R and D expenditures (product and process development).

Reservoir is a generic term that refers to any container for a fluid. For instance, most vehicles have a windshield washer fluid reservoir and a brake fluid reservoir.

A conservative projection of the market value of a vehicle at the end of a lease. Residual values are provided by major auto manufacturers or independent companies that specialize in auto valuation. A higher residual value will lower the monthly payment. However, the vehicle must be resalable at the residual amount or the lessor will lose money. Conversely, adjusting the residual too low will increase the monthly payment and may make the lease payment unattractive. Adjustments to residual may be made for excess mileage or wear and tear.

The opposition to the flow of current through a circuit or electrical device, and is measures in ohms. Resistance is equal to the voltage divided by the amperage.

A device, usually made of wire, which offers a preset amount of resistance in an electrical circuit.

A small auxiliary muffler that assists the main muffler in reducing exhaust noise.

A measure of how fast an object (especially a shaft) is turning.

When your car is in park or neutral and you press on the gas without the intention of making the car move, you are revving the engine.

A measurement between the ground and some fixed reference point on a car's body (the reference point varies according to the whims of the particular automaker). This dimension can be used to measure the amount of suspension deflection or the height of the body from the ground.

A generally undesirable condition in which a wheel steers slightly as its suspension compresses or extends. Also called 'bump steer.'

A simple non-independent suspension, consisting of a rigid transverse member with wheel hubs solidly bolted to it. The axle can be attached to the body by leaf springs, or by a combination of suspension arms and links.

The name given to a ring-shaped gear attached to a differential case, or affixed to a flywheel or as part of a planetary gear set.

Any gearset consisting of a small gear (the pinion gear) which turns a large-diameter annular gear (the ring gear). Used in rear-drive differentials (rear ends) to transfer power from the driveshaft to the axle and wheels.

A slight arch build into most roads that prevents water from collecting on the road surface.

The amount of power at the driving wheels needed to move a car down the road at a steady speed. This power varies according to the car's speed, aerodynamic drag, and mechanical friction, as well as the tires' rolling resistance. Road-load horsepower is distinct from engine power because the output of the engine is sapped by various mechanical losses between the engine's output at its flywheel and the driving wheels.

The ability of a car to grip the pavement. Technically described as 'lateral acceleration,' because cornering is actually a continuous deviation from a straight path. Measured in gs.

A description of a two-seater open car of sporty appearance with side curtains, instead of roll-up windows.

A pivoted lever that transmits the action of the pushrod to the valve stem. (Pushrod upward action is converted to downward push on the valve stem.)

The rotation of a car's body about a longitudinal axis. Also less accurately called 'sway' or 'lean,' it occurs in corners because the car's center of gravity is almost always higher than the axis about which it rotates.

A bearing made up of hardened inner and outer races between which hardened steel rollers move.