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Car Terms
Your go-to automotive glossary
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Car Terms

A-pillar

Either one of two support posts that are positioned on either side of the windshield of a vehicle and connect the roof to the body.
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3 weeks ago

ABS

Anti-lock braking system: An anti-lock braking system is a safety anti-skid braking system.
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3 weeks ago

A/C compressor

A belt driven compressor tasked with putting refrigerant under high pressure to operate the air conditioning system.
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2 weeks ago

Adaptive cruise control

While a traditional cruise control system is designed to maintain a speed no matter external conditions, adaptive systems help vehicles maintain a safe following distance when needed.
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2 weeks ago

Aerodynamic drag

The force on an object that resists its motion through a fluid is called drag . When the fluid is a gas like air, it is called aerodynamic drag or air resistance.
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3 weeks ago

Airbags

A supplementary vehicle occupant restraint system using a bag designed to inflate extremely quickly during a collision. These are used for impacts with the front, side or roof of a vehicle.
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2 weeks ago

Angle of approach

Approach angle is the maximum angle of a ramp onto which a vehicle can climb from a horizontal plane without interference.
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3 weeks ago

Angle of departure

The maximum ramp angle from which a vehicle can descend without damage
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2 weeks ago

Antifreeze

Combined with water, these Glycol based liquids protect a vehicle's engine and cooling system from below freezing temperatures while retaining cooling properties in warm temperatures.
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2 weeks ago

Auto dimming rearview mirror

Mirror that automatically switches between "day" and "night" settings depending on the amount of light behind the car relative to the ambient light in front.
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2 weeks ago

Automatic transmission

A multi-speed transmission used in motor vehicles that does not require any driver input to change gears under normal driving conditions.
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3 weeks ago

AWD

An all-wheel drive vehicle (AWD vehicle) is one with a powertrain capable of providing power to all its wheels, whether full-time or on-demand.
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3 weeks ago

Axle ratio

Axle ratio is the number of revolutions the output shaft or driveshaft needs to make in order to spin the axle one complete turn.
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3 weeks ago

B-pillar

Either one of two support posts that connect a vehicle's roof to its body at the rear of the front door.
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3 weeks ago

Ball joints

Ball joints are the critical component of the front suspension that connect various links and allow them to move.
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3 weeks ago

Base price

Price of a vehicle with no factory installed options, and excludes mandatory charges for taxes, title, and registration.
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2 weeks ago

Bellflower tips

Straight chrome exhaust tips that appear behind the rear wheels and run parallel to the end of the car.
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3 weeks ago

Beltline

When looking at a vehicle in side view, this is the line representing the bottom edge of the glass panels.
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2 weeks ago

Block heater

An electric heater attached to engines used in cold climates to improve cold start performance.
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2 weeks ago

Blown

An engine that uses forced induction, typically via supercharger.
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3 weeks ago