Dictionary of Automotive Terms Abbreviations

DICTIONARY OF AUTOMOTIVE TERMS - "Hi"

HIC: Acronym for Hot-Idle Compensator (Ford)

HID: Acronym for High-intensity discharge

Hidden wiper: A wiper system with a parking position below the normal visibility range

Hide-away headlights: See
Concealed headlights

Hideaway wiper: A wiper system with a parking position below the normal visibility range

Hiding: The ability of a paint to obscure the surface to which it is applied.

HIF carburetor: Type of SU carburetor with a horizontal integral float chamber

Highball: A term used in car sales, the practice of stating a very high trade-in price to a customer who is known or expected to be shopping around, comparing prices. When the customer finds that other dealers cannot match the trade-in price, he will return to the original dealer, only to be told that the inflated figure was a mistake (e.g., based on wrong assumptions as to the trade-in's clutch condition, etc.). Many customers will then accept a new, lower price because they are tired of shopping around.

Also See
Lowball

High beam: All cars have at least two levels of lighting for night driving. The Low beam is used when there are other vehicles approaching or when you are following another vehicle. The high beam is used when driving on poorly lit roads where there is no visible traffic. The high beam light may be an integral part of the Headlight assembly or is the inboard light when there are two Lamps on each side of the vehicle. When the lamps are stacked vertically, the high beam is the upper one. When the high beam switch is activated, the low beam lights may or may not be switched off. In a system with factory installed day-time running lights, the high beam light is illuminated at a lower intensity. The British term for high beam is main beam.

High beam indicator: A blue light on the instrument panel which comes on when the high beams are activated. Also called beam indicator. The British term is main beam indicator.

High-build filler: A spray primer that leaves a relatively thick coat on the panel surface to cover up minor imperfections that would otherwise show up very prominently in the final color coat

High-build galvanizing: A galvanizing process in which extremely heavy zinc coatings are applied

High-camshaft engine: See
Hc engine

High carbon steel: A very hard steel, as opposed to plain carbon steel. Hypereutectoid steels containing more than 0.8% carbon. Such steels consist of iron carbide (cementite) and pearlite when slow cooled. They are capable of being heat treated to high hardness, but tend to be brittle. Used for metal working formers and fine edge cutting tools (e.g., files)

High-centered: Vehicle is stationary because the driving wheels are no longer touching the ground.

High center rim: A raised center rim design, used in the Cts wheel

High compression head: A Cylinder head with a smaller Combustion chamber area thereby raising the Compression. The head can be Custom built or can be a stock head Milled (cut) down.

High Crown Dolly: A curved block of cast iron for shaping high crown radius panels with a bumping hammer. It has a rounded corner which is useful for bringing up low spots as is done with a pick hammer

High crown panel: A panel shape that curves rapidly in all directions, e.g., around the headlights of older cars. The opposite is Low crown panel

High crown spoon: A spoon with a broad working surface and a heavily rounded tip that is ideal for using as a Dolly or a lever in confined areas, such as headlight housings or rounded body sections above the waistline

High-density polyethylene: (HDPE) A very tough, chemically resistant thermoplastic, with a soapy touch; e.g., used for blow-molded parts such as fuel tanks or other moldings, such as bumpers

High efficiency gas furnace: Furnace which uses recycling of combustion gases or pulse combustion to obtain operating efficiencies from 85 to 95 percent.

High efficiency lighting: Lighting provided by HID lamps and/or fluorescent lamps.

High energy battery: An innovative battery type developed for electric cars

High energy coil: A coil which generates higher ignition voltage and/or offers increased spark efficiency; ballasted

High energy ignition: (HEI) an electronic ignition system used by GM

High energy ignition system: (HEI) An ignition system which provides more ignition power (higher voltage at higher amperage) than normal systems; a typical HEI includes an electronic control unit and magnetic pick-up in combination with mechanical ignition timing

High energy ignition system with electronic spark timing: (HEI-EST) A system consists of an electronic distributor, with the ignition coil mounted on the distributor cap on 6- and 8-cylinder models or externally on 4-cylinder models; the ignition timing is performed electronically by the electronic control module. (Used on several GM models since 1983.)

Higher Heating value: (HHV) The value of the heat of combustion of a fuel as measured by reducing all of the products of combustion back to their original temperature and condensing all water vapor formed by combustion. This value takes into account the heat of vaporization of water.

High gear: The top gear or the cruising gear of a Transmission. It is usually the highest number, i.e., fifth gear of a Five-speed transmission.

High-geared

A transmission (even like the chain system on a bicycle) where a large gear drives a small one. The larger the drive gear and the smaller the driven gear the higher the gear ratio. It will result in high speed, but is poor for getting started from a stop.
A vehicle's transmission system which has a higher than usual gearing, to improve fuel economy.

High gloss: Very shiny, bright appearance

High impedance voltmeter: A voltmeter with high opposition to the flow of electrical current. Good for reading circuits with low current flow, such as found in the CCC system

High-intensity discharge: (HID) A lamp that produces light by passing electricity through gas, which causes the gas to glow. Examples of HID lamps are mercury vapor lamps, metal halide lamps, and high-pressure sodium lamps. HID lamps have extremely long life and emit far more lumens per fixture than do fluorescent lights.

High-intensity discharge lamp: A lamp that produces light by passing electricity through gas, which causes the gas to glow. Examples of HID lamps are mercury vapor lamps, metal halide lamps, and high-pressure sodium lamps. HID lamps have extremely long life and emit far more lumens per fixture than do fluorescent lights.

High lead screw: A screw with a low pitch so that an engaged nut would move an appreciable distance with a partial revolution.

High leverage diagonal cutting pliers: Diagonal cutting pliers with special joint and handle design for extra cutting power

High leverage end cutting pliers: End cutting pliers with special joint and handle design for extra cutting power

High lift rocker arm: See
High lift rocker arms.

High lift rocker arms: Custom Rocker arms designed so that a standard lift of the Push rod will depress or open the valve somewhat more than the stock Lifter.

High load condition: Occurs when the air conditioner system must operate continuously at maximum capacity to supply enough cold air

High-Low Firing combustion controls: The action of a combustion control which positions the air and fuel supply for low-fire and for high-fire in accordance with load demand.

High/low range gearbox: See
Dual-range gearbox

High/low range transmission: See
Dual-range transmission

High-Mileage Vehicle: A vehicle that exceeds 12,500 miles (20,000 km) per year. For example, a four-year old car has high miles if the odometer reads more than (12,500 x 4) 50,000 miles (80,000 km).

High-mileage households: Households with estimated aggregate annual vehicle mileage that exceeds 12,500 miles (20,000 km).

High-mounted brake light: Third brake light mounted in the middle of the rear window or on some cars integrated in the trailing edge of the rear deck spoiler

High-performance: Producing better than average results

High-performance header: A special exhaust manifold, which is not made of cast iron as usual, but of specially designed, curved and welded steel tubes, to produce a smooth flow path for the exhaust gases, avoiding any sharp bends; less heavy, less sturdy and more expensive than an ordinary manifold; usually replaces the down pipe

High pressure: Operating under a lot of pressure e.g., braking systems or diesel fuel injection

High-pressure boiler: Boiler furnishing steam at pressures of 15 psi gauge or higher (205 k_Pa).

Also See
High-pressure boiler

High-pressure cut-out: Electrical control switch operated by the high-side pressure which automatically opens electrical circuit if too high pressure is reached.

High pressure foaming: A process in which plastics are foamed under high pressure (6-50 Bar). The opposite is Low-pressure foaming

High-pressure gauge: Instrument for measuring pressures in range of 0 psia to 500 psia (101.3 k_Pa to 3600 k_Pa).

High pressure line: The line(s) carrying high pressure liquid and gas from the compressor outlet to the expansion valve inlet

High pressure relief valve

A safety valve located in the discharge line (six-cylinder compressors) or the compressor block (two-cylinder compressors)
Located somewhere on the high side of the air conditioning system often next to the receiver drier this safety valve protects the system against excessive pressure

High revs: Towards the top end of the scale of engine revolutions

Highrise manifold: See
High-rise manifold.

High-rise manifold: An Intake manifold designed to mount the Carburetor or carburetors, considerably higher above the engine than is done in the standard manifold. This is done to improve the angle at which the fuel is delivered.

High side

In air conditioning systems, the high side (i.e., high pressure side or discharge side) is located between the compressor and expansion valve or orifice tube and includes the condenser. The opposite is Low side
Parts of a refrigerating system which are under condensing or high-side pressure.
Another term for discharge side. The part of the air conditioning system under high pressure, extending from the compressor outlet to the thermostatic expansion valve/tube inlet

High-side float: Refrigerant control mechanism which controls the level of the liquid refrigerant in the high-pressure side of mechanism.

High-side float flooded system: Refrigeration system which has a float operated by the level of the high-side liquid refrigerant.

High-side service valve: A device, located on the discharge or high side of the compressor, at which high side pressure can be checked and other service operations can be performed

High side service valve: A device, located on the discharge or high side of the compressor, at which high side pressure can be checked and other service operations can be performed

High siding: Pitching a bike over away from the direction you are turning. The most dangerous kind of crash

High-speed bleeds: Main air bleeds; located in the air horn

High-speed circuit: Main metering system

High speed direct injection: (HSDI) A system for rapid injection of fuel into a diesel engine

High spot: A raised area on a panel surface

High-temperature collector: A solar thermal collector designed to operate at a temperature of 82°C or higher.

High-tension: (HT) capable of operating at a relatively high voltage

High-tension battery: A UK term for a B-battery

High-tension circuit: See
Secondary circuit

High-tension distributor: A distributor, in electronically controlled ignition systems, which has no controlling functions or advance mechanism

High tension lead: High Voltage wire from the Ignition coil. May also indicate the Secondary wire from the Ignition coil to the Distributor and wires from the distributor to the Spark plugs.

High tension leads: See
High-tension leads.

High-tension leads: The wire which goes from the Ignition coil to the Distributor and the wires which go from the distributor to each of the Spark plugs.

Also See
High tension lead.

High-tension winding: See
Secondary winding

High test: Premium gasoline with the highest octane rating

High-vacuum pump: Mechanism which can create a vacuum in the 1000 to 1 micron range.

High-voltage distribution: See
Static high-voltage distribution

High-Voltage Electric Circuit: A circuit operating at more than 600 volts nominal.

High-voltage reserve: The difference between the available ignition voltage and the ignition voltage required at a given moment

Highway: Any public road outside the cities with a foundation and a hard surface. Originally, the highway was a way higher than the ground, e.g., as opposed to stage coach tracks. Since similar speed limits exist in the USA and Canada for all types of highways, both single or multilane (usually between 50 and 70 mph or 80 and 110 kph), the terms highway driving speeds and highway driving should not be associated with speeds higher than 70 mph (110 kph).

Also See
Expressway
Freeway
Motorway

Highway bar: An auxiliary lateral piece of metal (usually chromed for good appearance) fitted to the front down tubes or frame. Folding Pegs may be found at each end. The bar allows the rider to position his feet straight ahead for variety in leg position when riding long distances. Also called hi-way bar.

Highway Code: Official British code of conduct for all road users

Highway peg: A folding footrest which is mounted on the ends of a Highway bar

Highway Tractor: The truck portion of semi-tractor-trailer unit or train which is designed to pull a semitrailer by means of a fifth wheel mounted over the rear axle(s). Also called a Truck tractor

Hill descent control: (HDC) A system employed on newer 4x4 vehicles which allow them to proceed down a hill more slowly so that the wheels won't lock up.

Hill holder: A mechanically or electromechanically engaged device for preventing accidental rearward movement of a vehicle prior to driving away; found mainly in automatic transmissions

Hill-holder system: A system that locks the brakes in the applied position on uphill grades when the driver's foot is rmoved from the brake pedal.

Hillman: Click image for books on
Hillman

A model of automobile manufactured in England

Hinge: See
Door hinge

Hinge bow: See
Main bow

Hinged-caliper disc brake: An old disc brake design formerly used on motor cycles; superseded by sliding-caliper disc brakes

Hinged quarter window: A rear side window between the B-post and the C-post and/or in the case of station wagons, between the C-post and the D-post. It is provided with hinges to allow it to be opened

Hinge facing: A part of the door frame that includes the bracing and threaded plate for mounting the hinge to the door. It is not to be confused with the Hinge panel that is part of the hinge pillar of the body shell.

Hinge panel: Sheet metal panel spot-welded to the A-post or rear of the front fender that accommodates the hinges for the front door

Hinge pillar: The vertical structural element that carries the front door hinges; the upper end of the hinge pillar is usually the side of the windshield frame. Also called A-pillar

Hinge pillar reinforcement: The vertical section behind the visible A-pillar

Hinge plate: The reinforcing plate between the hinge and the door panel which distributes the forces acting on the hinge bolts over a larger area of the panel

Hinge post: See
Hinge pillar

Hinge tapping plate: The threaded plate housed in a sheet metal cage spot-welded to the hinge pillar or, in some cases, to the door frame; the door is bolted to this plate and may be adjusted within certain limits, as the plate can be moved about in its sheet metal cage

Hip belt: See
Lap belt

Hi perf: Abbreviation for high performance, also called hi-po or hi po.

Hi po: See
Hi-po.

Hi-po: See
Hi perf.

Hispano Suiza: A brand of vehicle of which the 1925-1948 models are Classic cars.

History: See
Full service history

Hitch

To connect or couple up a motorhome or trailer to a towing vehicle.
The bracket used to connect a vehicle to a trailer or motorhome.

Also See
Towing hitch

Hitch class II: Hitch class II

A trailer hitch rated at 3500 lb gross trailer weight and 350 lb tongue weight.

Hitch ball: Hitch ball

A metal ball with a bolt attached to it. It is secured to a bracket on a vehicle in order to mount a trailer hitch. British term is towball

Hitch pin: A heat-treated, hi-strength steel pin ranging from a diameter of 7/16" to 1-1/4" and a length from 3-1/2" to 7". A flange is at one end and a hole (through which a Hair pin cotter or Hitch pin clip can be inserted) at the other end. The hitch pin secures the hitch to the receiver.

Hitch pin clip: Hitch pin clip

A Hair pin cotter with one straight leg. Insert the straight leg into the hole of a rod so that the bent leg will encircle the rod.

Hitch rack: A bicycle rack mounted to the hitch on the rear of a car or truck. Available in ball mount, 1.25" receiver, and 2" receiver versions.

Hi-test: Premium gasoline with the highest octane rating

Hi-way bar: An auxiliary lateral piece of metal (usually chromed for good appearance) fitted to the front down tubes or frame. Folding pegs may be found at each end. The bar allows the rider to position his feet straight ahead for variety in leg position when riding long distances. Also called highway bar.