span a measuring unit derived from an outstretched hand, the equivalent of 9 inches, or 22.86 centimeters.
square 100 square feet; used in construction.
stone in Great Britain, the equivalent of 14 pounds avoirdupois.
therm 100,000 Btus.
township a unit of measurement used in surveying, specifically the equivalent of 36 square miles.
tun 252 gallons, as used for measuring wine or other liquids.
wrenches
adjustable wrench a common steel wrench with adjustable jaws for loosening or tightening nuts and bolts. Also known as a Crescent wrench.
Allen wrench an L-shaped, hexagonal rod, used for turning hexagonal screws or bolts. Also known as a hex key.
box wrench a steel wrench with a toothed ring on each end, for loosening or tightening nuts and bolts.
chain wrench a wrench with a chain on one end, used when a powerful torque is needed, as for pipes or pipe fittings.
combination wrench a steel wrench with standard open jaws on one end and a box wrench (toothed ring) on the other.
Crescent wrench brand name for an adjustable wrench.
crow's foot wrench a standard, open-jawed wrench with a special hole in its neck in which a socket wrench can be inserted for driving; commonly used in hard-to-reach areas.
deep-throat socket wrench a hollow, steel tube with hexagonal openings on either end, for turning nuts and valves. Also known as a plumber's wrench.
faucet spanner a flat, metal bar having various openings on its ends and down its length, used in several plumbing applications.
monkey wrench a large, heavy adjustable wrench used in plumbing.
nut driver a screwdriverlike wrench with a hex opening at the end of its shaft for turning hex nuts and bolts in tight places.
nut splitter a P-shaped tool used to cut away nuts that are frozen or irretractable.
pipe wrench a large, heavy adjustable wrench with toothed jaws, used by plumbers for turning pipes and pipe fittings.
socket wrench a steel wrench with a head containing a ratcheting mechanism and a square plug on which variably sized sockets are attached, for turning nuts and bolts in limited space.
spanner a British word for a wrench. Also, a plumbing wrench with special notches for loosening faucet nuts.
spud wrench a metal wrench with large open jaws on either end, used to turn oversized nuts, such as those used in plumbing fixtures.
strap wrench a wrench with a fabric strap on one end, used for turning pipes without making scratches.
automobiles
accelerator the gas pedal, attached to the throttle in the carburetor or fuel-injection system.
additive a fluid added to gas or oil to improve performance.
afterburner an exhaust manifold that burns off carbon monoxide and fuel in the exhaust system to produce extra power.
airbag a bag located in a steering wheel, dashboard, or side door that automatically inflates to protect passengers from injury in an accident.
air cleaner above the carburetor, the round receptacle that holds the air filter.
air filter located in the air cleaner, the round filter that removes dirt and dust from the air before it enters the carburetor.
airfoil a winglike structure that captures air and helps to press the automobile into the road to improve traction and cornering. Also known as a spoiler.
alignment the proper positioning of the front wheels for optimum handling and minimum tire wear.
all-wheel drive a drive system that, unlike four- wheel drive, engages all four wheels at all times, with a center differential that allows each wheel to rotate at different speeds, improving on-road traction. Also known as full-time four-wheel drive.
alternator a generator device that produces alternating current for powering the electrical equipment while the engine is running.
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antifreeze a solution that lowers the freezing point and raises the boiling point of water in the cooling system. Also known as coolant.
antiknock agents any substance added to gasoline to raise its octane number and prevent it from knocking, pinging, or detonating.
antilock brakes brakes designed to prevent locking of the wheels during heavy braking.
antiroll bar see swaybar.
automatic transmission a transmission in which gear ratios are changed automatically, thus eliminating the need for a stick shift and clutch.
axle the shaft to which the wheels are attached.
backfire an explosion of the air-fuel mixture in the intake or exhaust system.
badge engineering auto manufacturer's term for a car model sold under a variety of names under which only the trim and name badges differ.
ball joint a ball-and-socket joint providing flexibility to the steering linkage and suspension system.
battery the electrochemical component used to store and produce electricity.
bearings any ball or roller-type bearings that absorb friction between two moving parts.
beater slang for any near-wreck of a car that is nevertheless still in drivable condition.
bleed to remove air from a brake system, fuel-injection system, or cooling system to aid the smooth flow of fluid.
blown of an engine, ruined, usually from a seized piston.
blue books a variety of books that list the current prices paid for used cars.
body putty a pliable material used to fill in or smooth dents. Also known as bondo.
bore the diameter of the cylinder hole.
brake drum mounted on each wheel, a metal drum whose insides are pressed against by the brake shoes to slow or stop a car.
brake fade temporary loss of a brake's gripping power due to the generation of high temperatures from overuse.
brake lines the tubes and hoses through which brake fluid flows from the master cylinder to the brakes.
brake lining attached to each brake shoe, the heat- resistant asbestos lining that presses against the brake drum to slow or stop a car.
brake shoes the arc-shaped pieces of metal that, lined with heat-resistant asbestos, are pressed against the brake drums to slow or stop a car.
Breathalyzer a device that detects and measures the presence of alcohol in one's breath, used by police to stop drunk drivers.
bushing a protective liner or sleeve that serves as a barrier against noise and friction.
butterfly valve a small, pivoting metal plate or disk that regulates the flow of air into the carburetor.
cam in the camshaft, a lobed disk that activates the opening and closing of valves.
camber wheel alignment term for the outward or inward tilt of the top of a wheel that improves handling and lessens tire wear.
camshaft the shaft with lobed cams that operate the valves.
carburetor the device that vaporizes fuel, mixes it with air in appropriate proportions, and then delivers the mixture to the intake manifold.