When buying a used car, you’ll come across various car options and abbreviations that describe the car’s transmission type and options. These codes help you understand the car’s features. Here’s a simple guide to help you know these codes.
Transmission Codes
Automatic Transmissions
- AT / FA Automatic Transmission
- Standard automatic transmission.
- CA / CAT Column Automatic Transmission
- Automatic transmission with a column shifter.
- CVT Continuously Variable Transmission
- A transmission that can change seamlessly through a continuous range of gear ratios.
- DA / DAT Dashboard Automatic Transmission
- Automatic transmission with controls on the dashboard.
Manual Transmissions
- MT Manual Transmission
- Standard manual transmission.
- F5 5 Speed Manual Transmission
- 5-speed manual transmission.
- F6 6 Speed Manual Transmission
- 6-speed manual transmission.
Special Transmissions
- TIP Tiptronic
- Automatic transmission with manual shift mode.
Common Car Options
- AC Air Conditioner
- Standard air conditioning.
- AAC Climate Control Air Conditioner
- Advanced climate control system.
- WAC / WAA Double Air Conditioner
- Dual-zone air conditioning.
- PS Power Steering
- Power-assisted steering.
- PW / EW Power Windows
- Electrically operated windows.
- PM Power Mirrors
- Electrically adjustable mirrors.
- CL Central Locking
- Centralized door locking system.
- HR Highroof
- Higher roof for more headroom.
- SR Sunroof
- Roof with an opening panel.
- CD CD Player
- CD music player.
- MD MD Player
- MiniDisc music player.
- TV Television (only in Japan)
- Built-in TV (only in Japan).
- NAVI / ナビ Navigation (only in Japan)
- Built-in navigation system (only in Japan).
- LS / カワ Leather Seats
- Leather seating.
- 純AW Genuine Alloy Wheels
- Genuine alloy wheels from the manufacturer.
- AW Alloy Wheels
- Standard alloy wheels.
- ABG / SRS / エアB Airbag
- Airbags for safety.
- ABS Anti Lock Brake System
- Prevents the wheels from locking during braking.
- ESC / ESP Electronic Stability Control
- Helps maintain control during skids.
- HID High-intensity Discharge Headlamps
- Bright and efficient headlamps.
Other Car Options (Alphabetical)
- AFS Adaptive Front Light System
- Headlights that adapt to driving conditions.
- AL / AHL Auto Headlights
- Automatic headlights.
- ASR Acceleration Skid Control
- Prevents wheels from spinning during acceleration.
- ATSR Auto Sunroof
- Automatic sunroof.
- AU Steering Audio Control
- Audio controls on the steering wheel.
- BB Bull Bar
- Protective bar on the front of the vehicle.
- BT Bluetooth
- Wireless connectivity for devices.
- C&Bsonar Corner & Back Sensor
- Sensors for parking assistance.
- CAB Curtain Side Airbag
- Side airbags that deploy like curtains.
- CC Cruise Control
- Maintains a set speed without using the accelerator.
- CP Corner Pole
- A pole to help judge the corners of the vehicle.
- CS Cassette Stereo / Corner Sensor
- Cassette player and/or corner sensors.
- EBD Electronic Brakeforce Assist Distribution
- Distributes braking force.
- ECP Electric Corner Pole
- Electrically operated corner pole.
- EFI Electric Fuel Injection
- Modern fuel injection system.
- EIS Engine Immobilizer System
- Prevents the engine from starting without the correct key.
- EPC Electronic Power Control
- Controls power electronically.
- EPS Engine Push Start
- Push-button start for the engine.
- ES Electric Seats
- Electrically adjustable seats.
- F&S AB Front & Side Airbag
- Front and side airbags.
- F.S.R. Front, Side, Rear Aero Parts
- Aerodynamic parts for the front, side, and rear.
- FL Fog Lamps
- Lamps to improve visibility in foggy conditions.
- FP Front Pole
- A pole to help judge the front of the vehicle.
- GG Grille Guard
- Guard to protect the front grille.
- H D Highdeck
- High deck for additional storage or seating.
- HDC Hill Descend Control
- Helps maintain control when descending hills.
- HDD Hard Disc Storage Audio
- Audio system with hard disk storage.
- H L Headlight Levelizer
- Adjusts the level of the headlights.
- HSA Hill Start Aid
- Prevents rollback when starting on a hill.
- LSD Limited Slip Differential
- Improves traction by limiting wheel slip.
- LWB Long Wheel Base
- Longer distance between the front and rear wheels.
- OP Optitron Meter
- High-visibility instrument display.
- PSR Panoramic Sunroof
- Large sunroof covering most of the roof.
- R A Roof Antenna
- Antenna mounted on the roof.
- R M Rear Mirror
- Rearview mirror.
- R R Roof Rails
- Rails on the roof for attaching cargo.
- R S Rear Spoiler
- Spoiler on the rear of the vehicle.
- R W Rear Wiper
- Wiper for the rear window.
- SAR Seat Arm Rest
- Armrest for the seat.
- SET Stainless Steel Exhaust Tip
- Stainless steel tip for the exhaust pipe.
- SH Seat Heater
- Heating for the seats.
- SL Spot Lights
- Additional lights for visibility.
- SM Snow Mode Drive
- Drive mode optimized for snow.
- SP Spoiler
- Aerodynamic spoiler.
- SS Side Step
- Step on the side of the vehicle.
- SSus Sports Suspension
- Suspension tuned for sporty driving.
- ST Stereo
- Music system.
- SWB Short Wheel Base
- Shorter distance between the front and rear wheels.
- T Spare Tire
- Additional tire for emergencies.
- TC Twin Cam
- Engine with twin camshafts.
- TRC / TCS Traction Control System
- Prevents wheel spin during acceleration.
- VDC / DSC Vehicle Dynamics Control
- Helps maintain vehicle stability.
- VSA Vehicle Stability Assist
- Assists with vehicle stability.
- WAB Dual Front Airbag
- Two front airbags.
- エロ Aero Kits
- Aerodynamic kits for improved performance.
Understanding these car options will help you better understand a car’s features and options when buying a used Japanese vehicle from the auction. Before finalizing your car deal, you must verify auction sheet. Happy car hunting!
This guide covers 87 different car options, from transmission types to common and specialized features. By familiarizing yourself with these codes, you can better evaluate a car’s condition and capabilities, ensuring you choose the right vehicle for your needs. Happy car hunting!