About Automotive Technology

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. Read more