| K
| [1] Potassium An element with the atomic number of 19 [2] An acronym for "Kilo" a metric term for 1000 |
| K-car
| A compact front-wheel drive vehicle introduced by Chrysler in the early 1980's. |
| K-Jetronic
| A continuous fuel-injection system; a forerunner of the KE-Jetronic system. |
| KAM
| An acronym for Keep-Alive Memory Random-access memory that is retained by keeping a voltage applied to the circuits when the engine is off. |
| kandy apple
| A rich, red finish popular on custom cars. |
| kart
| A small, open, four-wheeled vehicle with a single cylinder, two- or four-cycle gasoline engine. |
| KD set
| An acronym for knocked down set. |
| KE-Jetronics
| A continuous electronic fuel-injection system by Bosh that has been modified using a lambda oxygen sensor. |
| Keenserts
| A trade name for a thread-repair system using spiral inserts to repair damaged threads. |
| keeper grooves
| The grooved area on a valve stem to accommodate the keepers. |
| keepers
| Key-like, tapered-metal locking devices used to hold valve retainers in place on the valve stem. |
| kemp
| A custom car or lead sled. |
| key-off loads
| A term used for parasitic loads. |
| keyboard
| An input device used to key programs and data into the computer's storage. |
| keyless entry
| A system using a coded keypad that allows the operator to unlock the doors or the trunk from outside the vehicle without the use of a key. |
| keystone ring
| Compression piston ring, double tapered and shaped like a keystone. |
| keyway
| A groove milled or machined onto a shaft or into a bore to accept a square, half moon, or a round piece of metal. |
| kg
| An acronym for the metric kilogram. |
| kick out of gear
| To shift to neutral. |
| kickdown
| A downshift to the next lower gear in an automatic transmission when the driver applies full throttle, as in overtaking and passing another vehicle. |
| kickdown pressure
| The pressure developed to downshift the transmission from a high gear to a lower gear. |
| kickdown valve
| A valve located in the valve body that develops kickdown pressure. |
| kickpad
| The area along the inside bottom of a car door. |
| kickup
| A section of a chassis frame that is raised to clear the axles or suspension. |
| kill switch
| A switch used to disconnect the electrical system in an emergency. |
| killed
| 1. To bring to a stop, such as to kill an engine. 2. To overcome completely or with irresistible effect. |
| kilo
| The prefix representing the number 1,000 |
| kilo Pascal (kPa)
| A metric unit of measure equal to 6.895 psi. |
| kilogram (kg)
| A metric unit of measure for weight, as in English pounds. |
| kilometer (km)
| A metric measure for distance, as in English miles one kilometer equals 1,000 meters or 1.609 miles. |
| kinetic energy
| The energy of motion, such as that of a flywheel. |
| kinetic friction
| Friction between two moving objects or between one moving object and one stationary surface such as a clutch or a brake. |
| King-Kong
| a hemi-engined Dodge or Plymouth stock car racer during the 1960's and 1970's. |
| kingpin
| 1. A pin or shaft on which the steering spindle assembly rotates 2. The pin, mounted through the center of the trailer upper-bolster plate, that mates with the fifth wheel and locks to secure the trailer to the fifth wheel. |
| kingpin angle
| A term used for kingpin inclination. |
| kingpin axis
| The inward tilt of the steering axis from the vertical. |
| kingpin inclination
| A major factor in a vehicle's directional control and stability; the angle of a line through the center of the kingpin in relation to the true vertical centerline of the tire viewed from the front of the vehicle. |
| Kirchhoff Gustav Robert
| A German physicist (1824 - 1887) |
| Kirchhoff's current law
| The algebraic sum of all the currents flowing to a given point in a circuit is equil to the algerbric sum of all the current flowing away from that point. |
| Kirchhoff's voltage law
| The algebraic sum of all the voltage rise and voltage drops around any closed loop is equal to zero. |
| KIS
| Knock intensity sensor |
| kit car
| A knocked-down vehicle designed to be built by the owner. |
| km
| An acronym for the metric kilometer. |
| KM/H
| Kilometers an hour |
| knee bolster
| An energy-absorbing pad used on a passive-restraint system to cushion the forward motion of the driver during an accident by restricting leg movement. |
| KNK
| An acronym for Knock Sensor |
| knock
| A noise within an engine generally caused by detonation or preignition. |
| knock off
| 1. A counterfeit. 2. A cheap auto part packaged to represent a popular brand. |
| knock sensor
| A sensor that signals the engine-control computer when detonation is detected, momentarily retarding ignition timing until detonation ceases. |
| knock-off hub
| A large, single, two- or three-eared wing nut used to retain a wheel; illegal for street use. |
| knocked-down set (KD set)
| A package of automotive parts, assemblies, and subassemblies packaged at one location to be assembled at another location. |
| knuckle
| A term used for steering knuckle, the part around which each front wheel pivots as it is steered. |
| knuckle arm
| The arm that extends backward from the steering knuckle to provide attachment for the tie rods. |
| knurl
| 1. A series of ridges formed on the outer surface of a piston or the inner surface of a valve guide to help reduce clearance and hold oil for added lubrication. 2. Machined ridges on a part or tool used to provide a friction surface for drive purposes |
| KOEO
| An acronym for "key on engine off." |
| KOER
| An acronym for "key on engine running." |
| kPa
| An acronym for the metric kiloPascal, as in the English pounds per square inch. |
| Kr
| Krypton An element with the atomic number of 36 |
| KS
| Knock sensor or kicker solenoid |
| kustom
| A term George Barris used for "custom," now in common use. |
| kustom car
| A "custom" car, specifically one built by George Barris, a noted California customizer. |
| KV
| Kilo-volt |
| kW
| Kilo-watt |
| KWP Diagnostic Protocol
| Kew Word Protocol used by European, Asian, and some Chrysler vehicles in two standards KWP 1281 and KWP 2000 |
Auto & Car Glossary
