- ST
-
- Abbreviation for Short ton which is 2,000 lbs.
- Abbreviation for Scan Tool
- Stability
-
- The quality or state of a vehicle to remain controllable.
- The ability of a ship to return to her normal upright position when listed by the action of waves, wind, etc.
- Property which allows an adhesive, coating, or sealer compound to be stored under specific conditions without loss of its original properties.
- The property of a system or element by virtue of which its output will ultimately attain a steady state. The amount of power that can be transferred from one machine to another following a disturbance. The stability of a power system is its ability to develop restoring forces equal to or greater than the disturbing forces so as to maintain a state of equilibrium.
- The ability of a governor to maintain its speed with either constant or varying loads without hunting.
- Stabilize
-
- To make or keep stable
- To convert to a form that resists change. Organic material is stabilized by bacteria which convert the material to gases and other relatively inert substances. Stabilized organic material generally will not give off obnoxious odors.
- Stabilizer
- A variety of devices used to keep the passenger compartment of a vehicle from swaying and lurching on sharp curves and turns.
- Stabilizer bar
- A transverse mounted Spring steel bar that controls and minimizes body lean or tipping on corners. See
- Stabilizer belt
- A radial tire belt consisting of cords (usually fine steel wire) embedded in rubber directly beneath the tread and above the radial cord body plies
- Stabilizing plies
- Two or more plies, of steel, fiberglass, etc., forming a belt around the circumference of a tire, between carcass and tread rubber. It reduces tread distortion of radial and bias belted tires.
- Stack
- A traffic situation which is illegal in most places. Suppose the car in front of you is waiting to turn left at an intersection controlled by a traffic light. It is in the middle of the intersection with a green light, but the oncoming traffic is steady. Now the light turns amber (or even red) and the car completes its left turn. However, you are right on his bumper and you turn with him. And perhaps the car (or cars) behind you also turn at the same time. You and the other cars are stacking.
- Stack end frame
- A frame used to compress the individual cells together to maintain electrical conductivity. Also may be known as an end plate or compression end plate.
- Stacking
-
- A traffic procedure which is illegal in most places. Suppose the car in front of you is waiting to turn left at an intersection controlled by a traffic light. It is in the middle of the intersection with a green light, but the oncoming traffic is steady. Now the light turns amber (or even red) and the car completes its left turn. However, you are right on his bumper and you turn with him. And perhaps the car (or cars) behind you also turn at the same time. You and the other cars are stacking.
- The process of placing individual fuel cells adjacent to one another to form a fuel cell stack. Normally, the stack is connected in a series.
- Stack life
- The cumulative period of time that a fuel cell stack may operate before its output deteriorates below a useful minimum value
- Stack test
- Experiment where an electrical load is applied to a stack of fuel cells to determine its ability to perform. Normally, the output seeks two pieces of information. First is a current output at a specific cell voltage point. Second is a continuous voltage vs. current curve (polarization curve.)
- Staged carburetors
- Carburetors equipped with a secondary system. Staged carburetors are activated either mechanically or by a vacuum diaphragm. Think of staged four-barrels as a pair of two-barrels in parallel
- Stagecoach
- Trucker slang for a customized bus used to carry entertainers from venue to venue as in 'Wonder if Faith Hill is in that stagecoach?'
- Stagger
-
- To place items (like carburetors, pistons) so that every second item is offset from the previous one.
- The difference in the circumference of the tires on the right and left sides of the car. Since oval track racing is always done turning left, teams put larger tires on the right to help the car naturally turn left.
See
- Stainless
-
- A trade name given to alloy steel that is corrosion and heat resistant. The chief alloying elements are chromium, nickel, and silicon in various combinations with a possible small percentage of titanium, vanadium, etc.
- By AISI definition, a steel is called 'Stainless' when it contains 4 per cent or more chromium.
- Stainless steel
- (SS)
- A type of steel containing nickel and chromium, which is resistant to corrosion
- Any steel containing four or more per cent chromium is classified as stainless.
- With the addition of 12% chromium to iron, stainless steel is formed. The chromium protects the iron against most corrosion or red-colored rust; thus the term 'stainless' steel. The ability of stainless to form a thin layer of protection on its outside surface, called a passive film, is its most important characteristic in preventing corrosion. The overriding purpose of stainless steel is to provide corrosion resistance against:
- atmospheric conditions such as carbon dioxide, moisture, electrical fields, sulfur, salt, and chloride compounds
- natural and artificially produced chemical
- extremes of weather where cold temperatures cause brittleness and hot temperatures reduce strength and increase corrosion.
- Stainless-steel exhaust system
- A more hard-wearing and therefore more expensive system than one made of mild steel
- Stake
-
- A panel-beating tool formed like a dolly, but with a shaft attached allowing it to be clamped in a vice.
- The wooden bars which fit into the sides of the bed of a truck.
- Stall
- An engine which stops unintentionally. The usual causes of stalling are sudden increase in load without an accompanying increase in fuel flow (often occurring when a driver engages the clutch to drive away without increasing the engine speed) and braking to a very low speed without disengaging the clutch See
- Stall test
- A short-time (5 seconds) full throttle operation with the vehicle brakes fully applied and the selector lever of an automatic transmission in D position; the test results in an engine speed (stall speed) that indicates the performance of the fluid converter
- Stall torque ratio
- The torque conversion in fluid converters on taking up drive, i.e., when the turbine is still stationary; stage of maximum torque multiplication
- Stamped-steel wheel
- A wheel for mass-produced automobiles that has a rolled-steel rim around a stamped center. The center hole fits over the front or rear hub, but the wheel is positioned by the mounting bolts or by lug nuts. Bolts and lug nuts fit into conical holes precisely located to make the wheel run true.
Stamped-steel wheel
- Stamping
-
- A sheet metal part formed or shaped by pressing rolled sheet metal between metal dies (hardened metal blocks).
- Punching out parts with dies such as flat washers.
- Stanchion tube
- The upper (non moving) tube on a bicycle suspension fork which is attached to the fork crown.
- Standard air
- Air having a temperature of 20°, a relative humidity of 36%, and pressure of 14.7 psia (101.3 kea). The gas industry usually considers 16°C as the temperature of standard air.
- Standard atmosphere
- Condition when air is at 14.7 psia pressure at 20°C temperature and a relative humidity of 36 percent.
- Standard conditions
-
- Used as a basis for air conditioning calculations temperature of 20°C, pressure of 29.82 inches of mercury (Hg.), and relative humidity of 30 percent.
- The test or operating conditions that have been predetermined to be the basis of the test in order to have reproducible, comparable sets of test data. Typical conditions that are standardized are fuel and oxidant flow rates and ratios, temperature, pressure, electrode area, catalyst loading, etc.
- Standard equipment
- Those parts and systems of a vehicle supplied by the manufacturer at no extra cost, i.e., they are included in the basic price for a given model
- Standard fluorescent
- A light bulb made of a glass tube coated on the inside with fluorescent material, which produces light by passing electricity through mercury vapor causing the fluorescent coating to glow or fluoresce.
- Standard Industrial Classification
- (SIC) industry class that represents a level of organization of production by type of specialization. Currently the 1980 Standard Industrial Classification is in effect identifying each industry at the 4 digit level. Replaced by NAICS
- Standard rim
- A rim that has been calibrated and found to meet the precise measurements specified by Tire and Rim Association, Inc. or, where applicable, by European Tire & Rim Association.
- Standard transmission
- A transmission that must be shifted manually to effect a change in Gearing. Also called conventional transmission or manual transmission.
- Standard U.S. Gallon
- A unit of volume in the U.S. Customary System, used in liquid measure, equal to 231 cubic inches (3.7854 litres), and used to distribute fuel.
- Standby
- A power circuit equipment, device, or component available to be connected into the circuit to perform a function when the preferred component has failed or is inoperative.
- Standing proud
- A situation where an object (e.g., rivet or bolt) does not sit flush with the surrounding material
- Stanyl
- A proprietary polyamide with unusual temperature stability, mechanical strength, and resistance to oil and grease
- Starter
-
- A small electrical motor that causes the engine crankshaft to begin to turn, which starts the engine running and so starts the vehicle. Invented in 1911 by Cadillac engineers, the manual crank-starter was replaced by an electric motor and thus made it easier and safer for people to start and drive cars. Also called the Cranking motor.
- A person who indicates that a race is to begin.
See- Automatic Starter
- Autotransformer Starter
- Belt Alternator Starter
- Bendix starter
- Bendix type starter drive
- Cartridge Starter
- Glow plug starter switch
- Inboard starter
- Motor Starter
- Nut starter
- Overrunning clutch starter drive
- Pre-engaged Bendix starter
- Pre-engaged starter
- Remote starter switch
- Screw starter
- Starter inhibitor switch
- A switch which prevents starting of the engine unless certain system conditions are fulfilled; e.g., on cars with automatic transmission, the selector lever must be in Neutral or Park
- Starter interlock
- A switch which prevents starting of the engine unless certain system conditions are fulfilled; e.g., on cars with automatic transmission, the selector lever must be in Neutral or Park.
- Starter lockout
- A switch which prevents starting of the engine unless certain system conditions are fulfilled; e.g., on cars with automatic transmission, the selector lever must be in Neutral or Park
- Starter punch
- A tool used to start the removal of pins, shafts, or rivets by breaking them loose; longer and thinner than a Drift punch
- Starter ring gear
- A gear fitted around the flywheel that is engaged by teeth on the starter drive to crank the engine
- Starter solenoid
- A device that uses electrical current to start and engage the starter. Also called a starter relay See
- Starter switch control cable
- A mechanical cable to the starter switch on vehicles without a starter solenoid (e.g., Fiat 500)
- Starting carburetor
- A simple slide carburetor which works in parallel with the main carburetor and acts as a starting aid
- Starting relay
- Electrical device which connects and/or disconnects starting winding of electric motor.
- Starting switch
- On certain classic cars, separate switches are used to turn the ignition on and to operate the starter; on such cars, the starting switch was a push button, often located in the center of the instrument panel; on modern cars, the starting switch is integrated in the ignition and starter switch
- Starting system
- The portion of the Electrical system that starts the vehicle. Consists of the Ignition switch which closes the circuit and allows current to flow from the battery to the starter by way of the Starter solenoid. Also called the Cranking circuit.
- Starting torque
-
- The amount of torque available, when stationary, to move and accelerate the load.
- The torque or twisting force delivered by an electric motor when energized
- Start of brake application
- The instant at which the brake control system is actuated as determined by initial brake control movement.
- Star wheel
- An adjusting nut on a drum brake or clutch. The portion of a brake action that turns the adjustment screw
- Star-wheel adjuster
- A drum-brake mechanism that separates the brake shoes at the bottom; it rotates a nut on a threaded link to adjust brake-lining clearance.
- State highway
- A broad highway designed for high-speed traffic within a particular state of the U.S. When such a highway crosses over to another state, its highway number may change.
- Stated residual value
- The stated residual value is usually the same as the end-of-lease purchase price. The higher the stated residual value of the car, the lower your monthly payments. Stated residual values are often higher or lower than the expected residual value for a car, the lessor can raise or lower the monthly payments and the net interest rate for the lease. Stated residual value also determines whether you should buy the vehicle at the end of the lease. If at the end of a lease, the vehicle's market value is less than the stated residual value, the lessee would be prudent not to purchase the car. On the other hand, if the actual market value were greater than the predetermined residual, then the lessee could buy the car, sell it, and pocket the difference.
- Static balance
- When a tire, Flywheel, crankshaft, etc., has an absolutely even distribution of the weight mass around the axis of rotation, it will be in static balance. For example, if a front wheel is jacked up and the tire, regardless of where it is placed, always slowly turns and stops with the same spot down, it would not be in static balance. If, however, the wheel remains in any position in which it is placed, it would be in static balance, (bearings must be free, no brake drag, etc.). Also called kinetic balance. See
- Static electricity
- Electricity generated by friction between two objects. It will remain in one object until discharged.
- Static head
- Pressure of fluid expressed in terms of height of column of the fluid, such as water or mercury.
- Static high-voltage distribution
- High-voltage distribution achieved without a rotary distributor, using multi-spark ignition coils or one coil per spark plug
- Static ignition timing
- An obsolete timing procedure carried out by rotating the engine until the timing marks are aligned and then connecting a test lamp or a voltmeter between the negative coil terminal and ground; when the points open, the test lamp lights up or the voltmeter registers battery voltage. The opposite is dynamic or stroboscopic ignition timing
- Static mixer
- A motionless mixer which has a series of fixed, geometric elements enclosed within a tubular housing. The internal elements impart flow division and radial mixing to the media flowing through the housing to produce a uniform dilution of the production.
- Static pressure
- A certain amount of pressure that always exists in the Brake lines even with the brake pedal released. Static pressure is maintained by a Check valve.
- Static seal
- An oil seal between two stationary parts. Opposite to Dynamic seal
- Static shield
- A device found on some distributors that reduces radio interference caused by the working of the vehicle's ignition system.
- Static timing
- An obsolete timing procedure carried out by rotating the engine until the timing marks are aligned and then connecting a test lamp or a voltmeter between the negative coil terminal and ground; when the points open, the test lamp lights up or the voltmeter registers battery voltage. The opposite is dynamic or stroboscopic ignition timing
- Stationary blade compressor
- Rotary pump which uses a non-rotating blade inside pump to separate intake chamber from exhaust chamber.
- Stationary trainer
- A device to which you attach your bicycle so you can ride in place as an exercise bike.
- Station wagon
- (SW) Originally this was a car with an enclosed wooden body of paneled design with several rows of folding or removable seats behind the driver. It became a different and popular vehicle after 1945. There is usually A tailgate but no separate luggage compartment. Early station wagons and compact station wagons had only two doors while the larger ones had four doors. The British term is estate car.
- Stator
-
- A small hub, upon which a series of Vanes are affixed in a radial position, that is so placed that oil leaving the Torque converter Turbine strikes the stator vanes and is redirected into the pump at an angle conducive to high efficiency. The stator makes Torque multiplication possible. Torque multiplication is highest at stall when the Engine speed is at its highest and the turbine is standing still.
- The stationary windings in an alternator in which electric current is generated; located between drive end and slip-ring end fittings, consisting of a stator frame with windings in three circuits to generate three-phase current which is then rectified by diodes.
Stator
See - A self-contained unit of the magnetic pick-up, consisting of a permanent magnet, an inductive winding, and the pick-up core; the stator can be a disc-shaped pole piece with stator tooth or a simple pole piece
- The wheel with curved blades (sometimes adjustable) mounted on a one-way clutch in a fluid converter or automatic transmission. It serves as a reaction member, i.e., it multiplies the torque output of the turbine by increasing the momentum of the fluid flow acting on the latter.
- The fixed electrical windings on a magneto, Alternator, or Generator. It turns within the rotor.
- Stator roller clutch
- A device which holds the stator stationary in a fluid converter as long as its blades are struck by the fluid flow against the rotational direction of pump and turbine; if the fluid flows in the direction of rotation, the stator starts running
- Stay
- An arm or brace use to support another component.
- Stealer
- A single wide plate that is butt-connected to two narrow plates, usually near the ends of a ship.
- Stealth bra
- A nose covering composed of composite materials that absorb microwaves emitted by radar devices and significantly diminish the return signal, making a car less detectable to police radar; ineffective against speed cameras or light-operated speed guns. See
- Steam engine
- An External combustion engine where water is converted to steam in a boiler outside the cylinder. The steam is then admitted to the cylinder where it expands against a piston. As the steam expands it cools and begins to Condense. This mixture of water droplets and steam is forced out of the cylinder on the return stroke and into the condenser where the remaining steam is Condensed into water. This water is forced into the boiler by a pump and the cycle is repeated. Steam engines have some notable drawbacks slow warm up, freezing of the water system in cold weather, and contamination of the water by Scale, oil, and Sludge which can wreak havoc with the boiler, pumps, and condenser. But they also offer certain advantages the potential for high fuel economy with low emissions, the ability to start from rest against a load so a clutch is not needed, and the torque developed is greatest at low rpm so in some applications a multiple-ratio Gearbox is not necessary.
- Steam heating
- Heating system in which steam from a boiler is piped to radiators in space to be heated.
- Steam injection system
- Based on the same principle as water injection systems, the steam injection system uses engine exhaust heat and a boiler to pre-heat and boil the water before it is injected into the inlet manifold as steam
- Steam jet refrigeration
- Refrigerating system which uses a Steam venturi to create high vacuum (low pressure) on a water container causing water to evaporate at low temperature.
- Steam reforming
- The process for reacting a hydrocarbon fuel, such as natural gas, in the presence of steam to form hydrogen as a product. This is the commonly preferred method of bulk hydrogen generation.
- Steam-to-carbon ratio
- The number of moles of water per mole of carbon in either the Reformate or the fuel streams. This term is used when steam is injected into the Reformate stream for the water-gas shift reaction or into the fuel for steam reforming.
- Steam trap
- Automatic valve which traps air but allows condensate to pass while preventing passage of steam.
- Stearns-Knight
- A vehicle brand of which the 1925-1948 models are classic cars.
- Steel belted radial (SBR)
- A Radial tire with belts of steel to provide both protection and longevity.
- Steel belted radial tire
- A Radial tire with belts of steel to provide both protection and longevity.
- Steel pack muffler
- A straight through (no Baffles) muffler using metal shavings surrounding a perforated pipe. Quiets exhaust sound.
- Steel strut
- Steel braces or rings which are cast into aluminum pistons. Because steel expands slower than aluminum, the steel struts tend to control or minimize the expansion of the piston.
Steel strut
- Steel thrust belt
- A large number of steel plates with slots in each side to receive the two composite steel bands which hold them together; transmits torque between two pulleys
- Steel wheel
- A wheel consists of a steel disc and steel rim which are welded together to provide better impact-resistance, lower price, and higher weight than alloy wheels.
Steel wheel
- Steep angles
- Angles that position frame tubes relatively closer to vertical than do Shallow angles.
- Steerable Dolly
- Used in transporting extremely long objects, some can be steered remotely from the cab.
- Steering
- A mechanism for controlling the direction of a vehicle. See
- Ackermann steering
- Cam-and-lever steering
- Cam-and-roller steering
- Cam-and-lever steering
- Center point steering
- Center steering linkage
- Double-pivot steering
- Energy absorbing steering column
- Four-wheel steering
- Gemmer steering
- Heavy steering
- Height adjustable steering column
- Horn rim steering wheel
- Hub-center Steering
- Hydrostatic steering
- In-line power steering
- Light steering
- Linkage power steering
- Manual steering
- Marles steering
- Negative offset steering
- Parallelogram steering linkage
- Power-assisted steering
- Power steering pump
- Power steering
- Rack and pinion steering
- Recirculating-ball-and-nut steering
- Recirculating ball steering
- Single-pivot steering
- Speed-sensitive steering
- Variable assist power steering
- Variable ratio steering
- Worm-and-nut steering
- Worm-and-sector steering
- Zero-offset steering
- Steering angle
- A horizontal angle between the plane of a steered wheel when cornering, and the plane when adjusted straight ahead steering angle sensor. Also called lock angle
- Steering arm
- Arms, either bolted to, or Forged as an integral part of the steering knuckles. They transmit the steering force from Tie rod to the knuckles, thus causing the wheels to pivot. Also called Tie rod arm.
- Steering axis
- The line through the center of the Ball joints in a Front suspension system. The line that intersects the upper and lower steering pivots on a steered wheel. See
- Steering axis inclination
- (SAI) An alignment adjustment that allows the steering wheel to return to the straight-ahead position when the car comes out of a turn. See
- Steering axle
- An axle that directs control of the vehicle. It can be powered or non-powered and more than one steering axle can be present.
- Steering box
- The part of the steering system that is located at the lower end of the steering shaft; changes the rotary movement of the steering wheel into the linear motion of the front wheels for steering
- Steering column
- A shaft connecting the steering wheel to the Steering gear assembly. Also called the steering shaft.
- Steering column controls
- Consist mainly of control stalks for some or all of the following lights, windshield wipers and washers, direction indicators, and horn
- Steering feel
- Steering feel is the general relationship between forces at the steering wheel and handling. Ideally, the steering effort should increase smoothly as the wheel is rotated away from center. In addition, the steering effort should build as the cornering forces at the steered wheels increase. Finally, the friction built into the steering mechanism should be small in comparison with the handling-related steering forces.
- Steering gain
- The relationship between Yaw and the steering wheel's position and effort. All three should be proportional and should build up smoothly.
- Steering gear
- The gears, mounted on the lower end of the Steering column, that are used to multiply driver turning force. It converts the rotary motion of the steering wheel into straight-line motion. This straight-line motion then moves the linkage connected to the steering arms and attached to the steering knuckles and this causes the front wheels to move to the right or the left in response to the steering wheel direction.
- Steering geometry
-
- A term sometimes used to describe the various angles assumed by the components making up the front wheel turning arrangement, Camber, Caster, toe-in, etc. Also used to describe the related angles assumed by the front wheels when the vehicle is negotiating a curve.
- The geometrical relationship between motorcycle frame, the angle of the fork, and the position of the front tire.
- Steering head
- That portion of a motorcycle frame where the front fork and wheel assembly attach to the frame.
- Steering kickback
- The sharp and rapid movements of the steering wheel as the front wheels encounter obstruction in the road; the shocks of these encounters kick back to the steering wheel
- Steering knuckle
- The inner portion of the spindle that is affixed to and pivots on either a kingpin or on upper and lower Ball joints.
Steering knuckle
- Steering knuckle angle
- The angle formed between the Steering axis and the center line of the spindle. This angle is sometimes referred to as the included angle.
- Steering linkage
- The system that connects the steering wheel to the front wheels and allows the wheels to change direction in response to commands from the driver. Contains Grease fitting to cushion against wear and friction.
- Steering lock
-
- The number of degrees that the front wheels can be turned from straight ahead before they are physically restrained from turning any further. Generally, the more lock designed into the front geometry, the smaller the turning circle but the more the tires scrub as the wheels approach the extreme lock positions. Turns lock-to-lock refers to the number of rotations of the steering wheel required to go from one extreme lock position to the other.
- The locking mechanism usually contained in the Steering column that locks the steering wheel when the Ignition switch is turned off or the key is removed from the switch.
- A lock on a motorcycle which prevents the front wheel from being turned left or right.
- Steering overall ratio
- The ratio of the degrees you must turn the steering wheel to turn the road wheels one degree from their straight ahead position.
- Steering pressure sensor
- A detection device that provides information on the steering pump pressure for idle speed control.
- Steering rack
- The device by which the movement of the steering wheel is transferred to the front wheels of an automobile.
- Steering ratio
- The ratio of the Gearing within a Steering system such as the rack to the Pinion or the Worm gear to the recirculating nut.
- Steering response
- A subjective term that combines Steering feel and Steering gain.
- Steering rod
- One of two metal rods on each end of the Steering rack that connect it to the front wheels via Ball joints (Tie rod ends).
- Steering spindle
- A shaft-like projection from the steering knuckle to which the wheel is mounted. See
- Steering support
- The mounting locations and reinforcements for attaching the steering box to the bulkhead or side member
- Steering support structure
- The mounting locations and reinforcements for attaching the steering box to the bulkhead or side member
- Steering system
- The mechanism that allows the driver to guide the vehicle down the road and turn the wheels as he desires. The system includes the steering wheel, Steering column, Steering gear, linkages, and the front wheel supports.
- Steering wheel
- The device that the operator uses to control the direction of the front wheels. Most are circular with spokes that attach to the Steering column.
- Steering wheel and brake lock
- An anti-theft device in the form of an extendable steel rod that engages in a spoke of the steering wheel and the brake or clutch pedal; when locked, neither wheel nor pedal can be operated
- Steering wheel balance
- Measures the steering wheel angle in an automatic steering wheel centering system
- Steering wheel centering
- Adjusts the steering wheel and steering system so that the wheel is in its center position when the front wheels are pointing straight ahead
- Stellite
- A proprietary range of very hard, wear-resistant alloys containing cobalt, chromium, carbon, tungsten, and molybdenum. It has a high melting point, good corrosion resistance, and unusual hardness when hot. It is used for tools, castings, valve seat inserts, coating exhaust valves, etc.
- Stem
-
- The upright bow frame forming the apex of the intersection of the forward sides of a ship.
- The component that holds the handlebars of a bicycle and mounts to the steerer tube.
- Stem length
- On a bicycle, the distance from the center of the stem bolt to the center of the handlebar clamp. Stem length is usually represented in metric measurement (centimetres or millimetres) rather than imperial (inches).
- Stem rise
- The angle of the stem measured in degrees. Most road bicycles have stem rises of either 17° (a more upright position), or 0° (putting the rider in a lower, more aerodynamic position).
- Step
- A ledge formed by an edge setter in a sheet metal panel to provide a level mounting and welding surface with the adjacent panel.
- Step bar
- A centerstand tang located on a motorcycle centerstand
- Step Bumper
- A bumper that can also function as a stepping platform either into or out of a cargo body, usually these bumpers are mounted relatively close to the ground.
- Step feeler gauge
- A feeler gauge with metal feeler blades; the thickness of the blade increases from one end of the blade to the other
- Step joint
- See Lap joint
- Stepless transmission
- A Continuously variable transmission
- Step on the accelerator
- The action of pressing down on the gas pedal (accelerator) to cause more fuel to enter the engine thus making the vehicle go faster. Opposite to ease up on the accelerator.
- Step on the gas pedal
- The action of pressing down on the gas pedal (accelerator) to cause more fuel to enter the engine thus making the vehicle go faster. Opposite to ease up on the gas pedal.
- Step on the throttle pedal
- The action of pressing down on the throttle pedal (accelerator) to cause more fuel to enter the engine thus making the vehicle go faster. Opposite to ease up on the throttle pedal.
- Stepped piston
- An obsolete design of two-stroke pistons; the diameter of the lower part of the piston was larger than the top diameter; it ran in a similarly stepped bore and was said to give better compression of the incoming mixture
- Stepper motor
- On some carburetor cars, stepper motors are used to adjust the air/fuel mixture; they are controlled by the ECM. Vacuum reduces flow of fuel into the carburetor's metering circuits
Stepper motor
- Stepside truck
- A pickup truck style in which there is some kind of indentation just behind the cab to allow you to enter the bed. Also called (by Ford) Flareside, (by Dodge) Sportside
- Step steering input
- A rapid change in steering angle, for example when a steered wheel hits an obstacle
- Step-through
- A motorcycle/scooter frame layout with a low structure between the seat and the steering head. On early machines it was commonly called an open frame
- Step valve
- A valve having a rotating plug with, generally, three positions and different rates of fuel flow for each, the plug being actuated by a solenoid or motor-driven rack and pinion and a cam arrangement which, together with a combination push-button switch, determines the position assumed by the plug.
- Step Van
- A lightweight delivery truck designed so the driver can step into and out of the cab as well as into the rear cargo area.
- Steradian
- (sr) A unit of solid angular measure. It is defined as the solid angle subtended at the center of a sphere by an area on its surface numerically equal to the square of the radius.
- Stereo
- An abbreviation for stereophonic. It indicates sounds which appear to have their source distributed in space even when they are emitted by the vehicle's speakers. See
- Steri lamp
- Lamp which has a high-intensity ultraviolet ray used to kill bacteria. Also used in food storage cabinets and in air ducts.
- Sterling
- A make of automobile manufactured by the Sterling Motor Cars, a division of the Rover car company of the UK. Includes 825 (1988) and 827 (1989-91)
Click image for books on
Sterling
- Stern frame
- A large casting attached to the after end of the keel, incorporating the rudder gudgeons and propeller post in single-screw ships
- Stethoscope
- A device (such as used by doctors) to detect and locate abnormal engine noises. A very handy tool for the trouble-shooter. See
- Stevens Duryea
- A vehicle brand of which the 1925-1948 models are classic cars.
- Steyr
- A vehicle brand of which the 1925-1948 models with required application are classic cars.
- STI
-
- Abbreviation for Shimano Total Integration, Shimano's name for it shifting brake levers
- Abbreviation for Self-Test Input (Ford)
- Sticker price
- A manufacturer's suggested retail price (as displayed on an affixed sticker), usually subject to a negotiable discount
- Sticking
- A fusing of the electrode to the surface of the piece being worked on, mainly at the beginning of the welding cycle
- Stick shift
- This refers to a Transmission that is shifted manually through the use of various forms of linkage. Often refers to the upright Gearshift stick that protrudes through the floor. See
- Stiction
- A shortened form of static friction; the frictional force which must be overcome to set one object in motion when it is in contact with another
- Stiff
-
- Not easily bent or turned. As opposed to a rigid object, a stiff object does not break when subjected to bending stress, and implies a certain degree of flexibility; a bridge, for example, is stiff, not rigid, and steel panels are inherently stiff; however, a particularly high degree of stiffness, e.g., when steel panels are shaped to a load-carrying structure, is sometimes referred to as rigid.
- A stiff ship is one which have a short period of roll and therefore will roll uncomfortably
- Stiffener
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- An angle, T-bar channel, built-up section etc, used to stiffen plating of a bulkhead, etc.
- Small metal strips placed crosswise to the roof at intervals along the inside surface to which the headlining and inside trim is secured.
- Stiffness
- A stiff ship is one which have a short period of roll and therefore will roll uncomfortably.
- Stiffness under flexure
- A measure of the resistance offered by a test specimen to its tendency to bend under the action of forces (own weight)
- Still-air pocket
- An area of relatively turbulence-free air immediately behind the windshield of convertibles with the top down
- Still gas
- Any form or mixture of gases produced in refineries by distillation, cracking, reforming, and other processes. The principal constituents are Methane, ethane, Ethylene, normal Butane, Butylene, Propane, Propylene, etc. Still gas is used as a refinery fuel and a petrochemical feedstock. The conversion factor is 6 million BTU's per fuel oil equivalent barrel.
- Stinger Fifth Wheel
- Seen most commonly as the connection point for auto-carriers, but are also seen on some logging rigs. The inverted fifth wheel is mounted behind the rear axles, at the very end of the tractor, less than a foot off the ground.
- Stirling engine
-
- An external combustion engine that uses air or an inert gas as the working fluid operating on a highly efficient thermodynamic cycle. The heat released from the burning fuel is transferred to the confined gas (such as hydrogen) which activates the pistons; named after the Scottish engineer, Robert Stirling (1790-1878)
- An External combustion engine in which heat is applied through the wall of a chamber within which a gas is successively heated and cooled, alternately expanding and contracting to power a piston inside the chamber. Its advantages include exceptional silence, lack of vibration, long life, high efficiency, extremely low emissions and adaptability to many different kinds of fuel. Its main drawbacks are the need for extremely effective seals, inflexible control systems, and cost.
- Stirrup bolt
- A U-bolt
- Stirrup cable
- On bicycle centerpull brakes, a short cable, each end of which attaches to a brake arm and which is pulled up at the center to activate the brakes.
- STI shifters
- Abbreviation for Shimano Total Integration Shifters. STI combination brake levers and shift levers found on a bicycle provide the ability to shift gears without taking your hands off of the handlebars.
- Stitching
- A hard rolling method used to both remove trapped air and improve rubber contact for better adhesion, during repair, and retreading.
- Stock car
- A car as built by the factory (i.e., production car). Usually one that is raced without any modifications beyond factory installed equipment. See
- Stoichiometric ratio
- In a spark-ignition engine, the ideal air/fuel mixture ratio of 14.71, which must be maintained on engines with dual-bed and three-way catalytic converters. See
- Stoker
- On a tandem bicycle, the person on the front is the captain and the person behind is the stoker.
- Stone deflector
- A separate panel fitted below the front bumper or on the leading edge of the rear fender to provide protection from rocks, dirt, etc.
- Stone guard
- A separate panel fitted below the front bumper or on the leading edge of the rear fender to provide protection from rocks, dirt, etc.
- Stone shield
- A separate panel fitted below the front bumper or on the leading edge of the rear fender to provide protection from rocks, dirt, etc.
- Stop
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- A component which limits the motion, travel, or stroke of a moving part.
- A fixed point on a control, such as a temperature limit control, which prevents the adjustment of the control beyond the stop point.
- A colloquial term for an abutment.
- Stop-and-go penalty
- Punishment for a rule infraction during a race (usually speeding down pit road). The driver must come down pit road, stop in his pit stall, usually for 15 seconds, then proceeds back to the track.
- Stop light
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- A red light on a traffic signal indicating that vehicles should stop.
- A Brake light
- Stoplight switch
- A switch which completes the electrical circuit to the stop lamp(s) when the brake(s) is (are) applied.
- Stopping distance
- The total amount of time (translated into distance) a vehicle and driver need in which to come to a halt; the shortest stopping distance is the reaction (or thinking) distance (of the driver) added to the braking distance (of the vehicle)
- Stop sign
- In most countries, an eight sided red sign with the word 'STOP' or its language equivalent.
Stop sign
- Stop valve
- The primary steam valve attached to a boiler to control the steam supply and to isolate the boiler from the main steam pipe See
- Storage battery
- A rechargeable single cell or connected group of two or more storage cells such as the type used in vehicles. The opposite of primary battery. See
- Storage cell
- An electrolytic cell for generating electric energy; rechargeable by sending a current through it in the opposite direction to the discharging current
- Stormer
- A hot car that really moves out (i.e., accelerates rapidly).
- Stovebolt
- Generally refers to Chevrolet (GMC) 6-cylinder, in-line, valve-in-head (Push rod operated) engine.
- Stove head
- Old term for truss head
- Stoving
- A process of drying or curing a paint coating by the application of heat; immediately after stoving, the paint film is still soft, taking some time to harden
- Stowage
- The placing of goods in a ship in such a way as to ensure the safety and stability of the ship
- Straight-cut gear
- A gear that has teeth cut in the edge of the circumference of the gear. Unlike a Helical gear, the teeth are cut in line with the shaft on which it fits. It is used only for reverse gear in modern transmissions because it is noisier than a Helical gear. However, it is cheaper to machine and require less power to turn than a helical gear does. Also called Spur gear.
Straight-cut gear
See
- Straightedge
- A rule-type tool without graduation for checking, e.g., warp of cylinder block and head
- Straightened panel
- A panel brought into its original shape with hammer and dolly or straightening equipment
- Straightening bench
- A workbench or fixture equipped to hold single panels such as doors or hoods for straightening and metalworking jobs
- Straightening kit
- Powerjacks used to straighten localized body damage, essentially comprising special ram cylinders, pumps, attachments, and extensions
- Straightening set
- Powerjacks used to straighten localized body damage, essentially comprising special ram cylinders, pumps, attachments, and extensions
- Straight-line tracking
- The ability of a car to resist road irregularities and run in a straight line without steering corrections.
- Straight polarity
- (Electrode negative-cathode) connecting DC to cause electrons to flow from the electrode to the base metal.
- Straight-Run
- Refers to a petroleum product produced by the primary distillation of crude oil, free of cracked components.
- Straight-through side styling
- An All-enveloping body
- Straight-through silencer
- A type of absorption silencer with a single perforated tube surrounded by sound-absorbing fiber which creates less back pressure and consequent loss of power than other types
- Straight time
- The actual time that a mechanic takes to complete a repair job. In contrast with Flat rate.
- Straight Truck
- A vehicle which carries cargo in a body mounted to its chassis, rather than on a trailer towed by the vehicle. Examples include refuse, tank, and dump trucks. Straight trucks may or may not pull trailers.
Straight Truck
- Straight weight
- Term designating motor oil as suitable for use within a narrow range of temperatures. Outside the narrow temperature range its flow characteristics will not adequately lubricate.
- Straight-weight oil
- Oil suitable for use within a narrow temperature range; outside this range, its flow characteristics will not allow adequate lubrication. Also called single-grade oil. See
- Strainer
-
- A wire mesh filter, as used in an oil pump strainer in the sump.
- Device such as a screen or filter used to retain solid particles while liquid passes through.
- Strain hardened
- To increase hardness and strength by (a) cold working of raw material by a steel mill or (b) cold forming by a fastener manufacturer can sharply increase tensile strength and hardness, so that ordinary material from a steel mill may often be used. However, fasteners that are milled from bar will decrease in strength and hardness, so that raw material would need to be strain hardened by a steel mill before milling fasteners.
- Strain in the drive train
- Strains resulting from the different track arcs traveled by the four wheels of a vehicle when cornering with center or axle differentials locked up
- Strangler
- An old colloquial term for Choke
- Strap
-
- A long flexible strip (usually of leather or rubber) used to connect two items.
- A lead section to which battery plates of a group are joined.
- Strap drive
- A drive transmitted from the clutch cover to the clutch pressure plate in diaphragm spring and coil spring clutches, using flexible spring-steel straps attached to the clutch cover
- Strap wrench
- A tool for loosening and tightening round or irregularly shaped objects such as oil filters, featuring a strap which is wrapped around the object, and a lever or key by means of which the object is turned
Strap wrench
- Stratification
- A condition that occurs in blended fuels that have a compatibility problem. It is usually experienced when paraffinic based oils are mixed with asphaltic based oils, causing asphaltenes to precipitate and settle to the bottom of the tank.
- Stratification of air
- Condition in which there is little or no air movement in room; air lies in temperature layers.
- Stratified charge
- In a SI engine, an air/fuel charge which consists mainly of a lean mixture and a small layer or pocket of rich mixture; the rich mixture is ignited first, then ignition spreads to the leaner mixture filling the rest of the combustion chamber
- Stratified charge engine
- An internal combustion engine in which a small portion of extremely rich fuel and air is ignited and in turn ignites a much leaner fuel-air mixture. The lean mixture might not fire by itself unless it is ignited by the flame of the burning rich mixture. Its advantage is lower peak combustion temperatures, greater fuel economy, and a decrease in pollutant emissions. The Honda CVCC engine which initiates combustion in a small auxiliary prechamber is one type of stratified charge engine (to be precise, the CVCC should actually be called a dual-combustion engine). Another type is Texaco's which uses turbulence in the incoming mixture to induce stratification.
- Straw purchase
- This is when a third party buys an automobile and finances it in his name for someone else (who will be the actual driver) because of that other person's age, bad credit, or lack of credit, etc.
- Strays
- Interfering or disturbing signals of natural origin. The British term is Atomospherics.
- Streak
- A long thin trace of dirt a damaged wiper blade will leave streaks and smears on the windshield
- Streamline
- To design the shape of a car body or truck cab so that it reduces air resistance to a minimum
- Street bike
- A motorcycle which is permitted to be ridden on public roads and must be licensed. In contrast with an off-road bike.
- Street car
- An electrically driven public transportation vehicle which runs on rails (tracks) inset into the surface of the road and powered by overhead cables. The British term is tram or tram car
- Street fighter
- A bare bones sportbike, stripped of all extraneous body work also called hooligan bike.
- Street rod
-
- A slightly modified rod (car) that will give good day-to-day performance on the streets.
- A class of vehicle built before 1950 which has been modified with modern technology, equipment, or refinements and with unlimited modifications to the body
- Strength deck
- The deck that is designed as the uppermost part of the main hull longitudinal strength girder
- Stress concentration
- A condition in which a stress distribution has high localized stresses; usually induced by an abrupt change in the shape of a member (often in the vicinity of notches etc.)
- Stress corrosion
- Occurs when corrosion causes a highly stressed part (one that is pushed to its maximum tensile strength) to crack. Except for heat treated 400 series stainless, stress corrosion does not normally apply to austenitic stainless, brass, or bronze, since these metals are relatively ductile and not normally used for high tensile operations.
- Stress corrosion cracking
- (SSC) Cracking due to stress corrosion, a process involving joint corrosion and straining of a metal due to residual or applied stresses
- Stress cracking
- Damage of parts, especially body panels, subject to constant overload caused by improper mounting; this introduces strain into the panels, causing them eventually to crack
- Stressed body
- A vehicle body designed so that the outer body panels share a proportion of the total load or stresses in the whole structure instead of the frame taking all the loads. The Jaguar E-Type is one example.
- Stress fracturing
- Damage of parts, especially body panels, subject to constant overload caused by improper mounting; this introduces strain into the panels, causing them eventually to crack
- Stress lines
- Low areas in a damaged panel, usually starting at the point of impact and traveling outward.
- Stress Relieve
- Heating to a suitable temperature, holding long enough to reduce residual stresses and then cooling to minimize the development of new residual stresses.
- Stress relieving
- Even heating of a structure to a temperature below the critical temperature followed by a slow, even cooling.
- Stretch bus
- A colloquial term for an articulated bus
- Stretch limit
- The extent to which a KERR rope will stretch before it is in danger of breaking. A guide for the Marlow Ropes Recovaline is 40% stretch; this limit should never be approached.
- Stretch limo
- A colloquial term for a limousine that has been lengthened to provide extra seating and more legroom
- Striker
- The mating part of door lock or hood latch mechanism which is secured to the body; the striker itself has no mechanism and provides only the anchor for the door or hood latch; typical strikers are stud or U-shaped.
- Striking blow
- A dent removal technique in which the hammer does not hit the panel straight on but is drawn to one side on hitting the surface, thus spreading the impact over a larger area
- Stringer
- A fore-and-aft girder running along the side of a ship at the shell and also to the outboard strake of plating on any deck. See
- Stringer bar
- The angle connecting the deck plating to the shell plating or to the inside of the frames. The strength deck stringer bar is usually called the gunwale bar
- Strip
-
- Area used for drag racing.
- Removing tires and wheels, battery, Hubcaps and other items of value as done by thieves.
- To remove the insulation from a wire.
- To tear off or break the thread from a screw, bolt, etc., or the teeth from a gear.
See- Bimetallic Strip
- Bow Strip
- Breaker Strip
- Cable Cover Strip
- Chafer Strip
- Feeler strip
- Filler Strip
- Flipper Strip
- Glazing Strip
- Gut
- Kick Strip
- Plug Cable Cover Strip
- Plug Wire Cover Strip
- Rear Tack Strip
- Rim Strip
- Rubbing strip
- Rumble strip
- Sealing strip
- Spark Plug Cable Cover Strip
- Spark Plug Wire Cover Strip
- Steel strip
- Tack Strip
- Wire Cover Strip
- Strippers
- See Wire strippers
- Strobe lamp
- A colloquial term for a Stroboscope
- Strobe light
- A colloquial term for a Stroboscope
- Stroboscope
- See Timing light.
- Stroke
-
- The distance the piston moves when traveling from Bottom dead center (BDC) to Top dead center (TDC) or vice versa.
- To modify the stroke of an engine by using a different crankshaft to increase or (rarely) reduce the displacement.
- Stroked
- The action of lengthening the stroke on an engine. Sometimes an engine manufacturer will produce an identical engine as he did in the previous year, but this time the stroke is longer. Thus it has been stroked. If the bore is also increased, it is bored and stroked.
- Stroked crankshaft
- A crankshaft, either a special new one or a stock crank reworked, that has the connecting rod throws offset so that the length of the stroke is increased.
- Stroker
- An engine using a crankshaft that has been Stroked.
- Stroking
- A method for increasing the displacement of an engine by lengthening the crankshaft throws so that the piston stroke is increased. The crankshaft throws were remachined off center to alter the stroke. See
- Stroking seal
- A disc brake hydraulic seal that is set in a piston groove and moves in the caliper bore with the piston.
- Strong
-
- An automobile that is in great demand and returns good profit to a dealer
- A sales person who is aggressive or pushy.
- Structural part
- Any part of a vehicle that plays a role in ensuring the rigidity and integrity of the vehicle as a whole and that, if it collapses, could make the vehicle unsafe
- Structure Machine Screws
- A Flat Head Machine Screw with one included angle approximately 100 degrees. Usually made in slotted and recessed head types. With a 'grip' or unthreaded body at the head.
- Strut
-
- A single, self contained pivoting suspension unit that integrates a coil spring with a shock absorber. Struts are used on front wheel drive automobiles.
- A structural member, especially as part of a framework, used to stiffen, give strength or carry weight.
- A bar that connects the lower control arm to the car frame; used when the lower control arm is attached to the frame at only one point.
- A Air strut, Chapman strut, Damper strut, Gas prop.
- Strut bar
- Another name for sway bar or Anti-roll bar.
- Strut rod
- See Push bar
- Stub axle
- A short axle that carries one of the front wheels and has limited angular movement about a kingpin
Stub Axle
- Stubby screwdriver
- A screwdriver with a short handle and blade for reaching into confined spaces. In Britain it is called a chubby screwdriver
- Stud
-
- A metal rod or shaft with threads on both ends. Similar to Grub screw which has uniform thread throughout, while the stud has an unthreaded part in the middle
- Metal spikes installed in snow tires to increase traction on ice and hard-packed snow. Studded tires have been banned in many areas because of the damage they inflict upon road surfaces.
- A bolt projecting from a plate, like a wheel stud.
- A threaded rod. It may be threaded at both ends or continuous.
- Studebaker
- A vehicle brand of which the following models are classic cars:
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Studebaker- 1928 8, FA, and FB President
- 1929-33 President except Model 82
- 1963-64 Avanti
- 1962-64 Gran Turismo Hawk
- 1947-49 Starlight Coupe
- 1953-54 Starliner Hardtop (Six and V-8)
- 1955 President Speedster
- Studded tire
- A tire (usually a Mud and snow tire) into which small metal studs are embedded. Although it provides better traction on ice and hard-packed snow, its use is illegal in some parts of North America because the studs tend to score the roads.
Studded tire
- Stuffing-box packing
- A sealing element of a stuffing box consisting of rings of tissue (e.g., cotton) or metal rings
- Stumble
- A driveability-related problem similar to but more severe than Hesitation. See
- Bog.
- Stutz
- A vehicle brand of which the 1925-1948 models are classic cars.
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Stutz
- STV
- Abbreviation for Suction throttling valve
- Styled steel wheel
- A one-piece wheel similar to a stamped-steel wheel, but the visible center section does not require a wheel cover. Sometimes called a mag wheel, however that term properly belongs to magnesium wheels.
Styled steel wheel
- Styleside truck
- Ford's term for a pickup truck style in which the side of the bed blends smoothly with the doors and fenders.
- Styrene
- A colorless, toxic liquid with a strong aromatic aroma. Insoluble in water, soluble in alcohol and ether; polymerizes rapidly; can become explosive. Used to make polymers and copolymers, polystyrene plastics, and rubber.