A letter rating for tires to indicate that they are theoretically rated for speeds up to 180
kph (110 mph), as in P220SR15. The next higher rating is
T.
Abbreviation for "Special" or "Sport," indicating better performance than a standard car
model.
SA:
API classification for straight mineral oil used in early gasoline engines.
Saab:
A model of automobile manufactured in Sweden Click image for books on Saab
An electropositive metal coating, such as aluminum or zinc, that protects the steel of a car
body by corroding first when attacked by electrolytic action
A large bag or one of a pair which hangs down from the
saddle or straddles the rear wheel of a
bicycle or
motorcycle.
Saddle gel:
See gel
saddle.
Saddle tank:
A fuel tank mounted above the rear axle.
A fuel tank that fits over the top tube of the frame of a motorcycle
Saddle valve:
(tap-a-line)
Valve body shaped so it may be silver brazed or clamped onto a refrigerant tubing
surface.
SAE:
Acronym for "Society of Automotive Engineers". It
publishes automotive research papers and defines various automotive standards of measurement.
SAE gross bhp:
An older unit of engine power. In the SAE gross bhp test, a "bare" engine is used, i.e., an
engine equipped with only those accessories that are necessary for its operation, such as the oil
pump and fuel pump; water pump, alternator, exhaust system, etc. are not used; this results in a
higher power rating than achievable by the same engine under real operating conditions
SAE horsepower:
A simple formula of long standing is used to determine
horsepower. The formula is: (
bore diameter) squared times (number of cylinders)
divided by 2.5. This formula is used primarily for licensing purposes and is not very accurate for
determining actual brake horsepower. Also
called rated horsepower. Compare SAE gross
horsepower and SAE net horsepower.
Also see horsepower.
SAE gross
horsepower:
A production engine's actual power available at the
flywheel or output
shaft (usually crankshaft) as tested with an
absorption dynamometer. It differs from SAE net
horsepower in that many of the accessories (such as
alternator, water
pump, etc.) are not attached. Engines before 1973 were primarily measured with these
"gross" numbers. Since 1973, "net" figures were published. This confusion caused many people
to suppose that their engine had been seriously de-tuned when they saw that the same engine in
1972 had 400 hp but in 1973 had only 235 hp. (This example is from the Cadillac 500 cubic inch
engine). Compare SAE net horsepower. Also See: brake horsepower horsepower
SAE net bhp:
A newer unit of engine power. A fully-equipped engine (as when installed in a vehicle) is
used to determine SAE net bhp figures; as a rough guideline, SAE net is about 70-85 percent of
SAE gross
SAE net
horsepower:
The brake power (power available at the flywheel or
output shaft -- usually the
crankshaft) of a fully equipped engine fitted with all the
accessories necessary to perform its intended functions
unaided. In 1973, automobile manufacturers began publishing their engine
specifications in "net" horsepower and "net"
torque instead of "gross" figures. In many cases the published
numbers were significantly lower in 1973 than in 1972. Some of the decrease was attributed to
the addition of pollution equipment, the lowering of
compression, and the use of regular unleaded
gasoline instead of premium leaded fuel. However most of
the decrease in number was a switch to "net" figures. Compare
SAE gross horsepower. Also See: brake horsepower horsepower
SAE steels:
A numerical index used to identify composition of SAE steel
Approved container of
not more than 5-gal. capacity. It has a spring-closing lid and spout cover. It is designed to relieve
internal pressure safely when exposed to fire.
Safety catch:
A secondary latch usually located under the front edge of the hood, near the center, which
prevents accidental release of the hood if the main cable-operated hood lock is activated by
mistake
Safety chains:
Two, crossed chains linking the trailer and vehicle frame as a safeguard if the towing hitch
fails
Safety Compliance Certification
Label:
(SCC) An American label which must be attached to the lower half of the left-hand front
door lock facing; specifies the VIN and other relevant information
Safety control:
Device to
stop refrigerating unit if unsafe pressure, temperatures, and/or dangerous conditions are
reached.
Safety factor:
Providing strength beyond that needed, as an extra margin of insurance against part
failure.
Degree of strength above normal requirements which serves as insurance against failure
A raised area (hump) around the circumference of the bead seat area of passenger wheels.
Its function is to prevent the tire beads from becoming unseated during hard cornering or while
running with low air pressure. A must with tubeless passenger tires. Also called
special ledge
Safety motor
control:
Electrical device used to open circuit to motor if temperature, pressure, and/or
current flow exceed safe conditions.
Safety pin:
A securing device
Safety plug:
Device which will
release the contents of a container before rupture pressures are reached.
A spring-loaded valve designed to open and relieve excessive pressure in a device when it
exceeds a predetermined safe point
Safety rim:
A rim having two safety ridges, one on each lip, to
prevent the tire beads from entering the drop center area
in the event of a blowout. This feature keeps the tire on the rim.
To bend or droop under weight or pressure. As a result of a front or rear end collision,
the frame may develop a sag in the middle, much like a hammock.
An aggravated condition of paint where a band of paint runs down the side of a vertical
area of the body. It may be caused by excessive build-up of paint, thinners which are too
slow-acting, or excessively slow movement of the spray gun.
The straining of a ship that tends to make the middle portion lower than the bow and
stern
Sagging door:
A door that sits too low in the door opening which is often indicated by an uneven door gap
that widens towards the rear bottom and front top of the door but narrows down at the rear top
and front bottom. This condition may be caused by faulty setting of the door hinges and
lock/striker assembly. On convertibles, it often pinpoints structural damage, because the chassis
may be bending in the middle
Sags:
An aggravated condition of paint where a band of paint runs down the side of a vertical area
of the body. It may be caused by excessive build-up of paint, thinners which are too slow-acting,
or excessively slow movement of the spray gun
Sag wagon:
A support vehicle for touring bicycles or motorcycles to provide food, repairs, or a ride
home.
A vehicle totalled in an accident and then repaired. There is no guarantee of street
worthiness for a salvaged vehicle. It may look good, but be hazardous to drive.
To smooth or clean a surface by rubbing with sandpaper. Sanding usually refers to hand
tools such as sandpaper, while grinding always refers to power tools such as angle grinders.
A term popularly applied to loose, unconsolidated accumulations of detrital sediment,
consisting essentially of rounded grains of quartz. In the mechanical analysis of soil, sand,
according to international classification, has a size between .06 and 2.0 mm. Also see
silica sand
Sand blast:
Cleaning by the use of sand propelled at high speeds in an air blast.
Sandblasting:
The cleaning of a surface with a jet of sand (or grit) under air or steam pressure
Sand casting:
The formation of shapes by pouring molten metal into a cavity shaped in sand in a molding
flask
A block of rubber or plastic to which the sandpaper is fastened, offering the operator a good
grip. The block should be used for most sanding jobs because it distributes the pressure evenly
and gives a more uniform surface.
Sandpaper:
An abrasive paper coated with sand for smoothing and cleaning. Compare
glasspaper
The marks left in metal or in the old finish by
abrasives. They may also show in the
finish coat due to lack of filling or sealing.
Sand scratching:
A paint fault characterized by the paint film appearing low in gloss and showing primer and
metal imperfections in the top coat; may be caused by excessively coarse sanding and too thin a
paint coat
Sand scratch
swelling:
Solvents present in surface scratches that cause the
old finish to swell.
Sandwich
construction:
A composite construction of alloys, plastics, and other materials consisting of a foam or
honeycomb layer and glued between two hard outer sheets. Also called
sandwich laminate
Acronym for "self-addressed stamped envelope." Often used in advertisements where the
seller will provide information if potential buyers will send a SASE enclosed in their query letter.
Also see SSAE.