| N
| Nitrogen An element with the atomic number of 7 |
| N-Channel Metal Oxide Semiconductor (NMOS)
| A MOS transistor whose source and drain are N type diffusions in a P substrate. Applying a voltage of the proper polarity between gate and source produces a conducting channel of N material between source and drain. |
| N-heptane
| A hydrocarbon with an octane number of 0. |
| N-type semiconductor material (N)
| A semiconductor material in which the majority carriers are electrons, and there is an excess of electrons over holes. |
| N/A
| Not available or not applicable |
| N2O
| Nitrous oxide |
| Na
| Sodium An element with the atomic number of 11 |
| NAA
| State or National Nonattainment Area |
| NAAA
| An acronym for National Auto Auction Association. |
| NAAQS
| National Ambient Air Quality Standards |
| NACA duct
| A bottle-shaped, low-drag air intake design. |
| NACAT
| An acronym for National American Council of Automotive Teachers, Inc. |
| NADA
| An acronym for National Automobile Dealers Association. |
| Nafion
| A sulfuric acid in a solid polymer form, usually used as the electrolyte of a PEM fuel cell |
| nail it
| To apply full throttle. |
| NAND gate (or NAND logic gate)
| In computers, a logic circuit that is a negative AND gate. It is an AND gate with an inverter on its output. |
| nano
| The prefix representing the number 0.000,000,001 |
| NARSA
| An acronym for National Automotive Radiator Service Association. |
| NASA duct
| A frequent but incorrect reference for NACA duct. |
| NASCAR
| An acronym for National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. |
| nasty car
| A NASCAR stocker. |
| NATEF
| An acronym for National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation. |
| National American Council of Automotive Teachers, Inc. (NACAT)
| An association of secondary and post secondary automotive technology instructors. |
| National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR)
| The major sanctioning authority for stock car racing. |
| National Auto Auction Association (NAAA)
| A trade association of auto auction owners. |
| National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA)
| A trade association representing franchised new car and truck dealers. |
| National Automotive Radiator Service Association (NARSA)
| A trade association for those engaged in the marketing, service, or repair of cooling system components, tools, and equipment. |
| National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF)
| A non-profit organization administered by ASE that sets standards for training programs in Vocational-Technical schools. |
| National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
| An agency of the Department of Transportation responsible for establishing and enforcing highway safety regulations. |
| National Hot Rod Association (NHRA)
| The major authority for drag racing events. |
| National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence
| A non-profit corporation founded in 1972 to promote and encourage high standards of automotive service and repair through voluntary testing. |
| National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
| A branch of the Federal Government, through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, that is responsible for overseeing and enforcing occupational safety and health issues. |
| National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST)
| A national organization that helps to set standards and technology for mobile air-conditioning systems. |
| National Lubricating Grease Institute
| A trade association of manufacturers and distributors of grease. |
| National Street Rod Association (NSRA)
| A sanctioning body for street rods. |
| National Tire Dealers and Retreaders Association, Inc. (NTRDA)
| A trade association of tire dealers and tire retreaders. |
| National Tractor Pullers Association (NTPA)
| A sanctioning body for tractor-pull events. |
| National Vehicle Leasing Association (NVLA)
| A trade association of vehicle leasers, dealers, and funders. |
| National Wheel and Rim Association (NWRA)
| A trade association for the distributors of vehicle wheels, rims, and brake drums. |
| natural gas
| A gas occurring naturally in the earth, such as methane, ethane, butane, and propane. |
| naturally aspirated
| An engine that uses atmospheric pressure to force the air into the cylinders. |
| Nb
| Niobium An element with the atomic number of 41 |
| NC
| An acronym for normally close, usually expressed nc. Sometimes used to indicate no connection. |
| NCT
| Negative temperature thermistor |
| NCVECS
| The National Center for Vehicle Emissions Control and Safety at Colorado State University |
| Nd
| Neodymium An element with the atomic number of 60 |
| NDRA
| An acronym for the Nostalgia Drag Racing Association. |
| NDS
| Neutral drive switch |
| NDT
| An acronym for non-destructive test. |
| NDV
| Nylon divert valve |
| Ne
| Neon An element with the atomic number of 10 |
| near side
| The side of a vehicle closest to the curb. |
| necking
| A narrowing area of the exhaust pipe due to a buildup of exhaust by-products. |
| necking knob
| A know attached to the steering wheel that permits rapid one-hand steering. |
| needle and seat
| A metering assembly to admit fuel into the carburetor. |
| needle bearing
| A bearing that contains needle-like rollers. |
| needle valve
| The small, tapered male part of a needle and seat. |
| negative
| 1. One of the two poles of a magnet. 2. One of the two poles of a battery, representing ground. 3. Any point which has an excess of electrons, or a negative charge. 4. Less than zero a pressure below atmospheric;(vacuum) |
| Negative back pressure EGR
| An exhaust gas recirculation system having a normally closed bleed hole which opens when bac pressure increases closing a diaphram valve allowing engine vacuum to raise the pintal valve |
| negative back-pressure EGR valve
| An exhaust-gas-recirculation valve having a normally closed bleed hole which opens when back pressure drops, reducing vacuum above the diaphragm and cutting the recirculation flow. |
| negative camber
| The inward vertical tilt of the wheels on a vehicle. |
| negative ion
| Any atom or group of atoms that have more electrons than protons. |
| negative offset
| A wheel rim that has been placed inward from the center of its mounting flange. |
| negative pole
| The negative terminal on a battery. Also known as negative post. |
| negative post
| Same as negative pole. |
| Negative Temperature Coefficient
| Type of thermistor in which resistance decresses as temperature increases |
| negative temperature coefficients (NTC)
| The ability of a substance to change its characteristic opposite for a given change in temperature |
| negative terminal
| The side of a battery or electrical device nearest ground potential, often identified by a minus (-) sign. |
| negative wheel slip
| Wheel lockup that occurs when too much braking force is applied to a wheel and the tire skids on the pavement. ABS controls negative wheel slip by modulating the hydraulic pressure to the wheel or wheels that is/are skidding. |
| Nematic
| Describes a fluid that is a liquid crystal with a threadlike form. It has light slots that can be rearranged by applying small amounts of voltage |
| neoclassic
| The modern design of a car to resemble a classic of the late 1920's and early 1930's. |
| neoprene
| A type of synthetic rubber that is resistant to heat, light, oil, and oxidation. |
| nerf
| To bump or shove another car in an oval-track race. |
| nerf bars
| Small, tubular bumpers at the front and rear of an oval-track race car. |
| net horsepower
| The maximum engine horsepower as measured on a dynamometer. |
| net torque
| The maximum engine torque as measured on a dyno. |
| net valve lift
| The lift, less the running clearance, of a valve. |
| Netscape
| Officially called Netscape communications corporation; it produces a web browser and tools for building intranets. |
| network
| 1. The channel through which several computers share information. May use connecting wiring called multiplexing or may be wireless. 2. A group of computers or computer systems linked togather. |
| neutral
| 1. The position of an automatic transmission when the engine is disengaged from the drive train. 2. A condition of a planetary gear set when all members, gears, and planet carriers, are free to rotate. |
| neutral flame
| An oxyfuel gas flame that has neither oxidizing nor reducing characteristics. |
| Neutral junction
| The center connection to which the common ends or a Y-type stator winding are connected |
| neutral start switch
| A term used for neutral safety switch. |
| neutral wire
| A grounded conductor in a three-wire electrical system that does not carry current unless the system is unbalanced. |
| neutralized
| A term used for allowing a system to settle in a non-stressed position. Used in reference to exhaust systems, powertrain mounts, and suspension parts and mounts. |
| neutron
| A particle in the nucleus of an atom having no electrical charge. |
| new old stock (NOS)
| Old shelf-worn parts that have not been used. |
| Newton Meters
| A metric measurement of force "Torque" |
| Newton's laws of gravity
| 1. Every mass in the universe exerts an attractive influence on every other mass. 2. For two objects, the force of gravitation acting between them is directly proportional to the product of their masses, and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers of mass. |
| Newton's laws of motion
| There are three laws: 1. A body in motion remains in motion, and a body at rest remains at rest, unless some outside force acts on it. 2. A body's acceleration is directly proportional to the force applied to it, and the body moves in a straight line away from the force. 3. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. |
| NG
| An acronym for no good. |
| NGL
| Natural gas liquids |
| NGS
| Neutral gear switch or new generation "Star" tester |
| NGV
| Natural gas vehicle |
| NH3
| Ammonia |
| NHRA
| An acronym for the National Hot Rod Association. |
| NHTSA
| An acronym for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. |
| Ni
| Nickel An element with the atomic number of 28 |
| NIASE
| National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence |
| Nichrome
| A metallic compound containing nickel and chromium, used in making high resistance filaments |
| nickel
| An element, Ni, used in alloys and electroplating. |
| Nikasil
| A trade name of a popular coating applied to the walls of cylinder sleeves to reduce friction and promote sealing at high temperatures. |
| nitride
| A compound containing electronegative nitrogen and an elecropositive element or metal. |
| nitrile
| A type of rubber like material that is okay for use with petroleum products. |
| nitrile seal
| Seal made by mixing butadiene and acrylonitrile. |
| nitro
| A short term used for nitromethane. |
| nitrogen
| A colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that makes up 78% of the atmosphere and is part of all living tissues. |
| nitrogen oxide
| Any chemical compound of nitrogen and oxygen (NOx) as a by-product of combustion that forms smog in the presence of sunlight. |
| nitromethane
| A highly combustible liquid that is the main ingredient in drag-racing fuels. |
| nitrous oxide
| A non-flammable, non-explosive gas (N2O) used as an oxidizing agent with gasoline or methanol to increase the rate and efficiency of combustion thereby increasing the horsepower. |
| Nitrous Oxide Systems (NOS)
| A popular manufacturer of nitrous oxide injection systems. |
| NLGI
| An acronym for the National Lubricating Grease Institute, Usually associated with grease, The higher the NLGI number, the firmer the grease; #000 is very fluid whereas # 5 is very firm. The consistency most recommended is NLGI #2 (soft) |
| NLV
| Non linear valve |
| Nm
| Newton meter |
| NO
| Nitric oxide; Also No, Nobelium An element with the atomic number of 102 |
| no good (NG)
| Not fit for service. |
| no-load test
| A starting-motor test to determine the rpm and current draw of a starter motor. The mechanical tachometer is placed on the drive end of the armature shaft and the motor is then connected to a proper power source. An ammeter, attached to the power means, determines current required. |
| no-tilt convertible fifth
| A fifth wheel with fore/aft articulation that can be locked out to produce a rigid top plate for applications that have either rigid and/or articulating upper couplers. |
| NO2
| Nitrogen Dioxide |
| noble metals
| A rare and expensive group of metals that resist corrosion such as gold (Au), iridium (Ir), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), ruthenium (Ru), and rhodium (Rh), some of which may be found in catalytic converters. |
| nodular cast iron
| Cast iron used to make engine blocks that is treated, while molten, with an alloy that causes the formation of the graphite in very small lumps. |
| noid light
| Short for solenoid, a noid light is used to test solenoids like fuel injectors. |
| Noise
| An unwanted voltage or current in an electrical circuit |
| Nomax
| A popular trade name for a fabric that is used in race drivers' apparel. |
| nominal rating
| The lowest rating of a system or device. |
| nominal size
| A designation used for general identification, such as the inside diameter of a tube. |
| Non repetitive pulse
| A ramdom electrical signal, with no specific pattern or frequency |
| non synchronized
| Relating to injector control, these are fuel pulses not related to the RPM reference. ECM control of the fuel injectors in not directly related to ignition reference signals |
| Non volatile memory
| Memory that is retained in the computer not affected by applyed voltage |
| non-destructive test (NDT)
| A method of testing without causing damage. |
| non-leaded gasoline
| A term used for unleaded gasoline. |
| non-live axle
| A non-driven truck axle that is held off the road when the vehicle is empty and put on the road when a load is being carried, sued extensively in eastern states with high per-axle weight laws. |
| non-load bearing ball joint
| A term used for non-load-carrying ball joint. |
| non-load-carrying ball joint
| A ball joint designed with a preload which provides damping action that maintains suspension component location but does not support the chassis weight. Also known as a stabilizing ball joint. |
| non-miscible
| Not capable of being mixed in any proportion. |
| non-servo
| A type of drum brake in which the brake shoes work independently of each other. |
| non-slip differential
| A differential that is designed so that when one wheel slips, the major portion of the driving power is transferred to the non-slipping wheel. |
| nonconductor
| 1. A material that does not conduct electricity. 2. A material that is resistant to the conduction of heat. |
| noncorrosive flux
| A soldering paste, usually composed of resin-based materials, that does not chemically attack the base metal. |
| nonfriction modified
| An automatic transmission fluid without friction modification agents. |
| nonintegrated ABS
| An antilock brake system in which the ABS hydraulic components are attached to, but separate from, the normal brake hydraulic system and power booster. |
| nonlinear
| Not having a one-to-one direct proportional relationship between input and output. |
| nonmetallic leaf spring
| A term used for fiber-composite spring or fiber-composite leaf spring. |
| nonparallel drive shaft
| A drive shaft with working angles of equal length; the companion flanges and/or yokes are not parallel. |
| nonpolarized gladhand
| A gladhand that can be connected to either the service- or the emergency-gladhand. |
| nonsynchronized mode
| A mode of operation on a throttle body, fuel-injection system in which the injector is pulsed every 12.6 milliseconds, independent of a distributor reference pulse. |
| Nonvolatile RAM
| Ram memory that will retain its memory if battery voltage is disconnected |
| NOR gate (or NOR logic gate)
| In computers, a logic circuit that is a negative OR gate. It is an OR gate with an Inverter on it's output. |
| normal evacuation
| An evacuation to remove air and moisture from a system with only one pump down. |
| normal wear pattern
| The wear pattern of a part of assembly that is normal or expected. |
| normally aspirated
| An engine that is not equipped with a forced means of inducing air. |
| normally closed (nc)
| A term referring to a device, such as an electrical switch, that is closed in its normal position. |
| normally open
| A term referring to a device such as an electrical switch, that is open in its normal position. |
| north-south
| Placing an engine longitudinally in a vehicle, as in most front-engined, rear-drive vehicles. |
| NOS
| 1. An acronym for Nitrous Oxide Systems. 2. An acronym for new old stock. |
| nose
| 1. Frond end of a vehicle. 2. The uppermost part of a camshaft lobe. 3. The front of a semi-trailer. |
| nose over
| An engine or other component that is starting to self-destruct. |
| nose plug
| A threaded, tapered plug used to repair cracks in the diesel engine cylinder head around the injector holes. |
| Nostalgia Drag Racing Association (NDRA)
| An organization staging drag races for older cars. |
| NOT gate (inverter)
| A digital logic circuit in which its signal output is the inverse or its input. |
| NOx
| [1] Oxides of Nitrogen when combined with HC in the presents of sun light NOx forms photochemical smog.Note do not confuse NOx with nitrous oxide (N2O) |
| nozzle
| The orifice or jet through which fuel passes when it is discharged into a carburetor. |
| Np
| Neptunium An element with the atomic number of 93 |
| NPN
| Transistor with P-type base |
| NPS
| Neutral pressure switch |
| NSRA
| An acronym for the National Street Rod Association. |
| NTC
| Negative Temperature Coefficient Type of thermistor in which resistance decreases as temperature increases |
| NTP
| An acronym for normal temperature and pressure. |
| NTPA
| An acronym for National Tractor Pullers Association. |
| NTRDA
| An acronym for National Tire Dealers and Retreaders Association, Inc. |
| nucleus
| The core or central part of the atom, consisting of protons and neutrons and having a positive electrical charge |
| number failure code
| A term used for failure code. |
| number of cylinders
| The total number of cylinders (1, 2, 4, 6, or 8) contained in an engine. |
| numeric tire rating
| An alpha-numeric group molded into the tire sidewall indicating tire application, aspect ration, and rim size. |
| nut
| A fastener having internal threads used on a bolt to secure two or more pieces together. |
| NVLA
| An acronym for National Vehicle Leasing Association. |
| NVRAM
| Nonvolatile random access memory. |
| NWRA
| An acronym for National Wheel and Rim Association. |
Auto & Car Glossary...
Auto & Car Glossary
