An Answer to Global Warming: Green Cars

For this year's pursuit for the Greenest Auto Maker, Honda topped the list once more as the corporation with the better share of earth friendly operation. This is not the only time from Honda and indeed this is not the first time it will be acquiring the recognition.

As other large corporations implement this aim and endeavor strive in encouraging familiarity of the current plight of our world, one shouldn’t brush off the bottom line that in the end, looking after for this world rests eventually in the grip of the million of consumers that promote these commodities. This tells us that we, the market, are also concerned in wasting or for guarding the environment. Affirmation have shown that even if one’s duty to pollution might be relatively basic as compared to industrial complexes and plants, totaling this to the billions of consumers and end users will absolutely put trust for the environment in the grip of the individual.

With this to think about, one ought determine that doing something in this regard can very well start in our own houses.

Acceding our duty in the concern is a primary project each vehicle owner would agree to. A person must know that there are numberless ways that a person can contribute in addressing this growing issue. Listed below are great alternatives the we as riders have in whipping out our cars more earth-friendly. These alternatives range from the very simple to those that will require some expertise.

The first and possibly the most effective method to go nature-friendly is to sit down and study gettable resources that can assist in getting what you aim to achieve. You must perceive what your mission are and the available resources in reaching or achieving this goal. Questions like switching to electric power or going into hybrid systems is not a bad start. Looking at information that tackles alternative fuel sources, their use, advantages and disadvantages is also another good thing to do.

Have you ever thought of using other present fuel alternatives? At present it is not very hard to know what available alternates to gasoline or normal fossil fuel exist in the market. One of the more common of these alternatives is biofuel. The diesel engine, if you own one, opens a lot of other options that will truly surprise you. You can run your car on homemade biodiesel fuel which is cleaner and less expensive. Though this sounds like a complicated process, a lot of online resources are already available to provide the correct recipes and processes to follow on making your own fuel.

Ever heard of using waste fryer oil in running your car? This is supposedly already working. This option will require you to make major modifications for your ride but resources are already available to take you on the steps in doing this. This definitely sounds like something McDonalds will want to look into in the future. Getting into this will definitely make our roads smell better with exhaust smelling like french fries or burgers.

Running on batteries is another option for hardcore earth lovers. Hybrids or purely electric cars rely on batteries that one can charge from a normal electrical outlets. While hybrids also run on gasoline, one can opt to run purely on electricity as long as one is willing to sacrifice speed and only for short distances. This is a cool option that can literally save one a lot of money. Though it may come with the price of waking up really early to make it to your work on time, the savings you will have will definitely make the sacrifice worthwhile. Not to mention the fact that you will surely be impressing your boss for being early at work.

Though still in its research phase, ultracapacitors are also now being improved to be able to power cars. This is a very earth friendly and also a very efficient alternative.

There truly are a lot of options that are already made available for motorists to make their cars more earth friendly. Resources for these alternatives are already available to the normal person without any cost. I completely agree that it is better to take the precautions now than to pay for the consequences later.

Russ Hess Answers: Automotive Questions

What happens if I don't add water to my antifreeze?

I accidentally put straight antifreeze into my car today. I went back and added some water, but I know a lot leaked out from the overflow valve. I continued to add water little by little despite it leaking from the overflow valve. Will my car be ok?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Your little car will be fine. The only risk factor here is that the coolant won't give up its heat as well in the radiator, and will freeze a little higher temperature. Not a MAJOR issue.
The next time you top it off, add plain water to balance out.

My check engine light came on and my car sputters when I hit the gas can anyone help?

The car is a 2001 Chevy Impala, with about 67000 miles on it. Never had an issue till now. I get regular oil changes and stuff like that.

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The rough running AND the "Check Engine" light are clear indications that there is something amiss.
The only way to begin the diagnostics is to retrieve the Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) from the car's PCM.
This requires a code reader or a scanner.There is no other means provided to query the PCM.
The least expensive option is to ask the nice folks at the local discount parts store if they will retrieve them for you.
When this is done. DO NOT assume that there is a component in the circuit that has failed. The light is an indication that DATA from that circuit is outside spec.
Do the proper diagnostics discussed in a reputable repair manual and verify the failure and data, then repair the FAILURE rather than the symptom.
If you are unfamiliar with the strategies used in electronic engine control, it will be best and less expensive to take the car to a reputable repair facility or the dealer for diagnosis and subsequent repair.

Charging time for car batteries on a 1.5AMP charger?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Depends on how discharged it is.
If you leave it overnight, (> 10 hours) the likelihood of a decent charge is pretty good.
If it charges in less time, the charger isn't big enough to cause harm, and MOST chargers are automatic trickle.

Should I replace a fuse box in my '91 Corolla?

I'm tossing out a lot of words because I know very little. Don't feel obligated to answer all of the question- throw in your two cents where you can. Here we go:

The plastic fuse casing around the blue 100a fuse, in my '91 Corolla is partially melted. Part of the plastic wall between the 100a fuse and the adjacent fuse is melted. Although it looks like I could still physically insert a new fuse, I don't know if I should.

1. Do I need a new fuse box?

2. If I need a new fuse box- Is it purchased as a stand-alone part, or are there other car parts connected to the fuse box that must also be replaced?

3. How much does it cost to replace a fuse-box (and accompanying parts)?

4. How difficult is it to replace the fuse box (and accompanying parts if needed? Can I do it or is it best left to a mechanic?

Additional Details

3 weeks ago
After looking in the manual I'm pretty sure that this is the 'ALT 100 A: Charging System' fuse.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

1) Maybe. It really requires an informed inspection. Sometimes a bit of heat is a one-time thing and if no real damage to the conductors and insulation has occurred, "don't fix what ain't broke".
2) It will not come as a stand-alone item. There will either be a harness attached, or a repair kit with connectors to repair the damage that will occur when the old box is cut out.
3) The new auto parts alone will be somewhere between $50.00 and $150.00. No labor. labor is based on the length of time required to replace and test the repair. (The old adage "Time is money". Well most shops charge from $75.00 to $125.00 per hour.
4) Based on the question, I think I would recommend that you refer to a REPUTABLE repair facility for both inspection and advise to these questions, and for the repair.

Spark plug?

I've snapped a spark plug,ive drilled it out but do you know where i can purchase spark plug thread inserts,or is there a nother way.

Best Answer - Chosen By Voters

Check with the local QUALITY parts store. The discount boys may have it too, but the others (e.g. Auto Parts Place) cater to the professional shops and there may be a better chance of finding what you need there.

NOTE---->
Chances are that the plug seized due to the last person who tuned it up didn't apply any anti-seize to the plug.
The plug is steel, and the threads are FORMED, not cut, therefore the threads do not actually conform to the profile of those that are CUT in the head with a tap.
In addition, chances are that the head is aluminum rather than steel. This causes the plug and the head to expand and contract at different rates.
The anti-seize is a very good remedy for this issue, and will save your having to do this job again.

Aspirator hose on 90 Ford F150 4X4?

My son's truck is running rough and a guy told him it's the aspirator hose on the intake manifold. We've never heard of one, what exactly are we looking for? Or was the guy wrong?

Additional Details

3 weeks ago
He checked all the hoses. They seem to be fine. He's replaced the distributor cap, plugs and wires and it still has a miss. And it is really hard on gas. He has a 306.

Best Answer - Chosen By Voters

Probably NOT wrong, but you never know.
The hose you are looking fore is the hose from the air cleaner assembly to the intake. It is about 3-1/2" in diameter. If there is a MAF sensor instead of a MAP sensor, your friend is most likely correct. You can perform EMERGENCY repair with Duct Tape. Locate the crack or break in the tube and cover it securely, and make certain that there are no air leaks at either end.
If the pick up has a MAP sensor, then there is another issue at hand.
Go here------>

http://autorepair.about.com/library/ts/o...

...and scroll down below the chart for a discussion of the procedure for retrieving the trouble codes. Disregard the requirement for a meter. It isn't necessary. Sit in the driver's seat and watch the "Check Engine" light. It will flash out the codes similar to Morse code. Don't space off. You have to pay attention. If you lose count, or if you aren't sure you got it all, simply turn the key off for > 20 seconds and start over again.
If you have disconnected the battery, there is a good chance that there won't be any codes stored until it is driven again and the fault is recognized.

Air suspension air compressor????

are there any fuses in the engine compartment for the air compressor for the air suspension? if yes what fuses and what do they do for the compressor?? I have a Lincoln continental 1992

Best Answer - Chosen By Voters

The protection devise here is a circuit breaker, and it is in the power center box under the hood.
Sometimes they have been replaced by a fuse. It should be marked.
if you replace it and find that the compressor still doesn't work, the compressor has failed and will require replacement.
Go here------>

http://www.suspension-alternatives.com/?...

...for a replacement at substantial savings over Ford auto parts and accessories.
Also consider the alternatives offered here. Conversion kits to remove the need for the compressor.
This depends on your level of mechanical ability.

How to cure a sticky throttle in a 2000 Mazda MVP ???

We own a 2000 MVP, and the throttle is sticky when taking off from a stop, making it lurch because you have to press the pedal so hard... It only does it when taking off, throttle is fine when at road speed... I thought it may be a dry throttle cable, but I disconnected it and manually operated the butterfly, and the problem seems to be with the injection butterfly its self... I believe all it really needs is lubrication at the pivot points, but am wary to spray WD into the intake, there are what appear to be sensors close by, and do not want to foul them with lube... Is this a typical problem with this model ??? Is there a service bulletin that addresses this particular problem ??? I would appreciate any advice!!!!!

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Inspect the throttle body and plate closely for signs of deposits. Coking is notorious for this sort of thing.
If you see none, go here------>

http://www.infotraxx.com/?a_aid=15&a_bid...

with the year, make, model, VIN, engine etc. of the vehicle and perform a search related to your issue.

Does anyone know why my ABS light is on? Own a 2001 Infiniti Qx4.?

This light came on IMMEDIATELY after I had a custom stereo installed. Of course, the stereo guy said the ABS light has nothing to do with what he did. However, I have to go back because one of the speakers is already not working, so who knows.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Stereo installers are INFAMOUS for connecting to wires that they shouldn't have.
That said, and considering that it occurred IMMEDIATELY after the installation, it causes pause.
The computer runs a self-test of ALL sensors and components every time it is started, and at periodic intervals as you drive. The computer has run a self-test and found that there is a circuit that measurements are out of range.
The light is an indication that the ABS has been disabled, though the BRAKES themselves are unaffected.
When you get the speaker repaired, insist that they check the installation for errors.
If none are found, go to a reputable repair shop, or better the dealer, and ask for diagnostics for the indicator light.
If the cause is found to be in the stereo installation, give the installer one last chance to rectify his error and make a legitimate repair.
If he fails to do so, have someone else do it, and then send him the bill for the cost of repair.

Its a 89 chev corsica head was cracked got a new refurbished head?

now rods have WAY to much play worried that it is wrong head, 2.0 engine, not one of the rods is snug all have alot of play should i buy new rods, tnxs for the help totally lost tnxs all

Don't know where you got the head, but you sound like you are over yours in this repair.

STOP!! Breathe. Do it again.

NOW— wash up, go to the local coffee hole (or tea or whatever) and refresh. Go to the library and do a little research.
This little exercise you are engaged in is more than merely removing auto parts and replacing them ("righty-tighty — lefty-loosy").
This one of the reasons we get the "BIG BUCKS". We know some things, and we know when to stop digging the hole, and do a little investigation, including reading.
Save yourself a lot more grief and read the process several times. Read it, and make notes to yourself about it. Then describe it to yourself in your head until you are thoroughly familiar with the process.
THEN,write down the pertinent specs.
NOW go back to the car, and describe the process all over again to yourself.
After this little exercise, that WILL consume a bit of time, but in the end save a lot more not to mention perhaps some money, proceed with assembly and adjustments.
Take the pressure off of yourself. You will get more done and have to re-do less of it!

Whats the ignition timing for a 1992 silverado truck with a 5.7, 350 engine?

Additional Details

3 weeks ago
The numbers are missing on the sticker under the hood and I was hopefully that someone with the same or close year could look under the hood at theirs or maybe somebody knows the specs. thanks

Best Answer - Chosen By Voters

0° with the timing connector disconnected. Read the information on the VECI label for the procedure.
If you try to adjust the timing without disconnecting the connector, you may be as much as 20° off.

*all answers are exclusively Russ Hess' and are used with permission.

Another Fan Article on Diesel

One of the most reliable internal combustion engines around is the diesel engine. In this article I'm going to discuss the properties of the diesel and gas engines, and compare them to each other.

A thing that separates the diesel from the gas engine is that gas engines adds the fuel vapor to the air in the intake manifold either through a carburetor or through fuel injection nozzles. In an internal combustion engine like a diesel engine, this rapid combustion, and built-up of hot gas pressure is used to push a piston away from the enclosed combustion space. Daimler Chrysler recently introduced a Jeep Liberty with an optionally equipped diesel engine and this compact SUV is selling well with the optional engine.

However, experts have been wondering if this could all be because of the new kind of fuel that has arrived in the market – the Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel, or ULSD for short. Honda already makes trucks with diesel engines, but as of yet have not built cars for the United States, which use diesel fuel. Some vehicles, usually heavier vans or trucks that normally run on diesel, but also cars such as the Volvo (V70 Bi-Fuel), can run on CNG (Compressed Natural Gas), which again results in lower CO2 emissions than standard petrol cars, but the fuel is not as efficient as diesel.

The cost of running alternative vehicles such as LPG cars is dramatically less than standard petrol and diesel vehicles and does not require higher maintenance levels. The diesel vehicles of today are no longer solely utilitarian vehicles and if you look around you will find models that are luxury cars and that offer features such as leather seats and the works. Certification from an online Diesel Mechanic School will prepare you for an exciting and high-paying career repairing heavy equipment vehicles, diesel truck engines, and buses.

If you enjoy working with your hands and repairing vehicles, fixing and tinkling with auto parts and different car parts, a career in Diesel Mechanics may be just right for you. Various manufacturers are developing prototype cars powered by hydrogen fuel cells however they still demand much research and development to be commercially viable in vehicles and it will be a number of years before they are widely available, together with the fuel, in the UK. There are still many problems, which are not been addressed properly during this switch over to growing our own fuel however there are some of the brightest minds in America working on the situation and problem right as we speak.

Under EPA's proposal, refiners must reduce the sulfur in diesel fuel by 97 percent over the next six years, and this cleaner fuel must contain no more than 15 parts per million (ppm) of sulfur. Due to the lowered per mile fuel consumption of the diesel engine it can be seen that the diesel engine releases less carbon dioxide than the gasoline engine. It is seen too that the vehicle that is installed with a diesel engine will retain more value than the gasoline engine.

Both blended and neat fuels in a diesel engine will respond to the use of cold flow improvement additives such as regular anti-freeze and kerosene. Mainly, this actually has coincided with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) regulations that after June 1st of this year, all diesel fuel additives should have to include label information that informs the market if such fuel additives has been accepted to be good if added to 2007 model year diesel engines.

What's Up With Diesel

For those of you who don’t have a clue about what diesel performance is, the answer is very simple: Diesel performance refers to the increased power and performance that diesel-powered vehicles deliver nowadays. Diesel performance modules allow you to increase the horsepower and the torque of your diesel engine without having to reprogram the vehicles computer chip. If you are looking for information on increasing the horsepower, torque and fuel mileage on your diesel pickup or medium duty truck, please take a moment to read this article.

There are three ways that diesel performance chips are able to create and increase the power and improve fuel economy. The first way that I will discuss that the diesel performance chips are able to increase power and economy is through duration. The third way that diesel performance chips increase power and economy is through pressure.

Okay, maybe that’s a little overboard for most people (not enough for some J), but Diesel Performance Chips are a quick, inexpensive and easy way to increase power and driveability and even get better fuel mileage. Most people believe all you need to do is plug in additional auto parts like a diesel computer tuner and that’s it. One of the strongest points in the argument for Diesel Performance is the fact that you can add engine mods to a diesel engine and it won’t harm the engine or make it burn hotter to the extent of damaging the engine permanently.

As the diesel engine has evolved over the years performance auto parts and car parts like turbo chargers have been added to increase power as well as efficiency, this has made way for huge increases in horsepower both stock as well as with the addition of after market products. Also known as Diesel Performance chips, Diesel programmers do all the things above. Pyrometers are included in diesel performance gauges in order to measure the temperature of the exhaust.

You may also me interested in other gauges that can determine whether or not your diesel engine is running at peak performance. How do you add power to diesels? Diesel engines throttle on fuel, which is unlike gasoline engines that throttle on air. Compared to gasoline injectors, the diesel fuel injectors operate at a higher pressure so they are required to meet higher quality standards.

Nitrous oxide provides two important benefits when injected into the intake system of a diesel engine. An over fueled diesel engine will produce an unacceptable level of black smoke. If you feel that you need the most out of your vehicle then you should install one of those chips in order to unleash the full power of your engine.

Upgrading your Volvo car need not be a problem if you know where to get the best replacement auto parts, whether you are looking for new and high quality Volvo Parts for Volvo C70, Volvo Parts for Volvo 740, Volvo 940 parts, Volvo S70 parts, Volvo S90 parts, Volvo 960 parts and others. For turbo charged engines, a turbo boost gauge will let you know if your engine is operating within the acceptable bounds. In the past there never really was a question as to which “species” was more dominant when it came to performance.

Turbodiesels are the performance option for trucks. The job that the screwdriver used to do is now replaced by a performance chip. For the most part, yes.

With the recent advancements in vehicle auto parts electronics, the power of engines can be tweaked more easily and safely. With advancements in vehicle electronics it has never been easier and safer to increase power.

Going Hybrid

Many Hybrid Cars have double auto parts systems; a gasoline motor and battery system. Hybrid cars have been getting a lot of buzz the last three or four years, and now with the soaring cost of oil and gasoline, hybrids are expected to get hotter than ever. Toyota hybrid cars are the best selling hybrids in the U.

Usually, hybrid cars are built using very lightweight materials in order to reduce the load on the hybrid car when traveling. With all these advantages in Hybrid cars, and with the rate at which car companies are going in order to develop and innovate on current hybrid car models, it won’t be surprising to find the modern household owning at least one hybrid car in the next ten years. There is an aggressive training program in place at one of Americas largest car manufacturing companies that is preparing their technicians to repair the growing styles and variations of hybrid cars that are emerging onto the automobile market. This will also require them to be familiar with the new set of auto parts and car parts that are exclusive to these line of models.

There has been a lot of growth in hybrid car engineering but the dream of Hybrid Cars converting the automobile industry has not been accomplished yet. While both the electric and hybrid cars are environmentally friendly and economical, the hybrid is a lot better than the purely electric car. While it may seem that the use of electric hybrid cars could really clean up the environment, there are a few things that people need to be aware of.

In a nutshell, the advantages of hybrid cars may be summed up in three reasons: economy, efficiency, and sustainability. Just how much of a difference will consumers see with the Honda Insight hybrid cars? With the continual rise in the cost of gasoline, most consumers welcome the new breed of cars in the form of hybrid cars.

With a mindset of grasping and expanding the propulsion features that are somewhat limited in today's hybrid car designs, there are retro styling efforts that are focusing on providing hybrid cars with optional V8 engine capacities. Since the Honda Insight was first introduced in 2000, Honda's sales of hybrid cars have increased by more than 2,000%. And there's little to no doubt Toyota hybrid cars will lead the way.

It's easy to see that Toyota hybrid cars are the best sellers. Well, the basic reason is because hybrid cars don’t use as much gas as the normal cars we see on the road. All hybrid cars normally shut the gasoline engine off during road signals so as to conserve fuel reserve.

Whatever your priorities, fuel economy is not the only factor to consider when looking at hybrid cars vs gas cars. These include, being environment friendly, increasing support for auto parts for these type of cars and equal if not better performance. Although not solar powered, Hybrid cars are built to limit pollution through low fuel emissions. With the increasing cost of fuel and the environmental concerns regarding harmful emissions of toxic gases into our atmosphere, automobile companies are forced to developed radically different types of cars.

With a constant rise in fuel costs and the environmental concerns regarding automobiles, vehicle engineers have had to develop more economical and environmentally safer alternatives to the internal combustion engine that powers most cars. If you want to know about the latest hybrid cars on the market today, you can start by browsing the Internet so you will have a better idea about hybrids and the most popular hybrids cars available today. Studies have shown that hybrid cars featuring a manual transmission will get approximately 60 miles per gallon in the city and 66 miles per gallon on the highway.

The brand new 2006 Honda Civic hybrid cars are only manufactured with an automatic transmission and provide an approximate 50 miles per gallon on the highway and/or the city. Some people think that hybrid cars are the cars of the future. Honda’s Insight retails for $20,380 which is the cheapest price of all three hybrid cars but not by much.

In buying new hybrid cars, you have to consider the price, size of the vehicle, performance, interior and safety features, gas mileage, and the styling. While this is a very simplistic overview of a very complex system, it does give you a basic understanding of the inner workings of the hybrid cars of today, and will hopefully be of assistance as you continue your quest of buying a hybrid car. Whether hybrid cars will be the future of the car industry, one cannot say for sure.

With the recent trend to offer sports cars from the hybrid camps and the newly unveiled Tesla concept car being built by 2007 all fears that sports cars were headed the way of the designer are disappearing. For younger generation, the hybrid cars are something trendy. The Federal government is still offering tax breaks to buyers of hybrid cars through 2006.

There is a wide choice of hybrid cars available to fit everybody’s style and need.