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Celsius

The metric scale for temperature where water (H2O) freezes at 0 degree C and boils at 100 degrees C.

Cementation

A process for introducing elements onto the surfaces of metals by high-temperature diffusion.

CEMF

An acronym for counter electromotive force.

Center Bolt

A term that generally refers to a leaf-spring center bolt.

Center Electrode

The insulated part of a spark plug that conducts electricity toward the electrode gap to ground.

Center High-Mounted Stop Lamp

CHMSL. See third brake light.

Center Link

A steering linkage part that is connected to the tie rod ends and the Pitman arm to transfer the rotating motion of the steering box to the linear motion necessary to move the wheels from side to side.

Center Of Gravity

The single point at which all of a vehicle's mass is assumed to be concentrated for the purpose of calculating various handling parameters.

Center Of Wheelbase

The exact point midway between the front and rear wheels of a vehicle.

Center To Center

The distance between two centers, usually cylinder bores.

Center-mount Components

The modular installation of a system, such as heating or air conditioning, whereby the evaporator is mounted in the center of the firewall, on the engine side, and the heater core is mounted directly to the rear in the passenger compartment.

Center-point Steering

A steering geometry in which the steering axis passes through the center of the tire contact points.

Center-tapped Transformer

A transformer that has a wire connected to the electrical midpoint of its windings. Generally the secondary is tapped.

Centering Cones

Tapered pieces of metal, designed to slide onto a shaft to align and hold parts perpendicular to the axis of the shaft.

Centerline

1. To bore align. 2. To blueprint. 3. The axis of an object. 4. Same as intake centerline when referring to a camshaft. 5. A line indicating the exact center.

Centi

The prefix representing the number 0.01

Centigrade

1. Former name for 100 point Celsius scale, the point at which water boils (100 degrees C). 2. A term often used incorrectly to indicate a metric temperature value is Celsius.

Centimeter

A metric unit of linear measure equal to 0.3937 inch.

Centipoise (cP)

A metric unit of dynamic viscosity. It is used by the paint industry to measure the viscosity of paint, and by the oil industry to indicate the low-temperature operating characteristics of oil.

Centistroke

A metric unit of kinetic viscosity used to indicate the high-temperature operating characteristics of oil.