Automotive Term Abbreviation Directory Table

Automotive Term Abbreviation Directory Table

Below is a directory that includes abbreviation terms that are related to the automotive field. Abbreviation terms are common in the car repair field to help facilitate system, parts, service and repair. These abbreviation are also used for various sensors and tools used for feedback data to the PCM and repair procedures accepted throughout the vehicles repair industry. The beginning letter should match the first letter used in the term you are inquiring about. Understanding car related abbreviations, trouble codes, and diagrams is an important part in understanding the definition or description of a particular word, diagnostic trouble code or illustration.

This information can be useful and is sometimes mandatory in the process of finding the source of the car problem. Once the abbreviation has a definition connected to it the meaning becomes clear and the repair or diagnosis can continue. For example: if a technician has informed you that you have had a malfunction in the ABS system of your car there is no way to tell what he or she is talking about. After looking up the "ABS" abbreviation you will find that the technician is referring to the anti-lock brake system of your car.

The abbreviations for the automotive terms that start with the letters "A through Z". These terms are used to provide the most popular term associated with the letter beginning with these letters. Most manufacturers have adopted a "common usage" style of identification that is used to avoid confusion. Definitions below are the most recognized terms available for the abbreviation used in the car repair field to date. Over time abbreviations can change and when they do we update this page to industry standards. As the car manufacturing process evolves new terms can be added or existing ones can be updated to reflect the new meaning of the abbreviation. Abbreviations have become a standard throughout many industries such as medical, construction, architecture and more.

Each of these industries might have the same abbreviations but they could have different meanings. Never assume the definition of any car term because every industry is different. The difference between abbreviation can be extreme for example: KS in the auto repair field means "kilovolt", whereas KS means "K member support" in the construction field. If these terms below obviously do not pertain to your car problem some car manufacturers have unique meanings and specific inquires are required to the manufacturer. When an abbreviation is presented it can be confusing unless the one, two, three or four letter code is identified. In some instances there are multiple entries for a particular abbreviation. In this case we have listed them from most popular to least popular. Please follow the tables below:

"A" Car Term Abbreviations

A - Amperes

ABS - Anti-Lock Brakes

ABRS - Air Bag Restraint System

AC - Alternating Current

A/C - Air Conditioning

ACCS - A/C Cycling Switch

ACCUM - Accumulator

ACCY - Accessory

ACT - Air Charge Temperature Sensor

ADJ - Adjust or Adjustable

ADV - Advance

AFS - Airflow Sensor

A/F - Air/Fuel Ratio

AI - Air Injection

AIR or A.I.R. - Air Injection Reactor

AIS - Air Injection System

Alt. - Alternator or Altitude

ALDL - Assembly Line Data Link

Amp - /amp/amps: Ampere

APS - Absolute Pressure Sensor

ASCS - Air Suction Control Solenoid

ASD - Auto Shutdown

ASDM - Air Bag System Diagnostic Module

ASV - Air Suction Valve

A/T - Automatic Transmission/Transaxle

ATC - Automatic Temperature Control

ATDC - After Top Dead Center

ATF - Automatic Transmission Fluid

ATS - Air Temperature Sensor

AWD - All Wheel Drive

Aux. - Auxiliary

Avg. - Average

AXOD - Automatic Transaxle Overdrive (Ford Models Only)



"B" Term Abbreviations for Cars

B+ - Battery Positive Voltage

BAC - By-Pass Air Control

BAP - Barometric Absolute Pressure Sensor

BARO - Barometric

Batt. - Battery

Bbl. - Barrel (Example: 4-Bbl.)

BCM - Body Control Module

BHP - Brake Horsepower

BMAP - Barometric and Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensor

BOO - Brake On-Off Switch

B/P - Backpressure

BPS - Barometric Pressure Sensor

BPT - Backpressure Transducer

BTDC - Before Top Dead Center

BTU - British Thermal Unit

BVSV - Bimetallic Vacuum Switching Valve



Auto Terms that Start with the letter "C"

C - Celsius (Degrees)

Calif. - California

CAN - Controller Area Network

CANP - Canister Purge

CAS - Crank Angle Sensor

CARB - California Air Resources Board

CAT - Catalytic Converter

CB - Circuit Breaker

CBD - Closed Bowl Distributor

CC - cubic centimeter

CCC - Computer Command Control

CCD - Computer Controlled Dwell

CCOT - Cycling Clutch Orifice Tube

CCW - Counterclockwise

CDI - Capacitor Discharge Ignition

CEC - Computerized Engine Control

CID - Cubic Inch Displacement

CM - Centimeter

CMP - Camshaft Position Sensor

CO - Carbon Monoxide

CO2 - Carbon Dioxide

Cont. - Continued

CONV - Convertible

CP - Canister Purge

CKP - Crankshaft Position Sensor

COP - Coil On Plug Ignition

CPI - Central Port Injection

CPU - Central Processing Unit

CSSA - Cold Start Spark Advance

CSSH - Cold Start Spark Hold

CTS - Coolant Temperature Sensor

CTVS - Choke Thermal Vacuum Switch

Cu. In. - Cubic Inch

CVC - Constant Vacuum Control

CVR - Control Vacuum Regulator

CV - Check Valve or Constant Velocity

CW - Clockwise

CYL or Cyl. - Cylinder

C3I - Computer Controlled Coil Ignition

C4 - Computer Controlled Catalytic Converter



Auto abbreviations starting with the letter "D"

D - Drive

dB - Decibels

DC - Direct Current Or Discharge

DDD - Dual Diaphragm Distributor

Def. - Defrost

Defog. - Defogger

DEFI - Digital Electronic Fuel Injection

DERM - Diagnostic Energy Reserve Module

DFI - Digital Fuel Injection

DFS - Deceleration Fuel Shutoff

Diag. - Diagnostic

DIC - Driver Information Center

DIS - Distributorless Ignition System

DIST - Distribution

DLC - Data Link Connector

DMM - Digital Multi Meter

DOHC - Double Overhead Cam

DTC - Diagnostic Trouble Code

DOT - Department of Transportation

DRB-II - Diagnostic Readout Box

DVOM - Digital Volt-Ohmmeter



Vehicle Abbreviation Terms beginning with the letter "E"

E2PROM - Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory

EACV - Electronic Air Control Valve

EBCM - Electronic Brake Control Module

EBL - Electronic Back Light

EBM - Electronic Body Module

ECA - Electronic Control Assembly

ECM - Engine Control Module (sometimes referred to as PCM powertrain control module)

ECT - Engine Coolant Temperature

ECU - Electronic Control Unit

EDIS - Electronic Distributorless Ignition System

EEC - Electronic Engine Control

EECS - Evaporative Emission Control System

EEPROM - Electronically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory

E2PROM - Electronically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory

EFC - Electronic Fuel Control

EFCA - Electronic Fuel Control Assembly

EFE - Early Fuel Evaporation

EFI - Electronic Fuel Injection

EGO - Exhaust Gas Oxygen Sensor

EGR - Exhaust Gas Recirculation

EGRPS - EGR Valve Position Sensor

EGRT - EGR Temperature

EI - Electronic Ignition

EMI - Electromagnetic Interference

EMR - Electronic Module Retard

EOS - Exhaust Oxygen Sensor

EOBD - European Onboard Diagnostics

EPOS - EGR Valve Position Sensor

EPROM - Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (chip)

ESA - Electronic Spark Advance

ESC - Electronic Spark Control

EST - Electronic Spark Timing

ETC - Electronic Throttle Control

EVAP - Evaporative Emission System

EVIC - Electronic Vehicle Information Center

EVP - EGR Valve Position

Exc. - Except



Automobile Terms for the Abbreviation Starting with the Letter "F"

F - Fahrenheit

F/B - Fuse Block

FBC - Feedback Carburetor System

FBCA - Feedback Carburetor Actuator

FCS - Fuel Control Solenoid

Fed - Federal

FDC - Fuel Deceleration Valve

FI - Fuel Injection

FIPL - Fuel Injector Pump Lever

FPR-VSV - Fuel Pressure Regulator Vacuum Switching Valve

FLS - Fluid Level Sensor

ft.lb. - Foot Pound

FWD - Front-Wheel Drive



Car Abbreviation Starting with the Letter "G"

G - Grams

GALS - Gallon

GDI - Gasoline Direct Injection

GEN - Generator

GND or GRND - Ground

GPEC - Global Powertrain Engine Controller

GPM - Grams Per Mile

GPS - Global Positioning System

GVW - Gross Vehicle Weight



Vehicle Abbreviation Term Definitions starting with the letter "H"

H20 - Water

HAC - High Altitude Compensation

HC - Hydrocarbons

H/D - Heavy Duty

HEGO - Heated Exhaust Gas Oxygen Sensor

HEI - High Energy Ignition

Hg - Mercury

HGT - Height

HLDT - Headlight

HO - High Output

HO2S - Heated Oxygen Sensor

HP - High Performance or Horsepower

HSC - High Swirl Combustion

HSO - High Specific Output

HT - High Tension

HTR - Heater

Hz - Hertz(Cycles Per Second)



Vehicle Term Abbreviations starting with "I"

IACV - Idle Air Control Valve

IAT - Intake Air Temperature

IATS - Intake Air Temperature Sensor

IC - Integrated Circuit

ICM - Ignition Control Module

ICS - Idle Control Solenoid

I.D. - Inside Diameter

ID - Identification

IFI - Indirect Fuel Injection

IGN - Ignition

In. - Inches

Inch Lbs. - Inch Pounds

in. Hg - Inches of Mercury

Inj. - Injector

IMRC - Intake Manifold Runner Control

IP - Instrument Panel

ISC - Idle Speed Control

ISO - International Standards Organization

ITCS - Ignition Timing Control System

ITS - Idle Tracking Switch

IVSV - Idle Vacuum Switching Valve



Car Repair Terms Starting with the letter "J"

JAS - Jet Air System

J/B - Junction Block

JTEC - Jeep Truck Engine Controller



Automobile Abbreviation Terms Starting with "K"

KAPWR - Keep Alive Power

k/ohms - kilo-ohms (1000 ohms)

kg - kilograms (weight)

kg/cm - Kilograms Per Square Centimeter

kHz - Kilohertz

Km - Kilometers

KM/H - Kilometers Per Hour

KOEC - Key On, Engine Cranking

KOEO - Key On, Engine Off

KOER - Key On, Engine Running

kPa - Kilopascals

KS - Knock Sensor

kV - Kilovolt

kW - Kilowatt



Automobile Repair Abbreviation Terms Starting with the Letter "L"

L - Liter

lbs. - Pounds

lb./ft. - Pound Feet

LCD - Liquid Crystal Display

L/D - Light Duty

LED - Light Emitting Diode

LHD - Left-Hand Drive

LTFT - Long Term Fuel Trim

LWB - Long Wheel-Base



Vehicle Abbreviation Starting with "M"

mA - Milliamps

MA/MAF - Mass Air Flow

MAFS - Mass Air Flow Sensor

MAP - Manifold Absolute Pressure

MAT - Manifold Air Temperature

MCS - Mixture Control Solenoid

MCT - Manifold Charge Temperature

Mem. - Memory

MEM/CAL - Memory Calibration Chip

mfd. - Microfarads

MFI - Multiport Fuel Injection

MIL - Malfunction Indicator Light

mm - Millimeters

MPG - Miles Per Gallon

MPH - Miles Per Hour

MPI - Multi-Point (Fuel) Injection

MPV - Multi-Purpose Vehicle

ms - Millisecond

mV - Millivolts



Auto Abbreviation Beginning with "N"

NA - Not Available

NGC - New Generation Controller

NGS - New Generation Star

N.m - Newton Meter

No. - Number

Nos. - Numbers

NOx - Oxides of Nitrogen

NVRAM - Nonvolatile Random Access Memory



Car Abbreviation Beginning with the Letter "O"

O2 - Oxygen

O2S - Oxygen Sensor

OBD - On-board Diagnostics

OBD I - On-board Diagnostics One

OBD II - On-board Diagnostics Two

OBD III - On-board Diagnostics Three

OC - Oxidation Catalyst

OD - Overdrive

O.D. - Outside Diameter

OE - Original Equipment

OEM - Original Equipment Manufacturer

OHC - Over Head Camshaft

OHV - Over Head Valve

O/S - Oversize

OS - Oxygen Sensor

oz. - Ounce

ozs. - Ounces



Automobile Repair Abbreviation Terms Starting with the Letter "P"

P - Park

P/B - Power Bakes

P/C - Printed Circuit

P/N - Part Number

PA - Pressure Air

PAIR - Pulsed Secondary Air Injection

PAS - Power-Assisted Steering

PCM - Powertrain Control Module (sometimes referred to as ECM engine control module)

PCS/PC/SOL - Purge Control Solenoid

PCV - Positive Crankcase Ventilation

PECV - Power Enrichment Control Valve

PFI - Port Fuel Injection

PGM-FI - Programmed Fuel Injection

PID - Parameter Identification

PIP - Profile ignition pick-up

PNP - Park Neutral Position Switch

P/N - Park/Neutral

PPM - Parts Per Million

PRNDL - Park Reverse Neutral Drive Low

PROM - Program Read Only Memory (chip)

P/S - Power Steering

PSI - Pounds Per Square Inch

PSP - Power Steering Pressure

PSPS - Power Steering Pressure Switch

pts. - Pints

PTC - Pending Trouble Code

PTC - Positive temperature coefficient Additional : This is applied to the way the resistance of a thermistor varies with temperature. In this case, the resistance will increase as the temperature raises

PTO - Power Take-Off

Pwr. - Power

PWR - Power to Weight Ratio



Vehicle Abbreviation Terms beginning with the letter "Q"

Qts. - Quarts



Auto Term Abbreviations Starting with the letter "R"

R/A - Resume or Accelerate

RABS - Rear Anti-lock Brake System

RAC - Remote Accessory Controller

RAM - Random Access Memory

RAM - Ride Air Module

RAM - Remote Anti-theft Module

RAP - Retained Access Power

RAV - Remote Activation Verification

RBC - Rotary Blade Coupling

RCC - Rear Climate Control

RCC - Remote Climate Control

RCM - Restraint Control Module

RCDLR - Remote Control Door Lock Receiver

RDCM - Right Door Control Module

RDM - Rear Door Module

RDS - Radio (broadcast) Data System

RDS - Radio Display System

REC - Receive

RECAL - Recalibrate, Recalibration

RECIRC - Recirculation

RECIS - Remote Entry Control and Immobilizer System

REDOX - Reduction Oxidation Catalytic Converter

REEGR - Rotary Electric EGR

REF - Reference

RESC - Remote Emergency Satellite Unit

REX - Rear Exchanger

RF - Radio Frequency

RF - Right Front

RFA - Remote Function Actuator

RFF - Roller Finger Followers

RFI - Radio Frequency Interference

RFID - Radio Frequency Identification

RFWS - Right Front Wheel Speed

RH - Right Hand

RIM - Radio Interface Module

RIM - Rear Integration Module

RKE - Remote Keyless Entry

Rly - Relay

RM - Relay Module

RMD - Right Mid Door

ROM - Read Only Memory

RPA - Rear Parking Assist

RPM - Revolutions Per Minute

RPM - Remote Power Module

RPO - Regular Production Option

R&R - Remove and Replace

RR - Right Rear

RRD - Right Rear Door

RSA - Rear Seat Audio

RSC - Roll Stability Control

RSS - Reverse Sensing System

RSS - Road Sensing Suspension

R/T - Road/Track

RT - Right

RTC - Real?Time Clock

RTD - Real Time Dampening

RTN - Return

RTT - Reconfigurable Telltale

RTTP - Rotunda Technician Tool Program

RTV - Room Temperature Vulcanizing

RV - Recreational Vehicle

RVAC - Rear Video/Audi/HVAC Module

RVP - Reid Vapor Pressure

RWAL - Rear Wheel Anti-lock

RWD - Rear Wheel Drive

RWS - Rear Wheel Steer



Abbreviations Starting with the letter "S" for Automobiles

SBC - Single Bed Converter

SBD - Strategy Base Diagnostics

SBEC - Single Board Engine Controller

SC - Supercharged

SEFI - Sequential Electronic Fuel Injection

SES - Service Engine Soon (light)

SFI - Sequential (Port) Fuel Injection

SIL - Shift Indicator Light

SIR - Supplemental Inflatable Restraint

SIPS - Side Impact Protection System

SOHC - Single Overhead Cam

SPFI - Sequential Port Fuel Injection

SPOUT - Spark Output

SPK - Spark Control

SOL/Sol. - Solenoid

SRI - Service Reminder Indicator

SRS - Secondary Restraint System

SRS - Supplemental Restraint System (air bag)

SRT - System Readiness Test

SS - Speed Sensor

SSI - Solid State Ignition

STAR - Self-Test Automatic Readout

STFT - Short Term Fuel Trim

STO - Self-Test Output

SUB-O2 - Sub Oxygen Sensor

Sw. - Switch

SWB - Short Wheel-Base

Sys. - System



Abbreviations Beginning with the Letter "T" for Autos

TAB - Thermactor Air By-Pass

TAD - Thermactor Air Diverter

TACH - Tachometer

TB - Throttle Body

TBI - Throttle Body Injection

TC - Turbocharged

TCC - Torque Converter Clutch

TCM - Transmission or Transaxle Control Module

TCS - Traction control solenoid (SAAB 9000)

TD - Turbo Diesel

TDC - Top Dead Center

TDI - Turbo Direct Injection (A turbo charged direct injected diesel engine)

Temp. - Temperature

TFI - Thick Film Ignition

THERMAC - Thermostatic Air Cleaner

TIV - Thermactor Idle Vacuum Valve

TKS - Throttle Kicker Solenoid

TPI - Tuned Port Injection

TPP - Throttle Position Potentiometer

TPS - Throttle Position Sensor/Switch

TPT - Throttle Position Transducer

TS - Temperature Sensor

TSP - Throttle Solenoid Positioner

TV - Throttle Valve

TV - Thermovalve

TVS - Thermal Vacuum Switch

TWC - Three Way Catalyst

TWC+OC - Three Way + Oxidation Catalytic Converter



Abbreviations Starting with the letter "V" for Vehicles

V - Valve

Vac. - Vacuum

VAF - Vane Airflow

VAPS - Variable Assist Power Steering

VCC - Viscous Converter Clutch

VCRM - Variable Control Relay Module

VIN - Vehicle Identification Number

VM - Vacuum Modulator

VOLT. - Voltage

VOM - Volt-Ohmmeter (Analog)

VRV - Vacuum Regulator Valve

VSS - Vehicle Speed Sensor

VSV - Vacuum Switching Valve

VVC - Variable Valve Control