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Automotive Terminology - Acronyms
 
A big challenge for any newbie to the world of cars is the acronym factor. This is especially so when reading through a thread on your vehicle’s message boards. A person who’s posting in a thread about LSD’s isn’t going to spell out: Limited Slip Differential. He’s going to use the acronym. Without a working knowledge of the numerous abbreviations in the car world, you’re going to be lost with the lingo.
I’ve compiled an extensive, alphabetical list of popular, and frequently used acronyms you’ll likely come across. Some you may only see occasionally, while others you’ll see repeatedly as you surf the automotive world in your quest for knowledge.
 
ABS anti-lock braking system
A/F air to fuel (ratio) (AFR also)
AFC air-fuel control
AFR air-fuel ratio (see also: A/F)
Al aluminum
AP accelerator pedal
ARB anti-roll bar (sway bar)
A/T automatic transmission
ATF automatic transmission fluid
Auto-x autocross
AWD all wheel drive
ASTC automatic stability and traction control
BAS brake apply sensor
BHP brake horsepower
CAB controller (antilock brake)
CAC charged air cooler (intercooler)
Cat catalytic converter
CC cruise control
CC cubic centimeters
CCM central control module
CEL check engine light
CF carbon fiber
CFI central fuel injection (AKA: TBI)
CHP crank horsepower
CID cubic inch displacement
CG center of gravity
CO carbon monoxide
CO2 carbon dioxide
CPI central port fuel injection
DFI direct fuel injection
Diff. differential
DIY do it yourself
DOHC dual overhead cams
DYNO dynamometer
EBP exhaust back pressure
ECM engine control module
ECT engine coolant temperature
ECU electronic control unit
EDFC electronic damping force controller
EEC electronic engine control
EFI electronic fuel injection
EM engine modification
EMU engine management unit
EOT engine oil temperature
ETM electronic troubleshooting manual
FD final drive
Fe iron
FE front engine
FE-FWD front engine, front wheel drive
FE-RWD front engine, rear wheel drive
FI forced induction
FI fuel injection
FIPK fuel injection performance kit
FICM fuel injector control module
FP fuel pump
FSDI four stroke, direct injection
Ft.lb foot pound
FWD front wheel drive
GA gravitational acceleration
GCW gross combined weight
H/CMPR high compression
HFC high flow catalytic converter
HP horsepower
HPDE high performance driving event (track day)
IA intake air
IAFM integrated air-fuel module
IAT intake air temperature
ICE internal combustion engine
ID inside diameter
IGN ignition
I/H/TP/E intake / header / test pipe / exhaust (upgrade, mod)
IRS independent rear suspension
ITB independent throttle body
JDM Japanese domestic market
L4 four cylinder inline engine
Lb.ft pound feet
LCD liquid crystal display
LSD limited slip differential
ME mid engine
ME-RWD mid engine, rear wheel drive
MFI multiport fuel injection
M/T manual transmission
MTF manual transmission fluid
MY model year
NA naturally aspirated
NASA National Auto Sport Association
OBD2 on board diagnostics 2 (aka: OBD-II)
OD outside diameter
OEM original equipment manufacturer
OE original equipment
OHC overhead cam
O2S oxygen sensor
P/B power brakes
PPM parts per million
PS power steering
PSI pounds per square inch
RBF race brake fluid
RPM revolutions per minute
RSC roll stability control
R/T road / track
RWD rear wheel drive
SAVDAS stand-alone vehicle data acquisition system
SC supercharger
SCCA Sports Car Club of America
SEO special equipment option
SOHC single overhead cam
TACH tachometer
TB throttle body
TC turbocharger
TCS traction control system
TCT timing chain tensioner
Ti titanium
TPMS tire pressure monitoring system
TQ torque
TT twin turbo
VCT variable camshaft timing
VTEC Variable (valve) Timing (and lift) Electronic Control
W2W wheel to wheel (racing)
W/B wheelbase
WHP wheel horsepower
WOT wide open throttle