Dictionary of Automotive Terms Abbreviations

DICTIONARY OF AUTOMOTIVE TERMS - "Ce"

CE

Acronym for Commutator End
Acronym for the distance from the back of a truck's cab to the end of its frame. Also CF or LP are used for the same distance.
An API classification for certain turbocharged or supercharged heavy-duty diesel engines, manufactured since 1983 and operated under both low speed, high load and high speed, high load conditions. Replaced API Service Category CD and was replaced by CF-4 oil.

CEAB: Acronym for Cold Engine Air Bleed

CEC

Acronym for Crankcase Emission Control System (Honda)
Acronym for combination emission control

CECU: Acronym for Central Electronic Control Unit (Nissan)

Ceiling: See
Hold ceiling
Joiner work ceiling

CEL: Acronym for Check Engine Light

Celebrity: Click image for books on
Chevrolet Celebrity

A model of small car produced by Chevrolet produced from 1982-90.

Celica: Click image for books on
Toyota Celica

A model of automobile manufactured by Toyota

Cell

A compartment or Chamber in a Battery which contain positive and negative plates suspended in Electrolyte. A six-volt Battery has three cells, a twelve-volt Battery six cells.
The combustion chamber in a rotary engine.

Also See
Active Area Cell
Air Cell
Alkaline Fuel Cell
Back-emf Cells
Battery cell
Cadmium Cell
Cesium Cell
Cesium-oxygen Cell
Direct Methanol Fuel Cell
Dry cell
Electrolytic cell
Fuel cell
Galvanic cell
Local cell
Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell
Passenger cell
Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell
Photovoltaic Cell
Primary cell
Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell
Reversible Fuel Cell
Seam sealing cell
Solar Cell
Solid Oxide Fuel Cell
Storage cell
Thermophotovoltaic Cell
Tubular Cells

Cell battery: See
Dry Cell Battery
Gel cell battery
Wet Cell Battery

Cell Components: The substructures within a fuel cell that support the reaction, provide physical structure, receive and distribute reactants, remove products, dissipate heat, and perform other functions necessary for operation.

Cell connector: The Lead bar or strap connecting Battery cell groups.

Cell Coolant: A liquid or gaseous substance provided to or around the fuel cell to remove heat produced by the cell's operation and to maintain the optimum operating temperature of the cell.

Cell Degradation Rate: The rate at which a fuel cell's performance deteriorates over time. The degradation rate can be used to measure both recoverable and permanent losses in cell performance. The typical unit of measure is volts(DC) per unit time.

Cell Internal Resistance Loss: The loss in fuel cell performance due to resistance losses caused by internal structures that create resistance to electron or ion flow. The most noticeable impact is seen in the cell's operating region that occurs after activation, but before concentration polarization occurs. The length of time that a cell can be used to produce useful amounts of power.

Cell phone: See
Cellular phone

Cell Power Density: The amount of power produced per unit measure. For a single cell, this is typically measured as kW per square centimeter or meter.

Cell Pressure Differential: The difference in pressure across the electrolyte as measured from one electrode to the other.

Cell pump: See
Roller cell pump

Cells: The un-encapsulated semi-conductor components of the module that convert the solar energy to electricity.

Cells to OEM: Cells shipped to non-photovoltaic (non-PV) original equipment manufacturers such as boat manufacturers, car manufacturers, etc.

Cell Test: See
Single Cell Test

Cellular phone: A portable, wireless telephone which was first introduced in 1983 in the US. Currently it is used both as a car phone and a personal phone. Commonly called cell phone

Cellular telephone: A portable, wireless telephone which was first introduced in 1983 in the US. Currently it is used both as a car phone and a personal phone. Commonly called cell phone

Cellulose: A popular term for nitrocellulose -- a universal automotive finish, which is thin and therefore suitable for spraying, fast drying, and gives a hard and brilliant finish

Cellulose putty: A filler used to cover minor body imperfections.

Celsius: Thermometer on which the Boiling point of water is 100 deg and the freezing point is 0 deg. The term replaces the word centigrade. To convert from Fahrenheit to Celsius, subtract 32 then multiply the result by 5 and divide by 9. To convert from Celsius to Fahrenheit, multiply by 9, then divide by 5. Now add 32 to the result.

CEMA: Acronym for Consumer Electronics Manufacturers Association.

Cement: An adhesive rubber compound dissolved in solvent used to provide building tack and cured adhesion for tires. May be brushed or sprayed on the buffed surface. Also called Contact cement

Cementite: FE₃C Iron carbide. A hard substance found in cast iron.

Cement Recycled Asphalt Base Stabilization: (CRABS) A resurfacing process that involves grinding the existing roadway surface down to the gravel base, then adding a strengthening agent, such as cement, to the old asphalt. The mixture is then compacted and used as the base for a new layer of asphalt. The section is then overlaid with a new layer of pavement.

CEMF: Acronym for Counter Electromotive Force

Census value added: Residual representing the difference between the value of goods and industrial services produced and the direct material costs associated with the production of goods.

Center: To place something in a central place in relation to other items.
Also See
Aerodynamic Center
After bottom dead center
After top dead center
Alternative Fuels Data Center
Authentication Center
Before bottom dead center
Before top dead center
Before upper dead center
Bottom dead center
Dead center
Defense Fuel Supply Center
Diagnostic center
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Center
Drop center rim taper
Drop center rim
Gravity Center
High center rim
Information Centers
Lower dead center
Message center
Roll center
Top dead center

Center bore: See
Wheel center bore

Center console: Center Console

A section of the dash which is mounted between the driver and passenger sections. It often houses the shifter, cup holders, storage space, and possibly the stereo.

Center-contact cap: A bayonet cap at the base of a light bulb where the sides form one terminal and the bottom is the other terminal

Center differential

A Differential which is used in a four-wheel-drive vehicle to distribute the power to both the front and rear differentials.
A differential gear device installed at the point where the transfer box splits engine power between the front and rear axles via the front and rear propeller shafts. Working in the same way as the conventional rear axle differential on a two-wheel drive car, it allows differential rotation of front and rear shafts to accommodate the small rotational differences encountered in normal running, going round sharp corners etc. Such a device is essential in a vehicle having - for use on-road as well as off-road - full-time or permanent 4x4. Vehicles fitted with part-time or selectable 4x4 are not fitted with center differentials and thus cannot be used in four wheel drive on hard roads.

Center drive: Most engines have the power take-off at the end of the crankshaft. A center drive has the power take-off between the cylinders.

Center drive plate: The disc between the driven plates in a twin plate clutch.

Centered: See
High-centered

Center electrode

Electrode which protrudes out of the insulator nose of a spark plug.
A Center terminal.
Also See
Compound center electrode

Center gear: The Sun gear of a planetary gearset.

Center girder: A vertical plate on the ship's centerline between the flat keel and inner bottom extending the length of the ship. Also called center vertical keel.

Center-hung float: This type of carburetor float pivots on an axis that's parallel with the vehicle axles. It's a better float design than a side-hung float during high speed cornering because the float isn't affected by centrifugal force, so it won't pull the inlet valve open in the middle of a corner

Centering: See
Self-centering
Steering wheel centering

Centering cones: Devices used to mount floating drums on the arbor of a brake drum line.

Center keelson: See
Center girder

Centerless Grinding: Grinding the outside or inside diameter of a round piece not mounted on centers.

Centerline

An imaginary line which passes from the front to the rear of a vehicle, half way between the distance between the left and right side of the vehicle.
The middle line of the ship, extending from stem to stern at any level.
The design center of the new roadway, usually a surveyed line, not always the same as the centerline of the existing roadway nor the painted centerline.

Center locking disc: A hub cap which is secured in place with a bolt or other locking device.

Center lock nut: A spinner which secures the wheel to the hub.

Center median: On a divided highway, the area between the two directions of traffic. The British call it the central reserve.

Center of buoyancy: The position in a floating object where the Upthrust appears to act.

Center of gravity

(CG)

The point about which the mass of a car is evenly distributed. It is the point of balance.
That point in an object (if an imaginary pivot line were drawn through it) would leave the object in balance. In the vehicle, the closer the weight to the ground, the lower the center of gravity. Cornering, Acceleration, and other forces act upon the vehicle's center of gravity, thus affecting body Roll and other handling characteristics.

Center of pressure: An aerodynamically determined point at which wind force on the side of a vehicle is assumed to be concentrated for analytical purposes. It is a function of the shape and Aerodynamic drag ( Resistance) of an automobile's body shell, determines the effect of side winds on a vehicle's direction of travel, and is a concept similar to the Center of gravity.

Center pillar: The supporting post which is located in the middle of the car and holds up the roof. It is also called the B-post or B-pillar

Center point steering: A steering geometry where the steering axis cuts the wheel axis in the wheel center plane, with no offset at the road surface.

Center punch: A metal tool that is shaped like a pencil where you can hit the blunt end with a hammer so that the sharp point makes an indentation in some metal. In this way the drill-bit can fit into the indentation when you want to make a hole.
Also see
Bell Center Punch

Center rim: See
Drop center rim
Drop center rim taper
High center rim
Semi-drop center rim

Center rim taper: See
Drop center rim taper
Semi-drop center rim taper

Center ring: That part of an electric motor housing which supports the stator or field core

Center section damage: A description of a vehicle after it is involved in an accident when it has been hit on the side somewhere between the front and rear wheels. The frame and body are bashed in at the center, but the front and rear of the vehicle may not have sustained any damage.

Center stack: A colloquial term for the center section of the Dashboard where audio and climate controls are frequently located.

Centerstand: Centerstand

A motorcycle support attached to the frame of the bike that keeps it in an upright position when deployed. To deploy, you put your foot on the stand's lateral step bar or tang and with one hand on the handlebar and the other on the seat rail, you pull the bike back on the stand. A similar device was used on some bicycles in the past.

Centerstand tang: A small lever attached to the side of the centerstand as a step bar

Center steering linkage: A Steering system using two Tie rods connected to the Steering arms and to a central Idler arm, the idler arm is operated by a Drag link that connects the idler arm to the Pitman arm.

Center terminal: A high tension distributor has a rotor which spins around a center post and transfers electrical energy from the center post or terminal to each of the surrounding terminals located in the distributor cap. In this way the energy from the coil is transferred to the high tension leads going to each spark plug.

Center the clutch: To align the center holes in the clutch plates so that they fit easily on the splines of the crankshaft.

Center tunnel: The hump which runs from front to rear between the left and right passenger (i.e., driver and passenger). It often accommodates the transmission and/or drive shaft. In front wheel drive vehicles it covers the wiring leading to the rear of the vehicle.
Also See
Transmission tunnel

Center vertical keel: See
Center girder

Centigrade: Thermometer on which the Boiling point of water is 100° and the freezing point is 0°. The term is no longer in use and is replaced by the word Celsius.

Centimeter: See
Cubic centimeter

Centipoise: A measure of a hundredth part of a poise (the measure of viscosity) or Centistokes times specific gravity at the test temperature.

Centistoke: A measure of a hundredth part of a Stoke

Central fuel injection: (CFI) a computer-controlled fuel metering system which sprays atomized fuel into a throttle body mounted on the intake manifold

Central chassis lubrication: A configuration of the engine and chassis where an oil change and the greasing of grease (zerk) fittings can be made from one spot -- generally underneath the vehicle.

Central gearchange: The usual arrangement with the gear lever in the center of the floor.

Centralized computer controller: Energy control device, centrally located, which makes control decisions based on operating data, programmed information, and stored data. Can be used to optimize energy consumption of many devices throughout a building.

Central locking: The locking or unlocking of all the doors by locking from one location. This may be done by turning a key in a door lock or using an electronic device.
Also See
Central locking hub

Central locking hub: A wheel with splines in the center which match up with the splines on the outside of the hub. This system is usually found on wheels that are attached to the hub with a center attaching nut on older cars -- especially sports cars -- rather than the type that is attached with several studs or bolts in a circular pattern.

Central median island: An area in the center of a road which separates approaching flows of traffic or a pedestrian crossing

Central reservation: A British term for the median which divides the north and southbound lanes (or east and westbound lanes) of a divided highway.

Central reserve: A British term for the median which divides the north and southbound lanes (or east and westbound lanes) of a divided highway.

Central station: Central location of condensing unit with either wet or air-cooled condenser. Evaporator located as needed and connected to the central condensing unit.

Central warm air furnace: Self-contained appliance designed to supply heated air through ducts to spaces remote from or adjacent to the appliance location.

Centre: See
Center

Centrifuge: A machine using centrifugal force produced by high-speed rotation for separating materials of different densities. Applied to Diesel engine fuels and lubricating oils to remove moisture and other extraneous materials.

Centrifugal advance: Centrifugal Advance

A device found on the Distributor which, through the action of Centrifugal force on two weights, advances or Retards the Ignition Spark to correspond with changes in Engine speed and load.

Also See
Vacuum advance

Centrifugal clutch: A Clutch that uses Centrifugal force to expand a Friction device on the driving shaft until it is locked to a drum on the driven shaft.

Centrifugal compressor: Pump which compresses gaseous refrigerants by centrifugal force.

Centrifugal cut-out switch: A centrifugally operated automatic mechanism used in conjunction with split-phase and other types of induction motors. Centrifugal cut-out switches will open or disconnect the starting windings when the rotor reaches a predetermined speed, and reconnect it when the motor speed falls below it. Without such a device, the starting winding would be susceptible to rapid overheating and subsequent burnout

Centrifugal force: That force which tends to keep moving objects traveling in a straight line, when a moving vehicle is forced to make a turn, centrifugal force attempts to keep it moving in a straight line, if the vehicle is turning at too high a Speed, centrifugal force will be greater than the frictional force between the tires and the road and the vehicle will slide off the road.

Centrifugal force air filter: A type of canister air filter used on the engines of semi-tractor-trailer units which removes the dust before it reaches the filter element.

Centrifugal governor: A device which controls the speed by using Centrifugal force. As the speed of a shaft increases, weights are moved outward. When the weights reach a predetermined place, the shaft can no longer increase in speed. This governor may be found in automatic transmissions

Centrifugally-cast brake drum: A brake drum with a pressed-steel outer drum and a cast-in iron liner.

Centrifugal oil filter: A filter in the lubrication system which pushes any impurities to the outside of the filter as it rapidly rotates.

Centrifugal pump

A pump which forces liquid from one location to another by the rotation of an impeller.
A pump which produces fluid velocity and converts it to pressure head.

Centrifugal weight: The movable part in a centrifugal clutch or centrifugal advance. The weight (sometimes called a finger) moves outward as a result of Centrifugal force. Changing the mass of the weight will cause the weight to move outward sooner or later. The heavier the weight the later the movement.

Centrifuge brake drums: To combine the strength of steel with the desirable friction characteristics of cast iron, a lining of cast iron is sprayed on the inside of a steel drum. Both metals are handled while hot to encourage the fusion of the two metals

Centripetal force: A force which acts towards a central point, such as Earth's Gravity. In a sense it is the opposite of Centrifugal force.

Century

A bicycle ride of 100 miles (160.9 km).
Also See
Double Century
Metric century
Click image for books on
Buick Century

A name given to six generations of automobiles manufactured by Buick including the full size 1936-42 Century, the full size 1954-58 Century, the intermediate 1973-77 Century, the reduced 1978-80 Century, the compact 1981-96 Century, the enlarged 1997-2005 Century

CEPA: Acronym for Canadian Environmental Protection Act.

CER: Acronym for Cold Enrichment Rod (Ford)

Ceramic: A non-organic and non-metallic product made from clay or glass. Currently some manufacturers are trying to develop ceramic Cylinders because of its ability to retain its shape when heated in contrast with metal which expands when heated.
Also See
Ceramic filter
Ignitor Ceramic

Ceramic brake pad: A brake pad constructed with ceramics to reduce wear and heat.

Ceramic capacitor: Capacitor using a high-permittivity dielectric such as barium titanate to provide a high capacitance per unit volume.

Ceramic filter: A filtering device using a porous ceramic as the filtering agent.

Ceramic fuel: Nuclear fuel with high resistance for temperature, e.g., uranium dioxide, uranium carbide.

Ceramic honeycomb: The interior of a Monolithic converter which supports the catalyst.

Ceramic ignitor: Electric ignition system used in a water glycol solution, forced-air furnace. Electrically heated to create ignition of the gas-air mixture in the combustion chamber.

Ceramic insulator: An insulator made of ceramic material, e.g., porcelain; generally used for outdoor installations.

Ceramics: The art and science of non-organic non-metallic materials.
Also see
Ceramic.

Ceramics processing: The methods of making ceramic products before final Sintering.

Ceramic transducer: Transducer based on the electrical properties of ceramics such as piezoelectricity.

CERCLA: Acronym for Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act

Cerenkov counter: Radiation counter which operates through the detection of Cerenkov radiation.

Cerenkov detector: Device which detects and measures the Cerenkov radiation produced as a result of the incidence of high-energy charged particles; from this the speed and charge of the particles may be calculated.

Cerenkov radiation: Radiation emitted when a charged particle travels through a medium at a speed greater than the speed of light in the medium. This occurs when the refractive index of the medium is high, i.e., much greater than unity, as for water.

Cermet: Ceramic articles bonded with metal. Composite materials combining the hardness and high temperature characteristics of ceramics with the mechanical properties of metal, e.g., cemented carbides and certain reactor fuels.

CERN: Byname for Organisation européene pour la Recherche Nucléaire originally Conseil Europé pour la Recherche Nucléaire; the principal European center in theoretical and experimental research in particle physics, supported by most European countries; located in Geneva. Its facilities include high-energy and low-energy proton and antiproton accelerators, and an electron-positron collider.

Certificate: See
International load line certificate
International tonnage certificate
MOT certificate
Seaworthiness certificate
Type approval certificate

Certificate of registry: A document specifying the country the vessel is registered.

Certification: See
Buxton Certification

Certification Label: See
Safety Compliance Certification Label

Certification of Higher-learning in Alternative Motorfuels Program: (CHAMP) A national program established by DOE to implement Section 411 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992.

CES: Acronym for Clutch Engage Switch

Cesium: A metallic element, symbol Cs, atomic number 55. British spelling caesium

Cesium cell: A cell having a cathode consisting of a thin layer of cesium deposited on minute globules of silver; particularly sensitive to infrared radiation, but generally approximating to that of the eye. British spelling caesium cell.

Cesium clock: Frequency-determining apparatus used on cesium-ion resonance of 9,192,631,770 Hz.

Cesium-oxygen cell: Cell in which the vacuum is replaced by an atmosphere of oxygen at very low pressure. It is more sensitive to red light than the Cesium cell.

CESS: Acronym for Cold Engine Sensor Switch

Cetane: Ignition performance rating of diesel fuel. Diesel equivalent to gasoline octane.

Cetane Index

A calculated value, derived from fuel density and volatility, giving a reasonably close approximation to cetane number.
An empirical measure of ignition quality. Defined as the percentage by volume of cetane in a mixture of cetane and methyl naphthalene which has the same ignition quality when used in an engine as a fuel under test.

Cetane number

A method of rating Diesel oil or fuel by measuring the time lapse between Fuel injection and Ignition to determine how easy it is to ignite and how fast it will burn. The lower the cetane number, the higher the temperature required to burn the oil.
A measure of ignition quality of diesel fuel. The higher the cetane number the easier the fuel ignites when injected into an engine. Cetane number is determined by an engine test using two reference fuel blends of known cetane numbers. The reference fuels are prepared by blending normal cetane (n-hexadecane), having a value of 100, with heptamethyl nonane, having a value of 15.

Cetane rating: A method of rating Diesel oil or fuel by measuring the time lapse between Fuel injection and Ignition to determine how easy it is to ignite and how fast it will burn. The lower the cetane number, the higher the temperature required to burn the oil.

Ceton filter: A sock-type filter in the fuel tank capable of wicking diesel fuel, but not water; keeps water from the rest of the fuel system until the sock is 90% submerged in water