DICTIONARY OF AUTOMOTIVE TERMS - "Wi"

Wick
  1. The action of flicking or blipping the throttle rapidly.
  2. To remove moisture from clothing through capillary action.
Wicking
  1. A capillary act of air escapement from the Tire casing during retreading.
  2. The capillary action of removing moisture from clothing.
Wicktec
A type of fabric where the polyester undergoes a special Visa treatment process, which greatly enhances the wicking properties of the fabric. Extremely hydrophobic Wicktec keeps you dry and cool.
Wide-nose peen hammer
A peen and finish hammer with an extra-wide wedge end well suited to shaping of sharp corners and beads in panels
Wide open throttle
(WOT) A term describing full throttle
Wide open throttle switch
  1. Switch that disengages the automotive compressor circuit during periods of high acceleration.
  2. A switch which senses a wide open throttle condition. Existing methods of sensing this condition are manifold vacuum and mechanical travel of the throttle.
Wide ovals
Wide range gearing
Wide-range gearing
A gearing system in which the step between the two chainrings is considerably greater than that found in most other systems.
Wide step gearing
Wide-step gearing
A gearing system in which the step between the two chainrings is considerably greater than that found in most other systems.
Wide treads
Wide tires. Tire height, bead to Tread surface is about 70 percent of tire width across outside of carcass.
Widget
Any small gadget, device or mechanism that is unknown or temporarily forgotten; a car is full of them
Width
Width Modulation Valve
Wilcox Boiler
Wildcat
A model of automobile manufactured by Buick Division of General Motors from 1962-70
Will
Wills Sainte Claire
A vehicle brand of which models from 1921-1948 are classic cars.
Willys-Knight
A vehicle brand of which the Series 66, 66A, 66B Custom bodied for the classic era of 1925-1948 with required application are classic cars.
Willys
Willys

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Willys

A vehicle brand of which the 1948-51 Overland Jeepster models are milestone cars.
Willy weaver
Trucker slang for Drunk driver as in "Watch out for the willy weaver in the granny lane."
Wilson gearbox
An early preselector epicyclic gearbox still used in buses. Named after British inventor Walter Gordon Wilson, 1874-1957
WIM
Acronym for Weigh-In-Motion -- A technology for determining a vehicle's weight without requiring it to come to a complete stop.
Winch
Manual or power device employing a drum with cable or rope for pulling objects where great power is required. Power generated by vehicle engine and transmitted through power take-off on transmission.
Also see
Winch Truck
A winch is a powered spool wound with cable. Winches are used to lift or to pull heavy objects. Winches vary in size from those on the front of small vehicles to heavy equipment which may weigh tons.
Wind
Windage tray
On some high-performance engines, another pan within the oil pan, up near the crankshaft, that insulates the crankshaft from the windage phenomenon, which causes oil, in the form of tiny droplets, to become airborne within the crankcase of an engine running at high rpm. At high rpm, it is possible for as much as two quarts of oil to be airborne within the crankcase. This oil, if it comes in contact with the crankshaft, will cause additional friction and rob horsepower
Wind Chill
The perceived temperature in winter when wind is blowing or when riding an open vehicle (motorcycle, snowmobile, etc.). It is calculated with the following formula
Wind Chill Temperature = 0.045*(5.2735*SQROOT(W) + 10.45 - 0.2778*W)*(T - 33.0)+33
WCF = 1.1626*(5.2735*SQROOT(W) + 10.45 - 0.2778*W)*(33.0 - T)
where
ET = equivalent temperature (degrees Celsius)
WCF = wind chill factor (Watts per square metre)
SQROOT = square root function
W = wind speed (Km/hr)
T = air temperature (degrees Celsius)
Wind deflector
Wind drag
The amount of force a ride feels from the wind. If the rider sits upright and is broad, the wind drag is going to greater than it would be for a narrow rider, and even greater than it would be for a rider who crouches or tries to fit behind the handlebars. A windshield helps reduce significantly the drag that a rider feels.
Wind energy
Kinetic energy present in wind motion that can be converted to mechanical energy for driving pumps, mills, and electric power generators.
Winder
Winding
The wrapping of wire around a Core.
Winding the engine
Running the engine at top rpm.
Windjammer
Trucker slang for Blabbermouth trucker as in "That Reimer driver was a real windjammer."
Windlace
A type of piping covered with fabric; often used along the outlines of convertible tops, etc.
Window
The windows on an automobile are called the greenhouse
Window channel
A British term for Glass channel -- a U-shaped draft excluder, often fitted with a steel core, along wind-up door window edges inside the door frame
Window etching
A security measure whereby the glass panes of a car's windows are permanently marked by etching a number (such as the registration number) into the glass surface
Window filler
Window filler panel
Window heater
Window heater system
Window heating
Window lift
British term for the switch or mechanism used to raise or lower a side window.
Window line
Window lock-out
Window lock-out switch
Window louvers
Window regulator
The mechanism used to raise and lower window glass. The regulator can be either manual or electric
Window unit
Air conditioner which is placed in a window.
Window wash
Trucker slang for A rainstorm as in "The news said we can expect a window wash later today."
Window weatherstrip
A rubber or moquette sealing strip fitted in the gap on either side of a sliding door window to seal the door gutter and prevent water getting into the interior of the door frame
Window winder
A handle on the inside of a door panel with which the window is manually wound up and down
Windrow
Logging debris and unmerchantable woody vegetation that has been piled in rows to decompose or to be burned; or the act of constructing these piles.
Windscreen
British term for Windshield.
Windshield
The primary piece of glass in front of the Driver and front passenger. In some older vehicles, there were two pieces of glass. Both are considered the windshield, left and right side. In Britain, it is called the windscreen.
Windshield aperture
The open area into which the windshield fits, determined by the windshield panel
Windshield corner panel
A separate panel that extends the scuttle to the left-hand and right-hand top rear corners of the fenders and closes off the area towards the bottom windshield corners; on many cars, it is part of the one-piece scuttle extending from the left-hand to the right-hand fender
Windshield glass
Windshield header
The bar or metal that goes between the two A-pillars that form the windshield framing.
Windshield header panel
A box-section or double panel at the front end of the roof panel above the windshield aperture that helps to reinforce the roof frame
Windshield mounting flange
The spot-welded flanges of the panels which together form the windshield aperture
Windshield panel
The panel around the windshield that links the roof panel above the windshield to the scuttle below the screen
Windshield pillars
The front posts of the body shell which together with the scuttle and header panel form the windshield aperture
Windshield shadeband
Windshield support panel
See
Windshield surround
A molded rubber insulating strip round the windshield
Windshield washer
  1. An apparatus for spraying Windshield washer fluid on the outside surface of the Windshield and removing the solution with the Windshield wipers and thereby removing contaminants from the windshield.
  2. A person who washes windshields
Windshield washer fluid
A soapy solution used to remove dirt and bugs from the Windshield. In colder climates this solution must not freeze.
Windshield washer pump
A pump which forces the Windshield washer fluid to the windshield washer nozzles so that the fluid is sprayed on the windshield.
Windshield wash/wipe system
A system operated by the same lever on the control stalk that operates the wipers, which directs a jet of water onto the windshield and activates the wipers for a short period
Windshield wiper
A squeegee attached to an arm in front of the windshield. When activated, it sweeps across the windshield to remove any moisture such as rain or Windshield washer fluid.
Windsor experiment
Chrysler Canada, in partnership with government and educational institutions, has launched a number of initiatives collectively referred to as the Windsor Experiment. The Windsor Experiment conducts studies to benchmark best practice training and education in Europe, and applied the results in various skills development programs.
Windstopper Fleece
A composite fabric with an ultralite Windstopper membrane laminated between a lightweight performance fleece and a wicking mesh. The membrane creates a windproof barrier, yet freely allows perspiration to escape.
Wind trainer
A training device consisting of a Frame in which a Bicycle is fastened for stationary riding and a fan that creates wind Resistance to simulate actual road riding.
Wind tunnel
A tunnel-like chamber in which a current of air can be maintained at a constant velocity and in which motor vehicles (and aircraft, etc.) are tested to determine their aerodynamic properties and the effects of wind pressure
Wind turbine
Wind energy conversion device that produces electricity; typically three blades rotating about a horizontal axis and positioned up-wind of the supporting tower.
Windup
Wind-up window
A window that is manually operated with a winder
Wind wing
See
Wing
  1. An aerodynamic device attached to a vehicle to cause a downward force on the front or rear of the vehicle. It is often found in the shape of an inverted airplane wing.
  2. A window wind deflector.
  3. A Honda Goldwing motorcycle.
  4. A second plow attached to the side of a truck that extends the total plowing surface area beyond the reach of a front-mounted plow
  5. British term for Airfoil. Bolt-on wing, Fender, Front wing, Vent wing, Wind wing, and Wiper wing
Wing arch
British term for Fender arch
Wing beading
A British term for Fender beading
Wing bumping hammer
British term for Fender bumping hammer
Wing extension
British term for Fender extension
Wing landing section
British term for Fender landing section
Wing mirror
British term for Fender mirror
Wing mounting
British term for Fender mounting
Wing nut
Wing nut

Wing nut

A nut with two flat projections (i.e., wings) to be turned by thumb and finger. Used where frequent removal and replacement or adjustment are required. Also called a Butterfly nut.
Wing punch
A British term for a Fender punch
Wing Screws
Special screws with projection heads. Widely used in industry and home where a finger tightened screw is needed for frequent adjustments or for knock-down assembly applications. This piece is produced by pressing, forming, machining, welding or die casting. (Also available as 2 piece wing nut and studs, peened or welded together.
Wing shield
A small curved panel in front of the front side window which deflects wind and reduces draft with the window open; typically made of transparent acrylic, clear or smoked
Wing splash apron
British term for Fender splash apron
Wing stock
Tread rubber that is tapered to a feathered edge on each side of a retread tire in order that it may be applied to the shoulder of the tire. Used only on a full retread.
Wing strengthening buttress
British term for Fender strengthening buttress
Wing support bracket
British term for Fender support bracket
Wingwalls
Retaining walls attached to the bridge abutment to support the roadway.
Winker
Japanese (especially Honda) term for a signal light.
Winter coolant
A fluid of ethylene glycol and special additives that when mixed with water lowers its freezing point in winter.
Winter tire
A tire with a deep tread suitable for winter conditions
Wipe
wipe Switch
Wipe system
Wiper
A metal or plastic device with a rubber blade that scrapes across the Windshield to clean the windshield from rain or other moisture.
Wiper control
Wiper system
Wiper wing
A molded attachment to the back of the windshield wiper arm, intended to increase the pressure of the wind on the blade to provide effective cleaning at high speeds
Wire
Wire brush
A brush with wire bristles for removing loose paint, dirt, carbon, or rust from metal surfaces. Wire brushes come in a variety of shapes, e.g., with an extremely thin head for cleaning parts in very tight places (such as brake rotors or calipers), or they can be attached to power tools to remove carbon and deposits from cylinder heads, transmissions, etc. e.g., as knotted or crimped rotary wire brushes, wire cup brushes, or wire end brushes.
Wire Circuit
Wire cover strip
Wired on tire
Wired-on tire
A tire with a wire bead edge that fits inside a trough-shaped rim; the type of tire often inaccurately referred to as a Clincher.
Wire feeder
The handle and gas nozzle through which the steel wire electrode is fed by an electric motor in a MIG welding system
Wire Gauge
Wire glow plug
A double-pole glow plug with an unsheathed wire loop; now superseded by sheathed-type glow plugs
Wire loom
Wire marker
Wire mesh
In catalytic converters with a ceramic monolith, a stainless-steel fabric used as a shock-absorbing support for the honeycomb
Wire rope
Flexible rope for lifting purposes, generally being of six strands with 19 wires in each strand and in most cases having a hemp rope at the center. Also called Hoisting rope
Wires
Wire-spoked wheels or wire-Spoke Hubcaps.
Wire separator
Wire spoke
A part which connects the hub of a wire spoke wheel to the rim. All loads are transmitted from the rim to the hub by steel spokes; individually, they have little resistance to bending stresses and therefore have to be laced in a complex criss-cross pattern. Due to their complicated design (each spoke is hooked at one end into the hub, and the other end is pushed through a hole in the rim, where a tapered nut is screwed down to pull the spoke tight) and their reduced stiffness and poor stress resistance (if the spokes are too loose or too tight, the relatively flimsy rim will distort), wheels with wire spokes are expensive and rarely used on automobiles; but they are common on bicycles and some motorcycles
Wire spoke wheel
Wire spoke wheel

Wire spoke wheel

A wheel designed in such a way that its rim is joined to the center member by a series of wire spokes
Wire stripper/crimper tool
A multi-purpose electricians' pliers for cutting and stripping wire and crimping insulated or non-insulated solderless terminals when servicing the electrical system.
Wire strippers
Pliers used for removing insulating material from the ends of electrical wire
Wire System
Wire wheel
Wire wheel

Wire wheel

A wheel designed in such a way that its rim is joined to the center member by a series of wire spokes
Wiring an edge
Rolling the edge of a panel, e.g., a wheel opening of a fender, around a wire to provide additional stiffness of the panel edge
Wiring diagram
A drawing showing the various electrical units and the wiring arrangement necessary for them to function properly.
Wiring harness
The collection of color-coded wires which connects all the vehicle's electrical Components. Sometimes refers to the main bulk of wires, not the Secondary wires which are plugged into the main collection.
Wiring harness connector
A single connector with many terminals for electrical wiring connections
Wiring loom
Wiring pigtail
A short length of wire, usually with connector, permanently attached to an electric component, such as an oxygen sensor
Wiring trough
A longitudinal molding that guides and conceals wiring
Wishbone
The Radius rod setup used in many of the older Ford cars to keep the axle square with the Frame.
Wishbone suspension
Witch
Withdrawal
Withdrawal fork
Withdrawal System
Witness mark
A punch mark or scratch used to position or locate some part in its proper spot. The mark is made on each half of the assembly so that upon reassembly the marks can be lined up.
Witness marks