An acronym for Antilock Braking System. ABS eliminates wheel lockup during braking and loss of steering control on slippery surfaces. Speed sensors monitor each wheel and reduce brake pressure on any wheel rotating significantly slower than the others. ABS systems are 2, 3, or 4-channel systems. 2-channel systems combine 2 wheels, such as the left front and right rear into one channel. The right front and left rear wheel form the other channel. Any wheel lockup causes brake pressure reduction on both wheels of each channel. 3-channel ABS systems combine the rear wheels into one channel. The front wheels have individual channels. The most sophisticated ABS systems use 4-channels, one for each wheel, for maximum control and braking power.

A brake that uses a disc shaped rotor and calipers that hold friction pads. The rotor is attached to the wheel hub and spins with it. The calipers are stationary. When the brake pedal is depressed, the calipers press on the side of the side of the rotor. The friction pads slow the rotor as needed. Most vehicles use disc brakes on the front wheels. Disc brakes can shed heat and retain their braking power better than drum brakes.

A type of braking system in which brake shoes, in a vise-like caliper, grip a revolving disk mounted on a wheel to slow or stop disc and wheel rotation for braking.

The braking system in a modern car consists of the brake pedal, a power brake booster, brake master cylinder, brake lines, brake fluid, brake rotors (including calipers and pads), and, for some vehicles, brake drums (including wheel cylinders and brake shoes). In addition, all vehicles have a parking/emergency brake. Taken together, these components operate in sync to slow or stop your car. They operate like this: when you press on the brake pedal, the pressure you apply is multiplied by the brake booster. It is then distributed by the brake master cylinder and sent via the brake fluid through the brake lines to each individual wheel. When it arrives at a wheel, this pressure causes, for instance, the caliper (in a vehicle with disc brakes) to close, which then causes the pads to come in contact with the brake rotor. The resulting friction causes the car to slow down and eventually stop. Should this system fail, then the emergency brake may be used as a backup to stop your vehicle.

A term used to describe an engine's ability to fill its cylinders with air-fuel mixture and then discharge the burnt exhaust gases. In general, the more air-fuel mixture an engine burns the more power it produces.

Oil burning occurs when one or more internal engine components fail, thus allowing oil into the engine's combustion chamber. There, the oil is burned along with the air/fuel mixture.

A piece of rubber or plastic that fits in between two components. Typically made of two coaxial steel tubes bonded to a sleeve of rubber between them. Bushing protects the two components from excess wear and damage. The compliance of the bushing in different directions has a great effect on ride harshness and handling. Anti-friction liner used in place of a bearing.

A general term for a valve that lets liquid or air circumvent a filter. For example, an oil bypass valve allows oil to circulate when the oil filter is clogged.

The roof support between a car's rearmost side window and its rear window. On a vehicle with four side pillars, the rearmost roof support may be called a D-pillar.

Another term for a convertible. European manufacturers often call convertible models Cabriolets or Cabrios. Cabriolet A description of an auto with collapsible top (convertible) and seating two or four passengers. Also called a drophead coupé.

The acronym for Corporate Average Fuel Economy. Regulation enacted in 1975 which requires a motor vehicle manufacturer to classify its U.S. vehicle fleet sales as either domestic or import for the purpose of fuel economy averaging This single mileage figure is determined by taking a sales weighted average of the fuel consumption for all models produced by a manufacturer. The minimum required figure is an established U. S. government standard. Manufacturers which do not meet the minimum standard are fined.

In a disk brake, a housing for cylinder, pistons and brake shoes, connected to the hydraulic system. The caliper holds the brake shoes so they straddle the brake disc. 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.

An eccentric (off-center) lobe or projection on a rotating shaft; used to transmit a motion at a predetermined time during the rotation of the shaft.

The shape of each lobe on a camshaft. The profile determines the amount, or 'duration', of time the valve is open; it also largely determines the valve's maximum opening, or 'lift'. camber: the angle between the plane of a wheel's circumference and a vertical line, measured in degrees and minutes. The tops of a car's wheels tilt inward when the camber is negative, outward when it is positive.

The inward or outward tilt of the wheel and tire assembly.

The inward or outward angle which a front-wheel spindle makes with a vertical line, as viewed by either the front or the rear of the vehicle. Positive camber results when the top of the tire tilts out further than its bottom. The adjustment of this setting affects both tire wear and vehicle handling.

The shaft in the engine which is driven by gears, belts or chain from the crankshaft. The camshaft has a series of cams that opens and closes intake and exhaust valves as it turns. A shaft in the engine on which are the lobes (cams) which operate the valves. The camshaft is driven by the crankshaft, via a belt, chain or gears, at one half the crankshaft speed. Older cars have the camshaft inside the engine, but newer vehicles have overhead cam designs that place the cam in the cylinder head for more efficient operation.

A device that stores an electrical charge.

The price of the leased vehicle plus any other charges such as fees or taxes that become the cost basis for calculating the terms of a lease.

An imported motor vehicle or part manufactured by another automaker usually for sale under the brand name of the importer.