DICTIONARY OF AUTOMOTIVE TERMS - "On"

ON
See
On-board computer
  1. An electronic component used to control vehicle electrical circuits, etc. and to process data for instrument panel gauges
  2. A cab-mounted device on a truck which electronically or mechanically records data such as truck speed, engine rpm, idle time and other information useful to trucking management. Also called Trip Recorder
On board diagnostics
(OBD)
  1. A unit that monitors the Electric Control Unit and system responses for errors during normal vehicle operations. When the vehicle is serviced, this information on the errors can be down loaded and displayed to the service personnel which will facilitate the trouble shooting process.
  2. A system on board of the vehicle that monitors emission control components and alerts the driver (e.g., by a dashboard light) if malfunctions or emission deterioration occurs. The OBD system involves a number of sensors and a data processor, which is typically integrated with the vehicle's electronic management system.
On-board diagnostic system (OBD) and (OBDII)
  1. An indicating device on the car that alerts the driver when something is wrong in the system
  2. A system which monitors some or all computer input and control signals. Signal(s) outside predetermined limits implies a fault in the system or in a related system
Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery
(ORVR) System required on vehicles beginning in 1998 to control refueling emissions.
On boost
The condition that exists when a turbocharger is producing power. When exhaust pressure is sufficient, the turbine spins, and the turbo is on boost.
On-car balance
In contrast with off-car balancing (which removes a wheel from the vehicle) on-car balancing leaves the wheel on the vehicle and a special machine is used to balance the tire, wheel and brake assembly making adjustment for all of these components. Obviously this is the best (and most costly) procedure in obtaining balance.
On-center feel
The responsiveness and feel of the steering when the wheel is approximately centered. In a car with good on-center feel, the Steering wheel tends to return to center when slightly deflected, assisting straight-line Stability.
One
See
One-coat finish
A finish consisting of a single coat of paint
One eyed monster
Slang for a T.V. set as in "I think my kids would die if the one-eyed-monster broke."
On-foot recce
Inspecting a difficult off-road obstacle on foot before committing your vehicle to it.
One-groove track
Regardless of the width of a track, going into and coming out of a tight turn causes the track to have room for only one line of race cars rather than two.
One-off
A car or spare part of which only a single unit is made
One off
A car or spare part of which only a single unit is made
One-piece rim
A wheel rim consisting of one part, designed for tubeless tire mounting. The opposite is a Multi-piece rim
One-piece rim designation
A coded description of a one-piece wheel rim.
One-piece wheel
A wheel with a rim constructed in one piece incorporating a well formation at or near its center to enable the tire beads to be mounted over the rim flanges. A cast wheel, a one-piece forged wheel, and a steel wheel have either a 5° drop center rim, 15° drop center rim, wide base rim, or double wide base rim are one-piece wheels. The opposite is a Multi-piece wheel
One price selling
Published fixed price displayed on a new vehicle eliminating need for negotiation.
One sun
Natural solar insulation falling on an object without concentration or diffusion of the solar rays.
One-way
See
One way clutch
A mechanical clutch which transmits power in one direction of rotation only; when torque is not applied, the driven member rotates freely; used in automatic transmissions and the old freewheel.
Also see
One-way clutch
See
One-Way Head Screw
A round head screw which is slotted but has side clearances at diagonally opposite sides of the slot so that the screw can be driven only in the direction of assembly, designed for preventing tampering.
One-way valve
See
On-highway use
Includes sales of fuel for use in motor vehicles. Volumes used by companies in the marketing and distribution of petroleum products are also included.
On-line
A state in which a piece of equipment or subsystem is directly connected with or incorporated into the main system
On-line painting
A painting of components within the actual painting line. This is especially relevant for plastic moldings, which are fitted to the metal car body after the welding assembly operation. On-line painting means that such plastic parts are painted together with the body and must withstand the bake-in temperatures of about 150°C
ONO
Acronym for or nearest offer as a term of negotiation which indicates that the seller is not too flexible in his price.
On/off delay
See
OnStar
OnStar is the innovative communication service from General Motors that combines Global Positioning System satellite technology and a hands free voice activated cellular phone, linking the driver and the vehicle to the OnStar Center 7 days a week, 24 hours a day where advisors provide real-time, person to person assistance.
On-the-car balancing
Balancing the wheel while it is still attached to the car. The opposite is Off-the-car balancing
On-the-dolly panel beating
A metalworking technique used to tap out dents in the bodywork. The dolly is held directly under the ridge in the panel so that the dolly contour closely matches that of the original panel shape. Hammering is then directed at the peak of the ridge, working along the ridge from end to end in a progressive manner to push the area down gradually to its original shape
On-the-road charges
Extra charges, in addition to the list price of a new car, to cover delivery, license, etc.
On the side
Trucker slang for pulled over on the shoulder as in, "You got a 4-wheeler on the side up ahead."

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