Archive for February, 2010

Toyota Chief to Create a task Force to Reform Communication

Toyota Chief - Akio Toyoda

Toyota Motor president Akio Toyoda has ordered the creation of a temporary task force to improve internal and external communication as the automaker seeks to restore confidence in its damaged reputation.

The world's largest automaker is mired in a quality crisis that threatens their image and sales, exacerbated by what many saw as a bungling of it's communication with regulators and consumers since it expanded a series of recalls a month ago.

Ford’s 2011 Redesigned Super Duty Pickup Truck – 6.7 Liter Turbocharged Diesel

2011 Ford Super Duty

Ford Motor Co's redesigned 2011 Super Duty pickup will be advertised as the "most capable, fuel efficient" heavy duty truck on the market in a planned national advertising campaign that launches in April.

-The Super Duty, which goes on sale that same month, offers Ford's all new 6.7 Liter Power Stroke V-8 turbocharged diesel engine. It will have 735 pound feet of torque, 390 Hp and "class leading" fuel economy, Ford said. That's 85 pounds-feet torque and 40Hp more than the 2010 pickup.

The base price on the 2011 Super Duty will be $28,995.00, that is a $600.00 increase over similarly equipped 2010 Super Duty's.

A Hybrid Porcshe – The “Green” Hybrid Cayenne

Porsche Cayenne Hybrid

Porsche has released details of it's new, greener Cayenne that will debut at the Geneva auto show March 2. Porsche says the Cayenne, which has hybrid and diesel versions will offer better fuel economy up to 23 percent compared to the current model.

The Cayenne hybrid has a 3.0 liter supercharged V-6 that tops out at 333hp and works with a 47hp electric motor. It has a "sailing" mode, that allows the combustion engine to be completely shut off at speeds up to 97mph for "cruising" on electric power.

Maruti Suzuki recalls European Altos and Nissan Pixos on a Possible Fuel Leak

India's top car maker Maruti Susuki India said it is recalling 100,000 A-Star hatchbacks to fix a possible fuel leak.

The recall of the Altos and Pixos, which begun in November is about half complete at the cost of about 100 Million Rupees ($2.2 Million) the company said.

The recall includes cars sold in Europe though a tie-up with Japan's Nissan Motor Corp, under the Nissan Pixos name.

An internal analysis had shown that when fuel was filled beyond a certain point there was a possbility of leakage.

Tire wear on the sides, middle or choppy tire wear

Worn out tire tread

1). If your tire treads are worn in the middle, this is usually a sign of over inflation. Note the middle of the tire is worn and the outside treads are still in good shape. The tire's middle treads wore out because the tire only contacted the road in the middle due to over inflation.

2).If your tire treads are worn on the outside, this is usually an indicator of under inflated tires. The middle treads were not touching in a straight line due to the fact they were away from the road surface folding upwards in a concave way.

Toyota to shut US Plants after Recall

Toyota's Kentucky Plant

Toyota Motor Corp has decided to cancel production at two U.S. plants for a total of two weeks anticipating a drop in sales in the wake of the massive recalls.

The world's biggest automaker plans to halt work at it's Kentucky and Texas Plants for 14 days between late February and April as the sales of Camry,Avalon,Tundra and other models recalled for sticky accelerators slump.

Honda Say’s Big Cars Hybrid System In Sight

-Honda Motor Co. has made big steps towards developing a new hybrid system for larger cars, Honda Motors head of automobile reseach and development said Friday, indicating the finished system could be about three years away.

-Honda's gas-electric cars like the Insight and CR-Z to be launched next week, use a single electric motor instead of Toyota's double electric motor Systems.

-Honda's hybrid system has the advantage of being less expensive and simpler, but trails Toyota's "Full" Hybrid system in fuel efficiency.

General Motors Co. Calling back 500 Plus workers to build Ecotec Engine

EcoTec Engine

General Motors Co. is planning to call back 470 laid-off workers to build it's next-generation Ecotec four cylinder engine. GM's Tanawanda, N.Y. plant is going to be renovated at the cost of $425 Million.

In addition General Motors will call back 80 workers and spend $59 million at it's plant in Defiance, OH which will make the blocks for the Ecotec engine.  GM also will call back 15 workers to their BayCity, MI plant to make the connecting rods.

Safety Tips when repairing your car

Safety tips when repairing your car

* make sure your car is not running when working indoors
* do not smoke when working on your car
* have the car in park with a parking brake set and put blocks around tires
* wear protective eye wear, especially when working underneath the car
* remove jewelry and loose clothing if working at the engine compartment
* make sure the engine is cool before working on it
* use proper support stands to prop up the car when working underneath it
* no not touch the fan of the cooling system
* allow enough time - a couple of hours - before working or opening any parts of the cooling system
* if working with electronic components make sure the key is turned to off or removed completely from ignition
* when working on electrical repairs make sure to remove power fuses or disconnect at least one of the battery cables
* always have fire extinguisher nearby

Fiat debuts 2 Cylinder Engine

-Fiat S.p.A. is taking engine downsizing to a new level with the introduction of it's new 900cc, two cylinder TwinAir unit.

-When it goes on sale in the Fiat 500 Mini car this coming summer, the 85hp turbocharged engine will be the only two cylinder in Europe.

-The Fiat 900cc will debut at tne Geneve auto show on March 2.

-Automakers are removing cylinders and lowering displacement of their engines to meet tougher co2 emissions that take effect in Europe 2012.

Ford of India to Launch “Figo” subcompact in March

Ford Motor Company India unit said on tuesday it would launch it's sucompact car in March

About three quarters of cras sold in India are in the subcompact category. Maruti Suzuki dominates the market with it's Alto,Swift,Ritz and A-Star. Ford India which has about 2 percent market share, has sold 24,186 cars during April-January

Why doesn’t your car start?

Why doesn't your car start?

Most of us have probably had this happened at least once or twice as owner/driver of a car. You hop into your car in the morning, ready to head out work or school, your turn the key in the ignition - the car doesn't start. First thing that often comes to mind is a dead battery, but there are other reasons for why your car won't start.

If the battery in your car is dead, nothing happens when you turn the key. Meaning, the engine makes no sound, it doesn't start at all or in other words the engine doesn't turn over. Hopefully you have jumper cables nearby and can get the car started.

Hybrid car using solar energy announced by Kia

At the 2010 Chicago Auto Show, Kia introduced their new plug-in hybrid concept vehicle which uses solar energy for some of its functions.  This new vehicle, the Kia Ray is designed to reach driving distances of more than 50 miles using its electric motor on a single charge, and has fuel economy of more than 202 miles per gallon and has a total range of 746 miles

Fuel System Components

The fuel system feeds your engine the gasoline/diesel it needs to run. If any of the fuel systems components fail your vehicle will not run. The major parts of your fuel system are as follows.

Fuel Tank: Holding tank for your fuel. When you fill up, the fuel travels down the filler tube into the tank. In the tank there is a sending unit which relays the amount of fuel in the tank to the fuel gauge.

“Be Prepared” With a Car First Aid Kit

We don't like to think about it, but accidents and emergencies do happen. By having a first aid kit you will be more prepared if a situation arises. You can purchase a prepared first aid kit, or if you choose you can build your own.

Below is a handy list of supplies for your first aid kit.

1) Sterile adhesive bandages in various sizes

2) Sterile gauze pads

3) Antiseptic wipes/swabs

4) Small bar of soap or antiseptic wash

5) Bottle of water

6) Antibotic ointment

7) Pair of scissors

Splitter foreceps

Tips on saving some gas and your money

Are you wondering what you can do to get most for the gas in your tank?

Preventive maintenance and your driving habits affect how much or how little gas you or your car consumes. There are a few things you can do to better the fuel economy of your car.

What is that smell emanating from your car?

Do you smell something?

Have you ever smelled something emanating from your car, whether it was while you were sitting on idle, right after starting you car or while stepping out of the car. Some odors do not indicate something is wrong, while others do. Your mechanic can diagnose the problem by starting with where the smell originates from and what does it smell like. When taking your car to the mechanic try to be as descriptive as possible to when you smell something and what does it smell like.

Does it smell like

Inflating your tires to the proper tire pressure

• Tire pressure is one of the things on your vehicle that needs to be checked most frequently.

Tire pressure should be checked at least once a month or when the tire looks low.

1). First check the maximum tire pressure rating for the tires on your car.   (should be located on the tire)

2). Unscrew the valve stem caps.

3). Then take a tire pressure gauge and firmly hold it against the valve stem (making sure there is no air leaking).  Double check the pressure to insure accuracy.

Honda Recall expands to another 438,000 vehicles

After recalling 646,000 Honda Fit models less than two weeks ago, the automaker announced the expansion of the airbag recall of 438,000 vehicles on Wednesday.

Affected Vehicles

2001-2002 Accord

2001-2002 Civic

2001-2002 Odessey

2001-2002 CR-V

2002 Pilot

2002 Acura TL

2002 Aura Cl

The problem stems from the vehicles airbag inflators which can place too great a force on the airbag when put into use, fracturing the inflator and causing metal shards that have resulted in 12 incidents, including one fatality.

Steering wheel shakes? Car drifts from side to side?

If your vehicle drifts from one side of the road to the other and/or the steering wheel shakes while driving you should have the front end of your vehicle checked. If there is a problem with some of the front end components, these conditions can cause other components to wear which can become a safety issue. Ask your mechanic to check the tie rod ends and the wheel bearings for looseness. If the vehicle drifts and the tires are wearing evenly one solution maybe to rotate the tires, This may resolve the drifting problem. If your steering wheel shakes above 50 mph it is likely that your wheels simply need balancing. If the vehicle shakes at 20 to 40 mph you may have a bent wheel or a tire with a bubble or bad belt.