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KAIDA: Acronym for "Korea Automobile Importers and Distributors Association."

Kaiser: The 1954 Darrin 161 is a milestone car. The 1951-52 Deluxe and Deluxe Virginian are milestone cars. The 1951-53 Dragon models are milestone cars. The 1954-55 Manhattan models are milestone cars. The 1949-50 Vagabond models are milestone car. The 1949-50 Virginian (Hardtop) models are milestone cars.

Kaizen Activities: activity through which continuous improvement is sought.

KAMA: Acronym for "Korean Automotive Manufacturers Association"

kamm back: It was once thought that a long tapered end in the shape of a vehicle would give it the most aerodynamic configuration. W. Kamm discovered that the length of the end would have to be so long as to make the vehicle impractical. There would also be an increase in surface area which would also create its own friction drag. He found that if he cut the theoretically long tail in half he would have both good aerodynamics and minimal surface drag. This sharply cut off rear end is named after him.

kamm tail: It was once thought that a long tapered end in the shape of a vehicle would give it the most aerodynamic configuration. W. Kamm discovered that the length of the end would have to be so long as to make the vehicle unpractical. There would also be an increase in surface area which would also create its own friction drag. He found that if he cut the theoretically long tail in half he would have both good aerodynamics and minimal surface drag. This sharply cut off rear end is named after him.

Karosserie: German term for coachwork.

keeper: [1] A vehicle that is worth keeping because it will be worth more in the future. [2] A device which holds something in place. See valve keeper.

kerb: A British term for a curb -- astone or cement ridge between the road and the sidewalk.

key: A parallel-sided piece inserted into a groove cut part way into each of two parts, which prevents slippage between the two parts and they rotate together. Used to secure gears, pulleys, cranks, handles, etc. Also see Allen wrench, flat key, gib-head key, half-moon key, Pratt and Whitney key, square key, valve keeper, and woodruff key.

key fob: A device to hold keys.

keyhole: A term applied to the enlarged root opening which is carried along ahead of the puddle when making a plasma arc weld or with some other types of welding.

keyseat: The groove where a key rests.

keyway: A slot cut in a shaft, pulley hub, wheel hub, etc. A square key is placed in the slot and engages a similar keyway in the mating piece. The key prevents slippage between the two parts. Also called "keyseat."

kickdown: A device on automatic transmissions which allows the driver to switch to a lower gear during hill climbing or passing. Instead of manually moving the gear selector, he simply pushes down hard on the accelerator.

kickdown switch: An electrical switch that will cause a transmission, or overdrive unit, to shift down to a lower gear. Often used to secure fast acceleration.

kill switch: A special switch designed to shut off the ignition in case of an emergency.

kilometer: A metric measurement equivalent to about 5/8 of a mile. There are 1.609344 kilometers in a mile.

kilometer per hour: See kph.

kinetic balance: See static balance.

kinetic energy: The mechanical energy possessed by a body due to its motion. It may be calculated from the formula: Kinetic energy = 1/2 mass x (velocity)ý.

kingpin: A hardened steel pin that is passed through the steering knuckle and axle end. The steering knuckle pivots about the kingpin. In newer cars the kingpin has been replaced by ball joints.

kingpin inclination: An alignment adjustment where the tops of the kingpins are tipped inward toward each other. This places the center line of the steering axis nearer the center line of the tire-road contact area. Thus when the vehicle comes out of a turn, the steering wheel returns to the straight-ahead position. Also called "steering axis inclination."

Kissel: The following models: 1925-26 all models, 1927 8-75, 1928 8-90 and 8-90 White Eagle, 1929 8-125 and 8-90 White Eagle, 1930 8-125 are classic cars.

kissing between duals: The intermittent contact of tires in dual as they flex; caused by inadequate dual spacing or by overload.

knock: [1] A general term used to describe various noises occurring in an engine; may be used to describe noises made by loose or worn mechanical parts. [2] Preignition, or detonation. Also see anti-knock agent.

knock off: A single wing nut for fastening a wheel to the hub. Easily removed and replaced, it is struck (knocked off) with a mallet on the wings.

knock sensor: a sensor mounted on the engine to detect the high-frequency vibrations caused by detonation. Since an engine gives the best power and efficiency as it approaches detonation, the knock sensor can relay this information to a computer which can control the factors leading to detonation.

knuckle: See ball joint steering knuckle and steering knuckle.

knife: See jack knife.

knobby: See knobby tire.

knobby tire: On a bicycle or motorcycle, a heavy-duty tire with large rubber knobs spaced relatively far apart to provide traction in wet, muddy terrain.

knobby tires: See knobby tires.

knocking: [1] Noise created by part movement in a loose or worn bearing. [2] A condition, accompanied by an audible noise, that occurs when the gasoline in the cylinders burns too quickly. This is also referred to as detonation.

knurl: To indent or roughen the finished surface of a piece of metal by pressing a series of cross-hatched lines into the surface and thereby raising the area between these lines.

KPH: Acronym for "kilometer per hour." Speeds in Canada and Europe are posted in kph. To convert kph to mph, divide by 1.609344. Thus 50 kph is about 30 mph; 70 kph is 44 mph; 90 kph is 56 mph; 100 kph is 62 mph; 110 kph is 68 mph. Maximum speed in Canada on its freeways is 110 kph.

Kyoto Protocol: international agreement among industrialized countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions negotiated in Kyoto, Japan in December 1997. Canada committed to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 6 percent of 1990 levels between 2008 and 2012.