A
A pillar – the front pillar supporting the windscreen
ABS – anti lock brakes, a safety system that automatically pumps the brakes to prevent the wheels from locking up and losing directional control
Aspect ratio – relates to tires, the ratio of width of the tire versus the height of the tire. Aspect ratio of 60 means the tire height is 60% of its width. Lower aspect ratio give better cornering performance as there is less rubber to flex during cornering.
AWD – all wheel drive, a vehicle where power is transmitted to all the 4 wheels. Normally for road use car and not for serious off road use. Most modern AWD transmission automatically detects road conditions and channel power to the wheels with the most traction and in normal use, powers only the front or the rear wheels.
Air bags – safety equipment that inflate almost instantaneously in an accident to cushion impact forces on the body. Many cars come with front and side air bags
B
B pillar – the second set of pillars from the front, usually between the front and rear doors.
Back Pressure – the pressure that prevents exhaust gasses from leaving the engine quickly. A certain amount is required to get better torque at low engine speed. Auto tuners tune this back pressure to optimize the back pressure for the type of application and conditions e.g. street car, racing, rallying.
C
C Pillar – normally the third set of pillars. Supports the rear windscreen. Some vehicles have D pillars, normally SUVs, that is set even further back.
Catalytic converter – a part of your car exhaust system containing trace catalytic elements like platinum to convert noxious fumes to something less so. Yes, they actually contains platinum.
Curb weight – the overall weight of the car with necessary fluids without passengers
CVT – continuously variable transmission, a transmission system that uses metal belts between 2 pulleys that can change diameter, giving infinite gear ratios. Higher efficiency transmission with low loss of power compared to automatic i.e. fluid transmission
D
Disc brakes – brakes that resembles a disc, made with metal. High performance disc brakes have slots and holes to improve cooling and to prevent
DOHC – or Double Overhead Cam, 2 camshafts per cylinder bank, allows flexible positioning of valves & spark plugs. DOHC engine can “breath” better meaning that it can produce more horsepower per engine volume. Most modern cars use DOHC
Drive by wire – also called electronic throttle control, the throttle in not connected directly to the accelerator pedal by a cable or linkage but by a computer controlled stepper motor
K
Keyless entry – an entry into a car without a key. You carry a key with a special proximity transmitter which sends a signal to your car when you are near, unlocking your car as you go near
H
Headers – there are 2 types. Inlet and exhaust headers. Things that look like long tubes in your engine compartment to enhance gas flow into and out of the engine. Headers can be tuned to provide better performance at low, medium or high engine speed. Also called exhaust extractors in some countries.
HID – high density discharge lamps. Bright, long lasting and low energy lights that allows you to see further at night.
I
Infra red night vision – recent safety equipment that allows you to see further at night. A infra red video camera in the car captures the road ahead and project the image on a screen in front of the driver, allowing the driver to see further ahead than normal headlamps.
R
Rack and Pinion steering – A steering system with a pinion gear on the end of the steering shaft. The pinion engages a long metal bar with a row of teeth cut along one edge. Common modern steering system
Rotary engine – not actually rotary as most people called it. Actual name is the Wankel engine. This engine have rotors instead of pistons and rotates rather than reciprocates.
S
Speedometer – a meter that tells you how fast you are going
Supercharger - a mechanically driven blower to force more air into an engine, to increase power and efficiency
T
Tachometer – also known as the rpm meter, measures how fast the car’s engine is spinning
Traction Control – computerize system to limit the engine power, working in conjunction with the brakes to maintain stability and directional control of the car. Prevents the driver from getting the car into conditions where all control is lost
Turbocharger – an exhaust driven turbine to force more air into an engine, to increase power and efficiency
W
Wheelbase – the length between the centre of the front wheels and the centre of the rear wheels. Longer wheelbase result in better comfort but larger turning circle. Luxury cars normally have longer wheelbase to improve ride comfort. Sports cars are usually design with shorter wheelbase for better handling
X
Xtronic – Nissan‘s CVT transmission