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Passenger Car

A four-wheeled, motor-driven vehicle that carries ten passengers or less, intended for used on streets and highways.

Passive

1. Receiving or subjected to an action without responding or initiating a corresponding action. 2. Accepting without resistance or objection.

Passive Diagnostic Test

The vehicle computer monitors all vehicle system, circuit, or component, looking for values of voltage that fall out of a predetermined range.

Passive Restraint

Occupant restraints, such as air bags or seat belts, that operate automatically with no action required on the part of the driver or occupant, as mandated by Federal regulations to be used in all vehicles sold in the United States after 1990.

Passive Restraints

A passenger restraint (seat belt) system that automatically operates to confine the movement of a vehicle's passengers.

Passive Seal

A seal that has no extra springs or tension devices to help make the seal, such as the O-ring seals on valves.

Passive Test

A diagnostic test in which the control module monitors a component or system during normal operation.

Pasting

The process of applying active battery material onto the grid framework of each plate.

Patch

1. The area of contact of a tire with the road surface when the tire is supporting the weight of the vehicle. 2. A small, rubber-like piece of material for repairing a puncture in an inner tube. 3. A term often used for a temporary repair.

Patch Area

A term used for tire contact area.

PAV

Pulse air valve.

PAVC/DS

Pulse air control valve/down stream.

PAVC/US

Pulse air control valve/up stream.

PAW

An acronym for plasma arc welding.

Pawl

1. A ratchet tooth that is used to lock a device. 2. A hinged or pivoted component that engages a toothed wheel or rod to provide rotation or movement in one direction while preventing movement in the opposite direction.

Payload

The weight of the cargo that may be carried by a truck, determined by subtracting the curb weight of the vehicle and 150 pounds (68 kg) for each passenger from the gross vehicle-weight rating.

Pb

Lead An element with the atomic number of 82.

PBEA

An abbreviation for Paint, Body and Equipment Association.

PbO2

Lead dioxide.

PbSO4

Lead sulfate.