- F -
FMX
Fort automatic transmission.
Foam Baffle Cups
An accessory for use in mounting speakers. These cups protect the back of speakers from damage due to shifting cargo or the elements. In the case of dash-mounted and package shelf-mounted speakers, they also can improve sound quality by baffling sound coming out the rear of the speaker. (Whenever sound can be heard coming from both sides of a speaker, some of the sound frequencies will be distorted and others will be canceled out entirely.)
Foaming
1. A condition caused by the churning of oil or other fluids. 2. A term used for shock foaming.
Focus
The oscilloscope control that adjusts the cathod-ray tube electron beam to control the sharpness of the display.
Fog Lamp
Auxiliary lamps, often amber, mounted in front of a vehicle to aid visibility during snow, dust or fog conditions.
Fog Lamp
See fog light.
Fog Light
Typically a pair of lights mounted on the front of a vehicle that are designed to provide extra low-level light for foggy driving conditions. Some vehicles come from the factory with standard or optional fog lights, but auxiliary lights can be retrofitted to a vehicle later. Many people opt to upgrade their factory fog lights to higher-output halogen, HID (xenon) or projector-style lamps. Fog lights usually are mounted in a front spoiler, but they also can be installed in a custom front bumper or on a grille guard. For a restyling touch, itÂ’s also possible to choose from a variety of fog light bulb colors. See also rear-facing fog light.
Fogger
See direct-port system.
Fold
To bend a material, usually to 180 degrees.
Folding Sunroof
Also known as a ragtop sunroof, a folding sunroof is the next best thing to a convertible. It provides the largest opening of any sunroof design. While most sunroofs come with a glass panel, a folding sunroof features a fabric panel that folds back as it slides open. Some models can be opened manually, while others are electric. The folding sunroof design was once offered as a factory option on European cars.
Follower
A term used for lifter.
Follower
A valvetrain component used in some overhead cam engines. A cam lobe depresses the follower, which actuates an intake or exhaust valve.
Following Ball Joint
A term used for non-load-carrying ball joint.
FoloThru Drive
An inertia-starting motor drive, similar to a Bendix Folo-thru drive.
Font
A design for a set of characters. A font is the combination of typeface and other qualities, such as size, pitch, and spacing.
Foot (ft)
An English measure equal to 12 inches.
Foot In It
A driver accelerating rapidly and/or refusing to yield during an attempted pass.
Foot In The Carburetor
The accelerator pushed to the floor.
Foot Pound
The amount of energy or work needed to raise an item weighing one pound a distance of one foot.
Foot Valve
The foot-operated brake valve that controls air pressure to the service chambers.