Question 1

ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)

Accepted Answer

A system that prevents the wheels from locking up (skidding) when the driver brakes hard.

Question 2

Air Brake System

Accepted Answer

Uses air pressure to actuate the brakes, typically found in large vehicles like trucks and buses.

Question 3

Axle Ratio

Accepted Answer

The number of revolutions the drive shaft makes for each revolution of the wheels.

Question 4

Backlash

Accepted Answer

The amount of play or movement when direction is reversed in mechanical components.

Question 5

Ball Joint

Accepted Answer

A pivot point that allows relative movement between two components, such as in a suspension system.

Question 6

Bleeding Brakes

Accepted Answer

The process of removing air from the hydraulic brake system.

Question 7

Camber

Accepted Answer

The angle of the wheels in relation to the road, viewed from the front of the vehicle.

Question 8

Caster

Accepted Answer

The angle of the steering pivot, viewed from the side of the vehicle.

Question 9

Compression Ratio

Accepted Answer

The ratio of the cylinder's volume at BDC to its volume at TDC.

Question 10

Constant Velocity (CV) Joint

Accepted Answer

Allows for smooth, power transmission while allowing for a range of movement.

Question 11

DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid)

Accepted Answer

A liquid used to reduce the amount of air pollution created by a diesel engine.

Question 12

Differential

Accepted Answer

A device that splits torque between the wheels, allowing them to rotate at different speeds.

Question 13

Double Cardan Joint

Accepted Answer

A type of driveshaft joint that uses two universal joints.

Question 14

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Accepted Answer

A device that collects exhaust soot to reduce emissions from diesel engines.

Question 15

Drive Shaft

Accepted Answer

The part of a vehicle's drivetrain that transmits torque from the transmission to the differential.

Question 16

EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation)

Accepted Answer

A method to reduce NOx emissions by recirculating a portion of an engine's exhaust gas back to the engine cylinders.

Question 17

Fuel Injector

Accepted Answer

Device for delivering fuel into the combustion chamber of an engine.

Question 18

GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)

Accepted Answer

The maximum allowable weight that can be placed on a single axle.

Question 19

GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)

Accepted Answer

The maximum weight a vehicle is rated to safely carry, including its own weight and the weight of passengers and cargo.

Question 20

Hydraulic Brake System

Accepted Answer

Uses a fluid (brake fluid) to transfer pressure from the controlling mechanism to the braking mechanism.

Question 21

Idler Arm

Accepted Answer

A component in the steering system that supports the steering linkage.

Question 22

Kingpin

Accepted Answer

The main pivot in the steering mechanism of a vehicle.

Question 23

Leaf Spring

Accepted Answer

A type of suspension that uses layers of metal strips called leaves.

Question 24

Manual Transmission

Accepted Answer

A type of transmission that requires the driver to manually select and engage the gear ratios.

Question 25

NOx (Nitrogen Oxides)

Accepted Answer

Harmful gases produced by internal combustion engines during high-temperature combustion.

Question 26

Pitman Arm

Accepted Answer

Component that converts the circular motion of the steering wheel into a back-and-forth motion used to steer the wheels.

Question 27

Power Steering

Accepted Answer

A system that uses hydraulic or electric power to assist the driver in steering the vehicle.

Question 28

Rack and Pinion

Accepted Answer

A type of steering mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the steering wheel into linear motion to steer the wheels.

Question 29

SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction)

Accepted Answer

An advanced emission control technology system that injects a liquid-reductant agent through a special catalyst into the exhaust stream of a diesel engine.

Question 30

Serpentine Belt

Accepted Answer

A single, continuous belt used to drive multiple peripheral devices in an automotive engine.

Question 31

Strut

Accepted Answer

A component of the suspension system that is used to dampen road shocks.

Question 32

Sway Bar

Accepted Answer

A bar or tube that connects the left and right suspension components to help control body roll during cornering.

Question 33

Tie Rod

Accepted Answer

A component of the steering mechanism in vehicles, connecting the center link to the steering knuckle.

Question 34

Timing Belt

Accepted Answer

A notched belt that allows the crankshaft to drive the camshaft at half the speed of the crankshaft.

Question 35

Torque Converter

Accepted Answer

A type of fluid coupling used in automatic transmissions that can multiply torque.

Question 36

Torsion Bar

Accepted Answer

A type of suspension that uses a bar of metal twisted lengthwise to provide suspension for the vehicle.

Question 37

Transfer Case

Accepted Answer

A part of the drivetrain in four-wheel-drive vehicles that splits power between the front and rear axles.

Question 38

Turbocharger

Accepted Answer

A device that increases an internal combustion engine's efficiency and power output by forcing extra air into the combustion chamber.

Question 39

U-joint (Universal Joint)

Accepted Answer

A joint that allows for varied angles of rotation while transmitting rotational motion.

Question 40

Valve Timing

Accepted Answer

The timing of the opening and closing of the intake and exhaust valves.

Question 41

Viscous Coupling

Accepted Answer

A mechanical device which transfers torque and rotation by the medium of a viscous fluid.

Question 42

Wheel Alignment

Accepted Answer

The adjustment of the angles of the wheels so they are set to the car manufacturer's specification.

Question 43

Wheel Bearing

Accepted Answer

A set of steel balls or tapered rollers held together by a metal ring, allows the wheel to spin smoothly.

Question 44

Wheel Cylinder

Accepted Answer

Component of a drum brake system, which is located in each wheel and is usually at the top, above the shoes.

Question 45

Wishbone Suspension

Accepted Answer

A type of vehicle suspension system that uses a (typically) two-armed component, one end of which is attached to the chassis and the other to the wheel.

Question 46

Zerk Fitting

Accepted Answer

A fitting that is used to introduce lubricant into a mechanical component; commonly found on automotive suspension components.

Red Seal Truck and Transport Mechanic Exam Flashcards