Thursday, 25 April 2024, 12:58 PM
Site: IMI eLearning
Course: IMI eLearning (IMI eLearning)
Glossary: Automotive Glossary
W
WanderThe tendency of a vehicle to drift away from the steered course when being driven. Usually associated with low or uneven tyre pressures or tight steering joints. |
Wankel EngineRotary engine using a three-cornered rotor in a trochoidal chamber. Invented by Felix Wankel. |
WarpageTwisting or bending distortion. |
WarrantyThe legal rights given by manufacturers to cover possible defects occurring during a specified time or mileage. |
Wash PrimerA primer that forms an anti-corrosive chemical film when applied on a bare metal surface. More commonly known as etching or self-etch primer. |
WasherFlat circular plate with a hole in it. Used to spread the load of a nut or bolt. |
Waste GateControl valve in the exhaust gas flow through a turbocharger. |
Water JacketPart of the cylinder block and head of an engine that encloses the cavity through which cooling water flows. |
Water Pump(1) Pump that circulates the water of an engine's cooling system. Also circulating pump. (2) Any pump for delivering water under pressure, as for screen washing, etc. |
Water SpottingA condition caused by water droplets evaporating on a finish before it has thoroughly dried or cured, which results in a dulling of the gloss in localised spots. |
Water TrapA bowl used to separate water from fuel. |
WaterborneA type of paint which uses water as its primary carrier rather than typical organic solvents. |
WattUnit of power. Volts X amps. |
WattageThe power rating of an electrical device. |
Wave WoundA winding that is wound in waves instead of individual coils. |
WaveformPattern displayed on an oscilloscope screen. |
WavelengthThe distance between corresponding points of two consecutive waves. |
WaxA uniquely formulated blend that protects and produces a durable, high-gloss finish on a painted surface. The application of waxes make it easier to clean painted surfaces. Some also serve as polishes due to containing a percentage of very fine abrasive and are capable of removing minor paint imperfections. |
Wax InjectionAnti-corrosion body wax injected into box sections. |
Wax Pellet ActuatorA switch or valve that operates as temperature affects a wax pellet. |
Wax PluggingFormation of wax in diesel fuel at low temperatures that plugs the diesel fuel line or filter element preventing fuel flow. |
WaxingSeparation of wax in diesel fuel at low temperatures. |
WaxstatA thermostat operated by wax. As wax changes state from solid to liquid, its volume changes. |
WeatheringThe change in a paint film due to exposure to natural forces, such as sunlight, rain, dust and wind. |
WeatherometerA device used by paint manufacturers to simulate the effects of weathering. Painted samples are subjected to simulated conditions of sunlight, rain, wind and even salt spray, to test their weathering durability |
Web BrowserA software package that allows you to view pages from the World Wide Web. Examples are Internet Explorer and Netscape. |
Web PageA document, usually written in HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), that can be accessed on the Internet. |
Web SiteA collection of electronic 'pages'. |
WebbingDescription of the material used for seat belt straps. |
WedgesA method of increasing force by use of a taper or inclined plane. |
Weight SolidsThe percentage on a weight basis, of non-volatile (i.e. the ingredients that will not evaporate) material in a paint. |
Weight TransferThe shift of a vehicle's weight towards the front when braking and towards the rear during rapid acceleration. |
Welch PlugA dished steel disc used as a core plug in engines and cylinder heads. |
Wet ClutchA friction clutch that runs in an oil bath. |
Wet Film GaugeA device used to determine wet film thickness of paint immediately after application. This is obviously a type of destructive test, as the paint surface is damaged by the gauge. |
Wet LinerNot strictly a liner as it does not line a cylinder, but is the cylinder of a water cooled engine that fits into the cylinder block in contact with the coolant. |
Wet SandingA technique involving the sanding of a surface while it is being flushed with water. This aids with the smoothing out of surface defects before subsequent coats are applied. |
Wet SpotsDiscolouration caused where the paint fails to dry and adhere uniformly. |
Wet Sump (Oil Pan)An engine lubrication system where the reservoir of lubricating oil is held in a sump below the engine. As distinct from a dry sump where the reservoir of lubricating oil is kept in a separate tank. |
Wet-on-Wet ApplicationA painting method by which a second coat of paint is applied over the first before it hardens and dries. Special primers have been developed which allow for colour to be applied on top of them with little or no flash-off time |
WettingThe process by which a liquid forms intimate contact with the substrate to which it is applied. |
Wheel AlignmentThe relative angle of the road wheels to the true longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The toe angle is the degree of variation needed to bring the wheels into true rolling motion when the vehicle is travelling. Also known as 'toe'. |
Wheel BaseThe dimension from the centre of the front axle to the centre of the rear axle(s). |
Wheel BearingRoller or ball bearing used to support a drive shaft or a wheel on a stub axle. |
Wheel CylinderA brake hydraulic cylinder in a drum brake. It is fitted to the back plate on the wheel axle assembly. |
Wheel HubThe centre assembly of a wheel containing the wheel bearings. |
Wheel NaveConnects the rim to the wheel hub. |
Wheel OffsetThe distance from the wheel nave to the centre line of the wheel. Used to accommodate the brake assembly and bring the centre line of the wheel into close alignment with the centre line of the steering swivel and wheel hub. |
Wheel PlaneThe plane (flat area) through the wheel at right angles to the axle. |
Wheel RimPart of wheel that holds the tyre. |
Wheel Slip (spin)Loss of friction between a tyre and the road surface allowing the wheel to spin faster than the speed of the vehicle. |
Wheel TrackThe dimension between the centres of the road wheels on one axle. Also known as tread. |
Wheelslip (Spin)Loss of friction between a tyre and the road surface allowing the wheel to spin faster than the speed of the vehicle. |
Whip (Whirl)The throw out of a rotating shaft. In relation to drive shafts whip can create unpleasant harmonics and vibrations. |
WhitemetalTin based alloy used as a coating for plain steel bearings. |
WhitworthStandard size of thread. Old British standard. |
WindingCoil of wire used to create magnetism. |
WindingsCoils of wire used to create magnetism when a current flows through them. |
Wiring Harness (Loom)The bundle of cables that are bound together to form the electrical distribution system for a vehicle or system. |
Woodruff KeyA locating device that sits in slots on a shaft and pulley or gear wheel. Also known as a half-round key or in some cases just key! |
Word ProcessorA computer program used to create text based documents such as letters and memos, although graphics may also be added. |
WorkPerformed when energy is used. The SI unit is the 'Joule'. |
World Wide WebThe www is a collection of electronic 'pages' that can be accessed over the Internet. The World Wide Web is NOT the same as the Internet, it is only a part of it. |
Worm GearGear set with a screw pinion driving a wheel with meshing circumferential teeth. |
WOTWide open throttle |
Woven abrasive padA fibre pad used to lightly sand a surface. These pads, which are supplied in various grades, last much longer than abrasive papers and are less likely to rub through on sharp angles and panel edges. |
Wrap-aroundThe phenomenon by which electrically charged paint droplets curve around to the rear side of the object being painted. Used to great advantage in Electrostatic spraying of components with complicated shapes |
WrinklingSurface distortion that occurs in a thick coat of enamel due to uneven cure or recoating of an uncured paint film. |