On all modern vehicles there is a computer that controls the way the engine operates, this computer is called Electronic Control Module, or ECM. The purpose of the ECM is to maintain the engine running within emissions limits and at top efficiency. With the very strict emission regulations of today, this is not an easy task to achieve. Precise and constant adjustments to match various conditions of the engine must be made by the ECM in regards to speed, load, engine temperature and others.
How the ECM works:
A number of sensors are available that provide the ECM with the information it needs, such inputs are engine and ambient temperature, vehicle speed and load. The ECM makes adjustments by advancing or retarding the ignition timing, adds or subtracts fuel or increases and decreases the idle speed.
In the exhaust, before the catalytic converter, an oxygen sensor monitors the quality of the combustion produced in the cylinders. The sensor produces a feedback that is then used by the ECM to make fine adjustments to the fuel-air mixture with the objective to reduce emissions. After the catalytic converter, another sensor in the exhaust monitors it’s efficiency
Other additional emission control systems exist, such as the Evaporative System, or EVAP. The objective of EVAP is to prevent vapors of gasoline, from the gas tank, from being released into the atmosphere. There are also a number of sensors and actuators that are controlled by the ECM.
The operation of sensors and other engine components is constantly tested by the self-diagnostic capability of the ECM. If one of the signals is missing or if it’s not in the normal range then the Check Engine light is illuminated and the Diagnostic Trouble Code, DTC, is stored in the memory of the ECM. The Check Engine light will be illuminated also if a mechanical component, such as the EGR valve, fails.
With a special scan tool, the stored code can be retrieved by a technician, that will then know only a direction where to look for. The code doesn’t tell specific information about the failure, certain tests have to be performed for each code, in order to find the exact cause of the problem.
Visit Hiperformer.com today to get your remanufactured engines. Hiperformer Rebuilt Engines are built to last.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Hybrid Cars: List Of Real Drawbacks To Owning A Hybrid Vehicle
As oil prices continue to increase amid depleting supplies and rapid growth in demand, all economies globally are feeling the setbacks of the need to curtail excessive consumption of fuel.
For quite some time, research and development has been actively finding ways on how problems regarding very high demand could finally be eliminated. With the advent of the hybrid car, car owners and users all over the world are now finding relief that indeed there is hope.
A hybrid car is a specially designed and manufactured vehicle that combines the power of the conventional gasoline engine and electricity. In the past, many have referred to hybrid vehicles as electric vehicles.
Technically, a hybrid car could not be classified as purely electric because only about 40% of the energy consumption of the vehicle is from electric sources, in the form of stored electricity in batteries.
Though the wide use of hybrid cars provide hope that in the future, when oil supplies finally and completely runs out, the transportation industry would not feel the drawback. Yes, for now, driving a hybrid auto could equate to a lot of savings on the part of the car owner.
At least, the overall consumption of oil could be significantly lowered. Research is still ongoing so that in the near future, further better versions of the modern hybrid auto could be developed and launched into the market.
However, just like many other predecessor technologies, there are actual setbacks to owning and using a hybrid car. Many people hope that in the coming months or years, people could finally realize a better and more effective hybrid car. Here are the most practical and obvious of those drawbacks.
1. Because the hybrid car technology is still a relatively new car technology, it is just logical that the vehicle is expensive. On the average, a hybrid car these days costs more than the regular and usual cars by around $2,000 to $5,000. That is just right and is expected with the high demand for the car as more consumers get excited about it and manufacturers continue to produce the vehicle models on a limited ability.
2. Any hybrid car needs to allot a significant amount of space for battery. Because the hybrid car needs batteries to keep it going and for the use of some if its functions, the overall weight of the car gets more and more.
3. There are several states in the United States and some other global governments globally that are charging more additional fees and other charges for acquisition and registration.
4. If the hybrid car gets into possible crashes and collisions in the future, there is a risk that the incident would be more tragic. A hybrid car typically and normally has high voltage wires within it.
5. A regular and even simple hybrid car is made of a very complicated car system. Thus, ordinary mechanics would not have the needed and required skills and knowledge to attend to any technical need for maintenance of any hybrid car.
6. Because hybrid cars are still not too rampant and ordinary, buying spare parts may be very hard, if not impossible. Further, costs of spare parts can be very expensive.
7. It is a common knowledge that hybrid cars run slower than regular car models.
By Alex Baumm. Visit the CarClubTalk Car Forum and learn about Hybrid Cars or Car Charity
For quite some time, research and development has been actively finding ways on how problems regarding very high demand could finally be eliminated. With the advent of the hybrid car, car owners and users all over the world are now finding relief that indeed there is hope.
A hybrid car is a specially designed and manufactured vehicle that combines the power of the conventional gasoline engine and electricity. In the past, many have referred to hybrid vehicles as electric vehicles.
Technically, a hybrid car could not be classified as purely electric because only about 40% of the energy consumption of the vehicle is from electric sources, in the form of stored electricity in batteries.
Though the wide use of hybrid cars provide hope that in the future, when oil supplies finally and completely runs out, the transportation industry would not feel the drawback. Yes, for now, driving a hybrid auto could equate to a lot of savings on the part of the car owner.
At least, the overall consumption of oil could be significantly lowered. Research is still ongoing so that in the near future, further better versions of the modern hybrid auto could be developed and launched into the market.
However, just like many other predecessor technologies, there are actual setbacks to owning and using a hybrid car. Many people hope that in the coming months or years, people could finally realize a better and more effective hybrid car. Here are the most practical and obvious of those drawbacks.
1. Because the hybrid car technology is still a relatively new car technology, it is just logical that the vehicle is expensive. On the average, a hybrid car these days costs more than the regular and usual cars by around $2,000 to $5,000. That is just right and is expected with the high demand for the car as more consumers get excited about it and manufacturers continue to produce the vehicle models on a limited ability.
2. Any hybrid car needs to allot a significant amount of space for battery. Because the hybrid car needs batteries to keep it going and for the use of some if its functions, the overall weight of the car gets more and more.
3. There are several states in the United States and some other global governments globally that are charging more additional fees and other charges for acquisition and registration.
4. If the hybrid car gets into possible crashes and collisions in the future, there is a risk that the incident would be more tragic. A hybrid car typically and normally has high voltage wires within it.
5. A regular and even simple hybrid car is made of a very complicated car system. Thus, ordinary mechanics would not have the needed and required skills and knowledge to attend to any technical need for maintenance of any hybrid car.
6. Because hybrid cars are still not too rampant and ordinary, buying spare parts may be very hard, if not impossible. Further, costs of spare parts can be very expensive.
7. It is a common knowledge that hybrid cars run slower than regular car models.
By Alex Baumm. Visit the CarClubTalk Car Forum and learn about Hybrid Cars or Car Charity
Basic Maintenance That Can Make Your Car Last Longer
The future in uncertain, which means most of us are trying to save every buck we can. When it comes to your car, doing some basic maintenance can make it last an incredibly long time. The longer your car last, the longer it will be before you have to spend money on a new one.
Ask anyone about what car maintenance should be done and they will usually blurt out, “Change the oil every 3,000 miles”. Somewhere, a marketing professional is smiling happily. Yes, you should change the oil regularly, but not this often. Even so, there are other steps you can take that will make a world of difference for your car.
Okay, let’s start with oil. The 3,000 mile recommendation is a marketing slogan, not a fact. Oil has become very sophisticated and will usually last 5,000 miles without any problems unless you are putting it under major stress. An even better move is to switch to a synthetic oil like Mobil One. These always will last much longer, often 10,000 miles or more. You can pull up recommendations for your car online. Most manufacturers offer them.
A second critical maintenance step to your car has to do with breathing. Air is a critical part to the combustion process. You need gas. You need a spark. You need air. The air comes into the engine through an air filter. Your engine can start to starve for air if you don’t change out your oil filter. This makes the engine run poorly and puts stress on the system. Stress is bad for a car. Change your air filter every 10,000 miles.
Ask yourself a simple question: Is it good for a machine to run hot? The answer is nearly always that it is not. Most people understand this, yet they also never take any steps to do upkeep on the coolant system of their car. If you want to kill an engine well before its normal lifespan, just neglect the coolant system.
It is important to understand that oil is meant to lubricate, not cool an engine. Your radiator and coolant system is just as important as keeping your oil up. Make sure to adjust your coolant system at the beginning of each summer and winter. When you do, make sure to check the hoses and such so you’ll know if it is performing right. If your car tends to run hot, you should have the thermometer in the coolant system checked.
There you are. Three basic maintenance steps. If you stay on top of them, you are nearly guaranteed to have a car that is going to last a very long time. These days, that counts as money in the bank.
Write By : Dirk Gibson
Ask anyone about what car maintenance should be done and they will usually blurt out, “Change the oil every 3,000 miles”. Somewhere, a marketing professional is smiling happily. Yes, you should change the oil regularly, but not this often. Even so, there are other steps you can take that will make a world of difference for your car.
Okay, let’s start with oil. The 3,000 mile recommendation is a marketing slogan, not a fact. Oil has become very sophisticated and will usually last 5,000 miles without any problems unless you are putting it under major stress. An even better move is to switch to a synthetic oil like Mobil One. These always will last much longer, often 10,000 miles or more. You can pull up recommendations for your car online. Most manufacturers offer them.
A second critical maintenance step to your car has to do with breathing. Air is a critical part to the combustion process. You need gas. You need a spark. You need air. The air comes into the engine through an air filter. Your engine can start to starve for air if you don’t change out your oil filter. This makes the engine run poorly and puts stress on the system. Stress is bad for a car. Change your air filter every 10,000 miles.
Ask yourself a simple question: Is it good for a machine to run hot? The answer is nearly always that it is not. Most people understand this, yet they also never take any steps to do upkeep on the coolant system of their car. If you want to kill an engine well before its normal lifespan, just neglect the coolant system.
It is important to understand that oil is meant to lubricate, not cool an engine. Your radiator and coolant system is just as important as keeping your oil up. Make sure to adjust your coolant system at the beginning of each summer and winter. When you do, make sure to check the hoses and such so you’ll know if it is performing right. If your car tends to run hot, you should have the thermometer in the coolant system checked.
There you are. Three basic maintenance steps. If you stay on top of them, you are nearly guaranteed to have a car that is going to last a very long time. These days, that counts as money in the bank.
Write By : Dirk Gibson
Hibino Qualifies First in Autopolis D1GP
Over the weekend it was a special cocktail of AE86 community love that brought everyone’s favourite Ebisu-jumping-drift master into the number one qualifying spot. Driving Toshiki Yoshioka’s old red NOS-assisted 4A-GE, now painted in a striking coat of matte black (and sporting some wicked bolt on flares), Hibino worked his way into the top spot in preparation for Sunday’s showdown.
Unfortunately the race day was not as kind to him, as the final standings saw him in fourth position, knocked out in the semi by the eventual round winner (and AE86 legend himself) Youichi Imamura driving the Team BOSS Potenza-backed S15 . Fourth isn’t the win but still a position worthy of some praise - especially considering the calibre of top-notch sponsored teams up against him! Well done Hibino! Can’t wait for the exhibition round in Tokyo!
Unfortunately the race day was not as kind to him, as the final standings saw him in fourth position, knocked out in the semi by the eventual round winner (and AE86 legend himself) Youichi Imamura driving the Team BOSS Potenza-backed S15 . Fourth isn’t the win but still a position worthy of some praise - especially considering the calibre of top-notch sponsored teams up against him! Well done Hibino! Can’t wait for the exhibition round in Tokyo!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
A1GP - Interview With Aaron Lim of Team Malaysia
A1 Team Malaysia announced yesterday that Aaron Lim will drive for his nation at the next round of the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport. He will be racing at Brands Hatch in the UK from 1-3 May. In this interview Lim talks about his expectations for the weekend and his thoughts on the challenges ahead.
Q. You must be delighted to be racing for A1 Team Malaysia. How do you feel about this?
A. I’ve waited a long time, nearly two years! I couldn’t be happier; it really is a dream come true for me. It is a great opportunity for me to drive in a top level international series with a highly professional team. But not only this, I’ll be driving for my nation and this makes me very proud.
Q. Is A1GP the most competitive series you will have raced in?
A. It is not only the most competitive series that I’ve been involved with, but it also has the highest level of drivers. With ex-F1 drivers like Robert Doornbos and Narain Karthikeyan as well as a current F1 test driver, Vitantonio Liuzzi, and others who have raced in other top level series like Indycars and GP2, I don’t think there’s any other series which such a strong line-up of drivers. Most of the drivers, if not all, have more racing experience than me – but to gain the experience you need to race, so having this opportunity will be a huge benefit to me
Q. What are your thoughts about the track?
A. I have no doubts that it will be very tough. It’s one of the more difficult tracks in the A1GP calendar. The track is technically demanding. By this I mean that there are different types of corner, so you need to have a different approach for each one. If you get the line wrong you’ll lose a lot of time. There is also the famous Paddock Hill bend. This has a blind crest, dropping down through a right hand bend. You have to be brave on the entry, keep the power on, and carry this speed through it. But it’s easy to get it wrong and there’s a big gravel trap waiting to catch you, but if you end up in it you probably won’t get out of it.
Q. What are the biggest challenges for you in the move from just driving the A1GP car to actually racing it?
A. It is the format of racing that is new to me: qualifying, with the single run ‘flying lap’ will be a big challenge, as when you don’t have so much experience, to get everything right on one lap is the toughest thing.
In the rookie session we don’t get to use the PowerBoost button, so that’s another part of my learning. We’ll only have one chance to practice this, which will be in the final practice session and then it will be straight into qualifying. In qualifying you are allowed to use your PowerBoost on one of your four qualifying laps and that should make a big difference to your lap time, so it will be very important for me to understand how to use this to the best effect.
Above all of this, the biggest challenge will be the pitstops. I’ve never done races with pitstops, so it will be my first time. There’s many parts to getting this right: the ‘in’ lap, which you need to do as quickly as possible right up until the line when you must put your speed limiter on; coming into the pitstop area squarely, leaving smoothly and cleanly, getting up to speed as quickly as possible on the ‘out’ lap. There’s a lot more to a pitstop than people think!
Q. How are you preparing for the weekend?
A. It won’t be much different to any other weekend, as I’ve always been in a position to take over from the main driver if he was ill or injured. So I’ve always kept my fitness level high and will keep to my regular training programme
I will be visiting the A1GP simulator in Italy before Brands Hatch, as this is our only opportunity to drive on the track before the Friday morning practice session. I’ll go with the engineer and we’ll be looking to work on the car setup. I have been before but at that time we weren’t focused on this track and I was sharing the simulator time with Fairuz. This time we’ll be concentrating on my driving style, lines and set up to suit me. I’ll also be over in the UK early to make sure I’m acclimatised - the cool weather and time change can affect you mentally and physically for a few days, so I need to make sure I’m fully adjusted to British time and weather.
Q. Do you expect to score points?
A. It would be fantastic if we were able to score points, but I’m going to take each session as it comes, and each race as it comes. I haven’t done a full A1GP race weekend before, so to expect points is ambitious, to finish the race has to be the real goal at this stage.
Q. You haven’t raced for over a season, are you going to do more?
A. As I’m sure you know, you need substantial backing to be able to race at this sort of level – and the grades below this, particularly at my level of racing means that I’d need to be Europe based. I don’t have the funds to do this unless I can find sponsorship. I’m always trying to sort this out, so if something was to be forthcoming I’d be racing as often as I could. The more time I can spend driving and racing the more progress I will make.
Q. And what are your expectations for the weekend?
A. I want to take it slowly and build through the weekend. I have a great relationship with the engineering team, as I do with all the crew members, so I know they’ll really help to settle me in and support me in each session. I’m not looking to be the fastest driver in the practice sessions; I’m aiming to use these to prepare me for the races. If that means we’re running with full tanks, or worn tyres, then that’s what we’ll be doing. My goal is to finish both races. If we can be in the top ten that’s a bonus, but I’m not underestimating the challenge ahead.
Q. What does it mean to you to be racing for your country?
A. I love the concept of A1GP and the way that you represent your nation when you race in the series. It adds so much as you know that everyone at home is willing you on and supporting you. I’m very proud to be Malaysian, so driving a car which carries the national flag of my country, is liveried in its sporting colours and is watched by people at home is very special to me. I can’t wait to be lining up in the drivers parade and just making that step up from rookie driver to THE race driver!
Q. You must be delighted to be racing for A1 Team Malaysia. How do you feel about this?
A. I’ve waited a long time, nearly two years! I couldn’t be happier; it really is a dream come true for me. It is a great opportunity for me to drive in a top level international series with a highly professional team. But not only this, I’ll be driving for my nation and this makes me very proud.
Q. Is A1GP the most competitive series you will have raced in?
A. It is not only the most competitive series that I’ve been involved with, but it also has the highest level of drivers. With ex-F1 drivers like Robert Doornbos and Narain Karthikeyan as well as a current F1 test driver, Vitantonio Liuzzi, and others who have raced in other top level series like Indycars and GP2, I don’t think there’s any other series which such a strong line-up of drivers. Most of the drivers, if not all, have more racing experience than me – but to gain the experience you need to race, so having this opportunity will be a huge benefit to me
Q. What are your thoughts about the track?
A. I have no doubts that it will be very tough. It’s one of the more difficult tracks in the A1GP calendar. The track is technically demanding. By this I mean that there are different types of corner, so you need to have a different approach for each one. If you get the line wrong you’ll lose a lot of time. There is also the famous Paddock Hill bend. This has a blind crest, dropping down through a right hand bend. You have to be brave on the entry, keep the power on, and carry this speed through it. But it’s easy to get it wrong and there’s a big gravel trap waiting to catch you, but if you end up in it you probably won’t get out of it.
Q. What are the biggest challenges for you in the move from just driving the A1GP car to actually racing it?
A. It is the format of racing that is new to me: qualifying, with the single run ‘flying lap’ will be a big challenge, as when you don’t have so much experience, to get everything right on one lap is the toughest thing.
In the rookie session we don’t get to use the PowerBoost button, so that’s another part of my learning. We’ll only have one chance to practice this, which will be in the final practice session and then it will be straight into qualifying. In qualifying you are allowed to use your PowerBoost on one of your four qualifying laps and that should make a big difference to your lap time, so it will be very important for me to understand how to use this to the best effect.
Above all of this, the biggest challenge will be the pitstops. I’ve never done races with pitstops, so it will be my first time. There’s many parts to getting this right: the ‘in’ lap, which you need to do as quickly as possible right up until the line when you must put your speed limiter on; coming into the pitstop area squarely, leaving smoothly and cleanly, getting up to speed as quickly as possible on the ‘out’ lap. There’s a lot more to a pitstop than people think!
Q. How are you preparing for the weekend?
A. It won’t be much different to any other weekend, as I’ve always been in a position to take over from the main driver if he was ill or injured. So I’ve always kept my fitness level high and will keep to my regular training programme
I will be visiting the A1GP simulator in Italy before Brands Hatch, as this is our only opportunity to drive on the track before the Friday morning practice session. I’ll go with the engineer and we’ll be looking to work on the car setup. I have been before but at that time we weren’t focused on this track and I was sharing the simulator time with Fairuz. This time we’ll be concentrating on my driving style, lines and set up to suit me. I’ll also be over in the UK early to make sure I’m acclimatised - the cool weather and time change can affect you mentally and physically for a few days, so I need to make sure I’m fully adjusted to British time and weather.
Q. Do you expect to score points?
A. It would be fantastic if we were able to score points, but I’m going to take each session as it comes, and each race as it comes. I haven’t done a full A1GP race weekend before, so to expect points is ambitious, to finish the race has to be the real goal at this stage.
Q. You haven’t raced for over a season, are you going to do more?
A. As I’m sure you know, you need substantial backing to be able to race at this sort of level – and the grades below this, particularly at my level of racing means that I’d need to be Europe based. I don’t have the funds to do this unless I can find sponsorship. I’m always trying to sort this out, so if something was to be forthcoming I’d be racing as often as I could. The more time I can spend driving and racing the more progress I will make.
Q. And what are your expectations for the weekend?
A. I want to take it slowly and build through the weekend. I have a great relationship with the engineering team, as I do with all the crew members, so I know they’ll really help to settle me in and support me in each session. I’m not looking to be the fastest driver in the practice sessions; I’m aiming to use these to prepare me for the races. If that means we’re running with full tanks, or worn tyres, then that’s what we’ll be doing. My goal is to finish both races. If we can be in the top ten that’s a bonus, but I’m not underestimating the challenge ahead.
Q. What does it mean to you to be racing for your country?
A. I love the concept of A1GP and the way that you represent your nation when you race in the series. It adds so much as you know that everyone at home is willing you on and supporting you. I’m very proud to be Malaysian, so driving a car which carries the national flag of my country, is liveried in its sporting colours and is watched by people at home is very special to me. I can’t wait to be lining up in the drivers parade and just making that step up from rookie driver to THE race driver!
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