BMW Acronyms

I am new to the boards and have been experiencing a learning curve when it comes to BMW/automotive specific acronyms. Using the search function on multiple boards, I came up with this list of acronyms. There are still a few I haven't found yet....

I hope this can help other newbies!


4WD = All Wheel Drive
A/C = Air Conditioning
A/D = Analog/Digital
AB = Airbag
ABS = Anti-lock Braking System
AC = Air Conditioning
ACS = AC Schnitzer
ADB = Automatic Differential Braking
AE = Angel Eyes
AFM = Air Flow Meter
AFR = Air to Fuel Ratio
ALC = Automatic Light Control
ARS = Active Roll Stabilization
ASC = Automatic Stability Control
AT = Automatic Transmission
ATF = Automatic Transmission Fluid
BBK = Big Brake Kit
BLS = Brake Light Switch
BST = Battery Safety Terminal
CAB = Control Arm Bushing
CAI = Cold Air Intake
CAS = Car Access System
CBC = Cornering Brake Control
CCFL = Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lighting
CCM = Check Control Module
CD = Control Display
CDC = Compact Disk Changer
CEL = Check Engine Light
CF = Carbon Fiber
CPS = Crank Position Sensor
CSL = Coupe Sport Lightweight
CVT = Constantly Variable Transmission
CWP = Cold Weather Package
DAE = Daytime Angel Eyes
DBC = Dynamic Brake Control
DBS = Dynamic Braking System
DCS = Dealer Communication System
DD = Daily Driver
DDE = Daytime Demon Eyes
DIS = Direct Ignition System
DIY = Do It Yourself
DME = Digital Motor Electronics
DOHC = Double Over Head Camshafts
DRL = Daytime Running Lamps
DSC = Dynamic Stability Control
DTC = Dynamic Traction Control
DTM = Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterchaft
EAM = Electrostatic Airflow Meter
ECM = Engine Control Module
ECU = Electronic Control Unit
EDFC = Electronic Dampening Force Controller
EDIS = Electronic Distributorless Ignition System
EPROM = Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory
ETM = Electrical Troubleshooting Manual
FI = Forced induction
FTL = For The Loss
FTW = For The Win
FWD = Front Wheel Drive
H/K = Harmon/Kardon
HFM = Hot Film Meter
HID = High Intensity Discharge
HM = Hotwire Meter
HPS = Head Protection System
Hz = Hertz (Cycle)
I-Bus = Information bus
ICM = Idle Control Module
ICV = Idle Control Valve
IKE = Instrument cluster Electronics
IR = Infrared
IRS = Infrared Locking System
ISC = Idle Speed Control
ISIS = Intelligent Safety Integration System
ITB = Individual Throttle Body
LAM = Laser Airflow Meter
LCAB - Lower Control Arm Bushing
LCM = Lamp Check Module
LDP = Leak Diagnosis Pump
LEO = Law Enforcement Officer
LEV = Low Emissions Vehicle
LHD = Left-Hand Drive
LSD = Limited Slip Differential
MAF = Mass Air Flow sensor
MAM = Mass Air Meter
MBC = Maximum Brake Control
MF = Micro Fiber
MMC = Multi-Media Changer
MRS = Multiple Restraint System
MT = Manual Transmission
MV = Magnetic Valve (solenoid Valve)
MoDiC = Mobile Diagnostic Computer
NAVI = Navigation module
NOS = Nitrous Oxide Systems
NOX = Nitrogen Oxides/ exhaust gas recirculation (from ETK)
O2 = Oxygen (sensor)
OBC = On Board Computer
OBD = On Board Diagnostics
OEM = Original Equipment Manufacturer
P-Bus = Periphery bus
P/N = Park/Neutral position
PCV = Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve
PDC = Park Distance Control
PGS = Passive Go System
PM = Power Module
PO = Previous Owner
PP = Premium Package
PSI = Pounds Per Square Inch
PTC = Positive Temperature Coefficient
PWG = Pedal position sensor/ potentiometer
RAM = Random Access Memory
RDC = tire pressure Control
RDS = Radio Data-broadcast System
RHD = Right-Hand Drive
RLS = Rain-Light Sensor
RM = Relay Module
RPS = Rollover Protection System
RSM = Rear Shock Mount
RTAB = Rear Trailing Arm Bushing
RWD = Rear Wheel Drive
S/C = Supercharger
SM = Street Modified
SOHC - Single Overhead Cam
SP = Sport Package
SRS = Supplemental Restraint System
SS = Stainless Steel
SSK = Short Shift Kit
Step = Steptronic transmission
TCS = Traction Control System
TDC = Top Dead Center
TIS = Technische Information System
TME = Transmission Mount Enforcer
TRE = Tie Rod End
VAM = Volumetric Airflow Meter
VANOS = Variable Lift and Timing System
VIN = Vehicle Identification Number
VTEC = Variable Timing and Lift Electronic Control
VVTI = Variable Valve Timing and Lift (With Intelligence)
WOT = Wide Open Throttle
ZCP = BMW Competition Package (M3 Only)
ZCW = BMW Cold Weather Package
ZHP = BMW Performance Package (Available on US-Market 330i/Ci/Cic Only)
ZPP = BMW Premium Package
ZSP = BMW Sport Package

...slow day, huh?

somebody has alot of free time on their hands.

LoL
QFT
TTYL
BRB
G2G

I'm impressed. Very comprehensive list.

Hey, there are beginners on the site who really will appreciate this list. We have all gone or are going through this stage in our car-crazy lives. If it was a copy/paste, thanks. If you actually sat down for an hour and made this list, that's very kind. I'm sure many young, aspiring car guys will see this and love it.

alphabatized as well...i think you need a woman in your life.

Originally Posted by Azrael

LoL
QFT
TTYL
BRB
G2G

Hadn't heard this one before. on the list though...will be useful to some but I've never heard of someone calling Angel Eyes "AE's"...

Some are incorrect...

Originally Posted by NorthJersey 3er

alphabatized as well...i think you need a woman in your life.

microsoft word can do that at the click of a button for ya (the alphabetize part)

THANK YOU! I'm a newbie and it helped me out. thanks, much appreciated.

OMG how did you forget to include BMW?

actually, isn't there a difference between 4WD and AWD? 4WD being all 4 of the wheels drive at the same power, whereas AWD means all 4 wheels drive, but not necessarily at the same power to the wheels (which is better, hence different road situations, etc.)

you have diy but no fyi?

isnt P/N Part number??

Great newbie material.

I thought 4WD gave you the option to run 2WD or 4WD. AWD is on all the time. I could be wrong of course.

Also, what are the different M##'s? Engines?

Thanks.

some of those made me laugh, thats how off they are.

BMW = Brings More Weaners!?