Glossary
dealer preparation fee
In car leasing, the fee is paid to the dealer for preparing a car for purchase or for lease.
default charge
In car leasing, refers to the fee charged as penalty for a late lease payment.
deficiency
refers to the difference between the amount of money owed on a leased car and the current cash value of the car.
depreciation fee or charge
An amount charged to a lease payment that accounts for the loss of value on a car during a lease term.
differential
A device consisting of gears that allows an axle or drive shafts to rotate at different speeds; this allows for different speeds in the drive shafts particularly useful for when a car makes a turn.
direct fuel injection (a.k.a. fuel injection/electronic fuel injection)
A fuel system that allows for better performance, fuel efficiency, and the ability to use alternative fuels which in turn allows for better emission performance.
disc brake
A car device that is used for stopping or slowing down the rotation of a wheel.
displacement
The volume of an engine's cylinders used to refer to a car's size and power.
disposal/disposition fee (a.k.a. termination fee)
In car leasing, this refers to the amount a buyer pays at the end of a closed-end lease; an option only offered to lessees who choose not to pay residual values for the car.
double-wishbone suspension
A car suspension design that allows the use of two wishbone-shaped control arms for the wheel's up and down motions.
drag coefficient
The measure of a car's resistance to air as it passes through it.
driveline
The part of a car that connects the transmission with the driving axles.
drivetrain
Parts of a car that generate power and thus propel the car.
drum brake
Refers to a brake that stops or slows down the rotation of a wheel with pads that press against the inner part of a metal drum in the wheel.
dualie
A truck with wheels on each side of the rear axle.
Dynamic Stability Assistance (a.k.a. electronic stability system, dynamic stability control)
A computer-controlled antilock braking system that provides assistance to a car on a road when it experiences sudden changes; i.e., the road gets slippery. The system monitors wheel performance and adjusts accordingly.
