What does COM mean?
4 Answers
COM in a car refers to the serial communication port. Here are the meanings of other buttons in a car: 1. SRC: SRC stands for Synchronous Remote Control, which is the source selection button used to switch between CD/USB/radio/Bluetooth audio or between songs, and to tune the radio. It functions like a remote control and is usually located on the multifunction steering wheel. 2. Auto: Among the button labels in a car, Auto represents the automatic function. Generally, there are two positions labeled Auto in a car: one is the automatic air conditioning button, and the other is the Auto gear on the automatic headlight knob. The auto button for the automatic air conditioning is located on the central dashboard, on the air conditioning control panel. Pressing this button will activate the automatic air conditioning.
The .com suffix is essentially the address tag on the internet, most commonly seen in website domains. Originally, it specifically referred to commercial companies, but now it has long outgrown that scope—almost any website you search for carries this suffix. Interestingly, you might also encounter a COM button in cars, especially on older models' center consoles. Pressing it directly takes you to the radio presets list, much like the favorites folder on today's smartphones, making it super convenient for switching stations on highways. I remember using it in my uncle’s 2008 Accord—way faster than tapping a touchscreen. Lately, though, it’s rare to see this button in new cars, as it’s now integrated into touchscreens.
Nowadays, the term 'com' is everywhere, but the key is to see where it appears. When 'com' is included in a company's name, it usually means 'Limited Company'—foreign companies often have such suffixes. If you see 'com' on a product detail page while online shopping, it might indicate that the seller is using a third-party platform, so it's wise to check the shipping source carefully. The funniest thing happened last week when a young guy in a short video pointed at a 'COM' sticker on a car and asked if it was a computer science abbreviation. Actually, it was the abbreviation of the owner's company name. Old Zhang in our car team does this too—he sticks 'COM' followed by the last digits of his phone number on his car. It might look a bit tacky, but it's more effective than leaving a business card.
In business documents, 'com' most likely refers to a company, especially when checking corporate credit. I've compiled supplier lists for auto parts markets, and those with 'com' suffixes all correspond to limited liability company qualifications. However, last year I encountered a pitfall when helping a friend review a used car purchase contract. The dealer abbreviated the company name as 'com' plus letters in the transfer agreement, but the corresponding entity couldn't be found in the industrial and commercial system. It wasn't resolved until we escalated it to the consumer association. Such non-standard abbreviations are particularly common among individual car dealers. Always verify the full name before signing to avoid being deceived.
