Radiator Glossary of Terms
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Fan Belt
The rubber strip connecting components in the engine compartment including the alternator, water pump, emission controls, power steering pump and air conditioning compressor.
Fast Idle
The higher speed at which an engine idles during warm-up. When first started, a cold engine needs more throttle opening to idle properly. On carbureted engines without computer idle speed control, a set of cam lobes on the choke linkage provides a fast id
Fast-Burn Engines
A broad category of engines representing today's automotive technology. Such engines are designed to increase the rate of fuel combustion leading to higher combustion efficiency and increased engine power.
Fault Code
See Diagnostic Trouble Code and Trouble Codes.
Feedback
A principle of fuel system design wherein a signal from an oxygen sensor in the exhaust system is used to give a computer the input it needs to properly regulate the carburetor or fuel injection system in order to maintain a balanced air/fuel ratio. Also,
Feedback Carburetor
An electronic carburetor that controls the air/fuel mixture according to commands from the engine control computer, typically through the operation of a duty solenoid.
Feeler Gauge
A blade, usually metal, of precisely predetermined thickness, used to measure the clearance between two pads.
Fire Point
Minimum sample temperature at which vapor is produced at a sufficient rate to sustain combustion.
Firing Order
The order in which combustion occurs in the cylinders of an engine. Also the order in which spark is distributed to the plugs by the distributor.
Flammable Refrigerants
A refrigerant that may ignite or burn. This includes butane, propane, isobutane and certain other hydrocarbons. Flammable refrigerants are considered dangerous because of their risks to service personnel as well as the occupants of a vehicle should there
Flash Codes
The name given to fault codes or trouble codes that are read by counting flashes of the Check Engine light or ABS warning light. Though not available on some systems, flash codes provide essential diagnostic information for troubleshooting problems. To re
Flash Point
Minimum sample temperature at which vapor is produced at a sufficient rate to yield a combustible mixture.
Flat-Rate Manual
A manual that lists the various jobs that can be done on vehicles, along with the estimated time and cost.
Flooding
The presence of too much fuel in the intake manifold and combustion chamber that prevents the air/fuel mixture from firing, thereby causing a no-start situation.
Flooding The Engine
A condition in which an excessive amount of fuel is delivered to the cylinders making starting the engine difficult or impossible.
Flushing
The process of using a chemical to remove sludge, dirt, rust or metallic debris from inside A/C system components, the purpose of which is to clean the system, restore proper refrigerant flow and prevent clogging. Or, refers to reverse flushing the coolin
Flywheel
A disc shaped pad bolted to the rear end of the crankshaft. Around the outer perimeter is affixed the ring gear. The starter drive engages the ring gear, turning the flywheel, which rotates the crankshaft, imparting the initial starting motion to the engi
Foot Pound
The amount of energy or work needed to raise an item weighing one pound, a distance of one foot.
Four-Wheel Alignment
An alignment job that includes all four wheels, not just the front two. All vehicles can benefit from a four-wheel alignment, not just those with front-wheel drive or independent rear suspensions. The rear wheels have just as much influence over direction
Four-Wheel Drive (4WD)
A method of driving a vehicle by applying engine torque to all four wheels. Various schemes are used for 4WD including part-time, full-time and variable four-wheel drive. The primary advantage of four-wheel drive is increased traction-which is especially
Four-Wheel Steering
A system that uses all four wheels to steer the car. Turning the rear wheels in the opposite direction to the front at slow speeds can allow faster maneuvering and a much tighter turning radius. Turning the rear wheels in the same direction as those at th
Frame Angle
The angle of a truck's frame with respect to the ground. The angle affects front caster. For every degree of change in the frame angle, caster also changes one degree. Raising the rear of a truck increases the frame angle (positive) while lowering the rea
Freeze Plug
An expansion plug located in the side of an engine block that is supposed to protect the block against freeze damage. Water expands when it turns to ice, and if the coolant doesn't have enough antifreeze protection it can freeze and crack the engine block
Freon
A registered trademark of the DuPont Corporation for their family of CFC refrigerants, which includes R-12.
Friction
The resistance to motion of a surface as the result of its contact with another surface.
Friction Material
Material that is pushed against a disc by a shoe or caliper to generate friction.
Friction Modifier
Additives that reduce the friction of moving engine parts or oil flow in the engine.
Friction Surfaces
Any of the surfaces designed to rub together in a brake system to create friction and therefore stopping power.
Front-Wheel Drive
A vehicle that is propelled by its front wheels rather than being pushed by its rear wheels.
Fuel Economy
The number of gallons of fuel used per 100 miles of driving.
Fuel Filter
A device that filters impurities from the fuel before it reaches the carburetor. Usually located near the carburetor in the fuel line coming from the fuel pump or inside the carburetor or fuel pump itself.
Fuel Injection
A system where fuel is sprayed either directly into the cylinders or intake manifold just ahead of them. An electronic sensing device is used to deliver the correct amount of fuel into the combustion chamber.
Full-Flow Oil Filter
A device that filters the oil passing through the engine before it reaches the bearings.
Fuse
A protective device in a circuit that prevents circuit overload by breaking the circuit when a specific amperage is present. The device is constructed around a strip or wire of a lower amperage rating than the circuit it is designed to protect. When an am

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