- Dead axle
-
An axle that does not rotate nor is driven but merely forms a base upon which to attach the wheels. Non-powered rear axle on tandem truck or tractor.
Dead Axle
- Dead battery
- A battery that registers almost no electrical charge. Sometimes it can be brought back to life with a charger. The British call it a flat battery
- Dead center
- The point at which the Piston reaches its uppermost or lowermost position in the Cylinder the rod CrankJournal would be at 11 o'clock UDC or 6 o'clock LDC.
- Dead Head
-
- A cargo truck without its cargo that is being driven to a particular location
- A trip where the tractor pulls an empty trailer or a trailer loaded with cargo that generates no revenue.
- Dead-head pressure
- A fuel pressure reading taken directly at the fuel pump outlet. Many systems use a fuel pressure regulator; dead-head pressure is an unregulated measurement
- Dead pedal
- A footrest located to the far left of the Driver so that he can brace his left leg during hard cornering or to balance the position of the right foot on the Throttle pedal during normal driving.
- Dead space
- The space below the piston available for pre-compression of the incoming fresh charge of the two-stroke engine.
- Deadweight
- The total weight in tons (2240 lb.) that a ship carries on a specified draft including fuel, water in tanks, cargo, stores, passengers, baggage, crew and their effects, but excluding the water in the boilers. It is the difference in weight between a vessel when it is fully loaded and when it is empty measured by the water it displaces.
- Deadweight tons
- The lifting capacity of a ship expressed in long tons, including cargo, commodities, and crew.
- Dealer
-
- A firm that buys and sells, adding some value for the consumer in the process. Dealer often means a firm which operates closer in the distribution channel to the consumer than a distributor or Wholesaler and may add more value for consumers than either of the above-mentioned terms. Also called dealership.
- A person whose business is buying and selling cars and trucks or motorcycles.
- Dealer participation
- The amount contributed by the dealer to reduce the final purchase price in the lease contract. Dealer participation can take the form of a rebate or simply a discount. The dealer participation is reflected in the lease contract as a capitalized cost reduction.
- Dealer principal
- The individual or corporation that owns and controls one or a number of auto dealerships.
- Dealership
- A firm that buys and sells, adding some value for the consumer in the process. A dealership often means a firm which operates closer in the distribution channel to the consumer than a distributor or Wholesaler and may add more value for consumers than either of the above-mentioned terms.
- Dealer tank wagon sales
- (DTW) Wholesale sales of gasoline priced on a delivered basis to a retail outlet.
- Death rattle
- An informal term for a noise from an engine which indicates that it is likely to break down at any moment
- Deburr
- To remove Burrs from a metal surface
- Deburring
- Removing chips, rough edges, burrs, and other imperfections from a metal surface, object, or bearing usually by grinding.
- Decal
- A sticker or transfer which is applied to a smooth surface to identify a particular product. Pronounced dee-KALL in the United States, but DECK-ull in Canada.
- Decarbon
- The action of removing Carbon buildup from the surface of the Cylinder head and the dome of the Piston. The accumulation of Carbon indicates poor Combustion and will result in loss of performance.
- Decelerate
- The action of slowing down. The opposite of accelerate
- Deceleration
- Negative Acceleration; the rate of change in velocity as a vehicle slows down during braking.
- Deceleration fuel cut-off
- A device which stops the flow of fuel to the carburetor or injectors when the vehicle rapidly decelerates in the event of a crash thus preventing the possibility of a fire or explosion.
- Deceleration switch
- A device that signals the rate of vehicle deceleration to the ECU, allowing it to adjust ABS operation accordingly
- Decelerometer
- An instrument for measuring Deceleration.
- Decibel
- (dB) Unit used for measuring relative loudness of sounds. One decibel is equal to approximate difference of loudness ordinarily detectable by human ear, the range of which is about 130 decibels on scale beginning with one for faintest audible sound.
- Deck
-
- The bed of a half-ton truck.
- The floor of a commercial vehicle like a bus.
- The trunk lid of a car. Also called rear deck.
- In an engine, top face of the cylinder block on which the cylinder head mounts.
- Insulated horizontal partition between refrigerated space and evaporator space. Also called coil deck
- A platform in a ship corresponding to a floor in a building.
- Deck house
- Small superstructure on the top deck which contains the steering wheel and other navigational instruments.
- Deck lid
- The Panel which covers the engine in a vehicle with
the engine in the rear of the car.
Also see
- Deck panel
- The sheet metal panel extending from the bottom of the rear window to the rear
panel and enclosing the cutout for the trunk lid, extending sideways to the top of
both rear fenders. In some cases, this panel covers only the area between the
bottom of the rear window and the front edge of the trunk lid.
Also see
- Decoke
- To Decarbon
- Decompressor
- A valve which is manually operated to release compression in a cylinder by allowing air to escape in order to facilitate manual starting of an old engine or a diesel engine. Some motorcycles also used a decompressor to assist in kick-starting.
- Dedicated reserves
- The volume of recoverable, salable gas reserves committed to, controlled by, or possessed by the reporting pipeline company and used for acts and services for which both the seller and the company have received certificate authorization from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Reserves include both company-owned reserves (including owned gas in underground storage), reserves under contract from independent producers, and short-term and emergency supplies from the intrastate market. Gas volumes under contract from other interstate pipelines are not included as reserves, but may constitute part or all of a company's gas supply.
- Dedicated Vehicle
- A vehicle designed to operate solely on one alternative fuel, as opposed to a converted vehicle which was later altered to use an alternative fuel. Generally, dedicated vehicles provide superior emissions and performance results because their design has been optimized for operation on only one fuel. A vehicle powered by an electric motor is not to be treated as dedicated.
- De Dion axle
-
A rear axle setup developed by Count de Dion in the 19th century in which the driving wheels are attached to curved Dead axle that is attached to the Frame by a central pivot, the Differential unit is bolted to the frame and is connected to the driving wheels by drive axles using Universal joints. The De Dion system keeps the wheels upright (the same as a Live axle does), but Unsprung weight is reduced because the Differential is out of the axle. De Dion suspension also leaves room around the Differential for inboard brakes, which can further reduce Unsprung weight.
De Dion Axle
- Deep tank
- Tanks extending from the bottom or inner bottom up to or higher than the lowest deck of a ship
- Deer alert
-
A device which is mounted on the outside of a vehicle and which makes a high-pitched sound to warn deer and other animals away. Whether it really works or not is debatable.
Deer Alert
- Defensive driving
- A driving technique in which the driver prepares for and watches for the mistakes of other drivers around him so that he can avoid an accident.
- Deflation warning system
- (DWS) developed by Dunlop for on-line detection of tire pressure loss. When tire pressure is reduced, the tire circumference is also reduced resulting in increased wheel rpm. The system uses the wheel speed sensors of an existing ABS system to continuously monitor wheel speed and tire condition, and triggers a warning signal upon detecting a problem.
- Deflection rate
- The distance that a spring squeezes together (deflects) in relation to the pressure applied. E.g., 5 inches per 1000 lb load.
- Deflectograph
- A truck mounted machine which produces a continuous record of highway strength by measuring its deflection under load.
- Deflector
-
- A device which causes bugs, tar, and grime from hitting other components.
- A special piston profile used to achieve cross scavenging in earlier two-stroke engines.
- Deflector piston
- A piston design which had a crown designed to direct the incoming fresh mixture upwards to expel the burnt exhaust gas from the cylinder. This design is no longer used today.
- Defog
- The action of removing mist or condensation from the inside of a window or the
outside of a mirror by means of blowing air or heated wires imbedded in the glass.
The British term is demist.
Also see
- Defogger
- An electric or hot air device to remove the fog or ice from both the inside and outside of the Windshield, Backlight (i.e., rear window) or even mirrors. Some are designed to remove fog from the side windows.
- Deformation
- An alteration of shape or dimension which is caused by stress, expansion, or
contraction because of temperature, humidity, or metallurgical changes.
Also see
- Deformation zone
- A Crumple zone
- Defrost
- The action of removing frost from the inside of a window or the outside of a mirror by means of blowing air or heated wires imbedded in the glass.
- Defroster
- The apparatus (either a fan connected to the heating system or electrical wires imbedded in the glass) which removes frost or fog from a window. Also called a demister.
- Defrosting control
- Device to automatically defrost evaporator. It may operate by means of a clock, door cycling mechanism, or during off portion of refrigerating cycle.
- Defrosting type evaporator
- Evaporator operating at such temperatures that ice and frost on surface melts off during part of operating cycle.
- Defrost timer
- Device, connected into electrical circuit, which shuts unit off long enough to permit ice and frost accumulation on evaporator to melt.
- Degasification system
- The methods employed for removing methane from a coal seam that could not otherwise be removed by standard ventilation fans and thus would pose a substantial hazard to coal miners. These systems may be used prior to mining or during mining activities.
- Deglaze
- The action of removing the smooth Finish on Cylinder walls so that a new set of rings will seat.
- Deglazer
- An abrasive tool used to remove the glaze from
Cylinder walls so that a new set of rings will
seat.
Also see
- Degradable organic carbon
- The portion of organic carbon present in such solid waste as paper, food waste, and yard waste that is susceptible to biochemical decomposition.
- Degreaser
- A substance which removes dirt and Grease from a mechanic's hands. Also called hand cleaner.
- Degreasing
-
- The removing of grease or oil from a surface.
- Solution or solvent used to remove oil or grease from refrigerator parts.
Also see
- Degree-day
- Unit that represents one degree of difference from inside temperature and the average outdoor temperature for one day; often used in estimating fuel requirements for a building.
- Degree wheel
-
A wheel-like disc divided into 360 equal parts that is temporarily attached to the engine Crankshaft to time the valves to a high degree of accuracy.
Degree Wheel
- De-Horse
- A colloquial term used by a vehicle dealership where he takes the customer out of his trade-in and lets him temporarily drive a borrowed car from the dealership until his purchase is completed.
- Dehumidifier
- A device which absorbs moisture from the atmosphere. It can be a unit dedicated for this purpose, or even an air conditioner.
- Dehydrator-receiver
- Small tank which serves as liquid refrigerant reservoir and which also contains a desiccant to remove moisture. Used on most automobile air conditioning installations.
- Deice control
- Device for operating a refrigerating system in such a way as to provide melting of the accumulated ice and frost.
- De-icer
-
- A liquid or spray which is applied to the windshield to assist in removing ice.
- Material applied to roadways to prevent ice build-up or to melt ice.
Also see
- Deicing
- The process of applying chemicals to the road surface to remove snow, ice, or frost after it has bonded to the pavement
- De-ionized water
- Water from which impurities have been removed by a special process and used for topping up batteries.
- Delage
- An old brand of automobile of which the 1925-1948 Model D-8, not 4-cyl. and the 1924-1926 GL and GLS Models with required application is a classic car. The 1946-49 D-6 Sedans are milestone cars.
- Delahaye
- An old brand of automobile of which the 1925-1948 Series 135, 145, 148, 165 (but not the 4-cyl.) with required application are Classic cars. The Type 135, 175, 180 (1946-51) are milestone cars.
- De-laminate
- To split a layered or laminated material into its separate layers. Sometimes used to describe failure of an adhesive in bond strength testing
- Delaunay Belleville
- An old brand of automobile of which the 1925-1948 6-cyl models are classic cars.
- Delayed coking
- A process by which heavier crude oil fractions can be thermally decomposed under conditions of elevated temperatures and pressure to produce a mixture of lighter oils and petroleum coke. The light oils can be processed further in other refinery units to meet product specifications. The coke can be used either as a fuel or in other applications such as the manufacturing of steel or aluminum.
- Delay vacuum bypass system
- (DVB) an optional system used by Ford that bypasses the spark delay valve during cold operation to improve driveability
- Delay valve
- A valve used in a vacuum or hydraulic system in which the valve's opening or closing is delayed. Also called Vacuum delay valve
- Delay wiper
- A windshield scraper which can be set to activate at various times and pauses between each swipe. It is useful when there is a mist or light rain. Also called intermittent wiper.
- Delineator post
-
A barricade marking device placed on a road to prevent travel in a particular direction
Delineator Post
- Deliver
-
- To pump or discharge a liquid.
- To drive a new car from the factory to the distributor or dealer. Or to drive it to the customer.
- Deliverability
- Represents the number of future years during which a pipeline company can meet its annual requirements for its presently certificated delivery capacity from presently committed sources of supply. The availability of gas from these sources of supply shall be governed by the physical capabilities of these sources to deliver gas by the terms of existing gas-purchase contracts, and by limitations imposed by State or Federal regulatory agencies.
- Delivered cost
- The cost of fuel, including the invoice price of fuel, transportation charges, taxes, commissions, insurance, and expenses associated with leased or owned equipment used to transport the fuel.
- Delivered gas
- The physical transfer of natural, synthetic, and/or supplemental gas from facilities operated by the responding company to facilities operated by others or to consumers.
- Delivery
-
- The discharging of a liquid from a pump.
- Driving a new car from the factory to the distributor or dealer
- Delivery mileage only
- The odometer reading reflects only the distance from the factory to the selling dealer.
- Delivery valve
-
- The valve on the outlet side of a pump.
- A fuel injection pump valve that rapidly decreases injection line pressure to achieve an abrupt fuel cutoff at the injector
- Delta transformer
- Three-phase electrical transformer which has ends of each of three windings electrically connected to form a triangle.
- Demist
- A British term to clear fog or frost from the windshield or rear window. In the US and Canada, the term is Defog.
- Demo
- Short form for demonstration vehicle
- Demonstration vehicles
- Vehicles operated by a motor vehicle dealer solely for the purpose of promoting motor vehicle sales or permitting potential purchasers to drive the vehicle for pre-purchase or pre-lease evaluation; or a vehicle that is owned and operated by a motor vehicle manufacturer or motor vehicle component manufacturer, or owned or held by a university research department, independent testing laboratory, or other such evaluation facility, solely for the purpose of evaluating the performance of such vehicles for engineering, research and development, or quality control reasons. Also called Test Vehicle
- Demountable flange
- A side ring or side and lock ring combination that retains the tire on the rim. It is removable to permit tire mounting or removal.
- Demountable rim
- A two piece wheel rim found on trucks. The main part of the rim remains on the axle while a side
piece and a locking ring is removable. In this way the whole rim is not removed from the vehicle like
a passenger car's rim and wheel. Demountable rims are still in use, though they have been replaced in
many applications by the simpler disc wheel.
Also see
- Demulsibility
- The resistance of oil to emulsification, or the ability of oil to separate from any water with which it is mixed. The better the demulsibility rating, the more quickly the oil separates from water
- Demurrage
- The charge paid to the vessel owner or operator for detention of a vessel at the port(s) beyond the time allowed, usually 72 hours, for loading and unloading.
- Denatured alcohol
- Ethyl alcohol made unfit for drinking by the addition of toxic or nauseating substances such as methanol, benzene, or pyridine. Used to clean a brake system.
- Denovo tire
- A special tire (fitted to a special rim) which used to be made by Dunlop, and which can be run flat for up to 160 km (100 miles) at up to 80 kph (50 mph)
- Density
-
- Compactness; relative mass of matter in a given Volume.
- Closeness of texture or consistency of particles within a given substance. The weight per unit volume.
- The weight or mass per unit volume of a gas, liquid, or solid
- Dent
-
- A hollow or dip in a body panel caused by a sharp blow or impact.
- To cause a dent in a body panel
- Dent puller
- Two types of tools used to pull out dents in body panels. One is a Suction cup dent puller and the other is Panel puller.
- Dent puller slide hammer
-
A tool used to pull a dent in a panel back to shape.
Slide Hammer Dent Puller
- Denver boot
-
A locking device which wraps around the wheel of a vehicle to immobilize its movement. Also called Wheel clamp
Denver Boot
- Deodorizer
- Device which absorbs or adsorbs various odors, usually by principle of absorption. Activated charcoal is commonly used.
- Departure angle
- The most sharply angled incline the vehicle can leave without its rear hitting the ground. As with approach angles, it's formed on one side by the horizontal axis, and on the other by a straight line connecting the rear edge of the rear tire and the most prominent point at the rear of the vehicle, usually the bumper or exhaust pipe.
- Depleted storage field
- A sub-surface natural geological reservoir, usually a depleted gas or oil field, used for storing natural gas.
- Depolarize
- Removal of residual magnetism thereby destroying or removing the magnetic. To remove polarity
- Deposit
-
- A coating of unwanted mineral or layer of sediment at the bottom of a tank.
- To apply a coating of something (often metal by electrolysis).
Also see
- Depression
-
- An indentation or dent in the surface of a sheet of metal whether through deliberate design or accident.
- A restriction of airflow which causes low pressure and a partial vacuum.
- Depress the accelerator
- The action of pressing down on the gas pedal (accelerator) to cause more fuel to enter the engine thus making the vehicle go faster. Opposite to ease up on the accelerator.
- Depress the gas pedal
- The action of pressing down on the gas pedal (accelerator) to cause more fuel to enter the engine thus making the vehicle go faster. Opposite to ease up on the gas pedal.
- Depress the throttle pedal
- The action of pressing down on the throttle pedal (accelerator) to cause more fuel to enter the engine thus making the vehicle go faster. Opposite to ease up on the throttle pedal.
- Depth micrometer
- A measuring device (micrometer) used for precise measurement of a hole depth, recesses, keyways, etc.
- Depth of thread
- The distance from the thread Crest to Root measured perpendicular to the axis of the thread
- Derailleur
-
A lever-activated mechanism that pushes the Chain off one Sprocket of a Bicycle and onto another, thus changing the Gear ratio.
Derailleur
Also see
- Derailleur cable housing
- The outer casing into which the inner wire is inserted. The inner wire of a brake cable and matching housing is thicker than those of a derailleur and thus are not compatible.
- Derailleur chain, narrow width
- A bicycle Chain made especially for use on an ultra or narrow Freewheel often recognized by bulging inner link plates and Flush Chain pins.
- Derailleur chain, standard width
- A bicycle Chain designed to fit a Freewheel of standard width, usually characterized by straight-edged plates and chain pins that protrude slightly beyond the outer link plates.
- Derailleur pulleys
- One of two guide wheels of the rear derailleur which directs the path of the chain.
- Deregulation
- The elimination of some or all regulations from a previously regulated industry or sector of an industry.
- Desalter
- The desalter mixes the hydrocarbon stream with a small amount of fresh water (e.g. 10% by volume) forming a water-in-oil emulsion. The resulting emulsion is subjected to an electric field wherein the water is coalesced as an under flow from the upper flow of a relatively water-free, continuous hydrocarbon phase. The desalted hydrocarbon stream is produced at relatively low cost and has a very small residual salt content. The performance of this unit can be improved with a demulsifier, such as Alken 860 Demulsifier.
- Desiccant
-
- A drying agent (silica gel or a similar substance) used in refrigeration or air conditioning systems to remove excess moisture from refrigerant vapor
- Substance used to collect and hold moisture in refrigerating system. A drying agent. Common desiccants are activated alumina and silica gel.
- Design
-
- The arrangement of parts or the form of construction.
- To arrange parts or construction of a vehicle or major component.
- Design Gross Vehicle Weight
- (DGVW) The manufacturers specifications of Gross Vehicle Weight
- Design pressure
- Highest or most severe pressure expected during operation. Sometimes used as the calculated operating pressure plus an allowance for safety.
- Desk
- A man who both figures and determines what kind of deal the dealership will make to a customer.
- Deskman
- A man who both figures and determines what kind of deal the dealership will make to a customer.
- Desmodromic
- Something (like valves) which is opened and closed by a mechanical device. In most 4-stroke engines the valves are opened by the cam, but closed by the action of the valve springs. In a desmodromic system, the valves are opened by a cam and closed by a cam or a cable. A desmodromic system is more costly and more difficult to manufacture, but the advantage is more precise control of the valves and less valve bounce which is seen in a normal engine at high speed.
- Desorption
- The removal of material which has been adsorbed. It is the opposite of Adsorption.
- De Soto
-
A vehicle brand of which the 1956-58 Adventurer models are milestone cars.
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De Soto
- Destruction
- Trucker slang for road construction as in "Seem's like all the roads in Pennsylvania are always under destruction."
- Detachable rim
- A wheel rim which is bolted to the wheel center or spider and can be disassembled for replacing the rubber tire. It is found on trucks and some quads. It is also called a Demountable rim
- Detailitis
- A term coined by Art Treta to indicate a compulsive disorder which compels a
vehicle owner to correct its every flaw to the extent that he searches for even
the most hidden flaw.
Also see
- Detent ball and spring
- A Spring loaded ball that snaps into a Groove or notch to hold some sliding object in position.
- Detergent
-
- A soap-like chemical added to the engine oil (particularly MS oil) or gasoline to improve its characteristics and keep the engine clean by controlling the formation of Sludge and gum as well as controlling foaming.
- Additives used to inhibit deposit formation in the fuel and intake systems in automobiles.
- De Tomaso Pantera
-
A model of automobile manufactured in Italy
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De Tomaso Pantera
- Detonation
-
- The action of the fuel charge firing or burning too violently, almost exploding. It sometimes results in a noise called Pinging. Detonation is caused by Autoignition of the End gas i.e., that part of the charge not yet consumed in the normal flame-front reaction. Detonation occurs because Piston motion and Compression of the End gas raise its temperature and pressure to the point where the end gas autoignites. The Pinging or Knocking noise is the result of intense pressure waves in the charge which cause the Cylinder walls to vibrate. Also called fuel knock.
- A violent explosion involving high-velocity pressure waves; in a gasoline engine, the spontaneous combustion of part of the compresses charge after spark occurs. Detonation usually produces a characteristic metallic sound, or knock.
- Detonation-activated ignition retard
- A system which retards the ignition timing when the detonation sensor picks up vibration at frequencies typical of denotation
- Detonation sensor
- A sensor, usually piezoelectric, mounted near the cylinders which can detect engine knocking or frequencies of detonation so that it will send a message to retard the ignition timing to prevent damage to the engine.
- Detour
- An alternative route which traffic has to follow due to closure of a stretch of road for repairs, etc. A diversion.
- Detoxed vehicle
- A vehicle with a reduced emission system consisting of a catalytic converter, EGR, air injection, fuel evaporative emission control, etc. Also called a controlled vehicle
- Detuned
- The intentional adjustment of an engine to reduce its power in an attempt to reduce emissions, reduce top-end speed, increase fuel economy, or meet specific governmental standards.
- Deuce
-
Deuce
- Hot rod built around a 1932 Ford Coupe body.
- A colloquial term used by vehicle dealers to refer to a $200.00 amount used for holding a vehicle, down payment, trade-in value, etc.
- Development well
- A well drilled within the proved area of an oil or gas reservoir to the depth of a stratigraphic horizon known to be productive.
- DeVille
-
A model of automobile manufactured by the Cadillac division of General Motors. Two models were available: a sedan (1949-2005) and a coupe (Coupe de Ville) (1949-93). Sometimes spelled Deville.
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Cadillac De Ville
- Devon
- A vehicle brand of which the 1958-62 S/S models are milestone cars.
- Dew point
- Temperature at which vapor (at 100 percent humidity) begins to condense and deposit as liquid.
- DEX-COOL
- A coolant that raises the boiling point and lowers the freezing point of the water in the cooling system, prevents rust and corrosion, and lubricates the system components. It is often called long-life antifreeze. It is orange in color and is designed to function up to 60 months or 240,000 Kilometers.