The Los Angeles Auto Show goes Green

Almost all auto shows declare that they emphasize green and fuel-efficient technologies from automakers around the world, and the Los Angeles Auto Show is not an exception. Being the first big event to kick-off this season, critics says that going green by the Auto Show is merely Press Release.
In general, the spotlights are on the emblematic sport utility vehicles, sedans and coupes but with the sugar coats of the exotic ultimate performing vehicles. But almost all opens curtains for their green by hybrid or electric and the commitments of top most fuel-efficiency. According to some automakers, just give them some months and they will make alternative fuel vehicles available. For some, they will be on the lead in leaving oil behind as the main source of vehicle power.
"The automakers know it s reached a level of concern where if they don t do something, they ll lose market share," said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal. "We d like to think they re doing this for the right reasons, to help the environment, but it s a business decision. They realize they have to do it."
For some critics, these statements had long been spoken and there are only two side of the coin, either automakers will miss or hit their targets and promises. And they have all the reason to doubt whether this time, automakers will hit their track records.
The intense drive of automakers to go green is obviously multi-factorial. Oil prices are continuously increasing, everybody is discussing global warming issues and the American auto market have been strongly depending on exported fuels, with these scenarios, naturally, automakers will storm to do something. According to critics, green and alternative fuel technologies are the automaker s way of surviving, and no longer for marketing and innovations.
Ford with General Motors has joined Honda in its green displays at the Los Angeles Auto Show. On the other hand, the automaker of the world s best selling hybrid vehicle, Toyota Motor Corp. is facing speculations and harsh criticisms from American environmentalist groups as the company joins American automakers who opposes new fuel-economy standards.
Some analysts see that General Motors and Ford are threats to Toyota to being the most environmental-friendly automaker with their revolutionary Prius. Toyota s luxury division had also combined luxury with fuel efficiency with hybrid versions of some Lexus models (all with Lexus master cylinder).
"I m surprised by the complacency Toyota feels," said Aaron Bragman, a researcher with Global Insight. "It doesn t feel it faces any threat. The statements I ve heard from Toyota are exactly what we heard from GM in the 70s and 80s during the onslaught of Japanese cars."
Among the automakers firm in increasing their fuel efficiency is Ford Motor Co. when it s CEO, Allan Mullaly announced that they are on the process of developing plug-in hybrids in their entire vehicle line-up. Ford confirmed that they will be loaning 20 plug-in Escape hybrids to Southern California Edison to be tested. The Ford Escape hybrid had been branded to the most fuel-efficient and cleanest SUV ever produced
"We are going to keep improving the fuel efficiency of all our vehicles from this day forward, forever," he proclaimed. "It s important to start this discussion and keep it going. We need to do this right now."
Another track is being taken by America s largest automaker. General Motors made huge investments on more-efficient internal combustion engines, bio-fuels like E85 ethanol, gas-electric hybrids, electric efficient vehicles and hydrogen fuel cells. GM is on the lead while other automakers are set to undertake the same trail.
"It s been really impressive to see the new technology coming through here," Bragman said. "They re all over the map. They re all saying there s no silver bullet, no one answer to the problem."
The Los Angeles Auto Show also opens for environment-friendly cars ranging form the Smart Fortwo to the midsized Mercedes Benz S400 Bluetec diesel to the hefty Chevrolet Taho hybrid awarded as this year s Green Car of the Year . Hybrids are getting bigger from the Chevrolet Malibu sedan to the Porsche Cayenne.



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Understanding Handling Characteristics in Relation to Race Suspension Tuning

Two general terms are used to describe the handling of a car: understeer and oversteer. Understeer (also known as tight or push) occurs when the front wheels of the car lose traction before the rear wheels in a corner. The car is difficult to turn and pushes toward the outside of a turn. Oversteer (also known as loose) is the opposite condition. The rear tires lose traction before the front tires. Hence, the rear of the car is loose. It slides toward the outside of the turn, and the car feels like it is going to spin out when it is on the edge of control.
The goal of suspension tuning is to make the car neutral, not oversteering or understeering. When the car is neutral, you should be able to control what it does in a turn by using the throttle. Giving a burst of throttle should make the back of the car slide toward the outside of the turn and allow the car to turn better (in effect making it looser). Getting off the throttle should make the back of the car step back in line ("tightening" up the car).
When the car is neutral, it is easier to control, creates less wear on the tires, and usually allows for faster lap times. I say usually because a slightly oversteering car can also yield fast laps. However, this is difficult to achieve because the driver must react instantly to the car sliding by counter-steering. If the reaction is not quick enough, the car will slide sideways achieving a large yaw/slip angle (the angle between the direction the car is pointing and the direction it is actually moving). This will scrub off speed and may even cause you to spin out. Therefore, an oversteering car can be fast but only with a skilled driver.
On the other hand, an understeering car is limited by the grip of its front tires on the racetrack. Even a skilled driver will not be able to clock fast laps with a severely understeering car. Nonetheless, you may want to set up your car for slight understeer to make it more stable and forgiving. With an understeering car, overdriving (getting on the throttle too early in a corner, for instance) will simply make the car slide straight. The condition is easily corrected by getting off the throttle. Overdriving with an oversteering car is much more likely to lead to slower speeds or loss of control.
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How Mazda Ball Joints Work

What is a Mazda Ball Joint? It is a part of the car s wheel system that serve as the pivot between the wheels and the suspension. Mazda Ball joints are thus quite important in ensuring that the car runs smoothly and safely. Steering and suspension are, after all, directly affected. These components are often present in a number of linkage assemblies for motion control operations. But they should not be taken in the same line as spherical rod end bearings which, of course, sport a different structural design.
A Mazda Ball Joint consists entirely of a steel bearing stud with a socket enclosed in a steel casing. Tapered and threaded, the bearing stud fits, in turn, into a tapered hole located in the steering knuckle. The case that serves as a protective coating keeps dirt particles out, preventing any from undermining the defenses of the joint assembly.
On the other hand, there is another type of ball bearing like those that work specially well as motion control agents. These are ball joints that are commonly packed with an internal spring. This keeps vibration problems in the linkage from springing. Mazda Ball Joints of this sort are, more often than not, found in the throttle linkages of a car as well as in the throttle body setup.
Incidentally, it is a good idea to inspect ball joints for looseness or wear whenever they are lubricated. Some auto makers specify ball joint inspection at regular intervals as part of periodic maintenance to ensure that the car remains in tip-top condition.WKeep in mind that when lubricating front suspension ball joints, make sure that the grease reaches all friction surfaces. This is most easily done by moving the wheel from side to side while applying the lubricant. Generally, the weight-carrying ball joint should be unloaded to improve the flow of the said lubricant.



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