Cutting costs and increasing productivity of auto-related businesses is imperative to the success of any small to mid-size business. By providing GPS tracking For trucks, you can monitor speed, location, and driving habits of your employees during deliveries. Monitoring your company assets results in a high return on investment with GPS tracking, improving delivery times and lowering operational costs. Dispatchers will also be able to delegate better driving routes on any terrain or road anywhere with uninterrupted GPS tracking. No matter where your drivers are located, real-time tracking is available through cellular devices and online tracking software.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Toyota recalls 550,000 cars for steering issue
Toyota Motor Corp. said Wednesday it is recalling about 550,000 vehicles worldwide — mostly in the United States — for problems that could make it harder to steer.
The recall affects 447,000 vehicles in North America, as well as 38,000 in Japan and another 25,000 in Australia and New Zealand, said Toyota spokesman Dion Corbett. In Europe some 14,000 vehicles are being recalled along with 10,000 in the Middle East and 14,000 in Asia outside Japan.
Toyota has received a total of 79 reports about the defect dating back to 2007, said Corbett. There have been no reports of accidents or injuries related to the problems, he said.
Toyota's reputation has taken a hit over the last two years due to a string of huge recalls that have ballooned to 14 million vehicles over that time, including millions recalled last year for acceleration problems. It faces damage lawsuits and lingering doubts in the U.S. about whether it had been transparent enough about the recall woes.
Japan's largest automaker has been trying to communicate better with customers and empower regional operations outside Japan to make safety decisions.
The news comes a day after Toyota said its July-September profit slid 18.5 percent to 80.4 billion yen ($1 billion) on plunging sales caused by parts shortages from the tsunami disaster in northeastern Japan.
It now faces such uncertainties from flooding in Thailand, where it has many suppliers and three assembly plants, that it declined to release an earnings forecast for the full year through March.The latest recall is due to the possibility that the outer ring of the engine's crankshaft pulley may become misaligned with the inner ring, causing noise or a warning signal to light up, the company's U.S. sales unit said in a press release. If the problem isn't corrected, the belt for the power steering pump may become detached from the pulley, making it suddenly more difficult to turn the steering wheel.
In the United States, the automaker is recalling 283,200 Toyota brand cars, including the 2004 and 2005 Camry, Highlander, Sienna and Solara, the 2004 Avalon and the 2006 Highlander HV. Its recall of 137,000 Lexus vehicles includes the 2004 and 2005 ES330 and RX330 and 2006 RX400h.
Those affected elsewhere include certain models of the Alphard, Highlander, Highlander hybrid and some Lexus models, Corbett said.
The recall notification process varies from country to country.In the U.S., Toyota will mail owners a notification to make an appointment with an authorized dealer to have their car inspected once replacement parts have been produced in sufficient quantities.
If needed, parts will be replaced for no charge, the company's American sales unit said. Notifications will be mailed starting in January.
In the meantime, if an abnormal noise is heard coming from the engine compartment, the owner is asked to make an appointment with any Toyota or Lexus dealer to have the vehicle inspected for this condition, the release said.
Tuesday, November 08, 2011
MITCHELL1 ONLINE PRODUCT UPDATE - Auto Repair Manuals
The Online Auto Repair Manual website has now been updated to include a great new Estimator feature. This recently added feature allows you to access professional auto repair estimator information as part of your subscription. Please review this great new tool plus all of the other new features and functions recently added to the Mitchell 1 DIY website. The best part is, we’ve continued to add some very useful features without increasing the cost to you.
Mitchell 1 DIY covers Repair, Estimator, Maintenance, Recalls and TSB information on over 20,000 vehicles. This DIY Online program features over 200,000 repair articles, and thousands of technical service bulletins, including recalls, PLUS millions of supporting graphics.
Mitchell 1 DIY now guarantees a 100% customer satisfaction !
Mitchell 1 DIY covers Repair, Estimator, Maintenance, Recalls and TSB information on over 20,000 vehicles. This DIY Online program features over 200,000 repair articles, and thousands of technical service bulletins, including recalls, PLUS millions of supporting graphics.
Mitchell 1 DIY now guarantees a 100% customer satisfaction !
Monday, November 07, 2011
Will We All be Owning Hydrogen Powered Cars in 2020?
From the not too distant future, hydrogen fueled automobiles will be all the rage. Hydrogen? Many people are oblivious that hydrogen supported cars even exist. Also you obviously don’t see any hydrogen pumps at your local gasoline station. Time, obviously, will tell whether hydrogen cars become fashionable or not. I believe people will get real interested when they start hearing about hydrogen cars that can go a month without a refill.
With all the energy and environmental concerns, many auto producers are looking into ways to help solve the problems. They’re getting ready to announce and develop hydrogen fueled cars as one possible solution. You won’t have the ability to buy a hydrogen car at this point, but you can modify your existing car engine, and convert it to make it a hydrogen car. Currently the selling price for hydrogen fueled cars is too expensive for most people, and there really is no telling if they will ever be affordable. Nevertheless, if you convert your current car to hydrogen, you can get a feel for the future right now. The cost savings could stack up once you convert to using water instead of gasoline, and your mileage will increase by 35 to 100%.
Learning how a hydrogen powered car works is simply not difficult. After your engine is converted, the clean water is used as fuel, where the water molecules are separated, and the gases are then burned in the combustion chamber producing energy. Implementing such affordable fuel to power your car, you can actually drive for as long as you want. Plus, it is very friendly to our environment, since burning hydrogen produces no pollution. There are kits that you can get to build your own fuel cell at home, so you can enjoy the benefits of a hydrogen fuel car. You can find plenty of information online supplying you with instructions on how to convert your vehicle, and all of the materials you will need.
Most people, being ignorant, consider it in some way risky to convert their cars to hydrogen fuel. Moreover, a good number of people are not really that concerned with the environment, and are not going to do anything until it is forced on them. You might be someone who wants to do something sooner, rather than later. Presuming so, you may be spending less for fuel and supporting the environment as soon as you convert you car to hydrogen. (You will want to give some thought to a few details like just where and when you’ll be able to refuel, and so forth.)
You’ll definitely want to do even more research before you decide to actually convert, and online is the place to look. You are going to gain even more of an appreciation for the beauties of driving a hydrogen car as you come to understand more about it.
With all the energy and environmental concerns, many auto producers are looking into ways to help solve the problems. They’re getting ready to announce and develop hydrogen fueled cars as one possible solution. You won’t have the ability to buy a hydrogen car at this point, but you can modify your existing car engine, and convert it to make it a hydrogen car. Currently the selling price for hydrogen fueled cars is too expensive for most people, and there really is no telling if they will ever be affordable. Nevertheless, if you convert your current car to hydrogen, you can get a feel for the future right now. The cost savings could stack up once you convert to using water instead of gasoline, and your mileage will increase by 35 to 100%.
Learning how a hydrogen powered car works is simply not difficult. After your engine is converted, the clean water is used as fuel, where the water molecules are separated, and the gases are then burned in the combustion chamber producing energy. Implementing such affordable fuel to power your car, you can actually drive for as long as you want. Plus, it is very friendly to our environment, since burning hydrogen produces no pollution. There are kits that you can get to build your own fuel cell at home, so you can enjoy the benefits of a hydrogen fuel car. You can find plenty of information online supplying you with instructions on how to convert your vehicle, and all of the materials you will need.
Most people, being ignorant, consider it in some way risky to convert their cars to hydrogen fuel. Moreover, a good number of people are not really that concerned with the environment, and are not going to do anything until it is forced on them. You might be someone who wants to do something sooner, rather than later. Presuming so, you may be spending less for fuel and supporting the environment as soon as you convert you car to hydrogen. (You will want to give some thought to a few details like just where and when you’ll be able to refuel, and so forth.)
You’ll definitely want to do even more research before you decide to actually convert, and online is the place to look. You are going to gain even more of an appreciation for the beauties of driving a hydrogen car as you come to understand more about it.
Thursday, November 03, 2011
2002-2006 Trailblazer, Envoy XL, XUV 4WD with air ride suspension
Subject: Rear suspension with air ride
Vehicle Involved: 2002-2006 Trailblazer, Envoy XL, XUV 4WD with air ride suspension
Condition: Air bags deflate in a short period of time.
Repair Procedure: Replace air suspension system with Coil Spring part number 589-1136
Air leaks are a common problem on these vehicles, especially as the vehicle gets older.
Air leaks can occur from a kinked, pinched or damaged air line or a defective Schrader valve.
The leak may be due to the age of the air bags themselves. The possibility of air leakage is greater if the air bags are worn or cracked. Air bag issues can also be caused by a malfunctioning compressor or a defective module. Special gauges are required to perform diagnostics outlined by the manufacturer.
The diagnostics, parts, and labor to replace compressor, air bags, or module can be quite expensive.
There is an economical alternative solution to this problem, and that is to convert the air ride to a coil spring suspension. This can be done by Unhooking and removing the air bag system and installing a coil spring in its place. The springs come packaged two to a box.
TSB No. RCB 11-09
Vehicle Involved: 2002-2006 Trailblazer, Envoy XL, XUV 4WD with air ride suspension
Condition: Air bags deflate in a short period of time.
Repair Procedure: Replace air suspension system with Coil Spring part number 589-1136
Air leaks are a common problem on these vehicles, especially as the vehicle gets older.
Air leaks can occur from a kinked, pinched or damaged air line or a defective Schrader valve.
The leak may be due to the age of the air bags themselves. The possibility of air leakage is greater if the air bags are worn or cracked. Air bag issues can also be caused by a malfunctioning compressor or a defective module. Special gauges are required to perform diagnostics outlined by the manufacturer.
The diagnostics, parts, and labor to replace compressor, air bags, or module can be quite expensive.
There is an economical alternative solution to this problem, and that is to convert the air ride to a coil spring suspension. This can be done by Unhooking and removing the air bag system and installing a coil spring in its place. The springs come packaged two to a box.
TSB No. RCB 11-09
GM, Costco join to sell Chevy, GMC light trucks
Costco has launched a deal with General Motors allowing its members to buy certain Chevrolet and GMC light trucks through select franchised dealers at a so-called "preferred price" -- generally equivalent to the price that the automaker offers its suppliers' employees.
Rick Borg, vice president of the Costco Auto Program, on Tuesday said the popular warehouse club expects its members to buy more than 5,000 new Chevrolet and GMC light trucks under the program. It started Tuesday and will end Jan. 3.
Costco also is giving a $500 Costco Cash Card to members who participate in the program.
GM spokesman Jim Cain described the Costco promotion as a "brand-awareness program" and a first for GM.
'Great showcase'
"Costco provides a great showcase. It has millions of members nationwide," he said. "This gives us the opportunity to put vehicles on display and reach people in a unique setting outside of a dealership."
GM's "preferred price" is a discount that varies by product, Cain said. It is similar to special prices that employees of GM suppliers are eligible to receive, for example. The deal is not as deep as an employee discount, Cain said.
Eligible vehicles include the new 2011 and 2012 Chevrolet Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe and Traverse and GMC Acadia, Sierra, Yukon and Yukon XL.
Costco members who take advantage of the program can combine the lower prices with other GM rebates and incentives for which they are eligible.
To participate, Costco members must register with the Costco Auto Program online or by calling a special telephone number. They also must complete redemption forms and surveys after making the purchase to receive the $500 Costco Cash Card incentive.
Tracking conquests
Costco's Borg says the warehouse club traditionally surveys its members about their car buying experiences and preferences and will share aggregate results with GM.
"We'll survey every member who makes a purchase," Borg says. "We'll ask them if they were planning to buy a GM vehicle. If they weren't, we ask what they were planning to buy so we can figure out the conquest sales. In past promotions, conquest sales have exceeded 50 percent."
Borg says Costco has conducted similar programs for its members since 2007, including one with Volvo in November and December 2010.
The Costco Auto Program started in 1989 and arranges no-haggle prices on new and certified used vehicles with individual dealerships on behalf of its members. In 2010, Costco members bought 250,000 vehicles from more than 2,400 dealerships through the program.
Costco, of Issaquah, Wash., has 432 warehouse stores in 41 states plus Puerto Rico. Members pay annual fees of $55 or $110 to shop for a range of products at or through the club at discount prices.
Rick Borg, vice president of the Costco Auto Program, on Tuesday said the popular warehouse club expects its members to buy more than 5,000 new Chevrolet and GMC light trucks under the program. It started Tuesday and will end Jan. 3.
Costco also is giving a $500 Costco Cash Card to members who participate in the program.
GM spokesman Jim Cain described the Costco promotion as a "brand-awareness program" and a first for GM.
'Great showcase'
"Costco provides a great showcase. It has millions of members nationwide," he said. "This gives us the opportunity to put vehicles on display and reach people in a unique setting outside of a dealership."
GM's "preferred price" is a discount that varies by product, Cain said. It is similar to special prices that employees of GM suppliers are eligible to receive, for example. The deal is not as deep as an employee discount, Cain said.
Eligible vehicles include the new 2011 and 2012 Chevrolet Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe and Traverse and GMC Acadia, Sierra, Yukon and Yukon XL.
Costco members who take advantage of the program can combine the lower prices with other GM rebates and incentives for which they are eligible.
To participate, Costco members must register with the Costco Auto Program online or by calling a special telephone number. They also must complete redemption forms and surveys after making the purchase to receive the $500 Costco Cash Card incentive.
Tracking conquests
Costco's Borg says the warehouse club traditionally surveys its members about their car buying experiences and preferences and will share aggregate results with GM.
"We'll survey every member who makes a purchase," Borg says. "We'll ask them if they were planning to buy a GM vehicle. If they weren't, we ask what they were planning to buy so we can figure out the conquest sales. In past promotions, conquest sales have exceeded 50 percent."
Borg says Costco has conducted similar programs for its members since 2007, including one with Volvo in November and December 2010.
The Costco Auto Program started in 1989 and arranges no-haggle prices on new and certified used vehicles with individual dealerships on behalf of its members. In 2010, Costco members bought 250,000 vehicles from more than 2,400 dealerships through the program.
Costco, of Issaquah, Wash., has 432 warehouse stores in 41 states plus Puerto Rico. Members pay annual fees of $55 or $110 to shop for a range of products at or through the club at discount prices.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
98 Chevy Tahoe U-joint Problem
I have a 98 tahoe 5.7 4x4
front shaft rear joint is bad
can't get time off work
how can you drive it without the shaft? when driveshaft is out it will not start. is there anyway around this to keep going? i know i have to have it melted out but not off when they are open. afraid of losing shaft going down road.
Response:
If the stop and cable adjustment is out of whack, the engine will rev higher than 500 to 700 rpm, depending on the year, make and model vehicle, while in "Park" and at idle. The throttle position sensor sends voltage to the computer to tell it where the driver's foot is on the throttle, but does not cause high idling when it malfunctions --- this is most likely a cable or stop adjustment problem. If you encounter this issue, it is not related to the throttle position sensor.
front shaft rear joint is bad
can't get time off work
how can you drive it without the shaft? when driveshaft is out it will not start. is there anyway around this to keep going? i know i have to have it melted out but not off when they are open. afraid of losing shaft going down road.
Response:
If the stop and cable adjustment is out of whack, the engine will rev higher than 500 to 700 rpm, depending on the year, make and model vehicle, while in "Park" and at idle. The throttle position sensor sends voltage to the computer to tell it where the driver's foot is on the throttle, but does not cause high idling when it malfunctions --- this is most likely a cable or stop adjustment problem. If you encounter this issue, it is not related to the throttle position sensor.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Supplier price-fixing probe could expand to more criminal pleas, billions in fines, lawyers say
The federal government's probe into price-fixing in the U.S. auto supply chain could result in jail time for more executives and potentially billions of dollars in fines, lawyers representing suppliers involved in the investigation said today at an industry event in suburban Detroit.
Furukawa Electric Co.'s recent $200 million fine and jail time for three of its executives in relation to wire harness price fixing is just the tip of the iceberg, the lawyers said at the Society of Automotive Analysts event. One lawyer said the probe will go beyond wire harnesses.
Matthew Leitman, principal at Detroit law firm Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone, said more pleas are in the works that will involve jail time for executives and fines substantially larger than Furukawa's. The fines potentially at stake in the probe could be in the billions, raising the stakes for the long-term impact on the supply chain.
Leitman said the raids instantly triggered a race among suppliers to cooperate with the U.S. Department of Justice because of U.S. regulations.
Amnesty for cooperation
Companies that cooperate first or early in the investigation are offered more leniency, he said. One supplier cooperated with the DOJ, uncovering collusion, and received complete amnesty.
He did not indentify the supplier.
The suppliers involved in the expansive global investigation into alleged collusion dating back to at least 2003 include: Yazaki North America Inc., Denso International America Inc. and Tokai Rika Group North America. Japan's Fair Trade Commission also raided the Tokyo offices of Furukawa, Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd. and Yazaki Corp. The European Commission conducted similar unannounced inspections of the European offices of TRW Automotive Inc. and supplier Lear Corp.
Delphi Automotive LLP was also named in class-action lawsuits over the alleged price-fixing.
Besides Furukawa, all the other companies are being investigated, but have yet to be charged.
The fines could cripple a supplier's bottom line, said George Donnini, shareholder at Detroit law firm Butzel Long. The government's guideline for price-fixing fines are up to $100 million or twice the income, he said. In this case, the government is assuming a 10-percent profit margin and doubling it, he said.
Beyond wire harnesses
The global automotive wiring harness market grew 32.2 percent to $29 billion last year from $21.9 billion in 2009, and could grow to $32 billion by 2012, according to the Global and China Automotive Wiring Harness Industry Report, 2010-2011, released by Dublin, Ireland-based tech analyst firm Research and Markets earlier this year.
Yazaki accounts for nearly 30 percent of the global wire harness market. Sumitomo was fastest-growing with 24 percent, while Delphi was third with about 16.7 percent global market share.
The price-fixing investigation isn't stopping at wire harnesses, Donnini said.
Suppliers involved in the alleged wire harness price-fixing have turned over information on fraudulent activity in other product lines to get leniency from the DOJ. If a company involved in price-fixing in other segments doesn't come forward in this case, stiffer penalties will be enforced, he said.
"In the anti-trust arena, they offer amnesty and leniency and it creates perverse incentives to be the first in the door," Donnini said.
Furukawa Electric Co.'s recent $200 million fine and jail time for three of its executives in relation to wire harness price fixing is just the tip of the iceberg, the lawyers said at the Society of Automotive Analysts event. One lawyer said the probe will go beyond wire harnesses.
Matthew Leitman, principal at Detroit law firm Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone, said more pleas are in the works that will involve jail time for executives and fines substantially larger than Furukawa's. The fines potentially at stake in the probe could be in the billions, raising the stakes for the long-term impact on the supply chain.
Leitman said the raids instantly triggered a race among suppliers to cooperate with the U.S. Department of Justice because of U.S. regulations.
Amnesty for cooperation
Companies that cooperate first or early in the investigation are offered more leniency, he said. One supplier cooperated with the DOJ, uncovering collusion, and received complete amnesty.
He did not indentify the supplier.
The suppliers involved in the expansive global investigation into alleged collusion dating back to at least 2003 include: Yazaki North America Inc., Denso International America Inc. and Tokai Rika Group North America. Japan's Fair Trade Commission also raided the Tokyo offices of Furukawa, Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd. and Yazaki Corp. The European Commission conducted similar unannounced inspections of the European offices of TRW Automotive Inc. and supplier Lear Corp.
Delphi Automotive LLP was also named in class-action lawsuits over the alleged price-fixing.
Besides Furukawa, all the other companies are being investigated, but have yet to be charged.
The fines could cripple a supplier's bottom line, said George Donnini, shareholder at Detroit law firm Butzel Long. The government's guideline for price-fixing fines are up to $100 million or twice the income, he said. In this case, the government is assuming a 10-percent profit margin and doubling it, he said.
Beyond wire harnesses
The global automotive wiring harness market grew 32.2 percent to $29 billion last year from $21.9 billion in 2009, and could grow to $32 billion by 2012, according to the Global and China Automotive Wiring Harness Industry Report, 2010-2011, released by Dublin, Ireland-based tech analyst firm Research and Markets earlier this year.
Yazaki accounts for nearly 30 percent of the global wire harness market. Sumitomo was fastest-growing with 24 percent, while Delphi was third with about 16.7 percent global market share.
The price-fixing investigation isn't stopping at wire harnesses, Donnini said.
Suppliers involved in the alleged wire harness price-fixing have turned over information on fraudulent activity in other product lines to get leniency from the DOJ. If a company involved in price-fixing in other segments doesn't come forward in this case, stiffer penalties will be enforced, he said.
"In the anti-trust arena, they offer amnesty and leniency and it creates perverse incentives to be the first in the door," Donnini said.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Study finds car color choices can influence gas mileage
Everybody knows that wearing white on a hot summer day is cooler than wearing black, but who knew that the same scientific principle can actually increase you car's gas mileage? A study from the Berkeley Lab Environmental Energy Technologies Division in sunny California shows that by simply choosing the right color, can save you over 1.1% on your gas bill.
Because they reflect back more of the sunlight hitting the car. light colors soak up less heat and require less air conditioner power to keep the interior cool. As you might expect, white and silver are the most reflective and coolest colors, but the researchers say there are "dark cool colors" that reflect well in the infrared range where the heat is concentrated.
Most of this seem pretty intuitive, but it's good to see a study that puts actual numbers on the differences. The "dark cool colors" findings are particularly interesting. Perhaps Batman should look into those for the next Batmobile.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
New Mitsubishi engine technologies boost fuel efficiency 12%
TOKYO -- Mitsubishi Motors Corp. is rolling out two new engine technologies that promise to boost fuel efficiency in the Outlander Sport and Lancer lineup by as much as 12 percent, the company said Thursday.
The first is a new engine with next-generation variable valve timing that improves combustion stability and reduces piston friction. The second is an improved engine idle-stop system that can be applied to cars with continuously variable transmissions.
The technologies will be introduced this month on the Outlander Sport small crossover, the Lancer sedan and Lancer Sportback -- all made in Japan. The improvements will be offered first for 1.8-liter engines in Japan before heading overseas or spreading to other displacements.
It is unclear when they will reach North America, where Mitsubishi offers only 2.0-liter or 2.4-liter engines in those models. Mitsubishi is studying deployment of the systems there.
The new engine, dubbed the 4J10, replaces the current 4B10 engine. It is a 1.8-liter, 4-cylinder, 16-valve single overhead cam powerplant. The 4B10 has dual cam shafts.
When combined with the new idle-stop technology, the 4J10 delivers a 12 percent improvement in fuel economy over the previous engine, Mitsubishi said in a statement.
Mitsubishi is introducing the new technologies as it races to meet stricter emissions standards. The carmaker aims to improve its fleet’s fuel efficiency 25 percent by 2015, compared with the 2005 global average. That is a midterm benchmark on the path to its 2020 goal of halving emissions.
Turning to electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids is a key Mitsubishi strategy for meeting those targets. But the new engine technologies show the company also is channeling r&d money into developing greener internal combustion engines, which will remain the foundation of its fleet.
Mitsubishi’s new engine combines the company’s two existing valve-timing systems into one technology. Before, one system switched between different valve lifts and valve opening duration in relation to engine speed. The other system varied valve opening timing.
The new system uses one mechanism to control valve lift, opening duration and timing at the same time. That boosts efficiency by reducing pumping loss. And it can also be applied to an SOHC engine, thereby reducing engine weight and size by eliminating parts.
Mitsubishi already employs an engine idle-stop technology in some vehicles using manual transmissions for the European market. But the new system works with CVTs.
The technology saves fuel by turning off the engine when the vehicle comes to a stop and automatically restarting it when the driver steps on the gas.
The first is a new engine with next-generation variable valve timing that improves combustion stability and reduces piston friction. The second is an improved engine idle-stop system that can be applied to cars with continuously variable transmissions.
The technologies will be introduced this month on the Outlander Sport small crossover, the Lancer sedan and Lancer Sportback -- all made in Japan. The improvements will be offered first for 1.8-liter engines in Japan before heading overseas or spreading to other displacements.
It is unclear when they will reach North America, where Mitsubishi offers only 2.0-liter or 2.4-liter engines in those models. Mitsubishi is studying deployment of the systems there.
The new engine, dubbed the 4J10, replaces the current 4B10 engine. It is a 1.8-liter, 4-cylinder, 16-valve single overhead cam powerplant. The 4B10 has dual cam shafts.
When combined with the new idle-stop technology, the 4J10 delivers a 12 percent improvement in fuel economy over the previous engine, Mitsubishi said in a statement.
Mitsubishi is introducing the new technologies as it races to meet stricter emissions standards. The carmaker aims to improve its fleet’s fuel efficiency 25 percent by 2015, compared with the 2005 global average. That is a midterm benchmark on the path to its 2020 goal of halving emissions.
Turning to electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids is a key Mitsubishi strategy for meeting those targets. But the new engine technologies show the company also is channeling r&d money into developing greener internal combustion engines, which will remain the foundation of its fleet.
Mitsubishi’s new engine combines the company’s two existing valve-timing systems into one technology. Before, one system switched between different valve lifts and valve opening duration in relation to engine speed. The other system varied valve opening timing.
The new system uses one mechanism to control valve lift, opening duration and timing at the same time. That boosts efficiency by reducing pumping loss. And it can also be applied to an SOHC engine, thereby reducing engine weight and size by eliminating parts.
Mitsubishi already employs an engine idle-stop technology in some vehicles using manual transmissions for the European market. But the new system works with CVTs.
The technology saves fuel by turning off the engine when the vehicle comes to a stop and automatically restarting it when the driver steps on the gas.
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