Dictionary of Automotive Terms Abbreviations

DICTIONARY OF AUTOMOTIVE TERMS - "Ki"

Kia: Click image for books on
Kia

A model of automobile manufactured in South Korea by Kia Motors including Amanti (2004-07), Optima (2001-08), Rio (2001-08), Rio5 (2006-08), Rondo (2007), Sedona (2002-08), Sephia (1994-2001), Sorento (2003-07), Spectra (2000-08), Spectra5 (2005-08), and Sportage (1995-2007)

Kick: A term for beginning to harden, the initial phase of the hardening process of plastic body fillers. The British term is go off

Kick bike: A bicycle which is propelled like a skateboard instead of pedals, chain, etc.

Kickdown: (KD) A British term for a Forced downshift, i.e., a device on a Automatic transmission which allows the Driver to switch to a lower gear during hill climbing or passing. Instead of manually moving the Gear selector, he simply pushes down hard on the Accelerator. This gear is sometimes called Passing gear"

Kickdown switch: An electrical switch that will cause a Transmission, or Overdrive unit, to shift down to a lower gear. Often used to secure fast Acceleration. Also called kickdown valve

Kickdown valve: A mechanically or electrically operated valve which actuates a downward gearchange if the accelerator pedal is fully depressed

Kick panel: A vertical panel wall enclosed by several structural members (e.g., the side panel ahead of the A-pillar that extends up to the sides of the bulkhead and is limited by the floorpan at its bottom end)

Kickstarter: A pedal lever and ratchet mechanism for kick starting an engine

Kickup: A raised section of the frame and body to provide clearance for the front and/or rear suspension system or axles

Kickup pipe: An exhaust pipe section including the elbow or U around the rear axle

Kill switch: A special switch designed to shut off the Ignition in case of an emergency.

Also See
Tether kill switch

Kilometer: (km) A unit of length of 1000 meters. 1 km = 0.6213712 miles (about 5/8 mile); 1 mile = 1.609344 km. In Canada it is pronounced KILL-oh-mee-ter, but elsewhere it is pronounced kull-LAW-mitt-er. Colloquially it is referred to as a klik or klick

Kilometer per hour

(km/h or Kph) A unit of velocity

Kilovolt ampere: (kVa) Unit of electrical flow equal to volts multiplied by amperes and divided by one thousand. Unit of power used when power circuit has power factor other than 1. k_W = k_VA x cosθ

Kinematic Viscosity: The ratio of the absolute viscosity of a liquid to its specific gravity at the temperature at which the viscosity is measured. Expressed in Stokes or Centistokes. Example: Viscosity, kinematic, cS @ 100F:5.2

Kinetic energy

The mechanical energy possessed by a body due to its motion. It may be calculated from the formula Kinetic energy = 1/2 (mass) x (velocity) y.
Energy available as a result of motion that varies directly in proportion to an object's mass and the square of its velocity.

King Cab: A type of pickup truck (by Nissan) which has a second row of seating; but unlike a crew cab (which has four full size doors) it has a half-door that can be opened only after the main door is opened. The seating is usually a little more cramped than in a crew cab. Also called Club Cab, Extended Cab, Xtra_Cab, Access Cab, Super_Cab, or Cab Plus

Kingpin: Kingpin

A hardened steel pin that is passed through the Steering knuckle and axle end. The steering knuckle pivots about the kingpin. A vertical or inclined shaft about which a steered wheel pivots. Kingpins were used on early solid-axle front suspensions because they were sturdy and allowed the wheels to pivot in one plane for steering. To be adapted to A-arm suspension systems, kingpins had to be fitted with additional pivoting members at the top and bottom. The configuration shown here was typical, with the kingpin running straight through the steering knuckle. Ball joints make for a tighter and less complex arrangement. The British term is trunion.
Also See
Axle kingpin
Trailer kingpin

Kingpin axis: The centerline of the ball joints in a front suspension system. Also called swivel axis

Kingpin inclination: (KPI) The angle made of the kingpin axis to the perpendicular as viewed from the front. An Alignment adjustment where the tops of the Kingpins are tipped inward toward each other. This places the center line of the Steering axis nearer the center line of the tire-road contact area. Thus when the vehicle comes out of a turn, the Steering wheel returns to the straight-ahead position. Also called steering axis inclination or swivel-axis inclination

Kingpin offset: A geometric parameter which is positive if the kingpin axis intersects the wheel plane at or below ground level, or is negative if the point of intersection is above ground level. Also called scrub radius

Kink

Kissel: A vehicle brand of which the following models 1925-26 all models, 1927 8-75, 1928 8-90 and 8-90 White Eagle, 1929 8-125 and 8-90 White Eagle, 1930 8-125 are Classic cars.

Kissing between duals: The intermittent contact of tires in dual as they flex; caused by inadequate dual spacing or by overload.

Kit: A set of tools, parts, etc.

Also See
Body styling kit
Bolt-on kit
Bonnet pin kit
First-aid kit
Hood pin kit
Lowering kit
Repair kit
Straightening kit
Tune-up kit

Kit car: Car that is assembled (often by the DIY enthusiast) from its constituent parts; usually with a GRP body shell