DICTIONARY OF AUTOMOTIVE TERMS - "Da"

D

1. Abbreviation for "diesel."
2. Abbreviation for "drive."
3. A mark on the output (live) terminal on a generator (contrasts with "F")

Dab

A bicycle maneuver in which the rider puts a foot down in order to catch his balance on a difficult section of trail as in, "You will be disqualified if you dab on this course."

DAB

Acronym for "Digital Audio Broadcast."

Dagmar

1. Large bullet-shaped protrusion on bumpers of cars in the 1950s. It was named after the nickname of a buxom television star, Virginia Ruth Egnor (1921-2001).
2. Dagmar is an automobile of which only the 25-70 models of 1925-1948 are classic cars.

Daimler

Also called Austro-Daimler. A vehicle brand of which the 1925-1948 models with required application are classic cars. The 1949-53 DE-36 Custom Built models are milestone cars. The 1949-53 2.5 Special Sport Convertible models are milestone cars.

Dalton's law

Vapor pressure created in a container by a mixture of gases is equal to sum of individual vapor pressures of the gases contained in mixture.

Dam

See:
air dam
heat dam

Damage

See:
accident damage
center section damage
direct damage
ecological damage
engine damage
frame damage
impact damage
indirect damage
internal damage
secondary damage
stone chip damage

Damp

1. To reduce the oscillations of spring, carburetor piston, etc.
2. To reduce the vibration in a crankshaft

Dampening belt

A rubber belt wound around the outside of a brake drum or rotor prior to machining the drum or rotor. The belt dampens out vibrations that might affect the quality of the finished surface.

Damper

1. A friction device sometimes called a "shock absorber." Used for controlling and damping spring oscillations. The springs actually absorb road shocks; the dampers convert the energy imparted to the springs into thermal energy (by friction), which is dissipated to the atmosphere or the vehicle's chassis. Dampers are distinguishable by the type of friction involved, mechanical or hydraulic but most modern cars used tubular-shaped hydraulic shock absorbers. Because they affect up and down wheel motions, dampers are an important link in tuning a vehicle's ride and handling.
2. A movable plate which permits or restricts the flow of liquids or gasses.

Also See:
friction damper
gas damper
harmonic balancer
mass damper
monotube damper
piston damper
pulsation damper
steering damper
steering wheel damper
torsional vibration damper
torsion damper
twin-tube damper
vibration damper

Damper piston

A piston in a cylinder whose movement is restricted by a liquid or gas, which thus also restricts the movement of another member to which it is connected.

Damper settings

See:
spring and damper settings

Damper springs

Springs in a clutch plate providing a cushion against sudden loads due to abrupt engagement

Damper strut

A suspension strut whose hub carrier is attached to the spring element rather than to the damper tube. Compare Macpherson strut

Damping

1. Cushioning of force.
2. The action of suspension to control the speed of movement through its travel, usually by a piston running through oil and thus gives a smoother ride. It vastly improves that smoothness of ride offered.

Also See:
compression damping

Damping force

The amount of cushioning applied by a shock absorber

Damping rate

The amount of cushioning applied by a shock absorber

Dark 30

Trucker slang for nighttime as in "I am shutting this rig down right at darktime."

Darktime

Trucker slang for nighttime as in "I am shutting this rig down right at darktime."

Darracq

A vehicle manufacturer in which only the 8-cyl. cars and 4-litre, 6-cyl. cars of 1925-1948 are classic cars.

Dash

See:
dashboard

Dash board

See:
dashboard

Dashboard

That part of the body containing the driving instruments, switches, etc. Also called the "instrument panel" or "dash panel" or just "dash."

Dashboard gearchange

British term for dash shifter

Dashboard plaque

1. A metal or plastic plate which is mounted to the dash to indicate the brand, model, or series of vehicle.
2. A metal plate which is mounted to the dash to indicate an award for attending or winning a rally or other automotive event.

Dash design

See:
wrapround dash design

Dash panel

1. A structural panel with bracing across the width of the car on the inside of the bulkhead below the windshield that provides the mounting locations of the dashboard.
2. The bulkhead

Dash plaque

1. A metal or plastic plate which is mounted to the dash to indicate the brand, model, or series of vehicle.
2. A metal plate which is mounted to the dash to indicate an award for attending or winning a rally or other automotive event.

Dashpot

A unit using a cylinder and piston or a cylinder and diaphragm with a small vent hole, to retard or slow down the movement of some part.

Dash-pot

(DP) a diaphragm that controls the rate at which the throttle closes

Dash shifter

A shift lever and indicator which is located on the instrument panel either as a short lever or push buttons

Data

See:
radio Data System

Data link connector

Connector(s) providing access and/or control of the vehicle information, operating conditions, and diagnostic information.

Data System

See:
radio Data System

Datsun

A model of automobile manufactured by Nissan
Click image for books on Datsun

Datsun Truck

A model of truck manufactured by Nissan
Click image for books on Datsun Trucks

Datsun Z

A model of automobile manufactured by Nissan
Click image for books on Datsun Z

Davit

A crane arm for handling lifeboats, stores, etc.

Day-night mirror

A mirror which adjusts to prevent the glare from the headlights of following cars. The British term is "dipping mirror."

Days' supply

Number of days needed to sell all vehicles in inventory, based on the previous month's sales rate.

Daytime running lights (DRLs)

A safety-oriented lighting system in which the headlights or other front lights are constantly on even during the day. They help to prevent possible accidents because oncoming traffic can be seen. December 1, 1989, Canada became the second country after Norway to require daytime running lights on all new passenger vehicles. In other countries the implementation of DRLs has had mixed response.

Dazzle

The glare from the headlights of oncoming traffic which can momentarily blind a driver.

Dazzle mirror

See:
dimming mirror

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