autofixworld.com - March 2009

AutofixWorld
March 2009

March, and an end to winter is in sight here in America's great Midwest.

This month, we stick our fingers in many pies: tool tests; excerpts from DVD training video from Turbo Training on PowerStroke Diesels; tech photos from the Detroit Auto Show; the next segment in our ongong look at scope use, and more.

Thanks for your letters, and a hearty welcome to new members. Check the Automotive Illustrations section, available to registered members, where we've added Flash training presentations plus a photo collection of shots of the Third Generation Prius. Instructors are welcome to stock up on materials for classes; no charge.

Thanks for dropping by! Tell a friend.

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New articles...

PowerStroke Diesel Tips
	Powerstroke Diesel Tips We're happy to welcome Bruce Amacker back as our Guest Editor. Bruce owns Turbo Training, and has instructed diesel technicians on the ins and outs of Ford/Navistar diesels for over a decade.

Editor's Notebook
	Editor's Notebook - March 2009 Welcome to Editor's Notebook, our quick-read section containing feedback from readers, small pieces of repair info too small to be a feature article, and anything else that tickles our collective fancy. Think of it as the AFW junk drawer.

New Car Technology

Third Generation Prius

by Ralph Birnbaum
Love it or hate it, the Toyota Prius is the stereotype for emerging alternative automotive technologies. With trend setting hybrid drive system that blends electric and gas engine power through an ingenious transaxle, the Prius has done something that other OEMs have only dreamed about: they've sold a million plus copies worldwide, and counting.

It looks like the singles hitters at Toyota have decided not to swing for the fences with a big EV breakthrough, satisfying themse

...

Tool Test
	UEI 4201 Multimeter Mr. Ohm might have had the digital multimeter in mind when he formulated his famous law. Indispensible to anyone working on auto electrical systems, increased electrical content and the advent of hybrid vehicles make the DMM more important than ever. This month's tool overview covers the UEI 4201 digital multimeter, showing its main features.

Tech Topics - Detroit Auto Show
	Tech Report - Detroit Auto Show You've probably seen video, slide shows, and pictorials of the new vehicles displayed at this year's North American International Auto Show. Most of the presentations sell styling, since beauty shots of shiny new cars adorned by sleek young ladies will always attract a lot of attention!

Scope Essentials
	Scope Essentials - Trigger and Slope This article on scope Trigger and Slope is part of an ongoing series on Scope Essentials. See previous articles in this series in the December and January Issues of Autofixworld.com. To purchase the entire book in English or Spanish, visit our Bookstore. ...

Tool Use Tips
$Tool Use - Refractometers$	Tool Use - Refractometers Antifreeze Testing; Why Use a Refractometer? This article compares testers commonly used to test antifreeze concentration in engine coolant, comparing their benefits and limitations.