Terms Starting with L

Lag-The time it takes for a turbocharger to increase the engine power after the throttle has been depressed.

Laminated-Describes a series of plates of metal placed together and used as a core in a magnetic field.

Latent heat-Heat that is hidden or not readily observable.

Lean mixture-Too much air and not enough fuel for combustion.

Lever-A bar supported by a pivot point with a force applied to one end, used to move a force exerted on the other.  Force times distance moved on one side will always equal the force times distance moved on the other.  Typically a lever is used to gain a force with a loss in distance.

Lifter-The small component that rides on the camshaft.  The camshaft lobe lifts the lifter to aid in opening and closing the valves.

Limited slip differential-A differential that uses clutches or cones to lock-up the internal side gears to the differential case.  These components eliminate having one wheel spin faster on a slippery surface.

Lines of force-Invisible magnetic forces around a magnet.

Liter-A unit in the metric system to measure volume.  One liter equals 100 cubic centimeters.

Lobe-The part of a camshaft that raises or lifts the lifter.

Lockup clutch-A type of clutch in a transmission which is able to lock up the torque converter turbine with the engine, eliminating slippage between the two.

Lubricating system-The subsystem on an engine that is used to keep all moving components lubricated.

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