Earth Day Challenge: Vehicle Owners Should Use the New 3 R’s — Reuse, Reduce, Repower
In recognition of Earth Day on April 22, the Car Care Council encourages vehicle owners to consider the new 3 R’s to do their part to protect the environment: Reuse, Reduce and Repower. Consumers could make a huge environmental contribution and a wise investment by reusing or hanging onto their current vehicle rather than buying a new one, by reducing emissions and fuel consumption through vehicle maintenance and by repowering a failed engine.
North Carolina Man Started Collecting Chevrolet Corvairs in 1965
The Chevrolet Corvair is celebrating its 50th birthday this year, and Willard Moody of Lexington, NC, has been collecting the vehicles since he bought his first one in 1965 for $400.
Shop Profile: Stephan’s Auto Haus Specializes in VW Vanagon Engine Service
Stephan’s Auto Haus, located in Sacramento, CA, is a full service auto repair shop specializing in German, Japanese and domestic automobiles and the place to go for a Volkswagen Vanagon engine conversion.
Tech Feature: Diagnosing Ford Exhaust Gas Recirculation System Problems
To diagnose and repair Ford exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) systems properly, it is important to understand how they work and what is unique to the product line.
Tech Feature: The Nuts and Bolts of Belt and Hose Service
Today, belts and hoses are a routine inspection item and may not need replacement even at 100,000 miles or more of service. Unfortunately, many vehicle owners and technicians forget that heat, load, pressure and atmospheric pollutants eventually deteriorate a vehicle’s rubber parts.
Bosch ‘Light ‘Em Up!’ Spark Plug Rebate Rewards Installing, Tuning Up with Premium Bosch Spark Plugs
Is it time for new spark plugs? A properly tuned vehicle runs more efficiently, performs better and saves money at the gas pump.
Tech Feature: Troubleshooting BMW’s Condition Based Service System
BMW’s “Condition Based Service” (CBS) system monitors various maintenance items on the vehicle, and alerts the motorist when service is needed. But even this maintenance alert system can require maintenance itself.
Tech Tip: Why Do Camshafts Fail?
The camshaft itself is rarely to blame for cam failure. When the cam core is made at the casting foundry, all the lobes are flame hardened to a depth below the barrel of the core, allowing the cam grinder to finish grind the lobes to an acceptable shape while maintaining the correct hardness.
Tech Feature: Boosting Performance – Nitrous, Superchargers and Turbochargers
Today’s new cars offer so much performance directly from the factory that there’s no reason anyone could need any more, right?
Tech Feature: Curbing Catalytic Converter Thefts
Catalytic converters have been disappearing at an alarming rate. The theft of these emission control devices is being perpetrated by sleazeballs looking for easy money. A thief can hock a pilfered converter for $25 to as much as $100 depending on the value of the precious metals inside it.