- L
-
- Low gear in an automatic transmission.
- Designation for luxury or Luxe
- The symbol for Inductance
- Acronym for Liters
- l/100 km
- This is the metric measurement of fuel consumption or Fuel economy. The lower the number the more economical the vehicle. Thus a vehicle that gives 7 l/100 km is better than one that gives 8 l/100 km. A vehicle that gives 7.3 l/100 km is giving 32.2 mpg US and 38.7 mpg Imperial.
- Labor
- An engine which is struggling to keep turning due to lack of revs or the use of too high a gear
- Laboring
- An engine that is Lugging because it has difficulty in turning over.
- Lack of parallelism
- A measurement of brake rotor thickness variation at various points around a rotor.
- Lacquer
-
- A fast drying automotive body pyroxylin paint.
- A glossy coating made by dissolving cellulose derivatives in a rapidly evaporating solvent.
- Protective coating or finish which dries to form a film by evaporation of a volatile (easily goes from liquid to gas) constituent.
- LaCrosse
- A model of automobile manufactured by Buick Division of General Motors from 2005-current. In Canada, the name was changed to Allure because lacrosse in Quebec meant masturbation.
- Ladder bars
- A rigid triangular suspension devices used to locate an axle front to rear. These are used almost exclusively in drag race cars due to the fact that they bind when cornering. A panhard rod or a watts link is used to locate the axle side to side.
- Ladder diagram
- Electrical diagram that indicates order of electrical devices in a specific electrical circuit.
- Ladder frame
-
A type of Frame design which has two long parallel sections which run from the front to the rear of the vehicle. In various places there are shorter sections which connect the long sections. The result looks like a ladder. The connecting pieces hold various Components such as the engine. This design is not used today because it is too heavy and lacks rigidity. Also called ladder chassis
Ladder Frame
- Ladies' frame
- The type of Frame in which the Top tube is replaced by a second Down tube to make mounting and dismounting the bike easier.
- Lag bolt
-
A full-bodied fastener with hex head or a square head, spaced coarse-pitch threads and gimlet or cone point. Designed for insertion in wood or other resilient materials and producing its own mating thread. Also called lag screw.
Lag bolt
- Lagging
- The process of covering hot fluid lines with a non-conducting material in order to maintain its temperature.
- Lagging power factor
- A designation of the relative instantaneous direction of the currents to the voltages: (angle is 0 to +90°)
- Lagonda
- A vehicle brand of which all models from 1925 to 1940 except the 1934-40 Rapier Two
Post-War V-12 are classic cars.
The 1948-49 V-12 models are milestone cars.
Also see
- Lagonda Drophead
- A vehicle brand of which the 1949-53 2.5 Liter Drophead Coupes are milestone cars.
- Laguna
-
A model of intermediat car produced by the Chevrolet division of General Motorsfrom 1973-76.
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Chevrolet Laguna
- Lake pipes
- Nonfunctional side pipes attached along the lower sides of a vehicle for decorative purposes only. Also called Lakes pipes or lakers
- Laker
- A type of ship which trades only in the Great Lakes of North America. The cargo is usually grain and ore.
- Lakers
-
Nonfunctional side pipes attached along the lower sides of a vehicle for decorative purposes only. Also called lake pipes or Lakes pipes
Lakers
- Lakes pipes
- Nonfunctional side pipes attached along the lower sides of a vehicle for decorative purposes only. Also called lake pipes or lakers
- Lambda
-
- Eleventh letter of the Greek alphabet. Upper case=Λ (looks like A without the cross bar), lower case=λ (looks like an up-side-down y).
- Bosch's term for oxygen
Also see
- Lambda control
- Bosch's term for a closed loop system that adjusts the air-fuel ratio to lambda-1, based on sensing the amount of excess oxygen in the exhaust
- Lambda-sond
- A device that senses if the fuel mixture is rich or lean and adjust the control units Lambda regulator accordingly so that the catalytic converter can operate most effectively
- Lambda valve
- 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 Frequency valve or a Timing valve
- Lambda window
- A narrow range (where lambda = 1), which yields the lowest emission values for CO, NOx, and HC
- Laminate
-
- To build up or construct out of a number of thin sheets which are bonded together. The MagnetoCoil has a laminated Core.
- A sheet of material made of several different bonded layers.
Also see
- Laminated spring
-
A series of curved or flat spring steel used to support suspension. Also called leaf spring
Laminated spring
- Laminated contact
- The contacts of a switch with several layers so that as you apply more and more pressure the resistance is reduced and more voltage is permitted.
- Laminated glass
- A sandwich-type construction of two or more panes of glass laminated together with an extremely tough, crystal-clear plastic film; on severe impact, laminated glass will crack, but not shatter like ordinary glass, nor craze over like toughened glass
- Laminated iron core
- The core of an ignition coil consisting of pieces of soft iron laminations, insulated from one another
- Laminated windshield
- Older safety Windshields were made of Tempered glass which is heat treated so that the surface is very tough. When a vehicle with tempered glass is involved in an accident, the windshield shatters into a spider web of little crystals. Its adhesive property is greatly diminished so that an object (your body) can easily be ejected through the windshield. Laminated windshields, however, are made with two sheets of glass with a thin layer of rubbery plastic in between. When your head hits the windshield, the windshield bows out without being punctured. The plastic sandwich prevents the glass from splintering. The plastic sandwich can also contain a tint to reduce heat in the passenger compartment and protect the eyes from glare (like sunglasses). Compare Toughened windshield
- Laminating
- Covering sheets with a particular layer or covering molded parts with a specific plastic film
- Lamination
-
- The act of laminating. The process of bonding two or more layers or plies of material together with an adhesive
- A thin layer.
- A structure made up of thin layers
- Lamp
-
- A device for giving off light without being consumed itself.
- Artificial light. The term is often used when referring to a bulb or tube.
Also see- Automatic Arc Lamp
- Auxiliary driving lamp
- Ballast Lamp
- Blowlamp
- Carbon-arc Lamp
- Clearance lamp
- Dome lamp
- Driving lamp
- Gas discharge lamp
- Gaseous discharge lamp
- Headlight
- Headlight retractor indicator lamp
- Infrared Lamp
- Inspection lamp
- Low-Pressure Sodium Lamp
- Marker lamp
- Mercury Vapor Lamp
- Metal Halide Lamp
- Numberplate lamp
- Parking lamp
- Puddle lamp
- Quartz-iodine Lamp
- Rear fog lamp
- Rear lamp cluster
- Rear license plate lamp
- Repeater lamp
- Retractor Indicator Lamp
- Side marker lamp
- Strobe lamp
- Tail lamp
- Test lamp
- Warning lamp
- Lamp blackening
- The blackening of a light bulb; gradual blackening of conventional, i.e., non-halogen light bulbs, occurs as a result of metal vapor deposition on the glass envelope which reduces light emission; severe blackening indicates imminent bulb failure
- Lamp cluster
- A group of lights behind a cover; the rear lights of most cars are grouped together in clusters.
Also see
- Lamp panel
- A panel that encloses part or all of the headlight or taillight cutout and may extend across the width of the car to include both cutouts; in the latter case, it forms an additional panel to be joined to the smaller front or rear valances
- Lamp socket
- A device which holds a light bulb and provides electricity to the bulb. The British term is Bulb holder
- Lanchester
- A vehicle brand of which the 1919-31 models 21, 23, 30 and 40 with required application are classic cars.
- Lancia
-
A vehicle brand of which the 1925-1948 models with required application are classic cars. The 1959-64 Flaminia Zagato models are milestone cars. The 1961-63 Flaminia GT Two Passenger Coupe or Convertible are milestone cars. The 1962-66 Flavia Coupe are milestone cars. The 1951-59 Aurelia B.20 and B.2O Coupe are Milestone cars. The 1953-59 Aurelia B.24 Spyder and Convertible are milestone cars.
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Lancia
- Land
- The smooth, open area of a grooved surface, such as the bands of metal between the grooves in a piston which carry the piston rings. The metal separating a series of Grooves.
Also see
- Landau
- A closed-type body on the sides, it has provision for opening or folding the fabric top over the rear quarter. This precludes the use of rear quarter windows. Landau irons are fairly common but not a mandatory feature.
- Landau bars
- S-shaped bars or irons on the C-post. On Convertibles, they are functional; but decorative on other body styles.
- Landaulet
- A classic car style characterized by the fact that only the rear seats were protected by a hard or convertible top, whereas the driver was exposed to the open air in order to be more aware of road and weather conditions; an imitation landaulet style is still found on some American sedans. Also called Landau
- Landaulet sedan
- This body style is similar to the landau Sedan in appearance, but with a stationary rear quarter. Landau irons are mounted on the rear quarter but are non-functional.
- Landfill gas
- Gas that is generated by decomposition of organic material at landfill disposal sites. The average composition of landfill gas is approximately 50 percent methane and 50 percent carbon dioxide and water vapor by volume. The methane percentage, however, can vary from 40 to 60 percent, depending on several factors including waste composition: (e.g. carbohydrate and cellulose content). The methane in landfill gas may be vented, flared, combusted to generate electricity or useful thermal energy on-site, or injected into a pipeline for combustion off-site.
- Landing Gear
-
The retracting legs which support the front of a semitrailer
when it is not coupled to a tractor.
Also see
- Land Rover
-
An SUV built in England including Defender 90 (1994-97), Defender 110 (1993), Discovery (1994-2004), Discovery Series II (1999-2002), Freelander (2002-05), LR3 (2005-07), Range Rover (1970-2007), and Range Rover Sport (2006-07)
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Land Rover
- Lands
- The Piston metal between the Ring
grooves.
Also see
- Land tractor
- Commonly called "an agricultural tractor," or "farm tractor" -- these vehicles are designed to work on land in connection with agricultural, forestry or land drainage-type operations and are driven on a public road only when proceeding to or from the site of such work
- Lane mile
- A measure of road length that reflects the number of miles in each driving lane. For example: Three miles of a four-lane highway equals twelve lane miles.
- Langley
- A unit or measure of solar radiation; 1 calorie per square centimeter or 3.69 Btu per square foot.
- Lanyard
-
A line (made of rope, nylon, etc.) which is attached at one end to a frame or large item while the other end is attached to a smaller piece that might get lost. The picture shows a lanyard attached to a hitch pin.
Lanyard
- Lap
-
- One complete trip around a race track or route laid out for racing.
- To fit two surfaces together by Coating them with abrasive and then rubbing them together (e.g., to lap valves into valve seats).
- The upper surface of the human body from waist to knees when seated.
- A rotating disc covered with fine abrasive for polishing.
Also see
- Lap belt
- A 2-point belt pulled across the hips, or lap belt portion of a combined lap/shoulder belt; mostly only on the rear center seat, on some models on all rear seats.
Also see
- Lap joint
-
- A piston ring gap in which the two ends of the ring are shaped like the letter L.
- A welding term describing a union in which the edges of the two metals to be joined overlap one another.
- Lapping
- Smoothing a metal surface to high degree of refinement or accuracy using a fine abrasive.
- Large passenger car
- A passenger car with more than 120 cubic feet of interior passenger and luggage volume.
- Large SUV
- Long wheelbase sport utility vehicle based on a pickup truck
chassis. Some examples are the Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe,
Ford Expedition, GMC Yukon, Nissan Armada, and Toyota Sequoia.
Also see
- LaSalle
- A vehicle brand of which the 1927-1933 models are classic cars.
- Lash
-
- The amount of free motion between two components (e.g., two gears). The British term is free play.
- Acronym for Lighter Aboard Ship a ship designed to carry floating containers or Lighters.
Also see
- Last station memory
- An audio and video term describing the circuit which ensures that when the unit is turned on, the tuner automatically tunes to the station that was received before the unit was turned off
- Latch
- A fastening device for a door or panel. It consists of a small metal bar, either mounted on the movable part (always on doors and on some tailgates), or on the car body (always on hoods and trunks), which engages with a striker on the opposite part.
Also see
- Latching Type valve
- A manual gas valve which requires at least two separate actions or movements to turn on the valve, as for example, pushing in on the valve handle to unlatch the valve before the valve handle can be rotated to turn on the fuel.
- Late model car
- A class of vehicle (American or foreign) built after 1973 in original or modified condition.
- Latent heat
- The heat absorbed or radiated during a change of state (i.e., melting, vaporization, fusion) at constant temperature and pressure. Called latent cause it is hidden -- cannot be felt or measured with a thermometer
- Latent heat of condensation
- The amount of heat given off when a substance changes from a vapor to the liquid without changing temperature
- Latent heat of evaporation
- The amount of heat required to change a liquid into a vapor without raising the temperature of the vapor above that of the original liquid
- Latent heat of vaporization
- Amount of heat required, per pound of substance, to change its state from a liquid to a vapor (gas).
- Lateral acceleration
- The acceleration created when a vehicle corners that tends to push a vehicle sideways. Because of Centrifugal force, the vehicle is pushed outward. For this reason, you need to accelerate a little as you reach the Apex of the curve to pull you through the curve. An inexperienced Driver may panic in a curve as the lateral acceleration pushes his vehicle into the left lane. He might hit the brakes to slow the motion only to find that the problem actually increases. The proper way to take a sharp corner is to slow down before the curve, then accelerate at the Apex of it to bring the vehicle around. To increase your frustration, try following an inexperience Driver as he drives on mountain roads. He maintains his Speed to the corner and brakes at the Apex.
Also see
- Lateral acceleration sensor
- A device that signals the ECU when the vehicle is being subjected to high g-force from a turn; the signal voltage varies according to the amount of g-force
- Lateral acceleration switch
- Similar to a lateral acceleration sensor, but the switch provides a simple on-off signal, rather than the variable voltage signal provided by the sensor
- Lateral air passage
- A passage at the nozzle of a spray gun for shaping the spray pattern to a long or elongated oval
- Lateral atomization orifice
- An additional passages at the nozzle of a spray gun for supplying additional air to break up the paint into smaller droplets
- Lateral clearance
- The smallest distance laterally between the tire and the nearest fixed point of the vehicle.
- Lateral grip
- The ability of a tire to maintain its course, or remain under normal steering control, while being subjected to directionally disturbing influences
- Lateral link
- A Suspension link that is aligned to resist sideways motions in a wheel.
- Lateral run-out
-
- Amount of side (i.e., side-to-side) movement of a rotating wheel, tire, or the rotor from the vertical.
- A tire assembly that does not run true to its plane; i.e., a damaged wheel moving in a wobbling, side to side manner.
- A measurement of the lateral change in position of the disk-brake-rotor surface during one revolution.
- Lateral stability
- Limiting side movement. (1) Tread grooves running circumferentially around the tire resist side forces for maximum traction on sums. (2) Stabilizing tread plies limit side to side movement of the tread ribs caused by the expansion and contraction of tread areas as sidewalls flex. Also called Lateral grip
- Lateral tire clearance
- The distance between the tire sidewall and the nearest point on the vehicle, reduced by any increase in rim offset and 1/2 any increase in tire section from the existing tire.
- Latex tube
- An bicycle inner tube for tires because of its lighter weight. Can be hard to repair, must be reinflated for each ride.
- Lathe
- A device for shaving the metal from the outside or inside of a Cylinder.
- Lay-by
- A British term for a rest stop, i.e., a place at the side of a road where drivers can stop (to rest)
- Layer of pure zinc
- The top layer on hot-dip galvanized steel which, in contrast to zinc-iron alloy layers, almost completely consists of zinc
- Layshaft
- A British term for a Countershaft -- the intermediate shaft between and parallel to the input and output shafts, carrying the two pairs of gearwheels which provide the required changes in gear ratio
- Lay-up resin
- The resin substance used to laminate GRP parts. The resin available on the do-it-yourself market for fibreglass mat repairs also belongs to this category
- Lazy tongs
-
- Any device with extensible arms (often in the form of a series of crossed, hinged bars) for handling objects at a distance.
- A specific type of pop rivet gun with such arms