Technical Glossary

Volkswagen's 4x4 all-wheel drive system that distributes power to all four wheels as needed.

Touareg's electronically controlled permanent 4x4 drive system for off-road performance.

Anti-lock Braking System. Prevents wheel lock-up during braking, maintaining steering control.

Software process by which a new or replaced component (e.g. throttle body, gearbox) is introduced to the ECU.

Radar-based cruise control that maintains a safe following distance from vehicles ahead.

Electronically controlled dampers that adapt to driving conditions in comfort, normal, or sport modes.

Synthetic urea solution injected into the SCR catalyst to reduce NOx emissions in diesel engines.

Systems that actively intervene in driving to reduce accident risk, including ESP, brake assist, and vehicle dynamics.

Technology that deactivates cylinders under low load to reduce fuel consumption by up to 16%.

Hill-start assist that holds the vehicle on inclines until the driver accelerates.

Dual-circuit brake system with ABS, brake assist (HBA), and electronic brake force distribution (EBD).

Spherical joint in front suspension connecting the control arm to the wheel carrier, allowing multi-directional movement.

High-pressure diesel fuel injection architecture with separate pressure generation and injection control.

Shaft that controls intake and exhaust valve timing to optimise engine efficiency and performance.

Electronically controlled dampers that adjust stiffness based on road conditions and driving speed.

Decouples engine from transmission on overrun to save fuel by using the vehicle's kinetic energy.

Fully automatic climate control with multi-zone temperature settings for driver and passengers.

Fuel injected directly into the combustion chamber at over 100 bar; foundation of TSI engine technology.

Most efficient modern diesel engine type where fuel is injected directly into the combustion chamber.

Filter that traps harmful soot particles in diesel exhaust and requires periodic regeneration.

Direct Shift Gearbox. Volkswagen Group's dual-clutch automatic transmission with fast, seamless gear changes.

Active safety assistants including ACC, Front Assist, Lane Assist, Park Assist, and Side Assist.

Autonomous safety system that keeps the vehicle in lane and slows to a stop if the driver becomes unresponsive.

Exhaust Gas Recirculation. Feeds a portion of exhaust gas back into the intake to reduce NOx emissions.

Exhaust-driven compressor that increases air intake for higher engine performance and efficiency.

Power steering where hydraulic pressure is provided by an electric motor rather than an engine-driven pump.

Button-activated electronic parking brake controlling rear disc brakes with Auto Hold support.

Electric power steering with speed-dependent assist, enabling Lane Assist and Park Assist functions.

ESP component that brakes a spinning wheel to transfer power to the wheel with better traction.

Enhanced EDL that applies targeted braking in corners to improve traction and reduce understeer.

Prevents drive wheel lock-up during engine braking on slippery surfaces by adjusting engine speed.

ECU system that continuously coordinates engine parameters for optimal efficiency and fault diagnosis.

Detects skidding risk and stabilises the vehicle through targeted braking and engine intervention.

Radar-based collision warning system with automatic partial or full braking when the driver does not react.

Electronically controlled multi-plate clutch for variable torque distribution in 4MOTION AWD systems.

Directs air into the engine with variable-length runners optimised for different engine speeds.

Electronic anti-theft system that prevents unauthorised engine start via encrypted key authentication.

Component that sprays fuel at high pressure directly into the cylinder or intake manifold. Directly affects mixture and combustion.

Sensor that measures oxygen content in exhaust gases and sends mixture information to the engine control unit.

Energy-efficient semiconductor light sources used in headlights, tail lights, and turn signals.

Mass Air Flow Sensor. Measures the amount of air entering the engine; provides critical data for fuel dosing.

Volkswagen's modular platform for transverse-engine vehicles enabling weight savings and parts standardisation.

On-Board Diagnostics II. Standard interface that allows reading fault codes from all vehicle electronic systems.

Low-range gearbox mode with optimised driving program for challenging terrain and steep inclines.

Mechanical pump that provides pressurised oil circulation to lubricate moving parts inside the engine.

Parking assist system with acoustic and visual distance warnings from front and rear sensors.

Automatically steers the vehicle into parallel or perpendicular parking spaces while the driver controls speed.

Structural measures that protect occupants in a crash, including airbags, seat belts, and crumple zones.

Audi's brand of dual-clutch automatic transmission. Equivalent to VW's DSG.

Selective catalytic reduction system using AdBlue to convert NOx emissions into nitrogen and water.

Lowered, stiffer suspension setup that improves cornering and aerodynamic efficiency.

Automatically stops and restarts the engine at traffic lights to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

Uses ABS wheel sensors to detect low tyre pressure and alert the driver via dashboard warning.

Automatically steers the vehicle during reverse manoeuvres with a trailer attached.

Turbocharged Direct Injection Diesel. VW Group's direct-injection turbocharged diesel engine technology.

Automatic transmission with manual shift mode via gear lever or steering wheel paddles.

Chain or belt system that synchronises the crankshaft and camshaft. Timely replacement is critical.

Turbocharged Stratified Injection. VW Group's turbocharged direct-injection petrol engine technology.

Component driven by exhaust gases that feeds more air into the engine. Increases engine power and efficiency.

Angle values of the system that optimise the timing of exhaust and intake valves to improve engine efficiency and performance.

VAG-COM Diagnostic System. Advanced fault diagnostic software specific to VW Group vehicles.