Dictionary of Automotive Terms Abbreviations

DICTIONARY OF AUTOMOTIVE TERMS - "Fr"

FR: Abbreviation for "frame" -- The NEMA system of standardization of motor-mounting dimensions

Fractional-horsepower electric motor: An open enclosure electric motor with continuous rating of less than 1 horsepower (hp) at 1700-1800 rpm

Fractionation: The process by which saturated hydrocarbons are removed from natural gas and separated into distinct products, or "fractions," such as propane, butane, and ethane.

Fracturing: See
stress fracturing

Frame

Frame

A bridge-like structural load-carrying members of a vehicle that support the engine and body and are in turn supported by the wheels of the vehicle.
Transverse members that make up the riblike skeleton of a ship.
(FR) The NEMA system of standardization of electric motor-mounting dimensions

Also See
A-frame
ash frame
backbone frame
bicycle frame
body and frame
caliper frame
cant frame
chassis frame
cruciform frame
diamond frame
door frame
floating frame
integral body and frame construction
ladder frame
ladies' frame
license plate frame
mixte frame
mounting frame
panting frame
perimeter frame
platform frame
space frame
spectacle frame
stern frame
sub frame
transom frame
tube frame
tubular backbone frame
tubular frame
twisted frame
underslung frame
X-type frame

Frame construction: See
body and frame construction
integral body and frame construction

Frame damage: A type of damage to the body that involves damage to the structural members of the car, usually resulting from collision impact

Frame gauge: A measuring instrument for determining the misalignment of a car's body.

Frameless: A vehicle without a frame such as a unibody construction

Frameless construction: A unibody or unitary construction

Frameless window: A door window which does not have a frame around the three sides (left, right, and top).

Frame member: Any one of the sections of the structural components of the vehicle chassis

Frame pump: A bicycle tire pump which is usually mounted to the underside of the top tube

Frame structure: All parts of the vehicle which contribute to the rigidity of the body, both for unibody designs and for vehicles with a separate chassis

Framework Convention on Climate Change: (FCCC) An agreement opened for signature at the "Earth Summit" in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on June 4, 1992, which has the goal of stabilizing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent significant anthropogenically forced climate change.

Framing: See
body framing

Franchise: Establishment that has the right to exercise the powers of a corporation.

Franchised dealer: An automotive dealer which sells a particular brand, e.g., Anytown Ford is a franchised dealer for Ford cars and is authorized to sell Ford parts as well as provide service for Ford vehicles.

Franklin: A vehicle brand of which all the 1925-48 models except the 1933-34 Olympic Six are classic cars.

Fraschini: See
Isotta-Fraschini

Frazer: A vehicle brand of which the 1947-50 Manhattan models are milestone cars.

Frazer Nash: A vehicle brand of which the 1925-1948 models with required application are classic cars.

FRC: Acronym for Forced

Fred: (from road riding) a person who has a mishmash of old gear, doesn't care at all about technology or fashion, didn't race or follow racing, etc. Often identified by chainring marks on white calf socks. Used by "serious" roadies to disparage utility cyclists and touring riders, especially after these totally unfashionable "freds" drop the "serious" roadies on hills because the "serious" guys were really posers. According to popular myth, "Fred" was a well-known grumpy old touring rider, who really was named Fred.

Free: See
asbestos-free
hands-free
lead free
maintenance-free
North American Free Trade Agreement
pedal free play
pedal free travel

Free alongside ship: (f.a.s.) The value of a commodity at the port of exportation, generally including the purchase price plus all charges incurred in placing the commodity alongside the carrier at the port of exportation.

Free bend test: Bending the specimen without using a fixture or guide.

Freeboard: The distance from the waterline to the upper surface of the freeboard deck at side.

Freeboard deck: Deck to which freeboard is measured

Free electron: See
free electrons.

Free electrons: Electrons in the outer orbits around the nucleus of the atom. They can be moved out of orbit comparatively easy.

Free height: The unloaded length or height of a spring

Freehub: The center part of a bicycle wheel to which the rear sprockets are attached and from which the spokes radiate to the rim.

Freeing port: An opening in the lower portion of a bulwark, which allows deck water to drain overboard

Free length: The length of a spring, especially a valve spring, when no downward pressure is exerted on it

Free on board: (f.o.b.) A sales transaction in which the seller makes the product available for pick up at a specified port or terminal at a specified price and the buyer pays for the subsequent transportation and insurance.

Free pedal play: The distance the clutch pedal can be depressed before it begins to disengage the clutch. Generally about 19-25 mm (0.5-1 inch) free pedal play is normal to be sure that slight resting of the foot on the pedal will not disengage the clutch. Without free pedal play, the throwout bearings and the clutch might wear out.

Free play

The amount of looseness in some component before it engages.
The amount of travel before any action takes place. In a brake pedal, it is the distance the pedal moves before the pistons in the master cylinder are actuated.
British term for lash.

Also See
pedal free play

Free radius: Measurement in inches (or millimeters) from the wheel axle centerline to the top of the tire when inflated. (The radius that is not under load.) Also called "unloaded radius."

Free-revving: The ability of an engine to accelerate quickly to high engine speeds

Freeride bike: A type of mountain bicycle designed to ride the most technical and punishing of downhill trails; features include long-travel (6 to 8 inches), dual suspension, and components made for ultimate strength

Free rolling wheel: A non-powered wheel position on a vehicle, such as steering axle, tag axle or trailer wheel positions.

Free-running speed: The speed that a vehicle will reach where there is a constant power or force produced by the engine which is equal to all resistance

Free shape: A design shape of a component which is governed only by stylistic or functional requirements.

Free Trade: See
North American Free Trade Agreement

Free Trade Agreement: See
North American Free Trade Agreement
Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement

Free Trade Agreement of the Americas: (FTAA) An effort to unite the economies of the Western Hemisphere into a single free trade arrangement. The Heads of State of the 34 democracies in the region agreed to construct a "Free Trade Area of the Americas" and to complete negotiations for the agreement by 2005.

Free travel: The distance a pedal moves before it operates the actuating mechanism.

Also See
clutch pedal free travel
pedal free travel

Freeway: A multiple lane highway without toll charges. All exits and entrances are made through overpasses and cloverleafs. Because there is no direct cross traffic, speeds can be over 60 mph (100 km/h)

Freeway bar: A component on a motorcycle which is a rod with a footrest on each end. The rod is mounted ahead of the engine to provide an alternate place to position the rider's feet.

Freewheel

Usually refers to the action of a vehicle on a downgrade when the overdrive over-running clutch is slipping with a resultant loss of engine braking. This condition will occur only after the overdrive unit is engaged but before the balk ring has activated the planetary gearset.
The removable cluster of gears at the hub of the rear wheel of a bicycle. Usually there are five or more gears. It also contains a ratcheting mechanism inside that allows the wheel to rotate forward while the pedals, chain, and gear sprockets remain still or move in reverse. The rear derailleur moves the chain from one gear to the other to change the gear ratio. The other end of the chain wraps around the chainwheel. The freewheel threads onto the hub while the newer style of gear cluster (cassette) slides onto the hub.

Freewheel hub

A type of hub fitted to the front axle of some four-wheel drive vehicles, in which the drive to the front wheels can be disconnected when the front axle is not being driven.
Older type of a bicycle rear hub designed to accept the freewheel type of gear cluster. The freewheel hub is threaded to accept the freewheel cluster.

Freewheeling

In a motorized vehicle, the illegal coasting by putting the transmission in neutral or disengaging the clutch.
Continued rotation of magnetic clutch on automotive compressor when clutch is disengaged.

Freewheeling hub: A type of hub fitted to the front axle of some four-wheel drive vehicles, in which the drive to the front wheels can be disconnected when the front axle is not being driven

Freeze

To reach a temperature in which a liquid turns into a solid.

Also See
antifreeze
To adhere firmly.
To stop.
An American (not Canadian) term for an engine which has seized. To an American, "My engine is frozen" means "seized" because it has run out of oil and overheated so that pistons expanded and won't move in the cylinder. To a Canadian, it means the coolant won't flow or the engine won't warm up.

Freeze drying: Uses liquid nitrogen or carbon dioxide to turn fresh food into long lasting, frozen food. It is also referred to as fast food freezing and cryogenic food freezing.

Freeze plug: A removable plug on the block which can pop out should the coolant in the block freeze and expand. Sometimes a plug will develop a leak and will need replacing. Also called expansion plug. The British term is core plug.

Freezer alarm: A bell or buzzer used in many freezers which sounds an alarm when freezer temperature rises above safe limit.

Freezer burn: Condition applied to food which has not been properly wrapped and that has become hard, dry, and discolored.

Freeze-up

The formation of ice in the refrigerant control device which may stop the flow of refrigerant into the evaporator.
Frost formation on an evaporator which may stop the airflow through the evaporator.
The failure of a unit to operate properly because of the formation of ice at the expansion valve orifice or on the evaporator coils or fins

Freezing

When two parts that are rubbing together heat up and force the lubricant out of the area. As they create heat, they will expand and tear bits of metal from each other, then stick and refuse to move.
Change of state from liquid to solid.

Freezing point: Temperature at which a liquid will solidify upon removal of heat. The freezing temperature for water is 0°C at atmospheric pressure.

Freezing point depression: Temperature at which ice will form in solution of water and salt.

Freightshaker: Trucker slang for a Freightliner® truck as in "We're gonna buy all new freightshakers next year."

Frenching: The customizing process of creating smooth curve shaping around the headlights, tail lights, licence plate frames, etc. so that the actual lights, etc. recede a little towards the interior of the panel opening and the chrome bezel or other surround looks as though it is part of the body panel.

Also See
tunnelling

French valve: A presta valve.

Freon

Trade name for a family of synthetic chemical refrigerants manufactured by E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., Inc.
A gas used as the cooling medium in older air conditioning and refrigeration systems. Usually called freon-12 or R-12. It has been replaced in automobiles with a new coolant designated 134A.

Freon 12: See
freon-12.

Freon-12: A gas used as the cooling medium in older air conditioning and refrigeration systems. It has been replaced in automobiles with a new coolant designated 134A.

Frequency

In relation to a radio station, number of cycles per second expressed in hertz at which it broadcasts.
The number of times a particular event is repeated.
The number of times that a signal occurs, or repeats, in cycles per second indicated by the notation Hz or hertz.

Also See
digital frequency control
natural frequency
radio frequency interference

Frequency band: The interval in the frequency spectrum occupied by a modulated signal.

Frequency control: See
automatic frequency control
digital frequency control

Frequency interference: See
radio frequency interference

Frequency Modulation: (FM) A term used to describe a type of radio frequency where the frequency of the wave changes rather than the amplitude.

Also See
AM/FM

Frequency scan button: A radio button which, when pressed, causes the tuner to scan the frequencies of stations with sufficient signal strength and plays that station for about 5 seconds before going to the next one. When the driver or passenger wants to listen to the currently played selection, he can press the same button (or a different one) to select that station. Often called a "scan button."

Frequency valve

A valve located in the fuel distributor of some vehicles with a continuous injection system and catalytic converter. This valve continually adjusts the air/fuel ratio to varying engine operating conditions, because it is controlled by a voltage signal supplied by the oxygen sensor and by an ECM.
In Bosch CIS, a device that regulates pressure in the lower chamber of the differential-pressure valve, in response to a signal from the lambda (oxygen) sensor. Also called Lambda valve (Bosch's term) or a timing valve

Fresco: See
al fresco driving

Fresco driving: See
al fresco driving

Fresh feed input: Represents input of material (crude oil, unfinished oils, natural gas liquids, other hydrocarbons and oxygenates or finished products) to processing units at a refinery that is being processed (input) into a particular unit for the first time. Examples: (1) Unfinished oils coming out of a crude oil distillation unit which are input into a catalytic cracking unit are considered fresh feed to the catalytic cracking unit. (2) Unfinished oils coming out of a catalytic cracking unit being looped back into the same catalytic cracking unit to be reprocessed are not considered fresh feed.

Fresh feeds: Crude oil or petroleum distillates that are being fed to processing units for the first time.

Fretting corrosion: Corrosion occurring where two surfaces are in contact and friction results, e.g., at mechanical joints in vibrating structures

Friction: The resistance to movement between any two objects when placed in contact with each other. Friction causes wear and heat. In an engine, it robs it of some of its potential power. Friction is not constant but depends on the materials, type of surface finish, amount of pressure holding the two objects together, and the relative amount of movement between the objects. Lubrication like oil, grease, and other materials like graphite reduce friction.
Also See
antifriction bearing
coefficient of friction
dry friction
interleaf friction
rolling friction
slip friction
static friction
wet friction

Frictional: Caused by the friction between moving parts

Friction bearing: A bearing made of babbitt, bronze, etc. There are no moving parts (like an antifriction bearing which has ball bearings). The smooth inner surface of the babbitt insert and the smooth surface of the shaft rub or slide against each other. To avoid disintegration, the bearing must use lubrication (i.e., wet friction). Friction bearings are less expensive and cheaper to service than antifriction bearings. Also called "plain bearing."

Friction clutch: A conventional clutch which transmits the power of the drive by mechanical friction, as opposed to a fluid coupling

Friction damper: See
friction shock absorber

Friction disc: See
clutch disc.

Friction drive: A method of power transmission used on early cars where power is transmitted from a driving to a driven wheel by means of pressing one wheel against another at a right angle.

Friction horsepower: (FHP) The amount of power consumed by an engine in driving itself. It includes the power absorbed in mechanical friction and in driving auxiliaries plus, in the case of four-stroke engines, some pumping power.

Friction lining: Wear-resistant friction material used for clutch and brake linings

Friction losses: The loss of power due to friction between the moving parts of the engine

Friction material: A blend of substances with a relatively consistent friction coefficient over a wide range of conditions. The friction materials used in automotive brakes are organic, metallic, semi-metallic, and synthetic.

Friction modifier

A substance which enhances the ability of oil to remain slippery. In most SH and SJ series oil, friction modifiers have been added to improve engine starting and prolong engine life. However, in engines with a wet clutch (i.e., the engine oil lubricates the clutch plates) such as motorcycle engines, oils with friction modifiers can cause the clutch to slip and may force the premature replacement of the clutch plates.
Additives used to alter the friction coefficient of a brake lining material

Friction pad: See
brake pad

Friction plate: A driven plate of a clutch to which the friction lining is attached

Friction shifter: See
friction shifters.

Friction shifters: Conventional (non-index) levers of a bicycle that retain their position through the use of friction washers.

Friction shock absorber: A shock absorber in which friction discs are inserted at the point where the two arms are joined, now no longer used in car suspensions

Friction welding: The type of weld in which the necessary welding heat is generated by revolving one part against another part under very heavy pressure. When melting has occurred at the interface, pressure is maintained to consolidate the weld during cooling of the material

Friedrichshafen: See
zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen

Friendly: See
environmentally friendly

Frit: Partly fused, vitreous substance, ground up and used as the basis for glazes and enamels

Frogeye: A nickname for the Series I Austin-Healey Sprite produced from 1958-1962, which had the headlights projecting above the hood line

Front

The forward end of a vehicle.
The seats closest to the front upon which the driver sits.

Also See
flame front
independent front suspension
lower front panel

Frontal crash: An accident in which the front end of a vehicle is damaged.

Frontal impact: An accident in which the front end of a vehicle is damaged.

Front apron: The panel behind and below the front bumper, joining the bottom ends of the front fenders

Front axle: The most forward axle used for steering. Also called "steer axle" The axle to which the front wheels are attached

Front-axle/rear-axle split: A dual-circuit braking system in which one circuit brakes only the front axle while the other circuit brakes only the rear axle.

Front-axle and rear-axle split: A dual-circuit braking system in which each circuit brakes both the front axle and the rear axle

Front bumper: A guard which protects the front of a vehicle.

Also See
bumper
rear bumper

Front derailleur: A bicycle component that causes a change in the gear ratio by pushing the chain from one front chainrings to the other

Front derailleur braze on: A braze on with a tab that is found on the seat tube of a bicycle frame so that the derailleur clamp which encircles the seat tube is eliminated.

Front derailleur clamp on: A clamp or band attached to the front derailleur to permit its installation around the seat tube of a bicycle frame.

Front differential: Differential in the front axle of a four-wheel drive vehicle

Front door: Trucker slang for the lead rig in convoy of trucks as in "Who's gonna run front door and be bear bait tonight?"

Front end: Body area incorporating the leading edge of the fenders, the headlights, radiator grille and bumper, i.e., the full area that makes up the frontal appearance of the car

Front end alignment: See
front-end alignment.

Front-end alignment: The adjustment of the camber and caster of the front wheels.

Also See
alignment.

Front-end impact: An impact as the result of a head-on collision

Front-end blind spot: The blind spot behind the driver's A-pillar created by the width of A-pillar

Front engine: A vehicle with its engine located at the front of a vehicle above the front suspension. This is the most common layout, which may be combined with either rear-wheel or front-wheel drive.

Also See
mid-engine car
rear engine

Front fender: Body section covering the front wheels, originally separate; but now in most cars faired in and part of the body shell

Front fork: See
fork.

Front forks: See
fork.

Front hub: On a bicycle, the front wheel's center from which the spokes radiate.

Front nose section: The front section of a car's body that uses one single structure to make up the front end, i.e., including the radiator grille surround, both fenders, front apron, etc.

Front panel: A panel joining the front fender and forming a mounting for the headlights, grille, and air ducts into the engine compartment, which is often identical with the front apron where no separate apron is fitted below the front panel.

Also See
lower front panel

Front pillar: See
A-pillar

Front pipe: The first section of the exhaust system from the exhaust manifold to the silencer (or front silencer where there are two).

Also See
twin front pipe

Front-seat: The closed position of a stem type service valve to isolate the compressor. The system should never be operated with the valves in this position

Front seat: Seat in the front of passenger cabin for the front seat passenger

Front seats: The front passenger's and driver's seats

Front silencer: First and main silencer in an exhaust system where there are two silencers.

Front spoiler: The air deflector on the front of a car, aerodynamically designed to cut the wind resistance around the car, for improved handling control, stability, traction, and better fuel economy

Front suspension: The springs, shock absorbers, linkages, etc. which support the front wheels.

Also See
independent front suspension.

Front triangle: Actually a quadrilateral with one short side, it is the section of a bicycle frame that consists of the head tube, the top tube, the seat tube, and the down tube. Also called "main triangle."

Front wheel carrier: A U-shaped tray into which the front wheel of a bicycle is mounted when the rest of the bike is secured to a fork mount bike rack

Front wheel drive: See
front-wheel drive.

Front-wheel drive: (FWD) A vehicle that is pulled by its front wheels rather than being pushed by its rear wheels. The driveshaft and center floor hump is eliminated in front-wheel drive cars. The engine is located over the driving wheels so that it gains better traction in snow. Wear on the front tires can be severe.

Front wheel tire clearance: The distance between the tire and the closest point on the vehicle laterally, longitudinally and vertically, checked lock to lock and all intermediate points.

Front wing: British term for front fender

Frost back: Condition in which liquid refrigerant flows from evaporator into suction line; usually indicated by sweating or frosting of the suction line.

Frost control, automatic: Control which automatically cycles refrigerating system to remove frost formation on evaporator.

Frost control, manual: Manual control used to change operation of refrigerating system to produce defrosting conditions.

Frost control, semiautomatic: Control which starts defrost part of a cycle manually and then returns system to normal operation automatically.

Frost free refrigerator: Refrigerated cabinet which operates with an automatic defrost during each cycle.

Frost heaves: A condition of a roadway in which frost buildup beneath the surface causes the pavement to bulge

Frosting type evaporator: Refrigerating system which maintains the evaporator at frosting temperatures during all phases of cycle.

Froude hydraulic brake: A brake test using a dynomometer to create resistance.

Frozen

Water in its solid state.
Seized (as in machine parts) due to lack of lubrication. The term "freeze-up" is often applied to this situation.

FRP

Acronym for Fuel Rail Pressure
Acronym for fiber reinforced plastic. Continuous mat or woven fibers impregnated with plastic resins to form a lightweight but extremely strong solid. These plastics are stronger per pound than steel. Commonly used fibers are aramid (kevlar), carbon fiber, nomex, and glass. These fibers are used alternatively to provide various levels of strength and weight.

FRT: Acronym for Fuel Rail Temperature

Frustum: The wide end of a bevel gear

FRZ: Acronym for Freeze Frame