diff --git a/selfdrive/car/tests/test_car_interfaces.py b/selfdrive/car/tests/test_car_interfaces.py
index e0cd5a1e91..92c7ff8f1c 100644
--- a/selfdrive/car/tests/test_car_interfaces.py
+++ b/selfdrive/car/tests/test_car_interfaces.py
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ class TestCarInterfaces:
     args = get_fuzzy_car_interface_args(data.draw)
 
     car_params = CarInterface.get_params(car_name, args['fingerprints'], args['car_fw'],
-                                         experimental_long=args['experimental_long'], docs=False)
+                                         alpha_long=args['alpha_long'], docs=False)
     car_params = car_params.as_reader()
     car_interface = CarInterface(car_params)
     assert car_params
diff --git a/selfdrive/car/tests/test_models.py b/selfdrive/car/tests/test_models.py
index 906fa99320..53f2bb586d 100644
--- a/selfdrive/car/tests/test_models.py
+++ b/selfdrive/car/tests/test_models.py
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ class TestCarModelBase(unittest.TestCase):
     cls.elm_frame = None
     cls.car_safety_mode_frame = None
     cls.fingerprint = gen_empty_fingerprint()
-    experimental_long = False
+    alpha_long = False
     for msg in lr:
       if msg.which() == "can":
         can = can_capnp_to_list((msg.as_builder().to_bytes(),))[0]
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ class TestCarModelBase(unittest.TestCase):
       elif msg.which() == "carParams":
         car_fw = msg.carParams.carFw
         if msg.carParams.openpilotLongitudinalControl:
-          experimental_long = True
+          alpha_long = True
         if cls.platform is None:
           live_fingerprint = msg.carParams.carFingerprint
           cls.platform = MIGRATION.get(live_fingerprint, live_fingerprint)
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ class TestCarModelBase(unittest.TestCase):
           cls.car_safety_mode_frame = len(can_msgs)
 
     assert len(can_msgs) > int(50 / DT_CTRL), "no can data found"
-    return car_fw, can_msgs, experimental_long
+    return car_fw, can_msgs, alpha_long
 
   @classmethod
   def get_testing_data(cls):
@@ -146,13 +146,13 @@ class TestCarModelBase(unittest.TestCase):
         raise unittest.SkipTest
       raise Exception(f"missing test route for {cls.platform}")
 
-    car_fw, cls.can_msgs, experimental_long = cls.get_testing_data()
+    car_fw, cls.can_msgs, alpha_long = cls.get_testing_data()
 
     # if relay is expected to be open in the route
     cls.openpilot_enabled = cls.car_safety_mode_frame is not None
 
     cls.CarInterface = interfaces[cls.platform]
-    cls.CP = cls.CarInterface.get_params(cls.platform, cls.fingerprint, car_fw, experimental_long, docs=False)
+    cls.CP = cls.CarInterface.get_params(cls.platform, cls.fingerprint, car_fw, alpha_long, docs=False)
     assert cls.CP
     assert cls.CP.carFingerprint == cls.platform