G
Gap insurance
In a vehicle lease, insurance that covers any "gap" between (i) the amount the lessee's insurance company will pay to the lessee if the leased vehicle is stolen or destroyed, and (ii) the aggregate remaining amount the lessee owes at that time to the leasing company.
Gas/electric hybrid engine
A powertrain that combines an electric motor and a gasoline or diesel internal combustion engine.
Gasoline engine
An internal combustion engine that burns conventional gasoline.
Gauges
See "instrumentation."
Greenhouse
The portion of a vehicle above its beltline.
Greenhouse gas score
A score from zero to 10 given by the EPA to each new vehicle by that represents the amount of greenhouse gases emitted during a laboratory driving simulation of the vehicle.
Greenhouse gases
Gases produced by vehicles that use hydrocarbons as fuel (such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane, nitrous oxide and hydroflourocarbons) that contribute to reducing the loss of atmospheric heat into space.
Gross vehicle weight rating
Also referred to as "GVWR." The sum of a vehicle's curb weight, cargo weight capacity and passenger weight capacity.
Ground clearance
The distance between the lowest point of a vehicle and level ground.
GVWR
See "Gross vehicle weight rating."
Gyro sensor
A device that enables a vehicle's navigation system to determine the direction the vehicle is facing.