AutoFixWorldis the place to come for useful information about emerging automotive technology, auto repair techniques, tool reviews, and training information. Whether you are a professional auto repair technician or a tech savvy auto enthusiast, odds are you'll find something here of real interest.
Each month, Autofixworld publishes a professional-strength magazine with several feature-length articles on a variety of topics; look for case studies of actual repairs, tool reviews, overviews of new vehicles and features, and ways to improve the performance and appearance of your car or truck. Click on the Magazine tab in the main menu to view this month's articles.
Here's a test drive of a VW GTI that shows how the DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) performs out on the road. There's also some slick footage of the tranny's internals in action. Go ahead, give it some poke.
In the last year, sales of hybrids in the U.S. have grown considerably, while diesel vehicle sales numbers have fallen off. Here's Bob Lutz discussing GM's view of diesels and their place in their product mix.
In this video, hydrogen powers several vehicle protoypes cross-country. Whether these vehicles ever become available to a mass market remains to be seen, but filling our cars and trucks with the cleanest and most abundant of all chemical elements is an appealing concept. Don't expect the quest for hydrogen power to diminish, in spite of the technical challenges.
Here's a fast tutorial on replacing the cabin filter in a Toyota Prius, with step-by-step photos. This is easy. Might want to download and save this one.
Daimler is developing a Smart EV in collaboration with Zytek, a British company specializing in hybrid and electric drivetrains.
The EV Smart looks like other fortwo vehicles except that its fuel filler has been converted to a charging port.
The electric motor generates 30 kW (41 hp), about equal to the output of the Smart diesel engine used in Europe. As with all electric motors, the real payoff comes from the electric motor's ability to deliver maximum torque from a standing start. That's the one thing most motorists won't appreciate about electric vehicles until they actually drive one! Performance-wise, electric trumps internal combustion when it comes to delivering lots of torque quickly, and maintaining the advantage over a much wider rpm range.
Claims for the EV model include 0-30 mph in 6.5 seconds, top speed of 70 mph, and a driving range between charges of up to 72 miles. Set aside about eight hours for a full recharge; with a quick refresher battery charge (from 20 to 80-percent) taking about half that time.
Subscribe in a reader
