Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Mr Toyoda Goes To Washington


Well, that didnt take long. Literally hours after being formally invited to testify before Congress about Toyotas gas pedal recall, company president Akio Toyoda said hell be there.
In a very brief statement released Friday morning, Japan time, Toyoda said he "looks forward to speaking directly with Congress and the American people."

Full press release (remember, we said "brief") here.
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Monday, June 10, 2013

Podiums with his own hands in 2108

Many people know how to make the podium for the "textile" technology. If we judge by the information that comes in late, in the manufacture of professional and amateur designs the technology pushed more labor-intensive and sophisticated technology. In applying these technologies is used polyurethane foam. And yet, this technology early to write off because it can easily make podiums without special fitting. You can make perfect in its form podiums. This can be seen on the example of making the podium, designed for the WHA 2108. To begin, we take 2 rings, the height and diameter should be slightly more tweeters. This is to ensure that it is possible to install them flush. Then we take: epoxy, sewer PVC pipes (50 mm), a piece of knitted material, hot melt glue, sandpaper and filler having a composition of glass. Also need vinyl or antigravy with paint Eska 5104, which can be used as a decorative material. First we need to clean off coating from the surface of the rack. To do this, use the medium grit sandpaper. Pre-defined ring binds in the appropriate places melting. The resulting product should obtyanut piece of knitted material. Then sew the edge and gently span fabric. Now it is necessary to dissolve the epoxy. At first glance this procedure seems to be very simple. But in reality it is not. If Nedolya hardener, then freezing will last very long, and if it is poured - the resin will be very fragile. Do not rush to apply resin to the surface. First drip it onto paper, nagreem tile or a soldering iron. If you lit it properly, gum boil. When the resin has cooled, it could easily be broken. If not, add a little more hardener. Saturate fabric with epoxy resin. Do not forget to leave a site in the center of the circle without impregnation. It is necessary to avoid bloating. Typically, about 30 grams of resin impregnation Half will go to. You can add a bit of aluminum powder, which is also used as a hardener. This will help identify possible defects on the surface and contributes to better handling. Once the resin hardens, processed drips from her soldering iron and sandpaper. Then cleaned out our product. At the same time try not to get to the tissues. We cut a hole for the speaker, and caused filler. Putty should be applied fairly thinly. Then we clean the sandpaper. Decorative finish is as follows: pre-degreased surface, applied several coats antigraviya. As a result, we obtain a surface that looks like shagreen. Treat the surface composition Kerru KR-970, after which the surface is similar to plastic, which is used to facing. Dyeing, the podium after starting to dry completely antigraviya. For this we use the paint Eska 5104. Paint color is "graphite" and "black". It is designed for painting plastic. The only drawback - the lack of aerosol packaging. If you do not spray, use the Dupli-Color cartridges or VHT. They are painting a dark gray color, suitable for painting vinyl and plastic. After staining the dried product and make the necessary hole for the wires.

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Saturday, June 8, 2013

UPDATE Make That 41 000 For A Single Volt


But that includes delivery charges.

(Cue crickets)

Chevy says it can make the argument that unlike the purely electric Nissan Leaf, which starts below $33,000 before tax credits, the plug-in hybrid Volt is a "real" car. And GMs working some math magic to make lease payments competitive with the Leaf despite the sticker spread.

Full details from The Detroit News.

And full credit to Edward Neidemeyer over at The Truth About Cars , who got past the price tag, hauled out the spec sheet and found the Volts range extender (what you and I might quaintly call a "gasoline engine") requires.....

Premium fuel.
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Thursday, June 6, 2013

Alfa Comes Back To The USA


Alfistis rejoice! After a decades-long absence, Alfa Romeo is coming back to America, thanks to the Fiat/Chrysler deal.

The product hits showrooms in 2012 and theres a lot of platform sharing with Chrysler.

Full details from Automotive News (free registration required).
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Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Changing the timing belt car Toyota 1G

The reasons for the timing belt wear (RM) may be different, but the two main - the age of the vehicle and the quantity of run. The more mileage, the more reasons to replace the timing belt. Series engines 1G Toyota cars are good because when you open the hood all the units of this engine are viewed very well, which greatly facilitates the work and it takes a little work time. Before replacing the timing belt wait for the engine to cool down, because the engine heat will not be able to achieve the desired belt tension. In the early work necessary to remove the air filter, resonator and tube cooling system. Then be sure to disconnect the battery, remove the hose leading to the radiator, the rim of the fan, V-shaped straps, disconnect which requires special care, and the actual radiator fan. Candles are not necessarily to shoot, but experts recommend to do this is to avoid high compression engine at the first scroll down after installing a new belt. Before removing the shrouds that cover the timing belt, you need to remove the crankshaft pulley, for this purpose need a special puller to remove the pulley. Keyway crankshaft at the same time must coincide with the keyway pulley. Sam crankshaft to rotate clockwise. Crankshaft can be rotated only when wearing a belt to avoid being struck on the valve piston. Please note that on the back of each gear has a label, which coincides with the tide on the motor housing. It is here that need to start shooting belt, loosening the guide and tension rollers. Do not forget to check whether the timing belt on oil, if the belt is dirty, you need to figure out where the leak. Once you have removed the belt, guide and tensioner need to set in place. In this case, a guide roller fastens you completely, but the tension - a little, but so that he hung around. You are now ready to tension the new belt. New timing belt put on in the following sequence: first, to the crankshaft, then the oil pump, guide rollers, pulleys camshaft, and only then on the tension wheel. In this movie needs a little weakened, he will shift to the right by a spring and a belt natyanetsya. Specifically draw roller is not needed. Once the timing belt to tighten, the crankshaft 2 - 3 times strictly in a clockwise direction. It should be done cautiously, slowly. Cranking the crankshaft counterclockwise will cause that the timing belt natyanetsya wrong that can lead to inoperable motor. After that, carefully check the labels on the gears. If the tags are identical with the tides on the body of the engine, turn the crank a few more times. Otherwise will have to start pulling the timing belt again. Once you've verified that the belt is tensioned correctly and all tags are identical, you can start the engine. Without those parts that you removed from the start, the engine can operate safely for about three minutes. Before you start the engine, make sure the transmission is in neutral. If the engine fails to start, as usual, this means that the timing belt tensioned correctly, and can be set in place all removed at the beginning of the parts in reverse order.

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Sunday, June 2, 2013

Stickers still Beautiful Car Paint More Durable

Car Paint
Install the sticker on the car body is generally intended to add a pattern or color accent on the original car color of innocence. It could also be for purposes of branding for a particular company. As the car paint, stickers already installed on the car were also requires maintenance and cleaning. The goal of that sticker still seems interesting that the overall appearance of the car was still beautiful. There are a few suggestions that could be considered before and after installing bumper sticker.
Before installing the decal, first check the quality of paint. Original paint that still will not be disturbed if fitted sticker. But that does not paint a full body re likely to be peeled off if the sticker is removed. If repainted but only in-SPET in part, would be peeled off. Most car owners do not understand this and tend to blame the mounting stickers.

High-quality adhesive stickers will not damage car paint if exfoliated. One nice feature is the sticker glue is odorless. Available colors are also brighter and stronger, just like the color of car paint. Good quality can last up to 5 years. But a year is cheap wrote faded or peeling.

Car paint now that most contain elements of metallic colors require more rigorous treatment if fitted sticker. Installation of a sticker that simply stipping or certain motifs are advised not done for long periods of time. The reason is, this will make the paint become discolored if the sticker is removed. If not cleaned often and frequently bronzed, the use of stickers may still survive 1-2 years. But if rarely cleaned and are often hot, the paint was not covered stickers will be more dull than the paint that covered the sticker. This does not happen if the sticker attached nge-block the entire body. Even more durable paint.

The sticker is mounted on the car, attempted not exposed to drugs whose shape cream cleanser. Drug-shaped cream is left on the pore surface of the sticker, not as fluid is more easily cleaned with water. This will make the colors more stickers fade and not shiny anymore. Because it is porous, the more frequent washing, car stickers will be more shiny.rs
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Why Car Oil Fast Out

Car Oil
Car oil is one important factor for the continuity of the engine. What should we do when oil suddenly run out quickly? At least there are several causes of why we fast car engine oil is depleted or reduced beyond normal circumstances.

First, there was a leak in the seals and packing on the sidelines of the machine. So that the leak was made ​​dropwise oil wasted during engine combustion process takes place. Another indication, if our car exhaust white smoke when the car is running. It could be because the oil that burned in the combustion process, caused by leakage at the piston ring.

The fix, if its because of leaks in the seals and packing, will inevitably have to dismantle the machine, to check and replace a new seals and packing if indeed the source of oil leaks from there. Then, compression can also check the car, with the cylinder head to disassemble it. Check whether the condition of the piston ring is qualified or not to hold the oil does not burn chamber infiltrates.

The most common means there are two causes why the oil run out quickly, could be due to a leak or because the oil was also burned in the combustion process because the ring Seker was no longer able to hold oil.
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The Consumer Reports Kiss Of Death


The Lexus GX 460 is only the twelfth "dont buy" warning Consumer Reports has ever issued. What were the others? Well, lets just say its not company you want to keep. From Automobile.
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TireKicker Time Machine 1966 VW Type II Transporter


Some vehicles just produce an involuntary smile whenever I see them...the VW Type II Transporter (or Bus) is pretty close to the top of that list.



Sure, they were noisy and slow (and one stranded me and a group of other 12 year olds on a 100-degree afternoon for several hours)...but finding one in either unmolested or reasonably restored condition is a real treat.



Truth is, you dont see many of these as anything other than basket cases or hippie van re-creations (and occasionally both)...so something that looks like its still 1966 is a wonderful thing.



The tip-off that its a 66?  There are only two clues. Can you spot them? Hit "comments" if you think you know.


Needing a few spares for your camper or beetle? Access a wide range of VW parts online at www.worldcarparts.co.uk
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Saturday, June 1, 2013

Polished glass headlights with their own hands

Over time, glass lamps are becoming less transparent. This is due to the buildup of dirt and sand on the lights while driving. Extremely difficult to clean the glass headlights on a dirty film formed under the influence of engine oil, exhaust fumes of other cars. In such a case will help polish headlights that can be done by hand. But there are some subtleties that can not be used to clean the headlights at random chosen agent, or taking that first caught my hands. In doing so, you are risking to scratch lights or make them more cloudy. In addition, polishing glass lights, you must be very careful. The cost of glass lamps may be very high, the process of grinding a complex and time consuming, treating them carelessly, you risk getting cracks. Polishing consists of several stages: by means of grinding remove chips and scratches polish headlights special polishing paste, remove from the surface chipped and scratched. When polishing is applied Grinder, can be sanded and hand. When choosing sandpaper or grinding wheel, pay attention to their grain, as well as the extent of damage to the headlights. Desirable to use a waterproof range, or sandpaper. Lights must be polished extremely abrasive paste, the abrasive powder, which has properties similar to soft finishing cloth. It should be noted that the hand polishing machine is somewhat more complicated, but its results are not worse, although the polishing machine, of course, greatly facilitates the task. Please note that the polishing process involves the installation of a small speed on the polishing machine. It is important that lamp does not overheat! During polishing headlights for the first time, the main thing is not to hurry. There's nothing complicated, most importantly patience. So, for polishing headlights must be purchased abrasive Abralon. The basis of this material is fabric on the foam substrate. Will be needed and finishing polish PlactX. Buy and tape to protect adjacent surfaces. Wash lights, cover with tape-to-bumper all the surrounding areas. Disassemble easily removable parts: turn signals, grille. For the primary polishing headlights recommended Abralon-600. Before you begin, necessarily dampen circles - they earn more effectively, and dirt at the same time stay inside. On the grind grinder it will take about two to three minutes. Then rinse with water and spotlight grind it around with grit 1000 units. Next, use Abralon-2000 and 4000. To carry out grinding at each stage takes no more than three minutes. When you have finished grinding and polishing, you'll see that your headlights will be almost transparent. Wash and wipe lamp, leaving a little moisture on the surface, apply the composition PlactX and finally polish the surface with a soft foam rubber disk. On the whole polishing you spent about 20 minutes. If you're working by hand, time to grind will take a few more. The result is usually visible to the naked eye. In carrying out precise measurements revealed that the correct polishing glass lamps increases their light transmission up to 70-80%!

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In Space Someone Can Watch You Speed


The UK is testing satellites that can monitor speed and snap license plates from orbit.

Swell.

Full story from Londons Daily Telegraph.
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GM To Add Brake Override Systems To All Automatic Transmission Vehicles


General Motors says it wants customers to be confident in its vehicles, so it will make brake override systems standard in all of its vehicles with automatic transmissions by the end of 2012.

Toyota plans to do the same next year, and the government is considering making it mandatory for all vehicles with automatics sold in the U.S.

The idea, of course, is to reduce the risk of unintended acceleration...press on the brake and the power to the engine is reduced. But, when data shows that the majority of those cases are actually drivers standing on the wrong pedal, the effect is likely to be minimal.

Full story from The Detroit News.
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Friday, May 31, 2013

2011 Toyota Sienna LE SE and Limited



All too often, advertising is better than the product.

The advertising is great. I love the whole "Swagger Wagon", "Mommy Like" and "Daddy Like" thing.

The product is better.

Front 3/4 view of 2011 Toyota Sienna

You see, to me, minivan haters have it wrong. At least from a standpoint of timing. 15 years ago, minivans were dreadful. The original Chrysler, Dodge and Plymouth vans were expanding...and not gracefully. GM and Ford didnt have a clue and the Japanese were trying to be unique...and succeeding all too well. That would have been the time to rebel against them.

But now? There are some very, very good minivans out there. And the new Sienna is at the top of the list.

I had three different trim levels of Sienna over the summer. There are five. But the Swagger Wagons on loan to TireKicker were the one-step-up-from-base LE, the next-step SE and the top-of-the-line Limited.

The Limited? Well, lets just say that exposure to it caused one die-hard minivan-hater I know to go into a spasm of "Oh my God"s...and in a good way. Reclining captains chairs with footrests in the second row with which to enjoy the split screen entertainment system will do that to you. And the Limited is decked out very nicely. Its the Lexus of minivans. And ours had the $4,025 LTD Premium package. 

Base price? $39,770. As tested? $45,890.

Yeah...thats a lot for a minivan. But its good enough that if I was looking at family vehicles (SUVs, wagons, minivans) with a max budget of $50,000 (have you priced vehicles that seat seven lately), Id pop for the Sienna Limited in a heartbeat.

But if you listen to your inner CPA, stepping down to the SE is by no means trading riches for rags. Its a wonderfully solid piece, with the same engine and transmission as the Limited, but less weight, resulting in a boost from 16 miles per gallon city, 22 highway to 18/24. And its hard to argue with the savings...base price drops to $30,550 and our tester topped out at $33,518.

However, my favorite (no surprise to regular TireKicker readers) was the second-from-base LE. The 3.5 liter V6 is replaced by a 2.7 liter 4-cylinder which is more than adequate and bumps the EPA numbers up to 19/24. Base price drops down to $25,345 (ours had the LE Preferred Package, adding power sliding doors and drivers seat, backup camera, sunshades, upgraded audio system and Bluetooth) and the as-tested was $29,703.

Well-equipped minivans under $30K are not everyday things. But then, neither is the Sienna. Id happily make the LE my daily driver.
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Nissan Leaf Electric Car Reservations Start Tomorrow


Want the new Nissan Leaf? You need to register like...oh, now. And then stand by for a priority reservation tomorrow. Oh, and have money ($99) ready.

Full details in the Nissan press release.
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Automotive News Toyota Sales Up 40 Deep Discounting May Go Past End Of Month

 


Its a clear case of intended acceleration. Toyota sales are up 40% in the first 10 days of March and Automotive News says the financial incentives believed to be driving the sales may keep rolling beyond the end of the month.

Full story here.
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Thursday, May 30, 2013

Disassembly and reassembly of the front hub on a Toyota car Vista

Disassembly Using a screwdriver, remove the anthers and the inner gland (from the fist) of the knuckle holes. With the forceps for removing circlips remove the retaining ring from the knuckle. With a special puller, remove the hub from the knuckle. Now remove the inner bearing (from the knuckle) of the wheel bearing. With a special puller Pull the inner bearing from the wheel with the wheel hub. Use a screwdriver to remove the outer gland (from the wheel) from the opening the knuckle. Install the inner bearing from the knuckle, and with the help of a brass rod and a hammer knock out the bearing hub. If necessary, replace the hub bearing only in the package. Assembly through the press zapressuyte bearing in the knuckle bore. Install the outer gland (from the wheel). First, a uniformly rotating outer gland, set it to spec. the mounting gaskets, so that the step "groove" seal came into contact with the tab specials. devices. Then, with the help of professional. adaptation set in the gland opening the knuckle. Place the protective cover the front brake on the steering knuckle and tighten its mounting bolts to the knuckle. Zapressuyte wheel hub bearing in the hub (steering knuckle). For this purpose grease seal on the working edge of the universal grease and lay it in the space between the working edge of the gland and stuffing box with one hand and the bearing hub on the other. Then, with the mandrel and press zapressuyte hub into the bearing hub (steering knuckle). With the forceps for removing and installing the retaining rings, set the snap ring into the hole knuckle. Install the inner gland (from the knuckle). First, a uniformly rotating seal, place it in special devices for the installation of seals, so that the step "groove" seal came into contact with a projection of a special device. Then, with the mandrel, set the seal into the opening the knuckle. With the help of professional. fit into the opening set duster knuckle. Hub with swivel is ready to install on the car. If you want to stand out from the traffic, make tuning your car. Qualitative car tuning online magazine tuning studio. All the most useful and important information about tuning in our magazine. If you are fond of tuning, then this magazine is for you.

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6 Million GM Light Duty Trucks Under Fed Investigation Rusty Brakes


The feds say theyve had 110 complaints, 37 confirmed by dealer inspections. Full details from Automotive News (free registration required).
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How do I replace the fuel pump

Replace the fuel pump on the forces of any motorist. In that case, if the car will not start and battery and candles in order to inspect the fuel system. When the petrol does not flow into the filter, you want to check fuel pump. It is located under the rear seat, next to the fuel tank. And if the power is supplied, and the pump is not working, you need to take it off, check and change. Before you begin to lift the fuel pump, fuel tank needed emptying. Need to consider precautionary measures: fuel leak, and its vapors are toxic, avoid contact with skin, fuel, produce work near open flames, pay attention to ventilation, it is desirable to produce work in special clothes. So, unplug the mass of the battery, reduce fuel pressure, then remove the rear seats. Unscrew the lid, which is based on the four bolts. Cloth clear the plug and the place where the wire joins the fuel. Disconnect the plug unit of fuel. Clamps relax and disconnect the fuel hoses (they need to mark the tape). Disconnect the fuel supply unit, gently pull out from the fuel tank. Important: The fuel level sensor - not to damage during extraction. Fuel, which leaked to collect cloth. Disconnect the clamp, which fixes the holder and the pad of rubber disconnect, plug the fuel pump is detachable, the clamps open and pull out the fuel pump. Look around the net, through which fuel enters the pump, but usually without replacing the fuel pump (and filter, respectively) - can not do. Install in reverse order of disassembly. Please note that when installing the pump in the connecting hoses, need not break the connection fitting pump, so the pump must be straight. Anchoring clamp, shifts the plug connection, establishes the mount with rubber grip, install fuel pump in the holder, it is necessary to pull down. At the pump put on the locking clip, the unit fuel with a new gasket set in a fuel tank, anchoring, attach fuel hoses, sticking labels, secured by clamps. Connect a plug, fasten the lid, put in place the rear seats. Before you start the engine, to pressurize fuel.

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Mitsubishi To Triple Electric Car Output Sell i MiEV In U S In 2011


Mitsubishi says it plans to triple its electric car output over the next three years, and will sell the i-MiEV, currently on sale in Japan, here in the U.S. in 2011.

A seven-hour charge is good for up to 100 miles in the i-MiEV, according to Mitsu, but even they admit that its a pricey vehicle...it costs double what a Prius does in Japan...the equivalent of $51,000 in todays American dollars.

Full story from AP and The Detroit News here.
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Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Tips Buy New or Used Car

Used Car
The car was not a luxury anymore. Transportation has been so absolute necessity for most people. Especially for those high mobility with the distance far enough. Mode of mass transport is still much to be reliable if it should be related to timeliness.

If you are planning on buying a car, of preparing a budget is the first thing to do. Large budget in accordance with an estimated price of the car as desired. If the goal simply to transport, buy a second car should be considered to save the budget. From an economic standpoint, buying a used car is actually far more profitable than buying a new car. From the aspect of price, the second car would be cheaper than new cars. Another advantage, it can be high priced. If we buy a new car then someday want to replace with a trade, price is definitely down, at least 10% of prices on the road. If a used car, sold again could even profit.

To buy a used car, there are a few suggestions to consider in order to keep a car whose condition is excellent. First seen of course is the condition of the body must be smooth. After the body is okay, try to power the engine. Experience what no noise or vibration is not normal. If the engine is okay, proceed with a test drive to determine the condition of the legs of the car. The latter just check the validity of the letters of the vehicle.
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