Servicing Honda Civic Hybrid Vehicles
The number one problem with Honda Civic Hybrids has been the high-voltage IMA battery. The first generation cars use a 144-volt nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery, while second generation cars use a higher voltage 158.4V NiMH battery. Third generation cars use a totally different kind of battery, a Lithium-Ion 158V battery that is about 30% more powerful than that in the previous models.
Servicing Chrysler’s Versatile 3.3L And 3.8L Engines
These engines have a mixed reputation for being high-mileage, dependable powerplants as well as noisy motors that can fail at relatively low mileage. Some 3.3/3.8L V6s have racked up well over 200,000-plus miles on the odometer with no major problems (except some oil burning), while others have called it quits at 70,000 to 80,000 miles.
Component Connection: The Mod Squad – Boosting Engine Power With Turbochargers And Superchargers
The power that a naturally aspirated engine can make is limited by its displacement and how efficiently you can make it breathe with cylinder head, camshaft and induction system modifications. The engine can only inhale so much air because the atmospheric force that’s pushing air into the engine is only 14.7 lbs. per square inch at sea level. To make matters worse, atmospheric pressure decreases with elevation. Air density also decreases with temperature because hot air is thinner than cold air.
Tech Update: Air, Fuel And Oil Filter Replacement Intervals, Take Motorists’ Driving Habits Into Account
Filters have long been a common maintenance item. But with longer factory service intervals and “lifetime” filters becoming more common, how often do filters really need to be replaced? There’s no simple answer. The safest advice used to be to follow the filter service interval recommendations in the vehicle owner’s manual (assuming the owner’s manual hasn’t been lost and that somebody will actually read it!).
How Software Is Changing Braking
There was a time when advancements in brake technology were entirely hardware based. The change from drum brakes to disc brakes, the introduction of semi-metallic and ceramic brake pads, and the addition of power brakes as standard equipment were all changes that were all achieved by redesigned and improved brake system components. Today, electronics is driving most of the advancements in braking technology.
Servicing The GM 3.1L V6 Engine
The General Motors 3.1L V6 engine enjoyed a long production run from 1988 through 2005. More than 10 million of these engines were built during this period. The engine itself went through continual evolution and improvement during its production life, including Gen II and Gen III versions, plus an “Enhanced 3100” version from 1999 to 2001.
‘Exploring’ Service Needs On The Ford 4.0L V6 Engine
Rated at a rather anemic 210 horsepower, the 4.0L SOHC V6 is not exactly a high output engine. It also has an unusual overhead cam drive setup. Unlike most other OHC V6 and V8 engines that drive both overhead cams directly from the crankshaft with a belt or chain, this engine has an intermediate jackshaft in the middle of the block where a pushrod cam would normally be located.
Scan Tool Diagnostics And Your Shop’s Needs
A scan tool is absolutely essential for diagnostics on today’s vehicles. You need a scan tool not only for diagnosing engine, emissions and transmission problems, but also for troubleshooting virtually any system that has electronic controls. You might acquire one or two factory scan tools for the makes you service most often, but you’ll also need some type of general-purpose aftermarket scan tool that can handle a broad range of vehicle makes.
CHASSIS & ALIGNMENT: SAI DIAGNOSTICS
The Steering Axis Inclination (SAI) angle has a direct effect on steering and handling because it causes the wheel spindle to angle downward slightly as the wheel is steered. Caster, which is the forward or rearward tilt of the steering axis as viewed from the side, does the same thing. The combination of SAI and
New Aftermarket Automotive Belts and Hoses Last Longer
The original equipment belts and hoses on today’s late-model vehicles are mostly made of EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer), a synthetic rubber that is far more durable, heat-resistant and wear-resistant than Neoprene.
Tech Talk – Engine Innovations to Reach Government Fuel Standards
In recent years, the primary driving force behind engine innovation has been the never-ending quest for better fuel economy with little or no sacrifice in performance. Government regulations and rising fuel prices are forcing automakers to develop new technologies and powertrains that squeeze more power out of every drop of fuel while producing less pollution and greenhouse gas (carbon dioxide) emissions.
A 360° Look Into the GM 60° 3.1L Engine
Over the years, GM has saved a bundle on manufacturing the 3.1L engine by using the production line tooling it originally developed for the 2.8L V6. By simply changing the bore diameter, the displacement of the same engine block could now be increased for more power and torque.