Tramp: 1. A hopping motion of the front wheels usually caused by incorrect balance or when a high inflation tire has been run empty. 2. The action of rapidly depressing the throttle pedal. Also see axle wind up or axle tramp.

Tranny: Colloquial name for "transmission."

Trans: Abbreviation for "transmission."

Transaxle: A drive setup in which the transmission gearbox, clutch, final drive, and differential are combined into a single unit connected directly to the driveshaft. It is used mostly in rear-engine cars like the Corvair, but is also found in some front-wheel drive cars and some performance cars where a front engine/rear transaxle gives better overall balance (such as the Alfa Romeo Alfetta).

Transceiver: !!!.

Transducer: A device for transferring power which is generated in one system to another system in the same or a different form, e.g., electrical to mechanical.

Transfer case: An auxiliary device in a 4-wheel-drive vehicle that allows power to be delivered to both axles. Normally the transfer case incorporates a shifting device so that the front drive can be disconnected, if desired, for running on pavement. Also see four-wheel drive.

Transfer port: A channel in the block of a two-stroke engine where the air-fuel mixture enters the combustion chamber and exits out another transfer port after it burns.

Transformer: An electrical device with an arrangement of copper coils with an iron center, used to increase or decrease electrical voltage. A vehicle ignition coil transforms the voltage from 12 volts to upward of 20,000 volts.

Transistor ignition: A form of ignition system which uses transistors and a special coil. The conventional distributor and point setup is used, but the points merely serve to trigger a transistor which switches the heavy primary current. With the transistor unit, the voltage remains constant, thus permitting high engine rpm without resultant engine "miss." Transistors are much more efficient switches at high engine speeds and in addition they don't burn, pit or change gap spacing. The advantages of these systems include greatly increased point life, generally better starting because of improved contact condition and voltage output not greatly affected by breaker point dwell time which results in better high-rpm performance. Also point life is greatly extended as the transistor system passes a very small amount of current through the points.

Transmission: A device (full of gears) that uses gearing or torque conversion to effect a change in the ratio between engine rpm and driving wheel rpm. When engine rpm goes up in relation to wheel rpm, more torque but less speed is produced. A reduction in engine rpm in relation to wheel rpm produces a higher road speed but delivers less torque to the driving wheels. Also see auxiliary transmission, automatic transmission, five-speed transmission, infinitely variable transmission, manual transmission, progressive transmission, standard transmission, and synchromesh transmission.

Transmission adapter: A unit that allows a different make or year transmission to be bolted up to the original engine.

Transmission, automatic: See automatic transmission.

Transmission, conventional: See standard transmission.

Transmission fluid: (ATF) A superthin oil that fills the automatic transmission system so that it can run on hydraulic pressure. It can also be used in some power-steering pumps. It is sometimes used to clean the inside of a carburetor.

Transmission housing: The outer shell which contains the transmission gears.

Transmission, standard: See standard transmission.

Transverse arm: A suspension arm not split into two separate sections as is an A-arm. Often used as the bottom locating link with MacPherson strut suspension. Also called "lateral arm." Also see MacPherson strut.

Transverse cable: See stirrup cable.

Transverse engine: An engine that is mounted laterally (i.e., left to right) between the drive wheels (rather than longitudinally -- front to back), often found on cars with front-wheel drive.

Transverse leaf spring: A leaf spring that is mounted so that it is at right angles to the length of the vehicle.

Transverse mount: See transverse engine.

Trap: 1. The area over which the vehicle is raced for timing purposes. 2. A pedal on a bicycle into which the foot is locked in place. See rattrap.

Traps: See trap.

Trauma fee: !!!.

Travel: The distance an object can move. See clutch pedal free travel.

Tread: 1. The distance between the two front or two rear wheels. 2. Portion of the tire which contacts the roadway. 3. The pattern of the outside circumference surface of a tire. Also see asymmetrical tread, directional tire, symmetrical, and wide treads.

Tread bar: Raised portions of rubber that make up me tread of the tire, separated by grooves that are arranged laterally, providing traction in the forward or rearward direction.

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