"Modern Automotive Technology," Vocabulary from Section 8

This list focuses on engine performance (Chapters 45-47).

Here are links to all the sections of the textbook published by The Goodheart-Willcox Company, Inc.: Section 1, Section 2, Section 3, Section 4, Section 5, Section 6, Section 7, Section 8, Section 9, Section 10, Section 11, Section 12, Section 13
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. performance
    process or manner of functioning or operating
    An engine performance problem is any trouble that affects the power, fuel economy, emission output levels, and dependability of the vehicle. Also referred to as a driveability problem, it can be caused by the engine itself or the computer, ignition, fuel, and/or emission control systems.
  2. systematic
    characterized by order and planning
  3. strategy
    an elaborate and systematic plan of action
  4. elimination
    the systematic rejection of unacceptable alternatives
  5. symptom
    something that indicates the existence of something else
  6. root
    the place where something begins
  7. stall
    cause an engine to stop
  8. severity
    the degree of something undesirable as pain or weather
  9. category
    a general concept that marks divisions or coordinations
  10. random
    lacking any definite plan or order or purpose
  11. hesitation
    the act of pausing uncertainly
    Hesitation is a condition in which the engine does not accelerate normally when the gas pedal is pressed. It is usually caused by a temporarily lean air-fuel mixture.
  12. stumble
    an unsteady, uneven gait
    Stumbling is similar to hesitation, but the engine misses instead of temporarily losing power and causes jerking upon acceleration. A vibration can be felt as the engine misfires. This can be caused by any part that leans or richens the air-fuel mixture too much; bad sensors of oxygen, throttle position, and engine temperature; or intermittent electrical problems that cut current flow to the ignition and fuel systems.
  13. surge
    rise and move, as in waves or billows
    Surging is a condition in which engine power fluctuates up and down with a continuous, soft jerking motion. This can be caused by an extremely lean fuel injection or carburetor setting, ignition or computer control system problems, an electronically controlled automatic transmission that is changing gears abruptly, or intermittent electrical problems that affect engine and drivetrain systems.
  14. sluggish
    moving slowly
  15. consistent
    marked by an orderly and coherent relation of parts
  16. logical
    marked by an orderly and coherent relation of parts
  17. verify
    check or regulate by conducting a parallel experiment
  18. factor
    anything that contributes causally to a result
  19. influential
    having or exercising power
  20. diaphragm
    a muscular partition in the chest used in respiration
    Within the body of a vehicle, a diaphragm is a flexible partition used to separate two different compartments. Since vacuum diaphragms are made of rubber, which can rupture or leak, they are a common source of performance problems.
  21. value
    a numerical quantity measured or assigned or computed
  22. suspect
    imagine to be the case or true or probable
  23. affect
    act physically on
  24. pattern
    a repeated design, structure, or arrangement
  25. frequency
    the number of occurrences within a given time period
  26. intermediate
    around the middle of a scale of evaluation
  27. oscillation
    (physics) a regular periodic variation in value about a mean
  28. superimpose
    place on top of
  29. peak
    the most extreme possible amount or value
  30. wave
    (physics) a movement up and down or back and forth
  31. susceptible
    yielding readily to or capable of undergoing a process
  32. condition
    a state at a particular time
  33. modem
    a device used to connect computers by a telephone line
  34. balance
    harmonious arrangement or relation of parts within a whole
  35. minor
    lesser in scope or effect
    A minor tune-up typically includes performing a visual inspection, checking for trouble codes, replacing spark plugs and filters, changing the oil and lubricating the chassis, servicing the ignition and emission control systems, adjusting the fuel system, cleaning the throttle body and idle air bypass, and road testing before and after the tune-up to check engine performance.
  36. major
    greater in scope or effect
    A major tune-up goes beyond a minor one to include performing a scope analysis of engine systems; testing and replacing spark plug wires and the fuel pump; replacing drive belts, weak sensors, and fluids; replacing or rebuilding the throttle body and distributor; and adjusting the valve train.
  37. specific
    stated explicitly or in detail
  38. appropriate
    suitable for a particular person, place, or situation
  39. dependable
    consistent in performance or behavior
  40. routine
    found in the ordinary course of events
Created on Wed Nov 02 12:14:30 EDT 2016 (updated Tue Dec 27 20:07:47 EST 2016)

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