Automotive Terms and Abbreviations

[Bwana]

AA/F or AFR - Air / Fuel RatioAAA American Automobile AssociationAAC - Aux. Air Cut Valve (See IAC)ABS: Anti-lock Brake SystemACL- Air cleanerAFM- Air Flow Meter (See MAF)AFPR: Adjustable Fuel Pressure RegulatorAPP - Accelerator Pedal Position (sensor)ASCD - Automatic Speed Control DeviceAT or A/T - Automatic TransmissionATDC : After top dead centerATF - Automatic Transmission FluidATTESA Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for AllATTESA ETS Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for All with Electronic Torque SplitBBA - Brake AssistBA/FTS - Battery/Fluid Temperature SensorBARO- Barometric pressureBAROS-BCDD- Barometric pressure sensor-BCDDBMC: Brake Master CylinderBTDC: Before Top Dead CenterCCAC- Charge air coolerCAI - Cold Air IntakeCAN - Controller Area NetworkCARB California Air Resources BoardCARB- CarburetorCAS: Cam/Crank Angle SensorCEL - Check Engine LightCFI system- Continuous fuel injection systemCHTS- Cylinder Head Temperature sensorCKP- Crankshaft positionCKPS- Crankshaft position sensorCKS: Crank Angle SensorCL- Closed loopCMC: Clutch Master CylinderCMP- Camshaft positionCMPS- Camshaft position sensorCO - Carbon MonoxideCPP switch- Clutch pedal position switchCTOX system- Continuous trap oxidizer systemCTP switch- Closed throttle position switchCVT - Continuously Variable TransmissionCVVT Continuously Variable Valve TimingDDFI system- Direct fuel injection systemDI system- Distributor ignition systemDLC- Data link connectorDLC for CONSULT- Data link connector for CONSULT-IIDOHC - Dual Overhead CamsDOT Department of TransportationDRL - Daytime Running LightsDTC - Diagnostic Trouble CodeDTC- Diagnostic trouble codeDTM- Diagnostic test modeDTM I- Diagnostic test mode IDTM II- Diagnostic test mode IIDTM selector- Diagnostic test mode selectorEE85 - Blend of gasoline that is 85% Ethanol, 15% GasolineEBFD - Electronic Brake Force Distribution (usually part of a stability control system)EC- Engine controlECCS - Electronic-Conetrated Engine Control SystemECM- Engine control moduleECS - Electronic Stability ControlECT- Engine coolant temperatureECT: Engine Coolant Temperature sensorECTS - Engine Coolant Temperature SensorECTS- Engine coolant temperature sensorEEPROM- Electrically erasable programmable read only memoryEFE system- Early fuel evaporation systemEFE-mixture heater- Early fuel evaporation-mixture heaterEGR valve- Exhaust gas recirculation valveEGR: Exhaust Gas RecirculationEGT: Exhaust Gas Temperature sensor (used most often with EGR to determine function)EI- system- Electronic ignition systemEM- Engine modificationEPA Environmental Protection AgencyEPROM- Erasable programmable read only memoryEV Electric VehicleEVAP (EVP) - Evaporative Emissions SystemEVAP canister- Evaporative emission canisterEVAP system- Evaporative emission systemFFIC: Fast Idle Cam- Throttle Body Mounted Assembly to raise the engine RPM during warmup. It operates by using a wax filled compartment which gets flow of coolant. As the Coolant warms, it melts the wax and the wax expands. This expanding then lowers the engine RPM to normal.FLCA-front lower control armFMIC - Front Mount IntercoolerFMU - Fuel Management Unit - See RRFPRFP- Fuel PumpFPCU/FPCM: Fuel Pump Control Unit/Module- Controls fuel pump voltage by variable ground.FPR- Fuel Pressure Regulator- Maintains fuel rail pressure by a vaccum diaphram.FSM - Factory Service ManualFSTB - Front Strut Tower BraceFUCA - Front Upper Control ArmGGVW - Gross Vehicle WeightHHC - HydrocarbonHEV Hybrid Electric VehicleHICAS High Capacity Actively Controlled SuspensionHID - High Intensity DischargeHLA - Hydraulic Lash Adjustor - Oil pressurized roller cam follower adjuster. A modern version of the old valve lifter which used push rods unit.HLSD - Helical Limited Slip DifferentialHP Horsepower, Unit of Measurement for Power Output (746W = 1HP)HVAC - heating ventilation and air conditioning systemIIAC - Idle Air Control Valve- Controls engine idle speed by varying the amount of air that enters the plenum by pulsing the valve open and closed.IAT (Sensor): Intake Air Temperature (Sensor)IC - IntercoolerIVIS - Infiniti Vehicle Immobilizer SysemJKKPH Kilometers per HourKS - Knock Sensor- Detects detonation by a piezoelectric ceramic material. Sort of acts like a microphone.LLb-ft Pound-foot, Unit of Measurement for TorqueLCA- lower control armLEV Low Emissions VehicleLPSV - Line Pressure Solenoid ValveMMAF - Mass Air Flow sensor- Meaures air flow entering the engine by measuring the voltage required to keep a wire filament at specific temperature. MAP - Manifold Absolute PressureMAP (Sensor): Manifold Absolute PressureMAPS - manifold absolute pressure sensorMBT: Mean Best TorqueMC: Master CylinderMIL Malfunction Indicator Lamp (The CORRECT terminology for a CEL)MON Motor Octane NumberMPFI Multiport Fuel InjectionMPH Miles per HourNN2O Nitrous Oxide (Chemical Formula)NATS - Nissan Anti-Theft SystemNDIS - Nissan Direct Ignition SystemNHTSA National Highway Traffic and Safety AssociationNMA National Motorists AssociationNMAC Nissan Motor Acceptance CoorporationNNA Nissan North AmericaNOPI Number One Parts IncorporatedNOS Nitrous Oxide SystemsNOx - Nitrous of Oxides- An emission term, usually caused by an improperly functioning EGRNTCNA Nissan Technical Center North AmericaNVH - Noise Vibration and HarshnessNVIS - Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer SystemOO/D - OverdriveO2/Oxy/Oxygen Sensor : Exhaust gas sensor- Measures the oxygen content in exhaust to determine fuel mixtureOBD - On-Board DiagnosticsOBD I - onboard diagnostics generation one: On most vehicles up to 1996 made for the US market some 1995. Each brand has its own proprietary version.OBD II - onboard diagnostics, second generation: Industry standard after 1996ORVR - On-Board Refueling Vapor RecoveryOVRCSV - Overrun Clutch Solenoid ValvePPCV - positive crankcase ventilationPNP - Park/Neutral Position (switch)PS Pferdestarke, Unit of Measurement for Power Output (735.49875W = 1PS)PT/SEN - Power Train Revolution SensorPTU: Power Transistor UnitPZEV Partial Zero Emissions VehicleQRRLCA-rear lower control armRON Research Octane NumberRPM- Engine speedRPM Revolution per MinuteRRFPR - Rising Rate Fuel Pressure RegulatorRRFPR: Rising Rate Fuel Pressure RegulatorRSB - Rear Sway BarRSTB - Rear Strut Tower BraceRUCA - Rear Upper Control ArmRUCA- rear upper control armSSEMA Specialty Equipment Market AssociationSMIC - Side Mount IntercoolerSOHC - Single Overhead CamSRS - Supplemental Restraint SystemSSV - Shift Solenoid ValveSULEV Super Ulta Low Emissions VehicleTTB - Throttle BodyTBFI Throttle Body Fuel InjectionTC - Traction ControlTC rod - tension control rod (tension rod)TCC S/V - Torque Converter Clutch Solenoid ValveTCU Transmission Control UnitTDC - Top Dead CenterTDC: Top Dead CenterTPMS - Tire Pressure Monitoring SystemTPS - Throttle Position SensorTSB - Technical Service Bulletin - Updates to service manual to address issues discovered in the field.UUDP - Under Drive PullyULEV Ultra Low Emissions VehicleVVDC - Vehicle Dynamic ControlVDC - Vehicle Dynamic ControlVE: Volumetric Efficiency- VLSD - Viscous Limited Slip DifferentialVSS - Vehicle Speed SensorVSSMTR - Vehicle Speed Sensor MeterVTC: Valve Timing ControlVVL Variable Valve LiftWWOT - Wide Open Throttle (Pedal to the Metal)XYZZEV Zero Emissions Vehicle

Contributed by: Wes