TECHNOLOGY
The ABCs of motoring jargon
Our handy guide to vehicle vernacular and geek speak
Do you know the difference between a BEV and a PHEV? Or how a limited-slip differential compares with torque vectoring? Here’s our useful guide to understanding some of the jargon in the ever-expanding motoring dictionary: Anti-lock braking system (ABS) — One of the single most effective safety features on modern cars, ABS sends fast pulses of brake force to the wheels to prevent the tyres locking up and skidding. By allowing the wheels to rotate even under hard braking, a vehicle is able to maintain better control when swerving, and it shortens braking distances, particularly on slippery roads. Traction control — This prevents wheel spin by either briefly reducing engine torque or applying the brakes. If one wheel begins to lose traction, the computer reduces power to the spinning wheel and transfers some force to the non-spinning wheel. Electronic stability control (ESC) — An advanced form of traction control that uses multiple sensors — including an accelerometer, steering angle ...
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