DICTIONARY OF AUTOMOTIVE TERMS - "Sa"

S:

1. 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.
2. 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

Sacco panels:

See side bumper panels

Sacrificial anode:

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

Sacrificial protection:

See cathodic protection

Saddle:

1. Seat on a bicycle.
2. Metal piece on a centerpull brake. See yoke.
3. Upper main bearing seat

Saddle anatomic:

See anatomic saddle.

Saddlebag:

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:

1. A fuel tank mounted above the rear axle.
2. 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

Safe stop wheel:

A run-on tire

Safety:

See:
active safety
child safety
driveshaft safety strap
Experimental Safety Vehicle
infant safety seat integrated child safety seat
integrated safety belts
Motor Vehicle Safety Act
park safety switch passive safety features
passive safety
propeller shaft safety strap
safety factor safety hub
safety pressure cap
safety rim
safety valve

Safety Act:

See motor Vehicle Safety Act

Safety, active:

See active safety.

Safety bead seat:

A general term for a safety contour on the rim bead seat preventing the tire bead from sliding into the rim well especially during cornering maneuvres

Safety belt:

See:
seat belt
integrated safety belts

Safety can:

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:

1. Providing strength beyond that needed, as an extra margin of insurance against part failure.
2. Degree of strength above normal requirements which serves as insurance against failure

Safety features:

See passive safety features

Safety glass:

See laminated glass

Safety goggles:

A close-fining glasses or mask to protect the eyes (e.g., during welding)

Safety harness:

See harness

Safety hub:

A device that is installed on the rear axle to prevent the wheels leaving the vehicle in the event of a broken axle.

Safety hubs:

See safety hub.

Safety ledge:

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.

Safety pressure cap:

See pressure cap.

Safety reflector:

See triangular safety reflector

Safety relief valve:

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.

Safety seat:

See:
child safety seat
infant safety seat
integrated child safety seat

Safety steering column:

See collapsible steering column

Safety strap:

See:
driveshaft safety strap
propeller shaft safety strap

Safety switch:

See:
neutral safety switch
park safety switch

Safety valve:

1. A valve designed to open and relieve the pressure within a container when container pressure exceeds a predetermined level.
2. Self-operated, quick opening valve used for fast relief of excessive pressures.

Safety Vehicle:

See experimental Safety Vehicle

Safety wheel:

A general term referring to either a wheel with a safety bead seat or a wheel with run flat properties

SA-FV:

Acronym for separator assembly-fuel Vacuum

Sag:

1. 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.
2. To fail to meet projected sales.
3. A paint problem. See sags

Sagging:

1. 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.
2. 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.

SAI:

Acronym for steering axis inclination

Sailing:

See plane sailing

Sainte Claire:

See wills Sainte Claire

SALA suspension:

Acronym for short arm/long arm suspension

Sales:

Total automotive product sales (vehicles, automotive parts, including OE and aftermarket).
Also See:
fleet sales
net sales value

Sales value:

See net sales value

Saloon:

A British term for sedan

Salt fog testing:

See salt spray testing

Salt spray chamber:

A test chamber for salt spray testing

Salt spray testing:

Spray tests with sodium chloride solutions

Salt water splash:

An open-air corrosion test facility

Salvaged:

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.

Sampling:

See constant-volume sampling.

Sand:

1. 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.
2. 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

Sander:

A power-driven tool with a rotating abrasive disc for smoothing and cleaning surfaces.
Also See:
belt sander
disc sander
orbital sander

Sanding:

See:
block sanding
wet sanding

Sanding block:

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

Sand scratch:

See sand scratches.

Sand scratches:

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

Sandwich laminate:

See sandwich construction

SAP:

See AIA-SAP

SAS:

Acronym for "Scandinavian Automotive Suppliers"

SASE:

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.

Satellite:

A block of controls near the steering wheel rim. Also see global Positioning Satellite

Saturated vapor:

Vapor condition which will result in condensation into droplets of liquid if vapor temperature is reduced.

Saturation:

Condition existing when substance contains all of another substance it can hold for that temperature and pressure.

Saturation period:

The length of time the breaker points are closed and current is flowing through the primary windings of the coil.

Saturn:

A make of automobile manufactured by General Motors
Click image for books on Saturn

Saver spare:

See space saver spare

Saver wheel:

See space saver wheel

Saving tire:

See space saving tire

Saybolt viscometer:

An instrument used to determine the fluidity or viscosity (resistance to flow) of an oil.

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