Laminated Windshield
A windshield consisting of a thin layer of rubbery plastic sandwiched between two sheets of glass. Laminated windshields are safer than tempered glass windshields because damage, unless extensive, is localized and generally doesn't seriously impair vision. Also, when struck by a large blunt object, a laminated windshield fractures (or breaks) without puncturing, and the plastic inner layer holds the glass to reduce splintering. Laminated windshield is used as standard equipment by most automotive manufacturers. |
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Lane Departure Warning
A driver assistance system that is based on a video sensor. A camera integrated near the rear-view mirror takes an image of the road ahead of the vehicle during the day or within the headlight beam at night. This visual image is sent to a central control unit, where it is analysed. The system identifies the lane markings, and tracks their position permanently. If the vehicle is threatening to stray outside the limits of the lane, the system alerts the driver by vibrating the steering wheel so the driver can correct the direction of your vehicle.
The system takes the vehicle's speed into account, providing a warning earlier when the vehicle is travelling at higher speeds, so the driver always has adequate time to correct the steering before the lane markings are crossed.
:: Click for detailed Lane Departure Warning information |
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LED
Light Emitting Diodes - use up to 50% less electricity than conventional incandescent lamps and have a far greater service life. One rear light assembly can be equipped with between 50 to 100 LEDs, which provides further insurance against light failure. When LEDs reach the end of their service life, they do not fail immediately, as conventional light bulbs do, but they gradually lose intensity instead.
However, the most compelling reason for using LED technology in brake lights is their faster reaction times compared to conventional lamps. They instantly convert an electrical signal into light and require no warm-up phase. The driver behind perceives your brake lights faster and can respond sooner - an advantage that can prove to be decisive. |
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Lifters
Hydraulic Flat-Tappet: A camshaft follower having a flat surface at the point of contact with the cam lobe. Flat-tappet lifters actually have a shallow convex curvature at their "face" to allow the lifter to rotate during operation, extending the working life. A hydraulic lifter incorporates a mechanism that automatically adjusts for small changes in component dimensions, and usually maintains zero lash in the valvetrain. Hydraulic lifters also offer a slight "cushioning" effect and reduce valvetrain noise.
:: Click for detailed Lifters information |
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Load Sensing Valve
A device that can sense the amount of weight in the bed of a truck and adjust the amount of braking force to the rear wheels to provide optimum stopping power under all load situations. |
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Lock-Up Torque Converter
A torque converter that contains a special clutch that forms a solid connection between the engine output shaft and the transmission input shaft when a certain, pre-set speed is attained. This reduces transmission friction losses and increases efficiency. |
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LPG
Liquified Petroleum Gas - is a mixture of hydrocarbon gases used as a fuel in heating appliances and vehicles, and increasingly replacing chlorofluorocarbons as an aerosol propellant and a refrigerant to reduce damage to the ozone layer.
:: Click for detailed LPG information |
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LSD
A Limited Slip Differential (aka. positraction differential) is a special traction Differential. Its purpose is to improve the way your differential performs under adverse conditions. When one wheel starts to slip, these differentials transfer the torque to the wheel that is not slipping. The car can then continue to go forward. There are several different kinds of positraction differentials, but all of them are based on a friction device to provide resistance to normal differential operation.
:: Click for detailed LSD information |
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Lubricating System
The oil pump, oil pan, oil coolers, tubing, filters and passages in the block and other parts that furnish oil to the moving parts and bearings of an engine. |
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