PriusChat Glossary

[Tideland Prius]

If you can't find what you're looking for here, then try this place: Automotive Dictionary

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1G - Refers to the "first generation" Prius...generally, as this is a US based site, we mean the 2000-2003 model year NWH-11.

2G- As per 1G (above), but for the 2004-2008 model year second US generation of the Prius (NWH-20)

2WD - Two Wheel Drive. Refers to a vehicle that is driven by two wheels (front or rear)

4WD - Four Wheel Drive. Refers to a vehicle capable of being driven by all four wheels.

4WD-i - Four Wheel Drive with intelligence. This refers to the 4WD system that utilises an electric motor to drive the rear wheels

4WS - Four Wheel Steering. A system that allows both the front wheels and the rear wheels to steer the vehicle

4x4 - Four by Four. Another acronym for Sport Utility Vehicles with four wheel drive.

A

A/C - Air Conditioning

ABS - Antilock Braking System (A system that pulses the brakes to prevent wheel lockup and allow the driver to maintain control of the vehicle when manoeuvring around the obstacle)

ACC - Automatic Climate Control

ACC - Active Cruise Control (A cruise control system that uses radar or laser to allow you to set a preset distance to the vehicle ahead. The vehicle then maintains that set distance, braking if necessary)

ACC - Accessory Mode (This mode allows the radio to be operated. The POWER button illuminates green)

AFAIK - As far as I know

AFS - Adaptive Front lighting System (This system is linked to the steering wheel. It automatically swivels the headlights left or right to illuminate the path as you steer the vehicle. More advanced systems can swivel each headlight independently allowing the opposite headlight to continue pointing straight)

Alcantara - A suede-like material called microfibre. Alcantara is the company that makes microfibres

APGS - Advanced Parking Guidance System (This system is more sophisticated than the IPA system and assists in parking the vehicle for you. The system utilises the reverse camera and the driver only needs to control the speed via the brake pedal)

ASL - Automatic Sound Levellizer (This system automatically adjusts the volume of the audio system to compensate for extra road noise)

AT-PZEV - Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (SULEV rating but with zero evaporation emission also met)

AWD - All Wheel Drive. Refers to a system that allows the vehicle to automatically send power to the front or rear wheels electronically without the driver's input to maximise traction

B

B10 - 10% biofuel, 90% diesel

BA - Brake Assist (A system that applies maximum braking power if it senses an emergency stop)

BEV - Battery Electric Vehicle

Brake-By-Wire - The vehicle's braking system is controlled by computers. There is no mechanical link between the brake pedal and the brake caliper pistons

BT - Bluetooth Connectivity

C

Cabin Air Filter - A filter that cleans the air entering the cabin of the vehicle by trapping particles. There are different types ranging from basic dust & pollen filters, to particulate filters to electrostatic charcoal particulate filters that charge the filter to attract the particulate matter

Cargo Liner - This a rubber mat that lines the trunk. It allows one to load up dirty items without scuffing or dirtying the interior

Cargo Mat - This is a carpeted mat to protect the original trunk carpeting

CC - Cruise Control

CD - Compact Disc

CD-TEXT - Refers to the tag that allows the vehicle's audio system to read tags in the CD. This then displays the title of the song and/or the artist and/or the album of the song. The CD must have CD-TEXT encoded and the audio files must be labelled correctly for it to show on the vehicle's audio head unit)

CEL - Check Engine Light

CNG - Compressed Natural Gas

Coast - A state when there are green arrows shown on the Energy Monitor from the wheels to the electric motor to the battery

CVT - Continuously Variable Transmission (A stepless transmission that has no gears. A conventional CVT uses a cone & belt type system with two cones and a belt running between them. The belt rises and falls along the cones to provide the gear ratio and power as needed)

CY - Calendar Year

D

DAC - Downhil Assist Control (A system that limits power output and engages maximum engine braking to assist in descending a steep or slippery slope. The driver must not touch the brake while the system is operating)

DICE - Digital In Car Entertainment (www.diceelectronics.com)

Drive-By-Wire - A system that controls the vehicle's throttle body electronically. There is no mechanical linkage between the accelerator (gas pedal) and the throttle body

Driving/Cornering Lights - Auxiliary lights that assist in illuminating the corners when the indicator is engaged or simply to make the vehicle more visible to other motorists

DRL - Daytime Running Lights (These run the low beams or the high beams at reduced intensity during the daytime. These do not turn on the taillights)

DSP - Digital Signal Processing

DST - Daylight Savings Time. Refer to your navigation owner's manual on instructions to change this

DVD - Digital Versatile Disc

DVD-A - DVD Audio disc

E

E10 - 10% ethanol, 90% petrol/gasoline

E85 - 85% ethanol, 15% petrol/gasoline

EBD - Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (A system that distributes braking power front/rear depending on load)

EBH - Engine Block Heater. This unit allows the engine to be preheated via a wall socket prior to start up

ECO - Refers to the ECO button that limits the electricity drain on the HV battery by the climate control system. Using this mode may result in a longer time for the cabin to reach desired temperature

ECON - Refers to the mode that restricts engine output and to force it to run economically

ECU - Engine Control Unit

EPS - Electronic Power Steering. This means the power assist for the steering wheel is electric rather than hydraulically driven. This means that the power assist only comes on when the steering wheel is turned as opposed to a hydraulic system which always provides assist even when travelling in a straight line. EPS helps reduces fuel consumption

ESP - Electronic Stability Programme (General name for a system that monitors yaw movement and engages to keep the vehicle on track if a slide is detected)

EV - Electric Vehicle

EV Drive Mode - Refers to the electric drive mode engaged by pushing the EV switch. This allows pure electric motoring for short distances)

EV Mode - To drive the vehicle in electric mode with yellow arrows from the battery to the electric motor to the wheel on the Energy Monitor

F

FC - Fuel Cell

FCHV - Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle

FE - Fuel Economy

FEH - Ford Escape Hybrid

Flexfuel - A system that can run on two types of fuel. The most common are ethanol and petrol/gasoline or compressed natural gas (CNG) and petrol/gasoline.

Foglights/Foglamps - Refers to the secondary auxiliary lighting located at bumper level beneath the headlights. The low level allows them to illuminate the fog from beneath to better assist in visibility in poor weather conditions (See Rear Foglight)

FS - For Sale

FTW - For the win!

FWD - Front Wheel Drive. Refers to a vehicle driven by its two front wheels

FWIW - For what it's worth

G

GB - Group Buy

Glide - A state when there are no arrows shown on the Energy Monitor

GPS - Global Positioning Satellite (The basis for GPS units such as the in-car navigation system)

Ground Clearance - Refers to the distance between the lowest point of the car and the road

H

HAC - Hill-Assist Control (A system that momentarily applies the brakes while on a hill to allow time for the driver to lift off the brake pedal and press the accelerator. This prevents the vehicle from rolling back on a hill)

HAH - Honda Accord Hybrid

HCH - Honda Civic Hybrid

HDD - Hard Drive Disc

HID - High Intensity Discharge (A bulb, usually containing xenon gas creates an arc of light when a jolt of electricity is applied)

HiHy - Highlander Hybrid

Homelink™ - A programmable system that wirelessly controls Homelink-capable systems such as the garage door, entrance/exit gate and/or indoor/outdoor lighting. See the Homelink Site for more information

HSD - Hybrid Synergy Drive

HV - High Voltage

HV - Hybrid Vehicle

HVAC - Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning

I

ICE - Internal Combustion Engine

ICE - In Car Entertainment

IG-ON - Ignition On (Refers to the ON position in the ignition. This mode allows for all the accessories including power windows and fan to operate. The POWER button will illuminate orange)

IIRC - If I recall correctly

IMA - Integrated Motor Assist (Honda's mild hybrid system)

IMHO - In my honest opinion

IMO - In my opinion

INT - Refers to the intermittent wiper setting. A variable system allows the driver to select different intervals at which the wipers are to sweep

IOW - In other words

IP - Instrument Panel (Also instrument cluster)

IPA - Intelligent Park Assist (This system automatically parks the vehicle for you. It is used in conjunction with a reverse camera. The driver simply operates the brake pedal to control the speed; the vehicle does the rest)

J

JBL - James B. Lansing audio (A company that specialises in audio equipment. Under the Harmon Kardon group, JBL and Toyota have teamed up to provide a rich audio experience with surround sound [in some models])

JDM - Japan Domestic Manufacturer (Refers to something that's made for the local Japanese market)

K

KB - Knowledge Base

L

LED - Light Emitting Diodes

LEV - Low Emissions Vehicle

LexusLink - Lexus version of GM's OnStar. It's a communication device between you and an operator at a central office. It can be used in an emergency to call for help by pressing a single button or to be used for its concierge services. A subscription is required.

Li-Ion - Lithium Ion

LOL - Laugh out loud

LPG - Liquid Petroleum Gas

M

MFD - Multi-Function Display

MG - Motor Generator (used to refer to the electric motors)

Moonroof - A glass section of the roof that can slide or tilt for ventilation. A sunshade is provided

MP3 - A compressed audio format

MSRP - Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price

MY - Model Year

N

NAH - Nissan Altima Hybrid

NiCd - Nickel Cadmium

NiMH - Nickel Metal Hydride

NWH-10/11/20- The technical model designation from Toyota refering to the original (NWH-10) Prius (1997-1999, Japan only), "Classic" Prius (NWH-11) 2000-2003, and the second generation Prius (NWH-20) 2004-2008.

O

O/D - Overdrive. It's usually the top gear or the top two gears. Overdrive is used to lower fuel consumption by making the gear ratios higher. In overdrive, the engine is allowed to spin at a lower rpm, thus improving fuel economy.

OEM - Original Equipment Manufacturer (The original or stock item from the manufacturer)

P

Parking Lights - Refers to the front side lights that are illuminated along with the taillights. They are usually small and consume very little power allowing the vehicle to be illuminated at night if parking on a narrow road. May also be referred as side marker lights

PHEV - Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle

Planetary Gear - A transmission that uses a set of gears arranged in a solar system design. The centre gear is called the sun gear, the gears rotating around it are the planet gears and the large gear ring that ties the system together is called a ring gear. See this site for more information).

Plasmacluster™ - Licensed from Sharp Corporation, this system produces positive and negative ions to attract airborne particles and clean the air.

PSD - Power Split Device (Toyota's name for a planetary gear set)

Puddle lamps - Lamps that illuminate the area beside the front doors, usually linked to the door unlock system

Pulse & Coast - See Pulse & Glide. A similar system but refers to the method used in non-hybrid vehicles that cannot glide but can coast

Pulse & Glide - (Also P&G) It refers to a type of driving that involves accelerating up to a set speed (usually 60km/h/38mph), called pulsing and then letting the car glide (see Glide) down to a set speed (usually 40km/h/25mph) and repeating as needed

PV - Photovoltaic

PWR - Power mode. It tells the computer to put the car's transmission into power mode which shortens the gear ratios and holds the gear for a longer time before shifting allowing for a sportier drive

PZEV - Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle

R

RDS - Radio Data System (This system allows the audio unit to pick up messages sent by radio stations. They may contain song information such as artist and title as well as contest and other promotional messages)

Rear bumper appliqué - This is a thin transparent film that is applied over the rear bumper to protect it from scuffs as one loads the trunk. It is embossed with the TOYOTA name and logo

Rear bumper protector - This is the black rubber protector that protects the bumper from scuffs and scratches. It is more durable tahn the appliqué

Rear Foglight - A bright red light (single or dual) that illuminates the rear of the vehicle to assist other motorists in spotting your vehicle in adverse weather conditions

Rear seat heater ducts - Refers to the ducts located beneath the front seats that send air to the rear compartment. It is operational when the climate control is set to or or

Rheostat - A dimmer switch that allows control over the instrument panel and interior panel backlighting

ROTFL - Rolling On The Floor Laughing

ROTFLOL - Rolling On The Floor Laughing Out Loud

RSP - Retail Suggested Price

RTM - Read The Manual

RWD - Rear Wheel Drive. Refers to a vehicle driven by its rear wheels

S

SAT - Satellite radio. Pressing this button on the audio unit selects satellite radio. Separate antenna and subscription required.

Scangauge - A little device that plugs into your car that allows it to retrieve additional information such as engine rpm, MG temperature and so forth

Scuff plates - Lower doorsill protectors (plastic or metal) that protect the lower doorsills from scuffs and damage

SE/SS - Smart Entry & Smart Start (The previous name given to the SKS. It allows for keyless entry and start up)

Side Blinkers/Marker lights - An extra set of indicators mounted near the front fender to assist in making your intentions known to a vehicle travelling alongside, out of view of your rear indicators

Shift-By-Wire - The transmission is controlled electronically by the computer. There is no mechanical linkage between the shifter and the transmission

SKS - Smart Key System

SNOW - Snow mode. It puts the transmission into snow mode which tells the computer to start the transmission off in 2nd gear and to retard the throttle to minimise wheel spin

SOC - State of Charge (Refers to the charge of a battery)

SOL - Short On Luck

SRS - Supplemental Restraint System

Stealth - The act of propulsion solely on electric power. See EV Mode

SULEV - Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle

Sunroof - A feature that allows a section of the roof to slide open for extra light or tilt for ventilation.

T

TCH - Toyota Camry Hybrid

TCS - Traction Control System (General acronym for a system that limits power and/or applies the brakes to individual wheels to maintain traction while acceleration)

Thermos - This refers to the 3L coolant thermos located behind the bumper, beneath the driver's side headlight. This thermos stores hot coolant from the previous run and cycles it through the engine to help warm the engine. Note that the coolant can stay warm for up to 3 days

THS - Toyota Hybrid System (Toyota's first hybrid system)

TLEV - Transitional Low Emissions Vehicle

TORSEN™ - TORque SENsing

TPMS - Tyre (Tire) Pressure Monitoring System

TRAC - Toyota Rent-A-Car programme

TRAC - Traction Control (Toyota's acronym)

U

ULEV - Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle

USDM - United States Domestic Manufacturer (Refers to something made for the local US market)

V

VAIS - Video Audio Integrated System (www.vais.com)

VDIM - Vehicle Dynamic Integrated Management

VSC - Vehicle Stability Control

W

Wheel locks - A locking wheel lug that prevents a thief from removing your alloy wheels. It comes with a unique key lug

WMA - Windows Media Audio format (This is an audio format for Windows Media Player)

WTB - Want To Buy

Z

ZEV - Zero Emission Vehicle