- C -

Completely Built Up (CBU)

The complete building, rebuilding, or modification of a component or vehicle, as in a kit car.

Component

A part or an accessory of a system, circuit. or vehicle. Can also be used to describe the larger volume ingredients of a liquid such as gasoline coolant, or paint.

Component Isolation

To isolate a component from the rest of the system or circuit for testing or replacement.

Component Location Table

A table or chart, used with an electrical schematic, that describes or illustrates the actual location of the part being investigated.

Component Speaker System

A system that uses separate speakers to reproduce different frequencies, such as tweeters, mid-ranges, woofers and subwoofers.

Composite

A combination of materials that have been formed into a single piece. Typical automotive composite materials include polymers (plastics), Kevlar (which also is used to make bulletproof vests), carbon fiber and fiberglass (although items made from fiberglass typically are referred to as fiberglass parts, not composite parts).

Composite Bulb

A headlight assembly that has a replaceable bulb in its housing

Composite Drum

A drum made of different materials, usually cast iron and steel or aluminum, to reduce weight. The friction surfaces and the hub are cast iron, but supporting parts are made of lighter metal.

Composite Headlight

A halogen headlight system that uses a replaceable bulb, allowing vehicle manufacturers to produce any style of headlight lens they desire.

Composite Materials

The bonding of different materials, usually for strength, such as carbon fiber and fiberglass.

Composite Rotor

A rotor made of different materials, usually cast iron and steel or aluminum, to reduce weight. The friction surfaces and the hub are cast iron, but supporting parts are made of lighter metal.

Composite Spring

A term used for fiber-composite spring.

Composite Washer

A flat washer made of different elements.

Composition Gasket

A gasket made of a combination of materials.

Compound

A substance composed of two or more elements combined chemically

Compound

A car care product that cuts down into the surface of your paint to remove serious imperfections, such as oxidation (which makes your paint look whiteish on the surface), scratches and swirl marks. Most also will remove bonded contaminants, such as road tar and tree sap. Also known as a paint cleaner or a rubbing compound. Compounds typically come in various "cutting levels," such as fine, medium and heavy.

Compound Gauge

A gauge that registers both above and below atmospheric pressure; used on the low side of an air-conditioning system.

Compound Low Gear

A combination of low gear in the transmission and low range in the transfer case in a four-wheel-drive vehicle with a two-speed transfer case.

Compound Planetary Gear Set

A gear set that contains more than just the three basic members of a simple planetary gear set.

Compound Wound

A type of electrical motor where some field coils are wired in series and some are wired in parallel with the armature.