Ever take your car to the shop because of a problem and feel like the mechanic is speaking a foreign language? You are not alone. The world of automobiles is full of acronyms. In this article, we take a look at some of the more commonly used ones.
Do you have OEM parts on your ABS system? Are the NHTSA rated and approved? Do you know your VIN? If all of this sounds like so much babble, it really isn’t. The parts, systems and government bodies in the auto industry tend to have long names, which is why acronyms are so popular. Let’s take a look at each of these acronyms and more.
ABS – Anti-lock braking system. Shouldn’t it be ALBS? Well, the power of the dash is involved. Regardless, this is a braking assist system for the wheels on most modern cars. The system is computer controlled and uses hydraulics to keep a car from skidding. When you skid, your ability to slow down is greatly diminished.
ECU – “Engine Control Unit”. The modern car is designed to run efficiently. It is controlled by an onboard computer system that monitors everything from fuel supply to the fuel injectors to the electrical amps flowing through the headlight system. The first thing most mechanics due these days to diagnose a car problem is plug into the ECU and look for any problems the ECU is noting.
NHTSA – “National Highway Traffic Safety Administration”. This is one of the major overseers of regulations in the automobile industry. The agency is somewhat similar to OSHA in the workplace safety field.
MIL – “Malfunction Indicator Lights”. So, you’ve got a MIL? No, that isn’t what the repair is going to cost. It simply refers to a warning light coming on in your car.
OEM – “Original Equipment Manufacturer”. This phrase is used in conjunction with the parts on a car, usually the replacement of them. The OEM is essentially the company that built the original parts. Alternatively, you can buy aftermarket parts for the car that are built by some other company. Importantly, cars are assembled by a car company such as Ford. The individual parts used in that assembly, however, are often made by other companies. For instance, the seats in your Ford might not be made by Ford. In such a situation, the non-Ford company is the OEM.
R&R – “Remove and Replace”. R&R is a great thing for humans – a little rest and relaxation. It isn’t so good with a car. It means you have a real problem and fixing it is going to involve putting a new part in. Hopefully, it will be a process that doesn’t cost too much.
VIN – “Vehicle Identification Number”. Every car has such a number. Much like social security numbers are used to track all of us, the VIN is used to track a car over time.
There are a host of other acronyms you’ll run into, but these are the ones you’ll hear used the most. Spit a few of them back at the mechanic and they’ll show you some respect!
Dirk Gibson is with DCJAutoParts.com - where you can find
high performance auto parts for your car or truck at low, low prices.
