- 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
-
- 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.
- To drive a vehicle
- To propel a wheelchair
Also see- Alloy wheel
- Bogie wheel
- Budd Wheel
- Buffing wheel
- Burred wheel
- California wheel
- Casting Wheel
- Cast Spoke Wheel
- Chain wheel
- Chopped wheel
- Cross-spoke wheel
- Crown wheel
- Custom wheel
- Degree wheel
- Disc wheel
- Disc wheel type
- Drag wheel
- Driven wheel
- Drive Wheels
- Driving wheel
- Fifth wheel
- Fixed wheel
- Flared wheel arch
- Four-way wheel wrench
- Four wheel disc brakes
- Free rolling wheel
- Front wheel drive
- Front wheel tire clearance
- Grinding wheel
- Horn rim steering wheel
- JJD wheel
- Jockey wheel
- Knock-off wheel
- Lockable wheel
- Magnesium wheel
- Mag wheel
- Minilite alloy wheel
- Motor wheel type
- Mountain Wheel
- One-piece wheel
- Passenger car wheel
- Plain disc wheel
- Potato Chipped Wheel
- Rear wheel spat
- Road Wheel
- Safe stop wheel
- Safety wheel
- Sheet wheel
- Single-piece wheel
- Sliding Fifth Wheel
- Spoke wheel
- Standard wheel
- Stamped-steel wheel
- Star wheel
- Steel wheel
- Steering wheel
- TD wheel
- Telescoping steering wheel
- Tempa spare wheel
- Three-piece alloy wheel
- Tilt steering wheel
- Triathlon Wheel
- Trigger wheel
- Turbine wheel
- Twin wheel
- Two-piece alloy wheel
- Two-piece forged alloy 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 alignment
- The position of the wheels relative to the car body. Proper wheel alignment
reduces tire wear and improves driving control.
Also see
- Wheel arch
- The edge of the fender around the wheel cutout; sometimes also used with reference to the
entire wheel housing.
Also see
- 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 balancer
- A machine used to check the wheel and tire assembly for static and
Dynamic balance.
Also see
- 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.
- 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 than the other.
- For a three axle vehicle, the distance from the front axle center to the midpoint between the rear tandem axle centers
- For a truck tractor and semitrailer combination, wheelbase refers to the distance from the center of the front tractor axle to the center of the rearmost trailer axle.
- Wheel bearings
-
- The bearings in wheel hubs ball bearings for drive shafts and taper roller bearings for driven hubs
- The inner and outer bearings found at each wheel cushion the contact between the wheel and the spindle it sits on. They're packed with grease to prevent wear from the friction produced by the turning wheels.
- 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 beauty side
- The side of the wheel that is exposed to the exterior of the vehicle rather than the side that is attached to the axle. Also called Wheel face.
- Wheel bolt
-
A securing fastener which is screwed into threaded holes in the Wheel hub or at the Axle flange; common on some passenger car wheels and one-piece commercial vehicle wheels
Wheel bolt
- 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.
- Wheel center bore
- The diameter of the opening in a disc which allows for protrusion of the axle hub.
- 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.
Wheelchair lift
- 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 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 clamp
- 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
-
Wheel cylinder
- 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.
- 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
- Wheel cylinder pushrod
- The rod that transmits the movement and force of the wheel cylinder piston to the brake shoe.
- 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
- Wheel dishing
- The act of offsetting a bicycle rear wheel to accommodate the gear cluster so the circumference runs equally between the axle.
- Wheel dolly
- A trolley that supports the front wheels when a disabled vehicle is being towed. Also called just a Dolly
- Wheel face
- The side of the wheel that is exposed to the exterior of the vehicle rather than the side that is attached to the axle. Also called Beauty side.
- 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.
Wheel hub
Also see
- 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.
- 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 lock
-
- A condition in which the wheels stop turning as a result of excessive braking; leads to a skid.
- Any anti-theft device for expensive (alloy) wheels.
- The brakes on a wheelchair so named because of a bar or rod that presses against the tread of a tire
- 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 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 offset
- A measurement in inches from the center of the rim (between the flanges) to the outside face of the disc.
- 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 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
- 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
- Wheel speed sensor
-
- 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
- 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 spin sensors
- Sensors used in the anti-lock brake systems to determine the rate of wheel rotation
- Wheel stud
- One of several threaded bolts projecting from the wheel disc to which the wheel is secured by a lug nut
- 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 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 luster; 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
- 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 wobble
- The oscillation of the front wheels caused by unbalanced wheels, defective steering gear, etc.
- 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
- 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 line
-
A line painted on a road to mark one on-going lane from another lane going in the same direction. Also used to mark the shoulder on the side of the road.
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- 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
- White Smoke
-
- The exhaust color emitted during a cold start from a diesel engine, composed mainly of unburnt fuel and particulate matter.
- The exhaust color emitted from an engine with a blown head gasket so that coolant is entering the combustion chamber.
- The normal color of exhaust seen on very cold days caused by normal combustion process meeting cold air to create a fog-like substance.
- White spirit
- A highly refined distillate with a boiling point range of about 150°C to 200°C. It is used as a paint solvent and for dry-cleaning purposes.
- 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 toppers
- Narrow or wide rubber rings that snap on between tire and rim to give the effect of a whitewall tire
- Whitworth Thread
- A screw thread, also known as the British Standard Whitworth, used principally in Great Britain.
- Wholesaler
- An intermediary which sells to other intermediaries, such as a firm that buys from a manufacturer and sells to a retailer.