Hybrids: Service & Diagnostics
What do you do when a customer with a Toyota Prius hybrid says his Check Engine light is on and wants you to diagnose his problem? Can you do it? Or, would you send your customer back to the Toyota dealer? To help alleviate anxiety over the complexity and reliability of its hybrid systems, Toyota
Tech Feature: Getting Up to Speed on Hybrid Vehicles
Hybrids are hot. As the price of gasoline goes up, so does the demand for new vehicles that can squeeze more miles per gallon from every drop of gasoline. Hybrids do that by combining the best of both worlds: electric power for low-speed, stop-and-go driving, and gasoline power for highway cruising and long-range driving.
Toyota Hits Milestone: One Million Hybrids Sold
Toyota recently announced it hit a milestone – selling its one-millionth hybrid vehicle. Of the one million hybrid sales worldwide, more than half have been sold in the United States – 541,210 units from 2000 through April 2007.
Hybrids: Basic Service & Safety Procedures
Hybrids are hot. As the price of gasoline goes up, so does the demand for new vehicles that can squeeze more miles per gallon from every drop of gasoline. Hybrids do that by combining the best of both worlds: electric power for low-speed, stop-and-go driving, and gasoline power for highway cruising and long-range driving. Current
All About Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFVs)
With 6 million Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) on the road today, there’s a good chance that one has already been in your shop for service. The difference from the usual cars and light trucks you see is the FFV that pulls in today or tomorrow may have E85 as its primary fuel source, rather than
Diagnostic Dilemmas: Symptom Diagnosis…The Journey Begins
When I first began my automotive career way back in 1957, the symptoms of an ailing engine were very apparent. A carburetor with a worn accelerator pump, for example, would characteristically stumble on acceleration and a closed-up set of distributor contact points would cause the engine to become very sluggish. Low fuel pressure caused by
Directions: The Evolving Story of Electric Vehicles
The latest chapter in the evolving story of electric vehicles (EV) begins with a tale of two very different models. One is downright sexy, with alluring aerodynamic lines and head-turning, sporty styling. The other is, well, downright cute — a spunky little thing that looks a bit like a colorful helmet on wheels. At first
Down the Road: Advances in Engine Technology
Two engine technologies that have been around for years are generating plenty of interest these days as the automakers look to create better fuel efficiency, without sacrificing power — direct injection for gasoline engines and turbocharging. Direct injection for gasoline engines is where fuel is injected right into the combustion chamber of each cylinder, as
Viewpoint, Someone is Mining Your Data
Your repair orders are being used to create a new tool What if you had a tool that could predict within 1,000 miles the failure of an oxygen sensor, EGR valve or bearing? What if I told you that some shops are helping to build this tool and they do not even know it? I
Carley’s Corner: Which Is Better, a Diesel or a Hybrid?
I received a call the other day from someone who wanted to know if I thought they should buy a Toyota Prius hybrid or a diesel-powered VW. Which is best? I said drive both cars, then buy the one you like the best. Hybrids and diesels are getting a lot of buzz these days as
Carley’s Corner: Hybrid Hazards
Is E85 motor fuel a corny way to reduce American’s dependence on foreign oil? E85 is being touted as an eco-friendly, alternative fuel that can provide a home-grown solution to reducing our need for imported oil. E85 is a mixture of 85% ethanol alcohol and 15% gasoline. The alcohol is made primarily from corn, but
KYB to Supply Shocks for Hybrid Vehicles
With growing concern about the environment, and vehicle manufacturers under increasing pressure to develop vehicles for tomorrow’s world, a number of vehicles using hybrid technology have recently been launched around the globe. These include the Honda Civic, the Lexus RX330h, as well as Toyota’s Prius, Previa and Camry models, all of which are equipped with KYB shock absorbers as original equipment.