Glossary of Auto Terms
DriverSide's Car Dictionary has the most comprehensive definitions of automotive terms. This auto glossary can help you decipher what your mechanic is fixing and what the purpose or function of the particular auto part or accessory is for. We have taken the mystery out of automotive service jargon, so that you don't have to.
Ground
Sometimes called the "earth," without a ground your electrical system cannot function. The negative terminal of your battery is a type of ground, as are the various wires you may see in your engine bay that are bolted only to bare metal in the engine bay or fender, but seem to have no other function. That is proably a ground, and when these are broken, disconnected, or otherwise fail, they can make other systems in your car start acting funny--funny in a bad way.
See Also:
Negative Terminal
Distributor
Battery
Electrolyte
Spark Plug Cable
Coil
Ignition Timing
Mass Airflow Sensor
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