DICTIONARY OF AUTOMOTIVE TERMS - "Ru"

Rubber:

1. All the rubber seals, mats, and pads that cushion and protect vehicle windows, trim, handles, bumper sections, carpets, etc.
2. The tires. See also peel rubber.
3. An elastic substance used in tires.

Also See:
blade rubber
bonnet bump rubber
bump rubber
butyl
hard rubber
hood bump rubber
natural rubber
peel rubber
precured tread rubber
raw rubber
synthetic rubber

Rubber bush:

A British term for rubber bushing.

Rubber bushing:

A tubular rubber sleeve for mounting a shaft or rod.

Rubber coupling:

A flexible coupling using pressurized rubber blocks.

Rubber doughnut coupling:

A typical flexible coupling, made of vulcanized rubber, shaped like a doughnut.

Rubber-isolated crossmember:

A laterally aligned structural member that is attached to the body or the frame via vibration-absorbing rubber isolators. By bolting suspension or driveline components to such crossmembers, automotive engineers can reduce the transmission of noise and/or ride harshness to the body.

Rubberize:

To coat or impregnate with rubber.

Rubber mallet:

A hammer with a rubber head.

Rubber-mounted:

A system of rubber cushions and/or jointed engine mounts to isolate engine vibrations from the rider.

Rubber plug:

A molded rubber stopper used to close cutouts or holes in body panels that have to be opened only infrequently, e.g., access holes for rustproofing of box sections.

Rubber ring:

See doughnut coupling.

Rubber spring:

An element of a rubber suspension system such as hydrolastic suspension.

Rubber squeegee:

A special spreader used for filling hollow, concave or rounded body areas; the rubber material adapts better to these surfaces than plastic spreaders and helps to prevent flat spots.

Rubber valve:

See sponge rubber valve.

Rubbing block:

A little block located on the movable point that contacts the distributor cam wheel and causes the points to open. A spring causes the points to close.

Rubbing compound:

A polish that contains abrasives harsh enough to remove layers of "dead" paint. Useful in radical restoration procedures, rubbing compounds should not be used on new cars or those with delicate finishes.

Rubbing strip:

A strip of plastic at the widest point of the body, along doors and fenders down each side of the car to protect the bodywork from minor nicks, (as from the open door of a neighbouring car).

Rudder stock:

A vertical rudder shaft that connects to the steering gear.

Rudder stop:

A stout bracket to limit the swing of the rudder to the maximum 37 degree starboard or port.

Rudge nut:

A quick-release nut for central-locking wheels.

Rule:

See two second rule.

Rumble:

1. A noise found in high-compression engines and associated with bending vibration of the crankshaft. It is caused by abnormally high rates of pressure rise near top dead center.
2. A vibration caused by loose components.

Also see rumble seat.

Rumble seat:

(RS) An open-air seat at the back of some older automobiles. Called a "dickey" in Britain.

Rumble strip:

A series of small ridges placed across the driving lanes to warn the driver that a stop sign is ahead.

Run:

1. The trail of a paint drip; a dribble of paint
2. To form a paint run which is usually caused by moving the spray gun too slowly or spraying too close to the panel surface thus causing an excessive build-up of paint.
3. To start an engine and keep it going.

Also See:
chain run
runabout run channel

Runabout:

1. An open sporting-type vehicle, lightweight, with two seats and with simple bodywork, i.e., a roadster.
2. A small car used strictly for driving in town

Runaway Lane:

See Runaway Truck Ramp

Runaway Truck Ramp:

Emergency area adjacent to a steep downgrade that a heavy truck can steer into after losing braking power. Sometimes one to three lanes wide and several hundred feet long, the ramp is a soft, gravel-filled pathway which absorbs the truck's forward momentum, bringing it to a safe stop. Depending on the surrounding terrain, the ramp may be level or run up or down hill.

Run channel:

A U-section rubber used to hold glass parts and other body features in place or to protect panel edges. Also see runabout run channel.

Run flat:

Damage sustained by a tire due to driving with insufficient air pressure or while flat. Some types of tires will allow you to run the tire with no air pressure for a short period of time.

Run-flat properties:

The capability of a deflated tire to operate effectively, i.e., to permit further driving. To achieve this, the following must be fulfilled: the tire beads must be retained against the rim flanges and on the rim bead seats when the tire deflates; the tire must be able to support all possible stresses imposed by deflation: the tire must remain undamaged by internal friction and heat generated when running flat; the tire should be able to self-seal any punctures, so that the remaining air will be trapped and heat will be generated to reinflate the tire within limits.

Run-flat tire:

A tire which can run for a certain length of time without air in it. In the inflated state, conventional tubeless tires perform the task of containing air and rolling. Once deflation occurs, the tire bead becomes dislodged from the rim bead seat and slides into the rim well. As a result of friction, the tire will become distorted and the rim may plough into the road, leading to loss of control and potentially resulting in an accident. Run-flat tires are designed to operate effectively with or without air, providing acceptable handling qualities when deflated, and good handling qualities when inflated.

Run in:

A British term for break-in.

Run-in:

See break-in.

Runner:

See seat runner.

Running:

See:
daytime running lights
slow-running

Running board:

A long flat footboard on either side of a vehicle which acts as a step for passengers. They were particular common on vehicles before 1940.

Running fit:

See running-fit.

Running-fit:

A fit in which sufficient clearance has been provided to enable the parts to turn freely and to receive lubrication. Where sufficient clearance has been allowed between shaft and journal to allow free running without overheating.

Running gear:

1. The system of the engine, transmission, drive shaft, differential, and wheels.
2. The parts of the vehicle which cause the wheels to roll, i.e., suspension, steering components, springs, shock absorbers.

Running-in:

Driving a vehicle or running an engine or other mechanical unit at reduced speed and load when new, to prevent pick-up and seizure of the bearing surfaces, and to ensure even initial wear.

Running lights:

See daytime running lights.

Running-on:

A condition of a spark ignition engine in which fuel continues to burn after the ignition switch has been turned off, causing the engine to keep on running. Also called dieseling.

Running-on control valve:

See idle stop valve.

Running on rails:

Used to describe a car that is handling perfectly, as though it were actually attached to railroad tracks.

Running time:

Amount of time a condensing unit Is run per hour or per 24 hours.

Running winding:

Electrical winding of motor which has current flowing through it during normal operation of motor.

Run on:

Condition when the engine continues to run, even when the key is turned off. See dieseling.

Run-on tire:

A tire with a limited ability to run without air in it; sufficient to pull over safely. Compare run-flat tire.

Runout:

1. The amount a gear or wheel moves in and out away from its true center as it is rotated. If runout is excessive the gear or wheel can be seen to wobble as it rotates.
2. Side-to-side warpage of the brake disc friction surfaces. Measured with a dial indicator.

Also See:
vacuum runout point
lateral runout
radial runout

Runout point:

See vacuum runout point.

Rupture:

To break, burst, or split.

Rush-hour traffic:

A road or area that is full of vehicles during peak time such as in the morning when commuters are going to work, at noon when people are going for lunch or coming back to work, and after work when people are going home.

Rust:

1. Oxidized iron or steel, the product of corrosion.
2. To form rust.

Also See:
anti-rust treatment
scale rust
white rust

Rust bucket:

A colloquial term for a badly corroded car.

Rust converter:

A chemical substance containing phosphoric acid etc. which transforms rust into a stable, firmly adhering iron compound by means of a chemical reaction.

Rust eater:

See rust killer.

Rusting:

A chemical or electrochemical destruction of iron and ferrous metals.

Rust inhibitor:

A substance which reduces or prevents the formation of rust on iron and ferrous metals.

Rust inspection:

A vehicle inspection conducted to detect rust and corrosion damage, usually by means of an endoscope.

Rust killer:

A substance which convert rust into a dry mass which can be removed with water.

Rust neutralizer:

See rust converter.

Rust pinhole:

The early stage of rust penetration of a panel; rust pinholes will often reveal larger rust damage once the surface rust bubbles have been ground away.

Rustproof:

1. Resistant to rust.
2. To make resistant to rust.

Rustproofing:

A process in which metal (such as iron and steel) is sealed from moisture and oxygen so that it will not corrode. Also see aftermarket rustproofing.

Rustproofing agent:

An anti-corrosion, wax-based sealant.

Rust protection:

Reducing the possibility of rust forming on iron and steel by coating with protective materials or by rendering them passive.

Rust remover:

Any chemical substance which removes rust.

Rust sealer:

A rust converter that provides a coat on metal surfaces to protect them against air exposure and thus to prevent continued corrosion.

Rust treatment:

See anti-rust treatment.

Ruxton:

A vehicle brand of which the 1925-1948 models are classic cars.

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