All-Wheel Drive (AWD). Unlike four wheel drive systems, all-wheel drive is a system that drives all four wheels at all times. An all-wheel drive system has differentials which split the engine’s power to the four wheels according to which have the most traction.
Category: Glossary of Car Terms
What is Air Conditioning System?
The air conditioning system is a related group of components that cool the incoming air taken in by the car’s interior ventilation system.
What is Automatic Temperature Control?
A computerized system that automatically maintains a selected temperature for your car’s interior. Also called climate control.
What is Anti-Theft Code?
Radio Anti-Theft Code. Many modern radios have special anti-theft circuitry that prevents them from operating after being disconnected from a power source. For these types of radios, it is necessary to enter a factory-supplied code to get the radio to work again.
What is Air Filter?
This device filters the air that goes into your engine. Without an air filter, harmful particles would enter your car’s engine and cause internal wear and damage.
What is Air Bag?
A safety device found on most recent cars that protects the driver (and in some cases, the passenger) in a crash by inflating a cushion hidden in the steering wheel and dashboard.
What is Alternator?
An alternator is an engine accessory that generates electricity to keep your battery charged and operate your vehicle’s electrical system.
What is Air Bag System?
The airbag system consists of impact sensors, a system computer, a detonation device, and the airbag itself.
What is Accelerator Pedal?
The pedal found on all cars that controls engine rpm. Also called the gas pedal.
What is 4WD?
Four-Wheel Drive (4WD). 4WD is a selectable system; that is, a 4WD vehicle can be operated in 2- or 4WD, depending on the driver’s preference. In contrast, a vehicle with all-wheel drive constantly sends power to all four wheels.
What is Automatic Transmission?
Automatic transmissions have hydraulically operated gear sets, which require no gear shifting or clutching by the driver.
What is ABS?
Anti-Lock Braking System or Anti-Skid Brake System (ABS) uses a series of sensors, a computer and a high-pressure hydraulic pump to prevent your brakes from locking up during sudden stops on slippery surfaces.
What is Distributor Rotor?
The rotor spins around inside the distributor. As it turns, it comes into contact with the terminals for each spark plug on the distributor cap. When this happens, it sends current at that precise moment to the spark plug, which then ignites the air/fuel in the cylinder at exactly the right time.
What is Driveshaft?
In rear-, four-, and all-wheel drive cars, the driveshaft is the tube(s) that connects the transmission with the differential(s).
What is Downshifting?
The process of going from a higher gear (for instance, fourth gear) to a lower gear (for instance, second gear) with a manual or automatic transmission.
What is Distributor?
Part of a car’s ignition system. The distributor receives the spark from the coil and literally distributes it amongst the spark plugs. In addition to the distributor itself, there is a distributor cap and distributor rotor which send power to the spark plugs.
What is Driveline?
The system of components that connects the transmission to the wheels. The driveline consists of axles, differentials, constant velocity (CV) or universal joints, and, for cars with rear-, four-, and all-wheel drive, a driveshaft.
What is Diesel Engine?
A type of engine that uses heat caused by engine compression rather than spark plugs to ignite its fuel mixture. Diesels are often more economical than gasoline engines; however, they create extra noise and vibration.
What is Drive Belt?
Also called a fan belt or serpentine belt, drive belts are used to drive the engine’s accessories, such as the alternator, power steering pump, or air conditioning compressor. A serpentine belt is a wide single drive belt that drives all the engine’s accessories.
What is Defroster?
A setting of your car’s heating controls that lets you easily remove frost and fog from your vehicle’s windows.