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
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
The position of the wheels relative to the car body. Proper wheel alignment reduces tire wear and improves driving control.
Wheel alignment gauge
A gauge used to measure the distance between the rims of the front wheels
Wheel and brake lock
Wheel and pinion
Wheel arch
The edge of the fender around the wheel cutout; sometimes also used with reference to the entire wheel housing.
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
Wheel assembly
A unit on a turbocharger consisting of the compressor, shaft, and turbine wheel
Wheel Balance
Wheel balancer
A machine used to check the wheel and tire assembly for static and Dynamic 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
Wheelbase
  1. 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.
  2. For a three axle vehicle, the distance from the front axle center to the midpoint between the rear tandem axle centers
  3. 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
  1. The bearings in wheel hubs ball bearings for drive shafts and taper roller bearings for driven hubs
  2. 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
Wheel bolt

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 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
Wheel Carrier
Wheel center bore
The diameter of the opening in a disc which allows for protrusion of the axle hub.
Wheel centering
Wheelchair lift
Van lift

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
Denver Boot

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 cover key
A special tool (unique to the vehicle) for installing and removing wheel covers
Wheel cutout
The open area described by the wheel arch, which determines to what extent the wheels are visible
Wheel cylinder
Wheel cylinder

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.

Wheel cylinder pushrod
The rod that transmits the movement and force of the wheel cylinder piston to the brake shoe.
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.
Wheel disc brakes
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 drive
Wheeler
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 flutter
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
Wheel hub

Wheel hub

The component upon which the wheel mounts. It fits over the wheel bearings and is also mounted to the brakes.
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.
Wheel imbalance
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
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
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.
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
Wheel rim
The outer part of the wheel on which the tire is mounted
Wheel, road
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
Wheel shudder
See
Wheelslip
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.
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
Wheel stud
One of several threaded bolts projecting from the wheel disc to which the wheel is secured by a lug nut
Wheel tire
Wheel tire clearance
Wheel tramp
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
Wheel trim
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.
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
Wheel wobble
The oscillation of the front wheels caused by unbalanced wheels, defective steering gear, etc.
Wheel wrench
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
White
White Balance
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 line
Yellow line

Click to supersize dictionary author

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.
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
  1. The exhaust color emitted during a cold start from a diesel engine, composed mainly of unburnt fuel and particulate matter.
  2. The exhaust color emitted from an engine with a blown head gasket so that coolant is entering the combustion chamber.
  3. 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 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
Whitney key
Whitworth
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.