Directions: Fueling Your Appetite for Knowledge
In the manual Changes in Gasoline IV, every attempt is made to focus on the auto technician’s areas of interest and to cover current topics. A new chapter on Flex-Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) and E85 has been added, as E85 appears to be emerging as the renewable fuel of choice.
Tech Feature: Fueling the Future – Can You Fill Up with Alternative Fuels?
Currently gas prices have stabilized at around $1.83 a gallon, a price at which most Americans feel comfortable driving their SUVs, trucks, race cars, tow vehicles and other motorized toys. But when gas hits $4 and $5 a gallon, driving guzzlers becomes a challenge for many. It was only a few months ago that a barrel of crude oil was well over $100, a price that seemed to embed itself into the minds of most of us as we drove to wherever we were going. It felt like we ate a big triple scoop of ice cream way too fast as our wallets and gas monster SUVs were forced onto extreme diets ….
Cleaning Carbon from TDI Intake Systems
Volkwagen has been selling diesel-powered cars in the U.S. for almost 30 years. Turbocharged versions have been available for 25. That is a lot of experience and a testament to the development of a reliable, efficient and durable powerplant. The introduction and development of the TDI (turbocharged direct injection) brought the VW diesel into the
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
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
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