| Acronym |
Definition |
Notes / What Is / Who Is |
| AAA |
American Automobile Association |
Map directions and emergency roadside assistance. |
| AACA |
Antique Automobile Club of America |
The Antique Automobile Club of America is the premier car
club in the world focused on antique cars, trucks, motorcycles and their
history. |
| AAIA |
Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association |
AAIA is a aftermarket trade association in the
United States that represents the shared interests of manufacturers,
distributors, jobbers, retailers, service and repair shops, program groups,
manufacturers reps, educators, publishers, business affiliates, and state
associations. |
| AALA |
American Automotive Leasing Association |
National industry association composed of commercial
automotive fleet leasing and management companies. |
| AAMVA |
American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators |
A nonprofit organization committed to enhancing safety and
security through the motor vehicle administration community and law
enforcement officials. |
| AAPEX |
Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo |
AAPEX represents the motor vehicle aftermarket. Sponsers the
Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week car show in Las Vegas, Nevada every
November. |
| AASA |
Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association |
Represents the North American automotive aftermarket
supplier industry. |
| ABPA |
Automotive Body Parts Association |
Serves the auto body / collision repair industry with
replacement parts. |
| ABS |
antilock brake system |
ABS uses electronic controls to
maintain wheel rotation under hard braking that would otherwise lock a
vehicle's wheels. |
| A/C |
air conditioning |
Uses the evaporation of Freon to provide cooling. |
| AC |
alternating current |
Electric current that reverses direction. |
| ACS |
Automotive Computer Services |
automobile dealer software. |
| AERA |
Automotive Engine Rebuilders Association |
Network of professional engine builders, rebuilders and
installers. |
| A/F |
air/fuel ratio |
The mass of air divided by the mass of fuel / gas. |
| AFM |
air flow meter |
Detects the mass air flow in air intake duct or a intake
manifold. Air flow sensor. Also called MAF or
VAF |
| AIADA |
American International Automobile Dealers Association |
National lobbying force in Washington dedicated to the
economic and political interests of America's international nameplate
automobile / car dealers. |
| AIAG |
Automotive Industry Action Group |
The Automotive Industry Action Group is a globally
recognized organization founded in 1982 by a group managers from Chrysler,
Ford Motor Company, and General Motors. |
| AIAM |
Association of International Automobile Manufacturers |
Represents international motor vehicle manufacturers,
original equipment suppliers and other automotive related trade
associations. |
| ALI |
Automotive Lift Institute |
Certification labeling and testing for car lifts. |
| AMRC |
Automotive Market Research Council |
Non-profit organization founded in 1966 and is devoted to
market research within the automotive, commercial vehicle, and off-highway
industries. |
| ANDRA |
Australian National Drag Racing Association |
Primary drag racing sanctioning body in Australia. |
| ANSI |
American National Standards Institute |
National and international standardization for business and
consumers. |
| AOCA |
Automotive Oil Change Association |
Non-profit trade organization representing the quick lube /
oil change industry. |
| AORC |
Automotive Occupant Restraints Council |
Founded in 1965 as the American Seat Belt council, changed
in 1988 to AORC. Assist in establishing uniform production and quality
standards for seat belts and air bags. |
| APEC |
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation |
APEC is the premier Asia-Pacific economic forum. Primary
goal is to support sustainable economic growth and prosperity in the
Asia-Pacific region. |
| APRA |
Automotive Parts Rebuilders Association |
Address the needs of the automotive and truck parts
remanufacturing industry. Founded in 1941. |
| APRC |
Automotive Public Relations Council |
Operates under the management and oversight of the Original
Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA) |
| ARA |
Automotive Recyclers Association |
International trade association which has represented an
industry dedicated to the efficient removal and reuse of automotive parts,
and the safe disposal of inoperable motor vehicles. Founded 1943. |
| ASA |
Automotive Service Association |
Since 1951, has been the leading organization for owners and
managers of automotive service businesses. |
| ASAAA |
Alliance of State Automotive Aftermarket Associations |
Comprised of 14 regional and state associations representing
the automotive aftermarket. |
| ASE |
Automotive Service Excellence |
Mission is to improve the quality of vehicle repair and
service through the testing and certification of repair, parts and service
professionals. |
| A/T |
automatic transmission |
Shifts gears automatically. |
| ATAE |
Automotive Trade Association Executives |
Works with the NADA National
Automobile Dealers Association to serve car and truck dealers. |
| ATC |
after top center |
Position of a piston in a engine. |
| ATDC |
after top dead center |
Position of a piston in a engine. |
| ATF |
automatic transmission fluid |
Hydraulic fluid |
| ATMC |
Automotive Training Managers Council |
Founded in 1984 by original equipment (OEM)
and aftermarket automotive training professionals. |
| ATRA |
Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association |
Founded in 1954, an international trade association for the
professional automatic transmission repair industry. |
| AWD |
all wheel drive |
all four wheels drive the vehicle. See
FWD and RWD |
| AWDA |
Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association |
Founded in 1947, group of warehouse distributors WD,
suppliers of parts, accessories, tools and other supplies for the automotive
aftermarket. |
