Oxygen Sensors are Key to Performance and Fuel Economy
The oxygen (O2) sensor is part of the fuel management system. It monitors unburned oxygen in the exhaust. The powertrain control module (PCM) uses this information to determine if the fuel mixture is rich (too much fuel) or lean (not enough fuel). To provide the best performance, fuel economy and emissions, the PCM has to
2001-09 Toyota Prius Alignment & Suspension Specs
The 2000-2009 Toyota Prius requires alignment and suspension service just like any other car on the road. With more than 800,000 Prii, (official term for more than one Prius) one of them is bound to end up in your alignment bay.The Prius is based on the Toyota Echo and uses other suspension parts from vehicles
Troublesome Power Steering Repairs Shouldn’t Beat You
We often take the commonplace power steering pump for granted until the driver begins to notice a lack of power assist during parking or the pump itself begins to develop an irritating growling or whining noise.Power Steering SymptomsMost power steering pumps provide ample warning of impending failure. The only exception to this would be the
Fuel System Definitions and Diagnostic Trouble Codes
Many modern-day fuel systems offer a new look into system status definitions. It’s become very important to extend our understanding well beyond the concepts of simple "open loop" and "closed loop" status. Here we will explore the new fuel system definitions that are present on many of today’s vehicles. We’ll begin our discussion by looking
Troubleshooting Wideband O2 Sensors
With fuel prices rising, the need for accurate air/fuel mixture monitoring is more important than ever. The engine computer needs to know what the fuel mixture is with a high degree of precision so it can optimize fuel economy as well as emissions. If the information received by the powertrain control module (PCM) from its
An Economical Way to Refinish A Seal-Worn Shaft
Contact between a rotating shaft and a seal causes shaft wear on crankshafts, transmission and driveshafts. Dirt or other abrasive particles can collect under the seal lip and eventually cause a groove in the shaft surface. Each Kwik-Sleeve comes with a removable installation flange and its own installation tool. The installation tool reduces the possibility
Honda Tech Tip: Rear Differential Moan or Groan
On 2002-’07 CR-Vs with 4WD, a moaning or groaning noise may come from the rear differential when making a sharp or tight turn at low speeds. Probable Cause:Contamination in the rear differential fluid. Corrective Action:Replace the rear differential fluid, and burnish the rear differential clutches. Required Materials:Honda Dual Pump System Fluid II: P/N 08200-9007.• 2002-’04
The Changing Face of Automatic Transmissions
By Dennis Madden, CEO of ATRA Did you ever wonder how automatic transmissions became a specialty, separate from general auto repair? For the first 40 years or so since automatic transmissions began rolling off the assembly line, the transmission was a completely separate entity from the rest of the vehicle. Back then, if the transmission
Tools and Equipment Needed for Transmission Service
Like most automotive repairs, the first thing you need to do before performing transmission work is to diagnose the problem. Of course you can try asking the vehicle owner for a description of the car’s symptoms, but many times you get things like: "It goes wacka, wacka wacka," or "kerplunkety, kerplunkety." In these cases, it
The Role of Springs in Suspension Systems
Any spring, whether it’s a leaf, torsion or coil spring, must compensate for irregularities in the road surface, maintain the suspension system at a predetermined height and support added weight without excessive sagging. Most modern imports use the coil spring in variations of the MacPherson strut design. In general, wire gauge, length, overall diameter and
CUV Suspensions Require Extra Attention, Skill
Higher gas prices are increasing sales of crossover utility vehicles (CUVs). These smaller SUVs have ditched the live rear axle in favor of rear independent suspension. While the designs are often borrowed from a car-type platform, some do have more travel in order to boost the off-road and load capabilities.
A New Breed of Load Sensing Shocks
The Nivomat shock absorber is a self-leveling monotube shock absorber developed by Sachs. Nivomat is a contraction of two French words, niveau and automatique, that when translated to English would be "level automatic" or "automatic level."The accumulator can be a diaphragm or piston. The normal pressure contained in the accumulator ranges from 20 bar (290