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