A ↑accelerator
;
accelerator pedal
;
gas pedal
a pedal that controls the throttle valve; "he stepped on the gas"
air conditioner
;
air conditioning
a system that keeps air cool and dry
air filter
;
air cleaner
a filter that removes dust from the air that passes through it
alarm
a device that signals the occurrence of some undesirable event
alternator
an old term for an electric generator that produces alternating current (especially in automobiles)
antenna
;
aerial
an electrical device that sends or receives radio or television signals
antifreeze
a liquid added to the water in a cooling system to lower its freezing point
armrest
a support for the arm
automatic transmission
;
automatic drive
a transmission that automatically changes the gears according to the speed of the car
axis
a straight line through a body or figure that satisfies certain conditions
axle
a shaft on which a wheel rotates
B ↑battery
;
electric battery
a device that produces electricity; may have several primary or secondary cells arranged in parallel or series
bearing
a rotating support placed between moving parts to allow them to move easily
bloc
;
axis
a group of countries in special alliance
bodywork
the exterior body of a motor vehicle
brake
a restraint used to slow or stop a vehicle
buffer
;
fender
a cushion-like device that reduces shock due to an impact
bumper
a mechanical device consisting of bars at either end of a vehicle to absorb shock and prevent serious damage
C ↑cam
a rotating disk shaped to convert circular into linear motion
camshaft
has cams attached to it
capacity
;
content
the amount that can be contained; "the gas tank has a capacity of 12 gallons"
car
;
auto
;
automobile
;
motorcar
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine; "he needs a car to get to work"
carburetor
;
carburettor
mixes air with gasoline vapor prior to explosion
celerity
;
quickness
;
rapidity
;
rapidness
a rate that is rapid
charger
;
battery charger
a device for charging or recharging batteries
chassis
the skeleton of a motor vehicle consisting of a steel frame supported on springs that holds the body and motor
chauffeur
a man paid to drive a privately owned car
clutch
a coupling that connects or disconnects driving and driven parts of a driving mechanism; "this year's model has an improved clutch"
color
;
colour
any material used for its color; "she used a different color for the trim"
conductor
a device designed to transmit electricity, heat, etc.
consumption
the act of consuming something
convertible
a car that has top that can be folded or removed
coolant
a fluid agent (gas or liquid) that produces cooling; especially one used to cool a system by transferring heat away from one part to another; "he added more coolant to the car's radiator"; "the atomic reactor used a gas coolant"; "lathe operators use an emulsion of oil and water as a coolant for the cutting tool"
cooling system
;
cooling
a mechanism for keeping something cool; "the cooling was overhead fans"
cover
a covering that serves to conceal or shelter something; "a screen of trees afforded privacy"; "under cover of darkness"; "the brush provided a covert for game"; "the simplest concealment is to match perfectly the color of the background"
crankshaft
a rotating shaft driven by (or driving) a crank
cruise control
control mechanism for keeping an automobile at a set speed
cylinder head
a detachable plate that covers the closed end of a cylinder chamber in a reciprocating engine or pump
D ↑dashboard
;
fascia
instrument panel on an automobile or airplane containing dials and controls
diesel
;
diesel engine
;
diesel motor
an internal-combustion engine that burns heavy oil
differential gear
;
differential
a bevel gear that permits rotation of two shafts at different speeds; used on the rear axle of automobiles to allow wheels to rotate at different speeds on curves
discus
;
saucer
a disk used in throwing competitions
disk
;
disc
something with a round shape resembling a flat circular plate; "the moon's disk hung in a cloudless sky"
disk brake
;
disc brake
hydraulic brake in which friction is applied to both sides of a spinning disk by the brake pads
door
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle; "he knocked on the door"; "he slammed the door as he left"
driver
the operator of a motor vehicle
driveshaft
a rotating shaft that transmits power from the engine to the point of application
duration
;
length
continuance in time; "the ceremony was of short duration"; "he complained about the length of time required"
dynamometer
;
ergometer
measuring instrument designed to measure power
E ↑effectiveness
;
effectivity
;
effectuality
power to be effective; the quality of being able to bring about an effect
efficacy
;
efficaciousness
capacity or power to produce a desired effect; "concern about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine"
electrolyte
a solution that conducts electricity; "the proper amount and distribution of electrolytes in the body is essential for health"
engine
motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
engine block
;
cylinder block
;
block
a metal casting containing the cylinders and cooling ducts of an engine; "the engine had to be replaced because the block was cracked"
exhaust
gases ejected from an engine as waste products
exhaust
;
exhaust system
system consisting of the parts of an engine through which burned gases or steam are discharged
F ↑fender
;
wing
a barrier that surrounds the wheels of a vehicle to block splashing water or mud; "in Britain they call a fender a wing"
flywheel
regulator consisting of a heavy wheel that stores kinetic energy and smooths the operation of a reciprocating engine
fuel
a substance that can be consumed to produce energy; "more fuel is needed during the winter months"; "they developed alternative fuels for aircraft"
fuel injection
;
fuel injection system
mechanical system to inject atomized fuel directly into the cylinders of an internal-combustion engine; avoids the need for a carburetor
fuse
an electrical device that can interrupt the flow of electrical current when it is overloaded
G ↑gas
;
gaseous state
the state of matter distinguished from the solid and liquid states by: relatively low density and viscosity; relatively great expansion and contraction with changes in pressure and temperature; the ability to diffuse readily; and the spontaneous tendency to become distributed uniformly throughout any container
gasoline
;
gasolene
;
gas
;
petrol
a volatile flammable mixture of hydrocarbons (hexane and heptane and octane etc.) derived from petroleum; used mainly as a fuel in internal-combustion engines
gearbox
the shell (metal casing) in which a train of gears is sealed
generator
engine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy by electromagnetic induction
grease
;
lubricating oil
a thick fatty oil (especially one used to lubricate machinery)
H ↑headlight
;
headlamp
a powerful light with reflector; attached to the front of an automobile or locomotive
heater
;
warmer
device that heats water or supplies warmth to a room
hood
;
bonnet
;
cowling
protective covering consisting of a metal part that covers the engine; "there are powerful engines under the hoods of new cars"; "the mechanic removed the cowling in order to repair the plane's engine"
horn
a noisemaker (as at parties or games) that makes a loud noise when you blow through it
horn
a device on an automobile for making a warning noise
horsepower
a unit of power equal to 746 watts
hue
;
chromaticity
the quality of a color as determined by its dominant wavelength
I ↑ignition
the process of initiating combustion or catching fire
impact
the striking of one body against another
indicator
a device for showing the operating condition of some system
J ↑jolt
a sudden jarring impact; "the door closed with a jolt"; "all the jars and jolts were smoothed out by the shock absorbers"
K ↑key
metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
L ↑length
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place; "the length of the table was 5 feet"
light
(physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation; "the light was filtered through a soft glass window"
lubricant
;
lubricator
;
lube
a substance capable of reducing friction by making surfaces smooth or slippery
M ↑mirror
polished surface that forms images by reflecting light
motor
machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion
mudguard
a curved piece above the wheel of a bicycle or motorcycle to protect the rider from water or mud thrown up by the wheels
N ↑naphtha
any of various volatile flammable liquid hydrocarbon mixtures; used chiefly as solvents
natural gas
;
gas
a fossil fuel in the gaseous state; used for cooking and heating homes
nozzle
;
nose
a projecting spout from which a fluid is discharged
nut
a small (usually square or hexagonal) metal block with internal screw thread to be fitted onto a bolt
O ↑odometer
a meter that shows mileage traversed
oil
a slippery or viscous liquid or liquefiable substance not miscible with water
P ↑paint
;
pigment
a substance used as a coating to protect or decorate a surface (especially a mixture of pigment suspended in a liquid); dries to form a hard coating; "artists use `paint' and `pigment' interchangeably"
piston
;
plunger
mechanical device that has a plunging or thrusting motion
piston ring
seal consisting of a split metal ring that seals the gap between a piston and the cylinder wall
power steering
;
power-assisted steering
automotive steering where engineer power amplifies the torque applied to the steering wheel
pressure
the force applied to a unit area of surface; measured in pascals (SI unit) or in dynes (cgs unit); "the compressed gas exerts an increased pressure"
R ↑radiator
heater consisting of a series of pipes for circulating steam or hot water to heat rooms or buildings
radiator
a mechanism consisting of a metal honeycomb through which hot fluids circulate; heat is transferred from the fluid through the honeycomb to the airstream that is created either by the motion of the vehicle or by a fan
radio
;
wireless
an electronic receiver that detects and demodulates and amplifies transmitted signals
reflector
device that reflects radiation
roadster
;
runabout
;
two-seater
an open automobile having a front seat and a rumble seat
rotor
;
rotor coil
the rotating armature of a motor or generator
S ↑scroll
;
roll
;
coil
a round shape formed by a series of concentric circles (as formed by leaves or flower petals)
searchlight
a light source with reflectors that projects a beam of light in a particular direction
seat
;
place
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane); "he booked their seats in advance"; "he sat in someone else's place"
seat belt
;
seatbelt
a safety belt used in a car or plane to hold you in your seat in case of an accident
sedan
;
saloon
a car that is closed and that has front and rear seats and two or four doors
shade
;
tint
a quality of a given color that differs slightly from another color; "after several trials he mixed the shade of pink that she wanted"
shock absorber
;
shock
;
cushion
a mechanical damper; absorbs energy of sudden impulses; "the old car needed a new set of shocks"
space
an empty area (usually bounded in some way between things); "the architect left space in front of the building"; "they stopped at an open space in the jungle"; "the space between his teeth"
spark plug
electrical device that fits into the cylinder head of an internal-combustion engine and ignites the gas by means of an electric spark
speed
a rate (usually rapid) at which something happens; "the project advanced with gratifying speed"
speed
;
velocity
distance travelled per unit time
speedometer
;
speed indicator
a meter fixed to a vehicle that measures and displays its speed
spoiler
an airfoil mounted on the rear of a car to reduce lift at high speeds
spotlight
;
spot
a lamp that produces a strong beam of light to illuminate a restricted area; used to focus attention of a stage performer
steering wheel
;
wheel
a handwheel that is used for steering
supercharger
compressor that forces increased oxygen into the cylinders of an internal-combustion engine
surface
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary; "there is a special cleaner for these surfaces"; "the cloth had a pattern of red dots on a white surface"
T ↑tachometer
;
tach
measuring instrument for indicating speed of rotation
taillight
;
rear light
lamp (usually red) mounted at the rear of a motor vehicle
temperature
the degree of hotness or coldness of a body or environment (corresponding to its molecular activity)
tension
the physical condition of being stretched or strained; "it places great tension on the leg muscles"; "he could feel the tenseness of her body"
thermometer
measuring instrument for measuring temperature
tire
;
tyre
hoop that covers a wheel; "automobile tires are usually made of rubber and filled with compressed air"
torsion
;
torque
a twisting force
trailer
a large transport conveyance designed to be pulled by a truck or tractor
transmission
;
transmission system
the gears that transmit power from an automobile engine via the driveshaft to the live axle
trunk
compartment in an automobile that carries luggage or shopping or tools; "he put his golf bag in the trunk"
U ↑undercarriage
framework that serves as a support for the body of a vehicle
V ↑valve
control consisting of a mechanical device for controlling the flow of a fluid
volume
the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object; "the gas expanded to twice its original volume"
W ↑water
;
H2O
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
weight
the vertical force exerted by a mass as a result of gravity
weight unit
;
weight
a unit used to measure weight; "he placed two weights in the scale pan"
wheel
a simple machine consisting of a circular frame with spokes (or a solid disc) that can rotate on a shaft or axle (as in vehicles or other machines)
wheelbase
the distance from the center of a car's front wheel to the rear axle
windshield
;
windscreen
transparent screen (as of glass) to protect occupants of a vehicle
windshield wiper
;
wiper
a mechanical device that cleans the windshield
wrench
;
spanner
a hand tool that is used to hold or twist a nut or bolt