| N: | A gear selection indication for neutral |
| NADA: | Acronym for "National Automobile Dealers Association" |
| NAPA: | Acronym for "National Automotive Parts Association" |
| NASCAR: | Acronym for "National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing" or "North America Stock Car Auto Racing" |
| Needle: | [1] An indicator on a dial, instrument, or
gauge. [2] A thin rod or small tapered rod used to open or close a hole. |
| Neg: | Abbreviation for "negotiable," as in the price is neg. Also it may refer to the negative terminal of a battery, or negative ground. |
| Negative Connections: | Connections in an electric circuit through which the current flows back to its source. |
| negative ground: | An electrical system where the chassis is the negative side of the circuit and a separate wire to each component is the positive (hot) line |
| negative terminal: | That terminal (such as that on the battery) from which the current flows on its path to the positive terminal. It is usually marked with a minus symbol and is attached with the black cable |
| Neon Tube: | An electric "bulb" or tube filled with a rare gas, used on ignition test instruments like timing lights. |
| Neoprene: | A hard plastic like substance. |
| Neutral: | [1] (N) The neutral position of a
transmission is the gear position where the engine is unable to drive the
wheels. It is usually placed between reverse and one of the forward gears
in automatic transmissions; and is located centrally in manual
transmissions.
[2] Something that does not have any distinctive characteristics. [3] A charactristic of handling where both front and rear wheels have the same amount of traction so that neither one has a tendency to slide. [4] Something that is neither an alkaline nor acid, usually with a pH of 7. |
| new-old-stock: | (NOS) New genuine parts for older models, referring mostly to spare parts that are normally no longer produced |
| Ni-cad: | A rechargable battery used in many high power light systems. Benefits include reasonable weight, good run times, and solid long-term durability. |
| Nickel plating: | thin coating of nickel deposited on a surface by electrolysis |
| Nickel steel: | Nickel is alloyed with steel to form a heat and corrosion resistant metal |
| nissan: | A model of automobile manufactured in Japan |
|
nitrocellulose paint: |
A paint which gives a deep, lustrous finish. It is used on old Jaguars but was prone to crazing and checking. Because spraying with nitrocellulose paints creates environmental problems, they are no longer used for volume cars |
| Nitrous oxide: | (NOx) One of the three basic pollutants found in the exhaust emission of an internal combustion engine. The amount of NOx usually varies in an inverse proportion to the amount of HC and CO. |
| No Fault Insurance: | A form of vehicle accident insurance in which the insurance company of each driver pays for the damages of its own driver regardless of who is at fault. So if you and I have an accident, my insurance company will pay for my damaged car and your insurance company will pay for your damages. If you don't have insurance, my insurance company will pay for my damages even if I think you are at fault. |
| Nonferrous metals: | All metals containing no iron (except in very minute quantities). Thus they are not subject to rusting. |
| NOS: | Acronym for "new old stock." These are parts that originally were available from the manufacturer of an automobile. They have never been used, thus are "new." But they also may have been on the shelf for decades, thus are "old." |
| nose: | The front end of a vehicle. |
| nose-to-tail: | A driving mode in rush-hour traffic. Also called bumper-to-bumper |
| nose protector: | A cover, usually of black soft plastic sheeting with flannel-like backing, that fits around the front end of a car. Also called nose bra. Compare stealth bra. It protects the front portion of hood and fenders against damage caused by flying rocks, road debris and insects; attaches to car with bendable plates, straps, or hooks and grommeted edges; sometimes personalized with a vehicle logo; relatively common in the USA, but rarely found in Europe |
| nozzle: | A thin hollow tube; a jet or hole at the end of a pipe. |
| numberplate: | (Br) license plate |
| number two diesel fuel: | Diesel fuel used in moderate climates |
| Nut: | [1] A fastening device that is somewhat
doughnut shaped with a number of flat surfaces on the outer rim and
threads on the inner hole. [2] A person who is greatly interested in a field such as "Jim is a car nut." |
| nylon: | A synthetic fiber which is stronger than vinyl. It can be used in sheet, fiber, or solid form |