Automotive Terms Dictionary

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Valve
A device that can be opened or closed to allow or prevent the flow of a liquid or gas from one place to another. Most internal combustion engines use intake and exhaust valves to allow fuel/air mixture into the cylinders and to exhaust burnt gases. Some engines have four valves per cylinder, which increases total valve area for increased efficiency and performance.

Valve Lifter
The cylindrical component that presses against the lobe of a camshaft and moves up and down as the cam lobe rotates, opening and closing an intake or exhaust valve. Virtually all modern valve lifters are of an hydraulic design that uses a cushion foil to promote quiet operation.

Valve Train
The collection of parts that make the valves operate, allowing fuel intake, compression and exhaust. Includes the camshaft(s) and all related drive components, and the various parts that convert the camshaft's rotary motion into reciprocating motion at the valves.

Vehicle Identification Umber (VIN)
Number assigned to a vehicle by the manufacturer primarily for registration and identification purposes (consisting of numerals and letters).

Volt
After Alessandro Volta, Italian (1745-1827). The volt is a unit of electrical potential difference, or electromotive force.