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ABS, ESC, ASR: Know the meaning of your car abbreviations
ABS, ACC, ESC, ASR: We've put together a glossary to help you unravel the alphabet soup behind your carango's technologies
In today's world, knowing our cars is becoming more and more complicated. As technology advances, offering welcome safety and assistance features, the owner's manual gets thicker and thicker. For each new function, new car acronyms appear and the driver is left to demystify their meanings, both when operating their car and when choosing one.
That's why we've refined the most used terms so you don't waste time when you need to understand what they do.
This list is not intended to go into technical intricacies, but only to offer a superficial explanation of the function of each of these car acronyms. Some of these features may look a little different depending on the maker, model or year of the vehicle, although the end purpose they serve is the same.
To search for a specific acronym, use the shortcut Ctrl+F in your browser.
01. ABS: Anti-lock Braking System - Anti-lock Brake System
Prevents wheels from locking and skidding during emergency braking, reducing the distance to stop the car. And it allows the steering system to obey the driver's commands on the steering wheel. read more
02. ACC: Adaptive Cruise Control - Adaptive Speed Control
It identifies the distance and speed of the car ahead, being able to follow it, braking and accelerating automatically. It is the same as other car acronyms: Active Cruise Control, Autonomous Cruise Control, ICC (Intelligent Cruise Control), Radar Cruise Control, DRCC (Dynamic Radar Cruise Control).
03. AHA: Agile Handling Assist – Torque Control in Curves
It electronically monitors the speed of the front wheels, and when a turn is made, brakes the inside wheel so that both wheels turn by the same amount. It is the same as other car acronyms: TVC (Torque Vectoring Control).
04. A-LKA: Active Lane Keeping Assist – Active Lane Keeping System
Cameras identify the horizontal signaling of the lane and the vehicle follows it. It issues an alert in case of deviation from the trajectory, interfering with the direction of the vehicle through the steering wheel and brakes.
05. ASG: Automated Shift Gearbox – Automated Transmission
It makes the gear changes automatically for the driver, but it doesn't have the torque converter, like the conventional automatic. It is identical – mechanically – to the manual transmission, but with a computerized system that performs the changes electrically or hydraulically, eliminating the clutch pedal and the gear lever. In Brazil, it is known as Dualogic, I-Motion, Easytronic, etc.
06. ASR: Anti Slip Regulation - Traction Control
It is used to prevent the wheels from skidding when starting off, cornering or on slippery terrain. Constantly monitors wheel rotation. When it detects that one of them is rotating at a speed incompatible with the vehicle's, it interferes to regulate and regain traction. Interference can be through wheel braking or engine power control. It is the same as other car acronyms: TCS (Traction Control System), MSR (Motor Slip Regulation), TRC, 4-ETS, DTC (Dynamic Traction Control).
07. Auto-Hold is not an acronym for the car, but it is an electronic function
Automatically controls the ABS brakes to keep the vehicle stationary on a hill even if the driver takes his foot off the pedal. It is deactivated when the accelerator or clutch is engaged.
08. BAS: Brake Assist System – Emergency Braking Assistant
It is activated in emergency braking situations, automatically applying more pressure to the brake hydraulic circuit when it detects a sudden step on the pedal. It reinforces the effort of the driver who does not apply maximum pressure on the pedal. It is the same as other car acronyms: EBA (Emergency Brake Assist), BA (Brake Assist) or AFU (in French: Assistance au Frenage d'Urgence).
09. BLIS: Blind Spot Monitoring System – Blind Spot Monitoring System
The blind spot is a region that is out of sight of the driver and mirrors. BLIS detects vehicles in this area by emitting a light signal in the exterior mirrors.
10. CBC: Cornering Brake Control – Cornering Brake Control
It is an evolution of ABS, designed to distribute the pressure of the brakes when they are applied during a turn. It is the same as other car acronyms: Dynamic Cornering Assist, Curve Dynamic Assist.
11. CDC: Continuous Damping Control - Continuous Damping Control
Electronically regulates air pressure in the suspension to adapt to the terrain while maintaining ground clearance. For air suspension only. It is the same as other car acronyms: Dynamic Damper Control, Dynamic Damping Control.
12. Cruise Control - Autopilot
Wrongly defined as “autopilot”, Cruise Control keeps the vehicle's acceleration constant. The driver activates his command and the desired speed is automatically maintained.
13. CVT: Continuously Variable Transmission
It is a type of automatic gearbox consisting of a system of pulleys, instead of the gears of a common gearbox. Pulleys eliminate unevenness between gears, which is why many call them “infinite”. Instead of limited speed options like five, six or nine gears, the CVT has infinite variation between the lowest and highest gear ratios.
14. DCC: Dynamic Chassis Control – Dynamic Chassis Control
It offers different driving modes (Sport, Normal, Eco etc.). It regulates various vehicle features according to the chosen mode, emulating a certain behavior and steering response. The idea is that the car adapts to various types of terrain, with special attention to the response of the shock absorbers. It is the same as other car acronyms: VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management).
15. Driver Alert – Fatigue Alert is an electronic function, although it is not an acronym for the car
Driver behavior is constantly monitored. If signs of fatigue are detected, a light illuminates on the dashboard (it could even be a cup of coffee…) indicating that it may be a good time for a rest stop.
16. DSG: Direkt-Schalt-Getriebe in German, or Direct-Shift-Gear in English
It is an automated dual-clutch transmission system, as if they were two coupled manual gearboxes, one with the even gears, the other with the odd ones. Allows the next gear to be already engaged, changing only clutch to shift. It is the same as other car acronyms: PDK (Porsche), Powershift (Ford), DSG (VW).
17. DSR: Dynamic Steering Response – Dynamic Steering Response
Dynamic steering adjustment. Corrects the steering angle applied to the steering wheel to optimize maneuverability. It can offer driving mode options with varied responses.
18. EBD: Electronic Brakeforce Distribution – Electronic Brake Distribution
It is an extra feature for the ABS, capable of controlling the distribution of braking force to each wheel individually. Thus, one wheel can receive greater braking than the others in order to maintain vehicle stability in different situations.
19. EDL: Electronic Differential Lock – Electronic Differential Lock
It acts on the distribution of power from the engine to the wheels, regulating the traction that each wheel receives according to the friction with the ground it has. It is the same as other car acronyms: XDS.
20. EPS: Electronic Power Steering – Electric Assisted Steering
A way to make the steering wheel softer, like power steering, but more modern. It is the same as: Electrically-assisted Power Steering, EPAS (Electric Power Assisted Steering).
21. ESC: Electronic Stability Control - Electronic Stability Control
Constantly monitors the vehicle's trajectory to ensure it is under control. If a side slip is detected, it automatically activates the brake on a given wheel to recover friction. It is the same as other car acronyms: ESP, DSC (Dynamic Stability Control), VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist), VSC (Vehicle Stability Control).
22. ESS: Emergency Signal System – Emergency Braking Alert
Automatically activates the hazard warning lights when it detects sudden braking. It is the same as other car acronyms: SISV, EBL (Emergency Brake Light).
23. ETS: Enhanced Transitional Stability – Preventive Stability System
When present, it is part of the ESC. The system monitors vehicle speed and steering wheel handling by the driver. So you can predict a friction loss before it happens. In case of detection, the system sends a signal to activate the ESC, which takes action to maintain friction.
24. FCW: Forward Collision Warning – Forward Collision Warning
It detects static or low-speed objects in front of the vehicle, issuing an alert to draw the driver's attention. FCW does not brake the vehicle.
25. FWD: Four-Wheel Drive - All-Wheel Drive
Indicates that the vehicle has four-wheel drive. It is the same as other car acronyms: AWD (All-wheel Drive), 4WD (4-wheel Drive).
26. HDA: Hill Descent Assist – Descent Assist
Assists on steep slopes by automatically controlling engine speed and applying ABS brakes if necessary. It is the same as other car acronyms: DAC (Downhill Assist Control), HDC (Hill Descent Control), DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation).
27. HSA: Hill-start Assist – Ramp Start Assistant
It serves to facilitate sprints on the ascent. Keeps the vehicle stationary for a few seconds after the brake is released by the driver, preventing the car from backing up when the accelerator is pressed. It is the same as other car acronyms: HHC (Hill Hold Control), HAC (Hill-start Assist Control), HLA (Hill Launch Assist).
28. Isofix is not among the car's acronyms, but it is important
It is a product standardization system. When used in connection with automobiles, it refers to a child seat attachment system. The car seats with the same pattern fit directly into a support that comes from the vehicle's chassis, offering greater security.
29. KERS: Kinetic Energy Recovery System – Energy Recovery System
Collects and stores the kinetic energy released during braking and reuses it during acceleration.
30. Keyless: not one of the car acronyms, but a common term
It comprises a variety of features so that the use of keys is dispensed with. The driver carries, instead of a key, a transducer that is detected by the vehicle when it is a certain distance away. From there, the system can unlock the doors, allow the car to be started from a button on the dashboard, or even some other special functions. It is the same as other car acronyms: smart key, hands-free, RKE (Remote Keyless Entry System), RKI (Remote Keyless Ignition System).
31. LAC: Load Adaptive Control – Load Adaptive Control
Detects if the vehicle is loaded, adjusting the ESC sensors to optimize stability.
32. LKS: Lane Keeping System – Lane Keeping System
Cameras identify the shape of the road and are able to follow the lines of division of lanes and hands, issuing an alert to the driver when he deviates from one of them. It is the same as other car acronyms: LKA (Lane Keep Assist).
33. Park Assist – Park Assist
It does most of the work when it comes to parking the vehicle, using distance radars and automatically controlling the direction. Positions the car inside a space, which can be perpendicular, parallel or at an angle. It is the same as other car acronyms: APA (Active Park Assist).
34. PCS: Pre-crash Safety System – Anti-collision system
Monitors the area in front of the vehicle and detects impending collisions. If there is a risk, some systems emit an audible signal, while others brake the vehicle or steer it automatically. Detection can be done by laser, camera or radar, the latter being able to work in any weather condition. It is the same as other car acronyms: Pre-Collision System, Precrash System, Forward Collision Warning System, Collision Mitigating System, Automatic Emergency Braking System.
35. ROM: Roll-over Mitigation – Anti-rollover stability control
Decreases the chance of rollover. In addition to the ESC sensors, this system can also have sensors that identify the inclination of the vehicle's horizontal axis. If it detects that the axle is destabilizing due to an impact, it activates the ESC systems, causing the vehicle to stay on track. It is the same as other car acronyms: RSC (Roll Stability Control), PRA (Proactive Roll Avoidance).
36. RSA: Road Sign Assist – Traffic Sign Assist
Recognizes traffic signs and displays an easy-to-understand summary on the vehicle's dashboard. Some vehicles regulate the speed automatically according to the maximum speed signaled. It is the same as other car acronyms: TSA (Traffic Sign Assist).
37. SIPS: Side Impact Protection System – Side impact protection system
It is a passive safety system designed to protect occupants in the event of a collision. It makes use of special materials in the doors, in addition to new deformation coefficients in the metals of its structure. The idea is that the doors help the B (central) column absorb impacts and protect occupants in the event of a side impact.
38. TPM: Tire Pressure Monitoring System – Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Tire pressure is constantly evaluated and a light alert lights up on the dashboard when any irregularity is detected. It can work using its own sensors or the ABS rotation sensors. It is the same as other car acronyms: TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System), DDS (Deflation Detection System).
39. TVC: Torque Vectoring Control – Torque Control in Curves
It electronically monitors the speed of the front wheels, and when a turn is made, brakes the inside wheel so that both wheels turn by the same amount. It is the same as other car acronyms: AHA (Agile Handling Assist).
40. VCDS: VAG-COM Diagnostic System – VAG-COM Diagnostic System
Also known as VAG-COM, it is a Windows platform-based software used for computerized diagnostics.
41. WHIPS: Whiplash Protection System – Cervical Spine Protection System
It is a passive safety system designed to protect the spine in the event of a collision. It sits inside the front seatbacks and changes their inclination in the event of a collision to prevent the impact from transferring to the spine and causing serious or fatal injury.
