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
  1. Acronym for Digital Audio Broadcast.
  2. Acronym for Delayed Accessory Bus
Daewoo
Daewoo

Daewoo

A South Korean automobile manufacturer which produced Lanos (1999-2002), Nubira (1999-2002), Leganza (1999-2002).
Dagmar
Dagmar (Virginia Ruth Egnor)

Virginia Ruth Egnor
"Dagmar"

1955 Cadillac

1955 Cadillac "Dagmar" bumper

  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 6-80 models are classic cars.

Daihatsu
Daihatsu

Daihatsu

A brand of automobile from the Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd. which began in 1951 and included the following models Rocky (1987-98), Charade (1977-2000)
Daimler
Also called Austro-Daimler. A vehicle brand of which the several models with required application are classic cars such as
  1. All 8 and 12 cylinder from 1925-48
  2. 1925-34 6 cylinder, 3 1/2 litre and larger models
  3. 1925-34 models 25, 25/85, 20/25, 20/30
  4. 1925 model 30
  5. 1925-32 models 30, 35/120
  6. 1925-26 model 45
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
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
Damper

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.

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
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.
Damping force
The amount of cushioning applied by a shock absorber
Damping rate
The amount of cushioning applied by a shock absorber
Damping restriction
The bore of a small cross section in the fuel distributor of the K-Jetronic type system. It dampens sensor plate movement in the air flow sensor during high load and low rpm conditions
Daniels
A car manufacturer of which the 1920-1926 8 cylinder Model D are classic cars
Dark 30
Trucker slang for nighttime as in "I am shutting this rig down right at dark 30."
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-liter, 6-cyl. cars of 1925-1948 are classic cars.
Dash
Dash board
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
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. Also called the fire wall because it is the partition between the passenger compartment and the engine compartment.
  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
Data Center
Data Interchange
Data link connector
Connector(s) providing access and/or control of the vehicle information, operating conditions, and diagnostic information.
Data Sheet
Data System
Date Code
Datsun
Datsun books

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Datsun

A model of automobile manufactured by Nissan
Datsun Truck
Datsun Truck Books

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Datsun Truck

A model of truck manufactured by Nissan
Datsun Z
Datsun Z Books

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Datsun Z

A model of automobile manufactured by Nissan
Davit
A crane arm for handling lifeboats, stores, etc.
Day Cab
A truck or tractor without a sleeper birth. Typically used for day trips or local routes.
Daylighting controls
A system of sensors that assesses the amount of daylight and controls lighting or shading devices to maintain a specified lighting level. The sensors are sometimes referred to as photocells.
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