Choose Jargon
ABS
‘Anti-lock braking system’ Active safety device that stops the wheels locking-up under heavy braking, thus allowing the driver to maintain steering control.
ACC
‘Active Cruise Control’ Keeps a set distance between your car and the car in front using a radar device in the front grille. Will automatically brake or slow down if it senses the car in front doing the same and also increase speed up to its pre-set limit
Active safety
Any safety technology that prevents you from having an accident in the first place, e.g. ABS, EBD, ADAS and VSA. Focuses on the fractions of seconds before an accident.
Active safety
Any safety technology that prevents you from having an accident in the first place, e.g. ABS, EBD, ADAS and VSA. Focuses on the fractions of seconds before an accident.
ADAS
‘Advanced Driver Assistance System’ Combines ACC, LKAS and later, CMBS technology under one banner.
CMBS
‘Collision Mitigation Brake System’ Automatically prepares the cars and its occupants for impact if it senses that an accident is unavoidable. Assists with heavy braking and tightens the seat belts to reduce loading on the driver during an accident.
CVT
Continuously Variable Transmission. A variation of the automatic gearbox that improves efficiency and provides an uninterrupted range of speed ratios, and thus gives better fuel economy and lower emissions. As fitted to Civic Hybrid and Jazz CVT-7.
DEADLOCKS
Locks that remain active even if unauthorised entry is attempted from inside the vehicle, e.g. smashed a window and pulling the internal door handle.
Drive-by-wire
An electronically controlled throttle instead of traditional cable operation. Creates smoother throttle response and better economy.
DVD
‘Digital Versatile Disc’, e.g. DVD Satellite Navigation.
EBD
‘Electronic Brake-force Distribution’ Active safety device that helps maintain stability by distributing the braking effort between the four wheels of the car during braking, thus compensating for weight transfer. Works in tandem with the ABS system.
ECU
‘Electronic Control Unit’ e.g. engine management system.
EPS
Electric Power Steering. Uses electric motor to assist the steering instead of hydraulics. Runs off battery, not engine and therefore reduces emissions and fuel consumption.
HFT
Hands Free Telephone. Uses Bluetooth technology to link communications devices (ie. mobile phones) to a car's hand's free microphone and speaker system.
Hybrid
An environmentally friendly vehicle with regular driving dynamics that uses both petrol and electric power to create lower emissions and better economy, e.g. Civic IMA
i-CTDi
‘Intelligent - Common-rail Turbo Diesel Injection’ Honda’s diesel engine fitted to the Accord, CR-V, FR-V and 2006 Civic.
i-DSi
‘Intelligent Dual Sequential Ignition’ This system varies the timing of its spark plugs (two for each cylinder) to increase economy and reduce emissions. As fitted to Jazz and 2006 Civic 1.4 models.
I-SHIFT
Intelligent Shift. Honda's automated control of the car's clutch. Different to an automatic in that i-Shift does not have a torque converter; it has the same clutch and 6-speed manual gearbox as other cars, but the gearchanges can be selected automatically (in auto mode) or manually (using steering wheel-mounted paddle shifts or a sequential-style shifter).
ICE
‘In-Car Entertainment’ e.g. CD player, speakers etc, or ‘Internal Combustion Engine’ depending on the context.
IMA
‘Integrated Motor Assist’ two motors, one petrol (i-DSi), one electric. Hybrid technology that uses a combination of both power plants to reduce emissions and increase fuel economy.
ISOFix
‘International Standards Organisation Fix’. Standardised mechanical system for safely securing child seats to the chassis of the car. Easier and quicker to use and there is less risk of securing the seat incorrectly as can happen with child seats secured using seat belts.
LKAS
‘Lane Keeping Assist System’ Automatically keeps the vehicle in its lane using a camera to sense white lines in the road and the electric power steering system.
LSD
Limited-Slip Differential. Helps to improve traction of the driven wheels through the semi-locking of the differential when any slip is detected. As fitted to Honda S2000.
Magic Seats
The rear seats can fold down to make the load floor completely flat. The seat cushion can also fold up to create extra luggage capacity behind the front seats. The rear seats move by pulling on a strap at the bottom of the seat, aided by their lightweight design. As fitted to Jazz and 2006 Civic.
One-Motion folding seat mechanism
When the rear seat is released the headrest automatically folds, the seat cushion tilts forward and the seat back folds flush to the floor, all in one simple movement.
Passive safety
Helps protect you in the event of an accident, e.g. airbags, crumple zones, side impact bars and ELR
Power
A measurement of how much work the engine can do over a given period. So while the engine generates a certain torque, power is a measure of how frequently that torque can be generated. Measured as a unit of speed combined with a unit of force and typically expressed in units of hp, bhp, PS or kW.
RDS
Radio Data System.
Realtime 4x4
Four wheel drive that automatically sends power to the wheels with the most grip when slip is detected. The system runs in 2WD unless 4x4 is need, helping to reduce fuel consumption and emissions whilst also helping acceleration. As fitted to CR-V.
SRS
‘Supplementary Restraint System’ = Airbags
SS
Sequential-Shift. Gives the driver the ability to select gears manually through an automatic gearbox. As fitted to Accord ADAS and as an option throughout the rest of the Accord petrol range.
Torque
Turning force, so a measurement of force multiplied by distance. Typically expressed in units of pound-feet (lb-ft (not lb/ft)) or Newton-metres (Nm). Diesels generally develop more torque than petrols and at much lower rpm (engine 'revolutions per minute')
VIN
Vehicle Identification Number. Sometimes referred to as 'Chassis Number' this is a unique code that every car is fitted with to protect the identity of the vehicle.
VSA
‘Vehicle Stability Assist’ Active safety device that helps stop the vehicle from skidding by reducing engine power or braking a wheel to regain control if any slip is detected. Honda’s version of ESP (Electronic Stability Programme)
VTEC
‘Variable Valve Timing and Lift with Electronic Control’ e.g. adjusts engine valves to create more power when you need it while delivering lower emissions and superior fuel economy over regular petrol engines.
‘Bluetooth’ ®
Wireless communication between electronic devices, e.g. Bluetooth ® hands-free in-car phone.
‘Tweeters’
Small, supplementary speakers, usually mounted front side. Usually fitted to high-spec sound packages, designed to make higher pitched notes sound clearer and reduce distortion.
