DICTIONARY OF AUTOMOTIVE TERMS - "Ci"

CI

1. Acronym for compression ignition.
2. Acronym for coil ignition.

CID

Acronym for cubic inch displacement.

Ciera

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Oldsmobile Ciera

A model of automobile manufactured by General Motors' Oldsmobile division

CIF

1. Acronym for cargo, insurance and freight -- cargos for which the seller pays for the transportation and insurance up to the port of destination.
2. Acronym for cost, insurance, freight -- A type of sale in which the buyer of the product agrees to pay a unit price that includes the f.o.b. value of the product at the point of origin plus all costs of insurance and transporation. This type of a transaction differs from a "delivered" purchase, in that the buyer accepts the quantity as determined at the loading port (as certified by the Bill of Lading and Quality Report) rather than pay based on the quantity and quality ascertained at the unloading port. It is similar to the terms of an f.o.b. sale, except that the seller, as a service for which he is compensated, arranges for transportation and insurance.

CIH

Acronym for camshaft in head

CIH engine

A type of overhead valve engine (OHV) where the camshaft is enclosed within the cylinder head not placed on top of it. It is not the same as an overhead camshaft (OHC).

Cigar lighter

A device which heats up an element when engaged. In turn, the lighter can ignite something flammable like a cigarette. The socket can also be used to power other electrical components requiring 12 volts.

Cigar lighter

A device which heats up an element when engaged. In turn, the lighter can ignite something flammable like a cigarette. The socket can also be used to power other electrical components requiring 12 volts.

CIM

Acronym for computer-integrated manufacturing.

Circle

See
base circle
bolt hole circle
cam heel
hole circle
pitch circle diameter
pitch circle
traffic circle
turning circle
wheel bolt hole circle

Circle diameter

See
pitch circle diameter

Circlip

A flat retaining ring in the shape of an incomplete circle where the ends at the gap may have small holes for inserting special pliers to spread the circlip apart. Also called a snap ring.

Also See
internal circlip pliers
piston pin circlip
wrist pin circlip

Circlip pliers

See
internal circlip pliers

Circuit

1. A source of electricity (battery), a resistance unit (headlight, etc.) and wires that form a path for the flow of electricity from the source through the unit and back to the source. The path of electrical current through an electrical system.

   Also See
   starting system.

2. The path of the fuel in the carburetor.

   Also See
   carburetor circuits.

3. The course over which vehicles are raced particularly if it is somewhat circular.
4. Tubing, piping, or electrical wire installation which permits flow to and from the energy source.
5. A conductor or a system of conductors through which electric current flows.

Also See
carburetor circuit charging circuit
cranking circuit
high-tension circuit
HT circuit
idle circuit
idling circuit
ignition circuits
low-speed circuit
low speed circuit
low voltage circuit
LT circuit
open circuit
parallel circuit
primary circuit
printed circuit board
printed circuit
safety-control circuit secondary circuit
series-parallel circuit
series circuit
series parallel circuit
short circuit

Circuit board

See
printed circuit board

Circuit breaker

A protective device that will make and break the flow of current when current draw becomes excessive or overloaded. Unlike the fuse, it does not blow out but vibrates on and off thus giving the driver some light to stop by.

Also See
cutout

Circuit diagram

A wiring diagram showing the path of the electrical connections and the various colors of the wires.

Circuiting

See
short circuiting

Circuit-mile

The total length in miles of separate circuits regardless of the number of conductors used per circuit.

Circuit, parallel

Arrangement of electrical devices in which the current divides and travels through two or more paths and then returns through a common path.

Circuit, pilot

Secondary circuit used to control a main circuit or a device in the main circuit.

Circuit protector

Electrical device which will open an electrical circuit if excessive electrical conditions occur.

Circuitry

See
phase-locked loop circuitry
PLL circuitry

Circuit, series

Electrical wiring; electrical path (circuit) in which electricity to operate second lamp or device must pass through first; current flow travels, in turn. through all devices connected together.

Circuit tester

A tool which looks like a screwdriver with a light at the end of the handle as well as a long wire with an allegator clip. The pointed end touches the hot wire while the allegator end touches or clips to the ground. If there is continuity and power, the light in the handle will glow.

Circular headlamp

The older type of headlight which may be the larger one (7 inch) with both high and low beam or the smaller one (5.75 inch) dedicated to either low or high beam.

Circular mil

Unit of area equal to the area of a circle one mil in diameter

Circulating pump

A centrifugal pump, like an automotive water pump, which moves the liquid in a closed system.

Circulation

See
forced circulation
oil circulation

Circumference

See
rolling circumference

Circumferential break

An injury to the tread or sidewall of a tire which encircles the tire.

Circumferential crack

A crack in the grooves of the tread which may be evident around the whole tire.

CIS

1. Acronym for continuous injection system. A Bosch fuel injection system which injects a steady stream of pressurized fuel into each intake port. CIS was once widely used throughout the industry
2. Acronym for Cylinder Identification Signal

CIS-E

A CIS system with electronic controls

CIS-III

Acronym for eletronic continuous injection system -- a Bosch L or LH-Jetronic type system

CIS-Lambda

A CIS system with an oxygen sensor

CIS with Lambda

See
K-Jetronic with Lambda

Cisitalia

A vehicle brand of which the 1946-49 GT (Pininfarina) models are milestone cars.

Citizens band radio

A CB radio which is used to communicate over a specified frequency. In the U.S.A. the two-way radio required no license by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC); but in other countries (e.g., Canada) a license was required. It was most popular during the 1970s; but it is still used by truckers and motorists for everything from traffic condition reports to emergency calls to idle chatter.

Citroen

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Citroen

A vehicle brand of which the 1955-64 models D8 and ID 19 are milestone cars.

City car

A compact vehicle used for driving within a city rather than on the highway. It is usually only 10 to 12 feet (300 to 360 cm) long.

City cycle

An adult bicycle or tricycle used for riding within the city. Also called an urban cycle.

City kitty

Trucker slang for Woman city police officer as in "You got a city kitty at the next corner up here."

Civic

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Honda Civic

A model of automobile manufactured by Honda