Glossary of Automotive Design - D

D

Daylight Opening (DLO)
US DOT Term: For openings on the side of the vehicle, other than a door opening, the locus of all points where a horizontal line, perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal centerline, is tangent to the periphery of the opening.
US DOT Term: For openings on the front and rear of the vehicle, other than a door opening, daylight opening means the locus of all points where a horizontal line, parallel to the vehicle longitudinal centerline is tangent to the periphery of the opening.
Dead Cat Hole
The space between a car's tire and the wheel well. Currently there is a trend towards smaller dead cat holes.
Deck
The horizontal surface at the rear of the car, which usually serves as the trunk lid.
Down Road Graphic
The styling of the front end of the car, which people will instantly recognize and associate with a manufacturer. For example, the grille, lights and sometimes the DLO.
Droptop
A convertible.

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