DICTIONARY OF AUTOMOTIVE TERMS - "El"

Elan:

A two-seater roadster produced by Lotus from 1964 to 1974.

Elapsed time:

(ET) The length of time it takes a dragster to complete the one-fourth mile run.

Elasticity:

1. The ability to recover the original size and shape after being deformed, especially stretched, forces are released.
2. The property of an adhesive or sealer which enables it to recover its original shape and size when deforming forces are removed. It is the ability to change size or shape repeatedly without breaking the molecular bonds that cause an object to hold its shape.

Elastic limit:

The point beyond which a deformed piece of metal will no longer return to its original shape.

Elastomer:

1. A term which includes natural rubber and the many synthetic materials that possess rubber-like properties.
2. An elastic macromolecular material that at room temperature returns rapidly to approximately its initial dimensions and shape after substantial deformation by a weak stress and release of the stress.
3. A classification of rubber-like substances used in the formulation of adhesives, coatings, and sealers without reference to their composition. Also classed as an elastic material that can be stretched repeatedly to at least twice its original length and, upon sudden release of stress, to return with equal force to its approximate original length thermoplastic elastomers
4. An elastic polymer, a springy plastic used commonly as a spring or shock absorber, particularly in suspension forks and similar mechanisms.

Elbow:

A pipe or rod with a bend, usually at right angles.
Also See:
mechanic's elbow

ELC:

Electronic level control

Eldorado:

A Cadillac vehicle brand of which the 1953-58, 67-70 Eldorado models are milestone cars. Also see the history of Cadillac Eldorado.
Click image for books on Cadillac Eldorado

Eldorado Brougham:

See:
Cadillac Eldorado Brougham

Electra:

A model of automobile manufactured by Buick
Click image for books on Buick Electra

Electric:

Operated by or derived from electricity

Electric air control valve:

The EAC valve

Electric air switching valve:

EAS valve

Electrical:

Relating to electricity

Electrical arcing:

Band of sparks formed when an electrical discharge from a conductor jumps to another conductor

Electrical balance:

An atom or an object in which positive and negative charges are equal

Electrical conductivity:

The ability of a material to conduct electricity. The opposite is resistivity or resistance.

Electrical coupling:

When two coils are so situated that some of the flux set up by either coil links some of the turns of the other, they are said to be elecrically coupled

Electrically enabled programmable read only memory:

A non-volatile memory that can be used to store information permanently. This device can have all or selected parts of its memory erased electrically and reprogrammed.

Electrical potential:

Electrical force which moves, or attempts to move, electrons along a conductor or resistance.

Electrically programmable read only memory:

A non-volatile memory that is used to store information permanently. This device can have its contents changed if the entire contents are first "erased" through exposure to ultraviolet light (providing the device has a means of allowing light to reach the silicon level) used to increase brake application force.

Electrical resistance:

The difficulty electrons have moving through a conductor or substance.

Electrical screwdriver:

A British term for an electric screwdriver

Electrical spanner:

A British term for an ignition wrench

Electrical system:

The system that generates, stores, and distributes electrical current to crank the engine for starting and to keep it running by providing high voltage to the spark plugs; and to give power to the lights, the heater motor, radio, and other accessories. It is made up of the ignition system starter motor, battery alternator voltage regulator lights, electrical accessories and all the wiring, switches, and relays.

Electric brake system:

An electrical or electronic system used to actuate the brakes.

Electric car:

A car whose only power source is an electric motor and a number of batteries.

Electric charge:

A definite quantity of electricity, which-may be positive, as with protons, or negative, as with electrons.
Also See:
coulomb

Electric current:

The flow of electricity passing through a conductor

Electric defrosting:

Use of electric resistance heating coils to melt ice and frost off evaporators during defrosting.

Electric fuel pump:

Electrically powered gasoline or diesel pump which draws fuel from the tank and delivers it to the carburetor or fuel injection system

Electric grid:

The electrical system

Electric heating:

System in which heat from electrical resistance units is used to heat the building.

Electrician:

See:
automotive electrician

Electric insulation:

Substance which has almost no free electrons.

Electricity:

See:
static electricity

Electric mirror:

An external door mirror which is controlled by an electric motor and operated by a switch inside the car

Electric motor:

A device which changes electrical energy into rotational motion. In addition to the starter and windshield wiper motors, which were the first electric motors to be added to the automotive electrical system, modern cars include a large number of small motors for driving such items as the electric windows, aerials, sunroofs, mirrors and seat adjustment, central locking and power hoods; electric-powered cars use large motors for their drive.

Electric rectifier:

Electrical device for converting ac to dc.

Electric screwdriver:

A tool which resembles a pistol which can accept screwdriver bits. It is similar to an electric drill.

Electric top:

A power convertible roof. The British term is "power hood"

Electric Vehicle:

(EV) A vehicle powered by one or more electric motors rather than by an internal combustion engine. The most common source of electricity is chemical storage batteries.

Electric water valve:

Solenoid type (electrically operated) valve used to turn water flow on and off.

Electric welding:

Welding by using an electric current to melt both metal (work) and welding rod, or electrode

Electric windows:

Side windows which are raised and lowered by an electric motor which is operated by a switch.

Electrochemical:

Chemical ( battery) production of electricity.

Electrochemical corrosion:

Corrosion involving at least one electrode reaction

Electrocoating:

Electrophoretic painting

Electrode:

1. In a spark plug one electrode (the center electrode) is the center rod passing through the insulator. The side electrode is a rod welded to the shell of the spark plug. The distance between them is the spark gap.
2. In welding it is the metal rod that is used in arc welding. A substance which brings electricity up to the point where the arc is to be formed; in other words it is the material immediately adjacent to the arc proper and the one which carries the current to this point. In electric arc welding the electrode is usually melted and becomes a part of the weld.

Also See:
center electrode
coated electrode
compound center electrode
compound electrode
covered electrode
earth electrode
ground electrode
negative electrode
outer electrode
platinum electrode
positive electrode
side electrode
spark plug electrode
top electrode
triangular ground electrode

Electrode adjusting tool:

A British term for a spark plug gap gauge

Electrode gap:

Spark plug gap

Electrodeposition:

A generic term for electrolytic processes in which a metal is deposited at the cathode from a solution of its ions, such as electroplating, or in which paint is deposited in an immersion process by means of electric current

Electrodeposition process:

Process in which metallic particles are applied to another metal surface through the use of an electric current.

Electrode spark plug:

See:
split electrode spark plug

Electrogalvanizing:

An electroplating coating of zinc on metal that will rust (i.e., iron or steel).

Electro-hydraulic booster:

A power booster that uses an electric motor and pump to create hydraulic pressure which is then used to increase brake application force.

Electro-hydraulic pressure actuator:

See:
pressure actuator

Electro-hydraulic pump:

An electrically powered hydraulic pump used to create pressure in certain portions of the brake system. Typically found in GM Powermaster brake boosters and in ABS hydraulic control units

Electrolysis:

1. A method by which chemical reactions are carried out by passage of electric current through a solution of an electrolyte or through a molten salt.
2. Movement of electricity through a substance which causes a chemical change in the substance or its container.

Electrolyte:

In automotive batteries, it is a sulphuric acid and water solution. It can be any solution (usually an acid) that will conduct electric current. The acid reacts with the battery plates (usually made of lead) to produce direct current (DC) electricity.

Electrolytic:

Relating to electrolysis or an electrolyte

Electrolytic cell:

A cell consisting of electrodes immersed in an electrolyte solution for carrying out electrolysis

Electrolytic condenser-capacitor:

Plate or surface capable of storing small electrical charges.

Electrolytic corrosion:

Electrochemical corrosion causing the electrolytic removal of metal

Electrolytic deposition:

Electroplating

Electrolytic galvanizing:

Electrogalvanizing

Electrolytic protection:

Cathodic protection

Electromagnet:

A magnet produced by placing a coil of wire around a steel or iron bar. When current flows through the coil the bar becomes magnetized and will remain so as long as the current continues to flow.

Electromagnetic:

Magnetic ( generator) production of electricity.

Electromagnetic clutch:

Any clutch in which a magnetic force is used to hold the drive in engagement, such as that in the compressor drive of an air-conditioning system

Electromagnetic energy:

Energy which has both electrical and magnetic characteristics. Solar energy is electromagnetic.

Electromagnetic induction:

Voltage is induced in a coil of wire by moving coil through a magnetic field or by keeping coil stationary and moving magnetic field.

Electromagnetic pickup:

See Magnetic pick-up

Electromagnetic Retarder:

An axle-mounted electromagnetic device which helps to slow down a vehicle. See retarder

Electrometer:

See:
absolute electrometer

Electromotive force:

(EMF) A source of electrical energy required to produce an electric current, produced by devices such as batteries or generators and measured in volts.
Also See:
voltage.

Electromotive force voltage:

(emf) Electrical force which causes current (free electrons) to flow or move in an electrical circuit. Unit of measurement is the volt.

Electron:

A negatively charged particle that makes up part of the atom.
Also See:
bound electrons
free electrons

Electron flow:

A current produced by the motion of free electrons towards a positive terminal, whose direction is the opposite to that of the current

Electronic:

Featuring semiconductors (usually transistors) as an operating medium.
Also See:
fully electronic ignition
high energy ignition system with electronic spark timing
magnetically controlled electronic ignition

Electronic air control valve:

(EACV) A valve used in fuel-injection system, usually computer controlled, that controls the amount of air bypassing the throttle during idle. The more air that bypasses the throttle, the higher the idle speed

Electronically controlled:

Most items can be controlled by a mechanical means (squeeze a lever to move something) or by hydraulics (a lever pushes fluid which applies movement to something) or electronically (move a switch and a servo motor moves something)

Electronically controlled transmission:

A transmission that relies on sensors, an electronic control unit (ECU), and solenoids to control torque convertor lockup and shift points

Electronically-controlled wastegate:

A turbo-charger wastegate that is activated by an electric signal from a computer

Electronic brake control module:

(EBCM) GM's term for the electronic control unit

Electronic brake distribution:

(EBD) A system that helps reduce stopping distances by re-proportioning the braking force from rear to front as the vehicle stops and its weight shifts forward.

Electronic brake system:

An electrical or electronic system used to actuate the brakes.

Electronic climate control:

(ECC) An air conditioning system control which determines and maintains the preset temperature in the passenger compartment.

Electronic cluster:

A display showing various functions, including speedometer, tachometer, gauges, etc., using LEDs or LCD technology displaying symbols and bar graphs instead of numbers. The opposite is an analog cluster

Electronic control Assembly:

ECA: A Ford vehicle computer consisting of a calibration assembly containing the computer memory, its control program, and processor assembly (the computer hardware)

Electronic control diagnostics:

Trouble codes which may be referenced on an automatic climate control system to diagnose problems.

Electronic control module:

(ECM)

1. The master computer responsible for interpreting electrical signals sent by engine sensors and for activating automated engine components and processes accordingly in order to produce optimum performance.
2. A GM term and also a generic term referring to the computer. The ECM is the brain of the engine control system receiving information from various sensors in the engine compartment. The ECM calculates what is required for proper engine operation and controls the different actuators to achieve it Also called "electronic control unit"

Electronic control unit:

(ECU)

1. A microprocessor and memory with electronic maps, forming the central part of an engine management system or of subsystems such as a fuel injection or ignition system.
2. The "brain" of an ABS system. The ECU reads impulses from the wheel speed sensors to determine if anti-lock braking needs to take place. If so, the ECU controls the cycling of the solenoid valves in the hydraulic control unit. Also called "Electronic Control Module"

Electronic Data Interchange:

(EDI) The business-to-business interconnection of computers for the rapid exchange of a wide variety of documents, from bills of lading to build tickets at auto plants.

Electronic EGR valve:

The EGR valve used in engine management system in which the EGR flow is controlled by the computer (usually by means of an EGR valve position sensor attached to the EGR valve). Operating vacuum is supplied by EGR solenoid valve(s)

Electronic engine control:

(EEC)

1. The engine management system which controls the ignition system and various other systems, including the exhaust gas recirculation and air-injection systems.
2. Ford's computerized engine control system. There are four versions:
   1. EEC-I controls engine timing.
   2. EEC-II controls engine timing and fuel (on engines with an FBC system).
   3. EEC-III-FBC is a refined version of EEC-II. EEC-III-CFI controls engine timing and fuel (on engine with an EFI system).
   4. EEC-IV is a refined version of the EEC-III system

Electronic fuel injection:

(EFI or EFi) A system that injects fuel into the engine and includes an electronic control unit to time and meter the flow. Fuel is delivered in intermittent pulses by the opening and closing of solenoid-controlled injectors. Also called pulsed injection

Electronic gasoline injection:

(EGI) Mazda's fuel injection system for the RX-7, RX-7 Turbo, 323, and 626

Electronic ignition:

See:
electronic ignition system
all electronic ignition
capacitor controlled electronic ignition
contact controlled electronic ignition
contactless electronic ignition
fully electronic ignition
magnetically controlled electronic ignition

Electronic ignition system:

An ignition system using electronic switching devices to assist or eliminate the mechanical breaker points. There are three basic electronic ignitions: contact controlled (the breaker points are retained but merely serve to trigger a transistor which switches the heavy primary current), magnetically controlled (transistors are used as the switching device for the primary current and the points are eliminated -- also called "contactless" or "all-electronic"), and capacitor controlled (also called "capacitive-discharge system" and can be either all-electronic or breaker-point controlled).

Electronic leak detector:

Electronic instrument which measures electronic flow across gas gap. Electronic flow changes indicate presence of refrigerant gas molecules.

Electronic navigator:

A trip computer which gives estimated time of arrival (ETA), amount of fuel left, average fuel consumption, etc.

Electronic relay:

Electronic switch, such as a triac, which controls a power consuming device.

Electronic ride control:

A suspension control system made up of a microprocessor-controlled, electronically adjustable air shock absorbers for automatic selection of the optimum damping characteristics depending on road surface and load conditions

Electronics:

Field of science dealing with electron devices and their uses.
Also See:
automotive electronics

Electronic sensing device:

An electronic device for vehicles with fuel injection. It detects changes in speed and driving conditions and determines the amount of fuel to be injected into the combustion chamber thus eliminating the need for carburetors.

Electronic sight glass:

Device that sends an audible signal when system is low in refrigerant.

Electronic spark:

See high energy ignition system with electronic spark timing

Electronic spark advance:

(ESA) the part of an ECU that controls ignition timing and dwell angle

Electronic spark control:

(ESC) The timing of the ignition by means of an ignition map, either integrated into the mapped ignition systems or available as a separate module to enhance transistorized ignition systems. Also called "electronic spark timing."

Electronic spark timing:

(EST) The timing of the ignition by means of an ignition map, either integrated into the mapped ignition systems or available as a separate module to enhance transistorized ignition systems. Also called "electronic spark control."
Also See:
high energy ignition system with electronic spark timing

Electronic spark timing system:

(EST) An ECM-controlled timing of ignition spark. This replaces the vacuum or centrifugal mechanism in the distributor and uses the computer to advance or retard the spark timing

Electronic thermistor:

Electrical device that senses temperature change to control an output source;
Also See:
thermistor

Electronic thermostat:

Thermostat that uses electronic components to accomplish various sensing, switching, timing, staging, and display functions.

Electronic traction control:

(ETC) A system for reducing wheelspin, incorporating wheel sensors.
Also See:
antispin regulation

Electronic transmission:

A system of controlling the shifting of gears in the transmission by means of electrical pulses sent to solenoids and relays. In mechanical transmissions, the operator moves levers which makes the transmission shift gears.

Electronic transmission control:

A system or module for controlling an automatic transmission

Electronic voltage regulator:

(EVR) a type of regulator that uses all solid state devices to perform the regulatory functions

Electrons:

See:
bound electrons
free electrons

Electropainting:

Electrophoretic painting.
Also See:
cathodic electropainting

Electropaint tank:

A tank in which items are immersed for electrophoretic paint application

Electrophoretic painting:

A process used to apply the first coat of paint (primer) to car bodies. The process involves using negatively charged paint particles (anodic electropainting) or positively charged paint particles (cathodic electropainting). The cleaned metal parts to be coated are immersed in a tank of electrodeposition paint, and the current is turned on, so that the paint particles are attracted by the positively charged paint particles

Electrophoretic primer:

Paint used to prime car bodies by the electrophoretic process

Electro picker:

A device which is electrically operated and is used to open locked car doors. It is available only to automotive locksmiths and the police. It consists basically of a vibrator with an attached steel blade. When the vibrating blade is inserted into a lock, it finds its way past the locating pins which would normally block anything but the original key

Electroplate:

The process of depositing gold, silver, chrome, nickel, etc., upon an object by placing the object in a special solution and then passing an electric current through the solution. The object forms one terminal, a special electrode the other. Direct current is used.

Electroplating:

The process of electrodeposition of metal or alloys from suitable electrolyte solutions. The articles to be plated are connected to the cathode in an electrolyte solution, and direct current is introduced through the anode of the metal to be deposited.
Also See:
zinc electroplating

Electrostatic filter:

For cleaning air, a type of filter which gives dust particles an electric charge. This causes particles to be attracted to a plate so they can be removed from air.

Electrostatic painting:

A painting method using the particle-attracting property of electrostatic charges, in which a direct current of approximately 100,000 volts is applied to a grid of wires through which the paint is sprayed to charge each particle, and the metal objects to be sprayed are connected to the opposite terminal of the high-voltage circuit, so as to attract the paint particles. Also called "Electrostatic Spraying"

Electrostatic powder coating:

(EPC) A painting process in which the outer parts of the body shell are coated with a powder dispersion by means of cathodic immersion, and in which the cavities are coated with cathodic electropaint

Electrostatic spraying:

A painting method using the particle-attracting property of electrostatic charges, in which a direct current of approximately 100,000 volts is applied to a grid of wires through which the paint is sprayed to charge each particle, and the metal objects to be sprayed are connected to the opposite terminal of the high-voltage circuit, so as to attract the paint particles. Also called "Electrostatic Painting"

Electro vacuum relay:

(EVR)A combination solenoid vacuum valve and electrical relay which locks out blower operation and closes the fresh air door in cold weather, and switches the system to the recirculating air mode during maximum system use

Electrovalve:

A solenoid valve

Element:

A group of plates in a battery. Three elements for a six volt and six elements for the twelve volt battery. The elements are connected in series.
Also See:
air cleaner element
air filter element
filter element
hall element
hot-wire element
open element glow plug
temperature control element

Element glow:

See:
open element glow plug

Element glow plug:

See:
open element glow plug

Elliot:

See:
Elliot axle
reversed Elliot axle

Elliot axle:

A solid bar front axle on which the ends span or straddle the steering knuckle.
Also See:
reversed Elliot axle

Elliott steering knuckle:

Type of axle in which ends of axle beam straddle spindle

Elliot type axle:

See elliot axle

Ellipsoidal headlight:

A headlight with a reflector which is wider than it is high, and not circular; has replaced the parabolic reflector

Elongation:

The percentage increase in the length of a specimen when stressed to its yield strength.

ELV:

Acronym for "End-of-Life Vehicles."

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