Reference: Automotive Acronyms

[NOFX]

Please list any other acronyms or abbreviations you know of that I haven't listed. Please include the meaning of it too. I'll try to include a few other definitions of "nicknames" of parts and such that some might not yet know. Some of the trim levels (DX, EX, Si) are only by word of mouth.

Please PM me with any new additions! <-- Click here to PM me! <--

Oh, and this isn't for AIM speak like "lol" or "lmfao". Thanks.

4WD		Four-Wheel Drive
4WDSC		Four-Wheel Disc Brakes
4DSC		4 Door Sports Car (Nissan)
4WS		4 Wheel Steering
AAV		Anit-Afterburn Valve
ABS		Antiblockiersystem (Anti-lock Braking System)
AC		Alternating Current
ADC		Analog to Digital Conversion
AEM		Advanced Engine Management
A/F		Air/fuel
AFC		Air Fuel Controller
AIR		Air Injection Reaction
AIS		Air Injection System
Alfa Romeo	Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili Romeo
AM		Amplitude Modulation
AMS		Automatic Music Search
AT		Automatic Transmission
ATDC		After Top Dead Center
AUDM		Australian Domestic Market
AVCS		Active Valve Control System (Subaru)
AWG		American Wire Gauge
BBL		Barrel
BHP		Base Horsepower
BID		Breakerless Inductive Discharge (AMC)
BIN		8bit Binary File
BMW		Bayerische Motoren Werke
BOV		Blow Off Valve
BP		backpressure Sensor
BTDC		Before Top Dead Center
C3		Computer Command Control System (GM)
C3I		computer Controlled Coil Ignition (GM)
C4		Computer Controlled Catalytic Control System (GM)
CAI		Cold Air Intake
Cap		Capacitor
CAS		Clean Air System (Chrysler)
CC		Catalytic Converter
CCC		Computer Command Control System (GM)
CCP		Controlled Canister Purge
CCV		Canister Control Valve
CDI		Capacitor Discharge Ignition (AMC & Honda Motorcycles)
CEC		Crankcase Emission Control System
CEL		Check Engine Light
CF		Carbon Fiber
COP		Coil On Plug Ignition
CR		Compression Ratio
CRV		Comfortable Runabout Vehicle
CRX		Civic Renaissance Experimental
CSSA		Cold Start Spark Advance (FOrd)
CSSH		Cold Start Spark Hold (Ford)
CTR		Civic Type R
CVCC		Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion System (Honda)
CVT		Continuously Variable Transmission
CVVT		Continuous Variable Valve Timing (Hyundai and Kia)
DA 		Common chassis code for the G2 Integra (86-93)
DAC		Digital to Analog Conversion
dB 		decibels
DB		Common chassis code for the G3 Integra (94-01) sedan
DC 		Direct Current
DC 		Common chassis code for the G3 Integra (94-01) hatch/"coupe" (sometimes includes all bodies)
DC5		chassis code for the G4 Integra/1G RSX (02-06)
DCVCP		Double Continuous Variable Cam Phasing (GM)
DIS		Direct Ignition System (GM)
DIS		Distributorless Ignition System (Ford)
DIY		Do It Yourself
Dizzy		Distibutor
DOHC		Dual Overhead Cams
DPFE		Differintial Pressure Feedback EGR
DPFI		Dual Point Fuel Injection
DPST		Double Poll Single Throw
DSM		Diamond Star Motors (Mitsubishi/Chrysler/Eagle/Plymouth)
DX		Deluxe (Honda)
ECA		Electronic Control Automation
ECCS		Electronic Concentrated Control System (Nissan)
ECM		Engine Control Module
ECU		Engine Control Unit / Electronic Control Unit
ED		Common chassis code for the G4 Civic (88-91)
EDIS		Electronic Distributorless Ignition System (Ford)
EDM		European Domestic Market
EEC		Electronic Engine Control (Ford)
EEC-IV		Electronic Engine Control ver. 4. ('87-'95 Mustang)
EF		Common chassis code for the G4 Civic (87-91) (Actually overseas models)
EFI		Electronic Fuel Injection
EG		Common chassis code for the G5 Civic (92-95) (Can also include del Sols)
EGR		Exhaust Gas Recirculation
EGT		Exhaust Gas Temperture
EJ		Common chassis code for the G6 Civic
EK		Common chassis code for the G6 Civic (Actually overseas models)
ELB		Electronic Lean Burn (Chrysler)
EM1		Chassis code for the G6 Civic Si (99-00)
EM2		Common chassis code for the G7 Civic (01-05) coupe
EP3		Common chassis code for the G7 Civic (01-05 hatch
EEPROM		Electronically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory
EPROM		Electriclly Programmable Read-Only Memory
ES		Common chassis code for the G7 Civic (01-05) sedan
EQ		Equalizer
EVR		Electronics Voltage Regulator
EX		Executive (Honda)
FA		Common chassis code for the G8 Civic (06-?) Sedan
FD		Final Drive
FF		Flexible Fuel
FG		Common chassis code for the G8 Civic (06-?) coupe
FK		Chassis code for the G8 (06+) CTR.
F/I		Forced Induction (also often "FI")
FL		Front-Lower
FM		Frequency Modulation
FMIC		Front Mount Intercooler
FMU		Fuel Management Unit
FPR		Fuel Pressure Regulator
FS		For Sale
FU		Front-Upper
GC		Ground Control
GS		Grand Series/Grand Sport (Honda)
GSR		Grand Series Racing/ Grand Sport Racing (Honda)
GT		Grand Touring
HDi		High Diesel Injection
HEI		High Energy Ignition (GM)
HEX		Intel Hexidecimal
HU		Head Unit
Hz		Hertz
IAB		Intake Air Bypass
IAC		Intake Air Control
IACV		Idle Air Control Valve
IAT		Intake Air Temperature
IC		Ignition Control Circuit
i-DSI		Intellegent Dual Sequential Ignition
I/H/E		Intake, Header, Exhaust
IM		Intake Manifold
ISB		Input Shaft Bearing
ITB		Indevidual Throttle Body
ITCS		Ignition Timing Control System (Honda)
ITR		Integra Type R
IVAC		Idle Air Control Valve (Incorrect, but often used)
iVTEC		Intelligent Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control System
JDM		Japanese Domestic Market
JRSC		Jackson Racing Supercharger
KS		Knock Sensor
LBS		Linked Braking System
LCA		Lower Control Arm
Longblock	Head & block, but not necessarily complete. May not include other vital parts.  No ECU, axles.  This definition can greatly vary!  Contact your seller before the sale to make sure!
LS		Luxury Series/Luxury Sport (Honda)
LSD		Limited Slip Differential
LX		Luxury
MAF		Mass Air Flow
Mani		Manifold
MAP		Manifold Absolute Pressure
MC		Master Cylinder
MCU		Microprocessor Control Unit (Ford)
MDF		Medium Density Fiberboard
MIL		Malfunction Indicator Lamp (see CEL)
MISAR		Microprocessor Sensing and Automatic Regulation (GM)
MIVEC		Mitsubishi Innovative Valve-timing-and-lift Electronic Control (Mitsubishi)
Mouse Motors	GM smallblock motors based off the 350.
MPFI		Multiport Fuel Injection
MT		Manual Transmission
MDX		Multi-Dimensional Experimental
MV		Metering Valve
N/A		Naturally Aspirated (also often "NA")
NASA		National Auto Sport Association
NOS		Nitrous Oxide Systems
NSX		New Sportscar Experimental
NVCS		Nissan Valve Timing Control System
N-VCT		Nissan Variable Cam Timing (Nissan)
NVSRAM		Non-Volatile SRAM
O2		Oxygen
OBD		On Board Diagnostics
OEM		Original Equipment Manufacturer/Manufacturing
PA		Pressure Air
PCM		Powertrain Control Module
PCV		Positive Crankcase Ventilation
PDL		Power Door Locks
PGM-FI		Programmed Multi-Port Fuel Injection (Honda)
PIP		Personal Injury Protection
P/L		Power Locks
PPV		Proportioning Valve
P/S		Power Steering
PVC		Poly Vinyl Chloride
P/W		Power Windows
RADAR		Radio Detection and Ranging
RL		Rear-Lower
RMS		Root Mean Square
RPM		Revolutions Per Minute
RSB		rear strut bar
ROM		Read-only Memory
RS		Regular Series/Road Sailing (Honda)
RS		Rally Sport (Chevrolet)
RU		Rear-Upper
RX		Rotory Experiment (Mazda)
RX-2		Mazda Capella, RX Version 2 ('70-'78)
RX-3		Mazda (Savanna), RX Version 3 ('71-'78)
RX-4		Mazda (Luce Rotary), RX Version 4 (US - '74-'78)
RX-5		Mazda (Cosmo), RX Version 5 ('75-'80)
RX-7		Mazda (Savanna/Efini), RX Version 7 ('78-'02)
RX-8		Mazda, RX Version 8 ('03-'06)
SAFC		Super Air Fuel Controller
SC		Supercharger
SCC		Spark Control Computer (Chrysler)
SCCA		Sports Car Club of America
SDI		Saab Direct Ignition
SE		Special Edition (Honda)
SH		Super Handling (Honda)
SH-AWD		Super Handling All Wheel Drive (Honda)
Shortblock	Block aka bottom end only.  This definition can greatly vary!  Contact your seller before the sale to make sure!
Si		Sports Injected/Sequentially Injected (Honda)
SiR		Sports Injected Racing (Honda)
SMIC		Side Mount Intercooler
SOHC		Single Overhead Cam
SPDT		Single Poll Double Throw
SPST 		Single Pole Single Throw
SRI		Short Ram Intake
SRT		Street and Racing Technology (Dodge)
SS		Stainless Steel
SS		Super Sport (Chevy)
SSI		Solid State Ignition (Ford)
S-VT		Sequential Valve Timing (Mazda)
TB		Throttle Body
TBI		Throttle Body Injection
TCCS		Toyota Computer Controlled System
TDCi		Turbodiesel Common Rail Injection (Volkswagen)
TDI		Turbo Direct Injection (NOT Turbo Diesel Injection) (Volkswagen)
THD		Total Harmonic Distortion
TMIC		Top Mount Intercooler
TPS		Throttle Position Sensor
Turn-key	Complete motor.  Includes intake mani, tb, header, alternator.  This definition can greatly vary!  Contact your seller before the sale to make sure!
TypeR		Type Racing (Honda)
USDM		United States Domestic Market
VAFC		VTEC Air Fuel Controller
VAMP		Valey Automotive Machine Performance
VANOS		Variable Nockenwellen Steuerung (BMW - Variable Valve Timing)
VCM		Vehicle Control Module
VP		Value Package
VTC		Variable Timing Control (Ford and generic name)
VTEC		Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control
VTEC-E		Variable Valve Timing and Electronic Lift Control Economy
VTi		Variable Time Injection
VVC		Variable Valve Control (Rover)
VVL		Variable Valve Lift and Timing System (Nissan - Ecology Oriented)
VVT		Variable Valve Timing
VVT-i		Variable Valve Timing with Intellegence (Toyota)
VVTL-i		Variable Valve Timing and Lift with Intelligence (Toyota)
WHP		Wheel Horsepower
WOT		Wide Open Throttle
WTB		Want To Buy
x-over		Crossover

Thanks to Eran for the help with the initial list.

 

[JohnS.]

good stuff. sticky this

if u want all acronyms possible...

LCA - Lower Control Arm
OEM
SS - Stainless Steel (ie- brake lines)
MC - Master Cylinder
PPV - Proportioning Valve
MV - Metering Valve (This acronym exist?)
ABS - Anti-Lock Braking System
Non-ABS - Uuhhhhh
DIY - Do It Yourself
SC - Supercharge(er/ed)
FU, FL, RU, RL - Front Upper, Front Lower, Rear Upper, Rear Lower
AT - Automatic Transmission
MT - Manual Transmission
P/W - Power Windows
P/S - Power Steering
....other power stuff I can't think of haha


ill add more thru edit feature

 

[vandynamics]

cool idea, lets build it up then ill transfer it over to the archives.

 

[NOFX]

I'd actually prefer this to NOT be in the archives. I think this is a big problem, knowing what acronyms mean, particuarlly to noobs. I'd prefer if it were kept more prominant and if I were still able to edit it (though I am able to edit in certain tech archives). If you could get this stickied I'd be a lot happier. Sure, not all the noobs will see it then either, but maybe they'll be more likely to.

 

[HcOiNvDiAc]

i-vtec

 

[NOFX]

i-vtec

Wrong.... follow the rules please. This is not a thread to come into and ask what an acronym means. You need to actually put down the meaning to.

 

[JohnS.]

sry bout not including some of the meanings i posted but i thought the thread starter would know and would kindly fill in the meaning for me and add the acronym

 

[Shiznit]

you put FMIU instead of FMIC. and you should add SMIC

 

[JohnS.]

and not to be a picky prick but u forgot to capitalize "M" in "OEm"

 

[NOFX]

sry bout not including some of the meanings i posted but i thought the thread starter would know and would kindly fill in the meaning for me and add the acronym

I never said I know everything. It's always good to check your facts before you post them in something like this too. Still, PLEASE include the meaning for the acronym when you ask me to add one.

About the FMIU, that was a typo from the orginal document on my computer. I had fixed it, but repasted the entire thing when I added some stuff in. Guess I didn't change it on my file.

 

[NOFX]

*BUMP*

Added more! Can I get a sticky?

 

[vandynamics]

itll be stuck for awhile, after that, we will send it to the archives.

 

[NOFX]

itll be stuck for awhile, after that, we will send it to the archives.

Just as long as I still can edit in more.

 

[vandynamics]

you should be able to. pm me if it wont let you.

 

[Fawks]

Si = Sports Injected
SiR = Sports Injected Racing
Dx = Deluxe

 

[LowNotSlow]

MPFI = multi point fuel injection

 

[io_303]

Here are some, I put in some stuf from diffrent car makers beacuse eventhough this is a honda bord, people need to know some of it

EEPROM elecrically erasable programmable read only memory
FF flexible fuel
IC ignition control circuit
KS knock sensor
TBI throtle body injection (and yes it is diffrent than just TB)
VCM vehicle control module
AAV anti-afterburn valve
AIR Air Injection Reaction
AIS Air Injection System
CC catalytic converter
CCP controlled canister purge
CCV canister control valve
CEC Crankcase Emission Control System
BP backpressure sensor
PA pressure air
NASA National Auto Sprot Assoication
VAMP Valey Automotive Machine Performance


Diffrent car maker's engin managment names
C3 Computer Command Control system (GM)
C4 Computer Controlled Catalytic Converter system (GM)
CAS Clean Air System (Chrysler)
CCC Computer Command Control system (GM)
CVCC Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion system (Honda)
ECCS Electronic Concentrated Control System (Nissan)
EEC Electronic Engine Control (Ford)
ELB Electronic Lean Burn (Chrysler)
MCU Microprocessor Controlled Unit (Ford)
MISAR Microprocessed Sensing and Automatic Regulation (GM)
PGM-FI Programmed Gas Management Fuel Injection (Honda)
SCC Spark Control Computer (Chrysler)
TCCS Toyota Computer Controlled System

Diffrent makers ignition system
BID Breakerless Inductive Discharge (AMC)
CDI Capacitor Discharge Ignition (AMC)
C3I Computer Controlled Coil Ignition (GM)
COP Coil On Plug ignition
CSSA Cold Start Spark Advance (Ford)
CSSH Cold Start Spark Hold (Ford)
DIS Distributorless Ignition System (Ford)
DIS Direct Ignition System (GM)
EDIS Electronic Distributorless Ignition System (Ford)
HEI High Energy Ignition (GM)
ITCS Ignition Timing Control System (Honda)
SDI Saab Direct Ignition
SSI Solid State Ignition (Ford)

 

[NOFX]

Updated.

 

[io_303]

Updated.

do you want me to delete my post to clean up the thread?

 

[NOFX]

Whatever you want.