Porsche acronyms and jargon decoded

911

The model name of Porsche's iconic rear-engined sports car that debuted in 1963.

996

Porsche's internal designation for the 911 generation built from 1997-2004 and sold in the United States starting in the 1999 model year. The 996 was the first all-new chassis design since the 911's debut, and features the first water cooled engine for the 911.

Air Oil Separator (AOS)

Emissions control device and common source of issues for the 996.

Cabriolet

The model designation for most convertible 911s. Often abbreviated as "cabrio" or "cab".

Carrera

A model designation used in various generations of the Porsche 911. It pays homage to the Carerra Panamericana road race that was Porsche's first major motorsports victory in 1953.

Carrera 2 (C2)

Two wheel drive variant of the Porsche 911 Carerra

Carrera 4 (C4)

Four wheel drive variant of the Porsche 911 Carerra

Carrera 4S (C4S)

Four wheel drive "S" variant of the Porsche 911 Carrera

Coffin Arm

The lower suspension control arm that has a "coffin" shape

Intermediate Shaft (IMS)

The intermediate shaft (sometimes called a layshaft) runs through the middle of a flat six engine and keeps both camshafts rotating in sync.

Intermediate Shaft Bearing (IMSB)

A bearing holding up the intermediate shaft which runs through the middle of a flat six engine and keeps both camshafts rotating in sync. This is the most notorious trouble spot for the Porsche 996.

M96

Porsche's internal designation for the engine that debuted in the 996 and Boxster.

Narrow Body (NB)

The regular Carrera and Carrera 4 models had narrower bodywork than Turbo and S models. It's important to note when buying parts as things like tailights and engine covers are not compatible between narrow and widebody cars.

Rear Main Seal (RMS)

The main seal between the engine block and transmission housing. A common source of oil leaks on the M96 engine, as the factory supplied seals are prone to failure.

Tiptronic

Porsche's proprietary automatic transmission that can be shifted manually by tipping the gear lever forward and back. Sometimes abbreviated "tip".

Wassergekühlt

German for "water-cooled". The Porsche 996 featured the first water-cooled engine in a 911. Previous generations all used an air-cooled engine design. The water-cooled design was necessary for Porsche to meet evolving emissions and efficiency standards in the 1990s.

Wide Body (WB)

The Turbo and S models feature wider rear bodywork than regular Carrera and Carrera 4 models. It's important to note when buying parts as things like tailights and engine covers are not compatible between narrow and widebody cars.