HiQ manager frustrated by auto acronyms

A HiQ fast fit manager has revealed his frustration at the preponderance of acronyms in the automotive industry – a state of affairs he describes as “infuriating”. Stuart Carr says he has been driven to distraction by the creeping usage of perplexing acronyms in manufacturers’ manuals. Carr said: “I actually enjoy picking out a manual from the glove box and having a read through, but upon recent inspection I stumbled across reams of unnecessary jargon.

“On reading the manual it soon became apparent that I would need a second manual to help me with the acronyms. I like to think I am a technical guy and have a good knowledge of a motor car with 15 years experience in the industry, but some of the acronyms left me searching for the glossary. With this in mind, I have decided to share the meaning of the most common entries in the hope of helping motorists.”

Carr’s list comprises the following:

• ABS- Anti-lock Braking System: Under heavy braking in an emergency situation this system prevents the wheels from skidding.
• EDL- Electronic Differential Lock: This system detects wheel spin. It brakes the spinning wheel and directs power to another wheel.
• ASR – Traction Control System (I know the letters don’t work! I guess it would be ‘Anti Spin Regulation):  Similar to EDL but this system reduces engine power to reduce wheel spin.
• ESP- Electronic Stabilisation Programme: This system controls the ABS, EDL and ASR to provide increased stability and road holding of a vehicle.
• ACC- Adaptive Cruise Control. This is an ‘intelligent cruise control system’. It uses sensors in the front bumper that scan the road ahead. When activated the ACC will control the vehicle speed and adjust if necessary.
• SRS- Supplemental Restraint System:  The airbags, with the seat belts being the primary method of restraint.
• EML- Engine Management Light: Also known as a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL), this alerts the driver to a fault with the engine management system.
• DCP- Dynamic gear Control Program: This system controls the automatic gearbox and monitors motorists’ driving style. When in a rush, the gearbox doesn’t change until much higher in the rev range. If a motorist is on a Sunday drive, the gearbox changes much sooner giving maximum fuel efficiency.
• TPMS- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System: This system does exactly what the name suggests. It monitors tyre pressure and displays the readings on the dashboard. All systems will alert the driver if the pressure drops below a preset threshold.  All new vehicle platforms from January 2012 will have to be fitted with a TPMS. 

Carr concludes: “All in, this is quite a list of equipment and if the truth be told, it details only some of the systems available today.”