DICTIONARY OF AUTOMOTIVE TERMS - "St"

ST:

Acronym for short ton which is 2,000 lbs.

Stab braking:

See cadence braking

Stability:

1. The quality or state of a vehicle to remain controllable. See directional stability.
2. The ability of a ship to return to her normal upright position when listed by the action of waves, wind, etc.
3. Property which allows an adhesive, coating, or sealer compound to be stored under specific conditions without loss of its original properties.

Also See:
directional stability
lateral stability
straight-line stability

Stabilize:

To make or keep stable

Stabilizer:

A variety of devices used to keep the passenger compartment of a vehicle from swaying and lurching on sharp curves and turns.
Also See:
fuel stabilizer
idle speed stabilizer
stabilizer bar
UV stabilizer

Stabilizer bar:

A transverse mounted spring steel bar that controls and minimizes body lean or tipping on corners. Also see anti-roll bar.

Stabilizer belt:

A radial tire belt consisting of cords (usually fine steel wire) embedded in rubber directly beneath the tread and above the radial cord body plies

Stabilizer link:

A suspension link which connects the anti-roll bar to the lower wishbone

Stabilizing plies:

Two or more plies, of steel, fiberglass, etc., forming a belt around the circumference of a tire, between carcass and tread rubber. It reduces tread distortion of radial and bias belted tires.

Stack:

See velocity stack

Stage:

See green stage

Staged carburetors:

Carburetors equipped with a secondary system. Staged carburetors are activated either mechanically or by a vacuum diaphragm. Think of staged four-barrels as two two-barrels in parallel

Stagecoach:

Trucker slang for A customized bus used to carry entertainers form venue to venue as in "Wonder if Faith Hill is in that stagecoach?".

Stagger:

1. To place items (like carburetors, pistons) so that every second item is offset from the previous one.
2. The difference in the circumference of the tires on the right and left sides of the car. Since oval track racing is always done turning left, teams put larger tires on the right to help the car naturally turn left. Also see cross-jetting

Stainless steel:

(SS) A type of steel containing nickel and chromium, which is resistant to corrosion

Stainless-steel exhaust system:

A more hard-wearing and therefore more expensive system than one made of mild steel

Stainless-steel mesh:

See wire mesh

Stake:

1. A panel-beating tool formed like a dolly, but with a shaft attached allowing it to be clamped in a vice.
2. The wooden bars which fit into the sides of the bed of a truck.

Staked nut:

A nut secured to a bolt with a metal tab (e.g., a wheel bearing adjusting nut)

Stalk:

See:
control stalk
multi-function control stalk

Stall:

An engine which stops unintentionally. The usual causes of stalling are: sudden increase in load without an accompanying increase in fuel flow (often occurring when a driver engages the clutch to drive away without increasing the engine speed) and braking to a very low speed without disengaging the clutch

Stall speed:

The test characteristic of a fluid converter; result of the stall test

Stall test:

A short-time (5 seconds) full throttle operation with the vehicle brakes fully applied and the selector lever of an automatic transmission in "D" position; the test results in an engine speed (stall speed) that indicates the performance of the fluid converter

Stall torque:

Torque developed when starting.

Stall torque ratio:

The torque conversion in fluid converters on taking up drive, i.e., when the turbine is still stationary; stage of maximum torque multiplication

Stamped-steel wheel:

A wheel for mass-produced automobiles that has a rolled-steel rim around a stamped center. The center hole fits over the front or rear hub, but the wheel is positioned by the mounting bolts or by lug nuts. Bolts and lug nuts fit into conical holes precisely located to make the wheel run true.

Stamping:

A sheet metal part formed or shaped by pressing rolled sheet metal between metal dies (hardened metal blocks).

Stance:

See aerodynamic stance

Stanchion tube:

The upper (non moving) tube on a bicycle suspension fork which is attached to the fork crown.

Stand:

See:
axle stand
hardtop stand
jack stand
safety stand
taxi stand

Standard:

See federal side impact standard

Standard air:

Air having a temperature of 68°F (20°C), a relative humidity of 36%, and pressure of 14.7 psia (101.3 kea). the gas industry usually considers 60°F (16°C) as the temperature of standard air.

Standard atmosphere:

Condition when air is at 14.7 psia pressure. at 68 0F (20 0C) temperature and a relative humidity of 36 percent.

Standard conditions:

Used as a basis for air conditioning calculations: temperature of 680F (200C), pressure of 29.82 inches of mercury (Hg.), and relative humidity of 30 percent.

Standard equipment:

Those parts and systems of a vehicle supplied by the manufacturer at no extra cost, i.e., they are included in the basic price for a given model

Standard Industrial Classification:

(SIC) industry class that represents a level of organization of production by type of specialization. Currently the 1980 Standard Industrial Classification is in effect identifying each industry at the 4 digit level.

Standard rim:

A rim that has been calibrated and found to meet the precise measurements specified by Tire and Rim Association, Inc. or, where applicable, by European Tire & Rim Association.

Standards:

See:
emission standards
international Standards Organization
low Emission Vehicle Standards

Standards Organization:

See international Standards Organization

Standing proud:

A situation where an object (e.g., rivet or bolt) does not sit flush with the surrounding material

Standard transmission:

A transmission that must be shifted manually to effect a change in gearing. Also called "conventional transmission" or "manual transmission."

Standard wheel:

The original wheel on a vehicle supplied by the car manufacturer

Standard Whitworth:

See British Standard Whitworth

Standard work week:

Average number of hours worked normally scheduled in a work week.

Standing start:

A race which begins with none of the vehicles in motion.

Stand proud:

See standing proud

Stanyl:

A proprietary polyamide with unusual temperature stability, mechanical strength, and resistance to oil and grease

Stanza:

A model of automobile manufactured by Nissan in Japan
Click image for books on Nissan Stanza

Star:

See:
diamond star

Starboard:

The right-hand side of a ship when facing forward

Starlet:

A model of automobile manufactured by Toyota
Click image for books on Toyota Starlet

Start:

To use the starter motor to crank the engine until it fires and runs on its own.
Also See:
bump start
cold start
hot start
hot start enrichment
jump start
kick start
push start
racing start
rolling start
standing start
starting system

Start boosting:

Bypassing the ballast resistor of an ignition system when starting the engine

Start bypass:

Bypass of the ballast resistor

Start enrichment:

See:
after-start enrichment
cold start enrichment
hot start enrichment

Starter:

1. A small electrical motor that causes the engine crankshaft to begin to turn, which starts the engine running and so starts the vehicle. Invented in 1911 by Cadillac engineers, the manual crank-starter was replaced by an electric motor and thus made it easier and safer for people to start and drive cars. Also called the "cranking motor."
2. A person who indicates that a race is to begin.

Also See:
bendix starter
Bendix type starter drive
clutch starter
glow plug starter switch
inboard starter
nut starter
overrunning clutch starter drive
overrunning clutch starter
pre-engaged Bendix starter
pre-engaged starter
remote starter switch
screw starter
self-starter

Starter drive:

See:
bendix type starter drive
clutch starter drive
overrunning clutch starter drive

Starter inhibitor switch:

A switch which prevents starting of the engine unless certain system conditions are fulfilled; e.g., on cars with automatic transmission, the selector lever must be in Neutral or Park

Starter interlock:

A switch which prevents starting of the engine unless certain system conditions are fulfilled; e.g., on cars with automatic transmission, the selector lever must be in Neutral or Park. Also see clutch starter interlock

Starter lockout:

A switch which prevents starting of the engine unless certain system conditions are fulfilled; e.g., on cars with automatic transmission, the selector lever must be in Neutral or Park

Starter motor:

See starter.

Starter punch:

A tool used to start the removal of pins, shafts, or rivets by breaking them loose; longer and thinner than a drift punch

Starter ring gear:

A gear fitted around the flywheel that is engaged by teeth on the starter drive to crank the engine

Starter solenoid:

A device that uses electrical current to start and engage the starter. Also see solenoid. Also called a "starter relay"

Starter switch:

See:
glow plug starter switch
remote starter switch
solenoid starter switch

Starter switch control cable:

A mechanical cable to the starter switch on vehicles without a starter solenoid (e.g., Fiat 500)

Start from rest:

To drive off from a standing start

Starting:

See:
cold starting
hot starting

Starting carburetor:

A simple slide carburetor which works in parallel with the main carburetor and acts as a starting aid

Starting handle:

A cranked handle for turning an engine over manually

Starting interlock:

See starter inhibitor switch

Starting relay:

Electrical device which connects and/or disconnects starting winding of electric motor.

Starting switch:

On certain classic cars, separate switches are used to turn the ignition on and to operate the starter; on such cars, the starting switch was a push button, often located in the center of the dashboard; on modern cars, the starting switch is integrated in the ignition and starter switch

Starting system:

The portion of the electrical system that starts the vehicle. Consists of the ignition switch which closes the circuit and allows current to flow from the battery to the starter by way of the starter solenoid. Also called the " cranking circuit."

Starting torque:

1. The amount of torque available, when stationary, to move and accelerate the load.
2. The torque or twisting force delivered by an electric motor when energized

Starting winding:

Winding in electric motor used only briefly while motor is starting.

Start injector:

See cold start injector

Starvation:

See fuel starvation

Start of brake application:

The instant at which the brake control system is actuated as determined by initial brake control movement.

Star wheel:

An adjusting nut on a drum brake or clutch. The portion of a brake action that turns the adjustment screw

Star-wheel adjuster:

A drum-brake mechanism that separates the brake shoes at the bottom; it rotates a nut on a threaded link to adjust brake-lining clearance.

State:

See:
49 state car
forty-nine state car

State car:

See:
49 state car
forty-nine state car

State controller:

See solid state controller

State indicator:

See:
`battery charge indicator
battery state indicator

State of charge:

See battery charge

Stated residual value:

The stated residual value is usually the same as the end-of-lease purchase price. The higher the stated residual value of the car, the lower your monthly payments. Stated residual values are often higher or lower than the expected residual value for a car, the lessor can raise or lower the monthly payments and the net interest rate for the lease. Stated residual value also determines whether you should buy the vehicle at the end of the lease. If at the end of a lease, the vehicle's market value is less than the stated residual value, the lessee would be prudent not to purchase the car. On the other hand, if the actual market value were greater than the predetermined residual, then the lessee could buy the car, sell it, and pocket the difference.

Static balance:

When a tire, flywheel, crankshaft, etc., has an absolutely even distribution of the weight mass around the axis of rotation, it will be in static balance. For example, if a front wheel is jacked up and the tire, regardless of where it is placed, always slowly turns and stops with the same spot down, it would not be in static balance. If, however, the wheel remains in any position in which it is placed, it would be in static balance, (bearings must be free, no brake drag, etc.). Also called "kinetic balance." Also see dynamic balance.

Static belt:

A seat belt with no automatic belt retractor and whose length is manually adjusted. Also see inertia reel seat belt

Static electricity:

Electricity generated by friction between two objects. It will remain in one object until discharged.

Static friction:

The friction existing between two surfaces at rest.
Also See:
stiction

Static head:

Pressure of fluid expressed in terms of height of column of the fluid, such as water or mercury.

Static high-voltage distribution:

High-voltage distribution achieved without a rotary distributor, using multi-spark ignition coils or one coil per spark plug

Static ignition timing:

An obsolete timing procedure carried out by rotating the engine until the timing marks are aligned and then connecting a test lamp or a voltmeter between the negative coil terminal and ground; when the points open, the test lamp lights up or the voltmeter registers battery voltage. The opposite is dynamic or stroboscopic ignition timing

Static loaded radius:

See loaded radius.

Static pressure:

A certain amount of pressure that always exists in the brake lines even with the brake pedal released. Static pressure is maintained by a check valve.
Also See:
residual pressure

Static seal:

An oil seal between two stationary parts. Opposite to dynamic seal

Static shield:

A device found on some distributors that reduces radio interference caused by the working of the vehicle's ignition system.

Static timing:

An obsolete timing procedure carried out by rotating the engine until the timing marks are aligned and then connecting a test lamp or a voltmeter between the negative coil terminal and ground; when the points open, the test lamp lights up or the voltmeter registers battery voltage. The opposite is dynamic or stroboscopic ignition timing

Station:

See:
battery charging station
filling station
gas station
last station memory
liftback station wagon
petrol station
preset station button
service station

Stationary blade compressor:

Rotary pump which uses a non-rotating blade inside pump to separate intake chamber from exhaust chamber.

Stationaary trainer:

A device to which you attach your bicyle so you can ride in place as an exercise bike.

Station button:

See preset station button

Station memory:

See last station memory

Station wagon:

(SW) Originally this was a car with an enclosed wooden body of paneled design with several rows of folding or removable seats behind the driver. It became a different and popular vehicle after 1945. There is usually a tailgate but no separate luggage compartment. Early station wagons and compact station wagons had only two doors while the larger ones had four doors. The British term is "estate car."
Also See:
four-door station wagon
liftback station wagon
two-door station wagon

Stator:

1. A small hub, upon which a series of vanes are affixed in a radial position, that is so placed that oil leaving the torque converter turbine strikes the stator vanes and is redirected into the pump at an angle conducive to high efficiency. The stator makes torque multiplication possible. Torque multiplication is highest at stall when the engine speed is at its highest and the turbine is standing still.
2. The stationary windings in an alternator in which electric current is generated; located between drive end and slip-ring end fittings, consisting of a stator frame with windings in three circuits to generate three-phase current which is then rectified by diodes.
   Also See:
   rotor
   
3. A self-contained unit of the magnetic pick-up, consisting of a permanent magnet, an inductive winding, and the pick-up core; the stator can be a disc-shaped pole piece with stator tooth or a simple pole piece
4. The wheel with curved blades (sometimes adjustable) mounted on a one-way clutch in a fluid converter or automatic transmission. It serves as a reaction member, i.e., it multiplies the torque output of the turbine by increasing the momentum of the fluid flow acting on the latter.
5. The fixed electrical windings on a magneto, alternator, or generator. It turns within the rotor.

Also See:
impeller
thermal reactor
turbine wheel
variable pitch stator

Stator, motor:

Stationary part of electric motor.

Stator roller clutch:

A device which holds the stator stationary in a fluid converter as long as its blades are struck by the fluid flow against the rotational direction of pump and turbine; if the fluid flows in the direction of rotation, the stator starts running

Stay:

An arm or brace use to support another component.
Also See:
bonnet stay
chainstay
door stay
hood support stay
seatstay

Std:

Abbreviation for "standard," as in std. transmission. See standard transmission.

Steady:

See corner steady

Steady state current:

Current does not vary in intensity, but remains constant

Stealer:

A single wide plate that is butt-connected to two narrow plates, usually near the ends of a ship.

Stealth bra:

A nose covering composed of composite materials that absorb microwaves emitted by radar devices and significantly diminish the return signal, making a car less detectable to police radar; ineffective against speed cameras or light-operated speed guns. Also see nose protector)

Steam:

Water in vapor state.

Steam clean:

To clean the engine with a high-pressure jet of steam

Steam engine:

An external combustion engine where water is converted to steam in a boiler outside the cylinder. The steam is then admitted to the cylinder where it expands against a piston. As the steam expands it cools and begins to condense. This mixture of water droplets and steam is forced out of the cylinder on the return stroke and into the condenser where the remaining steam is condensed into water. This water is forced into the boiler by a pump and the cycle is repeated. Steam engines have some notable drawbacks: slow warm up, freezing of the water system in cold weather, and contamination of the water by scale, oil, and sludge which can wreak havoc with the boiler, pumps, and condenser. But they also offer certain advantages: the potential for high fuel economy with low emissions, the ability to start from rest against a load so a clutch is not needed, and the torque developed is greatest at low rpm so in some applications a multiple-ratio gearbox is not necessary.

Steam heating:

Heating system in which steam from a boiler is piped to radiators in space to be heated.

Steam injection system:

Based on the same principle as water injection systems, the steam injection system uses engine exhaust heat and a boiler to pre-heat and boil the water before it is injected into the inlet manifold as steam

Steam jet refrigeration:

Refrigerating system which uses a Steam venturi to create high vacuum (low pressure) on a water container causing water to evaporate at low temperature.

Steam trap:

Automatic valve which traps air but allows condensate to pass while preventing passage of steam.

Stearns-Knight:

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

Steel:

An alloy of iron containing a small (up to 2%) percentage of carbon.
Also See:
alloy steel
carbon steel
chrome steel
chromium steel
high carbon steel
low-carbon steel
low carbon steel
mild steel
spring steel
stainless steel

Steel backing:

The supporting part of a plain bearing insert

Steel belted radial: (SBR)

A radial tire with belts of steel to provide both protection and longevity.

Steel belted radial tire:

A radial tire with belts of steel to provide both protection and longevity.

Steel body:

See all-steel body

Steel casting:

Cast iron to which varying amounts of scrap steel have been added

Steel pack muffler:

A straight through (no baffles) muffler using metal shavings surrounding a perforated pipe. Quiets exhaust sound.

Steel strip:

A sheet of steel less than 600 mm wide

Steel strut:

Steel braces or rings which are cast into aluminum pistons. Because steel expands slower than aluminum, the steel struts tend to control or minimize the expansion of the piston.

Steel thrust belt:

A large number of steel plates with slots in each side to receive the two composite steel bands which hold them together; transmits torque between two pulleys

Steel type:

See spoke steel type

Steel wheel:

A wheel consists of a steel disc and steel rim which are welded together to provide better impact-resistance, lower price, and higher weight than alloy wheels.
Also See:
alloy wheels
sheet wheel

Steep angle:

See steep angles.

Steep angles:

Angles that position frame tubes relatively closer to vertical than do shallow angles.

Steer:

See:
bump steer
neutral steer
ride steer
roll steer
roll steer effect
toe steer
torque steer

Steer axle:

In trucks, this is the most forward axle used for steering. Also called "front axle"

Steer effect:

See roll steer effect

Steerer:

See steerer tube

Steerer tube:

The tube that forms the top of the fork and rotates inside the head tube of a bicycle.

Steering:

A mechanism for controlling the direction of a vehicle.
Also See:
absorbing steering
ackermann steering
adjustable steering
all-wheel steering
assisted steering
axle and steering
ball-and-nut steering
ball steering
cam-and-lever steering
cam-and-peg steering
cam-and-roller steering
cam-and-lever steering
center point steering
center steering linkage
double-pivot steering
energy absorbing steering column
four-wheel steering
four wheel steering
gemmer steering
heavy steering
height adjustable steering column
horn rim steering wheel
hydrostatic steering
in-line power steering
integral-type power assisted steering
integral-type power steering
jeantaud axle and steering
light steering
linkage power steering
manual steering
marles steering
negative offset steering
offset steering
parallelogram steering linkage
parallelogram steering system
parallelogram steering
power-assisted steering
power steering pump
power steering
rack-and-pinion steering
rack and pinion steering
recirculating ball and nut steering
recirculating-ball-and-nut steering
recirculating ball steering
single-pivot steering
speed-sensitive steering
variable assist power steering
variable assist steering
variable ratio steering
worm-and-lever steering
worm-and-nut steering
worm-and-peg steering
worm-and-roller steering
worm-and-sector steering
zero-offset steering

Steering, Ackermann:

See Ackermann steering.

Steering angle:

A horizontal angle between the plane of a steered wheel when cornering, and the plane when adjusted straight ahead steering angle sensor

Steering arm:

Arms, either bolted to, or forged as an integral part of the steering knuckles. They transmit the steering force from tie rod to the knuckles, thus causing the wheels to pivot. Also called tie rod arm.

Steering axis:

The line through the center of the ball joints in a front suspension system. The line that intersects the upper and lower steering pivots on a steered wheel. Also see kingpin axis

Steering axis inclination:

(SAI) See kingpin inclination.

Steering axle:

An axle that directs control of the vehicle. It can be powered or non-powered and more than one steering axle can be present.

Steering box:

The part of the steering system that is located at the lower end of the steering shaft; changes the rotary movement of the steering wheel into the linear motion of the front wheels for steering

Steering column:

A shaft connecting the steering wheel to the steering gear assembly. Also called the steering shaft.
Also See:
absorbing steering column
adjustable steering column
collapsible steering column
energy absorbing steering column
height adjustable steering column
safety steering column
telescopic steering column

Steering column controls:

Consist mainly of control stalks for some or all of the following: lights, windshield wipers and washers, direction indicators, and horn

Steering column gearchange:

See column shifter

Steering damper:

A shock absorber-like bump stop which absorbs vibrations in the steering system

Steering feel:

Steering feel is the general relationship between forces at the steering wheel and handling. Ideally, the steering effort should increase smoothly as the wheel is rotated away from center. In addition, the steering effort should build as the cornering forces at the steered wheels increase. Finally, the friction built into the steering mechanism should be small in comparison with the handling-related steering forces.

Steering gain:

The relationship between yaw and the steering wheel's position and effort. All three should be proportional and should build up smoothly.

Steering gear:

The gears, mounted on the lower end of the steering column, that are used to multiply driver turning force. It converts the rotary motion of the steering wheel into straight-line motion. This straight-line motion then moves the linkage connected to the steering arms and attached to the steering knuckles and this causes the front wheels to move to the right or the left in response to the steering wheel direction.

Steering gear arm:

See pitman arm

Steering gearbox:

See steering box

Steering gear shaft:

The rotating, torque-transmitting part of the steering column

Steering geometry:

A term sometimes used to describe the various angles assumed by the components making up the front wheel turning arrangement, camber, caster, toe-in, etc. Also used to describe the related angles assumed by the front wheels when the vehicle is negotiating a curve.

The geometrical relationship between motorcycle frame, the angle of the fork, and the position of the front tire.

Steering head:

That portion of a motorcycle frame where the front fork and wheel assembly attach to the frame.

Steering input:

See step steering input

Steering kickback:

The sharp and rapid movements of the steering wheel as the front wheels encounter obstruction in the road; the shocks of these encounters "kick back" to the steering wheel

Steering knuckle:

The inner portion of the spindle that is affixed to and pivots on either a kingpin or on upper and lower ball joints.
Also See:
ball joint steering knuckle
grease fittings

Steering knuckle angle:

The angle formed between the steering axis and the center line of the spindle. This angle is sometimes referred to as the included angle.

Steering knuckle arm:

See steering arm

Steering linkage:

The system that connects the steering wheel to the front wheels and allows the wheels to change direction in response to commands from the driver. Contains grease fitting to cushion against wear and friction.
Also See:
alignment
center steering linkage
idler arm
parallelogram steering linkage

Steering lock:

1. The number of degrees that the front wheels can be turned from straight ahead before they are physically restrained from turning any further. Generally, the more lock designed into the front geometry, the smaller the turning circle but the more the tires scrub as the wheels approach the extreme lock positions. Turns lock-to-lock refers to the number of rotations of the steering wheel required to go from one extreme lock position to the other.
2. The locking mechanism usually contained in the steering column that locks the steering wheel when the ignition switch is turned off or the key is removed from the switch.
3. A lock on a motorcycle which prevents the front wheel from being turned left or right.

Steering overall ratio:

The ratio of the degrees you must turn the steering wheel to turn the road wheels one degree from their straight ahead position.

Steering pressure sensor:

A sensor that provides information on the steering pump pressure for idle speed control.

Steering pump:

See power steering pump

Steering rack:

The device by which the movement of the steering wheel is transferred to the front wheels of an automobile.

Steering ratio:

The ratio of the gearing within a steering system such as the rack to the pinion or the worm gear to the recirculating nut.

Steering response:

A subjective term that combines steering feel and steering gain.

Steering rod:

One of two metal rods on each end of the steering rack that connect it to the front wheels via ball joints (tie rod ends).

Steering shaft:

See steering column.

Steering spindle:

A shaft-like projection from the steering knuckle to which the wheel is mounted. See spindle.

Steering support:

The mounting locations and reinforcements for attaching the steering box to the bulkhead or side member

Steering support structure:

The mounting locations and reinforcements for ataching the steering box to the bulkhead or side member

Steering swivel:

See steering knuckle

Steering-swivel axis:

See swivel axis

Steering-swivel inclination:

See kingpin inclination

Steering system:

The mechanism that allows the driver to guide the vehicle down the road and turn the wheels as he desires. The system includes the steering wheel, steering column, steering gear, linkages, and the front wheel supports. Also see parallelogram steering system

Steering wheel:

The device that the operator uses to control the direction of the front wheels. Most are circular with spokes that attach to the steering column.
Also See:
drag wheel
horn rim steering wheel
telescoping steering wheel
tilt steering wheel

Steering wheel and brake lock:

An anti-theft device in the form of an extendable steel rod that engages in a spoke of the steering wheel and the brake or clutch pedal; when locked, neither wheel nor pedal can be operated

Steering wheel balance:

Measures the steering wheel angle in an automatic steering wheel centring system

Steering wheel centering:

Adjusts the steering wheel and steering system so that the wheel is in its center position when the front wheels are pointing straight ahead

Steering wheel damper:

See steering damper

Steering wheel puller:

A special puller for removing steering wheels

Stellite:

A proprietary range of very hard, wear-resistant alloys containing cobalt, chromium, carbon, tungsten, and molybdenum. It has a high melting point, good corrosion resistance, and unusual hardness when hot. It is used for tools, castings, valve seat inserts, coating exhaust valves, etc.

Stem:

1. The upright bow frame forming the apex of the intersection of the forward sides of a ship.
2. See valve stem.
3. The component that holds the handlebars of a bicycle and mounts to the steerer tube.

Stem length:

On a bicycle, the distance from the center of the stem bolt to the center of the handlebar clamp. Stem length is usually represented in metric measurement (centimeters or millimeters) rather than imperial (inches).

Stem rise:

The angle of the stem measured in degrees. Most road bicycles have stem rises of either 17° (a more upright position), or 0° (putting the rider in a lower, more aerodynamic position).

Stem seal:

A valve stem seal between the valve and cylinder head. Also see valve stem seal

Stem seal installer:

See valve stem seal installer

Stem seal pliers:

See valve stem seal pliers

Stem, threaded:

See threaded stem.

Stem, threadless:

See threadless stem.

Step:

A ledge formed by an edge setter in a sheet metal panel to provide a level mounting and welding surface with the adjacent panel.
Also See:
door step
half step gearing
side step

Step feeler gauge:

A feeler gauge with metal feeler blades; the thickness of the blade increases from one end of the blade to the other

Step gearing:

See:
half step gearing
wide step gearing

Stepless transmission:

A continuously variable transmission

Step on it:

To increase the speed of a vehicle.

Step on the accelerator:

The action of pressing down on the gas pedal (accelerator) to cause more fuel to enter the engine thus making the vehicle go faster. Opposite to "ease up on the accelerator."

Step on the gas pedal:

The action of pressing down on the gas pedal (accelerator) to cause more fuel to enter the engine thus making the vehicle go faster. Opposite to "ease up on the gas pedal."

Step on the throttle pedal:

The action of pressing down on the throttle pedal (accelerator) to cause more fuel to enter the engine thus making the vehicle go faster. Opposite to "ease up on the throttle pedal."

Stepped compression ring:

See L-section ring

Stepped piston:

An obsolete design of two-stroke pistons; the diameter of the lower part of the piston was larger than the top diameter; it ran in a similarly stepped bore and was said to give better compression of the incoming mixture

Stepped planet gear:

A planet gear with different diameters

Stepper motor:

On some carburetor cars, stepper motors are used to adjust the air/fuel mixture; they are controlled by the ECM. Vacuum reduces flow of fuel into the carburetor's metering circuits

Step plate:

1. A small step for climbing into a vehicle (e.g., on an ATV or
2. See scuff plate

Stepside truck:

A pickup truck style in which there is some kind of indentation just behind the cab to allow you to enter the bed. Also called (by Ford) Flareside, (by Dodge) Sportside

Step steering input:

A rapid change in steering angle, for example when a steered wheel hits an obstacle

Step-through:

A motorcycle/scooter frame layout with a low structure between the seat and the steering head. On early machines it was commonly called an open frame

Steradian:

(sr) A unit of solid angular measure. It is defined as the solid angle subtended at the center of a sphere by an area on its surface numerically equal to the square of the radius.

Stereo:

An abbreviation for "stereophonic." It indicates sounds which appear to have their source distributed in space even when they are emitted by the vehicle's speakers. Also see car stereo

Steri lamp:

Lamp which has a high-intensity ultraviolet ray used to kill bacteria. Also used in food storage cabinets and in air ducts.

Sterling:

A make of automobile manufactured in the UK
Click image for books on Sterling

Stern:

See:
clearwater stern
cruiser stern
transom stern

Stern, clearwater:

See clearwater stern. A stern with a "shoeless" stern frame

Stern cruiser:

See cruiser stern

Stern frame:

A large casting attached to the after end of the keel, incorporating the rudder gudgeons and propeller post in single-screw ships

Sternpost:

The vertical part of the stern frame to which the rudder is attached

Stern transom:

See transom stern

Stern tube:

The watertight tube enclosing and supporting the propeller shaft on bearings

Sternway:

The reverse movement of a vessel. See astern

Stethoscope:

A device (such as used by doctors) to detect and locate abnormal engine noises. A very handy tool for the trouble-shooter. Also see mechanic's stethoscope

Stevens Duryea:

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

Steyr:

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

STI:

Shimano's name for it shifting brake levers

Stick:

See hood stick

Sticker:

See:
decal
monroney sticker
toll sticker

Sticker price:

A manufacturer's suggested retail price (as displayed on an affixed sticker), usually subject to a negotiable discount

Sticking:

A fusing of the electrode to the surface of the piece being worked on, mainly at the beginning of the welding cycle

Stick shift:

This refers to a transmission that is shifted manually through the use of various forms of linkage. Often refers to the upright gearshift stick that protrudes through the floor. Also see four on the floor.

Sticky clutch:

See clutch drag

Stiction:

A shortened form of static friction; the frictional force which must be overcome to set one object in motion when it is in contact with another

Stiff:

1. Not easily bent or turned. As opposed to a rigid object, a stiff object does not break when subjected to bending stress, and implies a certain degree of flexibility; a bridge, for example, is stiff, not rigid, and steel panels are inherently stiff; however, a particularly high degree of stiffness, e.g., when steel panels are shaped to a load-carrying structure, is sometimes referred to as rigid.
2. A stiff ship is one which have a short period of roll and therefore will roll uncomfortably

Stiffener:

1. An angle, T-bar channel, built-up section etc, used to stiffen plating of a bulkhead, etc.
2. Small metal strips placed crosswise to the roof at intervals along the inside surface to which the headlining and inside trim is secured.

Also see sill stiffener

Stiffness:

A stiff ship is one which have a short period of roll and therefore will roll uncomfortably.
Also See:
lateral stiffness
roll stiffness
torsional stiffness

Stiffness under flexure:

A measure of the resistance offered by a test specimen to its tendency to bend under the action of forces (own weight)

Stiff nut:

See self-locking nut

Still-air pocket:

An area of relatively turbulence-free air immediately behind the windshield of convertibles with the top down

Stillson wrench:

A very large heavy-duty adjustable wrench

Stink-bomb smell:

See rotten-egg smell

Stirling engine:

1. An external combustion engine that uses air or an inert gas as the working fluid operating on a highly efficient thermodynamic cycle. The heat released from the burning fuel is transferred to the confined gas (such as hydrogen) which activates the pistons; named after the Scottish engineer, Robert Stirling (1790-1878)
2. An external combustion engine in which heat is applied through the wall of a chamber within which a gas is successively heated and cooled, alternately expanding and contracting to power a piston inside the chamber. Its advantages include: exceptional silence, lack of vibration, long life, high efficiency, extremely low emissions and adaptability to many different kinds of fuel. Its main drawbacks are the need for extremely effective seals, inflexible control systems, and cost.

Stirring paddle:

A component of the agitator of a paint power mixer

Stirrup bolt:

A U-bolt

Stirrup cable:

On bicycle centerpull brakes, a short cable, each end of which attaches to a brake arm and which is pulled up at the center to activate the brakes.

STI shifters:

Acronym for "Shimano Total Integration Shifters." STI combination brake levers and shift levers found on a bicycle provide the ability to shift gears without taking your hands off of the handlebars.

Stitching:

A hard rolling method used to both remove trapped air and improve rubber contact for better adhesion, during repair, and retreading.

Stock:

Also See:
die stock
gum stock
rudder stock
stripping stock
super stock
wing stock

Stock car:

A car as built by the factory (i.e., production car). Usually one that is raced without any modifications beyond factory installed equipment. Also see super stock.

Stocker:

The stock, or original equipment.

Stoichiometric:

Having the exact proportions for a particular chemical reaction

Stoichiometric ratio:

In a spark-ignition engine, the ideal air/fuel mixture ratio of 14.7:1, which must be maintained on engines with dual-bed and three-way catalytic converters. Also see air ratio

Stone:

See:
finishing stone
honing stone
roughing stone

Stone chip damage:

A paintwork defect caused by gravel or stones

Stone deflector:

A separate panel fitted below the front bumper or on the leading edge of the rear fender to provide protection from rocks, dirt, etc.

Stone guard:

A separate panel fitted below the front bumper or on the leading edge of the rear fender to provide protection from rocks, dirt, etc.

Stone shield:

A separate panel fitted below the front bumper or on the leading edge of the rear fender to provide protection from rocks, dirt, etc.

Stop:

1. A component which limits the motion, travel, or stroke of a moving part.
2. A colloquial term for an abutment.

Also See:
air stop
bump stop
check stop
clutch brake
clutch stop
hard stop
idle stop solenoid
idle stop valve
piston ring stop
pit stop
reed stop
rest stop
rudder stop
sealer

Stop-and-go penalty:

Punishment for a rule infraction during a race (usually speeding down pit road). The driver must come down pit road, stop in his pit stall, usually for 15 seconds, then proceeds back to the track.

Stop leak:

See sealer.

Stop-leak:

See sealer.

Stop light:

1. A red light on a traffic signal indicating that vehicles should stop.
2. A brake light

Stoplight switch:

A switch which completes the electrical circuit to the stop lamp(s) when the brake(s) is (are) applied.

Stopper:

A filler or putty used for filling holes, dents, etc.
Also See:
chain stopper
knifing stopper

Stopper plate:

See reed stop

Stopping distance:

The total amount of time (translated into distance) a vehicle and driver need in which to come to a halt; the shortest stopping distance is the reaction (or thinking) distance (of the driver) added to the braking distance (of the vehicle)

Stop solenoid:

See idle stop solenoid.

Stop valve:

See idle stop valve

Stop wheel:

See safe stop wheel

Storage:

See broken storage

Storage battery:

A rechargeable single cell or connected group of two or more storage cells such as the type used in vehicles. The opposite of primary battery. See battery.

Storage cell:

An electrolytic cell for generating electric energy; rechargeable by sending a current through it in the opposite direction to the discharging current

Store:

A general term for provisions, materials and supplies used aboard ship.
Also See:
auto parts store
tire store

Stormer:

A hot car that really moves out (i.e., accelerates rapidly).

Stove:

1. To dry a coat of paint in heat.
2. See choke stove.

Stovebolt:

Generally refers to Chevrolet (GMC) 6-cylinder, in-line, valve-in-head ( push rod operated) engine.

Stoving:

A process of drying or curing a paint coating by the application of heat; immediately after stoving, the paint film is still soft, taking some time to harden

Stowage:

The placing of goods in a ship in such a way as to ensure the safety and stability of the ship

Stp:

Acronym for "standard temperature and pressure"

Straddle cable:

See stirrup cable.

Straight cut gears:

See straight-cut gear.

Straight-cut gear:

A gear that has teeth cut in the edge of the circumference of the gear. Unlike a helical gear, the teeth are cut in line with the shaft on which it fits. It is used only for reverse gear in modern transmissions because it is noisier than a helical gear. However, it is cheaper to machine and require less power to turn than a helical gear does. Also called spur gear.
Also See:
helical gear.

Straightedge:

A rule-type tool without graduation for checking, e.g., warp of cylinder block and head

Straight eight:

An eight-cylinder in-line engine

Straightened panel:

A panel brought into its original shape with hammer and dolly or straightening equipment

Straight engine:

See in-line engine.

Straightening bench:

A workbench or fixture equipped to hold single panels such as doors or hoods for straightening and metalworking jobs

Straightening kit:

Powerjacks used to straighten localized body damage, essentially comprising special ram cylinders, pumps, attachments, and extensions

Straightening set:

Powerjacks used to straighten localized body damage, essentially comprising special ram cylinders, pumps, attachments, and extensions

Straight head chipping hammer:

See welding hammer

Straight-line speed:

The highest speed obtainable by a vehicle driving in a straight line.

Straight-line stability:

See directional stability

Straight-line tracking:

The ability of a car to resist road irregularities and run in a straight line without steering corrections.

Straight pattern snips:

Snips with cutting blades designed for straight cuts on sheet metal material

Straight polarity:

(Electrode negative-cathode) connecting DC to cause electrons to flow from the electrode to the base metal.

Straight six:

A six-cylinder in-line engine

Straight-through side styling:

An all-enveloping body

Straight-through silencer:

A type of absorption silencer with a single perforated tube surrounded by sound-absorbing fiber which creates less back pressure and consequent loss of power than other types

Straight time:

The actual time that a mechanic takes to complete a repair job. In contrast with flat rate.

Straight Truck:

Straight Truck

A vehicle which carries cargo in a body mounted to its chassis, rather than on a trailer towed by the vehicle.

Straight weight:

Term designating motor oil as suitable for use within a narrow range of temperatures. Outside the narrow temperature range its flow characteristics will not adequately lubricate.

Straight weight engine oil:

See single-grade engine oil

Straight-weight oil:

Oil suitable for use within a narrow temperature range; outside this range, its flow characteristics will not allow adequate lubrication. Also called "single-grade oil." Also see multigrade oil.

Strain:

Reaction of an object to a stress.

Strainer:

A wire mesh filter, as used in an oil pump strainer in the sump. Also see oil pump strainer

Device such as a screen or filter used to retain solid particles while liquid passes through.

Strain in the drive train:

Strains resulting from the different track arcs travelled by the four wheels of a vehicle when cornering with center or axle differentials locked up

Strake:

See:
bilge strake
garboard strake
sheer strake

Strand:

One of a number of wires twisted together to form an electrical conductor or cable

Stranding:

The running of a ship on shore on a beach.

Strangler:

An old colloquial term for choke

Strap:

1. A long flexible strip (usually of leather or rubber) used to connect two items.
2. A lead section to which battery plates of a group are joined.

Also See:
battery strap
butt strap
check strap
door check strap
driveshaft safety strap
earth strap
ground strap
plate strap
propeller shaft safety strap
safety strap

Strap drive:

A drive transmitted from the clutch cover to the clutch pressure plate in diaphragm spring and coil spring clutches, using flexible spring-steel straps attached to the clutch cover

Strap wrench:

A tool for loosening and tightening round or irregularly shaped objects such as oil filters, featuring a strap which is wrapped around the object, and a lever or key by means of which the object is turned

Stratification of air:

Condition in which there is little or no air movement in room; air lies in temperature layers.

Stratified charge:

In a SI engine, an air/fuel charge which consists mainly of a lean mixture and a small layer or pocket of rich mixture; the rich mixture is ignited first, then ignition spreads to the leaner mixture filling the rest of the combustion chamber

Stratified charge engine:

An internal combustion engine in which a small portion of extremely rich fuel and air is ignited and in turn ignites a much leaner fuel-air mixture. The lean mixture might not fire by itself unless it is ignited by the flame of the burning rich mixture. Its advantage is lower peak combustion temperatures, greater fuel economy, and a decrease in pollutant emissions. The Honda CVCC engine which initiates combustion in a small auxiliary prechamber is one type of stratified charge engine (to be precise, the CVCC should actually be called a dual-combustion engine). Another type is Texaco's which uses turbulence in the incoming mixture to induce stratification.

Straw:

A convenient DIY tool for blowing debris from the spark plug recess before plug removal

Strays:

Interfering or disturbing signals of natural origin. The British term is atomospherics. See static

Streak:

A long thin trace of dirt a damaged wiper blade will leave streaks and smears on the windshield

Stream:

See slip stream.

Streamline:

To design the shape of a car body or truck cab so that it reduces air resistance to a minimum

Street bike:

A motorcycle which is permitted to be ridden on public roads and must be licensed. In contrast with an off-road bike.

Street car:

An electrically driven public transportation vehicle which runs on rails (tracks) inset into the surface of the road and powered by overhead cables. The British term is "tram" or "tram car"

Street fighter:

A bare bones sportbike, stripped of all extraneous body work also called "hooligan" bike.

Street rod:

A slightly modified rod (car) that will give good day-to-day performance on the streets.

Street version:

A detuned version of a vehicle, usually of a racing car

Strength:

The stress at which material ruptures or fails.
Also See:
bending strength
fatigue strength
film strength
impact strength
tensile strength
yield strength

Strength deck:

The deck that is designed as the uppermost part of the main hull longitudinal strength girder

Strengthening buttress:

See fender strengthening buttress

Stress:

1. Load imposed on an object.
2. A force causing deformation or strain.

Also See:
impact stress
mechanical stress

Stress concentration:

A condition in which a stress distribution has high localized stresses; usually induced by an abrupt change in the shape of a member (often in the vicinity of notches etc.)

Stress corrosion cracking:

(SSC) Cracking due to stress corrosion, a process involving joint corrosion and straining of a metal due to residual or applied stresses

Stress cracking:

Damage of parts, especially body panels, subject to constant overload caused by improper mounting; this introduces strain into the panels, causing them eventually to crack

Stressed body:

A vehicle body designed so that the outer body panels share a proportion of the total load or stresses in the whole structure instead of the frame taking all the loads. The Jaguar E-Type is one example.

Stressed member:

A component that is an integral part of the whole structure

Stress fracturing:

Damage of parts, especially body panels, subject to constant overload caused by improper mounting; this introduces strain into the panels, causing them eventually to crack

Stress line:

See stress lines.

Stress lines:

Low areas in a damaged panel, usually starting at the point of impact and travelling outward.

Stress relieving:

Even heating of a structure to a temperature below the critical temperature followed by a slow, even cooling.

Stretch limo:

A colloquial term for a limousine that has been lengthened to provide extra seating and more legroom

Strike:

Metal plate fastened to frame and into which the bolt of a latch or lock slides.

Striker:

The mating part of door lock or hood latch mechanism which is secured to the body; the striker itself has no mechanism and provides only the anchor for the door or hood latch; typical strikers are stud or U-shaped. Also see lock striker

Striker plate:

An anchor plate to which the striker is attached

Striking blow:

A dent removal technique in which the hammer does not hit the panel straight on but is drawn to one side on hitting the surface, thus spreading the impact over a larger area

String:

A thin length of twisted fiber.

Stringer:

A fore-and-aft girder running along the side of a ship at the shell and also to the outboard strake of plating on any deck. Also see deck stringer

Stringer bar:

The angle connecting the deck plating to the shell plating or to the inside of the frames. The strength deck stringer bar is usually called the gunwale bar

Strip:

1. Area used for drag racing.
2. Removing tires and wheels, battery, hubcaps and other items of value as done by thieves. See gut.
3. To remove the insulation from a wire.
4. To tear off or break the thread from a screw, bolt, etc., or the teeth from a gear.

Also See:
chafer strip
feeler strip
filler strip
flipper strip
glazing strip
kick strip
rear tack strip
rim strip
rubbing strip
rumble strip
sealing strip steel strip

Stripe:

See body stripe

Striper:

See pinstriping tool

Striping tool:

A tool used to apply paint in long narrow lines.

Stripped down:

See base model

Stripper:

See:
automatic wire stripper
base model
paint stripper
wire strippers

Stripper/crimper tool:

See wire stripper/crimper tool

Strippers:

See wire strippers

Stripping stock:

Rubber stock used to extend the wing of tread rubber when retreading a tire.

Strobe lamp:

A colloquial term for a stroboscope

Strobe light:

A colloquial term for a stroboscope

Stroboscope:

See timing light.

Stroboscopic ignition timing:

See dynamic ignition timing

Stroke:

1. The distance the piston moves when travelling from bottom dead center (BDC) to top dead center (TDC) or vice versa.
2. To modify the stroke of an engine by using a different crankshaft to increase or (rarely) reduce the displacement.

Also See:
ascending stroke
charging stroke
compression stroke
effective stroke
exhaust stroke
expansion stroke
firing stroke
four stroke cycle engine
four stroke power cycle
induction stroke
intake stroke intake tract
intake stroke
long stroke engine
power stroke
rebound stroke
two stroke
up-stroke

Stroke cycle:

See:
four stroke cycle engine
two stroke cycle

Stroke cycle engine:

See:
two stroke cycle engine
four stroke cycle engine

Stroke engine:

See:
long stroke engine
short stroke engine

Stroked:

The action of lengthening the stroke on an engine. Sometimes an engine manufacturer will produce an identical engine as he did in the previous year, but this time the stroke is longer. Thus it has been stroked. If the bore is also increased, it is bored and stroked.

Stroked crankshaft:

A crankshaft, either a special new one or a stock crank reworked, that has the connecting rod throws offset so that the length of the stroke is increased.

Stroke intake:

See intake stroke intake tract

Stroke intake tract:

See intake stroke intake tract

Stroke power:

See four stroke power cycle

Stroke power cycle:

See four stroke power cycle

Stroker:

An engine using a crankshaft that has been stroked.

Stroking:

A method for increasing the displacement of an engine by lengthening the crankshaft throws so that the piston stroke is increased. The crankshaft throws were remachined "off center" to alter the stroke. Also see four-stroking

Stroking seal:

A disc brake hydraulic seal that is set in a piston groove and moves in the caliper bore with the piston.

Stromberg carburetor:

A type of variable venturi carburetor

Structural part:

Any part of a vehicle that plays a role in ensuring the rigidity and integrity of the vehicle as a whole and that, if it collapses, could make the vehicle unsafe

Structure:

See:
frame structure
primary structure component
sill structure
steering support structure
underbody structure

Structure component:

See primary structure component

Strut:

1. A single, self contained pivoting suspension unit that integrates a coil spring with a shock absorber. Struts are used on front wheel drive automobiles.
2. A structural member, especially as part of a framework, used to stiffen, give strength or carry weight.
3. A bar that connects the lower control arm to the car frame; used when the lower control arm is attached to the frame at only one point.
4. A air strut, Chapman strut, damper strut, gas prop.

Also See:
macpherson strut tower
MacPherson strut
modular air strut
parking brake lever strut
self-levelling strut
steel strut
suspension strut

Strut bar:

Another name for "sway bar" or anti-roll bar.

Strut rod:

See push bar

Strut tower:

See MacPherson strut tower

Stub axle:

A short axle that carries one of the front wheels and has limited angular movement about a kingpin

Stubby screwdriver:

A screwdriver with a short handle and blade for reaching into confined spaces. In Britain it is called a "chubby screwdriver."

Stud:

1. A metal rod or shaft with threads on both ends. Similar to grub screw which has uniform thread throughout, while the stud has an unthreaded part in the "middle."
2. Metal spikes installed in snow tires to increase traction on ice and hard-packed snow. Studded tires have been banned in many areas because of the damage they inflict upon road surfaces.
3. A bolt projecting from a plate, like a wheel stud. Also see wheel stud

Studebaker:

A vehicle brand of which the 1929-33 President models are classic cars. The 1963-64 Avanti models are milestone cars. The 1962-64 Gran Turismo Hawk models are milestone cars. The 1947-49 Starlight Coupe models are milestone cars. The 1953-54 Starliner Hardtop (Six and V-8) models are milestone cars. The 1955 President Speedster is a milestone car.
Click image for books on Studebaker

Studded tire:

A tire (usually a mud and snow tire) into which small metal studs are embedded. Although it provides better traction on ice and hard-packed snow, its use is illegal in some parts of North America because the studs tend to score the roads.

Stud end:

The opposite end of a stud to the nut end

Stud extractor:

A tool like a socket wrench for the removal (and installation) of studs

Stud hole:

A hole in a wheel through which the wheel studs pass

Stud puller:

A tool used to install or remove studs.

Stud remover:

A tool like a socket wrench for the removal (and installation) of studs

Stuffing box:

See packed gland

Stuffing-box packing:

A sealing element of a stuffing box consisting of rings of tissue (e.g., cotton) or metal rings

Stumble:

A driveability-related problem similar to but more severe than hesitation. See bog.

Stutz:

A vehicle brand of which the 1925-1948 models are classic cars.
Click image for books on Stutz

STV:

Acronym for suction throttling valve

Style:

See:
driving style
gap style
sporty driving style

Styled steel wheel:

A one-piece wheel similar to a stamped-steel wheel, but the visible center section does not require a wheel cover. Sometimes called a mag wheel, however that term properly belongs to magnesium wheels.

Styleside truck:

Ford's term for a pickup truck style in which the side of the bed blends smoothly with the doors and fenders.

Styling:

See straight-through side styling

Styling kit:

See body styling kit

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