A
radar frequency allocated for use by police radar guns. The frequency
is also shared with garage door openers and security systems.
Yaw
Rotation
of an automobile about a vertical axis, for example cornering, turning,
and, yes, even spinning out of control.
Yaw
response
The
lag between steering input and change of direction.
Yoke
The
part on the end of a drive shaft, or the driveshaft mounting plate
which a universal joint mounts to. Can also be the component which
mounts to the pinion shaft on a live rear axle which the universal
joint mounts to.
Zahnradfabrik
Friedrichshafen (ZF)
A
large manufacturer of transmissions and axles used in production
and race cars located in the southern German city of Friedrichshafen.
Zero
emissions vehicle
An
"environmentally friendly" vehicle which emits no exhaust
pollutants into the atmosphere. Electric vehicles qualify as environmentally
friendly vehicles but, of course, electric powerplants, most of
which are coal-fired, emit pollutants into the air.
Zero-offset
steering
Steering
geometry having a scrub radius of zero; used on many front-wheel-drive
cars to help reduce torque steer during acceleration. For more information
see: Steering offset.
Zexel-Torson
A
type of limited-slip differential used to increase traction in slippery
conditions. Has the advantage of operating like a standard open
differential until activated. If a wheel doesn't have traction,
torque can be delivered to the other axle by applying the brakes
hard and modulating them while holding down the accelerator. The
brakes tend to lock the wheel that is slipping and sends torque
to the other axle (which hopefully has more traction). Used on Hummers.
Zyglow
A
dye used to detect otherwise invisible cracks or hairline fractures
in non steel parts. Imperfections show up under an ultraviolet light.
