Dictionary of Automotive Terms Abbreviations

DICTIONARY OF AUTOMOTIVE TERMS - "Wi"

Wick

The action of flicking or blipping the throttle rapidly.
To remove moisture from clothing through capillary action.

Wicking

A capillary act of air escapement from the Tire casing during retreading.
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

Switch that disengages the automotive compressor circuit during periods of high acceleration.
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: See
Wide treads.

Wide range gearing: See
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: See
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: See
Bandwidth
Crown width
Nominal rim width
Rim width
Section width
Tire width

Will: See
Good will warranty

Wills Sainte Claire: A vehicle brand of which the 1925-1948 models are Classic cars.

Will warranty: See
Good will warranty

Willys-Knight: A vehicle brand of which the Series 66 for 1925-1948 with required application are Classic cars.

Willys: Click image for books on
Willys

A vehicle brand of which the 1948-51 Overland Jeepster models are Milestone cars.

Click image for books on Willys

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.

Wind: See
Crosswind

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: See
Air shield

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: See
Window winder

Winding: The wrapping of wire around a Core.

Also See
Excitation winding
Exciter winding
Field winding
High-tension winding
Hold-in winding
Holding winding
Inductive winding
Primary winding
Pull-in winding
Secondary winding
Shunt winding

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: See
Electric windows
Frameless window
Heated rear window
Hinged quarter window
Lambda window
Manual-crank window
Manually operated window
Power window lock-out switch
Power window
Quarter window filler panel
Quarter window
Rear side window
Rear window heater system
Rear window heating
Rear window louvres
Rear window
Sliding side window
Timing window
Wind-up window

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: See
Quarter window filler panel

Window filler panel: See
Quarter window filler panel

Window heater: See
Rear window heater system

Window heater system: See
Rear window heater system

Window heating: See
Rear window heating

Window lift: British term for the switch or mechanism used to raise or lower a side window.

Window line: See
Waistline

Window lock-out: See
Power window lock-out switch

Window lock-out switch: See
Power window lock-out switch

Window louvres: See
Rear window louvres

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

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.

Also See
Emergency windshield
Heated windshield
Laminated windshield
Panoramic windshield
Toughened windshield
Windshield header
Wrapround windshield

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: See
Laminated 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: See
Sunvisor
Sunshield

Windshield support panel: See
Scuttle

Windshield surround: A molded rubber insulating strip round the windshield

Windshield washer

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.
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: See
Axle windup"
Spring windup

Wind-up window: A window that is manually operated with a winder

Wind wing: See
Vent wing.

Wing

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.
A window wind deflector.
A Honda Goldwing motorcycle.
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: A nut with two flat projections (i.e., wings) to be turned by thumb and finger. Also called a Butterfly nut.

Wing punch: A British term for a Fender punch

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

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: See
Headlight wash/wipe

Wipe system: See
Rear wash/wipe system
Windshield wash/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. Also called Delay wiper, Hidden wiper, Hideaway wiper, Intermittent wiper control, Linear wiper system, Rear wiper, Self-parking wiper, and Windshield wiper

Wiper control: See
Intermittent wiper control

Wiper system: See
Linear wiper system
Speed-sensitive 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: See
Bead wires
Coil wire
Control wire
Earth wire
Ground wire
Hot wire
Lead wire
Live wire
Primary wire
Secondary wire
Shredded wire
Spark plug wire
Welding 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. Also see Cup-shaped wire brush

Wire cover strip: See
Spark plug wire cover strip

Wired on tire: See
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 glow plug: A double-pole glow plug with an unsheathed wire loop; now superseded by sheathed-type glow plugs

Wire loom: See
Spark plug cable loom
Spark plug wire loom

Wire marker: See
Spark plug 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: See
Spark plug 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

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. Also see Automatic wire stripper

Wire strippers: Pliers used for removing insulating material from the ends of electrical wire

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: See
Wiring harness

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.

Also See
A-arm
Control arm
Double wishbone
Unequal wishbones

Wishbone suspension: See
Double wishbone suspension
Unequal-length wishbone suspension

Withdrawal: See
Liquid withdrawal.

Withdrawal fork: See
Clutch fork

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: See
Witness mark.