DICTIONARY OF AUTOMOTIVE TERMS - "Wh"

Whale tail:

A colloquial term for a large, rear spoiler

What's your 20?:

Trucker slang for asking for location as in "What's your 20 there New Penn."

Wheatstone bridge:

Electronic circuit consisting of resistors and thermistor. A temperature change on thermistor causes the bridge to become unbalanced, which sends a signal to the output device.

Wheel:

1. A circular device, thin in relation to its face area, usually able to rotate about a central axle or pivot, with a durable but elastic rim or with regular teeth cut on the rim and for lightness often supported by spokes joined to the hub instead of being left solid. The invention of the wheel enabled loads to be transported with relative ease, because rolling friction is always much less than sliding friction. The use of cogged wheels also enabled power to be transmitted from one component to another.
2. To drive a vehicle
3. To propel a wheelchair

Also See:
alloy wheel
aluminum wheel
bogie wheel
buffing wheel
burred wheel
california wheel
car wheel
cast-alloy wheel
chain wheel
chopped wheel
cross-spoke wheel
crown wheel
custom wheel
degree wheel
disc wheel
disc wheel type
drag wheel
driven wheel
driving wheel
fifth wheel
fixed wheel
flared wheel arch
four-way wheel wrench
four wheel alignment
four wheel disc brakes
four wheel steering
free rolling wheel
front wheel drive
front wheel tire clearance
grinding wheel
horn rim steering wheel
jjd wheel
jockey wheel
knock-off wheel
light-alloy wheel
lockable wheel
magnesium wheel
mag wheel
minilite alloy wheel
mini spare wheel
motor wheel type
negative wheel dish
negative wheel dishing
negative wheel offset
one-piece wheel
passenger car wheel
plain disc wheel
planet wheel
rear wheel skirt
rear wheel spat
safe stop wheel
safety wheel
sheet wheel
single-piece wheel
solid disc wheel
space-saving spare wheel
space saver wheel
spare wheel
spoke wheel
sprocket wheel
standard wheel
stamped-steel wheel
star wheel
steel wheel
steering wheel
sun wheel
td wheel
telescoping steering wheel
tempa spare wheel
temporary spare wheel
three-piece alloy wheel
tilt steering wheel
tr-denioc wheel
trigger wheel
turbine wheel
twin wheel
two-piece alloy wheel
two-piece forged alloy wheel
well-base wheel
wire spoke wheel
wire wheel
worm wheel

Wheel adapter:

A spacer ring that adapts hubs to wheels with a different number of lugs, e.g., 4-lug hubs to 5-lug wheels

Wheel aligner:

A device used to check camber, caster, toe-in, etc.

Wheel alignment:

See:
alignment
four wheel alignment

Wheel alignment gauge:

A gauge used to measure the distance between the rims of the front wheels

Wheel and brake lock:

See steering wheel and brake lock

Wheel and pinion:

See crown wheel and pinion

Wheel arch:

The edge of the fender around the wheel cutout; sometimes also used with reference to the entire wheel housing. Also see flared wheel arch

Wheel arch extension:

A roughly square extension of the wheel arch; the areas in front of and behind the wheel cutout, as well as a strip above the cutout, are angled sharply outward to increase the width of the wheel arches to allow wider tires to be installed

Wheel arch protector:

See undershield

Wheel assembly:

A unit on a turbocharger consisting of the compressor, shaft, and turbine wheel

Wheel balancer:

A machine used to check the wheel and tire assembly for static and dynamic balance. Also see steering wheel balance

Wheel balancing:

A procedure that ensures that the weight of the wheel is distributed evenly to improve performance and cut tire wear. Static balancing distributes the weight of the wheel evenly around the axle or spindle and is done with the wheels off the vehicle. Dynamic balancing distributes the weight evenly as the wheel and tire hang vertically down, also balances the brake drum, and can be done with the wheels on the vehicle. Smaller wheels need more frequent balancing than larger wheels because the speed of rotation is greater in smaller wheels.

Wheel balancing machine:

See wheel balancer

Wheelbase:

The distance between the front and the rear axles on a vehicle, motorcycle, or bicycle. In a few cars (e.g., Renault 5), the wheelbase is longer on one side of the vehicle.

Wheel bearings:

The bearings in wheel hubs: ball bearings for drive shafts and taper roller bearings for driven hubs

Wheel bearing seals:

Rubber or leather seals used at wheel hubs to keep wheel bearing grease from getting into a brake drum or onto a brake disc.

Wheel bolt:

Bolts which are screwed into threaded holes in the wheel hub or at the axle flange; common on passenger car wheels and one-piece commercial vehicle wheels

Wheel bolt hole:

The holes through which bolts are inserted to secure the wheel to the hub. To secure the correct wheel, it is necessary to measure the diameter of the bolt hole

Wheel bolt hole circle:

The diameter of a circle scribed through the bolt hole centers of a wheel.

Wheelbrace:

A cranked socket wrench for wheel nuts

Wheel camber:

See camber

Wheel center bore:

The diameter of the opening in a disc which allows for protrusion of the axle hub.

Wheel centering:

See steering wheel centering

Wheelchair lift:

A platform which is deployed from a vehicle, allowing people who use wheelchairs or have trouble stepping up easy access. These platforms or lifts are run by electricity or hydraulics but can always be manually operated in the event that one of the previously-mentioned power sources fail.

Wheel changing:

Changing a defective wheel involving: stop the car on firm, level ground and put on the handbrake; turn on the four-way warning light; put a chock against the wheel in the opposite corner to prevent vehicle movement; place a warning triangle or flare a short distance behind the vehicle; loosen the wheel bolts or nuts while the wheel is still on the ground; jack up the car so that the wheel is no longer on the ground; remove the nuts or bolts; pull the wheel off; put on the spare or the repaired wheel (you may have to raise the car a little more since the flat tire sat lower on the ground); tighten the bolts or nuts evenly, giving them a final tightening once the jack has been removed

Wheel chock:

A wedge-shaped block put under a wheel to prevent a vehicle from rolling

Wheel clamp:

A Denver boot -- a device attached to the wheel of a parked car to prevent its being driven away; used as an anti-theft device if attached privately, and a means of ensuring payment of a fine (to the authority to have the device removed) if parked illegally

Wheel cover:

A hubcap which covers the entire wheel (but not the tire, of course).

Wheel cutout:

The open area described by the wheel arch, which determines to what extent the wheels are visible

Wheel cylinder:

1. A small cylinder located at each wheel brake that uses brake fluid to exert hydraulic pressure, which forces the brake shoes against the brake drums and stops the vehicle.
2. That part of the hydraulic brake system that receives pressure from the master cylinder and in turn applies the brake shoes to the drums. Also see brake backing plate.

Wheel cylinder pushrod:

The rod that transmits the movement and force of the wheel cylinder piston to the brake shoe.

Wheel damper:

See steering wheel damper

Wheel disc:

A part of the wheel that connects the rim to the hub; its design is governed by specific rim type, axle connection, brake contour, brake cooling, hub cap fixing, load capacity, and attractive styling. Also see four wheel disc brakes

Wheel disc brakes:

See four wheel disc brakes

Wheel dish:

See negative wheel dish

Wheel dishing:

See:
negative wheel dishing
negative wheel dishing

Wheel dolly:

A trolly that supports the front wheels when a disabled vehicle is being towed. Also called just a dolly

Wheel drive:

See:
all wheel drive
front wheel drive

Wheeler:

See three-wheeler

Wheel flutter:

See wheel wobble

Wheel friction assemblies:

The axle-mounted components of a brake system that create the friction necessary to stop a vehicle.

Wheel hop:

A hopping action of the rear wheels during heavy acceleration. Traction is lost and regained in rapid cycles after power is applied to the rear wheels. It indicates a need for different tires, better shock absorbers, better springs, better axle control, different driving technique, or all of the above. The British term is "wheel patter"

Wheelhouse:

The inner area behind the fender described by the inner and outer fender panels; the term is occasionally used for the inner fender panel

Wheel housing:

The inner area behind the fender described by the inner and outer fender panels; the term is occasionally used for the inner fender panel

Wheel house panel:

A steel panel inside the wheel housing that is shaped similar to the wheel cutout and protects the upper inside areas of the fender from splashes and gravel

Wheel hub:

The component upon which the wheel mounts. It fits over the wheel bearings and is also mounted to the brakes.
Also See:
hub

Wheelie:

An acceleration phenomenon of rear drive vehicles (especially motorcycles) in which the front wheel(s) lift off the ground. Most automobiles are too heavy and lack the proper balance to accomplish this feat; but bicycles, motorcycles, and even wheelchairs can perform it.

Wheelie bar:

A bar incorporating little wheels, mounted behind the rear axle of a dragster to reduce the effect of a wheelie. On wheelchairs it is called antitippers

Wheelie bars:

Short arms attached to the rear of a drag racer to prevent the front end from rising too far off the ground during heavy acceleration. Arms are usually of spring material and have small wheels attached to the ends that contact the ground.

Wheel imbalance:

See imbalance

Wheel impeller:

See vane wheel impeller

Wheeling machine:

A special shop tool used to shape steel and aluminum panels. No electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic power is used; the base takes the form of a large C and the parts used to do the shaping are fastened at the open end of the frame. A flat-faced steel wheel is bolted to the top of the C; the lower wheels, called anvils are smaller in diameter and have a curved surface. To shape the metal, the steel sheet is moved back and forth between the two wheels

Wheel judder:

See shimmy

Wheel load:

That part of the vehicle weight resting on a single wheel

Wheel lock:

1. A condition in which the wheels stop turning as a result of excessive braking; leads to a skid.
2. Any anti-theft device for expensive (alloy) wheels.
3. The brakes on a wheelchair so named because of a bar or rod that presses against the tread of a tire

Wheel lockup:

A condition of 100% wheel slip.

Wheel lug bolt:

The bolts used to fasten the wheel to the hub. Also called "lug bolt."

Wheel marking:

All disc wheels are marked (generally on the front side of the disc in the stud hole area) with the manufacturer's trademark, the wheel number, rim size, and date of production

Wheel, mountain:

See mountain wheel.

Wheel mounting:

The attachment of a wheel on a hub

Wheel nut:

A British term for lug nut -- one of several nuts which hold the wheel and tire assembly on the car and are screwed on the studs

Wheel nut wrench:

A cross-shaped wrench with four socket heads

Wheel offset:

A measurement in inches from the center of the rim (between the flanges) to the outside face of the disc. Also see negative wheel offset

Wheel panel:

The panel area around the wheel cutout in the fender; this term often also refers to a repair section for this area, as this is a common rust spot on many cars

Wheel patter:

A British term for wheel hop. A vertical oscillation of a wheel making it hop up and down rapidly, either because of imbalance or because the tire is faulty or badly secured

Wheel puller:

See steering wheel puller

Wheel rim:

The outer part of the wheel on which the tire is mounted

Wheel, road:

See road wheel.

Wheel rotation:

Swapping wheels around to compensate for unequal tire wear and increase tread life; moving them from front to rear is generally recommended and is the only safe method on vehicles with directional tread tires

Wheelset:

A pair of matching bicycle wheels (front and rear).

Wheel shimmy:

See shimmy

Wheel shudder:

See shimmy

Wheel skirt:

See rear wheel skirt

Wheelslip:

See wheelspin

Wheel slip brake control system:

A system which automatically controls rotational wheel slip during braking.

Wheel slip sensor:

When used in combination with the wheel slip brake control system, a unit which senses the rate of angular rotation of the wheel(s) and transmits signals to the logic controller.

Wheel spacer:

An obsolete circular metal plate having a bolt hole circle and center bore and fitting between the faces of disc wheels to provide additional dual clearance. Also see between wheel spacer

Wheel spat:

See rear wheel spat

Wheel speed sensor:

1. An electronic device for picking up the rotational speed of a wheel in order to inform the processing unit of an ASR or ABS system
2. The component of an anti-lock brake system that picks up the impulses of the toothed signal rotor, sending these impulses to the ABS ECU.

Wheel spider:

A part of a cast/forged wheel which connects the rim and the wheel hub and incorporates a spoke design

Wheel spin:

The effect of too much throttle making the driven wheels turn too fast to grip the road surface; easily done on a wet or icy surface and leaves a telltale trace of rubber on a dry one

Wheel spindle:

A flange that holds the wheel bearing assembly. It may be the end of the driveshaft

Wheel spin sensors:

Sensors used in the anti-lock brake systems to determine the rate of wheel rotation

Wheel steering:

See four wheel steering

Wheel stud:

One of several threaded bolts projecting from the wheel disc to which the wheel is secured by a lug nut

Wheel tire:

See front wheel tire clearance

Wheel tire clearance:

See front wheel tire clearance

Wheel tramp:

See radial run-out

Wheel tree:

A special stand for wheels, e.g., for a complete set of summer or winter tires, designed to prevent condensation and tire deformation over extended storage periods

Wheel, triathlon:

See triathlon wheel.

Wheel trim:

See wheel cover

Wheel trim emblem:

A plastic emblem with logo; self-adhesive backing adheres to hub cap or wheel cover center cap

Wheel trim rim:

An aluminum or stainless steel recessed ring, chrome-flashed or polished for added lustre; improves the looks of old steel wheels

Wheel tub:

A part of the wheel housing visible on the inside of the car body to either side of the rear seats

Wheel type:

The styling of the wheel disc: e.g., disc wheel with holes, plain disc wheel, styled disc wheel with ribs, disc wheel with flange openings, spoke wheel, rim type.
Also See:
disc wheel type
motor wheel type

Wheel weight:

Small weights (usually made of lead) attached to the wheel to balance the wheel and tire assembly. Most have a lip which attaches to the flange of the rim; others are pasted on the smooth side of a rim -- particularly on mag wheels; and others are wrapped around the spokes of a wheel (such as a motorcycle wheel). They are marked in fractions of an ounce or in grams.

Wheel weight tool:

A special automotive tool for use when balancing wheels; installs, trims and removes all types of clip-on wheel weights with a hammerhead and pliers for installation and removal and a cutter for trimming

Wheel well:

See:
rim well
spare wheel well

Wheel wobble:

The oscillation of the front wheels caused by unbalanced wheels, defective steering gear, etc.

Wheel wrench:

See four-way wheel wrench

Whip:

See chain whip

Whip aerial:

A long, thin, flexible aerial

Whip antenna:

A long, thin, flexible aerial

Whiplash:

An injury to the head and neck of an occupant of a vehicle. The action is somewhat prevented by head restraints.

Whiplash injury:

Neck injury resulting from a violent forward and backward jerking of the head, as in a vehicle collision

Whipping:

The tendency of a long rotating shaft (like a drive shaft) to bend at high speed, like a bow or whip

Whirling:

The tendency of a long rotating shaft (like a drive shaft) to bend at high speed, like a bow or whip

Whiskering:

See:
plug whiskering
spark plug whiskering

White:

See body-in-white

White checkered flag:

See black and white checkered flag

White flag:

The white flag is the flag shown to the race leader and the pursuing drivers telling them that there is one lap to go before the end of the race and the finish line. This final lap is almost always one of the most exciting as lead drivers vie for the best possible position -- making that last ditch, all-out effort to win.

White lithium grease:

A type of grease that will not freeze, melt, or wash off; used for speedometer and brake cables, door and hood hinges, door stop latches, boot springs, seat slide tracks, distributor cams, windshield wiper mechanism, etc.

White metal:

Any of various (tin-based) alloys (e.g., tin, lead, and antimony), such as Babbitt metal, still occasionally used for bearings because it had a low melting point and a low coefficient of friction

White rust:

A loose, porous oxidation products formed on zinc when a lack of carbon dioxide occurs and water condenses on the surface of the work

Whitewall:

Tires that have a concentric white line. Some are up to four inches wide and called "wide whitewall."

Whitewall rings:

Narrow or wide rubber rings that snap on between tire and rim to give the effect of a whitewall tire

Whitewall tire:

A tire with white sidewalls

Whitewall toppers:

Narrow or wide rubber rings that snap on between tire and rim to give the effect of a whitewall tire

Whitney:

See pratt and Whitney key

Whitney key:

See pratt and Whitney key

Whitworth:

See British Standard Whitworth

Wholesaler:

An intermediary which sells to other intermediaries, such as a firm that buys from a manufacturer and sells to a retailer.

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