| L: | Low gear in an automatic transmission |
| Labour: | An engine which is struggling to keep turning due to lack of revs or the use of too high a gear |
| Lacquer: |
[1] A fast drying automotive body pyroxylin paint. [2] A glossy coating made by dissolving cellulose derivatives in a rapidly evaporating solvent. |
| Lamborghini: | A model of automobile manufactured in Italy |
| Laminate: | To build up or construct out of a number of thin sheets which are bonded together. |
| laminated: | Something made up of many layers. |
| laminated glass: | A sandwich-type construction of two or more panes of glass laminated together with an extremely tough, crystal-clear plastic film; on severe impact, laminated glass will crack, but not shatter like ordinary glass, nor craze over like toughened glass |
| laminated windshield: | Older safety windshields were made of tempered glass which is heat treated so that the surface is very tough. When a vehicle with tempered glass is involved in an accident, the windshield shatters into a spider web of little crystals. Its adhesive property is greatly diminished so that an object (your body) can easily be ejected through the windshield. Laminated windshields, however, are made with two sheets of glass with a thin layer of rubbery plastic in between. When your head hits the windshield, the windshield bows out without being punctured. The plastic sandwich prevents the glass from splintering. The "plastic sandwich" can also contain a tint to reduce heat in the passenger compartment and protect the eyes from glare (like sunglasses). |
| lamp: | A device for giving off light without being consumed itself. |
| lamp socket: |
A device which holds a light bulb and provides electricity to the bulb. (Br) bulb holder |
| lamp unit: | A sealed light unit with reflector and lens all-in-one |
| land rover: | An SUV built in England |
| lap: |
[1] One complete trip around a race track or route laid out for racing. [2] To fit two surfaces together by coating them with abrasive and then rubbing them together (e.g., to lap valves into valve seats). [3] The upper surface of the human body from waist to knees when seated. [4] A rotating disc covered with fine abrasive for polishing. |
| LaSalle: | A vehicle brand of which the 1927-1933 models are classic cars. |
| Latch: | A fastening device for a door or panel. It consists of a small metal bar, either mounted on the movable part (always on doors and on some tailgates), or on the car body (always on hoods and trunks), which engages with a striker on the opposite part. |
| lathe: | A device for shaving the metal from the outside or inside of a cylinder. |
| lb: | Abbreviation for "pound." |
| LCD: | Acronym for "Liquid Crystal Display." An optical, digital display used in the instrument panel |
| LCV: | Acronym for "Light Commercial Vehicle." |
| LDC: | Acronym for lower dead center |
| lead-acid battery: | An electricity producing system of lead plates and dilute sulphuric acid; used as a starter battery and as a traction battery in electric vehicles or as a source for lights because they are rechargeable, inexpensive, and durable |
| leaded gasoline: | Gasoline to which lead has been added as an anti-knock agent |
| leaded petrol: | (Br) leaded gasoline |
| lead free: | Until 1973 all new vehicles used gasoline that had tetraethyl lead or some other lead compound as an additive to increase octane rating and reduce knock or detonation. In 1973, almost all new cars required lead-free gasoline (unleaded gas). The exhaust valves in older cars were lubricated by the lead, so they were redesigned to accommodate the new gasoline. To offset the detonation problem, the compression ratio was also reduced. Lead-free gasoline was introduced to remove the lead in the exhaust fumes as a health hazard. |
| lead weight: | A balance weight on a wheel rim. Also called wheel weight. |
| leaf spring: | A length of flat spring steel plates bent in an arch usually with curled ends to allow mounting to the frame. Two holes are drilled in the center to mount a u-bolt shackle which surrounds the axle. Some applications need only one leaf spring; but most have several leaves, each smaller than the other, nested together. Only the longest one is mounted to the frame. Also called semi-elliptic springs. |
| leak detector: | Any device used to detect leaks in an air conditioning system (dye, solutions, electronic, propane, etc) |
| lean: |
[1] A weak air/fuel mixture that has less fuel to air ratio. The
opposite is rich. [2] A lateral movement where one side lists more than the other. |
| lease: | Form of contract transferring the use of a vehicle in consideration of payment. |
| lease term: | The duration of the lease. 24 and 36 month leases are the most common but you can lease a vehicle for 12, 48, or even 60 months if you choose. |
| leasing: | The financial plan like renting where you pay a sum of money each month in return for the use of a vehicle instead of buying it outright. |
| LED: | Acronym for "Light Emitting diode." A semiconductor device used for digital displays in the instrument panel and in taillights in place of bulbs because of their low power usage, durability, and brightness. |
| left-hand drive: | (LHD) A steering system where the steering wheel is located on the left-hand side of the vehicle; used for driving on the right, as in most parts of the world, except for the UK, Australia, Hong Kong, and Japan. The opposite is right-hand drive (RHD) |
| legroom: | The amount of space available to move one's legs in a vehicle |
| Le Mans: | A model of automobile manufactured by Pontiac division of General Motors |
| lessee: | The individual or party signing the lease contract and taking responsibility for the vehicle and lease payments. |
| lessor: | The individual, dealer, business, manufacturer, or financial institution that owns the vehicle. |
| let in: | To engage, such as to engage the clutch slowly |
| let out: | To release, such as to let some air out of the tire or to release the clutch by pushing in the clutch pedal. |
| level: | The condition where an item is perpendicular to the force of gravity. |
| lexus: | A model of automobile manufactured by Toyota |
| LH: | Acronym for "left hand" |
| LHD: | Acronym for "left hand drive." |
| licence: | (Br) British spelling for license. |
| license: | Document giving official permission to do something |
| license plate: | A plate (issued by a government) located on the back (and sometimes also the front) of a vehicle showing its registration. The British term is "number plate." |
| License plate frame: | A metal or plastic cover which surrounds and protects the outside of a license plate. Some of them feature the name of a car dealership, state or province, while others have a series of lights surrounding it. |
| lien: | The right to hold another's goods or property until a claim is met. |
| liftgate: |
The rear opening of a station wagon or hatchback which opens from the
bottom and hinges at the top. (Br) tailgate |
| light-duty truck: | A vehicle weighing less than 10,000 lbs. |
| light traffic: | A road with few moving vehicles. |
| Limo: | Short for limousine. A car with a permanently enclosed compartment for 3-5 persons. Or a large luxury vehicle. |
| lip molding: | ornamental bright trim that outlines and visually reinforces a fender wheel opening. Also called wheel molding. |
| liquid: | Any substance which assumes the shape of the vessel in which it is placed without changing volume. |
| liquid-cooled: | An engine that is cooled by the passage of water or oil. The opposite is "air-cooled" |
| list price: | The price suggested by the factory, as quoted in the price list, as opposed to the actual sales price which would include delivery and set-up charges plus taxes. |
| liter: | Metric measurement of capacity equivalent to 2.11 US pints. Five litres equals 1.32 U.S. gallon or 1.1 Imperial gallon. One Imperial quart equals 1.136 liter and a US quart equals 0.946 liter. |
| lizzie: | Nickname for Ford Model T |
| long ton: | 2240 pounds. Also called "gross ton." |
| Louvers: | a series of slits in the body of a vehicle that allows the air in and out. Also used on body panels for decoration. |
| low gear: | The lowest gear in a transmission, usually called first gear. |
| low rider: | A customized car which is extremely lowered through body and suspension modifications |
| LTD: | An abbreviation for Limited |
| lubrication: | four-stroke engines continuously circulate oil which lubricates and cools the engine. Two-stroke engines use separate oil to lubricate the transmission and the crankcase/piston |
| lube grease: | A very thick lubricating oil that has a paste-like consistency. |
| luggage rack: | A trunk which fits on the back of a motorcycle behind the rear passenger. |
| lug nut: | One of several nuts which hold the wheel and tire assembly on the car and are screwed on the studs. |
| lug wrench: | A wrench used to remove the lug nuts which secure the wheels to the vehicle. Some are L-shaped while others are X-shaped. They are usually found in the trunk of the car with the tire jack. |
| luxury car: | A well-appointed, well-equipped, well-designed and constructed vehicle varying in size from a compact to a large sedan. |