Car acronyms explained

Have you ever read through the classified car ads in your local paper, and given up because you’re faced with a wall of jumbled up letters? Some of the ads simply don’t make sense.

Here is an example:

For sale – GTI, ABS, PS, FSH, VVT 280BHP £4,000 ONO.

OK, we’ve used a fairly extreme example here but you can see what we mean. With that in mind, we thought we’d compile a quick reference guide to the most common acronyms used in the car industry, so you aren’t quite so baffled by what appears to be parts of the alphabet regurgitated onto the page. And let’s be honest, you wouldn’t want to give your car insurance company the wrong information simply because you didn’t know what it meant. After all, ignorance isn’t always bliss.

4WD/AWD = 4 Wheel Drive, All Wheel Drive
ABS = Anti-lock Braking System
AFC = Air Fuel Controller
AS = Active Steer
BHP = Brake Horsepower
BMW = Bayerische Motoren Werke (Bavarian Motor Works) – who knew that one?
CATS = Computer Active Technology System
CDI = Compact Diesel Injection
CC = Cubic Centimetres
CE = Classic Edition
CSL = Coupe Sport Lightweight
DOHC = Double/Dual Overhead CamShaft
DSC = Dynamic Stability Control
DVC = Dynamic Vehicle Control
EBA = Electronic Brake Assist
ECU = Electronic/Engine Control Unit
ESP = Electonic Stability Program
GT = Grand Touring, GT Series in Racing
IVT = Infinitely Variable Transmission
L = Limited
LE = Limited Edition
LM = Le Mans
LSD = Limited Slip Differential
MAF/MAS = Mass Airflow Sensor
MR = Mid Engine, Rear Wheel Drive
RAHC = Rear Adjustable Height Control
RR = Rear Engine, Rear Wheel Drive
RS = Rally Sport
SE = Special Edition
VIN = Vehicle Identification Number
VIP = Vehicle Intrusion Protection
VSC = Vehicle Skid Control
VTEC = Valve Timing Electronic Control

And that’s not even half of them – but they should help you through the jargon-filled world of motoring and the technology that, nowadays, fills it. Well, for now, anyway.

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