B

Abbreviation for "Bore and Stroke". Bore and stroke are the dimensions used to determine the displacement of an engine. The bore is the diameter of each cylinder. The stroke is the amount each piston moves up and down in the cylinder. The value of these is indicated, generally, by formula Bore x Stroke (e.g., 85 x 87 mm).

The center body post on sedans. It connects the sills and provides roof support. Sometimes referred to as simply post, as in "1957 Chevy two-door post". On a true hardtop design these pillars are missing, leaving uninterrupted glass area along the sides of the car. Also called "B-post".

See "B-pillar".

An abbreviation for "British Association" which is a term used to describe a series of fine, small diameter threads for electrical and precision equipment.

An alloy of tin, copper, and antimony having good antifriction properties. Used as facing for bearings in automotive industry.

A specially designed seating device (which is not generally standard equipment) to hold safely very young children (usually under the weight of 10 kilograms); also called "baby car seat" or "infant car seat".

Acronym for "Blood Alcohol Concentration". There are many factors that determine ones BAC level, such as the alcohol content of the drink, the number of drinks, total time taken to consume the drinks, a persons weight, and the amount of food present in stomach.

1. A joint or connection where a ball moves within a socket, allowing a rotary motion while the angle of the rotation axis changes. 2. A suspension and steering mechanism component that attaches the steering knuckle to either control arm featuring a ball-and-socket joint to allow pivoting in various directions. Also called "spherical joint".

Acronym for "Before Bottom Dead Center".

Abbreviation for "Barrel", as in "4-bbl carburetor".

Acronym for "Battery Council International" (USA).

Acronym for "Bottom Dead Center".

Acronym for "Brake horsepower".

Acronym for "Bilindustrieföreningen" (Sweden).

Acronym for "Bilimportorenes Landsforening" (Norway).

Acronym for "Bayerische Motoren Werke" (in Germany language). The "Bavarian Engines Factory" (English name of BMW) - had been formed in 1916.

New ideas, large and small, have spearheaded the company's growth and fashioned its sporty image. All this is reflected in the BMW emblem, symbolizing a rotating airplane propeller from BMW's early years. Today, the emblem signifies a global company that annually produces hundreds of thousands of engines, motorcycles, and cars. New ideas, large and small, have spearheaded the company's growth and fashioned its sporty image. All this is reflected in the BMW emblem, symbolizing a rotating airplane propeller from BMW's early years. Today, the emblem signifies a global company that annually produces hundreds of thousands of engines, motorcycles, and cars.

Horsepower at the output shaft of an engine, turbine, or motor is termed "brake horsepower" or "shaft horsepower".

Acronym for "Before Top Dead Center". Spark occurs on the compression stroke, before the piston reaches Top Dead Center (TDC).

Acronym for "Before Upper Dead Center". Same as BTDC.

Acronym for Blackwall, as in "BW tires". Black serrated outline sidewall lettering for a high quality look. Also used B/W.