Spark plug wires are the thick cables that bring spark from the distributor cap to the spark plugs.
Category: Glossary of Car Terms
What is Steering System?
The steering system allows you to control the direction of your vehicle. Most modern cars have a rack and pinion steering system with a power assist. Components in your steering system include the steering rack, tie rods, tie rod ends, ball joints, power steering pump, power steering hoses, and the pump drive belt.
What is Spark Plug Electrode?
The electrode is the curved piece(s) of metal (ground electrode) that reaches over the center electrode. The spark is created between the electrodes.
What is Starter Motor Starter?
This is the electric motor that turns your engine over when you turn the key in the ignition switch.
What is Springs?
Springs absorb road imperfections and vibration, help hold the suspension up, and help vehicles handle better.
What is Sway Bar?
The sway bar is a suspension system component that helps a vehicle to stay flat and not lean excessively when cornering. Also called a stabilizer bar or anti-roll bar.
What is Supercharger?
A supercharger is used to increase the volume of air that an engine can take in, resulting in more power. It is run directly off of the engine by a drive belt.
What is Steering Lock?
The steering lock is a theft prevention device that locks the steering wheel in place when the key is removed from the ignition switch.
What is Spark Plug Gap?
Gap is the precise distance between a spark plug’s center and ground electrodes.
What is Timing Light?
A timing light is used to check or set ignition timing.
What is Tachometer?
An instrument that indicates engine rpm.
What is Tires Overinflation?
Overinflation occurs when a tire is inflated beyond the pressure recommended by the manufacturer. Overinflating can lead to increased tire wear and sudden tire failure.
What is Travel?
Travel is a measurement of how much play occurs in a given system.
What is TCC?
An acronym for Torque Converter Clutch. A clutch device found in automatic transaxles or transmissions which creates a fluid coupling between the engine and the final drive output.
What is Transmission Mounts?
Transmission mounts are often made of steel and rubber. Transmission mounts help support the transmission, and also help to prevent transmission vibrations from being transmitted to the car interior.
What is Stabilizer Bar?
The stabilizer bar is a suspension system component that helps a vehicle to stay flat and not lean excessively when cornering. Also called a sway bar or anti-roll bar.
What is SOHC?
Single Over Head Cam (SOHC). A type of overhead cam engine with a single cam (8) that operates both the intake (7) and exhaust (6) valves either by the rocker arms or directly through the lifters.
What is Spark Plug?
A part of your vehicle’s ignition system. The spark plug ignites the air/fuel mixture in the combustion chamber.
What is Serpentine Belt?
A serpentine belt is a wide single drive belt that drives all the engine’s accessories (alternator, power steering pump, air conditioning compressor, etc.).
What is Short Circuit?
A short circuit occurs when there is a break in an electrical circuit and the circuit either finds a new ground or stops working altogether.