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Backup Flood Lights

Lights that attach to the rear of a vehicle and come on when it is shifted into reverse to provide illumination. Designed to be used in addition to original equipment backup lights, which are designed to warn others that a vehicle is moving backward, but don't shed much light.

Backup Light

Lamps that illuminate the area behind the vehicle and warn others of the driver's intention to back up. All vehicles sold in the United States after 1971 are required to have such lights.

Backyard Mechanic

An amateur mechanic or one with little training. Often called a shade-tree mechanic.

BACT

Best Available Control Technology

Bad

Good.

Bad Car

A performance term for an extremely fast car.

Bad Sector

A sector on a computer disk that will not read or write correctly. Usually due to a minor physical flow in the disk.

Badge Engineering

The act of producing the same car under more than one name.

Baffle

1. A barrier used to reduce noise in an enclosed system, such as the exhaust system. 2. A barrier to prevent splashing of liquid in a tank.

Bail

The spring-steel wire loop used to secure a cover, such as on a master cylinder reservoir.

Baja

A Spanish term for "lower". The term more generally refers to Mexico's Baja race, which is held in a rugged desert region creating one of the world's toughest off-road courses.

Baja Bug

A Volkswagen Beetle modified for of-road use, developed in the late 1960s by Dino Miller.

Bakelite

A brand name of Union Carbide co. for phenofomaldehyde resin plastic.

Balance

1. To have all rotating parts in a state of equilibrium. 2. To balance all rotating parts statically and dynamically in an engine to ensure maximum performance.

Balance Control

A control in a stereo amplifier that adjusts the relative output volume from each of the stereo channels.

Balance Pipe

1. A pipe that connects the exhaust pipes in a dual exhaust system to equalize the pressures. 2. A pipe that connects the ventures of dual carburetors.

Balance Shaft

A shaft in the engine that is designed os that, as it rotates, it reduces or cancels out any vibrations caused by other moving parts.

Balance Tube

1. A tube to connect the exhaust pipes in a dual exhaust system to equalize the pressures. 2. A tube to connect the ventures of dual carburetors.

Balanced Atom

An atom that has an equal number of protons and electrons

Balanced Carburetor

A carburetor in which the float bowl is vented to the air horn to compensate for the possible effects of a clogged air filter.