An assembly consisting of a housing, filter, and any connecting duct work. The filter element is made up of a porous paper, sometimes with a wire mesh screening, and is designed to prevent airborne particles from entering the engine through the carburetor or throttle body.

A device which produces AC (alternating current), which is converted to DC (direct current) to charge the car battery.

A substance (ethylene or propylene glycol) added to the coolant to prevent freezing in cold weather.

A supplementary system to the base hydraulic system that prevents sustained lock-up of the wheels during braking, as well as automatically controlling wheel slip.

An automotive battery is a type of rechargeable battery that supplies electric energy to an automobile. Usually this refers to an SLI battery (starting, lighting, ignition) to power the starter motor, the lights, and the ignition system of a vehicle’s engine.

The housing that fits over the brake disc. The caliper holds the brake pads, which are pressed against the discs by the caliper pistons when the brake pedal is depressed.

Loss of braking power, usually caused by excessive heat after repeated brake applications.

A brake shoe and lining assembly used with disc brakes.

The backing for the brake lining. The term, however, is usually applied to the assembly of the brake backing and lining.

A hydraulically activated device in a disc brake system, which is mounted straddling the brake rotor (disc). The caliper contains at least one piston and two brake pads. Hydraulic pressure on the piston(s) forces the pads against the rotor.

One of the factors of wheel alignment. Viewed from the front of the car, it is the inward or outward tilt of the wheel. The top of the tire will lean outward (positive camber) or inward (negative camber).

A device, usually mounted on the intake manifold of an engine, that mixes the air and fuel in the proper proportion to allow even combustion.

The malfunction indicator light that the vehicle’s on-board computer illuminates when it senses a fault in a monitored system.

Part of the power train used to connect/disconnect power to the rear wheels.

The upper or lower suspension components that are mounted on the frame and support the ball joints and steering knuckles.

Mixture of water and antifreeze circulated through the engine to carry off heat produced by the engine.

Stands for “Constant Velocity” Joint. Type of universal joint in a halfshaft assembly in which the output shaft turns at a constant angular velocity without variation, provided that the speed of the input shaft is constant.

A geared assembly which allows the transmission of motion between drive axles, giving one axle the ability to rotate faster than the other, as in cornering.

A hydraulic braking assembly consisting of a brake disc, or rotor, mounted on an axleshaft, and a caliper assembly assembly—usually containing two brake pads which are activated by hydraulic pressure. The pads are forced against the sides of the disc, creating friction which slows the car.

The total volume of air that is displaced by all pistons as the engine turns through one complete revolution.

A mechanically driven device on an engine which is responsible for electrically firing the spark plug at a pre-determined point of the piston stroke.

The basic engine casting containing the cylinders, and the crankshaft main bearings, as well as machined surfaces for the mounting of other components such as the cylinder head, oil pan, transmission, etc.

A service to set caster, camber, and toe-in to the correct specifications. This will ensure that the car steers and handles properly and that the tires wear properly.

A component of the fuel system containing a porous paper element used to prevent any impurities from entering the engine through the fuel system. It usually takes the form of a canister-like housing, mounted in-line with the fuel hose, located anywhere on a car between the fuel tank and engine.

A protective device in a circuit which prevents circuit overload by breaking the circuit when a specific amperage is present. The device is constructed around a strip or wire of a lower amperage rating than the circuit it is designed to protect. When an amperage higher than that stamped on the fuse is present in the circuit, the strip or wire melts, opening the circuit.

A unit of power[em dash]one horsepower is the amount of work necessary to lift 33,000 pounds, one foot, in one minute.

The primary fluid pressurizing device in a hydraulic system. In automotive use, it is found in brake and hydraulic clutch systems and is pedal activated, either directly or, in a power brake system, through the power booster.

A suspension component combining a shock absorber and spring in one unit.

The tendency of some cars, when steering into a turn, to over-respond or steer more than required, which could result in excessive slip of the rear wheels. Opposite of understeer.

A repair technician who has been properly trained in vehicle systems. Usually affiliated with ASE or other certification system. This technician will also have the proper tools to diagnose and repair your vehicle.

A type of automotive steering system using a pinion gear attached to the end of the steering shaft. The pinion meshes with a long rack attached to the steering linkage.

Part of the cooling system for a water-cooled engine, mounted in the front of the car and connected to the engine with rubber hoses. Through the radiator, excess combustion heat is dissipated into the atmosphere through forced convection using a water and glycol-based mixture that circulates through, and cools, the engine.

The disc-shaped part of a disc brake assembly, upon which the brake pads bear; also called brake disc.

Any device designed to measure engine operating conditions or ambient pressures and temperatures. Usually electronic in nature and designed to send a voltage signal to an on-board computer; some sensors may operate as a simple on/off switch or they may provide a variable voltage signal (like a potentiometer) as conditions or measured parameters change.

An accessory drive belt, with small multiple v-ribs, routed around most or all of the engine-powered accessories such as the alternator and power steering pump. Usually both the front and the back side of the belt come into contact with various pulleys.

Our commitment and pledge to every customer that your repair will be done right the first time and that you will be treated honestly and fairly.

Vibration (sometimes violent) in the front end caused by misalignment, out- of-balance tires, or worn suspension components.

An electrical malfunction where current takes the path of least resistance to ground (usually through damaged insulation). Current flow is excessive from low resistance resulting in a blown fuse.

A device screwed into the combustion chamber of a spark ignition engine. The basic construction is a conductive core inside a ceramic insulator, mounted in an outer conductive base. An electrical charge from the spark plug wire travels along the conductive core and jumps a preset air gap to a grounding point or points at the end of the conductive base. The resultant spark ignites the fuel/air mixture in the combustion chamber.

A bar linking both sides of the suspension. It resists sway on turns by taking some of the added load from one wheel and putting it on the other.

A high-torque electric motor used for the purpose of starting the engine, typically through a high-ratio-geared drive connected to the flywheel ring gear.

Non-petroleum based oil.

A rod connecting the steering arms. Tie rods have threaded ends that are used to adjust toe-in.

A square-toothed, reinforced rubber belt that is driven by the crankshaft and operates the camshaft.

A term comparing the extreme front and rear of the front tires. Closer together at the front is toe-in; farther apart at the front is toe-out.

Measurement of turning or twisting force, expressed as foot-pounds or inch-pounds.

A turbine used to transmit power from a driving member to a driven member via hydraulic action, providing changes in drive ratio and torque. In automotive use, it links the driveplate at the rear of the engine to the automatic transmission.

A regular maintenance function, usually associated with the replacement and adjustment of parts and components in the electrical and fuel systems of a car for the purpose of attaining optimum performance.

Synonymous with “cranks over,” the action of the engine internal components rotating during the starting cycle. This is what happens when you turn the key before the engine starts.

A flexible coupling in the drive train that allows the driveshafts or axle shafts to operate at different angles and still transmit rotary power.

The ability of a fluid to flow. The lower the viscosity rating, the easier the fluid will flow. 10-weight motor oil will flow much easier than 40-weight motor oil.

Unit used to measure the force or pressure of electricity. It is defined as the pressure needed to move one amp through a resistance of one ohm.

A device that controls the current output of the alternator or generator.

A metal tab mounted on disc brake pads that touch the brake rotor when the brake linings need replacement.

Inclusive term to describe the front end geometry (caster, camber, toe-in/out).

Found in the automotive drum brake assembly, it is a device, actuated by hydraulic pressure, which, through internal pistons, pushes the brake shoes outward against the drums.