1987 Chevy Turbo Sprint

This past weekend I went to a local car show and saw a weird 80s car that an ex-girlfriend of mine owned. It was a 1987 Chevrolet turbo Sprint. This was her first new car and was one of only two years that you could buy an intercooled three cylinder engine in the 1600 pound car.

In 1987 intercooled turbochargers were brand-new to the car market and General Motors was installing them on the legendary Buick Grand National. Although regular turbochargers had been around and available on older GM cars the intercooled version was new automotive technology to us. It allowed for higher boost pressures and overall better performance due to intercooling.

When she let me drive the car I realized that this roller skate was something special. I wasn’t sure how special until a guy at work said my girlfriend’s car is faster than your girlfriend’s car. To a mechanic in the auto repair business this is a glove slap to the face. So I said oh yeah, how would you like to put your money where your mouth is. He said I’ll meet you at Atco Raceway for the Friday night Street night event and we’ll see whose girlfriend has the faster ride.

Weird 80s car drag races

We met at the track on the next Friday night. It was the weird 80s car drag race of the century (to us anyway). It was my girlfriends stock 1987 Chevrolet turbo Sprint against his girlfriends 83 Toyota Celica that was heavily modified (Weber down drafts and headers). I remember putting on my helmet and getting in the little red turbo Sprint. My head seemed giant with the helmet on and it filled the cabin. Luckily I’m short and my helmet just cleared the headliner.

We pushed the cars up to the line because they ran faster cooled down and skipped the traditional burnout. The front-wheel-drive turbo Sprint had tremendous torque steer and burnouts were not as much fun as you would think. We lined up and the lights fell. I had a good reaction time. My girlfriend’s turbo Sprint whooped his girlfriends Toyota Celica by 2 car lengths.

The three cylinder turbo pulled us down the track with a quarter-mile time of 16.50 at 87 mph. To me this was amazing and as fast as my seventies Dodge muscle car. At the time I had a 74 Dodge charger with a 360 police interceptor that I installed and pulled from a wrecked police car at a local junkyard. The charger (lead sled) never did better than a 16.50 quarter-mile (sad but true).

About the intercooled three cylinder engine

In 1987 I was a dealership mechanic working at a Pontiac dealer. We had some interesting vehicles like the 87 Pontiac Lemans and where recovering from the launch of the Pontiac fiero we did not have anything with a three cylinder intercooled turbo. We did have the turbo sunbird that was an intercooled 1.8 L engine with an aluminum cylinder head. The turbo sunbird was pretty quick and the mechanics nicknamed it the screaming chicken.

3 cylinder engine

When I popped the hood on my girlfriends 1987 turbo Sprint the automobile technology made me laugh because is was all miniature. The motor was so tiny and had a very short valve cover held down with only 4 10mm screws. The air scoop that proudly displayed the word “intercooler” had a fully functional fresh air inlet at the front of the hood. This allowed it to pull in cooler outside air. We didn’t care about fuel economy at the time but this car got around 35 miles per gallon.

I was a strong believer that all engines should have an even number of cylinders so that they can have opposing cylinders (smooth operation). The three cylinder engine did run rough but they were able to compensate for this rough running engine by using a counter balance shaft and extra thick engine mounts to isolate it from the rest of the car.

When you grabbed the steering wheel the engine didn’t feel any rougher than any other car of its time. But if you popped the hood with the engine running you could see it jumping around. Although this may not have been the strangest car of the 80s I believe that the turbo Sprint was at least in the top five of weird 80s cars that were available during the Madonna decade.

What was your favorite weird 80s car? Leave a comment below and please include some details about it. For more of the most recent posts this next link will take you back to the homepage for the auto repair information blog.

Broken power seat switch

Some vehicles are susceptible to broken power seat switches. My neighbor has a late 90s Ford pickup that has had the control switch for the power seats replaced several times. Although he would like to blame his wife I think it is actually a poor design.

The power control master switch sticks way out from the base of the seat. It’s positioned in such a way that when you swing your feet in (depending on the length of your legs and the size of your feet) the Master control is kind of in the way.

Add to this the fact that the automotive parts themselves are made from cheap plastic and they will not survive a collision with a person’s foot. Just below I have included some popular power seat switches. Replacing this part on most models is relatively easy and often only requires a screw driver. Keep in mind Luxury German cars have complex systems that make it much harder to diagnose and repair. In some cases you might want to have the step by step instructions from a factory service manual.

In my neighbor’s situation its just a matter of removing the trim panel that snaps into place and then removing the two Phillips head screws that secure the master power seat switch to the bottom part of the seat frame. This operation makes for a great Diy auto repair and that’s why I decided to provide an article for encouragement.

Vehicle manufacturers are installing powered seat options even on economy cars these days. It’s a nifty little option that can help sell vehicles without increasing manufacturing costs by much. Just a decade ago only the most luxurious vehicles came with this option. For experienced car buyers this option adds value. It can help push the prospect over the edge and make them purchase the automobile.

Memory power seats are better

Although economy cars may be coming with the power seat option more often it is still unusual for them to include a memory function. To me this is a big deal and adds a lot of value to this option. I’m sure we’re all familiar with having our driver’s seat in the perfect position.

Then we take it in for a car wash or oil change and when we get back into the vehicle the seat just doesn’t feel right. Often getting the seat back to the exact position it was in before the repairs can be difficult and take a little while. The feeling we get when we’re driving in this situation is slightly uncomfortable which can get annoying over time.

power seat switch with memory

I have finally purchased a vehicle with a memory power seat option and a simple push of a button returns the seat to the exact position it was in before the car wash took place. The memory seat option allows for automatic positioning of the seats. Sometimes even the passenger side will have memory but most often it’s just the driver’s side. This feature allows different drivers to have different seat positions automatically.

It can also allow one driver to set the seat for several different driving situations. When you’re on a long trip and using the cruise control the tendency is to move the seat further back for increased comfort in the leg area. Often pushing the gas pedal to the floor from this position can be difficult. This is where the multiple memory seat position can be priceless. You can basically have a cruising and a performance driving position.

The latest luxury cars don’t require you to even hit the power seat switches. Some key-less entry systems use the remote key fob that is programmed to move the seat to its memory position every time the unlock button is triggered to open the driver side door. Some of these memory power seat functions even adjust the rear view and side view mirrors at the same time. This provides the ultimate pushbutton setup.

As power seat options evolve it looks like the next wave in luxury seating will be adaptive or active power seat systems. This is where the seat moves automatically with no driver input. Active seating can stimulate the back and surrounding muscles with continuous yet virtually in detectable motion. This type of power seating is designed to prevent driver fatigue. On these type of systems power seat switches are included for a built-in massage function that can also help with fatigue on long trips.

Automotive technology is an amazing ever evolving science. The good thing is, as it continues to evolve the older systems find their way on the least expensive automobiles. For more of the latest articles posted here this next link will take you back to the homepage for the auto repair information blog.

Muffler Tailpipe

Controlling tailpipe emissions is considered important in the United States and growing around the world except for a few tough holdouts. If the U.S. is so serious about regulating automotive emission controls and controlling tailpipe output then how come some states require no testing at all?

Some States have rigorous testing and some only have very basic testing procedures that test tailpipe emissions at idle. These engine idle tests might certify that the vehicle exhaust emissions are within the limits set by the local or federal laws even though they may not under road conditions.

Although most States require a yearly vehicle emission control test it would seem more efficient if all States where doing something. Some states like New Jersey that use to have some of the toughest standards and required a yearly inspection have pulled back to an every other year inspection process.

NJ has also done away with some safety inspections and now the primary focus is on the emissions portion. This is one state that will test the tailpipe output of the vehicle while it is operating under a variety of load conditions and speeds. In the auto repair business we started calling this the dino test.

As in the vehicle is run on a device that is extremely similar to a dynamometer that is used to measure horsepower and torque. Some would consider this an improvement over exhaust testing during idle speeds with no load on the engine. Although impossible for the local repair shop without the equipment to accurately test or guarantee repairs.

I believe California may have the toughest standards with yearly smog inspections the state that I live in requires no inspection and no emissions testing at all. It could also be the reason that I see more very old cars like mavericks and pintos here then I have anywhere else in the country.

Look I understand the economy is bad and that individual States are struggling to meet budgets. I know that additional testing could mean more costs and hiring more workers at the state or federal level. But if we are the United States shouldn’t we have some nationwide consistency?

Development of emissions control devices

PCV Valve

Automobile technology manufacturers have been working in the direction of reducing automotive air pollutants since the 1950′s when car tailpipes were found to be part of choking smog in Los Angeles. California established the first standards for automotive emission output in 1967.

The invention of the PCV system or positive crankcase ventilation system was the first step in bringing crankcase fume venting under control. Prior to that crankcase emission were vented to the valve cover and into the air. The PCV system pulled those toxic fumes back into the engine to be re-burned with the air fuel mixture.

One of the next major automobile technology developments was the creation of an air injection system that would help clean up un-burnt hydrocarbons and reduce carbon monoxide by pumping air into the exhaust system soon after the combustion process was completed.

Another big advancement in automotive emission controls was to the fuel we put in the gas tank. Removing lead from gasoline started in around 1970. Removing lead from gasoline brought a lot of benefits. For one thing it eliminates the emission of lead particles from the automobile’s exhaust which was one of the worst byproducts of combustion at the time.

catalytic converter

The catalytic converter is probably one of the emission controls that we are most familiar with. The catalytic converter provided a means for oxidizing the CO and HC output in the engine exhaust. Beginning in about 1975 passenger cars and light trucks has been equipped with these catalytic converters.

One of the latest developments would be the evaporative emission control system. Although this is far from new as it has been around since the 70s. This is where fumes from the fuel tank are not allowed to escape into the atmosphere. These fumes are collected and added to the intake charge to be burned in the combustion chamber similar to the way crankcase gases where handled in the late 60′s.

The latest version of this automotive emission controls system has caused problems for many motorists. The federal government decided to make this an integrated system that was capable of notifying the driver and state-level inspection agencies if the system was not working properly. The evap system is tested when the key is turned on by either pulling a vacuum on the system or lightly pressurizing it to test its integrity.

This means if there is a problem with your fuel vapor control system it is quite possible that it will turn on the check engine light. I put together an article about this gas cap code problem on my other website. If you are interested in seeing more posts from this site the next link will take you back to the auto repair information blog.

Smart Automatic Transmission

Some drivers do not realize how smart automatic transmissions are in modern vehicles. This is one of the few systems on the automobile that actually learns what the driver wants and how they normally act. After studying the driver’s long-term and short-term habits the transmission control module does its best to deliver what the driver expects.

Smart automatic transmissions are able to change gears automatically in response to operating conditions as well as the driver’s habits. The transmission computer monitors the condition of the engine and compensates for any changes that are required for optimal performance and fuel economy.

At the same time it also memorizes the typical driving style of the primary driver. With this information the TCM can adjust the timing of the shifts by controlling the valve body and even the converter clutch lock up engagement to provide what is required by the driver at the appropriate time.

What else can a Smart transmission do

The transmission control module in conjunction with the power train control module learns the characteristics of the transmission and changes its programming accordingly. It learns the release an application rates of various internal components under various operating conditions. In the automotive industry this is known as adaptive learning capabilities.

These smart automatic transmissions are also capable of compensating for internal wear and defects that might cause the normal shift routine to be inefficient. This adaptive learning allows for the best possible operation and shift feel throughout the life of the transmission. As the transmission gets older and the seals harden they may start to bleed off pressure.

In this instance total line pressure can be increased to compensate for the internal transmission problem. Other things can also be compensated for such as normal wear conditions like worn friction discs and scored friction plates. The smart transmission is able to compensate for these things automatically.

Common problem with Smart transmissions

Valve Body

As internal components begin to wear shift overlapped times may increase. The transmission control module is able to adjust line pressure to maintain proper shift points and calibration by manipulating the valve body. On some models the control module can read input parameters and provide output signals at over 100 times per second.

Direct battery voltage is applied to both the power train control module and the TCM. If the computer loses this source voltage the transmission on some vehicles may enter a limp home mode. On some models the vehicle will stay in second gear and not up shift or downshift. When the vehicle battery is replaced and is disconnected for some time these modules may lose their learned memory.

A small capacitor is usually included in the circuit to provide voltage during a battery disconnect. When you’re control module loses their learned memory and a new battery is then connected these modules will have to relearn everything. To the driver when they get back into the vehicle things may feel different until the smart automatic transmission re-learns the driver’s habits and can once again adapt to the internal conditions of that particular transmission.

Often as a mechanic after a battery replacement sometimes the driver will come back and say my car just doesn’t feel the same. In most cases it will take a couple of days of driving for your automatic transmission to become smart again.

If you’re interested in learning about transmissions I have built a repair module on my you fix cars website that talks about not only the theory of operation but also specific problems with automatic transmissions. If you would like to see the latest posts on this blog this next link will take you to the homepage from this page about smart automatic transmissions.

2004 Chevy Blazer

Daytime running lights was voted into a Canadian law several years back and required all new vehicles to be equipped with running lights that were automatically turned on during daylight hours. This automotive technology was developed with safety in mind.

In the United States General Motors was one of the first companies to also make this standard equipment on all GM vehicles that were sold in North America. My 2004 Chevrolet Blazer is equipped with daytime running lights. And they have not been completely trouble-free.

For one thing they are on so much that they experience more bulb failures than any other bulbs all my truck. There is also quite a lot of heat generated from the bulbs being on all the time. This can eventually melt the bulb sockets and the plastic lenses and housings that they are mounted in.

How daytime running lights work

On some vehicles they use the high beam lights as dedicated daytime running lights. The control circuit is connected directly to the vehicles ignition switch so the lights are turned on whenever the vehicle is running. The circuit is usually equipped with some type of module that lowers the power to the high beam so that it can burn with less intensity.

When the headlamp switch is moved to the headlight position the module is deactivated and the lights work with their normal intensity and brightness. On my 2004 Chevrolet Blazer there is an optical sensor mounted on the top side of the dash panel. During the day the sunlight is detected and the daytime running lights are turned on automatically.

Daytime Running Lights

When it starts to get dark the ambient light sensor turns on the headlights on low beam intensity automatically. My 2004 Chevrolet Blazer also has an override in case the system malfunctions.

Also note on Chevrolet vehicles that when you apply the parking brakes this will also deactivate the daytime running lights even if the vehicle is running. So if you set your parking brake and try to check your daytime running lights this will not work.

On some vehicles the daytime running lights may not come on until the vehicle is put in drive. Keep these quirks in mind when you are trying to check the operation of your daytime running lights. As for me when I check them I usually pull up to a wall or a garage door so I can see the reflection of the lights. This will work on most models and is a good way to tell if one of your daytime running lights is blown.

If your interested in more automotive articles this next link will take you back to the main page for the auto repair blog from this post about daytime running lights.

Fog Light Kit

Note at the end of this all about fog lamps article will be links to some of the most popular fog light kits and replacement halogen bulbs for factory installed systems. But first didn’t you ever wonder about your cars fog lights. Why they are constructed different than headlights. Why they are mounted in positions that are far lower than regular headlamps.

When I first started to drive at 16, no cars had factory mounted driving lights. This was an aftermarket accessory that I quickly added to my vehicle so it would look cool. To my surprise not only did they look cool but they actually came in handy. I found myself driving through foggy areas often as I lived near cranberry bogs in a low lying area of New Jersey.

A side note when you are adding auxiliary lights you must make sure that your alternator and wiring are heavy duty enough to handle the increased wattage. In the case of my 1974 Dodge charger the fog lights were too much for the standard wiring and charging system. After an electrical fire that melted all the lighting circuit components I upgraded the alternator and installed new heavy gauge wiring. After the upgrades all was good.

Difference between fog lights and headlights

Ordinary headlights do not penetrate the fog very well. The focus of a powerful beam of light directly at the fog reflects most of the light back to the driver. You can verify this by switching from your high beams to your low beams on a foggy night. You can see fore yourself which one actually provides the best distance of site.

Wide beam fog lamp

I’m not a scientist but I believe it’s because the fog is made of water molecules and these tiny droplets of water are what actually reflects the beam of light back in the drivers face. Fog lights in most cases use halogen bulbs but instead of using a wide powerful beam they attempt to sneak a flat beam of light under the blanket of fog. This is one of the main reasons that fog lights are mounted as low as possible on the vehicle.

Fog is actually like a cloud that hangs near the ground. This is often generated from temperature differentials. Cold air meets the warm ground or body of warmer water for example. So much like clouds in the sky fog forms when the air becomes saturated with moisture. As a result water forms out of the air into a fine mist of water droplets. Fog can get very dense and obscure visibility quickly as it forms with little warning.

H3 Halogen Bulb

Nowadays more often than not fog lights will come standard with your vehicle and not needed to be added using aftermarket parts. In the case of my current vehicle which is a 2004 Chevrolet Blazer my fog lights are factor installed.

On my blazer you can only use the fog light if the headlights are on the low beam settings. If your fog lights are on and you switch on the high beams the fog lights are automatically turned off. In my example above when you are trying to drive in foggy conditions the brighter your headlights are the worst your vision becomes.

My Chevy Blazer is set up so the fog lights only operate if the headlights are in the low beam setting. Replacement halogen bulbs can vary greatly in price from store to store. My Blazer uses the H3 halogen bulbs. I have provided a link to it below for your convenience.

For more of the latest articles on this blog this next link takes you back to the homepage from this page about fog lights. If you’re interested in more articles about technical subsystems related to cars I have a section dedicated to automobile technology you might find interesting.

B&M performance transmissions

Automatic transmission problems can be some of the most expensive repairs on today’s automobiles. In my 25 year career the entire automobile has advanced and gone through many changes.

The automatic transmission in my opinion has seen more changes than any other system on the automobile. Back in the 60s a two and three speed automatic transmission was all that you could get in any new car.

Today it is more common to have a six speed transmission or even a constant velocity transmission or CVT. What is amazing about modern units is that they use all of the advancements in automotive technology to improve operation.

Even though these advancements help improve drivability and efficiency they have not seemed to reduce automatic transmission problems. Internal malfunctions continue to be on the same level as they were in the previous years.

Automatic transmission history

Sidebar: In my day B&M was all the rage for those interested in high performance. They still offer shift kits and high performance automatic transmissions.

Automatic transmissions in the 80′s and 90′s relied on hydraulic controls to up shift the transmission. This upshift through the gears was controlled without a computer. The use of a governor and a throttle valve were the internal components that controlled the up shifting.

Although governors would fail and I would find in most cases it was either a seal or a stripped nylon gear this part was extremely reliable. Also the throttle valve was controlled by an adjustable steel cable. This provided direct input to the transmission on where the driver was as far throttle position, acceleration and engine load.

B&M Console Shifter

Wide open throttle would pull the cable tight and move the throttle valve into a position that would delay the up shift until the red line was reached.

Although these internal hydraulic controls and manual cables worked very well for upshift they were not very helpful in achieving maximum miles per gallon.

In the mid to late 80s when the computer was installed on board the vehicle they added a component known as a torque converter clutch.

This would lock up the transmission to a one-to-one ratio during the right conditions. In my opinion it was this advancement that has led to all of the electronics on today’s automatic transmissions.

Automatic transmission technology

Transmissions still use hydraulic pressure to perform up shift. Although this hydraulic pressure is controlled in most cases by shift solenoids that are electronically operated. The internal clutches and bands look very similar to the ones used years ago but again they are controlled by solenoids and electronics.

Some vehicles use a separate transmission control module to control the internal activities. These dedicated computers will monitor onboard sensors that are used by other systems on the vehicle.

4L60E Auto transmission

For example instead of using a throttle valve cable to determine throttle position why not use the TPS (throttle position sensor). Other sensors can help determine engine loads such as the map sensor which stands for manifold absolute pressure.

This sensor uses vacuum to accurately determine engine loads. The transmission control module will monitor many other sensors depending on the manufacturer and the specific transmission.

The TCM frequently reviews the input information and can make very fast adjustments to the shift schedule and current gear ratio applied to the vehicle’s drivetrain.

An advantage of this automotive technology is that the transmission can adapt and change the behavior in response to the operating conditions and the habits of the driver. This also allows on the fly adjustments to compensate for internal wear. The transmission control module can actually adjust the line pressure and boost it to compensate for these wearing components inside the transmission.

Transmission problems

As mentioned above many internal components look the same as they did in the 1960s. But the electronics used to control these internal components are cutting-edge. Now when it comes to automatic transmission problems the electronics side of the equation must be evaluated.

Fortunately the transmission control module will store trouble codes just as the main computer does for the emissions system. The set trouble codes can help diagnose both electronic and internal problems. For example if the vehicle sets a code for a second gear shift solenoid this will give you a clear path of diagnosis.

Some mechanics say that regular transmission maintenance and keeping the fluid clean is more important today because of all of these electronic controls. I do believe in following the recommended automatic transmission fluid maintenance schedule as recommended by the manufacturer. But keep in mind that in most cases if you are having a serious malfunction changing the fluid will not help the transmission problem.

3.8 L automotive engine

The new automotive engines on the market today have gone through a lot of changes compared to engines installed just a decade ago.

This new wave of engines is designed to meet the performance and fuel efficiency that the public demands.

It is clear if the automotive manufacturer does not come up with a strong power train that impresses all who drives it their sales will begin to sag and possibly never recover.

This is mostly due to the word-of-mouth from disappointed drivers. The power of this viral negativity is truly amazing.

Example: My father had a bad experience with a Ford Pinto. He told everybody that would listen about all the troubles he ever had with this car.

Right off the showroom floor this car would use a quart of oil a week. The pistons and rings had to be replaced under the old-fashioned 12/12 warranties. The hard part was getting the dealership to admit a problem existed.

It took much fighting with Ford Motor Company and the local dealer about what normal oil usage should be.

Every Christmas and thanksgiving our large family sat around listening to details of the battle for justice. The results are that nobody in my family or circle of friends has ever bought a Ford product since my dad’s bad experience in the mid-70s. Talk about holding a grudge!

New automotive engine construction

RX8 Rotory Engine

Modern automotive engines are made of lightweight engine castings, and in most cases non-iron materials.

Some of the types would include aluminum, magnesium carbon fiber materials, and in some cases reinforced plastics.

If the block is made out of aluminum the use of a stainless steel cylinder liner is used most often.

When it comes time to assemble the engine, fasteners that hold things together are now fewer and smaller than ever before.

This is made possible through computerized engine design (CAD, CAM) that optimizes the loading and sealing patterns when the motor parts are assembled.

This again allows for fewer fasteners and smaller fasteners. Also, the torque specifications have also changed and in most cases are far less foot pounds of torque than engines of the past.

Mazda 4cyl gas engine

These new automotive engines have changed how auto repair technicians perform diagnosis and repair.

When you have a plastic gasket in between two large aluminum parts, the torque specification of those engine bolts is extremely important.

If you over torque the fasteners in the above situation the plastic gasket will crack and large leaks will be present.

It is no longer recommended that a mechanic use 2 grunts and a groan to measure bolt tightness.

The torque wrench and even the inch pound torque wrench are needed to make sure reliable and long lasting auto repairs are performed with no come backs.

Make sure your car mechanic has several different torque wrenches in his toolbox. If he does not have any torque wrenches, it may be time to find a new technician.

If you are looking for more information on the automobile and the emerging technology of the recent past and the near future please visit the Automotive technology section from the categories list in the right hand side bar.

If your looking for the latest car repair posts, here is a link to the auto repair information blog homepage.

Automotive Technology Image

One thing about automotive technology is that it advances quickly, but in spurts. New systems are developed and tested on a regular basis.

These advances are then put into vehicles, and unfortunately real world tested by the brave automotive consumers.

Changes and improvements are then applied to the new technologies and re-introduced into the automobile.

Most auto mechanics will recommend shying away from brand-new automotive systems until they are perfected.

Sometimes automotive technology advances to quickly, and new ideas are rushed to market.

One reason for this would be to give an advantage to the sales force of an individual carmaker. Having a unique and useful automotive technology can be a strong sales driver.

Advances in automotive technology

Leaking Timing Cover

If you ask me one thing that has brought about the greatest change in the auto repair industry, is the deployment of the computer control module.

These computers control the engine support systems, and nearly every other major system on the car has some kind of electronic control circuitry.

The use of electronics has changed the automobile and will continue on this track as advances are made in other automobile technologies.

If you add to this the new composite materials that are being used for engine parts there are a lot of changes going on.

Example: I have a 4.3 liter Chevy V6. This engine has been time tested and is very reliable. For the 2004 model year the metal timing cover was replaced by a composite cover. With only 20k miles oil began to leak from the warping cover on my truck. A non-warping replacement is now available but will not help the stains in this mechanics driveway.

Future of automobiles

Steel body panels are being replaced with aluminum and plastic parts that are bonded to the frame with specialized adhesives. The remaining metal on the vehicle is now thin high-strength steel, aluminum, or replaced completely by carbon fiber composite materials. This greatly reduces the total weight of the vehicle and increases fuel economy and performance at the same time.

To compensate for the decrease in the strength (crumple zone) and crash protection the car manufacturer will now surround you with inflatable air bags. Some new cars have six just for the driver. This keeps the driver safe even though the vehicle was made less sturdy then vehicles just a decade ago.

The way automobiles of today and tomorrow are being shaped by emerging automotive technologies requires the automotive consumer to be on the lookout for brand-new systems that have not been thoroughly tested.

Tire Pressure Sensor

Here is an example of the above statement about waiting for perfection of technologies. Let me use the tire pressure warning system that was deployed in early 2000.

The first year that system was deployed if you had the low tire pressure light come on it was extremely difficult to diagnose and reset. In fact, in many cases specialized equipment was needed to diagnose and reset the low tire pressure light.

Many people with these early systems just drive around with the warning light on. Or even worse they will put a piece of tape over the light instead of fixing the problem and reseting the tire pressure light.

Now that the system has been on the market for several years more advanced control systems allow for the automatic resetting of the system when a tire is repaired or refilled.

You can see that if you had waited a year or two that your tire pressure monitors system would have been much more user friendly and for the most part automatic.

This is why most mechanics in the auto repair industry will recommend that you wait on new technologies. Before you jump on board. When something shiny and new comes out it is only human nature to want to jump right in. But in the automotive world a little bit of patience, may pay big dividends.

Suppercharger Kits

Before I discuss how a supercharger works. I wanted to review a bit of a history for this amazing automotive technology.

Some people do not realize that a supercharger was first installed on a production vehicle in 1906. Now bolt on supercharger kits are common place in the street racing world.

Back in the old days, the leading Car companies that used this forced air technology were Mercedes-Benz and Duesenberg.

These companies put a lot of research and development into improving performance. Both of these car companies dominated the racetrack in the 1920s through the 1930s.

After World War II, larger displacement engines that could produce the same amount of power replaced superchargers.

Also in the late 1950s the forced induction turbocharger started to gain traction. This was because a turbocharger was able to produce more boost at lower RPMs. The trucking industry embraced this automobile technology which allowed extremely heavy loads to be moved easily from a dead stop.

The return of the supercharger

Roush Superchargers

The intake mounted belt driven supercharger started to make a comeback in American car models in 1989. One of the most popular of these models was the 1989 Bonneville SSI.

The standard 3.8 L engine coupled with the supercharger returned excellent performance without much effect on over all fuel economy.

The 3.8 L engine was the perfect platform due to its cast-iron block and cylinder heads. This engine also demonstrated the ability to produce large amounts of horsepower.

Buick had shown this engine’s potential when they bolted on a turbo charger for the T-type and Buick Grand National models.

In 1987, the Grand National deployed the intercooler turbocharger making it one of the fastest rear wheel drive production cars ever produced with a v6 in the United States.

Supercharger operation

Before I get into exactly how it works I wanted you to know that amazon has many highly rated books about superchargers. Covering both theory and operation as well as installation instructions for mounting and tuning the supercharger upgrade on specific model automobiles.

Superchargers are air pumps directly driven by the engines crankshaft via a serpentine belt. They improve horsepower and torque by pumping extra air into the engine in direct relationship to crankshaft speed.

Forced Induction

As the supercharger assembly compresses the air, the pressurized air begins to increase in temperature. Since cooler and denser air is desired for maximum power, this heated air is routed through an intercooler before it enters the intake manifold.

When the intake valves open on the cylinder head, the air fuel mixture is forced into the combustion chamber by the pressure generated from the supercharger. The difference between a supercharger and a turbo is that no waste gate or boost control is required on supercharged vehicles.

This is because the speed of the supercharger is directly linked to the rotation speed of the crankshaft. The compressing power is limited by the RPM of the engine itself. This way the superchargers output is controlled directly by throttle position.

On a turbocharger controlling the boost can get more complicated. Older turbo models had a waste gate that opened to bleed off any pressure in excess of 14 psi. Modern turbos are controlling the boost by the geometry of the turbo fins. These are called variable geometry turbos. Basically the VGT Turbo controls the total boost by varying the pitch of the turbo fins.

As we can see for the last hundred years superchargers have come and gone and have come back again. The competition between turbocharging vs supercharging will also continue on local racetracks and new car showrooms. Learn what other types of automotive technology you might find on today’s cars.

If you notice there is an auto repair shop in the background. I hope this was not a car left for auto service or a vehicle being reconditioned for the used car lot. Sometimes mechanics like to have a little fun. Just so long as it is their own car they are having fun with!

Video Mustang burnout

Yes this mustang shreds the tires until something pops under the automobile.The video title says it’s a blown tire but after the smoke clears the left rear tire seems to be inflated and the car is sitting level. To me it sounds like a rear universal joint letting loose. Take a look at the mustang burnout video and just be thankful it is not your car. Also let me know what you think went boom in the comment area?

The burnout video has become one of the most popular automotive action videos on the internet. Sites like street fire make it fast and fun to both post and watch burnout clips from all over the world.

Definition of an automotive burnout

The vehicle burnout is often thought of and applied to drag racing. This was at first called heating up the tires and actually has a practical purpose in the drag racing game.

tire burnout

It is a fact of life that tires have better traction at higher temperatures.  A smoky burnout is the most popular way to increase tire temperature before a race. Many race tracks will use a burnout box right before the launch area to warm the tires.

Often this water solution will include bleach or other additives that will allow the tires to spin faster during the pre race burnout.

At my local drag strip (Desoto raceway) they even have burn out contests that are judged by the fans in attendance.

Many factors besides the amount of smoke created determines the winner of the event. In many cases the coolest cars win the event regardless of the tire spinning show.

Buick Burn Out

Have you ever tried to accelerate hard from a stop light on a wet slick road? Without automatic traction control a driver would have to feather the gas pedal and balance the acceleration and wheel spin. This is a skill that some drivers just don’t have.

But what if you could just smash the pedal to the floor and let the car handle the complicated stuff. Enter modern day traction control automotive technology.

Not only is this high tech system useful on wet roadways but on snow covered ones as well.

Yes you can still get stuck especially if there is a layer of ice under the snow. But the common problem of digging yourself in even deeper with spinning tires is greatly reduced.

Corvette ATC off

I was fortunate enough to own and drive a corvette for a short time. This was my first vehicle with a traction control system. It worked flawlessly and I never had a problem with it.

It came in handy many times. Here is an example of this systems usefulness. When driving on the local highway after a light rain the road surface was like ice.

After a few weeks of no rain followed by a light rain the oil from the road would float to the top causing super slickness.

Sitting at a four way stop with a very light fiberglass car and 400 horsepower driving the rear wheels meant lots of tire spinning.

With the traction control engaged there was almost no wheel spin and I had the ability to leave everybody in the dust as if the street was dry.

How traction control works

The slick part of modern traction control systems is that they use proven automotive technology already deployed on the vehicle. The ABS system is at the heart of most types of this burn out reducing system. Some high line vehicles with fly by wire will actually vary throttle position.

The vehicle’s antilock brake system pumps the brakes when a wheel is going into a locked condition. This same ABS system is used when a drive wheel is sensed to be slipping against the road surface as compared to vehicle speed and the speed of the other wheels. The ATC system will pulse the brake caliper to slow only the slipping wheel down.

Automatic traction control is also very helpful on all wheel drive vehicles and 4×4 off road sport utility vehicles. If one of these types of automobiles looses traction at one wheel this could hamper the drivers over all control. ATC keeps the driver on track without them even realizing it.

Traction Control Off

ATC started out as a sales feature that was offered by dealerships as an advantage of their automobile line-up. As a side benefit the systems have been found to be extremely helpful with overall traffic safety.

As this automotive technology becomes more efficient and less expensive we will see much more of them deployed on automobiles. We may even see the day when they are standard equipment or required by the Government on all vehicles sold in the United States.

stability control active

Car buyers see these stability control commercials where a family is saved on a rainy night and think that this is pretty cool automotive technology.

But what they may not know is that automotive stability control systems are mostly operated and controlled by antilock brake technology.

Although there are various types of stability control systems that are found on today’s vehicles.

Traction control and stability systems are linked to the ABS system and on some vehicles they are linked to both the brake and electronic suspension systems.

On some of these expensive automobiles, a driver-controlled switch can be used to disable the traction control while the stability safety features remain active.

High tech systems use the angle of the steering wheel and the speed of the wheels to calculate the chosen path of the driver.

The main control module will then monitor the lateral sensor and the G-forces on the vehicle to measure where the vehicle is actually going.

Stability control systems can help maintain control of the vehicle during heavy braking, hard acceleration and even coasting.

If the brakes are already applied but over steer or under steer is occurring as reported by the above sensors the fluid pressure to the appropriate caliper is increased to help maintain driver control.

Abs system overview

Abs systems remove brake lockup that greatly increases stopping distances. Remember that a tire that is about to slip produces more friction against the road than one that is locked and in a sliding condition.

tire spinning

Once a tire loses its grip on the road friction is reduced and the vehicle takes much longer to stop.

In many cases this increased stopping distance can be responsible for auto accidents.

Back in the old days driving instructors would teach students to pump the brake pedal to control lock up. Leaving it up to the driver to remain calm and perform this operation effectively during a panic situation was a lot to ask.

This would be the driving force behind the development of Anti lock braking automotive technology.

ABS systems automatically pulse the application of the brakes in a panic stop situation for you. You do have to hold steady force on the brake pedal and steer but the car handles the brake pedal pumping part.

This is accomplished through hydraulic pressure modulation. Basically this is when the electronic control unit meters the fluid flowing to each individual caliper.

The dash mounted abs light is there to notify the driver of a malfunction. It is also a warning to the driver that the anti-lock brake system might not function as expected. Too often I see motorist driving around with this light illuminated.

Often this is due to concerns about repair costs. This is a valid concern but trust me when I say that a traffic accident could cost much more then the needed auto repairs.

If you have some auto repair experience it is possible that you can fix it yourself with diy ABS scan Tools.