Dictionary of Automotive Terms Abbreviations

DICTIONARY OF AUTOMOTIVE TERMS - "Vi"

Vibration:: See:
angular vibration
anti-vibration mounting
torsional vibration

Vibration arrestors:: Soft or flexible substance or device which will reduce the transmission of a vibration.

Vibration damper:: A round weighted device attached to the front of the crankshaft to minimize the torsional vibration.
Also See:
harmonic balancer
torsional vibration damper

Vicat softening temperature:: The temperature at which a flat-ended needle of 1 mm² circular cross section will penetrate a thermoplastic specimen to a depth of 1 mm under a specified load, using a selected uniform rate of temperature rise

Vicat test method:: A determination of the softening temperature of plastics

Vice:: A British spelling for a clamping device with adjustable jaws (usually mounted on a workbench) used to grip an object to be worked on. The American spelling is "vise." Also see bench vice

Victoria:: A model of automobile manufactured by Ford
Click image for books on Ford Crown Victoria

VIN:: Acronym for "Vehicle Identification Number" -- a unique combination of numbers and letters assigned by the manufacturer to each vehicle and appears on the vehicle's registration and title.

VIR:: Acronym for valves-in-receiver unit which is found in some air conditioning systems

Virgin resin:: A new resin material which has not been recycled before; needed for high-quality parts

Vis-a-vis:: A four-seater in which the two passengers faced the driver. Used around the turn of the century.

Viscoelastic materials:: The most characteristic features of viscoelastic materials are that they exhibit a time-dependent strain response to a constant stress (creep) and a time-dependant stress response to a constant strain (relaxation). In addition, when the applied stress is removed the materials have the ability to recover slowly over a period of time

Viscosimeter:: A device used to determine the viscosity of a given sample of oil. The oil is heated to a specific temperature and then allowed to flow through a set orifice. The length of time required for a certain amount to flow determine the oil's viscosity.

Viscosity:

A measure of an oil's ability to pour or be thick. Every container of oil is marked with the viscosity of the oil. Straight weight (also called "single viscosity" or "single weight") oil has a single number like 30 weight. A lower number means the oil is thinner and is particularly good for lower temperatures. A higher number is better for hotter temperatures. Multigrade (also called "multiviscosity" or "multiweight") oil has two numbers like 10W40. When the temperature is low, a multigrade oil like 10W40 will act like a 10 weight oil; but when the temperature increases, it will act like a 40 weight. In this way, a multigrade oil is excellent for all-around driving.
Comparative fluidity or stiffness of liquid adhesives, coatings, and sealers.
Measurement of thickness of oil or its resistance to flow. Viscosity usually varies with temperature.

Also See:
spraying viscosity

Viscosity cup:: A special cup of conical shape with a calibrated bore at the bottom. When filled with paint, the paint will flow out at the bottom of the cup in a determined time. To adjust the viscosity, thinners are added to the paint until the cup contents flow out in the number of seconds indicated in the paint manufacturer's instructions

Viscosity index:

(VI)

A measure of how the viscosity of a liquid (especially oil) changes with temperature: the higher the VI, the smaller the change of viscosity with temperature
A measure of an oil's ability to resist changes in viscosity when heated.

Viscosity index improver:: An oil additive which reduces thinning at high temperature, thus improving the VI

Viscous coupling:: A particular kind of fluid coupling in which the input and output shafts mate with thin, alternately spaced discs in a cylindrical chamber. The chamber is filled with a viscous fluid that tends to cling to the discs, thereby resisting speed differences between the two shafts. Viscous couplings are used to limit the speed difference between the two outputs of a differential, or between the two axles of a car.

Viscous coupling differential:: A limited-slip differential using viscous couplings as slip-inhibiting devices

Viscous mode:: An operating condition in a viscous coupling with inner and outer parts rotating at different speeds, in which a torque is transmitted through the coupling, which corresponds to the value of the resultant shearing velocity

Viscous transmission:: (VT) A four-wheel drive with a viscous center differential

Vise:: An American spelling for a clamping device with adjustable jaws (usually mounted on a workbench) used to grip an object to be worked on. The British spelling is "vice." Also see bench vise

Visibility:: Good visibility means that there are no blind spots for the driver in being able to see the traffic around him and that he is able to see the road in dark or adverse conditions.

Visor:

A movable, perforated part of a helmet, covering the face but permitting sight and speech through the perforations.
The peak of a cap or helmet to shade the eyes from direct sunlight. Visors were also used above the windshield for the same purpose.

Viton-tipped needle:: Special inlet valve carburetor needle with a hardened-rubber tip. Viton-tipped needles are resistant to dirt and conform to the seat even at low sealing pressures

Vitreous enamel:: A British term for porcelain enamel. A glassy material obtained by melting a mixture of inorganic materials; this can then be applied in one or more layers on a metal surface to which it is firmly bonded after firing; typical automotive applications are for badges and trim.

Vitreous enamelling:: An application of a glass coating to a metal by covering the surface with powdered glass frit and heating it until fusion occurs

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