DICTIONARY OF AUTOMOTIVE TERMS - "Li"

LI
Acronym for Load index
Liability
An amount payable in money or by future services to be rendered.
Libre
See
Licence
Alternate spelling for License.
License
Alternate spelling for Licence. Document giving official permission to do something.
Also see
Licensed Weight
The maximum gross weight (vehicle plus cargo) a vehicle is licensed to carry.
License plate
A plate (issued by a government) located on the back (and sometimes also the front) of a vehicle showing its registration. The British term is number plate.
License plate frame
A metal or plastic cover which surrounds and protects the outside of a license plate. Some of them feature the name of a car dealership, state or province, while others have a series of lights surrounding it.
License plate lamp
See
License plate light
See
Licensing Agency
See
Licensing Center
See
Lid
See
Lien
The right to hold another's goods or property until a claim is met.
Also see
Life
See
Lifeboat
A boat which is used when the ship is in danger and has to be abandoned
Life Monitor
See
Lift
  1. The action of the rear end of the vehicle to rise during braking.
  2. The amount by which a poppet valve rises when opened.
    Also see
  3. The aerodynamic force caused by greater pressure above the car than below it and having the effect of loss of traction and stability; (counteracted by a suitable spoiler).
  4. The force that pulls a wind turbine blade, as opposed to drag.
  5. Maximum distance valve head is raise off its seat.
  6. A device for raising equipment into a vehicle, e.g., a scooter lift will raise a scooter from the ground, swing it around and place it in the back of a van.
Also see
Lift Axle
  1. An extra, unpowered axle needed only when the vehicle is loaded, allowing it to meet federal and state vehicle weight standards. The lift axle is mounted to an air spring suspension that raises the axle when it is not required.
  2. An air-powered axle which, when lowered, will both convert a vehicle into a multi-axle unit and provide greater load carrying capacity.
Also see
Liftback station wagon
Liftback station wagon

Liftback station wagon

Small cars came in station wagon form too. The idea was the same as bigger versions, but the conventional tailgate was replaced by a single lift-up hatch. For obvious reasons, compact and subcompact wagons had only two seats instead of the three that had been available in many full-size models.
Lifter
See
Lifter foot
The part of the lifter that contacts the camshaft
Liftgate
The rear opening of a station wagon or hatchback which opens from the bottom and hinges at the top. The British term is tailgate.
Lifting
  1. Etching in which the paint surface is roughened or disintegrated in small patches or a wide area because of an attack from bird droppings, soap deposits, industrial fallout, etc.
  2. Softening and penetration of an adhesive film by the solvents or plasticizing oils of another film, which result in raising, wrinkling and loss of adhesion
  3. The taking on cargoes of oil or refined product at the terminal or transshipment point by tankers and barges
Lifting platform take-up point
Any of the lifting points specified by the manufacturer for supporting the car on a lifting platform. Only the points specified provide the rigidity required to lift the car without damaging adjacent components
Lift Layer
A compacted thickness of material placed by a piece of equipment in a single pass.
Lift Off Container
A cargo container that is loaded and unloaded with a crane, most cargo containers are of this type, the exceptions are roll-offs and the air freight container.
Liftoff effect
In eddy-current testing; severe signal changes associated with small changes in distance between probe and test item
Lift pump
See
Lift rocker arm
See
Lift-The-Dot fastener
A registered trade name for a Snap fastener
Lift-throttle oversteer
A handling characteristic that causes the rear tires to lose some of their cornering grip when the throttle is released during hard cornering.
Lift truck
See
Light
  1. Something that is easy to operate.
  2. Something that has relatively little weight.
  3. A vehicle's window, esp. the rear window called a Backlight.
  4. An illumination device.
  5. A British term for window.
Also see
Light-alloy piston
See
Light-alloy wheel
See
Lightbar
A bar with a series of lights (driving lights, fog lights, and/or spot lights) mounted on it. The bar is mounted either on the front of the vehicle or on its roof.
Light box
See
Light braking
The action of applying the brakes gently and intermittently. Opposite to Heavy braking
Light bulb
A manmade source of light. The term is often used when referring to a Bulb or Tube
Light cable
Cable which does not require high strength. Opposite to Heavy cable
Light clutch
Having a smooth or easy operation, e.g., requiring little effort to push down the pedal on cars and trucks; or squeeze the lever on motorcycles. Opposite to Heavy clutch
Light Crude
Crude oil with a low specific gravity and high API gravity due to the presence of a high proportion of light hydrocarbon fractions and low metallic compound.
Light displacement
The displacement in tons of the ship complete with all outfit, equipment, and machinery on board but excluding all fuel, water in tanks, cargo, stores, passengers, dunnage, and the crew and their effects. The light condition displacement includes the lubricating oil for the machinery and water in the boilers at steaming level. Also called light weight.
Light-duty
Something that is built for light loads or non-severe use. Opposite to Heavy-duty
Light-duty truck
A vehicle weighing less than 10,000 lbs. Compare Heavy-duty truck and Medium-duty truck
Light-duty vehicle
(LDV) A passenger car, motorcycle, or small truck weighing less than 8,500 lbs
Light emitting diode
Used in taillights in place of bulbs because of their low power usage, durability, and brightness.
Light Ends
The more volatile products of petroleum refining; e.g., Butane, Propane, Gasoline.
Lightened valve
See
Lightened valves
Valves in which all possible metal has been ground away to reduce weight. This will allow higher rpm without Valve float.
Lighter
  1. An electric, push-button device on the dash which, when depressed, produces a red-hot filament for lighting cigarettes, etc.
  2. A flat-bottomed boat for transporting cargo between ship and shore.
Also see
Lighter aboard ship
(LASH) small barges for carrying cargo between ship and shore
Light-fast
Something unaffected by light
Light filler panel
See
Light-footed
A term used to describe a mode of driving which uses gentle pressure on the accelerator, thus maximizing fuel economy
Light gas oils
Liquid petroleum distillates heavier than Naphtha, with an approximate boiling range from 205°C to 343°C.
Lighting
See
Lighting-up hours
The period commencing one half-hour after sunset on any day and expiring one half-hour before sunrise on the next day.
Light-off temperature
The temperature at which a catalytic converter achieves a 50% conversion rate; typically near 250°C
Light oil
Lighter fuel oils distilled off during the refining process. Virtually all petroleum used in internal combustion and gas-turbine engines is light oil. Includes fuel oil numbers 1 and 2, Kerosene, and jet fuel.
Light paint
Thinly coated. Opposite to Heavy paint
Light panel
See
Light rail
An electric railway with a light volume traffic capacity compared to heavy rail. Light rail may use exclusive or shared rights-of-way, high or low platform loading, and multi-car trains or single cars. Also known as street car, trolley car, and tramway.
Light Rapid Transit
(LRT) Fast efficient travel via light rail or guided bus.
Light sheet metal
Thin sheet metal for average use.
Lights-on reminder
A buzzer, chime, or voice which alerts you that you have left the car lights on upon shutting the engine off.
Light steering
Having an easy operation, e.g., requiring little effort to turn the steering wheel
Light surround
See
Light switch
See
Light traffic
A road with few moving vehicles. Opposite to Heavy traffic
Light truck
  1. A vehicle weighing less than 14,000 lbs.
  2. Typically a vehicle under 3 tons, which includes pickups, passenger vans, and most 4WD vehicles and for which one does not need a special license. Compare HGV
  3. Department of Transportation definition: All single unit two-axle, four-tire trucks, including pickup trucks, sports utility vehicles, vans, motor homes, etc.
  4. Energy Information definition: all trucks weighing 8,500 pounds or less.
Light unit
See
Light Valve
See
Light van
Typically a vehicle under 3 tons, which includes pickups, passenger vans, and most 4wd vehicles and for which one does not need a special license. Compare HGV
Light vehicles
Passenger cars and light trucks.
Light warning light
See
Light water
Ordinary water: (H2O), as distinguished from heavy water or deuterium oxide: (D2O).
Light weight
See
Lignum Vitae
A hard, heavy wood from a tropical American tree found in the West Indies. It is used in the head of a mallet.
Limber hole
A small drain hole or slot in a frame or plate for the purpose of preventing water or oil from collecting
Limit
The performance limit of a car's chassis, tires, etc.; typically experienced during sharp cornering at high speeds.
Also see
Limit control
  1. A control that automatically responds to changes in temperature, pressure, flow or level for limiting the operation of the controlled equipment. This device is not considered an operating control.
  2. Control used to open or close electrical circuits as temperature or pressure limits are reached.
Limit cycle control
See
Limited grade
See
Limited-slip axle/center differential
See
Limited slip differential
An axle differential or central differential incorporating a locking or slip-limiting mechanism to counter wheel spin. Limited slip means that some power is always applied to each of the wheels, even when one of them is on a slippery surface like ice or mud.
Also see
Limited-slip differential
A Differential unit designed to provide superior Traction by transferring driving Torque, when one wheel is spinning, to the wheel that is not slipping. A Cone or Clutch disc locks the two independent axle shafts together so that they both turn at the same time. There is a minimal amount of slippage (thus the name limited-slip) to allow for differential action.
Limited-speed Motorcycle
  1. In Canada, a limited-speed motorcycle can be operated with any class of driver's license. Learners require a Class 6 or Class 8 motorcycle learner's license. Limited-speed motorcycles cannot be operated with any other type of learner's license.
  2. A limited-speed motorcycle has
    1. a motor with a piston displacement of 50 cc or less, or a power source that produces a maximum of 1.5 kW
    2. a power drive system that does not require clutching or shifting after the drive system is engaged
    3. a maximum speed of 70 km/h on level ground
    4. a maximum weight of 95 kg
    5. wheels with a diameter of at least 254 mm
Limiter
See
Limiter Cap
See
Limiting valve
See
Limits of adhesion
  1. A term used by sports car enthusiasts to describe the point of which a car begins to lose grip on the road while making a turn in a curve.
  2. The ability of a vehicle to respond to an emergency situation such as roads covered in rain, oil, or ice by steering or braking when needed.
Limit Switch
See
Limit Value
See
Limo
Abbreviation for Limousine.
Also see
Limousine
Limousine

Limousine

The literal meaning is a cloak. In France, Limousine means any passenger vehicle. An early dictionary defined limousine as an auto with a permanently enclosed compartment for 3-5, with a roof projecting over a front driver's seat. However, modern dictionaries drop the separate compartment idea and refer to limousines as large luxury autos, often chauffeur-driven. Some have a movable division window between the driver and passenger compartments, but that isn't a requirement.
Also see

Limp home
See
Limp-home mode
  1. A standby circuit which allows a vehicle with electronic system trouble to be driven home slowly.
  2. When a vehicle is operated by an unauthorized person, an alarm system will shut down some engine functions so that the vehicle's maximum speed will be greatly reduced thus making the vehicle useless to the thief and/or easily recovered.
  3. A feature of Cadillac's Northstar engine that even when it has run out of coolant, the car can be driven at moderate speeds.
Limp-in
See
Lincoln
Lincoln

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Lincoln

A vehicle brand of the Ford Motor Company founded in 1917 of which the following models are classic cars
  • 1920 through 1940 models L, KA, KB, and K
  • 1941 model 168 H
  • 1942 model 268 H
The 1952-54 Capri models are milestone cars. Includes the following models:
  • Aviator (2003-05)
  • Blackwood (2002)
  • Capri (1952-1959)
  • Continental (1961-2002)
  • Cosmopolitan (1949-1954)
  • Custom (1941-1942, 1955)
  • K-series (1931-1939)
  • Lido (1950-1951)
  • Lincoln (1946-1951)
  • Lincoln-Zephyr (1936-1942)
  • Lincoln-Zephyr Continental (1940-1942, 1946-1948)
  • LS (2000-06)
  • L-series (1920-1930)
  • Mark LT (2006-2008)
  • Mark Series (1956-1998)
  • Mark VII (19__-92)
  • Mark VIII (1993-98)
  • MKX (2007)
  • MKZ (2007-08)
  • Navigator (1998-2008)
  • Navigator L (2007-08)
  • Premiere (1956-1960)
  • Sport (1949-1951)
  • Town Car (1981-2007)
  • Versailles (1977-1980)
  • Zephyr (2006)

Lincoln Continental
Lincoln Continental

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Lincoln Continental

A vehicle brand of which the 1925-1948 models are classic cars. The 1946-48, 1961-64 models are milestone cars. The 1958-60, 1965-67 Convertibles are milestone cars. The 1961-67 Custom Limos (Lehman Peterson) models are milestone cars.
Line
The path through a corner that best accommodates a late braking point, a high cornering Speed, and the fastest-possible exit speed out of a corner.
Also see
Linear
Trucker slang for Extra powerful amplifier used to increase CB transmitter output as in "I want to buy me a million watt linear".
Linear-ball bearing
A bearing that has several balls where a few of them at a time ride along a flat channel and give support.
Linear lamp
See
Linear pull brakes
A generic term for a V-Brake. Shimano owns the copyright on V-Brake so any component company which makes a brake similar to Shimano's must use this term to describe it.
Linear source lamp
See
Linear wiper system
A system in which the wiper arm is attached both at the top and bottom and, instead of describing the usual arc, is guided in a straight line from one side of the windshield to the other
Line certificate
See
Line pressure
Line pressure is fed to the shifting components when they are to be applied; it increases in proportion to engine speed and is the highest pressure in the hydraulic control system
Liner
  1. A thin section placed between two parts, such as a replaceable Cylinder liner in an engine. Wet liners are the complete Cylinder wall where the outside of the liner makes up part of the Cooling system to allow Coolant circulation. Dry liners are pressed into the block and are not surrounded by Coolant.
  2. A cargo ship which sails between regular ports of call on a schedule.
Also see
Liner blast horn
See
Line spanner
See
Lines, plan
The plans that show the shape or form of the ship
Line voltage
Voltage supplied by the power company or voltage supplied as input to the device
Lining
  1. The interior trim, e.g., of doors and convertible tops.
  2. A friction material (e.g., on brake shoes, brake discs, clutch disc, and automatic transmission brake bands).
  3. A special friction material with which brake shoes or brake pads are lined. It takes the wear when the brake shoe is forced against the drum or rotor.
Also see
Lining fade
Brake fade caused by a drop in the brake lining coefficient of friction as a result of excessive heat.
Lining table
The outermost part of the brake shoe that supports the brake lining friction material.
Lining Wear Sensor
See
Linishing
Smoothing sheet metal using power tools, e.g., with an angle grinder and emery belt or grinding disk. Typical applications are dressing of weld joints and removal of flaking rust to clean up repair areas prior to welding
Link
A Suspension member that has a single Diagnostic linkDiaphragm linkDrag link, Half linkInter-cell linkJoint at each end
Also see
Linkage
Any series of rods, Yokes, levers, bars or links used to transmit motion from one unit to another.
Also see
Linkage power steering
A linkage-type, power-assisted steering system in which a conventional manual system is assisted by hydraulic or pneumatic effort applied directly to a steering linkage such as a relay lever or track rod
Linking cable
See
Link Connector
See
Link suspension
See
Lip
The edge of a sheet metal panel folded at right angles to the basic panel contours; often used to mount the panel to an adjacent panel, e.g., for spot welding
Lip molding
The molding connecting the outer edge of the fender to the inner fender panel or fender well
Lip seal with garter spring
See
Liquefied
A product that is normally solid or a gas but has been pulverized into a liquid state.
Liquefied natural gas
(LNG)
  1. Natural gas (primarily methane) that has been condensed to a liquid by reducing its temperature cryogenically to -162°C at atmospheric pressure.
  2. Methane, possible future alternative fuel for spark ignition engines
Liquefied petroleum gas
(LPG) A mixture of low-boiling hydrocarbons found in natural gas and produced from crude oil. It exists in a liquid state at ambient temperatures when under moderate pressures: (less than 1.5 MPa. Major components are Propane (min. 85% content in the U.S.), Butane, Propylene, Ethane, Ethylene Butylene, Isobutane, and Isobutylene. It is used principally as a feedstock for the chemical industry, home heating fuel, and motor vehicle fuel.
Liquefied refinery gases
(LRG) Liquefied petroleum gases fractionated from refinery or still gases. Through compression and/or refrigeration, they are retained in the liquid state. The reported categories are ethane/ethylene, Propane/Propylene, normal Butane/Butylene, and Isobutane/Isobutylene. Excludes Still gas.
Liquefier
See
Liquid
  1. Any substance which assumes the shape of the vessel in which it is placed without changing Volume.
  2. Substance whose molecules move freely among themselves, but do not tend to separate like those of gases.
  3. Any material which has a fluidity greater than that of 300 penetration asphalt when tested in accordance with ASTM Test for Penetration for Bituminous Materials. When not otherwise identified, the term liquid shall include both flammable and combustible liquids.
Also see
Liquid absorbent
Chemical in liquid form which has the property to take on or absorb other fluids.
Liquid ballast
A form of Ballasting which uses a liquid -- usually water mixed with calcium chloride to prevent freezing and increase specific gravity.
Also see
Liquid collector
A medium-temperature solar thermal collector, employed predominantly in water heating, which uses pumped liquid as the heat-transfer medium.
Liquid-cooled
An engine that is cooled by the passage of water or oil. The opposite is air-cooled
Liquid desuperheater
Valve that permits small flow of refrigerant to enter low side of systems to cool suction gas.
Liquide Hydraulique Minérale
(LHM) A green hydraulic fluid used by Citroën for some of their suspension systems
Liquid gasket
A room temperature vulcanizing gasket sealer (from a tube)
Liquid honing
A metal finishing process by forcing a stream of liquid, in which a very fine abrasive is suspended, against the surface to be finished.
Liquids in Bulk cargo
Truck cargo of liquid in a tank that is not otherwise packaged.
Liquid indicator
Device located in liquid line which provides a glass window through which liquid flow may be watched.
Liquid line
  1. The line between the drier outlet and the expansion valve.
  2. Sometimes, the line between the condenser outlet and the drier inlet
  3. Tube which carries liquid refrigerant from the condenser or liquid receiver to the refrigerant control mechanism.
Liquid nitrogen
Nitrogen in liquid form used as a low-temperature refrigerant in expendable or chemical refrigerating systems.
Liquid paint
Paint which contains solvents and cures at room temperature or by baking
Liquid pump
A machine used to raise liquid from a low to a high energy level by transferring energy to the medium being pumped
Liquid receiver
Cylinder (container) connected to condenser outlet for storage of liquid refrigerant in a system.
Liquid receiver service valve
Two or three-way manual valve located at the outlet of the receiver and used for installation and service purposes. It is sometimes called the king valve.
Liquid traction
A special liquid that is applied to the tires of Drag racers to provide superior Traction.
Liquid-vapor valve refrigerant cylinder
Dual hand valve on refrigerant cylinders which is used to release either gas or liquid refrigerant from the cylinder.
Liquid withdrawal
Drawing LPG (Propane) from the bottom of the tank to insure delivery of liquid LPG (propane). Withdrawal from the top of the tank will deliver LPG (propane) in the gaseous state.
Liquid withdrawal system
A method of piping where liquid is taken from bottom of an LP gas tank and converted into gas by a vaporizer
Liquified
See
Liquor
Solution used in absorption refrigeration.
Also see
L-iron
A length of iron with an L shape when viewed from the end. Also called Angle iron
List
When the centerline plane of a ship is not vertical, the ship is said to list, or to heel
Listing wire
A wire or cord used to make the bead around the edge of upholstery.
List number
The part number stamped on the body of the carburetor, used for identification and can be cross-referenced to obtain the model number
List price
The price suggested by the factory, as quoted in the price list, as opposed to the actual sales price which would include delivery and set-up charges plus taxes.
Liter
(litre)
  1. Metric measurement of capacity equivalent to 2.11 US pints. Five liters equals 1.32 U.S. gallon or 1.1 Imperial gallon. One Imperial quart equals 1.136 liter and a US quart equals 0.946 liter.
  2. Metric unit of volume which equals 61.023744 cu. in. When converting from engine size, divide the cubic inch displacement by 61.023744 to obtain the number of liters (e.g., 428 cu. in. = 7 liters). Multiply the number of liters by 61.023744 to obtain the cubic inch displacement. 61.023744 is obtained from 1000 divided by 2.543
Lithium base grease
A Chassis and wheel bearing grease using lithium as a base. Not compatible with sodium base grease.
Lithium bromide
Chemical commonly used as the absorbent in absorption cooling system. Water would then be the refrigerant.
Lithium grease
A Chassis and wheel bearing grease using lithium as a base. Not compatible with sodium base grease.
Also see
Lithology
Lithology is the study of rocks. It is important for exploration and drilling crews to have an understanding of lithology as it relates to the production of gas and oil. Often, cuttings have to by analyzed to make important decisions about a well.
Litre
(liter)
  1. Metric measurement of capacity equivalent to 2.11 US pints. Five liters equals 1.32 U.S. gallon or 1.1 Imperial gallon. One Imperial quart equals 1.136 liter and a US quart equals 0.946 liter.
  2. Metric unit of volume which equals 61.023744 cu. in. When converting from engine size, divide the cubic inch displacement by 61.023744 to obtain the number of liters (e.g., 428 cu. in. = 7 liters). Multiply the number of liters by 61.023744 to obtain the cubic inch displacement. 61.023744 is obtained from 1000 divided by 2.543
Little end
The small end of the connecting rod.
Also see
Live axle
A driven axle upon which the wheels are firmly attached. Usually there are two half shafts with a differential in between. Each axle drives the wheel it supports. Live axles are non-independent, i.e., when one wheel moves up or down, it affect the movement of the other. They are used on rear-wheel-drive vehicles. In contrast, a Dead axle is not driven.
Also see
Live bottom
See
Livestock Body
Truck or trailer designed for the transportation of farm animals. Sometimes they have double decks. Often has slatted or perforated sides.
Livestock Carrier
This trailer cargo body style typically has slotted or slatted sides. It may have a double deck. These trailers sometimes have "possum bellies," compartments in the bottom for holding smaller animals.
Live wire
See
Livre
See
Lizzie
See

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