DICTIONARY OF AUTOMOTIVE TERMS - "Ke"


Keel
The principal fore-and-aft component of a ship's framing located along the centerline of the bottom and connected to the stem and stern frames.
Also See
Bilge keel
Center vertical keel
Even keel
Flat plate keel
Keel blocks
Heavy wood or concrete blocks on which ship rests during construction or drydocking
Keel, flat plate
The horizontal, centerline, bottom shell strake constituting the lower flange of the keel
Keelson
See
Center keelson
Keep alive memory
(KAM) Fault memory. A series of vehicle battery powered memory locations in the computer which allows it to store input failures identified during normal operation for use in later diagnostic routines. KAM even adopts some calibration parameters to compensate for changes in the vehicle system
Keeper
  1. A vehicle that is worth keeping because it will be worth more in the future.
  2. A device which holds something in place.
    Also See
    Valve keeper.
  3. A person who uses or stores a vehicle whether he is the owner of it or not.
    Also See
    Registered keeper
Keiretsu
A Japanese word referring to the large groups of companies that are a characteristic feature of the Japanese economy, especially in the auto industry. Keiretsu companies do business first and foremost among themselves; tight supplier-buyer relationships within the keiretsu system are a barrier to the penetration of foreign goods in Japan because, everything else being equal, keiretsu members prefer to buy from other keiretsu members; the keiretsu system is a controversial issue in US-Japanese trade relations.
Also See
Horizontal keiretsu
Vertical keiretsu
KE-Jetronic
This third generation K-Jet system combines mechanical control with electronic regulation of the mixture. Many of the sensors it uses are the same as those used in L-Jetronic systems. VW, Audi, And Mercedes refer to it as CIS-E
Kelvin scale
(k) Thermometer scale on which unit of measurement equals the Celsius degree and according to which absolute zero is 0 degree, the equivalent of -273.160C. Water freezes at 273.160K and boils at 373.160K.
KE-Motronic
This Bosch system is similar to KE-Jetronic, except that it has ignition-timing control and all the other features as any other Motronic system.
Kennedy key
Two keys in a tangential configuration
Kenosha Cadillac
Trucker slang for any AMC car as in "I sure don't see many Kenosha Cadillacs anymore."
Kerb
A British term for a Curb—a stone or cement ridge between the road and the sidewalk.
Kerb weight
British term for Curb weight"—the weight of a vehicle with fuel, oil, and coolant; but without occupants, luggage, or cargo.
Kerfs
See
Sipes
Kerosene
Also spelled kerosine
  1. Fuel for jet engines
  2. A light petroleum distillate that is used in space heaters, cook stoves, and water heaters and is suitable for use as a light source when burned in wick-fed lamps. Kerosene has a maximum distillation temperature of 204°C at the 10-percent recovery point, a final boiling point of 300°C, and a minimum flash point of 37.8°C. Included are No. 1-K and No. 2-K, the two grades recognized by ASTM Specification D 3699 as well as all other grades of kerosene called range or stove oil, which have properties similar to those of No. 1 fuel oil.
  3. A solvent used to remove grease. The British term is paraffin.
Kerosine
Also spelled kerosene
  1. Fuel for jet engines
  2. A solvent used to remove grease. The British term is paraffin.
Kerosene jet fuel
A kerosene-based product having a maximum distillation temperature of 204°C at the 10-percent recovery point and a final maximum boiling point of 300°C and meeting ASTM Specification D 1655 and Military Specifications MIL-T-5624P and MIL-T-83133D: (Grades JP-5 and JP-8). It is used for commercial and military turbojet and turboprop aircraft engines. * Commercial: Kerosene-type jet fuel intended for use in commercial aircraft. * Military: Kerosene-type jet fuel intended for use in military aircraft.
Ketone
Organic solvents commonly used in nitrile adhesives and vinyl coatings
Ketone-alcohol
(cyclohexanol) An oily, colorless, hygroscopic liquid with a camphor-like odor. Used in soapmaking, dry cleaning, plasticizers, insecticides, and germicides.
KEVLAR®
The brand name of a DuPont(TM) synthetic fabric that is clothlike in feel and is used in cold outdoor activities (e.g., by bicyclists and motorcyclists). In racing, the material of choice for NASCAR Winston Cup cars. KEVLAR® was chosen by NASCAR because of its durability, because it would hold up under problems on the race track. This material ensures that the nose piece holds its shape, even up to 200 mph. Any drastic changes in the shape of the nose piece will ultimately, and consequently, have a profound effect on the car's handling. It is also used in bullet-proof vests and tires. KEVLAR® is used in tires two different ways, for two different purposes KEVLAR® beads are used on some high performance tires. Replacing the normal wire bead with KEVLAR® saves about 50 grams per tire. KEVLAR®-bead tires have the additional advantage of being foldable, making them popular as emergency spare tires with touring cyclists. KEVLAR®-bead tires are somewhat harder to mount on a rim, and are more likely to blow off than wire-bead tires. They work best on hook edge rims. KEVLAR®-belted tires have a layer of KEVLAR® under the tread surface, with the purpose of making the tire more resistant to punctures caused by small sharp objects, such as thorns and glass slivers. KEVLAR®-belted tires have slightly higher rolling resistance, price and weight than corresponding tires without the belt.
Key
  1. A parallel-sided piece inserted into a Groove cut part way into each of two parts, which prevents slippage between the two parts and they rotate together. Used to secure gears, Pulleys, cranks, handles, etc.
  2. A metal instrument for turning locks and key-operated switches.
  3. An L-shaped tool for turning recessed screws (e.g., Allen key).
  4. A roughened surface which provides a basis for subsequent layers of paint or filler.
  5. To adhere to a lower layer.
  6. The act of a vandal who scratches the finish of a car with his key or other sharp instrument.

Also See
Allen key
Allen wrench
Car key
Drain plug key
Feather key
Flat key
Gib-head key
Half-moon key
Hexagon key
Hex key
Ignition key
Kennedy key
Nordberg key
Parallel key
Pratt and Whitney key
Primary key
Secondary key
Square key
Valve key
Woodruff key.
Keyed
See
Color-keyed
Key file
A small file with a length of 100 or 150 mm (4 or 6") for sharpening key holes and other small components, available in standard shapes, e.g., as flat tapered, flat parallel, half round, three square, square, or round file
Key fob
Key fob

Key fob

A device to hold and identify keys.

Keyhole
A term applied to the enlarged root opening which is carried along ahead of the puddle when making a plasma arc weld or with some other types of welding.
Keyless entry system
A system which allows you to lock and unlock your vehicle's doors and trunk without using a key. One system is operated by punching a typically five digit code into a calculator-style keypad located on the driver's door; if more than five seconds elapse between button pushes, the system will abort, requiring you to start again. Another system uses a dedicated frequency in a special key fob. Pressing the lock button will lock all doors and sound the horn for a very short beep. Pressing the unlock button once will unlock only the driver's door; but pressing it twice will unlock all the doors.
Also See
Remote keyless entry
Keyseat
The Groove or slot where a key rests. Also called Keyway
Keystone frame
A diamond-type motorcycle frame in which the engine serves as part of the structure
Keyway
A slot cut in a shaft, Pulley Hub, wheel hub, etc. A Square key is placed in the slot and engages a similar keyway in the mating piece. The key prevents slippage between the two parts. Also called Keyseat".