What do car abbreviations mean

Naturally, with the modernization of the automotive industry, the number of various additional services in them has increased. As a result, many new technology names have appeared, and to make them easier to remember, manufacturers have come up with many abbreviations. The paradox in this case is that sometimes the same systems have different names only because they are patented by another company and some little thing is not exactly the same. Therefore, it would be nice to know the names of at least 10 of the most important abbreviations in cars. At least to avoid confusion, next time we read the list of equipment for a new machine.

ACC - Adaptive Cruise Control, adaptive cruise control

It monitors vehicles ahead and automatically slows down when a slower vehicle enters the lane. When the interfering vehicle returns to the right, the adaptive cruise control automatically accelerates to the set speed. This is one of the additions that continues to evolve with the development of autonomous vehicles.

BSD - Blind Spot Detection

The system has cameras or sensors built into the side mirrors. They look for objects in the blind spot or dead spot - the one that is not visible in the mirrors. So, even when you can't see a car driving next to you, technology is literally holding you back. In most cases, the system is only active when you turn on your turn signal and prepare to change lanes.

ESP - Electronic Stability Program, electronic stability control

Each manufacturer has its own abbreviation - ESC, VSC, DSC, ESP (Electronic / Vehicle / Dynamyc Stability Control, Electronic Stability Program). This is a technology that ensures that the car does not lose traction at the most inopportune moment. However, the system works differently in different vehicles. In some applications, it automatically activates the brakes to stabilize the car, while in others it turns off the spark plugs to increase speed and put control back in the driver's hands. Or he does both.

FCW - Forward Collision Warning

If the system detects an obstacle and the driver does not react in time, the car automatically assumes that a collision will occur. As a result, the millisecond technology decides to act - a light appears on the dashboard, the audio system begins to emit a sound signal, and the braking system prepares for active braking. Another system, called FCA (Forward Collision Assist), adds to this the ability to stop the car on its own if necessary, without the need for a reaction from the driver.

HUD - Head-Up Display, central glass display

This technology has been borrowed by automakers from aviation. Information from the navigation system, speedometer and the most important engine indicators is displayed directly on the windshield. The data is projected right in front of the driver's eyes, who no longer has any reason to excuse himself that he was distracted and didn't know how much he was moving.

LDW - Lane Departure Warning

Cameras installed on both sides of the vehicle monitor road markings. If it is continuous and the car starts to cross it, the system reminds the driver with an audible signal and in some cases by vibration of the steering wheel to prompt him to return to his lane.

LKA - Lane Keep Assist

By switching to an alarm from the LDW system, your car can not only read road markings, but also smoothly guide you on the correct and safe road. That's why LKA or Lane Keep Assist takes care of it. In practice, a vehicle equipped with it can turn on its own if the markings are clear enough. But at the same time, it will signal you more and more anxiously that the car needs to be taken under control again.

TCS - Traction Control System, traction control

TCS is very close to electronic stability control systems, as it again takes care of the grip and stability of your car, interfering with the operation of the engine. The technology monitors the speed of each individual wheel and thus understands which one has the least tractive effort.

HDC - Hill Descent Control

While computers control almost everything in cars, why not entrust them with descending a steep hill? There are many subtleties in this, and most often we are talking about off-road conditions, in which the surface is rather unstable, and the center of gravity is high. That is why SUV models are mostly equipped with HDC. The technology gives you the right to take your feet off the pedals and just steer the Jeep in the right direction, the rest is done by a computer that individually controls the brakes to prevent wheel locks and other problems associated with descending steep inclines.

OBD - On-Board Diagnostics, on-board diagnostics

To this designation, we most often connect a connector that is hidden somewhere in the passenger compartment of the car and into which a computer reader is included to check all electronic systems for errors and problems. If you go to a workshop and ask the mechanics to computer diagnose your car, they will use a standardized OBD connector. You can do it yourself if you have the required software. A wide variety of gadgets are sold, but not all work smoothly and reliably.