Dictionary of Automotive Terms Abbreviations

DICTIONARY OF AUTOMOTIVE TERMS - "An"

Anaerobic sealer: A substance used to prevent bolts and screws from loosening up and backing out. Anaerobic sealers do not require oxygen for activation. The Loctite® brand is the most widely used anaerobic sealer.

Analog British spelling is analogue

A display which uses a dial rather than a read-out of numbers (digital).
A signal that varies proportionally with the data it measures. In a computer, an analog signal is a constantly fluctuating voltage that ranges from high to low.

Analog clock: The traditional clock with rotating hands. Contrast with Digital clock.

Analog cluster: An instrument panel display using dials. Opposite to Electronic cluster.

Analog filter: Filter suitable for use with analog signals, i.e., those which are continuous with time. Contrast with Digital filter.

Analog speedometer: Analog speedometer

A speedometer which shows the speed by a needle on the dial of a gauge. It contrasts with a Digital speedometer

Analogue: British spelling of Analog.

Analogue cluster: See
Analog cluster

Analysis: See
Fe analysis
Finite-element analysis
Qualitative Analysis
Quantitative Analysis

Analyzer: A device for evaluating something.
Also see
Engine Analyzer
Exhaust-gas Analyzer
Exhaust Gas Analyzer
Four-gas Analyzer
Infrared Analyzer
Ndir analyzer
Non-dispersive Infrared Analyzer

Anatomic saddle: Anatomic saddle

A bicycle seat that is designed with cut out sections or bumps to accommodate your ischial tuberosities (i.e., sit-down bones).

ANC: Acronym for at no extra cost

Anchor

A mounting point on the vehicle frame or unibody for a non-structural but stressed component, such as a seat or seat belt.
The stationary portion of a leading/trailing drum brake on which the heels of the brake shoes ride.

Also see
Belt Anchor
Brake Anchor
Fixed Anchor
Shoe Anchor

Anchorage: The point where something is attached—such as where the seat-belt is attached to the frame.
Also see
Belt anchorage
Seat belt anchorage

Anchor bolt

A bolt used to secure frameworks, stanchion bases, etc. to piers or foundations, and having usually a large plate washer built into the latter as anchorage
The bolt which goes through a bracket to secure something. British term is through bolt.

Anchor clamp: A fitting attached to the overhead contact wire of a tramway or railway to support the wire, and also to take the longitudinal tension and prevent movement of the wire in a direction parallel to the track.

Anchor Drum Brake: See
Double Anchor Drum Brake

Anchor end: The end of a brake shoe that's attached to or positioned against a fixed point on the backing plate.

Anchor eyes: The semi-circular notches at the ends of some shoe webs where they contact the Shoe anchor on the Backing plate.

Anchor gate: A heavy gate, such as a canal lock gate, which is supported at its upper bearing by an anchorage in the masonry such as an Anchor bolt.

Anchor pin

The stationary portion of a duo-servo drum brake on which the tops of the brake shoes rest. The secondary shoe bears against the anchor pin when the brakes are applied and the vehicle is moving forward. Conversely, when the vehicle is backing up and the brakes are applied, the primary shoe bears against it.
The point in a drum brake system where the braking forces are transmitted to the axle and which prevents the brake shoes from revolving with the drum.

Anchor plate

The stationary portion of a leading/trailing drum brake on which the heels of the brake shoes ride.
A bracket, solidly attached to the vehicle suspension, on which a floating or sliding Caliper mounts

Also see
Caliper mounting bracket

Anchor ring: See
Toroid
Torus

Ancien: A male veteran bicycle rider who has completed a 1200 kilometer randonnée.

Ancienne: A female veteran bicycle rider who has completed a 1200 kilometer randonnée.

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

Anemometer: Instrument for measuring the rate of airflow or motion.

Aneroid altitude compensator: A bellows device, installed integrally with the APT system on some post-1975 Rochester Quadrajet carburetors, that automatically compensates for changes in altitude by raising or lowering the primary metering rods, thus richening or leaning out the air/fuel mixture in accordance with changes in air pressure.

Aneroid barometer: A device to determine atmospheric pressure with the use of a vacuum chamber or syphon bellows

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).

ANFAVEA: Acronym for Associação Nacional de Veículos Automotores (Brazil).

ANFIA: Acronym for Associazione Nazionale Fra Industrie Automobilistiche (Italy).

Angels: Radar echoes from an invisible and sometimes undefined origin. High-flying birds, insect swarms, and certain atmospheric conditions can be responsible.

Angle: See
Ackermann angle
Approach angle
Attack angle
Azimuth angle
Blade angle
Bragg angle
Bunching angle
Cam angle
Caster angle
Departure angle
Dwell (angle)
Front triangle
Heading angle
Ignition angle
Included angle
Knuckle Angle
Lock angle
Offset angle
Opening angle
Rake
Ramp-over angle
Rear triangle
Roll angle
Shallow angle
Slip angle
Spark angle
Spark ignition angle
Steep angle
Steering angle
Steering knuckle angle
Swivel angle
Thread angle
Thrust Angle
Tire deviation angle
Tire slip angle
Toe-in angle
Triangle-split system
Valve angle
Yaw angle

Angle bar: See
Angle iron

Angle bearing: A shaft-bearing in which the joint between base and cap is not perpendicular to the direction of the load, but is set at an angle.

Angle block

A cylinder block that doesn't have a Deck at 90 degrees to the cylinders
A small wooden block used in woodwork to make joints, esp. right-angle joints, more rigid.

Angle bracket

A bracket projecting from the corner of a building beneath the eaves, and not at right-angles to the face of the wall.
A bracket consisting of two sides set at right angles, often stiffened by a gusset. Also called gallows bracket.

Angled deck: British term for Canted deck.

Angledozer: A Bulldozer with a blade able to be set in such a way to push material to the side of the road. Usually called a Grader or Motor grader.

Angle elevation: The vertical angle measured above the horizontal, from the surveyor's instrument to the point observed.

Angle grinder: 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 iron: Mild steel bar rolled to an L-shaped cross-section, used in structural work. Legs may be equal or unequal and leg lengths up to 800 mm are available. Also called Angle, Angle bar, Angle steel, and L-iron.

Angle-nose pliers: 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 advance

The angle in excess of 90° by which the eccentric throw of a steam-engine valve gear is in advance of the crank.
The angle between the position of ignition and outer dead center in a spark-ignition engine, optimizes combustion of the fuel.

Angle of attack: The angle between the chord line of an airfoil and the relative airflow. Also called (in error) angle of incidence.

Angle of contact: The angle subtended at the center of a pulley by that part of the rim in contact with the driving belt.

Angle of Head: In countersunk heads, the included angles of the conical underportion or bearing surface, usually 82 or 100 degrees.

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 of thread: See Included angle of thread

Angle parking: 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. The British term is echelon parking

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

Angle Sensor: See
Crankshaft Angle Sensor

Angle steel: See
Angle iron

Angle stone: See
Quoin

Angle valve: Type of globe valve design, having pipe openings at right angles to each other. Usually, one opening is on.

Angular motion: See
Rotation

Angular thread: See
Vee thread

Angular velocity: The angular displacement per unit time, measured in degrees per time or radians per time

Angular vibration: Side to side movement or shimmy of a tire.

Also see
Dynamic balance

Anhydrous: A compound that does not contain any water. Ethanol produced for fuel use is often referred to as anhydrous ethanol, as it has had almost all water removed.

Anhydrous calcium sulphate: Dry chemical made of calcium, sulphur, and oxygen (CaSO4)

Aniline: An oily liquid poisonous (C6H5NH2) obtained especially by the reduction of nitrobenzene and used chiefly in organic synthesis (as of dyes)

Aniline Point: The aniline point of a petroleum product is the minimum equilibrium solution temperature with an equal volume of freshly distilled aniline.

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: Process of heat treating metal to get desired properties of softness and ductility (easily formed in to a new shape). For example heating and slow cooling of a piece of iron.
Also see
Back annealing
Box annealing
Bright annealing Full annealing

Annular: Something in the form of a ring.

Annular ball bearing: A ball bearing with a non-adjustable inner and outer race or races.

Annular combustion chamber: A gas turbine combustion chamber in which the perforated flame tube forms a continuous annulus within a cylindrical outer casing.

Annular electric brake: An electric brake design in which the electromagnet is shaped like a circle or ring (annulus) inside the brake shoes.

Annular gap: Something in a circular gap.

Annular gear: A round gear with teeth cut on the outside for engagement with a Pinion. Usually shrunk fit on to a mating diameter, e.g., starter ring on automobile flywheel.

Annulus: A hollow gear which is in the form of a ring with internal teeth.

Also see
Epicyclic gearbox

Anode

In an electrical circuit it is the Positive pole. It is that part of an electrical circuit to which electrons are flowing.
The electrode at which oxidation occurs. For fuel cells that create potential, it is also the electrode towards which negative ions flow.
The positive terminal of an electrolytic cell

Also see
Sacrificial anode
Soluble anode

Anodic Coating: See
Hard Anodic Coating

Anodize: By electrolytic action, this is the process of Coating or plating a metal (usually Aluminum) with a thin protective film or material such as chrome. It is sometimes applied with colored dye.

Anodized: An electroplating process commonly performed on aluminum parts, which forms a thin protective film on the surface of the metal. Anodizing is sometimes accompanied by the use of a colored dye, which gives a lustrous colored finish to the aluminum parts.

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

Also see
Hard anodizing
Integral color anodizing

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

ANSI assembly identifier: The serial numbering scheme adopted by the ANSI to ensure uniqueness of an assembly serial number.

Ant: See
P. ant

Antagonizing screws: See
Clip screw

Antechamber: A small auxiliary combustion-chamber, used in some compression-ignition engines, in which partial combustion of the fuel is used to force the burning mixture into the cylinder, so promoting more perfect combustion.

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.

Also see
Adcock antenna
Artificial antenna
Balancing antenna
Beam antenna
Beavertail antenna
Power antenna
Quarter-wave Antenna
Retractable Antenna
Whip antenna

Antenna changeover switch: Switch used for transferring an antenna from the transmitting to the receiving equipment, and vice versa, protecting the receiver.

Antenna downlead: Wire running from the elevated part or conductor of an antenna down to the transmitting or receiving equipment.

Antenna load: See
Dummy load

Anthropogenic: Made or generated by a human or caused by human activity. The term is used in the context of global climate change to refer to gaseous emissions that are the result of human activities, as well as other potentially climate-altering activities, such as deforestation.

Antibackfire valve: See
Anti-backfire valve

Anti-backfire valve: (Anti-BFV) 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.

Also see
Air bypass valve
Secondary Air Anti-backfire Valve

Anti-BFV: Acronym for Anti-backfire valve.

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.

Anticline: An area of the earth's crust where folding has made a dome like shape in the once flat rock layers. Anticlines often provide an environment where natural gas can become trapped beneath the earth's surface, and extracted.
See also
Trap
Permeability
Porosity

Anti-corrosion: A substance used to protect against rust.
Also see
Nordic Anti-Corrosion Code

Anti-Corrosion Code: See
Nordic Anti-Corrosion Code

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, 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.

Also see
Dimming mirror

Anti-dieseling solenoid: See
Idle stop solenoid

Antidive: See
Anti-dive system

Anti-dive: See
Anti-dive system

Anti-dive system: A 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

Antifouling composition: A substance applied in paint form to ships' bottoms and structures subject to the action of sea water, to discourage marine growths.

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: 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-friction metal: See
White metal

Anti-g: Resistant to the effects of high acceleration, esp. of an astronaut's equipment.

Anti-g suit: A close-fitting garment covering the legs and abdomen. When inflated, it equalizes the pressure especially around the head and heart during high-speed maneuvers. Colloquially, g-suit.

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: (AKI) 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). This is the number posted on the retail gasoline pumps normally indicating 87, 89, or 92 octane. Racing gasoline have AKI's from 100 to 118.

Antiknock substances: Substances like lead (IV) ethyl added to fuel to lessen its tendency to detonate or knock in an engine.

Antiknock value: The relative immunity of a volatile liquid fuel from detonation in a gasoline engine as compared with some standard fuel.
Also see
Octane number

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 controller: (CAB) Chrysler Corporation's term for the electronic control unit.

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 monitors the rotational speeds of the wheels and reduces hydraulic pressure to any wheel it senses locking up. 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 (i.e., 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. The abbreviation ABS comes from the German anti blockier system.

Anti-lock braking system: See
Anti-lock brake system

antimony: (Sb) A pure element, metal, used in alloys

Antimony alloy: A combination of antimony and another substance like aluminum used in bearings and battery plates

Antimony black: When antimony is ground to fine powder, it has a black metallic color.

Anti-noise: See
Anti-noise 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.

Antipercolation valve: See
Anti-percolation valve

Anti-percolation valve: A device for venting vapors from the main discharge tube, or the well, of a Carburetor. The vented vapors are not released into the atmosphere, but rerouted into an evaporative emission Canister where they are stored until the next time the vehicle is started. Thus it provides a richer mixture needed for starting.

Also see
Percolation

Anti-rattle spring

clutch antirattle spring clip

A specially shaped wire that prevents the clutch plate and spring from making noise when no pressure is applied to the plate.

A device that attaches to disc brake pads to keep them from making a rattle noise when the brakes are not applied.
A component in disc brakes shaped like the letter X and made of spring steel. It applies radial pressure to the brake pads to prevent rattling. Also called spreader spring.

Antiroll bar: See
Anti-roll bar

Anti-roll bar: Anti-roll bar

Sometimes called the anti-sway bar, stabilizer bar, or even (incorrectly) roll-bar. It is usually a round bar which connects the left wheel Suspension assembly with the right side. It may be found at the front and/or rear. Its main function is to keep both wheels rolling at the same rate when meeting bumps; but it also affects handling. A front anti-roll bar increases Understeer and a rear bar increases Oversteer.

Antiroll device: See
Brake anti-roll device

Anti-roll device: See
Brake anti-roll device

Anti-rust treatment: See
Rustproofing

Antisag bar: A vertical rod connecting the main tie of a roof truss to the ridge to support it against sagging under its own weight.

Antiscuffing: The ability of a precision insert bearing to resist scuffing or scratching the shaft journal in the event that the oil surface skin is destroyed.

Antiseize compound: A paste that is applied to metal parts to keep them from sticking to other metal parts, particularly threaded surfaces such as spark plug threads and wheel studs and bolts

Anti-siphon bleeds: Small holes drilled into the cluster to prevent main-system fuel from continuing to flow when the throttle is closed, stopping airflow through the carburetor.

Antiskid: See
Anti-skid

Anti-skid: (ASBS) A computer controlled automotive device which senses when one or more of the wheels are locking up during braking. It eases up on the amount of Hydraulic pressure to that wheel. 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 from full power to none so that both maximum braking and maximum steering control is allowed. If you jam on the brakes, you will feel a pulsing sensation. Sometimes called Anti-lock brakes.

Antiskid brake system: A non-standard term for Wheel slip brake control system

Antismog device: A special part or system designed to reduce or eliminate emission of noxious gases from exhaust of engine.

Antisolar glass: Glass which absorbs heat from sunshine and reduces glare, but transmits most of the light.

Antisound: Sound signal with same amplitude but opposite phase of some unwanted sound signal so that both signals cancel each other when superimposed.

Anti-spin regulation: (ASR) The control or prevention of wheelspin under power, normally by means of electronic sensing and in conjunction with anti-lock brakes.

Anti-spin regulation traction control system: (ASC) The system which prevents wheelspin.
Also see
Anti-spin regulation

Anti-spray flap: See
Mudflap

Antisquat: See
Anti-squat system

Anti-squat: See
Anti-squat system

Anti-squat system: Squat is the action of the rear end of the vehicle to point downward during hard Acceleration. The Suspension in cars is designed to remove this tendency. Contrasts with Anti-dive system.

Anti-squeal shim: A shim (metal plate) placed behind the brake piston or the brake pad to reduce noise when the brakes are applied.

Anti-stall dashpot: A diaphragm unit mounted on the carburetor that allows air to escape slowly from its vacuum chamber to prevent throttle plate(s) in the carburetor from closing too suddenly--and stalling the engine--during deceleration.

Antisurge valve: A valve for bleeding off surplus compressor air to suppress the unstable airflow due to Surge in a gas turbine engine.

Anti-sway bar: See
Anti-roll bar

Anti-theft system: Any device (mechanical or electrical) which tends to reduce the theft of a vehicle. It may involve an alarm system, ignition lockouts, steering locks, steering wheel locks, transmission locks, and/or wheel locks.

Anti-tipper: An arm, usually with a small wheel attached at the outer end, which is secured to the back of a wheelchair to prevent the chair from falling on its back and thereby injuring the patient.

Antitippers: See
Anti-tipper

Anti-vibration mounting

Because the engine, transmission, differential, and other components tend to vibrate when in motion, noise increases and there is possible wear at the points of contact with the frame members. Rubber blocks are used to cushion the vibration at the mounting points.
Rubber springs designed to absorb vibrations from engines, etc. Care needed in design and materials selection to match vibration frequency with main damping peak of elastomer.