Monthly Archives: February 2009

Auto News

Honda to unveil hybrid car in april’09

February 9, 2009 – 3:32 am
hondahybrid
Aiming squarely at the market-leading toyota Prius, Honda Motor Co. will introduce a new hybrid gas-electric until April of 2009. Honda already has more fuel-efficient lineup in the U.S.. “We’re targeting sales of 100,000 units of this new vehicle in North America,” said Richard Colliver, Executive Vice President American Honda Motor Co. in a speech at the Center for Automotive Research Management Briefing Seminars.

Honda’s new dedicated hybrid model will be priced lower than Prius, offering superior performance in the hope of cutting the market share of the popular hybrid toyota. He also will be priced lower than gas-electric hybrid version of the Civic. Smaller than the Honda Civic, the new five-door car will feature a hybrid powertrain. Colliver further added that Honda wants to make affordable hybrid to a new generation of buyers and is not specifically trying to match Prius sales.

 

Automaker’s has not released fuel economy figures for the new hybrid. He will sell the new Prius competitor in the U.S., Japan and Europe. A new version of the hybrid Honda Fit has also been reported.

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Q & A

Q & A – How To Change Brake Fluid?

February 6, 2009 – 12:14 pm

autoparts brake fluid

 

Question

According to the owner’s manual, that brake fluid should be changed every 20,000 miles or less. It can be done at home or do I have to take a workshop?

  

Answer

Your vehicle brake fluid should be changed on a regular basis. Each year, it is not necessary, but the fluid should be changed at least every two years. Although the brake fluid in it never goes wrong, it is hydroscopic, which means that it tends to absorb moisture – something that supposed to do anyway. But there is not much moisture in the fluid less effective. The heat generated by the normal, and above all, hard braking causes the moisture in the liquid boils and causes brake fade. Worse, the brake fluid that is contaminated with moisture and dirt (if it comes to moisture, dirt will get in the system) can have a detrimental effect on the braking systems used by anti brakes -blockade. The contaminants can ruin the delicate innards of these systems, which are very expensive to repair.

  

Unable to stop moisture from entering the brake system because the ventilation system. The brake hoses are also used rubber permeable. Each time you open the master cylinder to check or add fluid absorbs moisture. Because pollution is a very, very slow, is not something to worry about, but washing your brake system is good to add to your list of maintenance of the car.

  
Will have some hose to fit on the brake bleed valve (preferably light), a container to catch the liquid, a purge valve for brakes, and a can of brake cleaner spray. You also need one or two containers of brake fluid again. Brake fluid DOT 3 is classified as a (minimum boiling point of 400-degrees), DOT 4 (450-degrees), and DOT 5 or 5.1 (500 degrees). Almost all cars use DOT 3 or 4: DOT does not use the 5.1 or 5 silicone brake fluids. Which are not compatible with the fluids regularly and have several disadvantages that make them unsuitable for use on the street (some racing use).

  

Clean the master cylinder by spraying with brake cleaner. This eliminates the possibility of dirt entering the system. Open the cylinder and remove the old fluid (a turkey Baster works well here). Fill the bottle with the new fluid.

  

Next take the car up so you can have access to each brake. Slightly loosen the bleed valve. Always use a pipe wrench – Regular keys not work. If you can not loosen the valve, try some penetrating oil for heating, or even increase it. A propane torch works here (a lighter, but will do so in a pinch). Hopefully, that will be enough. If you manage to snap the bleed screw out, you’re in a bit of trouble.

  
Most cars today have a diagonal-split system and you must work with each diagonal (eg, the front wheel left and right rear wheel can be operated from one of the reservoirs in the master cylinder and the right front and rear left of the other. Some vehicles have a front and rear split). If you do not know, just start with a wheel and then another.
You will need a helper to do this successfully, although there is a person available kits brake bleeding. The way that I have is the assistant to the press on the brake pedal to my call. To avoid bottoming-pedal completely, place a small piece of wood behind the brake pedal. When the assistant presses on the pedal as far as it can go, he’s loud “Down.” As the pedal is pushed down to open the brake bleed valve so that the old fluid in the container. When the wizard asks that the pedal does not respond immediately to close the valve.

  

  

Repeat the process until the liquid is clear is that (you will need to fill the master cylinder several times). Then go to the next wheel and repeat the process.

  
Cars with anti-lock brakes may require slightly different in the rear brakes. Because the system is pressurized, turn to his assistant in the car, press the brake pedal, turn off the ignition and then just rest your foot on the pedal. Open the drain valve and let the liquid flow for about ten seconds or less. Close the valve and add some more fluid in the master cylinder.

  

  

In some systems, the assistant may have to continue pressing the pedal to the liquid of age.

  
After finished, have your assistant step on the brakes two or three dozen times to drain the reservoir of high pressure in the ABS systems. This will increase the liquid level in the brake master cylinder. When it stops growing, you’re done. To get rid of the brake warning lamp is going to be at this time, the passage of the brakes hard.

  

  

You do not need to do this every time your vehicle has a brake job, but every third time is a good idea (if you keep the vehicle longer).

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Toyota Camry 2009

2009 Toyota Camry Review

February 4, 2009 – 1:13 pm

auto parts toyota-camry

 

The Toyota Camry is a mid-size car, formerly a compact car manufactured by Toyota since 1980. The name “Camry” comes from a phonetic transcription of the Japanese word kanmuri, which means “crown”, a tradition started with the Toyota Crown in the 1950s, and continued with the Corolla and Corona, which are also latin words for “crown”.

 

For the East and Southeast Asian markets, high specification Camry models are seen as executive cars. Since the sixth generation SXV30 model, the Camrys sold in these markets have sported revised front- and rear-end treatment. For the seventh generation SXV40 series, the same was done, although the Australian-designed Toyota Aurion which is based on the seventh generation Camry was the donor model. The Aurion features revised front- and rear-end treatment and changes to the interior, but is fitted with the same powertrains. An up-branded luxury version of the Camry was sold in Japan as the Toyota Windom until 2006; the related Lexus ES shares major chassis and drivetrain components with the Camry.

 

In the United States, the Camry has been the best selling car for nine of the last ten years starting in 1997, with the only exception being 2001. The Camry also sells very well in Australia, Canada, and a number of Asian markets—in particular Cambodia where the vast majority of cars are Camrys. Despite its success, it has often been criticized for its bland design and lack of sportiness compared to its rivals. It has not sold as well in Europe and its homemarket Japan; as its design is ill-suited for European and Japanese tastes.

 

The seventh-generation Toyota Camry is the first generation in which the Camry has been available as a gasoline/electric hybrid. The Camry Hybrid utilizes Toyota’s second generation Hybrid Synergy Drive and contains a 4-cylinder engine with 147 hp (110 kW) in conjunction with a 40 hp (30 kW) electric motor for a combined output of 187 hp (139 kW). The Camry is currently the third Toyota model to be offered as a hybrid, the others being the Toyota Prius and the Toyota Highlander.

 

Camry Hybrids were initially built solely in Japan, though the majority of production has since shifted to Toyota’s Georgetown, Kentucky plant, which is projected to produce 45,000 of the vehicles per year. In June 2008, Toyota Motor Corporation has announced that the Camry Hybrid will also be built in a Thailand plant in 2009 and in Melbourne in 2010 with an annual production capacity of 9,000 and 10,000 respectively.

 

EPA fuel economy estimates for the 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid are 40 mpg (US) (5.9 L/100 km/48 mpg imp) (City) and 38 mpg (US) (6.2 L/100 km/46 mpg imp) (Highway).[21] EPA’s revised method of estimating fuel economy for 2008 and subsequent model years, which now considers the effects of air conditioning, rapid acceleration and cold temperatures, estimates 33 mpg (US) (7.1 L/100 km/40 mpg imp) (City) and 34 mpg (US) (6.9 L/100 km/41 mpg imp) (Highway).

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BMW Auto Parts

Cheap BMW Auto Parts

February 3, 2009 – 2:03 pm

bmw

 

If you are looking for parts for your BMW M3, X5 or Z4, you want the best. Whether you are needing to replace the brakes, hoses, lights or even the tell tale emblem you need to know where to look for factory direct parts at affordable prices.

 

1- The best place to find any type of part for your BMW is, of course through a BMW dealer. They will either have the parts needed in stock or be able to order them for you with short delivery times. They will be more expensive than other outlets, but you will know that the parts they are selling you are genuine BMW auto parts, not something that is generic.

 

2- If you choose to purchase your BMW parts via a dealership, be sure to take advantage of the knowledge they can provide. The mechanics at a dealership can be the best people to ask basic questions of. They will be able to give you insight as to what your vehicle actually needs and may even tell you how to go about replacing it.

 

3- If paying dealership prices is not what you had in mind, the next best place to look for BMW parts is online. There is a vast array of online stores, which specialize in genuine, generic, new and used parts for your BMW. The prices are usually less than purchasing through a dealer, however, keep in mind that these stores may lack in knowledgeable sales staff.

 

4- While you are surfing the web for the best prices on the parts you need, whether they be side mirrors or tail light covers, you might also be wise to look up the “how-to guides” that tell you how to install them. There is a lot of information on the web in regards to BMW and BMW auto parts, their uses and their replacement.

 

5- As long as you are looking for parts for your BMW, you may want to check out the selection of accessories that are also available. These include items such as shift knob replacements and custom door handle parts, to name a few. The best way to begin a search for accessories is online or through catalogues.

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