Auto Acronyms Trivia Quiz

Answer: airbag

SRS stands for Supplemental Restraint System airbag. SRS airbags first came out in 1993 by Safety Restraint Systems Inc. By 1999 the Federal Government required all cars, light trucks and vans to have driver and passenger airbags. A maximized amount of protection is achieved when seat belts are used in conjunction with the airbags.

Answer: anti-lock

Remember the good ol' days when you had to "pump" your brakes to stop on a slippery road? The ABS (anti-lock braking system) actually "pumps" the brakes for you at a much faster speed resulting in a faster stop and the ability to steer while you're stopping.

Answer: GPS

A Global Positioning System (GPS) is actually a receiver that locates four or more (of the 27 orbiting) satellites and calculates the distance from each of them to deduce a location. Not only can a GPS receiver place you on a built in map and trace the path you've traveled, but it can also tell you how far and how long you've traveled, current and average speed and in some cases estimated time of arrival at your destination.

Answer: HUD

The Heads-up Display system allows important information to be projected onto a (specially coated) windshield in front of the driver. This potentially increases driver safety and convenience since the driver does not have to look down to the instrument panel as often. Other information can be displayed through the HUD system, vehicle speed being the most popular added.

Answer: LED

Light Emitting Diodes are housed in a small plastic bulb which makes them more durable. The filament in an incandescent bulb must be warmed to produce light which is wasted energy. LEDs don't have a filament that will burn out so a higher percentage of electrical power goes directly to producing the light which makes it more efficient. LEDs are also used in digital clocks, remote controls and traffic lights.

Answer: Adaptive

In addition to conventional cruise control, ACC can automatically adjust speed to maintain the distance between vehicles in the same lane. This can be achieved by a forward facing radar that is installed behind the grill of a vehicle. If the lead vehicle slows down or another object is detected a signal is sent to the braking system to decelerate.

When the road clears, the system re-accelerates the vehicle to the set speed.

Answer: Heating Ventilation

It can also stand for Heating Vacuum.
You can control the HVAC system with the knobs on your dash. This system regulates whether there will be cold air or hot air blowing into your car.

Answer: Society of Automotive Engineers

SAE has been around since 1905. Originally called the Society of Automobile Engineers, SAE branched out to engineers in all types of mobility-related professions and changed their name from Automobile to Automotive in 1916. SAE is an organization where members share information and ideas for advancing the engineering of mobility systems.

Answer: on the dash

The Malfunction Indicator Light is more commonly known as the Check Engine Light. When an engine control related malfunction is detected, the MIL lights up and a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTS) is stored in the car's computer memory.

Answer: Electronic Control Module

The ECM is the master computer that is responsible for interpreting electrical signals sent by the engine sensors. ECMs are also known as ECUs or Electronic Control Units.

Answer: RAM

Random Access Memory stores diagnostic trouble codes received by the ECM. If the power of the ECM is disconnected the RAM loses all of it's memory.

Answer: Automotive Service Excellence

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) was established in 1972. It is an independent, non-profit organization. ASE's purpose was to distinguish between incompetent and competent mechanics through testing and certification.

Answer: Specialty Equipment Marketing Association

SEMA has been a part of the automotive industry since 1963. Every year SEMA puts on a huge trade show where manufacturers unveil their latest offerings for all to admire, learn about, sell and purchase.

Answer: Association

The National Hot Rod Association was founded more than 50 years ago by Wally Parks and his associates. They were concerned about the growth of illegal street racing and went city to town to introduce organized drag racing in safe places. This resulted in the birth of a world-class motor sport.

Answer: Association Auto Racing

When you hear Winston Cup, Busch or Craftsman Truck Series, you think NASCAR. The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing was started in 1948 with Bill France Sr. as president. Originally NASCAR was strictly stock cars only. Through the years the variety of race tracks used and the intensity of competition level led to the necessary modifications of the cars we see today.