As long as there have been internal combustion engines, there has been the need to power the engine in a synchronized manner to keep the vehicle running smoothly and safely. Timing belts and timing chains both serve this function. They work by synchronizing the rotation of the crankshaft (which moves pistons up and down within
Read More…
If this is Ford’s last Fusion vehicle, it looks like they’re making it count. After announcements that they would be phasing out the Fusion lineup, Ford shocked customers and fans with the Fusion Active. Little is known about the car, which will be an ambitious combo between a station wagon and a sedan. That said,
Read More…
Cars are getting smarter. In fact, some cars have had onboard computers for over twenty years. For example, GM introduced its OnStar service in 1996. Decades later, consumers and privacy advocates are starting to pay more attention to how cars collect data and what is done with it. Similar to our smart phones and apps,
Read More…
If you have been out of school for a long time, or if you are going from high school to college, the idea can be both intimidating and exciting. However, when you know you enjoy working on cars and you’re headed to a program that will help you become a car mechanic, the transition might
Read More…
Today the standards for what makes a vehicle luxurious seem to be shifting. There are brands like BMW, Mercedes, and Audi that are known as luxury brands, but these companies also sell relatively affordable models. Meanwhile, other brands like Rolls-Royce or Bugatti are undeniably luxurious in every way. The history of luxury cars is as
Read More…
As any car lover or mechanic knows, a vehicle is comprised of many different parts, each of which has a different function. So, how do all the various parts inside a car operate so smoothly together? You have the car’s powertrain control module to thank for that. As the onboard control unit for a vehicle’s
Read More…
The amount of computers, networks and electronics involved in auto repair have made it harder to fix a vehicle without proper training. Gone are the days of the average driver being able to diagnose and repair problems with their cars with just some elbow grease and a bit of intuition. If you’re interested in learning
Read More…
At the front of a car’s engine rests either a timing belt or a timing chain. They both serve to connect the crankshaft to the camshaft, making sure the valves and pistons of the engine stay in time to keep everything running. The crankshaft of the engine could be likened to the pedals of a
Read More…
When you become an auto mechanic, one task you’ll likely have to learn is the ability to disassemble and reassemble vehicle engines. This process is called an engine rebuild and, while time consuming and complicated, it offers an amazing look into how engines work. While rare in newer vehicles, engine rebuilds are fairly common when
Read More…
Headlights can sometimes be overlooked in discussions about cars. Although they’re essential safety features, allowing us to drive at all times of night and in all visibility conditions, they haven’t historically had the same levels of experimentation or variety as some other elements, largely due to years of strict safety regulations limiting their development. A
Read More…
