SOF
IMO
MT ( in my world, that means "Empty")
PTA
SAB
IMO In My Opinion (this is internet standard, not specific to this forum). I am going to leave out the rest of internet standard, as an exercise for the reader. Forum specific jargon only from here on in, or at least I'll try.
SOF Sonic Owner's Forum (aka here where you are)
MT Manual Transmission, as opposed to
AT Automatic Transmission
SAB Stock Air Box... the intake that came with the car, one of the first targets of modders
More you will see, off the top of my head
HB hatchback
CAI cold air intake (note, the SAB is a CAI and almost everything people call a CAI is in fact less cold than the SAB. They mean Intake and think CAI is the term to use)
WAI: warm air intake.
LSD Limited Slip Differential
MPG miles per gallon
MPD miles per dollar
MAF mass airflow sensor
WOT: wide open throttle. Technically we don't have a throttle, or a gas pedal, we have a torque demand pedal, flooring it may or may not result in an actual wide open throttle depending on how the
ECU feels about the best way to meet your torque demand. But at any rate, this term means the right hand pedal is on the floor.
ECU: Engine Control Unit. The primary computer controlling your car. Not to be confused with the nut behind the steering wheel.
NLS: no lift shift. With some tunes, you can keep WOT and just punch the clutch in, shift, pop the clutch back out, and retain boost, which is normally dumped every shift. MT only, of course. No Lift refers to your right hand pedal, which never leaves the floor during this maneuver.
OEM: Original Equipment Manufacturer. Means a part made by Chevy/
GM, and intended for the Sonic. See also Aftermarket, DIY
DIY: do it yourself
RNI: redneck intake. Generally a very rough replacement for the SAB
ABS: Antilock Braking System. Hammers the brake when you try to lock it up by stomping and keeping your foot down.
TCS: Traction Control System: puts the car in limp mode if it detects the least bit of wheel spin.
SC: Stability Control. Puts the car in limp mode if it detects any skidding. Supposedly controls brakes independently, power to wheels independently, to help with the skid. There is no evidence the car is actually capable of doing either of those things.
Note, TC comes off with a press of the button. SC comes off if you hold down the button for a few seconds. ABS comes off if you remove the ABS fuse. You may notice a pattern here. Because racecar.
and some terms that aren't acronyms but that might be confusing anyway
Limp mode: dramatically reduced power the car gives you when it thinks you should have your winging it privileges revoked.
Wavy Gravy: See also Limp Mode, due to the warning light shown when it is on. Alternately, see LSD (non automotive)
Corn: ethanol, which in this country is mostly made from corn. Usually refers to E85
Cane: ethanol made from sugar cane, primarily Brazilian
E85: fuel that is primarily ethanol (theoretically 85% corn 15% gasoline, can vary down to 70%/30%)
87, 91, 93, 105, 110... gasoline at specific octanes listed. E85 is effectively 106 although not really.
Regular: 87
Premium: 93 (or 91 depending on your state. Whatever the top octane available is at the pump)
Race Gas: 110 octane fuel generally only available at track pumps
Racecar: Sonic souped up and kitted out for performance. Generally ironic.
Ricecar: asian import cars souped up and kitted out
Dip: Plastidip(tm) is a spray on (or paint on) substance that was originally designed to protect and cushion tool handles but which is widely used to decorate the Sonic, cheap, easy, and easily removed when you decide you don't like it or screwed up.
Belly pan: a part that was installed during the first half of the 2012 run of the Sonic which was subsequently dropped. Some swear it makes the car drive better, gives better gas mileage, protects the crankcase... and yet the SAB gets all the respect. It's like Bill Gates vs Steve Jobs.
Stock: car as released by the manufacturer. Can refer to whole car, or just to a specific part. See also OEM
Aftermarket: Parts for the Sonic sold by third party vendors
Snorkel: Weird part of the intake system, before the SAB, which brings cold air to the intake. See also power reducing saxophone.
PTA... you got me on this one. PITA is Pain In The A$$. I guess it could be this with the I left out. Or Parent Teacher Association. Or Planes Trains and Automobiles, John Candy movie. That's the most Sonic specific one so far. It may just be slipping my mind but I don't remember seeing this term used on SOF.
Finally,
Troll; on the internet, a term used for someone who enjoys posting in a way designed to provoke long angry rants, for example, by asking for a list of common acronyms everyone expects people to learn for themselves. Usually defeated by ignoring them, but also fun is answering them completely straight. The latter is considered somewhat dry.
