Motoring Jargon Jargon - R
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Gears which convert rotational motion into linear motion - constituting a grooved wheel (pinion) engaging teeth on a bar (rack). Rotational force applied to the pinion causes the rack to move accordingly. Generally used widely in new cars, apart from some American models.
Saab head restraint that automatically moves up and forward during the crash, actuated by the weight of the occupant in the seat.
Volvo head-restraint system including an entire seat and head restraint that absorbs the energy of a rear end crash
The maximum revs a car's engine can achieve in any given gear is denoted by the redline on the rev counter. Push your car beyond this and you'll blow it up. Probably hit on hire cars on every single trip.
Reduced Rolling Resistant Tyres are stiffer to reduce flex and distortion while driving, which increases fuel consumption. Special heat-resistant, anti-distortion materials are used in their construction to achieve this.
Refers to in-car systems that capture lost energy from braking and deceleration and store that energy. BMW and Volkswagen have led the way in pioneering regenerative braking systems. Such cars are often referred to as warm hybrids. Such systems are often mated with longer gearing ratios and auto transmission to further increase fuel economy.
The second-hand value of a used car. Residual value - often referred to as residuals - is a measure of the car's depreciation over a period of time. Residuals decrease heavily in the first year after sale. Average residuals after three years tend to range between 50-60%.
Instrument that measures the rotation speed of a crankshaft, usually in revolutions per minute (rpm). The redline on a rev counter indicates the maximum revs the engine can put out - go beyond it in any gear and you risk damaging your engine.
A cabriolet (or convertible) without windows, traditionally. The difference between what is now called a roadster as opposed to a cabriolet is virtually impossible to detect.
Hoops that pop up from the headrests in convertibles if sensors detect a rollover is imminent. If all goes to plan the hoops make contact with the ground before your head.
Denotes the rotational speed of a car's crankshaft. Revs per minute in cars tends to vary between 1000 and 7000 rpm. Pile on too many revs, particularly in a lower gear, and you'll blow your engine up, unless the engine has a rev limiter.
Strengthened tyres that are able to keep running after a puncture, albeit at reduced capacity. Run-flat tyres tend to decrease fuel economy.
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Land Rover will introduce a stop-start version of the Freelander small SUV to drive down fuel consumption and emissions. | 07/10/2008
Renault has debuted the new Megane Coupe at the Paris Motor Show and will debut the model in late 2008. | 07/10/2008
Further details have emerged for the new Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer estate model, available from £17,185. | 07/10/2008
The Suzuki Swift Attitude gets a specification upgrade for 2009, adding air conditioning and sports seats for £9,999 on the road. | 07/10/2008
Volkswagen has announced a new entry-level specification and two additional engines for the Scirocco coupé, available to order now. | 07/10/2008
|06/10/2008
LSUK, thought to have been rescused by Euro Car Parts, has been unexpectedly closed by the new owners with the loss of over 600 jobs.
|07/10/2008
Euro Car Parts has put out a statement on the closure of LSUK, stating that a closure of the business was unavoidable due to a 'lack of support'.
|06/10/2008
An A-Z guide to all the manufacturer and new models at the Paris Motor Show in 2008.
|06/10/2008
Alfa Romeo MiTo, Citroën C5, Ford Fiesta, Opel/Vauxhall Insignia, Renault Mégane, Skoda Superb and Volkswagen Golf are European Car of the Year 2009 nominees.
|06/10/2008
The 21.2% year-on-year sales slump is terrible news for the car industry, but could be good news for car buyer.
|20/11/2007
Around 400 people a day risk damaging their car by misfuelling, and filling up with gas is a mistake that could cost thousands. So what do you do if you´ve filled up your diesel car with unleaded petrol?
|01/10/2008
Euro Car Parts has acquired Pinco 1555 Ltd, including all 53 of LSUK's 53 branches, together with subsidiaries M I Diesel Products, Protech Automotive (UK) and Yeovil Rewind.
|06/12/2007
Fuel protests similar to those that brought the UK to a halt in 2000 are being planned by a breakaway group of disaffected hauliers, according to press reports.
|06/10/2008
LSUK, thought to have been rescused by Euro Car Parts, has been unexpectedly closed by the new owners with the loss of over 600 jobs.
|16/03/2008
A list of the new road tax bands as described in the 2008 budget. Cars are placed in VED (Vehicle Excise Duty) bands acording to the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the vehicle.
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