Letter W – Dictionary of Automotive Terms
- W
- W/
- Abbreviation for with, as in black w/white top.
- WAC
-
- Abbreviation for Wide Open Throttle A/C Cutoff Relay
- Abbreviation for Wide Open Throttle A/C Cutout Relay
- Waddle
- A side to side rocking movement of a vehicle in motion, caused by suspension or tire damage or excessive lateral runout
- Wading plugs
- Oil drain holes are provided in the bottom of the clutch housing (and the camshaft drive-belt housing on Tdi and 2.5D engines) to preclude the possibility of the clutch or cam belts becoming contaminated in the event of oil leaks from the adjacent bearings. Wading plugs should be fitted to block these holes when driving through water over 30 cm deep and subsequently removed.
- Wafer
- A thin sheet of semiconductor (photovoltaic material) made by cutting it from a single crystal or ingot.
- Waistline
- A British term for belt line. An imaginary or molded horizontal line below the bottom of the side window that separates the roof area from the rest of the body.
- Walked over
- Trucker slang for Over powered by a stronger c.b. signal as in ‘Come back on that someone walked all over you.’
- Walk-in cooler
- Larger. commercially refrigerated space kept below room temperature. Often found in supermarkets or wholesale meat distribution centers.
- Walking Beam Suspension
- A type of truck and tractor rear suspension consisting of two beams, one at each side of the chassis, which pivot in the center and connect at the front to one axle of a tandem and at the rear to the other axle.
- Walking Floor
- A type of dump trailer with a conveyor belt or chain running down the center of the floor of the trailer to unload the cargo. Also called live bottom
- Wander
- A steering action where the vehicle moves or rambles from a fixed course without positive control.
- Wanderer
- The first Wanderer car with a 5/12 hp four-cylinder engine was test driven in 1912. It went into series production in 1913. This small Wanderer car had not been on the market very long when it became a stage star in the operetta Puppchen (which can be translated loosely as ‘darling’) by Jean Gilbert. The title song was rather catchy ‘Darling, you are the apple of my eye, darling, I think the world of you.’ From then on the little Wanderer was known simply by the name Puppchen.
- Wandering
- A condition in which the front wheels of an automobile tend to steer slowly one way and then another, and interferes with directional control of stability
- Wankel engine
- A rotary internal combustion engine invented by Felix Wankel (1902-1988). It consists of an equilateral triangular member with curved sides orbiting about an Eccentric on a shaft inside a stationary Housing whose inner working surface is in the shape of an Epitrochoid. The rotor is in sliding contact with the Eccentric and imparts power to the eccentric shaft as a connecting rod does to a crankshaft. With one-third of a rotor revolution per shaft revolution and a power impulse for each of the three rotor sides, the Wankel generates one power impulse per revolution per rotor–twice that of what the Four-cycle piston engine produces. Thus it has become accepted practice to multiply the geometry displacement of the Wankel by a factor of two for comparison with Otto-cycle piston engines. The Wankel’s advantages include compact size, light weight and smooth operation because there are no Reciprocating parts. Its drawbacks include relatively high Exhaust emission, possible sealing problems and low fuel economy. Mazda, however, has made significant improvements in all three areas.
- Warm up
-
- To run an engine until it reaches normal operating temperature.
- The laps taken on the track prior to the race used to warm up the tires, transmission, engine fluids and other components of the race car before the start of the event.
- Warm-up
- The action of starting an engine and allowing it to idle until it reaches operating temperature before driving away.
- Warm-up control unit
- A unit that produces the richer mixture needed for cold running and modulates fuel system pressure according to engine temperature; the unit includes an electrically heated thermostatic spring, which reduces the force on a spring-loaded control diaphragm
- Warm-up enrichment
- A reduced enrichment of the air/fuel mixture following cranking and after-start enrichment. In the past, warming up an engine was thought to be good practice but now manufacturers recommend that motorists should drive off immediately, as this is the quickest way of heating up the engine and preventing oil being washed off the cylinder walls by partially burnt rich mixture (which causes engine wear)
- Warning light valve
- A valve in the hydraulic circuits of a dual brake system that switches on an instrument panel warning light when one system fails.
- Warning tracks
-
- The little ridges in the road that warn you of an upcoming tollbooth or another lane. Sometimes called wake-up bumps or Bot’s Dots — Mr. Bot got very rich off these.
- A part of the race track which is off the main part of the section for driving.
- Warning triangle
- A triangular red safety reflector that should be carried on all vehicles and be placed at the side of the road to warn of an obstruction ahead, such as a broken-down vehicle
- Warp
-
- A bending or twisting out of shape.
- Threads in cloth that run along the length of the material.
- To bend or twist out of shape
- Warranty
- The promise made by both the vehicle manufacturer and the vehicle dealer to fix or replace parts on a new vehicle if there is a malfunction before a specific time or distance has elapsed. In some instances some manufacturers or dealers grant warranty even after the expiry of the designated time or distance. This is called good will warranty.
- Washboard
- A road surface which has a series of lateral grooves — usually found on gravel roads and caused by water runoff. Also called corrugations
- Washer
- A flat disc with a hole in the center. It may be made of metal, rubber, plastic, or leather. It is often placed under a nut to even out pressure and prevent damage to the part on which it rests.
- Washer face
- A circular rim or boss on the underside of the head of a bolt (i.e., the bearing surface) or on one side of a nut to give a flat surface for the bolt or nut to sit on. A smooth washer face takes away any burrs or imperfections caused by the manufacturing process.
- Washer fluid
- A fluid added to the water in the windshield washer and rear window washer reservoirs/bottles to improve the cleaning action and lower the freezing point.
- Waste gate
- A valve used to limit the boost developed in a turbocharger. A waste gate operates by allowing some of the engine’s exhaust flow to bypass the turbocharger’s Turbine section under certain conditions.
- Waste materials
- Otherwise discarded combustible materials that, when burned, produce energy for such purposes as space heating and electric power generation. The size of the waste may be reduced by shredders, grinders, or hammermills. Noncombustible materials, if any, may be removed. The waste may be dried and then burned, either alone or in combination with fossil fuels.
- Waste spark method
- In distributorless ignition systems, dual-spark coils fire two spark plugs at the same time; one of these sparks is in a cylinder during its exhaust stroke, where the spark has no effect (waste spark); the other spark occurs in the cylinder near the end of the compression stroke
- Watchdog timer
- A device that detects controller malfunction and initiates independent action to safely deactivate the equipment operated by the failed controller. The device accomplishes failure detection, by monitoring a periodic update signal from the controller, and activation, if this periodic signal does not occur within a specified time period.
- Water bar
- A diversion ditch and/or hump installed across a trail or road to divert runoff from the surface before the flow gains enough volume and velocity to cause soil movement and erosion, and deposit the runoff into a dispersion area. Water bars are most frequently used on retired roads, trails, and landings.
- Water-cooled condenser
-
- Heat exchanger designed to transfer heat from hot gaseous refrigerant to water.
- Condensing unit which is cooled through use of water flow.
- Water cooling system
- The normal cooling system used on most cars and trucks to keep the temperature of the engine down to a desirable level; engine heat is removed via water acting as a coolant which surrounds the cylinders in a water jacket; the system typically includes water passages, coolant pump, thermostat, hoses, and radiator
- Watercourse
- A definite channel with bed and banks within which concentrated water flows continuously, frequently or infrequently.
- Water fade
- A delay in brake application caused by water contamination that reduces friction between the brake linings and drum or rotor.
- Water injection
- In an attempt to improve performance and allow the use of lower octane gasoline, water injection was developed. The cooling of the water vapor charge suppresses Detonation. A small amount of water or alcohol-water fluid is injected into the fuel-air mixture as it enters into the carburetor. Theoretically, as the water evaporates it should cool the incoming charge which then becomes denser, leading to higher Volumetric efficiency. This in turn should lead to improvements in performance and Economy and allow the use of lower octane fuel because cooling of the charge suppresses Detonation.
- Water jacket
-
- The area around the cylinder block and head or intake manifold that is left hollow so that water may be admitted for cooling. Also called cooling jacket.
- Channels in the engine through which water and coolant circulate to cool the engine.
See
- Water jet cutter
- A stream of water under great pressure (50,000 psi) which is controlled by a computer and is used to accurately cut plastic and fiberglass, etc.
- Waterline
- The line of the water’s edge when the ship is afloat.
See
- Horizontal Zero LineHorizontal Zero Line
- Load waterline
- Water marking
- Stains on the paintwork caused when a drop of water evaporates, leaving behind an outline of the drop
- Water passage
- A passage within the water jacket designed to prevent the formation of pockets of steam
- Water pump
- A device that circulates the liquid through the cooling system by pumping it from the engine Water jackets to the radiator. The pump is usually mounted at the front of the engine and is driven by a belt from a Pulley on the front end of the crankshaft. Also called a coolant pump.
- Water separator
- A device found on diesel cars which removes any water that may have contaminated the diesel fuel.
- Water spotting
- Stains on the paintwork that occur when a drop of water evaporates from the painted surface and leaves a white spot behind.
See
- Water-spotting
- Drops of water that mar the Finish before it is thoroughly cured.
- Water turbine
- A turbine that uses water pressure to rotate its blades; the primary types are the Pelton wheel, for high heads (pressure); the Francis turbine, for low to medium heads; and the Kaplan for a wide range of heads. Primarily used to power an electric generator.
- Water valve
-
- A shut-off valve, mechanically or vacuum operated, for stopping the flow of hot coolant to the heater.
- In most water cooling units, a valve that provides a flow of water to cool the system while it is running.
- Water vapor
- Water in a vaporous form, especially when below boiling temperature and diffused (e.g., in the atmosphere).
- Watt
- (W)
- The international unit of measurement of power. One watt equals one Joule per second.
- The unit of electrical power equal to one ampere under a pressure of one volt. A Watt is equal to 1/746 horsepower.
See
- Watt linkage
- A suspension linkage which has three-bars to locate the De Dion or Live axle. There are two usual methods for arranging a Watt linkage frame to pivot on axle Housing to frame or axle to pivot on frame to axle. In either arrangement, this link structure restrains all movement of the axle to a vertical plane.
- Watts link
- A device used to control side to side motion in a ladder bar, torque-tube, or 4-link rear suspension. A watts link has a pivot point in the center of the axle and a rod that runs to each side of the car. This design eliminate the side to side motion of a panhard rod.
- Wax
-
- A substance resembling beeswax in appearance and character, and in general distinguished by its composition of esters and higher alcohols, and by its freedom from fatty acids; used for underbody sealing, cavity sealing, and paintwork care.
- Ingredient in many lubricating oils which may separate from the oil if cooled enough.
- A solid or semi-solid material at 25°C consisting of a mixture of hydrocarbons obtained or derived from petroleum fractions, or through a Fischer-Tropsch type process, in which the straight chained paraffin series predominates. This includes all marketable wax, whether crude or refined, with a congealing point (ASTM D 938) between 80 (or 85) and 116°C and a maximum oil content (ASTM D 3235) of 50 weight percent.
- To treat with wax.
- Waxing
-
- The formation of wax crystals in diesel fuel in freezing conditions, thus clogging the fuel filter and stopping the engine; avoided by the use of a fuel heater or fuel additives.
- The application of a wax finish on the paint surface of a vehicle to preserve the paint and maintain its beauty
- Wax-type thermostat
- A thermostat in which the expansion of melting paraffin wax (in a rigid cylinder) deforms a molded rubber membrane and displaces a piston/pin from the cylinder; this has the advantage of being insensitive to sudden temperature fluctuations or to the pressure in the system
- Ways
-
- The machined abutments on which a sliding brake caliper rides
- Special sliding surfaces machined into the anchor plate and caliper body where these parts of a sliding caliper make contact and move against one another.
- W/B
- Abbreviation for Wheelbase
- WB-EGO Sensor
- Abbreviation for Wide Band EGO sensor which can be used to derive real AFR data with mixtures from 10:1 to 20:1, i.e. anything you are likely to be interested in.
WD-40®
A proprietary water-repellent spray
- Weak
- A diluted mixture
See
- Wear
- The progressive loss of substance from the operating surface of a body occurring as a result of relative motion at the surface; rubbing away.
- Wear bars
- Raised portions of rubber that make up me tread of the tire, separated by grooves that are arranged laterally, providing traction in the forward or rearward direction.
- Wear-in
- As the piston slides up and down the cylinder of a new engine, the rings rub against the rough cylinder walls. The roughness smooths out in time so that a near perfect fit is achieved. Also called broken-in.
- Wear indicator
- A projection on the inner brake pad that contacts the disc and creates a squealing noise when pad replacement is necessary. Gradually being replaced by an electrical sensor that illuminates a warning lamp.
- Wear ring
- A ring on a pump used to prevent costly wear of the casing and impeller at the running joint. It is secured to both the casing and the impeller
- Weather caulking
- Any of several kinds of crack-filling material around any windows or doors to the outside used to reduce the passage of air and moisture around moveable parts of a door or window. Weather stripping is available in strips or rolls of metal, vinyl, or foam rubber and can be applied on the inside or outside of a building.
- Weathering
- The change in appearance of paint caused by exposure to the elements. The physical disintegration and chemical decomposition of materials on exposure to atmospheric agents.
- Weather resistant
- The ability to withstand natural climatic conditions which cause surface deterioration
- Weatherstrip
- A rubber seal fitted to the body, e.g., along a door aperture or trunklid, to prevent water, air, and moisture from getting into the interior of the body.
- Weather stripping
- Any of several kinds of crack-filling material around any windows or doors to the outside used to reduce the passage of air and moisture around moveable parts of a door or window. Weather stripping is available in strips or rolls of metal, vinyl, or foam rubber and can be applied on the inside or outside of a building.
- Web
-
- An internal reinforcement between panels.
- A Crank web.
- A supporting structure across a cavity.
- Webbing grabber
- A device in an inertia reel seat belt that grips the belt webbing tightly in the event of sudden braking or impact
- Weber carburetor
- A well-known Italian brand, used on many high-performance Italian, German, and other vehicles during its heyday. Weber carburetors were famous for their adjustability
- Wedge
-
- Engine using wedge-shaped combustion chamber. The combustion chambers are flatter on one end than the other.
- A simple machine consisting of a triangular shaped block, that can be forced into a gap, giving a greatly increased force.
See
- Wedge block
- Combustion chamber design in which the top of the piston and the surface of the block form an angle
- Wedge combustion chamber
-
Click image to supersize
Wedge combustion chamberA combustion chamber using a Wedge shape. It is quite efficient and lends itself to mass production and as a result is widely used. The valve is in the longer sloping surface and the spark plug in the shorter; the tapered part of the wedge forms a squish zone. The squish produces swirling turbulence as the piston forces the mixture away from the narrow area of the wedge. Turbulence keeps the fuel and air mixed thoroughly for even burning. Squish also cools the mixture in the corners to reduce hot spots. It has a short Flame path which reduces the tendency of the burning fuel to knock or pre-ignite.
- Wedge expander
- A part of a mechanical drum brake system which forces the shoes apart into contact with the drum
- Weep
- Fluid leakage which stains the outside of the container, but does not actually drip. Generally oil weeping is not a serious problem.
- Weighbridge
- A device for measuring the weight of vehicles (especially trucks), consisting of a metal plate set into the road surface
- Weight
-
- The force of gravity acting upon a body. It is measured in Newtons.
- The mass of an object under the influence of gravity. Unlike mass, the weight changes with the location of the object. As the force of gravity is relatively constant on earth, we use the terms weight and mass interchangeably.
See- Absolute Weight
- Adhesive Weight
- Advance weight
- Axle weight
- Balance weight
- Basic Weight
- Cargo weight
- Centrifugal weight
- Chassis Weight
- Clip-on weight
- Counterweight
- curb weight
- Distributor weight
- Dry weight
- Flyweights
- Governor weight
- Gross axle weight rating
- Gross combination weight
- Gross Combined Weight Rating
- Gross train weight
- Gross vehicle weight
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
- Horsepower-weight factor
- Kerb Weight
- Lead weight
- Licensed Weight
- Mass
- Maximum trailer weight
- Molecular weight
- Power-to-weight ratio
- Shipping Weight
- Sliding weight
- Sprung weight
- Straight weight
- Tare weight
- Tongue weight
- Troy weight
- Unladen weight
- Unsprung weight
- Weightlessness
- Wheel weight
- Weight bias
- An element of vehicle design that results in either the front or rear suspension having to support more than half of the vehicle’s weight. Most cars have a forward weight bias.
- Weigh-In-Motion
- (WIM) Technology for determining a vehicle’s weight without requiring it to come to a complete stop.
- Weightlessness
- A condition when an object is in free fall. It does not mean that the object is completely out of the Earth’s gravitational Field.
- Weight per unit area
- An indication of the thickness of metallic paint coatings in grams per square metre of surface area
- Weight transfer
- The transfer of load from one end or side of the vehicle to the other when accelerating, braking, or cornering
- Weight transfer effect
- Because the center of gravity of a vehicle is located above the centers of wheel rotation, a sudden stoppage of the vehicle tends to cause the center of gravity to move forward, thus throwing more weight onto the front wheels and less on the rear wheels
- Weissach axle
- A special double wishbone rear suspension developed by Porsche for the 928S to minimize the problems of oversteering
- Welch plug
-
- A concave disk generally about 10 mm (3/8 inch) diameter used to plug a hole in a carburetor.
- A Core plug
- Weld
- To join two pieces of metal together by raising the area to be joined to a point hot enough for the two sections to melt and flow together. Additional metal is usually added by melting small drops from the end of a metal rod while the welding is in progress.
- Welder
-
Welder
A device used to Weld (usually) two pieces of metal
- Welding
- Art of fastening metals (or plastic) together by means of interfusing them. They are heated to a suitable temperature. In some cases pressure is used to bond them together. In other cases a filler material (solder) is used to join them. Among the approximately 40 different welding methods, the resistance welding processes, and especially spot welding, are most relevant for automobile production, whereas arc welding methods are most relevant for servicing and repair.
See
- arc welding
- Automatic Arc Welding
- Automatic welding
- Back-step welding
- Backhand welding
- Braze welding
- Carbon-arc Welding
- Carbon-dioxide Welding
- Electric Welding
- Flat position welding
- Forward welding
- Friction welding
- Gas metal-arc welding
- Gas tungsten-arc welding
- Gas welding
- Hammer welding
- Heated tool welding
- Hot gas welding
- Inert arc welding
- Inert gas-arc welding
- Leftward welding
- Metal Inert Gas Welding
- MIG welding
- Oxygen-acetylene welding
- Percussion welding
- Plastics welding
- Plug welding
- Projection welding
- Pulse arc welding
- Resistance welding
- Spot welding
- Tack welding
- TIG welding
- Ultrasonic welding
- Welding clamp
- A locking clamp with U-shaped jaws (which allow more visibility and working space), used to hold panels, bars, tubes, etc. for welding
- Welding hammer
-
Welding hammer
A special type of tool with high tensile strength head and a spring handle (to reduce shock/vibration) used to chip excess slag and splatter during welding process. It has a blade at one end and a point at the other. Also called straight head chipping hammer
- Welding jig
- A special type of frame gauge used to establish the correct position of structural parts on the body prior to welding them in
- Weld Screw
- Projection welding applied to screws offer a means of providing attached treated members in sheet metal construction. Welding lugs on the head of the screw reduce the amount of current required for surface welding and provide fusion of metal at predetermined points.
- Weld-through primer
- A special paint used along spot welds or seams; it does not burn off during welding and thus offers good protection on the back of welded panels that would normally be inaccessible once welding is completed
- Well-base rim
- A wheel rim with a central channel or recess into which one side of the tire bead can drop; the other side can then be forced over the rim for fitting or removal. Wheels with well-base rims are commonly used on passenger cars because they enable easy installation and removal of the tire; the seats of the rim on which the tire sits (rim flanges) have a 5° taper so that, as the tire is inflated, the beads are forced up the taper to give a wedge fit and a good seal for tubeless tires; safety bead seats must also be incorporated, however
- Welting
- Piping — a rubber or plastic strip inserted between two removable panels, i.e., between a bolt-on fender and the body, to cover up the joint and to prevent water getting in; with the piping inserted, only the round bead along the upper edge of the piping is visible
- W-engine
- A rare engine design, basically similar to a V-engine, but using three instead of two cylinder rows. The W-engine is less perfectly balanced than a V-engine, but this is compensated by balancer shafts; the main advantage of the W-engine is its short crankshaft which results in a very short block; the compact construction permits a 12-cylinder W-engine to be installed transversely in a mid-engine sports car
- Western hand truck
- A device used to transport goods manually with wheels within the side rails. Compare Eastern hand truck
- Wet boiling point
- The Boiling point of brake fluid when it has absorbed some water.
See
- Wet bulb
- Device used in measurement of relative humidity. Evaporation of moisture lowers temperature of wet bulb compared to dry bulb temperature of same air sample.
- Wet bulb hygrometer
- Instrument for measuring the relative humidity of atmospheric air. Also called psychrometer.
- Wet bulb temperature
- Measure of the degree of moisture. It is the temperature of evaporation for an air sample.
- Wet cell battery
- Cell or connected group of cells that converts chemical energy into electrical energy by reversible chemical reactions.
- Wet friction
- Wet friction exists when the rubbing parts have some other substance between them such as oil or grease. Opposite to Dry friction.
- Wet galvanizing
- A galvanizing method in which the flux is deposited in molten form on the zinc bath, and the metal to be galvanized is introduced into the bath by passing it through this layer of flux
- Wet liner
- A cylinder sleeve application in which the water in the cooling system contacts a major portion of the sleeve itself.
See
- Wet motor
- A pump whose motor compartment is filled with liquid; submersible pumps are generally classified as wet motor types
- Wet natural gas
- A mixture of hydrocarbon compounds and small quantities of various nonhydrocarbons existing in the gaseous phase or in solution with crude oil in porous rock formations at reservoir conditions. The principal hydrocarbons normally contained in the mixture are Methane, ethane, Propane, Butane, and Pentane. Typical nonhydrocarbon gases that may be present in reservoir natural gas are water vapor, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen and trace amounts of helium. Under reservoir conditions, natural gas and its associated liquefiable portions occur either in a single gaseous phase in the reservoir or in solution with crude oil and are not distinguishable at the time as separate substances. Note: The Securities and Exchange Commission and the Financial Accounting Standards Board refer to this product as natural gas.
- Wet-on-wet application
- A paint application by which a second coat of paint is applied over a first coat before it is dried or stoved; in the case of metallic paint systems, the clear coat is applied over the wet base coat
- Wet sanding
- Sanding with wet-and-dry sandpaper that has been wetted with water to prevent the paper from clogging; commonly used for final sanding
- Wet setting
- The addition of the float with the carburetor mounted on engine and the float bowl full of fuel
- Wet sleeve
- A cylinder sleeve application in which the water in the cooling system contacts a major portion of the sleeve itself. The sleeve is supported by the block only at the top and bottom of the sleeve. The sleeve must be thicker than a Dry sleeve.
See
- Wet sump lubrication
- The usual engine lubrication system in which the oil is carried in a pan below the crankshaft. Such a system relies on gravity draining the circulated oil and needs no return pump
- Wetting
- The ability of an adhesive, coating or sealer compound to wet or adhere to a surface immediately on contact even when the film is extremely thin.
- Whale tail
- A colloquial term for a large, rear spoiler
- 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
See- Alloy wheel
- Aluminum Wheel
- Bogie wheel
- Budd Wheel
- Buffing Wheel
- Burred wheel
- California Wheel
- Carborundum Wheel
- Car 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
- Forged Alloy Wheel
- 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
- Light-alloy Wheel
- Lockable Wheel
- Magnesium wheel
- Mag wheel
- Minilite Alloy Wheel
- Mini Spare Wheel
- Motor wheel type
- Mountain Wheel
- One-piece wheel
- Passenger Car Wheel
- Plain Disc Wheel
- Planet Wheel
- Potato Chipped Wheel
- Rear wheel spat
- Rim Steering Wheel
- Road Wheel
- Rolling Wheel
- Safety Wheel
- Safe stop wheel
- Saver Wheel
- Sheet wheel
- Single-piece wheel
- Sliding Fifth Wheel
- Solid Disc Wheel
- Space-saving Spare Wheel
- Space Saver Wheel
- Spare Wheel
- Spoke wheel
- Sprocket Wheel
- Stamped-steel wheel
- Standard wheel
- Star wheel
- Steel wheel
- steering wheel
- Stop Wheel
- Sun Wheel
- TD wheel
- Telescoping steering wheel
- Tempa spare wheel
- Temporary Spare Wheel
- Three-piece alloy wheel
- Tilt steering wheel
- Tone Wheel
- Tr-Denioc Wheel
- Triathlon 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 alignment
- The position of the wheels relative to the car body. Proper wheel alignment reduces tire wear and improves driving control.
- 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 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.
- 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
-
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.
- Wheel center bore
- The diameter of the opening in a disc which allows for protrusion of the axle hub.
- Wheelchair 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 clamp
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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
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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.
- 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.
- 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
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Wheel hub
The component upon which the wheel mounts. It fits over the wheel bearings and is also mounted to the brakes.
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
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- 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.
- Wheel speed sensor
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- 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
- Detection devices 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.
- 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.
- Whip antenna
- A long, thin, flexible aerial, usually over 2 meters (6 feet). It is rarely seen on modern cars. Most were mounted on the rear fender and waved in the air when in use; but the tip was secured to the front fender when not in use. See Antenna
- 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
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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
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- 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.
- Wick
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- The action of flicking or blipping the throttle rapidly.
- To remove moisture from clothing through capillary action.
- Wicking
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- 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 switch
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- 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-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
- 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
- Wiggle bus
- A colloquial term for an articulated bus
- Wildcat
- A model of automobile manufactured by Buick Division of General Motors from 1962-70
- 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
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Click image for books on
WillysA 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
- Abbreviation 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.
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.
- 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 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.
- Winding
- The wrapping of wire around a core.
- 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
See
- Electric windows
- Frameless window
- Heated rear window
- Hinged quarter window
- Lambda window
- Manually operated window
- Opera Window
- Power window lock-out switch
- Power window
- Quarter window filler panel
- Quarter window
- Rear side window
- Rear window heater system
- Rear window louvers
- Rear window
- Sliding side window
- Timing window
- Tinted Windows
- 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 regulator
- The mechanism used to raise and lower window glass. The regulator can be either manual or electric
- 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 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 washer
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- 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.
- Wing
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- 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.
- 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
- 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
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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.
- Winter coolant
- A fluid of ethylene glycol and special additives that when mixed with water lowers its freezing point in winter.
- 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 blade judder
- Excessive vibration so that the blade does not make proper contact due to a bad wiper motor, worn wiper blade, wind lifting the blade, debris on the windshield. Also called wiper blade shudder
- Wiper blade shudder
- Excessive vibration so that the blade does not make proper contact due to a bad wiper motor, worn wiper blade, wind lifting the blade, debris on the windshield. Also called wiper blade judder
- 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 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.
- 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 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
- 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.
- 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 pigtail
- A short length of wire, usually with connector, permanently attached to an electric component, such as an oxygen sensor
- Wishbone
- The Radius rod setup used in many of the older Ford cars to keep the axle square with the frame.
- 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.
- W/o
- Abbreviation for without, as in excellent condition, w/o body damage.
- Wobble extension bar
- A special extension with a unique male end that enables the user to drive the socket up to 15° from vertical
- Wobble plate-swash plate
- Type of compressor designed to compress gas, with piston motion parallel to crankshaft. Often used in automobile air conditioning systems.
- Woodie
-
- A shooting brake.
- A wood-bodied vehicle, especially station wagons of the ’30s and 40s.
- Woodill
- A vehicle brand of which the 1952-58 Wildfire models are milestone cars.
- Woodruff key
-
Woodruff key
A half-moon shaped piece of metal used to secure something to a shaft which has a notch cut in the shaft to accommodate the key.
- Wood screw
-
Wood screw
- A tapered shaft fastener with wide spiral threads like a sheet metal screw and a variety of head shapes. Used to secure wood or plastic. Wood screws have a smooth shank that allows the screw to pull the two pieces of wood together for a tight joint. Wood screws also taper along the threaded portion optimizing the screws holding power in wood.
- A metal screw having a driver head, a gimlet point, and a sharp- crested, coarse pitch thread, for insertion in wood or resilient materials. It produces its own mating thread.
- Work
- Production of an effect by exertion of a force. Energy is needed to do work and work is measured in Joules.
- World Trade Organization
- (WTO) Created by the Uruguay Round and successor to the GATT, this new organization began operations on January 1, 1995.
- Worm
- A short, rotating shaft on which a helical groove has been cut, as in a gear arrangement in which such a shaft meshes with a toothed wheel.
- Worm-and-nut steering
- A steering system in which rotation of the worm causes a nut, which encloses it, to move up or down, thus turning the rocker shaft
- Worm and roller
- A type of Steering gear using a Worm gear on the Steering shaft. A roller on one end of the Cross shaft engages the worm.
- Worm and roller gearbox
-
Worm and roller gearbox
A gearing system used with parallelogram steering linkage. Threads on the worm gear engage the threads of the roller. Both ends of the worm gear are supported by ball bearings to reduce friction. When the steering wheel is turned, the roller moves along the worm gear, swiveling the Pitman shaft (arm).
- Worm and sector
- A type of Steering gear using a Worm gear engaging a sector (a portion of a gear) on the Cross shaft.
- Worm-and-sector steering
- A type of steering system in which rotation of the worm moves a V-shaped section of a toothed wheel at the top of the rocker shaft
- Worm and taper pin
- A type of Steering gear using a Worm gear on the Steering shaft. The end of the Cross shaft engages the worm via a taper pin.
- Worm gear
- A coarse, spiral shaped gear cut on a shaft. It is used to engage with and drive another gear or portion of a gear. As used in the steering Gearbox, it often engages the Cross shaft via a roller or by a tapered pin.
- Worry
- To bend something like a wire or a bar back and forth with the intention of breaking it apart.
- WOT
- Abbreviation for Wide open throttle
- Wrap
- Wrapround bumper
- A modern bumper style that extends around the front and rear of the body right up to the wheel cutouts to offer maximum protection of the body panels
- Wrapround dash design
- An instrument panel design introduced on volume cars by BMW which, in contrast to the classic flat panels, is curved to provide optimum driver access to all controls
- Wrapround bumper
- A modern bumper style that extends around the front and rear of the body right up to the wheel cutouts to offer maximum protection of the body panels
- Wrapround dash design
- An instrument panel design introduced on volume cars by BMW which, in contrast to the classic flat panels, is curved to provide optimum driver access to all controls
- Wrench
-
- A device for removing nuts, bolts, and other fasteners.
- A colloquial term for a mechanic or someone who is handy repairing engines.
- To use a wrench tool.
See- Adjustable wrench
- Adjusting Wrench
- Allen wrench
- Bleeder Wrench
- Box Wrench
- Brake Adjusting Wrench
- Brake wrench
- Chain Filter Wrench
- Chain pipe wrench
- Chain wrench
- Click-type Torque Wrench
- Combination wrench
- Crescent Wrench
- Cross-shaft Lug Wrench
- Crossshaft Lug Wrench
- Dial Torque Wrench
- Distributor wrench
- Double-ended wrench
- Drain Plug Wrench
- Filter Wrench
- Flare nut wrench
- Four-way wheel wrench
- Grip wrench
- Handed Monkey Wrench
- Hand Monkey Wrench
- Head Torque Wrench
- Heavy-duty Ring Wrench
- Heavy-duty Wrench
- Hex Wrench
- Ignition Wrench
- Impact wrench
- Interchangeable head torque wrench
- Left-handed monkey wrench
- Left-hand Monkey Wrench
- Lefthanded Monkey Wrench
- Lefthand Monkey Wrench
- lug wrench
- Miniature offset open-end wrench
- Mole wrench
- Monkey Wrench
- Nut Wrench
- Obstruction Wrench
- Offset Open-end Wrench
- Offset wrench
- Oil Filter Wrench
- Open-ended Wrench
- Open-end Wrench
- Pin wrench
- pipe wrench
- Plug Wrench
- Ring Wrench
- Socket Wrench
- Spanner
- Spanner Wrenches
- Spark plug socket
- Spark plug wrench
- Spoke wrench
- Stillson wrench
- Strap Wrench
- Tappet wrench
- Tap Wrench
- Torque wrench
- Tubing Wrench
- Wheel Nut Wrench
- Wheel Wrench
- Wrench Head
- A head on a fastener designed for driving or holding by means of an externally applied wrench to the sides of the head.
- Wringing-fit
- A fit with less clearance than for a running or sliding fit. The shaft enters the hole by means of twisting and pushing by hand
- Wrinkling
- The top coat tends to wrinkle to a smaller or greater degree if the outer paint coat dries too rapidly, preventing the underlying coats from drying properly; this also occurs if the paint film is too heavy
- Wrist pin
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Wrist pin
A steel pin that is passed through the piston, it is used as a base upon which to fasten the upper end of the Connecting rod. It is round and may be hollow. Also called piston pin, gudgeon pin, or Floating piston pin.
- Wrist pin circlip
- A Circlip which is used on either end of the wrist pin to hold the pin in place. Also called a snap ring
- Write off
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- To damage a car beyond repair or, for insurance purposes, so as to be not worth repairing.
- To consider a vehicle to be a total loss
- Write-off
- A car damaged beyond repair or so badly damaged as to be not worth repairing for insurance purposes
- Written off
- When a vehicle has sustained a severe accident so that it would cost more to repair it than what it is worth, it is said to be written off.
WSS
Abbreviation for Wheel Speed Sensor
- WTO
- Abbreviation for World Trade Organization.
- W-type engine
- An engine configuration in which there are three rows of cylinders in the shape of the letter W. The center row is vertical while the other two are at an angle much like a V-type engine.
- WU OC
- Abbreviation for Warm Up Oxidation Catalytic Converter
- WW
- Abbreviation for Whitewall, as in ww tires.
