Auto Repair & Maintenance Glossary: S

shock absorbers: Devices located near each wheel to cut down the vertical bouncing of the passenger compartment on the springs after the wheels go over a bump or the vehicle stops short.

spark plug: A device that delivers an electrical spark to an engine's combustion chamber, igniting the fuel/air mixture that produces the power that drives the engine.

spark plug gap: The space between the center and side spark plug electrodes, across which the spark must jump to ignite the fuel/air mixture in the engine's combustion chamber.

starter: A small electrical motor that causes the engine crankshaft to begin to turn, which starts the engine running and so starts the car.

starter solenoid: A device that uses electrical current to start and engage the starter.