Tribute to Carroll Shelby

KANATA, Ont. — There’s something about the sound of a high performance V8 engine that resonates with me. Don’t get me wrong, I applaud the modern engine technologies that are providing us with wonderfully fuel efficient power plants — gas-sipping, high-revving four-cylinders, new turbocharged four-bangers that act as though they’re V6s and six-cylinder engines that have the kind of spunk expected from eight cylinders. But the rumble a big V8 emits when it springs to life — and the muscle it generates when the throttle is tickled—gets my heart thumping. Take Ford’s 2011 Shelby GT500 for example. When it was fired up for the morning drive, I wasn’t the only journalist grinning — there were broad smiles on the faces of everyone assembled in the parking lot. With a supercharged 5.4-litre, all aluminum V8 stuffed under its hood, this hot rod Mustang is a definitive example of Detroit muscle and precisely the type of car that enthusiasts covet, with power to spare and impressive handling dynamics, plus head-turning styling. READ MORE

Bosch Improves Fuel Economy, Boost Gas Mileage, Finer Atomization of the Fuel and Reduced Emissions

Modern diesels are cleaner than ever before, and to show how efficient they are, the latest generation made its debut on the racetrack, proving that even under rigorous full race driving conditions the diesel vehicles remain clean and green — and highly fuel efficient! Thirty of the new VW Jetta Diesel TDIs, powered by a 2.0-liter four cylinder that produces 170 hp and 258 lb.-ft. of torque, tackled some of the top road racing courses in North America in the Volkswagen Jetta Diesel TDI Cup, a multi-race series of basically stock Jetta 'clean diesels' racing hard at major road tracks from Lime Rock to Road Atlanta. "What we have here are virtually stock diesel passenger cars that raced hard throughout the summer and fall, averaging fuel mileage in the mid-twenties and running absolutely clean under very tough full road race conditions. This is green personified," says Wolfgang Hustedt, Motorsports Manager for Bosch, which supplies the advanced fuel system that helps make these vehicles fuel efficient and 'green.' 'Common Rail' Key to Efficiency The heart of these clean, highly efficient engines is a Bosch common-rail fuel injection system that uses fast, precise Bosch piezoelectric fuel injectors, instead of a traditional mechanical system. This technology permits higher injection pressures, which better atomize the fuel, enhances performance and makes it easier to control pollution. READ MORE

Buying a Preowned Vehicle-Making The Right Choices

Tips on Safely Buying a Used Car Buying a car is a big deal. Not only is a car a large financial commitment, but it's also something you'll need to rely in a number of different ways. While a new car comes with built in reliability, when buying a used car there's always" a question as to how good an investment the vehicle will turn out to be. Fortunately, the used car business has become a lot more buyer friendly over the years. In addition to lemon laws protecting the buyer from ill-intentioned sellers, other safety nets like CARFAX vehicle history reports arc now available to take some of the risk out of buying a used car. Other ways to lessen the risk when buying a used car include the following. * Do your homework: These days, nearly everyone has a car, and most families have two cars. Many families with high school or college-aged children even have a third car. When looking to buy a used car, poll friends about the cars they drive and their opinions. Find someone who drives the vehicle you're considering and find out how the vehicle stacks up. Ask about maintenance, gas mileage, how many miles it has and how well it's still running. This should give an accurate portrayal of what you can expect from the car. It helps to be specific as well. Ask your mechanic about the car you're considering buying, and specifically the cost of parts and maintenance that you can expect with the vehicle. Because it's a used car, you're probably going to need to replace some parts down the road, since buying a car with easily found parts will be far more prudent than one where parts are hard to find and expensive. * Take the vehicle to your mechanic: This is especially important if you're buying the car from a private citizen. Don't simply take the seller on his or her word when buying a used car. Insist on taking the vehicle to your mechanic (even if you're buying from a dealership) to have it inspected. If the seller, dealer or private, is not willing to let you do this, walk away from the vehicle. In the case of a dealership, don't simply assume the car is in perfect condition because they're a dealership. While lemon laws do exist, even dealerships sell cars "as is," and that puts the buyer in a precarious position. The best way to avoid buying a car where the problems have been masked is to lake the vehicle to a mechanic you trust and getting a professional opinion. READ MORE

Improve Fuel Economy, Gas Mileage and Increase Peformance of your Vehicle

Whether it’s because of the economy or simply because today’s vehicles are more durable, an increasing number of people are driving used cars and trucks longer. A recent study from RL Polk found that the average age of both cars and light trucks is at an all-time record high at 9.4 and 7.5 years, respectively. Those looking to re-energize these rides with a bit more power may want to consider installing a performance-enhancing aftermarket product. Thousands of such products are available to bring new life to a tired car or truck, and many are designed to elevate the car’s performance beyond what it was capable of in the first place. Here are just a few ideas: BOLT-ON POWER A carefully designed intake system combined with a high-flow air filter can add significant horsepower to any car or truck. Combined with a performance exhaust system, gains can be as high as 25 horsepower or more on some engines. Because these changes offer a good return for relatively small investment, they are among the most common bolt-on upgrades on an older car or truck. LIGHTEN UP Another easy way to improve performance is to replace heavy original parts with lighter ones. Replacement hoods and body parts made from carbon fiber and other light-weight materials are available for almost any vehicle, as are wheels that weigh less than the ones from the factory. HANDLING PRODUCTS Improving handling is an often-overlooked form of performance. It’s rare to find a car that came with high-performance shocks or struts, and after a few years, the original suspension can wear significantly. By installing new, specially tuned shocks, bushings and springs, a car can handle better than it did when it was new. Another easy way to improve handling is by adding better brakes. These are widely available in bolt-on form, which allow for upgrading older cars to disc brakes, or adding specially designed brake pads, stronger calipers, and longer, better vented discs. TURBOCHARGERS For those who are serious about improving power, turbochargers that force more air into the combustion chamber can add 50 to 100 more horsepower. It’s possible to replace the original turbo with a bigger or more efficient one, or add a turbo where no turbo was offered. Superchargers, another high-performance option, are commonly offered by manufacturers in their specialty high-performance cars and trucks. Most people don’t know that the same parts are available for sale to individuals, often offered by the same companies that supply them to the automakers. FOR TRUCKS AND 4X4S READ MORE

Improve Fuel Economy and Increased Performance with Spark Plug update

Install plugs that meet your specific needs Plugs come in a variety of designs and materials. Install one that increases performance, such as the Bosch Platinum Ir Fusion or plugs for long life such as the Platinum+2 or Platinum+4. For motorists who prefer copper, remember that some copper plugs have been updated. Bosch's iridium-enhanced Super Plus, for instance, lasts 50 percent longer than other copper core spark plugs, which translates into less time under the hood and more time behind the wheel. There are a lot of situations in which you can benefit from improved spark plug technology, according to Bosch. Examples include: • Mostly short trips, which don't allow the engine and spark plugs to fully warm up and burn off deposits. • Heavy-load use like a car full of kids, sporting goods, or luggage. • Operation in cold weather where start-ups can be critical . What's your engine's condition? If your car has 50-75,000 miles or more on the clock, it almost certainly has some internal wear, with attendant loss of some engine compression and increased oil consumption. "An engine with this kind of mileage is almost sure to develop deposits on pistons, valves and, therefore, on the spark plugs as well. As such, upgrading to a multiple electrode spark plug like Bosch's Platinum+2, Platinum+ 4 or Platinum Ir Fusion will provide extra ground electrodes so the spark can take the most efficient path to provide optimal spark," Smith said. These plugs utilize 'surface air gap' technology for superior spark efficiency, and are permanently preset at the factory for correct gap. And the multiple electrodes are less likely to foul. READ MORE

Fuel Efficient way to upgrade a car’s Performance

A Smooth Way To Upgrade A Car's Performance (NAPSI)-Here's a tip for drivers looking for a quick and inexpensive way to improve a car's performance and reliability-select the right motor oil. There are meaningful differences in oils and choosing the right one impacts how well your car runs. Two components determine how well motor oil will perform in your car. One factor is the base oil and the other is the combination of chemicals (additives) that are added to the base oil. Base Oils The two primary types of base oils used are mineral and synthetic. Mineral oils are by-products of crude oil. These are the cheapest and most widely available oils, which provide minimum levels of performance and protection. Refining reduces the impurities in these oils but leaves molecules of all shapes and sizes. Synthetic oils are man-made compounds whose molecules are all the same size and shape; consequently, synthetic oil provides less friction and performs significantly better than mineral oils. In fact, synthetic oils are often the factory fills in many new performance and luxury cars. Additives Regardless of the base oil used, chemicals must be added to give motor oil the characteristics needed to do its job. Typical additives that may be added to base oil include detergents to reduce the formation of residue, defoamants to deter absorption of air, anti-wear agents, antioxidants and others. Some of the biggest technological advances in lubrication are now coming through advancements in chemical additives. READ MORE

Reduced Fuel Consumption, Reduced Emissions and Greater Fuel Economy

WASHINGTON – Future long haul trucks, school buses and large pickup trucks will be required to cut fuel consumption and emissions by 10 to 20 percent under first-ever fuel efficiency plans for trucks released Monday by the Obama administration. For the first time, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Transportation Department announced proposed fuel economy requirements and reductions in tailpipe emissions for medium- and heavy-duty trucks, beginning with those sold in the 2014; model year And into the 2018 model year. The proposal, which is expected to be finalized next summer, seeks a 20 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions and: fuel consumption from big rig combination tractors by 2018. Large tractor trailers tend to be driven up to 150,000 miles a year, making them prime candidate for improved fuel efficiency. Heavy duty pickup trucks, such as heavy-duty versions of the Ford F-Series, along with large vans would face separate gasoline and diesel truck standards phased in beginning in the 2014 model year, Vehicles running on gasoline would need to reach a 10 percent cut in fuel consumption and emissions by 2018 while diesel vehicles would need to hit 15 percent reductions by then. So-called "vocational trucks, such as garbage trucks and transit and school buses will need to achieve a 10 percent reduction in fuel consumption and remissions by 2018. The White House has sought stricter fuel economy standards across the nation's, fleet as a way to reduce, dependence on oil and cut greenhouse gas emissions tied to global warming. The fleet of new cars, pickup, trucks and SUVs will need to reach 35.5 mpgby2016, and the government is developing plans for future vehicle models that could push the standards to a range from 47 mpg to 62 mpg by 2025. Medium-duty and heavy duty trucks are much less fuel-efficient than conventional automobiles the fleet Of tractor trailer typically get about 6 to 7 mpg while work trucks can achieve 10 to 11 mpg. While only representing 4 percent of the vehicles on the road, they consume about 20 percent of the transportation fuel in the U.S. EPA Administrator Lisa P Jackson said that in addition to the reduction in pollution, "greater fuel economy will shrink fuel costs for small businesses that depend on pickups and heavy duty vehicles, shipping companies and cities, and towns with fleets of these vehicles." The improvements in fuel efficiency will come through a combination of more efficient engines, improved aerodynamics and better tires. Fuel Economy Tune Up

SuperCharging and TurboCharging

Supercharging and Turbocharging By DAVID BOOTH AutoVision Supercharger. For anyone even slightly enamored of motorsports the word conjures up images of Top Fuel dragsters, Racing slicks and horsepower figures that seem more in keeping with F1's than anything remotely construed as an automobile. Supercharging is actually a generic term applied to any device that increases an engine's power output by force-feeding it high-pressure air. The supercharger on top of John Force's dragster is a form of supercharging, but then so is the turbocharger that's hidden deep within the bowels of a lowly Chrysler LeBaron. Confused? A bit of basic information on how supercharging works will bring clarity. • The engine in your car works remarkably like your body's breathing apparatus. When your brain determines it's time to breathe, it tells your diaphragm to expand. This, in turn, expands your lungs creating a vacuum allowing air to rush in through your nostrils (unless you're Mike Modano at the end of a long shift in game six of the NHL playoffs, in which case you'll want to suck it through your mouth, and even your ears if you could Just get the darn things to open). The analogy works if you think of your nostrils as the engine's intake valve, your lungs as the cylinder and your diaphragm's the pistons. As the piston moves downward, it creates a vacuum. The intake valve opens and presto, air rushes into the cylinder (it's later mixed with gas, compressed and ignited creating the combustion that propels your car). The amount of air that can be sucked into an engine is limited to the difference between the pressure in the atmosphere (in most cases, around 14.7 psi (pounds per square inch of air pressure) and the vacuum inside the cylinder (for sake of discussion, 0 psi). That means that the force trying to ram air into your engine is equivalent to a pressure difference of 14.7 psi, at best. It didn't take long for some bright light to figure out that ramming more air into an engine would result in more horsepower. READ MORE

Improve Fuel Economy, Improve Fuel Efficiency with the right tools

Improve fuel economy with the right tools Improve fuel economy with the riqht tools By ARA Content Americans have been suffering "sticker shock" every time they pull into the gas station lately. Fuel prices keep rising with no end in sight. With high fuel prices on the minds of most Americans, finding ways to be more economical and fuel efficient are on the rise. So what can you do to save money? More and more automakers are developing new, easy to use tools to help drivers keep an eye on fuel efficiency. –, • Make sure your tires are properly inflated. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, you can improve fuel economy by about 3 percent by making sure your tires are properly inflated, but not enough people do it. The U.S. Department of Energy says nearly four million gallons of gas are wasted each day nationwide for every one psi of tire under-inflation. That translates to more than $10 million per day, or $3.8 billion per year in wasted gas money. READ MORE

Better Fuel Ecomony and Increased Horsepower

Improve Fuel Efficiency Other parts of the world also have increased need for gasoline. The huge populations of China and India are now becoming more affluent and looking for personal transportation and the fuel to drive it. So what will it take to provide energy sustainability? The short-term and immediate solution is to make our vehicles more economical. CAFÉ, the United States Corporate Average Fuel Economy rating, is currently 27.5 mpg for cars and 22.2 mpg for trucks under 8500 GVWR (US mpg). Proposed regulations will increase this to an industry average of 35 mpg US or 6.7 litres per 100 km. To do this, smaller and lighter vehicles will be one of the keys. It is generally known that lighter vehicles get better fuel economy. For example, a 10 per cent reduction in weight will provide about four per cent improvement in fuel economy. If vehicle size is also reduced along with the weight and a smaller engine used, the economy can improve up to eight per cent, with no change in vehicle performance. However, in the past 10 years, the average weight of vehicles in North America has increased 10 to 20 per cent. Some of this additional weight is because of more safety and convenience features, but most of it is simply due to larger vehicle size. Park a new pickup truck beside one 10 years old and the size difference is remarkable! Small and light is good when it comes to fuel economy. Another way we can improve fuel economy is to go back to the performance levels of 1987. If we look at the horsepower increases since that time and the performance levels, acceleration times for cars from zero to 60 miles per hour has dropped from 15 seconds down to nine seconds and average fuel economy improving slightly. Trucks are similar, with 0 to 60 mph times going from 15 seconds down to 10 seconds on average but with fuel economy staying the same. Several technologies have enabled this, such as direct fuel injection, variable cam timing, variable induction systems and reduced internal engine friction. Performance is great, but if we used all those improvements for fuel economy instead of power, passenger cars that now average 29 mpg US would now be getting 38 mpg, and trucks would jump from 21 mpg US to about 30 mpg. READ MORE

Improve Fuel Economy, Increase Fuel Efficiency and Reduced Engine Failures

Improve Fuel Economy In the current economic climate, people are looking for ways to squeeze the most out of the dollars they spend. While that's certainly a sound approach, there's also a growing trend to get the most out of money you've already spent. Perhaps nowhere is that more possible than with the vehicle you drive. Whether you own your car outright or are among the many who are leasing or financing their vehicles, the dollars you've already spent and will spend can go much further with some simple vehicle maintenance. AMSOIL INC., the industry leader in motor oil, offers the following tips for drivers hoping to get the most out of their vehicles in these turbulent financial times. * Practice preventive maintenance. One of the best things about automobiles is that most of the problems they encounter are entirely preventable. As banks begin to tighten their belts with respect to vehicle loans in light of the sagging economy, preventive vehicle maintenance has become even more important, as more and more drivers are hoping to keep their cars for longer periods of time. Routine preventive measures such as changing a car's oil and filters, keeping the injectors and the fuel delivery systems clean, and maintaining proper tire pressure are easy jobs that greatly increase a vehicle's life expectancy. Those aiming to have a vehicle reach the 100,000 or even 200,000 mile mark will find that the key to doing so is simple, preventive maintenance. READ MORE

Improved Fuel Economy

Improved Fuel Economy

Times are changing…..cars are changing. One of the biggest changes in today’s automotive industry is the perception of a “tune-up.” Ask 10 vehicle owners their definition of a tune-up and chances are there’ll be 10 different answers. The classic “tune-up” was once the heart of the automotive business and contrary to some beliefs, today’s modern vehicles still need tuneups to keep them performing at the most efficient levels. The tune-up was historically associated with the routine replacement of key ignition system parts like spark plugs and ignition points, along with some basic adjustments to help “tune” the engine. Mounting pressure for increased fuel economy and lower emissions drove the car manufacturers to adopt electronics and to do away with ignition points in the ‘70s, along with the carburetor in the middle ‘80s. This eliminated the need for the replacement and adjustment of a growing number of ignition and fuel system parts. Mounting pressure for increased fuel economy and lower emissions drove the car manufacturers to adopt electronics and to do away with ignition points in the ‘70s, along with the carburetor in the middle ‘80s. This eliminated the need for the replacement and adjustment of a growing number of ignition and fuel system parts. As the pace of technology quickened, the procedures required to perform a traditional tune-up changed dramatically. Highly sophisticated ignition and fuel systems are now the norm, using one or more onboard computers to control critical engine and transmission management functions. Things that were once handled mechanically are now controlled electronically through the widespread use of onboard computer technology. Because vehicles have changed so much over the years, the Car Care Council has introduced the 21st Century Tune-up. This program is designed to help redefine and educate motorists as to what a tuneup should consist of on today’s modern vehicles. READ MORE

Improved Fuel Efficiency

Improved Fuel Efficiency Stretching your gas dollars The summer travel season is about to begin. But as gas prices continue to rise, car trips can be a pricy choice for consumers. Car care, proper pumping, travel planning and sensible driving are the keys to fuel efficiency. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your gas money. BY CHUCK MYERS Knight Kldder/Tribime VACATION TIPS The days of long, leisurely driving vacations may be a thing of the past. With the price of gasoline at or near record highs, families planning a one- or two-week vacation by car must take a more creative and economical approach to the trip — especially when it comes to gas expenses. Here are a few words of advice from AAA on planning a driving vacation. • Consider the vacation destination. The farther you travel, the more gas you'll need. Also think about a vacation spot that requires minimal driving. • Plan ahead. Select routes that allow driving at constant speeds and bypass congested areas. When possible, avoid two-lane roads, which are typically dotted with stop signs and traffic signals. • Explore the rental option. Renting a fuel smart car might provide greater bang for the gas-dollar buck per mile. • Get an early morning start, when traffic ; is at its lightest. • Cut down on luggage weight and pack everything inside the vehicle. A car piled with luggage on the roof creates wind resistance and reduces fuel efficiency. •Before hitting the road, you might take a spin on the information highway to gauge gasoline prices along your route and at the final destination. Here are a few Web sites that provide gasoline prices nationwide: AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report (www.fuelgaugeraportcom): Offers an average of national and state-by-state gasoline prices. GasPriceWatch.com (WWW.gwpricewatch.com): Allows users to search gas prices in a specific area. • Split up your modes of transportation. Drive part of the distance, then take a flight or train for the final leg. You may find that you can actually save money by taking an alternative form of travel How to determine your car's fuel consumption:Go to a gas station with pumps that turn off automatically. READ MORE

Fuel Economy in 1977

Fuel Economy 1977 Shorter sleeker lighter New cars designed for more fuel efficiency. The domestic auto industry is reshaping its cars so that by 1980 they'll be shorter lighter and more fuel efficient in order to meet government fuel economy dictates. As the cars get smaller there's no for the or 500 cubic inch engines that have powered the pound autos of recent years. In 1977 the big Cadillac’s lost nearly pounds and in the process went the 500 cubic inch engine as standard equipment to the more economical 425 cubic inch Cadillac owners might not care about saving a mile or two a gallon but General Motors GM wanted the smaller engine because it saved on pounds and materials and therefore dollars on the assembly end. Not only will consumers see entirely new cars by the end of the decade the result of a nearly billion industry investment but they'll see new families of smaller lighter engines designed to fit into the smaller engine compartments of these cars The key to these new engines isn't radical design. They'll be of smaller cubic inch displacement and lighter overall to fit better into the smaller engine compartments The 1977 Buick shed about 800 pounds from its 1976 counterpart and so a new 403-cubic inch engine gives it the same if not better performance and acceleration than a model powered by a 455 cubic inch engine. The change to what is happening to engines is evident in the 1977 models. Six cylinder engines replace as the standard power plant in many cars and several of the bigger engines have been discontinued GM signaled its intentions for the future when it resurrected the 231 cubic inch V-6 engine for its subcompact and then made it an option in the big Buick in 1976. The car didn't accelerate so well but that same in the lighter weight 1977 model is much more responsive Sharing engines presents a big plus for the automaker when it comes to the mile Environmental Protection. READ MORE

Fuel Efficiency in 1975

Fuel Efficiency in 1975

Since 1806, when the first American-built passenger car was sold, the fortunes of automobile manufacturers have been in the hands of the public the individuals who make their car-buying decisions based upon how well a vehicle meets their transportation needs. Just as with the first Duryea automobile, we still sell our cars one at a time. But unlike the purchaser of that first U.S. car, Americans today have literally hundreds of different cars and trucks from which to choose. What an individual finally decides to buy is determined by many different factors — price, comfort, convenience, looks, economy, reliability and trade-in value. All those considerations are still important, but the name of the hottest game in ICT-TO today is fuel economy. Our customers know from experience how much more it costs now to filler up. They're understandably concerned about how much fuel they're going to use. They are demanding the best fuel efficiency we can give them. This high-priority demand for better fuel economy will be the major influence on the design of our new cars over the next few years. The cars we will be offering in the remaining years of the 1970s will represent, as always, what we think people will need,,want and be willing to buy. So what,do we see people wanting? We see the growing popularity of small cars but also continued strong demand for efficient, larger models Since weight is the most important design characteristic affecting fuel economy, we are putting our larger models on a crash diet that Is costing billions of dollars. Overall, General Motors' response to the marketplace demand for better fuel economy can be stated in terms of the most ambitious and costly new-design program in the peacetime history of the industry. Since the oil embargo ended in the spring of 1974, GM has introduced six new smaller models. Taken together, these new cars average better than 21 miles per gallon, using the Environmental Protection Agency's test procedure and composite fuel economy formula. This formula is weighted to reflect 55 per cent city driving and 45 per cent on the highway. READ MORE