Definitions and Abbreviations

Definitions and Abbreviations

Throttle Positions

Engine Braking

A condition where the engine friction is used to slow the vehicle by manually downshifting during a zero throttle coastdown.

Full Throttle Detent Downshift

A quick apply of the accelerator pedal to its full travel, forcing a downshift.

Heavy Throttle

Approximately 3/4 of accelerator pedal travel (75 percent throttle position).

Light Throttle

Approximately 1/4 of accelerator pedal travel (25 percent throttle position).

Medium Throttle

Approximately 1/2 of accelerator pedal travel (50 percent throttle position).

Minimum Throttle

The least amount of throttle opening required for an upshift.

Wide Open Throttle (WOT)

Full travel of the accelerator pedal (100 percent throttle position).

Zero Throttle Coastdown

A full release of the accelerator pedal while the vehicle is in motion and in drive range.

Shift Condition Definitions

Bump

A sudden and forceful apply of a clutch or a band.

Chuggle

A bucking or jerking. This condition may be most noticeable when the converter clutch is engaged. It is similar to the feel of towing a trailer.

Delayed

A condition where a shift is expected but does not occur for a period of time. This could be described as a clutch or band engagement that does not occur as quickly as expected during a part throttle or wide open throttle apply of the accelerator, or during manual downshifting to a lower range. This term is also defined as LATE or EXTENDED.

Double Bump (Double Feel)

Two sudden and forceful applies of a clutch or a band.

Early

A condition where the shift occurs before the car has reached proper speed. This condition tends to labor the engine after the upshift.

End Bump

A firmer feel at the end of a shift than at the start of the shift. This is also defined as END FEEL or SLIP BUMP.

Firm

A noticeably quick apply of a clutch or band that is considered normal with a medium to heavy throttle. This apply should not be confused with HARSH or ROUGH.

Flare

A quick increase in engine RPM along with a momentary loss of torque. This most generally occurs during a shift. This condition is also defined as SLIPPING.

Harsh (Rough)

A more noticeable apply of a clutch or band than FIRM. This condition is considered undesirable at any throttle position.

Hunting

A repeating quick series of upshifts and downshifts that causes a noticeable change in engine RPM, such as a 4-3-4 shift pattern. This condition is also defined as BUSYNESS.

Initial Feel

A distinctly firmer feel at the start of a shift than at the finish of the shift.

Late

A shift that occurs when the engine RPM is higher than normal for a given amount of throttle.

Shudder

A repeating jerking condition similar to CHUGGLE but more severe and rapid. This condition may be most noticeable during certain ranges of vehicle speed.

Slipping

A noticeable increase in engine RPM without a vehicle speed increase. A slip usually occurs during or after initial clutch or band apply.

Soft

A slow, almost unnoticeable clutch or band apply with very little shift feel.

Surge

A repeating engine related condition of acceleration and deceleration that is less intense than CHUGGLE.

Tie-Up

A condition where two opposing clutch and/or bands are attempting to apply at the same time causing the engine to labor with a noticeable loss of engine RPM.

Noise Conditions

Drive Link Noise

A whine or growl that increases or fades with vehicle speed, and is most noticeable under a light throttle acceleration. It may also be noticeable in PARK or NEUTRAL operating ranges with the vehicle stationary.

Final Drive Noise

A hum related to vehicle speed which is most noticeable under a light throttle acceleration.

Planetary Gear Noise

A whine related to vehicle speed, which is most noticeable in FIRST gear, SECOND gear, FOURTH gear or REVERSE. The condition may become less noticeable, or go away, after an upshift.

Pump Noise

A high pitched whine that increases in intensity with engine RPM. This condition may also be noticeable in all operating ranges with the vehicle stationary or moving.

Torque Converter Noise

A whine usually noticed when a vehicle is stopped, and the transmission is in DRIVE or REVERSE. The noise will increase with engine RPM.

Transmission Abbreviations

A/C

Air Conditioning

AC

Alternating Current

AT

Automatic Transmission

DC

Direct Current

DIC

Driver Information Center

DLC

Diagnostic Link Connector

DMM

Digital Multimeter

DTC

Diagnostic Trouble Code

ECT

Engine Coolant Temperature

EMI

Electromagnetic Interference

IAT

Intake Air Temperature

IGN

Ignition

IPC

Instrument Panel Cluster

ISS

Input Speed Sensor

MAP

Manifold Absolute Pressure

MIL

Malfunction Indicator Lamp

NC

Normally Closed

NO

Normally Open

OBD

On Board Diagnostic

OSS

Output (Shaft) Speed Sensor

PC

Pressure Control

PCM

Powertrain Control Module

PWM

Pulse Width Modulation

RPM

Revolutions Per Minute

SS

Shift Solenoid

TAP

Transmission Adaptive Pressure

TCC

Torque Converter Clutch

TCM

Transmission Control Module

TFP

Transmission Fluid Pressure

TFT

Transmission Fluid Temperature

TP

Throttle Position

TV

Throttle Valve

VSS

Vehicle Speed Sensor

WOT

Wide Open Throttle

4WD

Four-Wheel Drive