Glossary of Unfamiliar Terminology

[DaveMack]

Just thought I'd start a thread where terminology some of us (I'm sure I'm not the only one who reads these forums and comes across terms that they are unfamiliar with) are explained.

I think, for the sake of those who might genuinely need help in this area, it is best if this is kept strictly as a "Glossary of terms explained" rather than a chance to sling the sh*t at someone who asks a question.

I'll start the ball rolling by exposing my ignorance:

"Swallowtail" as in MkI Swallowtail. I'm sure it's something to do with body shape, but for the life of me ... I cannot see the diff between a MKI described as a "Swallowtail" and one that is not.

Dave

[deemoE36]

good point Dave, i dont see any difference myself, also VAG im guessing means Volkswagen auto group or something?

[shaneth]

Great idea Dave. Ive stickied it so please keep this on topic other wise itll be edited mercilessly as alot of people would like to know these things even if it is easy for some. Heres a few i have learnt recently and some i have also known for a while. Feel free to contribute

RSB = Rear Sway Bar
CAI = Cold Air Induction
LSD = Limited Slip Differential
DV = Diverter Valve (this is a new one to me a i was from a Japanese car background)
BOV = Blow Off Valve
TIP = Throttle Intake Pipe.

[Golfer]

With regards to the "Swallowtail", this was posted by Golf Loon and explains the difference between the Swallowtail and the later Mk1 Golfs...

Check out this thread http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newf...ht=swallowtail

You are looking at the back panel under the numberplate. On the 1975 built cars and early 76 it curves up at the ends like a swallows tail to meet the lights. On the later cars it is a straight line.

The cars also have several other cosmetic differences, bonnet without a line across the front, no cutout for fuel sender under rear seat, different fuel tank and unique clips up in the headlining by the tailgate.

They are pretty rare everywhere and are worth good bucks overseas.

[Golf Loon]

VAG : Volkswagen Audi Group (now includes SEAT and Skoda). They also own a few others like Bugatti.

[phaeton]

Wrong wrong

VWAG or VAG stands for Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft

Aktiengesellschaft is the Germany equivalent of stock trading company http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aktiengesellschaft

The origins of the Volkswagen Audi Group name comes from a time when VW & Audi UK worked together V.A.G UK

[Wand Weaver]

Some things I find often catch people out are different names for the same item. Depending on where you got your car info from to begin with - you may be familiar with one, and not the other.

A damper is the same as a shock absorber.
A swaybar is the same as an Anti-Roll Bar. A third, less commonly used name is a Stabiliser Bar.
A Propeller Shaft (or "Propshaft") is the same as a Driveshaft.

"HID" is often treated as synonymous as "Xenon", but this is technically a fallacy. HID refers to "High Intensity Discharge" lamps - a generic term that covers more than one type of light. The "Xenon" HIDs seen in cars are Metal Halide lamps - it would theoretically be possible to substitute the Xenon gas for another inert gas like Argon, but the warm-up time would be considerably longer. These are distinguished from "regular" incandescent lights by the lack of a filament - HIDs generate light by heating a gas/metal mixture by means of an electrical arc.

[Bazzamon]

A Driveshaft is found on front & rear wheel drive cars carrying the drive from the front or rear or both diffs to the wheels. A 'prop' shaft generally runs from the front of the vehicle to the rear under the centre of the vehicle e.g. convensional gearbox to the rear diff. So all Synchros,or '4 motion's have 4 drive shafts & one prop shaft. ........ Bazz Is this correct?

[rayray086]

RSB = Rear Sway Bar

Also commonly abbreviated as ARB = Anti-Roll Bar.

FF = Front-engined Front-wheel drive
FR = Front-engined Rear-wheel drive
MR = Mid-engined Rear-wheel drive
RR = Rear-engined Rear-wheel drive
4WD = 4-Wheel Drive (permanent rear-wheel drive with a function to drive the front wheels as well)
AWD = All-Wheel Drive (permanent drive on all four wheels)

HP = Horsepower
kW = kilowatts
Nm = Newton metres

[Wand Weaver]

A Driveshaft is found on front & rear wheel drive cars carrying the drive from the front or rear or both diffs to the wheels. A 'prop' shaft generally runs from the front of the vehicle to the rear under the centre of the vehicle e.g. convensional gearbox to the rear diff. So all Synchros,or '4 motion's have 4 drive shafts & one prop shaft. ........ Bazz Is this correct?

American usage of the word 'Driveshaft' covers both the longitudinal shaft (front to back) which is known as a 'Propeller Shaft' by the British, as well as the transverse ones spanning from the differential to the driven wheels.

The transverse shafts connecting the differential to the driven wheels are generally called a 'Halfshaft' by the British (and thus all British publications). You'll sometimes hear the F1 ITV commentators referring to "Halfshaft Failure".

I guess I wasn't clear enough in my earlier post - sorry for the confusion.