Braking System Acronyms In Cars : Understand How They Work

By Max Anthony •  Updated: 03/02/21 •  4 min read

Braking system in cars :have you ever been lost with so many acronyms when trying to research more on the subject? Here, you will understand what each one means, with general explanations, in a simple way. You can even save this article among your favorites to consult if there are other questions.

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Braking System Acronyms In Cars

What are ABS brakes?

braking system

ABS means Antilock Braking System. Ensuring safety, efficiency and stability, its main function is to prevent the wheels from braking in the event of sudden or severe braking. This happens through sensors and electronic modules that read the brake system when the pedal is activated.

What is EBD?

braking system

EBD stands for Electronic Brake Force Distribution. In other words, electronic distribution of the braking force. The item acts together with the ABS brakes, and the main function is to monitor the braking performance. For example, it checks the rotation, angle, and traction of the wheels.

What is ESP?

braking system

ESP stands for Electronic Stability Program, also popularly known as electronic stability control- this acronym is patented by Bosch, since the correct one is ESC, from Electronic Stability Control.

It aims to ensure steering stability in sudden situations, such as sharp corners at high speed. If necessary, the system corrects, through brakes and wheel traction, possible deviations generated by weight or speed, for example.

It is also known as:

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DSC (Dynamic Stability Control)

VSA (Vehicle Stability Assistance)

VSC (Vehicle Stability Control)

What is EAS?

EAS stands for Electronic Actuation System, it is the item that takes care of the traction of the car. Also, sensors decide the best way to spread the engine’s power to the wheels. In some ways, it also controls the height of the car in relation to the ground.

What is BAS?

BAS means Brake Assist System. Its function is to increase the braking load if it detects that the pedal was abruptly activated. It, therefore, acts urgently, together with ABS and EBD.

What is ACC?

ACC stands for Adaptive Cruise Control. That is, adaptive cruise control, which does nothing more than measure the distance and speed of the car ahead, and brakes or accelerates autonomously.

What is AHA?

AHA stands for Agile Handling Assist and controls torque on curves. It is an item that electronically monitors the front wheels’ speed to turn in the correct measure when a curve is made. AHA is the same as TVC ( Torque Vectoring Control ).

What is A-LKA?

A-LKA stands for Active Lane Keeping Assist. Via cameras, he identifies horizontal signs on the track. In the event of deviation, it comes into play by interfering with the steering wheel and brakes.

What is ASR?

ASR is an acronym which stands for Anti Slip Regulation and prevents the wheels from skidding at the start or in curves and slippery terrain.

What is CBC?

Evolution of ABS, Cornering Brake Control is the control of braking in curves. It is designed to distribute brake pressure and means the same as:

DCA ( Dynamic Cornering Assist )

CDA ( Curve Dynamic Assist )

What is ETS?

ETS stands for Enhanced Transitional Stability and is part of ESC / ESP. It monitors the speed of the car and the way the steering wheel is moved.

What is ESS?

Another acronym is ESS which stands for Emergency Signal System. The item turns on the flasher when braking suddenly. It means the same as EBL ( Emergency Brake Light ).

What is FCW?

FCW stands for Forward Collision Warning and is a frontal collision alert that detects static objects in front of the vehicle. In these cases, it issues an alert for the driver to step on the brake.

What is HDA?

And HDA stands for Hill Descent Assist and helps the car downhill: it controls the engine speed and applies the ABS brakes if necessary. It means the same as:

DAC ( Downhill Assist Control )

HDC ( Hill Descent Control )

DSR ( Downhill Speed ​​Regulation )

What is KERS?

KERS is an acronym which stands for Kinetic Energy Recovery System and its function is to perform the collection and storage of kinetic energy released in the braking so that it can be reused in the acceleration.

What is LAC?

LAC stands for Load Adaptive Control and monitors the car’s weight to adjust ESC / ESP sensors, if necessary, in addition to optimizing stability.

What is LKS?

LKS stands for Lane Keeping System and consists of cameras that identify and track the tracks. Emits alerts in case of deviations or invasions of the tracks without the driver having activated the arrow. It means the same as LKA ( Lane Keep Assist ).

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Max Anthony

Max is a gizmo-savvy guy, who has a tendency to get pulled into the nitty gritty details of technology and cars. He attended UT Austin, where he studied Information Science. He’s married and has three kids, one dog and a GMC truck and a Porsche 911. With a large family, he still finds time to share tips and tricks on cars, trucks and more.