Z Sport, Part II: Powering Subaru Engine & Chassis Upgrades A few months back, I highlighted a project car being built by Z Sport. The car is now back together and running. Charles Damewood, the car’s owner and a principle at Z Sport, has been driving the car to break in the engine, and get an idea of what needs to be sorted out as far as engine management before doing a full on dynamometer test. As soon as fuel mapping and software issues are resolved, we... More

Brake Safety Technology: Mercedes-Benz Brake Assist & Sensotronic Systems One of the new safety technologies you’ll find in a growing number of European and Asian vehicles is Brake Assist (or BAS for Brake Assist System). The technology actually was invented more than a decade ago, and was first used back in 1996 on Mercedes S-Class and SL-Class cars. In 1998, Mercedes made Brake Assist standard on all of its models. More

Ignition Sensor Diagnostics: Variable-Reluctor, Hall Effect and Magneto-Resistive Sensors Although ignition failures are relatively common, they're not the easiest problem to diagnose. To help you get started on what I call a "systems approach" to ignition diagnostics, this article is intended to provide an overview of how to identify ignition system configurations, identify three different types of ignition sensors and understand several basic sensor-operating strategies. More

Brake Tech Feature: 8 Myths that Could Be Holding You Back from Performing the Best Brake Job It could be how you select friction materials, apply brake lubricants or machine rotors. You could be doing something that does not make sense, but you learned it from another technician and it could be holding you back. Here are eight brake job myths that could be holding you back. More

Tech Feature: Diesel Crankshaft Basics Whether in a gasoline or diesel-powered engine, the crankshaft is a key component. With diesels, the crank is typically thought of as bigger, heavier and harder to get in the aftermarket. Some preconceptions are factual, say experts, while others are unfounded. More

Engine Maintenance: OBD II Diagnostics, Misfire Codes, Fuel Trim Faults, Driveability and More As automotive electronics diagnostics continues to evolve, so do the tools that are need to diagnose and repair today's complex engine and electronics systems. This lineup will arm you will some diagnostic tips and give you some invaluable service advantages on Porsche, BMW, Hyundai and Mazda models. More

Subaru Legacy Outback 2.5L Tech Tip: ABS Motor On, Pedal Descends, But Doesn't Run Customer Concern: When you come to a stop, just before completely stopped, the ABS motor kicks on and the pedal goes down, then comes back up. Doesn't matter what kind of stop. Always does it right before the vehicle is completely stopped. No codes are present. More

Honda Tech Tip: New Bolts Silence Clunky CR-V A Honda CR-V driver may complain of a clunking noise from the front suspension when driving over bumps. The probable cause is that the upper arm flange bolts do not properly clamp the upper arm bushings. To correct the condition, replace the upper arm flange bolts as described in this Tech Tip. More

Tech Tip: Volvo S40/V50/C30/C70 Front Suspension Squeak When driving at low speeds or cornering, a squeaking noise from the front suspension may be heard. A possible source of this noise is the bump rubber. More

Kia Tech Tip: DTC P0460 Update for Sephia Models The original logic used for DTC P0460 (fuel level sensor circuit malfunction) in 2000 model year Sephias would illuminate the MIL and store a fault code for circuit-related problems (open or short), and for a fuel level input signal that failed to stay within the "plausibility" test limits stored in the ECM. "Plausibility" or "rationality" checks are frequently built into the ECM software to make sure... More

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