Why do they call it a car note Is note short for another word?

Answer 1

Because in former times, your auto loan came with a payment booklet and in the booklet was a series of "notes", which were slips of paper that contained pertinent information about your auto loan that aided in the recording of said payment, that you sent in with your check for your loan payment.

A similar term for a loan is a "promissory note" which is a signed debt or IOU.

Answer 2

Oh honey, they call it a car note because you have to make a note to pay that damn thing off every month. And no, note is not short for another word, it's just a fancy way of saying loan installment. So buckle up and start making those notes if you want to keep cruising in your ride.