DICTIONARY OF AUTOMOTIVE TERMS - "Ap"

AP

Acronym for "Actual Power" See power factor

A-panel:

The side panel used to fill the gap between the rear edge of the front fender and the front edge of the doors.

Ape hangers:

A term coined at the height of the custom-bike movement to describe tall handlebars that forced the rider to reach skyward to grasp the controls, making the rider adopt an ape-like posture.

Aperture panel:

A large side panel of a vehicle making up the rear fender, door frame, and side window frame.
Also see:
side aperture panel
sunroof aperture panel

Apex:

The top of a triangle. In racing, it is the point or area closest to the inner corner.

Apex seal:

A wedge shaped device found on the tips of the triangular rotor in rotary (Wankel) engines. Its purpose is to prevent the escape of compressed gas or combustion gases. It may also release engine heat.

API:

Acronym for "American Petroleum Institute," the organization that classifies oil.

APIA:

Acronym for "Association of Automotive Manufacturers and Importers" (Romania).

API scale:

Abbreviation for American Petroleum Institute scale. Scale of relative density, similar to Baumé scale. Degrees API=(141.5/s)-131s, where s is the relative density of the oil against water at 15°C.

A pillar:

See:
A-post

A-pillar:

When you look at the side of a car, the pillar that is attached to the windshield and supports the roof is called the "A-post" or "A-pillar." There are two to each car. Generally the middle post is the B-post and the back post is the C-post.

Apollo:

A vehicle brand of which the 1963-66 models are milestone cars.

A post:

See:
A-post

A-post:

When you look at the side of a car, the post that is attached to the windshield and supports the roof is called the "A-post" or "A-pillar." There are two to each car. Generally the middle post is the B-post and the back post is the C-post.

Apparatus:

See:
air-cooled apparatus
Beckmann apparatus

Appendages:

Structures extending beyond the main hull. They include items like shafting, rudder, bossing, struts, and bilge keels.

Apple paint:

See:
candy apple paint

Appliance:

A British term for a fire engine.

Applicator:

A tool for putting something on something else, e.g., a spreader or brush.
Also see:
heating inductor

Applied stress:

The stress induced in a member under load.

Appliqué:

(appliqué) A sticker or decal which is applied to the body panel of a vehicle.

Apply:

To put something on something else.

Approach:

A secondary road leading up to a highway.
Also See:
arc of approach

Approach angle:

The most sharply angled incline the vehicle can make without its front scraping the ground. Measured in degrees, it's the angle formed on one side by the horizontal axis, and on the other by a straight line connecting the forward edge of the front tire and the most prominent front-end feature extending beyond that line -- the bumper, fog lamps, tow hook, etc.

Approval certificate:

See:
type approval certificate

Aprilia:

A well-regarded Italian motorcycle manufacturer, known for 250 GP race bikes that are tiny and lightweight.

Apron:

1. The paved area directly below the racing surface that separates the track from the infield.
2. The panel under the vehicle's doors or the panel acting as an air dam at the front of a vehicle.
3. A kick panel.
4. A firm surface of concrete or "tarmac" laid down adjacent to aerodrome buildings to facilitate the movement, loading and unloading of aircraft.

Also see:
fender splash apron
front apron
rear apron

APT:

Acronym for "adjustable part throttle"

APTS:

Acronym for "Advanced Public Transportation Systems"

APU:

Acronym for auxiliary power unit

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