A technical term that is generally used to signify the granting of approval by an official authority. An example of this would be the sanctioning bodies of racing series requiring automakers to manufacture a specific, minimum number of a car that is driven in the series so that it is accepted as a production vehicle. Read More »

Weight the hitch can pull defined by class: Class I Hitch Rating: Hitch rated to handle up to 2,000 pounds. Class II Hitch Rating: Hitch rated to handle 2,000 to 3,500 pounds. Class III Hitch Rating: Hitch rated to handle 3,500 to 5,000 pounds. Class IV Hitch Rating: Hitch rated to handle 5,000 to 8,000 pounds. Class V Hitch Rating: ... Read More »

Highsiding happens when the back wheel of a motorcycle gets out of line with the front wheel, for instance, when the back wheel fishtails during a skid. When the two wheels are out of line, if the back wheel gains traction, it immediately snaps in line with the front wheel. The result is a very violent action where the rider ... Read More »

A measure of mechanical power determined by work and its relations to time, a direct result of torque and engine speed. According to Lesley Hazleton the definition of one horsepower is “the amount of energy required to lift 550 pounds, one foot, in one second.” Therefore the higher the horsepower of the vehicle, the more mass it can move or ... Read More »

In 4-wheel-drive vehicles, it is inefficient to have the front wheels connected when not needed. Most older vehicles required a person to get out and manually switch each front hub. Now these hubs can be changed remotely with a switch inside the vehicle. Read More »

Upgraded shifter for manual transmissions which make the distance between gears shorter. The power band will be more continuous from the bottom of first gear to the top of sixth. This means that when you shift, the amount of acceleration you experience will be more even throughout all the levels of the gear box. The result is that you can ... Read More »

The banks of cylinders are arranged in a horizontal formation that makes the engine flat. It provides a very low center of gravity and an aerodynamic profile. Most engines in road cars today come in two configurations. The V has two banks of cylinders arranged in a V shaped engine block. This is the most common configuration for six, eight, ... Read More »

Brakes that use hydraulic fluid instead of a cable. When the lever/pedal is squeezed/pressed, hydraulic fluid forces the pistons to put pressure on the brake pads which rub against the brake disc and cause enough friction to stop the bike. A master cylinder that contains the hydraulic fluid sits on the handlebar near the brake lever. Read More »

The clutch is engaged/disengaged via hydraulic fluid instead of a cable. When the lever is squeezed, hydraulic fluid forces the pushrod to disengage the clutch. A master cylinder that contains the hydraulic fluid sits on the handlebar near the clutch lever. Read More »

A reference to a racecar’s performance with relation to the driver’s ability to control the car. Suspension, tires and air flow all contribute. Read More »