clutchless manual transmission

clutchless manual transmission (plural clutchless manual transmissions)

clutchless manual transmissions (plural)

sequential manual gearbox
sequential manual gearbox

semi-automatic transmission
semi-automatic transmission

(automotive) A manual transmission or a sequential manual gearbox without a manually-operated clutch (i.e., with an automatic clutch) system; used in both automobiles and motorcycles (i.e., mechanically the same as a conventional manual transmission, but lacks a physical clutch pedal). These systems facilitate the driver by automating the clutch system, but still require the driver's input to change gear manually, by means of a conventional manual gearshift. It is a form of semi-automatic transmission.


Alfa

(automotive, informal) A car made by Alfa Romeo.


e-turbo

(automotive) An electrified turbocharger; a turbo with electrically assisted ramp-up, using an accessory electric motor, to bring the turbine up to speed, reducing turbo lag. (When operating in electric mode, the turbo functions like a supercharger, driven by input power instead of exhaust gas.)


CSX

(automotive) A Chrysler and Carroll Shelby car that was manufactured from 1987 to 1989

(automotive) An Acura car that was produced from late 2005 to late 2011. It was replaced by the Acura ILX.


courtesy light

(automotive) A small light inside a motor vehicle that automatically switches on when a door is opened.


diesel exhaust fluid

en-noun

diesel exhaust fluid (plural diesel exhaust fluids)

From diesel exhaust + fluid. From being a liquid, which is a class of fluid, used for the treatment of the exhaust from diesel internal combustion engines.

(automotive) A liquid used to reduce controlled emissions from the exhaust of diesel engines.


crankwalk

From crank + walk. From crankshaft drifting around alignment.

(automotive, engineering) The condition of having excessive play in the crankshaft alignment, letting it drift back and forth, allowing off-alignment interaction with the rest of the engine.

crankwalking

The action of off-alignment activity due to the condition


V-

internal combustion engine
internal combustion engine#English

(automotive, engineering) Referring to an internal combustion engine piston cylinder configuration, where the cylinders are aligned in a V-like shape, in which there is an acute angle between the cylinders, and the bottom of the cylinder, where the crank is, is the bottom of the V, and the top of the cylinder is where the fuel, intake and exhaust ports are located.

W-

like the V-, but with an additional cylinder row up the centre

Y-

like the V-, but with an additional cylinder row down the centre

T-

like the H-, but with an additional cylinder row up the centre


hill start

(automotive) The act of starting a motor vehicle moving forwards from a complete stop when going uphill, typically requiring the use of the handbrake.


engine braking

(automotive) The act of slowing down a motor vehicle using the retarding forces of the engine rather than the normal braking mechanism.


bite point

(automotive) The position on releasing a clutch pedal that the gear engages.


impaired driving

(law, automotive, chiefly Canada) A criminal offense; the act of driving while impaired (such as by alcohol or drugs).


autovac

(automotive, historical) A device that uses vacuum to raise fuel from the main tank to a small auxiliary tank, from which it flows by gravity to the carburetor, eliminating the (then often unreliable) fuel pump.


top-end

(automotive) Of or relating to the higher gears on a geared engine, especially in a motor vehicle.


bottom-end

The lack of bottom-end grunt presents as a particular problem in hilly terrain where the five-speed manual gearbox really earns its keep.

2021 February 20, The Road Ahead, Brisbane, page 55, column 2:

(automotive) Of or relating to the lower gears on a geared engine, especially in a motor vehicle.


VSTB

(automotive) Abbreviation of vehicle system test bed or vehicle systems test bed.; a test bed for system(s) of the particular vehicle being modeled.


direction indicator

direction indicator (plural direction indicators)

(automotive) A turn signal or indicator.


brake fade

To help prevent a runaway caused by brake fade, heavy trucks are required to stop at the top of the downgrade to give their brakes time to cool.

mechanical engineering
mechanical engineering

(automotive, rail transport, mechanical engineering) Partial or total loss of braking force with prolonged continuous or repetitive application of a heavy vehicle's brakes, due to the effects on the brake system of the heat generated by heavy braking.


elliptic spring

elliptic spring (plural elliptic springs)

The bogie bolster itself is mounted on two double elliptic springs, which are spaced by a channel section spring plank suspended from the bogie frame by swing hangers and knife-edge rockers.

1962 December, “The B.R. standard diesel-electric Type 1 locomotive”, in Modern Railways, page 382:

(mechanical engineering, automotive) A curved leaf spring of different styles.


regenerative braking

Dead-man's handle, automatic train stop, quick-acting compressed-air brake specially suited for high-speed working, and regenerative braking are among the features of the new locomotives.

1947 March and April, “Swiss High-Speed Electric Locomotives”, in Railway Magazine, page 94:

Regenerative braking, whereby the car's kinetic energy is fed back to the supply line, has recently been introduced on the Kei-Han-Shin Kyuko Railway's commuter services feeding Osaka, instead of resistor braking, and on 52 lightweight cars built in 1960 and 1961 advantage has been taken of this feature to install constant speed controls.

1962 December, “Constant-speed electric multiple-units in Japan”, in Modern Railways, page 404:

Regenerative braking is retained. Like rheostatic braking, this uses the traction motors to provide a braking effort, but the current developed is fed back into the overhead catenary rather than dissipated through resistance banks.

2023 July 26, David Clough, “Technology progression defines Class 93”, in RAIL, number 988, page 54:

electrical engineering
electrical engineering

(rail transport, automotive, electrical engineering) A form of braking used on some electric vehicles in conjunction with the main braking system, where kinetic energy from braking is converted into electricity and fed back into the power supply by using the traction motors as generators.


API donut

From API + donut; from American Petroleum Institute, and its shape.

(US, automotive) An information table found on cans of motor oil, conforming to U.S. standards, which indicates the weight (viscosity) and type of oil. The central circle provides the oil viscosity rating (ie. 10W50), while the upper annulus section provides the oil type (ie. SP).


halo headlight

(automotive) A kind of headlight arranged in a circular pattern.


LSV

(automotive) Abbreviation of low speed vehicle.


brake check

en-verb

brake check (third-person singular simple present brake checks, present participle brake checking, simple past and past participle brake checked)

brake checks (present singular third-person)
brake checking (participle present)
brake checked (participle past)
brake checked (past)

The CHP said it’s seeing an increase in reports of people being more aggressive on the road. “If somebody honks, they’ll honk back. If somebody cuts them off, they will brake check and they will go back and forth,” said Officer Ceja.

2020, Renée Santos, “Caught On Camera: Driver ‘Brake Checks’ Vehicle, Causing Driver To Lose Control On Highway 50”, in CBS Sacramento:

(automotive) To deliberately brake in an unexpected place to hinder or startle the driver behind.


CCB

carbon ceramic brake
carbon ceramic brake#English

(automotive) Initialism of carbon ceramic brake.


run-flat

(automotive) Of a pneumatic tire, designed to resist the effects of deflation when punctured, and to allow the vehicle to continue to be driven (although usually at a reduced speed).


run-flat

(automotive) A pneumatic tire designed to resist the effects of deflation when punctured, and to allow the vehicle to continue to be driven (although usually at a reduced speed).


four-wheel steering
w:four-wheel steering

(automotive) Initialism of four-wheel steering.


charging point

"[...] This will include identifying ways to improve accessibility, create new commercial space and improve connections with walking, cycling and other transport services, as well as supporting sustainable travel in rural areas with electric vehicle charging points in car parks."

2021 June 30, Anthony Lambert, “A railway station fit for the 21st century”, in RAIL, number 934, page 43:

(automotive) A facility provided for the purpose of charging / recharging batteries of electric vehicles.


coal roller

(automotive) One that rolls coal; one that produces copious amounts of partially burnt fuel as black smoke in automotive exhaust on purpose.


OBD

(automotive) Initialism of on-board diagnostic.


Elon time

From Elon Musk's overly optimistic projections of launch/completion dates.

(automotive, astronautics, journalism) An estimated time of arrival (ETA), that is exceedingly optimistic, needing to be doubled or tripled to arrive at a reasonable estimate. Used by journalists, editorialists, and fans, concerning the ETAs of milestones and products from commercial spacelaunch provider SpaceX and electric car maker Tesla, Inc.; as well as other endeavours of Elon Musk.


CAW

Coordinate term: UAW

Canadian Auto Workers
w:Canadian Auto Workers

(labour, automotive, Canada) Initialism of Canadian Auto Workers.


automobile graveyard

en-noun

automobile graveyard (plural automobile graveyards)

(automotive) An establishment which is maintained or used for storing, keeping, buying, or selling wrecked, scrapped, ruined, or dismantled motor vehicles or motor vehicle parts.


From vehicle-to-load technology, the capability of battery electric vehicles to provide power to electric appliances.

(countable and uncountable, automotive, electricity) Abbreviation of vehicle-to-load.


(automotive, power grid) Initialism of vehicle-to-load.


trap car

(automotive) A vehicle infused with very dark tints in order to evade capture or scrutiny.


(automotive) A motor vehicle fuel blend of 15% gasoline/petrol and 85% ethanol used in flex-fuel-rated vehicles


grand tourer

(automotive) A kind of sports car designed for high speeds and long distances, combining performance and luxury attributes.


destroke

en-verb

destroke (third-person singular simple present destrokes, present participle destroking, simple past and past participle destroked)

destrokes (present singular third-person)
destroking (participle present)
destroked (participle past)
destroked (past)

(automotive, transitive) To reduce or shorten the stroke of (an engine).


jockey box

(dialectal, Northwestern US, especially Idaho and Oregon, automotive) A glove compartment.


drive-by-wire

(automotive) The use of electrical or electromechanical systems to perform vehicle functions traditionally achieved by mechanical linkages.


LEV

(automotive) Abbreviation of low-emissions vehicle.


phantom jam

(automotive) A slowdown in traffic that occurs without an apparent reason.

(automotive) A traffic jam that appears at a distance on a highway, but in reality is an optical illusion.


self-drive

self-drive (third-person singular simple present self-drives, present participle self-driving, simple past self-drove, past participle self-driven)

self-drives (present singular third-person)
self-driving (participle present)
self-drove (past)
self-driven (participle past)

From self- + drive,
as a back-formation from self-driving.

Motorists could legally allow their cars to “self-drive” on British motorways later this year – but only slowly, the government has announced.

2021 April 27, Gwyn Topham, “‘Self-driving’ cars could get green light for use on UK motorways this year”, in The Guardian:

By self-driving vehicles, we mean those listed as automated vehicles by the Secretary of State for Transport under the Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018. (...) These vehicles are capable of safely driving themselves when the self-driving function is correctly turned on and the driver follows the manufacturer’s instructions.

2022 December 31, “The Highway Code 2022 valid 2023, UK, page 4”, in The Highway Code 2022 valid 2023, UK, page 4:

(automotive, intransitive) To drive autonomously; (of a motor vehicle) to drive itself without a human operator, by means of sensors and computer technology.


security distance

en-noun

security distance (plural security distances)

(automotive) The amount of space required between two vehicles on a roadway in order to maintain a safe following distance.


heavy vehicle

(automotive) A vehicle designed to carry large loads or a high number of passengers beyond an officially set weight or number, such as a semitrailer, bus or coach, vehicle carrier, livestock transport, road train, etc.


VDA

Initialism of Verband der Automobilindustrie (literally “German Association of the Automotive Industry”)

initialism

There's enough space for five passengers and 461 litres (VDA) of cargo space[.]

2021 December 20, The Road Ahead, Brisbane, page 55, column 2:

(automotive) A standard for measuring the capacity of a car's boot or trunk.


light vehicle

(automotive) A vehicle designed to carry small loads or a small number of passengers up to an officially set weight or number, such as a car, van, motorbike, scooter, etc.


shortblock

(automotive) Alternative form of short block


short block

From the smaller size of the engine block assembly compared to a long block.

(automotive) An engine subassembly comprising the portion of the cylinder block below the cylinder head gasket but above the oil pan (and including neither).


longblock

(automotive) Alternative form of long block


long block

From the larger size of the engine block assembly compared to a short block.

(automotive) An engine subassembly that consists of the assembled short block, plus the crankshaft, cylinder head, camshaft (usually), and valve train.


crate engine

From the crates in which such engines are shipped to the installer.

(automotive) a new, fully-assembled automobile engine that is shipped to the installer


small block

From the smaller size of the engine block compared to a big block engine.

(automotive, of an engine) having or characterised by a relatively small and lighter engine block


big block

From the larger size of the engine block compared to a small block engine.

(automotive, of an engine) Having or characterised by a large, heavy and powerful engine block.


crate motor

From the crates in which the motors are shipped in.

(automotive) Synonym of crate engine: An assembled, new fresh motor, shipped from the builder.


unrebuildable

en-adj

unrebuildable (comparative more unrebuildable, superlative most unrebuildable)

more unrebuildable (comparative)
most unrebuildable (superlative)

A Kentucky salvage certificate of title may be issued from an out-of-state junking certificate or other ownership document bearing a designation of "junk," "unrebuildable,” or other similar classification that disqualifies the vehicle from being titled for use on the highway in that state with the following provisions:

1969, Absalom Crosem Russell, Ray Corns, Baldwin's Kentucky Revised Statutes, with Rules of Practice, page 45:

Just as far as when a vehicle is determined unrebuildable and salvage, basically it is good for parts only.

2006, United States. Congress. House. Committee on Energy and Commerce. Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection, Car Title Fraud, page 134:

These are the same vehicles that are not allowed on the road in the U.. but they bring the cars here and fix them back to about 85% of their original state. The U.S. calls these vehicles salvage vehicles and unrebuildable title cars and they can only be shipped out of the country or used for parts.

2011, Julian Pedican, Progress: Answers and Solutions for a More Progressive Bahamas, page 47:

(law, automotive) Unable to be made roadworthy; legally usable for parts or scrap only.


en-noun

V2H (countable and uncountable, plural V2Hs)

From vehicle to home technology, technology for battery electric vehicles to provide battery backup power to homes.

(countable and uncountable, automotive, power grid) Abbreviation of vehicle-to-home technology.

(countable, automotive, power grid) Abbreviation of vehicle-to-home unit.


(automotive, power grid) Initialism of vehicle-to-home.


AVGP

armoured vehicle
armoured vehicle#English

(military, automotive) Abbreviation of armoured vehicle, general purpose.


front wing

(automotive) Part at the front of a Formula 1 car which deflects the turbulent air that is generated on the sides of the wheels so that it does not disturb the rest of the car.


suck, squeeze, bang, blow

From the action of each stroke of the 4-stroke Otto cycle. The intake stroke, compression stroke, power stroke, exhaust stroke.

(automotive, engineering) A reference to the Otto cycle and four-stroke internal combustion engines.


stub axle

The axles of the Talgo section are U-shaped and the ends form stub-axles on which the wheels revolve freely and independently.

1962 September, P. Ransome-Wallis, “The Talgo trains of Spain”, in Modern Railways, page 177:

(automotive, mechanical engineering) An axle supporting only one wheel of a pair on opposite sides of a vehicle.


(automotive) A grade of hydrogen (“H”) refuelling capacity, comprising hydrogen delivery at 5000 psi / 35 MPa


(automotive) A grade of hydrogen (“H”) refuelling capacity, comprising hydrogen delivery at 10,000 psi / 70 MPa


forced induction

(mechanical engineering, automotive, aviation) The process of blowing compressed air into the cylinders of an internal combustion piston engine to increase the compression ratio and power of the engine, typically by using a turbocharger or supercharger.


PBV

PBV (countable and uncountable, plural PBVs)

(automotive) Abbreviation of purpose-built vehicle.


twingle

(automotive) A four-stroke twin-cylinder engine with an altered firing order designed to give power pulses similar to a single-cylinder four-stroke engine.


LVW

(automotive) Abbreviation of loaded vehicle weight.

(automotive, military, nautical) Abbreviation of landing vehicle, wheeled. (amphibious truck)


petrol cap

(automotive) The cap that closes a petrol tank and may be opened to refill it.


R.V.

recreational vehicle
recreational vehicle#English

(automotive) Initialism of recreational vehicle.

Alternative form of RV
Initialism of recreational vehicle.


IAC

IAC (countable and uncountable, plural IACs)

idle air controller
w:idle air controller

(automotive engineering) Initialism of idle air controller.


differential steering

(automotive, mechanical engineering) Steering by means of driving the wheels or treads on one side of a vehicle faster than those on the other side, or driving the wheels or treads on one side in the forward and on the other side in the reverse direction.


traybody

They were re-engined and modified as required, then had either turntables attached for semis or else traybodies fitted and some trailers tacked on.

2000, Bob Foster, Birdum or Bust!, Henley Beach, SA: Seaview Press, page 47:

(Australia, automotive) The flat bed of a truck on which goods are loaded.


camber angle

(automotive) One of the angles made by the wheels of a vehicle; specifically, the angle between the vertical axis of a wheel and the vertical axis of the vehicle when viewed from the front or rear.


angel gear

From the notion (1) that one is flying free as the wind as if on angels' wings, and (2) that one's guardian angel had better be on duty because the practice is unsafe. Compare also Jesus clip, Jesus nut, and Jesus bar. Regarding the various synonyms referring to various places or groups of people, see Mexican overdrive § Etymology.

Near-synonym: neutral

overdrive

variants, some bigoted and derogatory, some possibly so

(slang, automotive, trucking, heavy industry) The neutral gear when used while a vehicle is moving, especially when it is used to freewheel so as to save fuel or to coast downhill faster than a vehicle can go in gear.

trucking; heavy industry; trucking; heavy industry


gangsta lean

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-gangsta lean.wav

Originated in the song Be Thankful for What You Got (1974) by William DeVaughn.

Diamond in the back, sunroof top / Diggin' the scene with a gangsta lean

1974, “Be Thankful for What You Got”, in Be Thankful for What You Got, performed by William DeVaughn:

He projects a slide of a young driver doing a “gangster lean,” slouched in the seat.

2010, Andrew Holtz, The Real Grey's Anatomy, Penguin, →ISBN:

This time she's walking with the gangsta lean, she's monochrome in her Yeezy gray sports bra and leggings, she's flanked by admiring sisters as she approaches the camera and, looming above the lens, challenges: “Who the fuck do you think I is? You ain't married to no average bitch boy.”

2018, Omise'eke Natasha Tinsley, Beyoncé in Formation: Remixing Black Feminism, University of Texas Press, →ISBN, page 25:

(slang, automotive, African-American Vernacular) A driving position in which the driver holds the wheel with the hand nearest the window while leaning toward the passenger seat or sitting in a very reclined position.

Be Thankful for What You Got
William DeVaughn


fan car

(automotive, motor racing) A car with a fan to create a vacuum underneath the car, increasing downforce and better sticking the car to the driving surface, increasing traction.


money shift

(automotive) An incorrect shift to a lower gear, when meaning to shift to a higher gear.

(automotive) An event that causes damage to a car by incorrectly shifting to a lower gear when a higher gear is desired


money shift

en-verb

money shift (third-person singular simple present money shifts, present participle money shifting, simple past and past participle money shifted)

money shifts (present singular third-person)
money shifting (participle present)
money shifted (participle past)
money shifted (past)

(automotive) To incorrectly shift to a lower gear, when meaning to shift to a higher gear.

(automotive) To damage a car when incorrectly shifting to a lower gear when a higher gear is desired


money shifting

From money + shifting. From the cost of repairs from incorrectly shifting, potentially damaging the transmission, clutch, engine, tires; by potentially over-redlining the engine, overrevving components above design limits.

(automotive) The activity of shifting to a lower gear when attempting to shift to a higher gear.

(automotive) The activity of damaging a car through incorrectly shifting to a lower gear when a higher gear is desired


KLV

en-noun

KLV (countable and uncountable, plural KLVs)

(military, automotive, countable) Abbreviation of key leader vehicle.


entry ignition engine

entry ignition engine (plural entry ignition engines)

two-stroke engine
two-stroke engine#English

(automotive) A type of extended-Brayton-cycle-based two-stroke engine which uses four cylinders for a combustion cycle of four strokes, but having a power stroke rate of that on regular two-stroke cycles.


ADAS

ADAS are aimed to assist the drivers, who always remain responsible for vehicle control and shall permanently monitor the environment and vehicle/system performance Informal document GRVA-18-07/Rev.2, Proposal for amendments to ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRVA/2024/2, UN Regulation on uniform provisions concerning the approval of vehicles with regard to Driver Control Assistance Systems, UNECE, 22-26 January 2024

(automotive) Acronym of advanced driver-assistance system.


radiator hose

(automotive) A rubber hose of a large diameter which carries engine coolant between the engine and radiator, and then backs towards the water pump.


back-seat drive

en-verb

back-seat drive (third-person singular simple present back-seat drives, present participle back-seat driving, simple past back-seat drove, past participle back-seat driven)

back-seat drives (present singular third-person)
back-seat driving (participle present)
back-seat drove (past)
back-seat driven (participle past)

(automotive, intransitive) To engage in the habit or practice of back-seat driving.


AVAS

The coming Audi E-tron GT, for example, has control units that remix the sound effects based on the car’s speed or the position of the accelerator pedal. Also fitted to the Audi is an AVAS — an acoustic vehicle alerting system, required to alert pedestrians that an electric car is close by.

2021 February 4, Stephen Williams, “E.V.s Force Carmakers to Reinvent the Wheel, and Brakes, and Mirrors …”, in The New York Times:

(automotive) Initialism of acoustic vehicle alerting system: a system that emits vehicle warning sounds alerting pedestrians to the presence of electric vehicles.


shockie

(Australia, New Zealand, automotive, slang) A shock absorber.


straight-six

internal combustion engine
internal combustion engine

(engineering, automotive) An internal combustion engine, with six cylinders mounted in a straight line along the crankcase with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.


child lock

(automotive) A type of special-purpose lock that when activated, prevents rearseat passengers from opening the doors from the inside.


fork oil

en-noun

fork oil (countable and uncountable, plural fork oils)

(automotive) A lubricant for use on the fork of a motorcycle.


split rim

(automotive) A wheelrim consisting of several connected pieces, generally used on large and heavy vehicles.


student driver

(law, automotive) A person who has not yet earned a driver's licence, and until then is permitted to drive only a marked car with a licensed driving instructor in the passenger seat.


accessory battery

accessory battery (plural accessory batteries)

internal combustion engined
internal combustion engine

(automotive, of electrified vehicles) The standard 12V rechargeable automotive lead-acid battery or the stand-in battery for a standard 12V automotive battery found in internal combustion engined vehicles, typically used to power the typical 12V systems, the accessories, infotainment, automotive computer, and electronic systems.


silo truck

(automotive) A commercial truck carrying free-flowing bulk products in its own silo (type of truck)


shock absorption

(automotive) The act of dampening shocks by dissipating kinetic energy.


drugged driving

Drugged driving deaths in Wisconsin have increased nearly 200 percent over the past ten years.[…]Help prevent drugged driving and let's achieve zero preventable deaths on Wisconsin roadways.

2016, Wisconsin Dept of Justice, “Drugged Driving”, in YouTube:

driving under the influence
driving under the influence

(law, automotive) The act of driving under the influence of mind-altering drugs (excluding alcohol).


straight-pipe

en-verb

straight-pipe (third-person singular simple present straight-pipes, present participle straight-piping, simple past and past participle straight-piped)

straight-pipes (present singular third-person)
straight-piping (participle present)
straight-piped (participle past)
straight-piped (past)

(automotive, transitive) To modify (a vehicle) to be straight-piped.


straight-piped

(automotive) Having a simple pipe from the engine to the exhaust, without muffler or catalytic converter.


SMMT

“A drop of that magnitude is a concern,” said Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, as he warned the government needed to provide “urgent clarity” on a transitional Brexit deal so that companies could press ahead with crucial spending decisions.

2018 January 31, Angela Monaghan, “UK car production falls for first time since 2009 as Brexit fears hit sales”, in The Guardian:

w:Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders

(UK, automotive) Initialism of Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.


tricoat

en-noun

tricoat (countable and uncountable, plural tricoats)

(automotive) A multilayer paint job giving a pearl appearance.


ditchfinder

My MX-5 was *ace* in the snow in February round here. I went where other cars couldn't go with no problem at all. It was on Avons, and felt a whole hell of a lot safer then the FWD Puma on Pirelli ditchfinders did.

2009 August 5, Mike P, “Re: Rear wheel drive”, in uk.rec.cars.misc (Usenet):

The better half's Lupo was transformed when the cheap and nasty Nankang ditchfinders came off (and they were well above the legal limit) and mid-price Kumhos went on. The cheapos compromise on grip and can become noisy.

2012 February 26, Chris Bartram, “Re: tyres”, in uk.rec.driving (Usenet):

Sure, mismatching isn't ideal, but I'd much rather have mismatched decent tyres than matched AliBaba-brand-it-yourself ditchfinders.

2016 June 7, Adrian, “Re: Tyre noise”, in uk.rec.cars.maintenance (Usenet):

(UK, automotive, slang) A poor-quality tyre for a car, usually one made and sold cheaply.


runaway diesel

(automotive) A diesel internal combustion engine which is uncontrollable with conventional means due to an aspirated fuel leak that revs faster and faster to destruction unless stopped.


engine-rich

en-adj

engine-rich (comparative more engine-rich, superlative most engine-rich)

more engine-rich (comparative)
most engine-rich (superlative)

(automotive) Pertaining to a condition where there is excessive fuel in the fuel-to-air ratio, in the running of an internal combustion engine.


Tesla-swapped

(automotive) Of a car: electrified by replacing its internal combustion engine and fuel system with a battery pack and an electric motor salvaged from a Tesla Motors all-electric battery-powered car.


LS-swapped

(automotive) Pertaining to cars where the engine has been replaced by a GM LS-series internal combustion gasoline engine.


LS-swap

(automotive) A car where the engine has been replaced by a General Motors LS-series internal combustion gasoline engine.


LS-swap

en-verb

LS-swap (third-person singular simple present LS-swaps, present participle LS-swapping, simple past and past participle LS-swapped)

LS-swaps (present singular third-person)
LS-swapping (participle present)
LS-swapped (participle past)
LS-swapped (past)

(automotive) To replace the engine of a car with a GM LS-series internal combustion gasoline engine, that was not originally so equipped.


K-swapped

(automotive) Pertaining to cars where the engine has been replaced by a Honda K-series internal combustion gasoline engine.


Tesla-swap

(automotive) A car which has been electrified by removing its internal combustion engine and fuel system, and replacing it with a battery pack and an electric drive motor salvaged from a Tesla Motors all-electric battery-powered car.


Tesla-swap

Tesla-swap (third-person singular simple present Tesla-swaps, present participle Tesla-swapping, simple past and past participle Tesla-swapped)

Tesla-swaps (present singular third-person)
Tesla-swapping (participle present)
Tesla-swapped (participle past)
Tesla-swapped (past)

(automotive) To convert an internal combustion engine car into an all-electric battery-powered vehicle, by replacing its engine and fuel system with a battery pack and an electric drive motor salvaged from a Tesla Motors all-electric battery-powered car.


K-swap

(automotive) A car where the engine has been replaced by a Honda K-series internal combustion gasoline engine.


K-swap

K-swap (third-person singular simple present K-swaps, present participle K-swapping, simple past and past participle K-swapped)

K-swaps (present singular third-person)
K-swapping (participle present)
K-swapped (participle past)
K-swapped (past)

(automotive) To replace the engine of a car with a Honda K-series internal combustion gasoline engine, that was not originally so equipped.


V engine

(automotive) An internal combustion engine configuration consisting of two cylinder banks—usually with the same number of cylinders in each bank—connected to a common crankshaft, and arranged at an angle to each other so as to form a V shape when viewed from the front of the engine.


GB/T

From Mandarin GB/T, from Mandarin 國標/推薦／国标/推荐 (guóbiāo/tuījiàn).

(automotive) An electric vehicle charging standard, defining the physical plug, communications protocol, and charging method.


GB/T

(automotive) A plug, cable, charger, or outlet using the electric vehicle charging standard


(automotive) The industry promulgated standard for DC fast charging, in North America, a combination of the Type 1 AC charging standard connector, additional DC conductor pins, and the CCS protocol.


(automotive) A plug, charger, or, outlet, using the electric vehicle charging standard


(automotive) The European Union legally defined standard for public DC fast charging, a combination of the Type 2 AC charging standard connector, additional DC conductor pins, and the CCS protocol.


(automotive) A plug, charger, or outlet, using the electric vehicle charging standard


twincharge

twincharge (third-person singular simple present twincharges, present participle twincharging, simple past and past participle twincharged)

twincharges (present singular third-person)
twincharging (participle present)
twincharged (participle past)
twincharged (past)

Back-formation from twincharger. Analyzable as twin + charge.

(automotive) To equip with twincharging, to equip with twinchargers, to equip with both an exhaust-drive turbocharger and power-driven supercharger.


twincharged

(automotive) Equipped with twincharging, with a twincharger setup, having both a power-driven supercharger and an exhaust-driven turbocharger.


IVIS

information system
information system#English

(automotive) Initialism of in-vehicle information system.


IVI

en-noun

IVI (countable and uncountable, plural IVIs)

(automotive) Initialism of in-vehicle infotainment.


front seat

Coordinate term: back seat

The state police recovered a broken, jumbo (1.75-liter) bottle of vodka under the front seat of the burned-out wreckage of the minivan.

Who gets to sit in the front seat of the car?

Being that the leading cause of death in children over the age of three is motor vehicle collisions, parents should do everything possible to get their kids to buckle up and to keep smaller children from sitting in the deathtrap otherwise known as the front seat.

2012 August 8, Lindsay Abrams, “Study: We Are Pathetically Failing at Safely Putting Children in Cars”, in The Atlantic, Washington, D.C.: The Atlantic Monthly Group, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2023-02-01:

(automotive) A seat in the front of the vehicle, especially the one next to the driver.


HEI

high energy ignition
w:high energy ignition

(automotive) Initialism of high energy ignition.


econometer

(automotive) An instrument in a motor vehicle that indicates the fuel consumption.


LOF

Coordinate term: LOFR

(automotive) Initialism of lube, oil and filter (change).


assholed

(vulgar, slang, automotive, uncommon) Rear-ended by another vehicle on the road.


service book

(automotive) A booklet in which the servicing history of a vehicle is recorded.


windblocker

(automotive) An aerodynamic accessory to reduce wind and wind noise for occupants of a moving vehicle.


microhybrid

(automotive) A motor vehicle whose internal combustion engine is automatically shut down and restarted to reduce time spent idling and thereby reduce fuel consumption and emissions.


body control module

body control module (plural body control modules)

(automotive) An electronic unit responsible for monitoring and controlling various electronic accessories in the body of a motor vehicle, such as windows, mirrors, air conditioning, and central locking.


head

there is no replacement for displacement

(automotive, colloquial) A bigger engine is better.


map pocket

(automotive) A storage bin attached to a section in the interior of a vehicle.


truck camper

recreational vehicle
recreational vehicle

(US, automotive) Any recreational vehicle that may be carried in the bed of a pickup truck.


monkey bike

Came to be known as a monkey bike because those riding them "looked like monkeys".

(slang, automotive) The Honda Z series, a line of minibikes.


monkey motion

en-noun

monkey motion (countable and uncountable, plural monkey motions)

(slang, automotive) The excessive movement of a mechanical device.


quickshifter

(automotive) A device that eliminates the need to use the clutch or throttle when shifting gears on a manual transmission.


blipper

(automotive) A device that applies the throttle when downshifting, for a smoother gear transition and to avoid wheelspin.


helicopter ear

(slang, automotive) A form of Helmholtz resonance experienced in a moving vehicle, when one of the windows is rolled down.


XLT

XLT (countable and uncountable, plural XLTs)

(automotive) A designation for a trim level within a model of trucks; it denotes high-end features.


odometer fraud

(law, criminology, automotive) The illegal practice of rolling back an odometer to make it appear that a vehicle has lower mileage than it actually does.


lighting-up time

lighting-up time (countable and uncountable, plural lighting-up times)

(UK, law, automotive) A time period during which all motor vehicles on unlit public roads must have their headlights switched on.


rear wheel

(automotive, vehicles) Any wheel located at the back of a motor vehicle.


front wheel

(automotive, vehicles) Any wheel located at the front of a motor vehicle.


open-wheel

(vehicles, automotive, motor racing) Referring to a vehicle in which the wheels are outside the vehicle's main body, and usually having only one seat.


disk wheel

(automotive) A wheel consisting of a solid convex or concave surface extending from its hub to rim.


braking time

(automotive, vehicles) The approximate duration of time required for a vehicle to come to a complete stop after applying the brakes.


traffic stop

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(law, automotive) A temporary detention of a driver of a vehicle and its occupants by police to investigate a possible crime or a minor violation of the law.


LOFR

Coordinate term: LOF

(automotive) Initialism of lube, oil and filter (change) and (tyre) rotation.


cruising lane

(automotive) On a multilane road, the right lane, intended for driving at a slower pace.


high-occupancy vehicle lane

high-occupancy vehicle lane (plural high-occupancy vehicle lanes)

(road transport, automotive) A restricted traffic lane reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles with a driver and at least one passenger, including carpools, vanpools, and transit buses.


track width

(automotive) Synonym of track (the distance between two opposite wheels on a same axletree).


active braking time

active braking time (countable and uncountable, plural active braking times)

(automotive, road transport) The amount of time elapsed between the moment when the braking force takes effect and the point in time at which it ceases.


release time

release time (countable and uncountable, plural release times)

(automotive, road transport) The amount of time elapsed between the moment when the actuating time for release commences and the moment when the braking force ceases.


clearance time

clearance time (countable and uncountable, plural clearance times)

Econometric models have been developed for incident clearance time, which will help freeway incident management agencies to rationalize the deployment of their incident-response resources.

1997, Samer Madanat, Ahmed Feroze, Prediction Models for Incident Clearance Time for Borman Expressway, Volume 1, page 15:

The study finding will prove useful for any agency or company involved in the direct removal of nonhazardous traffic incidents that seeks legislative or interagency support removal activites or a description of alternative removal strategies to minimize clearance time.

2003, Walter M. Dunn, Safe and Quick Clearance of Traffic Incidents, page 9:

On the other hand, WSP measured clearance time based on when all lanes were clear.

2011, Integrating Business Processes to Improve Travel Time Reliability, page 21:

The amount of time it takes to empty something out.

(road transport, automotive) The amount of time to clear a road from traffic after an incident.

The clearance time of a vehicle starting from within a queue can generally being composed of two time intervals.

2002, Gary Long ·, Clearance Time Requirements at Railroad-preempted Traffic Signals:

If not so, the signal turns to red without extending green light time for north-bound and clearance time passes.

2012, Alan Chamberlain, Automation and Robotics in Construction XI, page 58:

(road transport, automotive) The amount of time to clear a traffic queue when a signal changes.


daily-able

en-adj

daily-able (comparative more daily-able, superlative most daily-able)

more daily-able (comparative)
most daily-able (superlative)

Most supercars are not as daily-able as your average four-door sedan.

(automotive, informal) Being usable as a daily driver.


range extender

auxiliary power unit
auxiliary power unit

battery electric vehicle
battery electric vehicle

(automotive) A fuel-based auxiliary power unit that extends the range of a battery electric vehicle by driving an electric generator that charges the vehicle's battery.


detention time

en-noun

detention time (countable and uncountable, plural detention times)

(road transport, automotive) The total amount of time that a truck and its driver must wait at a shipping or receiving facility to load or unload their truck beyond the scheduled appointment time.


self-parking

Most cars with self-parking capability can't actually do it all themselves. These systems can locate a parallel (and in some cases a perpendicular or diagonal) parking spot upon activation by utilizing proximity sensors on the front, side, and rear of the vehicle; often, the tech requires activating a turn signal to indicate what side of the road it should look for a space.

2020 April 8, Duncan Brady, “Self-Parking Cars Explained: How Does Automatic Park Assist Work?”, in MotorTrend:

(automotive) A system that allows a vehicle to park automatically.


ignition timing

(automotive, engineering) Of a spark ignition internal combustion engine, the timing, relative to the current piston position and crankshaft angle, of the release of a spark in the combustion chamber near the end of the compression stroke.


variable valve timing

variable valve timing (countable and uncountable, plural variable valve timings)

(automotive, engineering) The process of altering the timing of a valve lift event in an internal combustion engine, and is often used to improve performance, fuel economy or emissions.


runaway truck ramp

runaway truck ramp (plural runaway truck ramps)

(automotive, road transport) A traffic device that enables vehicles which are having braking problems to stop safely.


signal timing

signal timing (countable and uncountable, plural signal timings)

(road transport, automotive, engineering) A technique which traffic engineers use to distribute right of way at a signalized intersection.


sequential valve timing

sequential valve timing (countable and uncountable, plural sequential valve timings)

(automotive, engineering) An automobile variable valve timing technology in which the timing of the intake valves is varied by using hydraulic pressure to rotate the camshaft.


continuous variable valve timing

continuous variable valve timing (countable and uncountable, plural continuous variable valve timings)

continuous variable valve timings (plural)

(engineering, automotive) A system allowing for the perpetual adjustment of valve timing in an engine in order to optimize it for all engine speeds and conditions.


computer-controlled timing

computer-controlled timing (countable and uncountable, plural computer-controlled timings)

(engineering, automotive) Any type of timing in a vehicle, machine, or other experiment aided by an internal timer.


basic ignition timing

basic ignition timing (usually uncountable, plural basic ignition timings)

(engineering, automotive) The position of the crankshaft in relation to the top dead center when the piston is located at the top of the compression stroke.


dynamic ignition timing

dynamic ignition timing (countable and uncountable, plural dynamic ignition timings)

(engineering, automotive) A computational process that calculates the optimal ignition timing for an engine.


intake valve

(engineering, automotive) A valve in the cylinder head of an internal combustion engine that controls the passage of fluid to to be drawn into the cylinder.


snowflake wheel

snowflake wheel (plural snowflake wheels)

(automotive) A replica of the original Y spoke wheel design for the Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac Escalade trucks and SUVs.


headlight fluid

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-headlight fluid.wav

Perhaps first attested in 1986 (see quotations), from headlight (“a bright light, with a lens and reflector, on the front of a motor vehicle to illuminate the road when driving at night”) + fluid (“a liquid”). By analogy with blinker fluid (“fictional automotive product”), itself referencing real automative items and products such as brake fluid (“a special fluid for operating hydraulic brakes and clutches”) and diesel exhaust fluid (“a liquid used to reduce controlled emissions from the exhaust of diesel engines”). Later further popularised as an Internet meme after 2003 by an episode of the web series Red vs. Blue.

compound

My perception was different. Like when the Malibu broke down that first time and I got out and stuck my head under the hood and pretended to understand what I was looking at. Lots of people find themselves in similar situations … but they still hang in there, they still try to do their job, they still try to be helpful. And so they say, "It's your torque converter," or, "It's your internal rotator," or, "It's your headlight fluid." And 999,999 times out of a million they're ignored.

1986, T. M. Wright, The Waiting Room, Tor Books, →ISBN, pages 271–272:

In an attempt to redistribute the weight in my 1984, I have decided to move the battery to the trunk. I have a GNB sealed battery and access to a lot of cable, but need some help on the specifics.
1. Is this a good idea in the first place?
[…]
5. Should I change my headlight fluid while [I've] got the headliner off?

1994 May 16, Ray Zrinsky, “Are those batteries in your trunks or are you just happy to see me?”, in rec.autos.vw (Usenet):

Nope, it means that the last time you had it serviced, they put blinker fluid in your headlight fluid reservoir. (I couldn't resist.)

1996 April 16, Robert A. King, “Headlight blinking?!?”, in rec.autos.makers.ford.mustang (Usenet):

DJ Spike: Hi, Michelle, Alan here from Midas Auto Care. […] We've found a few more problems here […] preventative maintenance, gonna run it by you, see what you think.
Michelle De Palma: Okay.
[…]
DJ Spike: First of all, the headlights. The-
Michelle De Palma: Uh-huh, the headlights?
DJ Spike: Yeah, the headlight fluid's a little low. Er, we're gonna need to top that off.

2001 May 20, Spike, “Clueless Auto Repair” (0:11–0:33 from the start), in Mojo in the Morning, Channel 955:

Captain Dick Simmons: We've got a very important mission for you. You think you can handle it?
Rookie Franklin Delano Donut: Absolutely!
Simmons: We need you to go to the store, and get two quarts of elbow grease.
Captain Dexter Grif: Yeah and, uh, pick up some... headlight fluid for the Puma too.

2003 April 18, “The Rookies” (1:50–2:03 from the start), in Burnie Burns, director, Red vs. Blue, Rooster Teeth:

You: Hey, Favorite Uncle […] Is there anything you want me to do to help, huh?
Uncle Fred: Uh, yeah. Why don't you, er, go over to my toolbox and, uh, get me a can of headlight fluid. I think we're a little low here.

2005, Roger Welsch, edited by Darwin Holmstrom, From Tinkering to Torquing: A Beginner's Guide to Tractors and Tools, MBI Publishing Company, →ISBN, page 213:

There was a neighbor kid who always hung around wanting to help us as we worked on our cars. To get rid of him, we would tell him to go the store and buy us some headlight fluid or a left-handed monkey wrench, and off he'd go.

2008, Roger Butler, Confessions of a Baby Boomer, Tate Publishing & Enterprises, →ISBN, page 64:

I check my headlight fluid about once a month. My truck doesn't really use that much surprisingly... Especially considering I have HIDs

2013 March 11, 09DBLCAB09, “Muffler Bearing Question”, in Tacoma World:

Friendly reminder to check your headlight fluid as the weather gets colder. Don't want it freezing up on you 👍🏻❄❄

2016 December 16, @AustinRC246, Twitter:

Titles are likely to mislead the uninitiated. A career counselor would be stunned to hear Job Simulator coaching a neophyte auto mechanic to top up a car's "headlight fluid" in a cartoonish world run by robots; similarly, The Lab is about a lot of things, but the scientific method is not among them.

2019, Kenneth J. Varnum, editor, Beyond Reality: Augmented, Virtual, and Mixed Reality in the Library, American Library Association, →ISBN, page 64:

Have you been replacing your headlight fluid regularly? At what intervals?

2024 July 3, u/lolpan, “2023 Sport touring hatchback passenger headlight went out”, in r/civic, Reddit:

(originally Canada, US, automotive slang, now also Internet slang, humorous) A fictional ostensible automotive product, used in jokes, to prank someone into searching for the nonexistent item (a snipe hunt), or to gauge how inept someone is in basic auto mechanics.


passenger compartment

en-noun

passenger compartment (plural passenger compartments)

driver's compartment
driver's compartment

(automotive) The part of a road vehicle partitioned from the engine compartment, trunk or boot, etc., designed to hold the passengers and usually the driver; but in limousines and some taxis, buses and goods vehicles, the driver is separated in a cab or driver's compartment.


Jewish overdrive

Alluding to the stereotype of Jews being miserly.

(slang, derogatory, offensive, automotive, trucking, heavy industry) Synonym of angel gear


Polish overdrive

Alluding to a dated stereotype of Poles being foolish.


creeper gear

So called because the vehicle creeps in the mechanical sense of that word: it moves very slowly, such that a person on foot can outwalk it, for example.

Near-synonym: low gear

(automotive, trucking, agriculture, heavy industry) The lowest gear on a vehicle: especially, a dedicated super-low gear, available in some trucks and tractors, that is even lower than the usual low gear, which is labeled as first gear.


liftglass

(automotive) A windshield panel at the rear of a vehicle that can be raised to provide space for protruding objects, intended for when opening the entire liftgate is not necessary.


drive stick

en-verb

drive stick (third-person singular simple present drives stick, present participle driving stick, simple past drove stick, past participle driven stick)

drives stick (present singular third-person)
driving stick (participle present)
drove stick (past)
driven stick (participle past)

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-drive stick.wav

I learned to drive stick at a young age.

He can't borrow my car because he can't drive stick.

(chiefly Canada, US, automotive, colloquial) To drive a stickshift vehicle.


custom car

(automotive) A passenger vehicle that has been altered to improve its performance, modify its aesthetics, or combine both.


MIATA

Back-formation from Miata as a backronym. From Old High German miata (“reward”). Referring to the fact that the answer to what car to choose is always the Mazda MX-5 Miata. From the drivability and popularity of the sports car. Phrase has been in use in car afficiando circles since the 1990s.

(automotive) Acronym of Miata is always the answer.


haul truck

(automotive, transport, mining) An off-road, heavy-duty dump truck specifically engineered for use in high-production mining and exceptionally demanding construction environments.


diesel exhaust

(engineering, automotive) Exhaust from a diesel engine.


manettino

From Italian manettino (“little switch; little lever”).

bor

(automotive) A rotary switch in some Ferrari cars, mounted on the steering wheel, used to adjust the electronics governing suspension settings, traction control, electronic differential, and change speed of electronic gearbox.


honeycomb radiator

en-noun

honeycomb radiator (plural honeycomb radiators)

(automotive) A radiator core consisting of a stack of small tubes with flared ends resembling a honeycomb.


development mule

development mule (plural development mules)

(automotive) A testbed vehicle equipped with prototype components requiring evaluation.


motor octane number

motor octane number (plural motor octane numbers)

(automotive) A measure of a fuel's ability to resist autoignition at high speeds and temperatures.


anti-knock index

anti-knock index (plural anti-knock indexes)

(automotive) A measurement of a fuel's ability to resist detonation, or engine knocking.