Annual trade show in Louisville, Kentucky, reveals innovations and latest models ¶ PACKED WITH EVERYTHING FROM PALATIAL SIX-DIGIT motorhomes and fifth-wheels to ATV-towable teardrops, last December's industry expo demonstrated that SURVs, Sprinter- and GM TopKick/Kodiak-based motorhomes and "bigger and better" are still the trends in wheeled recreation. More manufacturers are asking "what if and getting good results from the questions - did you ever...

Byline: William Diem ¶ European auto makers are encouraging Visteon Corp. to develop an electrically powered supercharging system that will improve performance of small engines. The supercharger is needed because internal combustion engine/electric hybrids - and the 42-volt systems that will power them - for the most part remain just out of reach. ¶ Visteon engineers are working with customers on engine projects for 2005-2006 that will use...

With this many problems, you might wish the car makers had stuck with chains. On the other hand, this service can be a money-maker ¶ Timing belts: What memories are evoked in my mind when I think about that rubber product! Remember the OHC Pontiac Tempest six with a four-barrel carb? I ran into several of those while working at my first automotive job as a "dismantler" in an auto salvage yard. ¶ But my first real introduction to this...

The rebuilt transmission and engine aftermarket industry generated revenues close to $4 billion in 2000 and is projected to reach more than $5 billion by 2007, according to a new study. The study from Frost & Sullivan, North American Rebuilt Transmission and Engine Aftermarket, indicates that the demand for remanufactured engines will increase as the number of vehicles in operation increases. ¶ Transmissions and engines rebuilt and...

Over the last few weeks I tested three different Toyota products -- the Camry, Corolla and Matrix. And because they are all-new for 2003, I was having a hard time deciding which one I wanted to write about first. But the Matrix not only convinced me it deserved to be number one, it also convinced me that I need to be more open minded about new ideas. ¶ I'll be honest, my initial thoughts about Matrix were that it was a young person's car and...

Byline: Mike Davis ¶ 1863 - Birth of Henry Ford ¶ 1896 - Runs Quadricycle experimental car on Detroit...

A number of styling changes will be evident when the 2006 Chevrolet Tahoe makes its appearance in early 2005. Virtually all of the exterior sheet metal is new, the major exception being the roof. Up front is a bolder appearance in grille and bumper. The larger grille follows the lead of Dodge Ram, with a wider, taller section for air intake. Major changes are seen in the shape of the headlights. Large, trapezoidal shapes house most illumination lights and...

Taking the ratings seriously is essential to making good vehicle and option choices ¶ With so many choices available in tow vehicles, picking the correct one would seem to be a simple task based on budget, brand loyalty and towing capacity. However, there are many more variables to consider, and going through the effort to better understand them and account for them now will lead to a more pleasant ownership and trailering experience later. ¶...;

Electronic units, which are used almost exclusively for trailer towing, are easy to mount and wire ¶ While special cooling systems, alternators, batteries, wiring harnesses and even hitch receivers are offered as options on tow vehicles, brake controls are almost universally not part of the option list. If you are going to tow a trailer or fifth-wheel with electric brakes, then a brake control must be installed. ¶ Over the years-and especially...

The evolution of this method of delivering gasoline, and some specific problems ¶ Two years ago, I was sitting in a Toyota building with 19 other automotive industry folks considering updates for the ASE L1 test. We were reviewing the task lists upon which the tests are built and the question came up as to whether or not technicians taking the test should be required to understand feedback carburetion. After a heated discussion, a poll was taken...