How Tire Engineers Select New Ingredients for Rubber ‘Recipes’
With passenger tire sales in the U.S. reaching $21.8 billion last year, tire manufacturers constantly seek a competitive edge by delivering the latest high-tech products to technology-hungry consumers. In an age when cars can parallel park themselves and drivers can sync their smartphones to automatically broadcast music over car stereos, it makes sense. Just like the gadget makers, tire companies are trying to keep up with technology’s pace – and do so in an industry that traditionally sees longer product lifecycles with slow-to-moderate changes in technology.
Tips for ‘Pickling’ Your Classic Car/Engine for Winter Storage
Here are some good tips to tell your customers about how to store their classic rod for the winter, or just for an extended period of time.
Editor’s Notes: New CAFE Standard to Take Effect by 2025
On July 29, President Obama announced the next phase in the Administration’s program to increase fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas pollution for all new cars and trucks sold in the U.S. Automaker fleets will need to average 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025 – about 2 mpg less than the earlier fuel-economy target of 56.2 mpg.
Tech Feature: Diagnosing Push Button Keyless Start Systems
Push button keyless start systems began appearing on several import cars about six years ago, and are now being offered on more and more new vehicles, both import and domestic. Motorists say they like the push button keyless start systems because they are convenient to use. There’s no ignition key or switch to fumble with, and you don’t have to do anything other than have the smart fob in your pocket or purse when you get in the car.
Hazmat Team Called After Repair Shop Fills with Smoke
A vehicle owner noticed a green substance on his car near the gas tank and had it towed to Auto Repairs Unlimited in Ansonia, CT, for inspection. When technicians disconnected to fuel line to investigate, white smoke along with a strong odor filled the shop. The shop owner said vandals sometimes put sugar or turpentine into gas tanks, but this is the first time he has ever experienced this type of reaction.
Diagostic Dilemmas: Lost in ‘The Diagnostic Woods’
This real-world case study of a 2002 Chevy S-10 pickup, a 1995 Buick and a 1995 Lincoln Town Car illustrates why “chasing” trouble codes can get you lost in the Diagnostic Woods.
Directions: U.S. House Votes to Put the Brakes on E15
In February, the U.S. House of Representatives passed an amendment blocking federal funding of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) action to implement the use of E15.
Kerosene Heater Ignites Gas Fumes in Repair Shop
A technician in Chattanooga, TN, escaped injury when a vehicle he was working on slipped off a jack stand, puncturing the gas tank. A nearby kerosene heater ignited the leaking gas. The resulting fire caused an estimated $120,000 in damage.
Volts & Voltage: How will Hybrids Change?
This past month, the Chevrolet Volt has grabbed the headlines from not only the business pages, but the the headlines of all the automotive publications. Some say this is a “feel good” story of a company on the mend, but it is actually the next chapter of the “electrification” of the automobile that started with the introduction of the EV1 in 1996 and the Prius in 2002.
Z Sport, Part 3: Subaru WRX Engine Modifications And Dyno Testing
In this third article of a series, Larry Bailly continues to detail the performance mods done on a 2005 Subaru WRX project car, the daily driver of Charles Damewood, who manages the service department and coordinates all aspects of Z Sport’s operations. Read on to learn how Z Sport “punches up” performance!