- T
- A letter rating for tires to indicate that they are theoretically rated for speeds up to 190 km/h (118 mph), as in P220TR15.The next higher rating is H and the one lower rating is S
- Tab
-
- A small projecting part as on a tab washer, or on a gasket where it engages with another seal.
- Not a continuous flange as provided at the top mounting of a fender, but a short flange section to provide localized fitting of one panel to another
- TAB
- Abbreviation for Thermactor Air bypass solenoid
- Tab washer
- A washer with a projection that may be hammered against a flat side of a nut, or into a hole in the surface, or over an edge, in order to secure the nut to the surface on which it bears
- TAC
-
- Abbreviation for Thermostatic air cleaner
- Abbreviation for Throttle Actuator Control
- Tach
- Abbreviation for Tachometer.
- Tacho
- Colloquial term for Tachograph
- Tachograph
- Instrument to record, on a graph, vehicle trip information such as speed, rpm, distance, time traveled, stop and go periods. It is used on transport trucks.
- Tachometer
- (tach)
- A device used to indicate the speed of the engine in rpm. The tachometer is mounted on or near the dashboard (some even appear on the hood and others in a heads-up display on the windshield). It helps the driver to know the optimum rpm for changing gears on a vehicle with manual transmission. A tachometer is also a diagnostic device which a mechanic uses to determine Idle speed and other carburetor and running settings. Also called a rev counter
- A small generator normally used as a velocity-sensing device. Tachometers are typically attached to the output shaft of DC servo motors requiring close speed regulation. The tachometer feeds its signal to a control which adjusts its output to the DC motor accordingly (called closed loop feedback control)
- Tack
-
- A term used to describe the sticky quality of a rubber compound.
- The sticky quality of an adhesive film, either while wet or after the film has set. Technically it is the pull resistance (measured in dynes) exerted by a material completely adhering to two surfaces being pulled apart.
- Tack cloth
- A special cloth used to wipe sanded panels prior to spraying in order to remove even minute dust particles and other foreign substances from the panel surface
- Tack coat
- The first Coat of Enamel that is allowed to dry until tacky usually about 10-30 minutes, depending on the amount of Thinner used. The surface is tacky when it will not stick to the finger when light pressure is applied.
- Tacking
- Attaching a panel provisionally by placing a few spots of weld along its outline; final spot or seam welding is carried out only afterwards
- Tack rag
- A cloth impregnated with a non-drying Varnish that is used to pick up dust and dirt particles.
- Tack range
- The time during of a film to distortion or rupture when it is exposed to forces exerted in opposite directions (measured in psi).
- Tack welding
- Attaching a panel provisionally by placing a few spots of weld along its outline; final spot or seam welding is carried out only afterwards
- Taco
- To bend a wheel over on itself, in the shape of a taco. 'I taco'd my wheel when I hit that tree.'
- TAC system
- A contact breaker ignition system developed by Lucas, controlled by two transistors, one serving as a power output transistor
- Tactile paving
- Contoured paving to mark out pedestrian crossing points for those with vision problems.
- TAD
- Abbreviation for Thermactor air diverter solenoid
- TAEE
- Abbreviation for Tertiary amyl ethyl ether
- Tag axle
- A non-powered axle placed behind the drive axle in large trucks. Contrasted with a Pusher axle which is placed in front of the drive axle.
- Tag-Robinson Colorimeter
- An instrument used to determine the color of oils. Also a scale of color values.
- A model of SUV produced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors from 1995 to 2008
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- Tailboard
- A board at the rear of a pick-up that can be removed or let down on a hinge. Compare Tailgate
- Tail fin
- A vertical fin on the back of the rear fenders. Copied from a Lockheed P38 fighter plane, Cadillac introduced tail fins on a coupe in 1948; they were a fashion until the 1960s
- Tailgate
-
- On a truck it is the fold down access door to the truck bed. On some station wagon and SUVs, it is the rear opening which usually requires the window to be lowered before the tailgate folds out. It differs from a liftgate in that the back opening is raised to allow entry.
- As a verb, to follow closely behind another vehicle--an illegal and unsafe procedure.
- Tailgating
- Driving so close to the vehicle in front as to be affected by its slipstream; a very dangerous practice as available reaction time is reduced to a minimum. The correct distance is 2 or 3 seconds behind the vehicle in front.
- Tail lamp
- The red rear light that illuminates as soon as the lights are switched on, to show your vehicle to those behind you
- Tail light
- The red rear light that illuminates as soon as the lights are switched on, to show your vehicle to those behind you
- Tail light box
- A deep-drawn panel spot-welded into the tail light aperture to accept the complete tail light cluster. The tail light box provides better corrosion protection for the electrical connections of the tail light than would be possible by installing the tail light with a rubber seal into the open light aperture
- Tail pipe
-
- The exhaust pipe which runs from the muffler to the rear of the vehicle and is open to the atmosphere, through which the exhaust gases are routed into the atmosphere.
- Outlet pipe from the evaporator.
- Tailpipe
- The last link in the exhaust system. Conducts exhaust gases from the muffler to the rear of the car and into the atmosphere.
- Tailpipe expander
- A special automotive tool used for reshaping and expanding tailpipes evenly, to assure a tight fit and prevent exhaust leaks
- Take foot off the accelerator
- The action of Easing up on the accelerator completely so that there is only a minimal amount of fuel entering the engine thus the engine will slow down
- Take foot off the gas pedal
- The action of Easing up on the gas pedal completely so that there is only a minimal amount of fuel entering the engine thus the engine will slow down
- Take foot off the throttle pedal
- The action of Easing up on the throttle pedal completely so that there is only a minimal amount of fuel entering the engine thus the engine will slow down
- Talbot
- A vehicle brand of which all 105C and 110C models are classic cars. The 1946-54 Lago 4.5 models are milestone cars.
- Talbot Lago
- A vehicle brand of which the following are classic cars:
- 1930-35 8-cylinder
- 1936-39 4 Litre 6-cylinder
- 1946-48 4 1/2 Litre
- Talc
- Powder lubricant to prevent sticking between tube and tire. A soft mineral; a basic magnesium silicate usually occurring in foliated, granular, or fibrous masses, used in the manufacture of electrical insulators
- Talking warning system
- Using the car radio speakers, this microprocessor-based system tells the driver the source of the problem in a clear, pleasant (female) voice. If the radio is on at the time of the alert, the computer automatically turns down the volume so the warning can be heard
- Tall oil
- The oily mixture of rosin acids, fatty acids, and other materials obtained by acid treatment of the alkaline liquors from the digesting (pulping) of pine wood.
- TAME
- Abbreviation for Tertiary amyl methyl ether
- Tamperproof carburetor
- A carburetor with factory-adjusted idle speed, sealed idle speed adjustment screw, and provisions to ensure that exhaust emission levels remain within specified limits over an extended period of time
- Tandem
-
- A bicycle that provides seats, bars, and pedals for two or more riders, one behind the other.
- A tractor-trailer truck.
- Tandem axles
-
- A pair of axles at the rear of the power unit (tractor or straight truck) or trailer. For power units, if described as a tandem, usually indicates the number of drive axles on the power unit.
- A combination of two axles having a common suspension. Pair of axles and associated suspension usually located close together. Called Tandems.
See
- Tandem booster
- A vacuum power booster that uses two diaphragms to increase brake application force. Smaller in diameter than single-diaphragm boosters.
- Tandem bus
- A colloquial term for an articulated bus
- Tandem master cylinder
-
- A master cylinder with two pistons; when the brake pedal is pressed, the pushrod activates the primary piston which in turn moves the secondary piston; necessary for dual-circuit braking systems
- A master cylinder having a single bore with two pistons and separate fluid compression chambers. In the event of significant fluid loss in one circuit, this design, used in split braking systems, ensures that there will be some braking power in the other circuit. For this reason, it has been mandatory on cars marketed in the US since 1967
- Tang
- A device mounted on a rotating shaft or component that engages in a recess of a component to be driven
- Tank
- A container into which any liquid or gas can be held. Also it may even be empty such as a Vacuum tank. See
- Acetylene cylinder
- Acetylene Tank
- Air Tank
- Anodizing tank
- Ballast Tank
- Belly Tank
- Bleeder Tank
- Bottom tank
- Buffer Tank
- cylinder
- Deep tank
- Deep Tank
- Electropaint Tank
- Expansion Tank
- Flat Tank
- fuel tank
- Fuel tank sender
- gas tank
- Header tank
- Miles Per Tank
- Quiescent Tank
- Radiator tank
- Saddle tank
- Slop tank
- Supply Tank
- Surge Tank
- Vacuum tank
- Void Tank
- Tank bag
- A bag that sits on the gas tank of the motorcycle, secured by a magnet or by straps. Tank bags are good for holding lightweight items such as gloves, maps, and wallets
- Tank bib
- A leather or vinyl covering over the gas tank of a motorcycle to protect the finish from scratches
- Tank chap
- A leather or vinyl covering over the sides of a gas tank of a motorcycle to protect the finish from scratches
- Tanker
-
- An enclosed cargo body designed solely for the transportation of fluid or gaseous commodities in bulk. Not to be confused with trailers which are designed for carrying dry bulk products.
- A ship designed for transporting liquid cargo, usually petroleum products.
- A dry bulk tanker. Sometimes called air-can trailers. Used exclusively for hauling dry bulk material. Cargo is emptied pneumatically.
- Tap
-
Tap
- To cut threads in a hole, nut, or tube with a rotating tool called a 'tap.'
- The fluted tool used to cut the threads.
- To strike lightly
- TAP
- Abbreviation for Transmission Adaptive Pressure
- Tap and die set
- A set of taps and dies for internal and external threading, usually covers a range of the most popular sizes.
- Tap End Stud
- A double-end stud having each end threaded for a different class of fit. The tap end has a Class 5 fit to produce an interference fit in a tapped hole for semi-permanent assembly. The nut end is threaded Class 2A for assembly with a standard nut.
- Taper
-
- A gradual narrowing in size of a long round object toward one end.
- A lack of parallelism. A defect in which the thickness of the drum or rotor at the outer edge differs from its thickness at the inner edge.
- Taper cutter
- A tool used to ream, deburr, align, and enlarge holes, e.g., on car bodies. Also called Tapered reamer
- Tapered compression ring
- The upper compression ring which, due to its tapered cross-section, requires a reduced running-in period thus ensuring a tight seal quickly
- Tapered roller bearing
- An antifriction bearing using a series of tapered, cone-shaped hardened steel rollers operating between an outer and inner hardened steel Race. It can accept axial thrust as well as providing shaft location. Used where both radial and thrust loads are to be handled.
Tapered roller bearing
- Taper of Head
- In flat bearing surface fasteners, the taper of a head or nut is the angle between a side and the axis.
- Taper pin
- A roll pin or Dowel pin that is wider at one end than the other. The taper pin aids in hole alignment.
Taper pin
- Taper seat
-
- A conical seat that provides positive centering of a wheel bolt head in the wheel. The opposite of Radius seat.
- A seal without a gasket achieved by mating the conical surface of the spark plug shell and the cylinder head
- Tap holder
- A tool used to hold and drive taps, reamers, and screw extractors with two long handles to provide high leverage for turning operation
- Tappet
-
- The screw used to adjust the Clearance between the Valve stem and the Lifter or the Rocker arm.
- The Valve lifter itself.
Tappet
- Tappet noise
- Noise caused by the Lash or Clearance between the Valve stem and Rocker arm or between the valve stem and Valve lifter.
- Tappet wrench
- A wrench designed for adjusting valve clearances on OHV-engines with bucket tappet assembly that use an adjusting screw instead of valve shims for adjustment
- Tapping Screw
- A screw which is threaded to the head and designed to form or tap its mating thread in one or more of the parts to be assembled, of various types as follows:
- Tapping Screw, Type A: A thread-forming type of tapping screw having a gimlet point and a thread of relatively coarse pitch and special form, used in punched, or nested holes in metal sheets or in treated plywood or special asbestos compositions.
- Tapping Screw, Type B: Also designate 'type Z.' A thread-forming type of tapping screw, having a blunt point with tapered threads of moderate pitch, used with punched, drilled or nested holes.
- Tapping Screw, Type C: A thread-forming type of tapping screw having a blunt point with tapered threads at the end, having UNC or UNF threads and designed for fastening metal sheets.
- Tapping Screw, Type D: Also designated 'type EC.' A thread-cutting type of tapping screw having the same thread as type C but provided with a fluted end produced at thread rolling or a milled slot (or slots) produced after thread rolling.
- Tapping Screw, Type F: A thread-cutting type of tapping screw having the same thread form as type C but provided with a multiple flute tapered end to facilitate tapping.
- Tapping Screw, Type FZ: A thread-cutting type of tapping screw having the same thread form as type B but provided with a multiple fluted tapered end to facilitate tapping.
- Tapping Screw, Type G: Also designated 'type EC.' A thread-cutting type of tapping screw having the same thread form as type C but provided with a slot across the end to facilitate tapping in hard materials or deep holes.
- Tapping Screw, Type H: Also designated 'type DB' or 'type 25.' A tapping screw having the same thread as a type B but provided with a slot in the end to facilitate tapping in plastics.
- Tap ratchet
- A tool with ratchet mechanism used to hold and operate bits such as taps, drills, reamers, or screw extractors
- Tar
- A black, sticky substance made from petroleum. It is useful for patching cracks in the road. However, when driving over it, the wheels kick up particles of it on a vehicle's painted surface.
- Tare weight
- The weight of a truck, exclusive of its contents, but including gas, oil, etc., ready to roil.
- Targa
- A removable-roof body style popularized by Porsche that is similar to a convertible except that it incorporates a fixed, roll-bar-like structure running from side to side behind the front seats.
- Targa bar
- A type of roll bar made of a relatively wide band of sheet steel rather than of tubing; made popular by the Porsche 911 Targa
- Targa top
- A rigid, removable roof section between the windshield and Targa bar
- Tariff
-
- A duty or tax imposed on imports.
- A published volume of rate schedules and general terms and conditions under which a product or service will be supplied.
- Tarnish
- To discolor due to the formation of a thin film of oxide, sulfide, or some other corrosion product
- Tar sands
- Naturally occurring bitumen-impregnated sands that yield mixtures of liquid hydrocarbon and that require further processing other than mechanical blending before becoming finished petroleum products.
- Tatra
- A vehicle brand of which the 1925-1948 models with required application are classic cars.
- Tax disc
- A road fund license disc displayed on the windshield to show that a British road tax has been paid
- Taxi rank
- A British term for a Taxi stand