Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)

The GVWR is the total allowable weight of a fully equipped vehicle and includes the weight of the driver, passengers, cargo, all fluids, accessories and the tongue weight of the trailer. Read More »

Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)

The GAWR is the maximum weight each axle is designed to carry safely. It includes the entire weight of the vehicle, occupants, cargo, trailer tongue weight and so forth, but now distributed between front and rear axles. Read More »

Glow Plugs

Electric elements that heat up the cylinders of a diesel engine to assist cold starting. Turning the ignition to “on” switches on the glow plugs, which usually need between two and ten seconds to operate, depending the temperature of the engine and the outside air. Read More »

Gearing

The relationship of engine revolutions to drive-wheel revolutions, expressed as a ratio. The transmission allows gear ratios to be changed, while gearing at the differential (called the “final drive ratio”) is constant. Gearing is expressed as a ratio, such as 3:1 (three input revolutions for every one output revolution). The higher the first number, the lower the gearing. Low gearing ... Read More »

G-Loads

Gravitational loads, expressed in multiples of the force of gravity acting on an object. In a car, these can be felt in acceleration, braking or cornering. In most passenger cars, these loads seldom exceed 0.3 or 0.4 Gs in any direction, unless in an urgent situation. Race cars can achieve several Gs, due to excellent tires and prepared racing surfaces. Read More »

Gasoline

A viscous fluid refined from crude oil which is made up of fossilized plant and animal remains and burned in internal combustion engines. Read More »