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IASCA: Acronym for "International
Auto Sound Challenge Association."
i-beam suspension:
!!! Definition under construction !!!.
ICEI: Acronym for "Internal Combustion
Engine Institute, Inc."
icing: A condition where ice forms at the
edge of the carburetor throttle
plate/butterfly. It restricts the flow of the fuel-air
mixture when the throttle
butterfly is at or near the idle
position. It causes the engine to stall. Ice forms because of rapid vaporization
of the fuel lowers the temperature of the mixture and causes the moisture in the
air to freeze. It can occur when the temperature is between -2 to 13°C (28 to
55° F) and the relative humidity is above 64%. It usually occurs after the
engine is started and before it has reached operating temperature. Also see carburetor
icing.
ID: Acronym for "inside diameter."
idiot light: See idiot
lights.
idiot lights: A colloquial
term for the indicator lights on the dashboard
which are illuminated when the vehicle is experiencing some problem such as a
lack of oil, overheating, failed brakes, low fuel, etc. The alternative is to
install gauges which indicate the level of fluids and temperature. A combination
of both gauges and lights is ideal.
idle: The engine
speed when the vehicle is not moving. The engine's slowest practical speed.
Also see fast
idle.
idle air bleed screw:
A screw found on some carburetors
which allows air to enter the carburetor
when the throttle is closed, so that the vehicle can idle.
It also prevents the formation of deposits in the throttle area. The adjustment
of this screw is part of a basic tune-up.
Also see bleed
screw.
idle circuit: At idle
and low speeds,
the carburetor
system supplies enough fuel to the engine to keep it running. When the vehicle
gets up to speed
(usually about 24 kph or 15 mph) the idle circuit kicks out of operation so that
fuel is supplied by the main metering system. Also called the "low-speed
circuit."
idle mixture: The mixture of
air and fuel (usually about 14:1) being fed to the cylinders.
idle mixture screw:
A screw located on the outside of the carburetor
which controls the proportion of the fuel-air
mixture. It is now illegal to adjust these if limiter caps are present.
idle speed: This is the speed
of the engine with the following conditions: the transmission
is in neutral
(or park in automatic
transmissions), the engine is fully warmed up, the choke
butterfly is fully open, and there is no extra accessories
in operation (i.e., air
conditioner, radio, lights).
idle speed screw: A
screw located at the bottom of the carburetor
on the outside which keeps the throttle from closing completely when the vehicle
is idling and thus controls the idle
speed. This is adjusted as part of a basic tune-up.
idle stop solenoid:
A small cylinder
located on the outside of the carburetor
on some cars. It prevents the vehicle from continuing to idle
after the ignition
switch has been shut off (i.e., dieseling).
The position of the striker rod in the cylinder
can be adjusted in a tune-up
to the correct specifications.
idler arm: In a parallel relay-type steering
linkage, it is one of the connecting levers. The steering gearbox
is attached to a pitman
arm which converts rotary motion to lateral motion. The pitman arm connects
to a transverse centerlink which connects to the idler arm attached to the frame
side rail on the opposite side of the vehicle. The ends of the centerlink
connect to two adjustable tie
rods that transmit the lateral movement of the centerlink to the steering
arms at each steering
knuckle.
idler gear: A gear that is placed
between two other gears to reverse the direction of rotation of the output gear.
Also see reverse
idler gear.
idler pulley: The pulley
in a rear derailleur
that stays farthest from the freewheel cogs and
functions to keep tension on the chain
of a bicycle.
IFI: Acronym for "Industrial Fasteners
Institute."
IFS: Acronym for "independent
front suspension."
ignition: See autoignition, compression
ignition, conventional
ignition, piezoelectric
ignition, and transistor
ignition.
ignition coil: A pulse transformer
which is a part of the ignition
system. It receives a small amount of electrical voltage
from the battery
and steps up the low "primary" voltage and amplifies it into a big
jolt of voltage of about 20,000 volts, and sends it to the spark
plugs via the distributor.
It is made of two windings and a core
of iron. The primary coil has about 200 turns of relatively heavy wire. The
secondary windings may have as much as 22,000 windings of fine wire. As
electricity travels through the primary
winding, it produces a magnetic
field in the coil. When the points open, the magnetic field collapses and
the movement of the magnetic field induces current
in the secondary windings of the coil. The voltage is stepped up in proportion
to the ratio of secondary to primary turns and the distributor
directs this high voltage to the spark
plug. Also see exciter
coil and field
coil.
ignition
distributor: See distributor.
ignition point: See breaker
points.
ignition points: See breaker
points.
ignition switch: A
switch that is generally operated with a key that closes and opens an electrical
current
to connect and disconnects the ignition
system from the battery
so that the engine can be started and stopped as desired. The key should not be
removable when the engine is running. It usually has various positions which,
besides starting the engine, allow the user to operate the accessories
without engaging the engine or to check the bulbs
in the warning lights on the dashboard.
ignition system: The
system that provides the electrical current
or spark
to ignite the air-fuel
mixture in the combustion
chambers. It includes the battery
or magneto
which sends electricity to the ignition
coil if the ignition
switch is on. The coil amplifies the electrical charge and sends it to the distributor
where it goes through the points and is modified by the condenser.
The distributor
sends it along the high tension lines (spark
plug wires) to the spark
plugs where it ignites the air-fuel mixture. Also see electronic
ignition system.
ignition timing: It is
important that the spark
coming from the spark
plugs ignites the air-fuel
mixture at the correct moment determined by the manufacturer of the engine.
Often this is a few degrees before
top dead center (BTDC). Suppose the specs indicate that it should be set at
5 degrees BTDC, but in actuality it is set at 6 degrees. In that case, the timing
is advanced. If it were set at 4 degrees, the timing is retarded.
Incorrect ignition timing may result in poor performance and excessive fuel
consumption.
ignition wrench: A
small, open-ended wrench about 3 inches (75mm) long. It had two jaw openings set
at different angles to the handle, e.g., 15° at one end and 60° or 75° at the
other. (The British term is electrical spanner). The available jaw sizes were
the following:
| 15/64" |
3" |
| 7/32" |
1/4" |
3" |
| 1/4" |
7/32" |
3" |
| 9/32" |
5/16" |
3-1/2" |
| 5/16" |
9/32" |
3-1/2" |
i head: See I-head
engine and engine
type.
i-head: See I-head
engine and engine
type.
i head engine: An engine where
both intake
and exhaust
valves are placed directly over the piston.
The cam is located in the block and the valves are activated by pushrods and rocker
arms. Also called "overhead-valve engine" or "valve-in-head
engine."
i-head engine: An engine
where both intake
and exhaust
valves are placed directly over the piston.
The cam is located in the block and the valves are activated by pushrods and rocker
arms. Also called "overhead-valve engine" or "valve-in-head
engine."
IHP: Acronym for "indicated
horsepower."
IHRA: Acronym for "International
Harmonized Research Activities."
IICC: Acronym for "Insurance
Information Center of Canada."
impact break: A rupture to a
tire resulting from the shock of striking a chuck-hole, rock, curb, etc. and not
caused by cutting.
impact driver: !!!
Definition under construction !!!.
Imperial: The 1955-56 models are milestone
cars.
imperial sedan: A drop or
sliding glass partition between the driver's
compartment and the tonneau
is the distinguishing feature between this type and the sedan,
which it resembles in all other respects. Also see sport
and Imperial phaeton.
impeller: [1] A rotor
or wheel with blades or vanes
used in pumps
to drive and circulate fluid. Also see volute.
[2] The driving torus
in the fluid
coupling or torque
converter of an automatic
transmission.
importer: an organization that
typically operates at arms length or under contractual agreement with
manufacturers to bring products made in another country into Canada.
import nameplate:
vehicles sold by manufacturers primarily located outside North America whether
assembled Overseas or in North America.
IMSA: International
Motorsports Association.
inbedability: The ability of
a precision insert bearing to allow a small abrasive particle to imbed itself in
the bearing material so it will not scratch the surface of the journal.
inboard brake: See inboard
brakes.
inboard brakes: Most cars
have the brakes associated with the wheel. Drum
brakes, for instance, are located in the wheel hub
itself. Disc
brakes are found attached to the wheel. However, inboard brakes are not
located within the wheel. Instead, they are found attached to the differential
housing or axle shaft. Thus they are generally located only on the rear of
the vehicle. Some racing cars (i.e., Formula 1) have them on the front as well.
Inboard brakes mean a reduction in unsprung
weight and usually better cooling.
incl: Abbreviation for "includes,"
as in price incl. tax.
inclination: A set angle. See kingpin
inclination and steering
axis inclination.
inclined plane: A wedge
used to raise a load more easily. The load moves, not the wedge.
included angle: The sum of
the "Camber" and "Kingpin inclination" angles. This angle is
designed into the steering knuckle and must remain constant.
independent
front suspension: A suspension
system where the two front wheels are independent from each other. It has
the advantage over a beam
axle suspension because it allows the engine to be positioned further
forward and lower between the wheels. In this way there is more room for the
passengers, the position of the hood
is lower, the vehicle has a lower center
of gravity, and the unsprung
weight is reduced. When the front wheels are not independently sprung, there
is some caster
wobble and shimmy
that make it difficult to hold on to the steering
wheel. Also see independent
suspension.
independent
rear suspension: A suspension
system where the two rear wheels are independent from each other. It has the
advantage over a beam
axle suspension because the unsprung
weight is reduced, the ride and handling over rough roads are improved, and
a larger trunk
with a lower floor can be placed between the wheels. Also see independent
suspension.
independent
repair shop: small service outlet offering specialized repair services. They
usually do not sell gasoline.
independent
suspension: A suspension
system that allows each wheel to move up and down without undue influence on
the other wheels. Thus independent suspension on the rear wheels means that if
only the right rear wheel hits a bump, the left rear wheel is not affected by
it. Generally it is more expensive to manufacture independent suspension.
index shifter: See index
shifters.
index shifters: bicycle
levers that "click" into distinct positions that correspond to certain
freewheel cogs and
don't require fine-tuning after each shift.
indicated
horsepower: (IHP) A measure of the power developed by the burning fuel
within the cylinders.
indicator: An instrument which
reveals the condition of a particular component. See dial
gauge, gear
indicator, and treadwear
indicator.
induction: The imparting of
electricity into one object, not connected, to another by the influence of magnetic
fields. Found in automobiles in coils and solenoids.
Also see ram
induction.
induction coil: See coil.
induction system: The
system that brings the fuel-air
mixture to the cylinders.
It includes the carburetor
or fuel
injection system, intake
manifold, intake
ports, and intake
valves.
industrial tire: A heavy
duty tire for use on forklifts, lowbed trailers, etc.
industrial solid: A
non-pneumatic tire (either entirely rubber or a regular tire with a solid rubber
core to replace the tube), used most often on forklifts where the possibility of
a flat tire is a constant problem.
inert gas-arc
welding: Surrounding the arc with a gas which does not react with the
electrode and base metal and keeps the atmosphere away from the arc.
inertia: That force which tends to
keep a stationary object from being moved, and tends to keep a moving object in
motion. Some effort is needed to get the object moving if it is stopped, and to
stop an object if it is moving. Also see moment
of inertia.
inertia drive: A Bendix
drive which has a heavy piston moving along the shaft under the momentum of its
own weight or inertia when the shaft turns inside it
inertia reel: Generally the
seat and shoulder belts are loose so that the drive and passenger can have the
freedom to move forward to adjusting the instruments on the dash,
etc. However, when the vehicle decelerates quickly, as in a crash or panic stop
situation, the occupants need to be restrained by the belts. The belts are
locked by the inertia reel as it senses the rapid change of deceleration.
infinitely
variable transmission: (IVT or CVT) Most transmissions,
whether manual
or automatic
have a fixed number of forward gears (from 2 to 10 or more). Belt driven
vehicles (like snowmobiles) have an infinite number of positions of engagement.
The infinitely variable transmission is sensitive to the changes in the throttle
position and adjusts the gear
ratio accordingly. In this way, the most efficient gear
ratio is selected thus improving fuel
economy. Also called "continuously variable transmission."
infrared rays: Heat rays
which emanate from both the arc and the welding flame.
inhibitor: A substance added to
oil, water, gas, etc., to prevent action such as foaming, rusting, etc.
injection: See air
injection, fuel
injection, and water
injection.
injector: Refers to the pump
system (used in a fuel
injection system) that squirts or injects a measured amount of gasoline
into the intake
manifold in the vicinity of the intake
valve. In the diesel
engine fuel is injected directly into the cylinder.
inlet pipe: See intake
manifold.
inlet valve: See intake
valve.
inline engine: See in-line
engine.
in-line engine: An engine
in which all the cylinders
are arranged in a straight row. Also called a "straight engine."
inline fuel filter:
See in-line
fuel filter.
in-line fuel filter:
A fuel
filter which is placed within the fuel pipes coming from the fuel
tank or fuel
pump. To install it, a segment of the fuel line is cut and removed. The
filter is inserted to replace the removed segment of the line.
inner cap nut: (sleeve nut) A
securing device on a dual mounted disc wheel type where it threads directly on
the stud and holds the inner wheel in place against the hub. Also see outer
cap nut.
inner tube: A doughnut-shaped
rubber or latex air chamber which normally is inserted into a non-tubeless tire
to hold pressurized air. It contains an air valve to inflate the tube.
input shaft: The shaft
delivering power into a mechanism. The shaft from the clutch
into the transmission
is the transmission input shaft.
insert: [1] When referring to bearings
it indicates a replaceable shell-type bearing made to extremely close tolerances
and generally used for main
bearings and connecting
rod bearings. [2] When referring to valves it indicates replaceable valve
seats made of hard, heat-resisting metal that are screwed or shrunk into the cylinder
head. [3] When referring to spark
plugs it indicates replaceable threads which are installed into damaged spark
plug holes so that spark
plugs can be installed. Sometimes known by the trade name "Heli-coil."
[4] Piston liners
or cylinder
sleeves.
insert bearing: A
removable, precision made bearing which insures specified clearance
between bearing and shaft. Also see precision
insert bearing.
inside caliper: See caliper.
inside calipers: See caliper.
inside corner weld:
Two metals fused together; one metal is held 90 degree to the other. The fusion
is performed inside the vertex of the angle.
instrument panel: See dashboard.
insulation: [1] Any material
which does not conduct electricity. It is used to prevent the flow or leakage of
an electrical conductor.
[2] Any material which does not readily conduct heat. Used to keep heat or cold
out of something.
insulator: A unit made of a
material that will not conduct electricity. The electricity in a copper wire
covered with a plastic sleeve (insulator) cannot penetrate the sleeve.
int: Abbreviation for "interior."
intake: See heated
intake, intake
manifold, intake
port, intake
stroke, intake
valve, and ram
intake manifold.
intake charge: The mixture
of fuel and air that flows into the engine.
intake manifold: The
connecting tubes between the base of the carburetor
and the port
openings to the intake
valve or intake ports. The air-fuel mixture travels from the throttle
body into a chamber called the plenum
which feeds individual tubes (called runners) which lead to the individual
intake port. Its purpose is to transfer the air-fuel
mixture to each cylinder.
Also called "inlet pipe." Also see ram
intake manifold.
intake port: The passage in the cylinder
head which connects the intake
manifold to the intake
valve through which the fuel-air
mixture proceeds on its way to the cylinders.
| intake stroke: In a four-stroke
cycle engine, it is the piston's
first stroke down in pulling fuel and air into the combustion
chamber as it causes a partial vacuum. |
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intake valve: The valve that
opens to permit the fuel mixture into the cylinder.
It closes during the compression and combustion strokes. Some engines have more
than one intake valve to each cylinder. Also called the "inlet valve."
integral: An essential component of
something. See integral
part of.
integral equipment:
Any device or system that is designed for a vehicle and installed in it by the
manufacturer, rather than being added on to a finished vehicle at a later date.
integral fuel filter:
A fuel
filter which is part of the fuel
pump or part of the carburetor rather than one that is attached to a fuel
line (in-line
fuel filter).
integral part of: A
necessary part of something, e.g., the cam
lobe is an integral part of the camshaft.
intellectual
property rights: (IPR) The right to possess or control the use of
intellectual property, such as trademarks, copyrights, patents and trade
secrets.
intensify: To increase or
concentrate, such as to increase the voltage
of an electrical current.
inter-axle
differential: Gear device equally dividing power between the axles and
compensating for unequal tire diameters.
interchannel
competition: rivalry between different channels of the distribution system.
For example, independent retailers competing with manufacturers' outlets.
intercooler: A device which
cools the air entering the carburetor
or fuel
injection system. Colder air has more oxygen molecules than warm air. Thus
cooler air gives more power and better fuel
economy. An intercooler looks like a radiator.
It contains large passages for the intake flow, and uses either outside air or
water directed over it to lower the temperature of the intake flow inside. Also
called a charge-air cooler.
interference: Difference in
angle between mating surfaces of a valve and a valve
seat.
interference fit: A
condition of fit (contact) between two parts that requires pressure to force the
parts together. Usually the shaft is slightly larger than the hole so that they
must be pounded or forced or driven together. Also called "force
fit," "press
fit," or drive
fit.
interior light: the
courtesy light which illuminates when the doors are opened or when an interior
switch is activated.
interior light
switch: There are two types of switches which turn on the interior lights:
One is located on the door posts and is activated when the door is opened or
closed. The other is found on the dash and may be incorporated into the
headlight switch.
interior payload: The
amount of weight that a vehicle can carry
intermediary: firm or
organization that operates between the producer of the goods and the end
purchaser. Thus, the members of the distribution channel noted above are
intermediaries or "middlemen."
Intermediate:
intermediate car: A
designation no longer used because even "full-size cars" are now about
the size of what was the compact car. In 1970, for instance, a Chevrolet Impala
was a full-size car, a Chevelle was an intermediate, a Nova was a compact. When
cars smaller than the Nova came out (i.e., Chevette), they were called
sub-compacts.
intermediate gear:
Any gear in the auto transmission
between first and high.
intermediate rim
taper: A rim with one tapered bead seat of 5° at the fixed flange.
intermittent: Not constant
but occurring at intervals.
intermittent weld:
Joining two pieces and leaving unwelded sections in the joint.
internal
combustion engine: An engine that burns fuel within itself as a means of
developing power. Also see external
combustion engine.
international
Motorsports Association: (IMSA).
interrupter: See breaker
points.
intrachannel
competition: rivalry between channel participants at the same level in the
distribution channel. For example, department stores competing with one another.
inventories: book value of
inventory owned and held in Canada.
Invicta: The 1925-1948 models are classic
cars.
invisible glove: See barrier
cream
IPR: Acronym for "Intellectual
Property Rights."
iron: [1] A colloquial term for any
automobile. [2] A metal. Also see cast
iron and chilled
iron.
IRS: Acronym for "independent
rear suspension."
isolate the battery:
See disconnect
the battery
Isotta-Fraschini:
The 1925-1948 models are classic
cars.
Itala: The 1925-1948 models are classic
cars.
IVT: Acronym for "Infinitely Variable
Transmission."
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Mobile: 79693511