Glossary of modern automotive terminology
Motorfolio is building an extensive glossary of contemporary automotive terms. These are written to explain clearly and simply to a consumer audience how vehicle features work and what their benefits are. Currently we have a library of more than 2000 terms that can be integrated within or added to consumer facing publications or websites, or within more technical publications.
We also have glossary definitions for many common automotive business terms including explanations of finance and leasing terminology.
Motorfolio can also be commissioned to undertake technical writing to support specific projects. Please contact us for details.
Examples
Gatso A brand of traffic-enforcement camera made by Gatsometer BV of The Netherlands and distributed in over 40 countries. (The company derived its name from its founder, Maurice Gatsonides.) 'Gatso' has become a synonym for any TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT CAMERA.
generation code A manufacturer assigned code that indicates the MODEL GENERATION of a vehicle, indicating a new model that has a fundamentally different architecture and appearance from the pre-existing model, but inherits the same name. For example, BMW identifies the 'old' Series 3 as "E46" whilst the current Series 3 is identified as "E90".
glow plug An electrical heating element that preheats the combustion chamber of a DIESEL engine CYLINDER to assist starting. The glow plug may remain on for a short time after the engine has started to improve the efficiency of the combustion process until the optimum operating temperature of the engine is obtained.
greenhouse The glazed part of a car's body that rises above the BELTLINE.
greenhouse gas The group of gases in the earth's atmosphere which trap INFRARED radiation from the earth's surface, thus warming the earth. Green house gases include: CARBON DIOXIDE, METHANE, NITROUS OXIDE. The increase in these gases as a result of human, particularly industrial, activity, is widely believed to be the cause of GLOBAL WARMING. see also: Kyoto protocol
gross trailer weight braked The maximum weight of a trailer and its contents that a vehicle is approved to tow when the trailer is equipped with brakes.
gross trailer weight unbraked The maximum weight of a trailer and its contents that a vehicle is approved to tow when the trailer is not equipped with brakes.
gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) The maximum permitted weight of a loaded vehicle, including the vehicle, equipment, fluids, passengers and load. The GVWR is displayed on a designation plate mounted in the vehicle engine bay or on a door pillar/sill or at the base of the windscreen.
ground clearance The vertical height between the ground and the lowest part of the vehicle's underside, whether part of the body or a mechanical component. This measurement represents the height of an object the vehicle can pass over without damaging the underside.
guaranteed asset protection (GAP) Insurance to cover the difference between the oustanding amount of a loan and what an insurance company would pay if the asset being purchased using the loan, such as a vehicle, were 'written off'.
gudgeon pin A pin running horizontally through the PISTON of a RECIPROCATING ENGINE coupling it to the CONNECTING ROD. Also known as a wrist pins or piston pin.