New innovations for clean and zero gas emission technologies have been brought up by some automakers for the past years in the automotive industry. All these latest technologies are being applied nowadays and I guess it has done a marvelous job in protecting our environment from further disintegration. Today, another earth-friendly technology has been introduced by the one and only Volvo Group! And you know what that is? It's diesel carbon-dioxide free trucks!

The best thing that could ever happen in trucks is all happening! Thanks to the Volvo Group - the first automaker to manufacture seven demonstration trucks that can all be operated without discharging any unwanted damaging carbon dioxide! I was in so much delight when read the news from TheAutoChannel.com last week. It’s even more interesting than researching for Saturn head bolts! Anyway, according to the news, these trucks were displayed for the first time today in Stockholm and are outfitted with diesel engines that have been customized to work on seven different kinds of renewable gaseous and liquid fuels.

“Volvo is part of the climate problem, but today we have shown that carbon-dioxide free transports are a possibility and that we as a vehicle manufacturer both can and will be part for the solution to the climate issue,” says Leif Johansson, the CEO of the Volvo Group.

Volvo’s own 9-liter engines that have been particularly customized by the Group’s engineers have been packed in Volvo’s seven Volvo FM trucks to demonstrate the chances of carbon-dioxide-free transport. Over 14 percent of total global carbon-dioxide emissions will come from the transport sector according to the generally exposed Stern report, with road transport accounting for a sum of 10 percent.

“As one of the world’s largest manufacturers of heavy trucks, diesel engines and buses, the Volvo Group is part of the climate problem,” says Johansson. “But environmental issues are one of the areas which we have assigned the very highest priority, and based on our resources and knowledge, we both can and will be part of the solution.”

“The diesel engine is an extremely efficient energy converter that is perfectly suited to many different renewable fuels, liquid or gaseous. With our know-how in engine technology and our large volumes, we can manufacture engines for several different renewable fuels, and also create possibilities for carbon-dioxide-free transports in such other product areas as buses, construction equipment and boats,” says Jan-Eric Sundgren, a member of Volvo Group Management and Senior Vice President for Public and Environmental Affairs.

“With these vehicles, we have shown that Volvo is ready, that we possess the technology and the resources for carbon-dioxide-free transport, but we cannot do this alone. We also require large-scale production of renewable fuels and putting such production in operation requires extensive investments in research and development, and also well-defined, common guidelines from authorities in as many countries as possible,” adds Leif Johansson.

The power of the 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser has earned itself a lot of honors since the start of this year… No doubt, this off-road ride is a certified achiever… the toughest of the toughest! The 2008 FJ Cruiser went down from a long line of well-known off-road vehicles of Toyota. Several of these vehicles are still going through tough years after they appeared but are continuing to show that they are up to the challenge. The FJ is designed to climb 20˚ grades, ford 3-foot deep fast-moving water, and drive beyond rocks the size of your refrigerators!

So where on earth does the ‘08 FJ Cruiser gets its exceptional power?! Of course, where else, it’s under the hood my friend!

The heart of every vehicle… the Engine! Let’s get to know the components of FJ Cruiser’s powertrain! Check it out!

Engine specifications:

• Engine 4.0-liter DOHC 24-valve SFI VVT-i V6 239 hp @ 5200 rpm; 278 lb.-ft. @ 3700 rpm
  
• Ignition: Electronic, with Toyota Direct Ignition System(TDIS)
  
• Transmission: 5-speed electronically controlled automatic overdrive (ECT); 6-speed manual (full-time 4WD model)
  
• Drivetrain: Rear-wheel 2WD or part-time 4WD for automatic transmission models; full-time 4WD for manual transmission models; automatic limited-slip differential (2WD model)

• Front: High-mounted, double-wishbone front suspension and stabilizer bar (click here to see how IFS works);
  
• Rear: 4-link rear suspension with lateral rod with coil springs and stabilizer bar (click here to see the rear suspension in action)
  
• Steering: Power-assisted variable-gear rack-and-pinion
  
• Turning circle diameter curb to curb (ft.) 41.8
  
• Brakes: Power-assisted 4-piston front/2-piston rear ventilated disc brakes with Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist
  
• Vehicle Stability Control (VSC): Standard
  
• Traction Control: Standard
  
• Active Traction Control Available (4WD model)

What do you get when you combine 2 efficient engines? - An extra-powerful engine that is!

For those who want their engines to be extremely powerful, here’s one great piece of news from Mazda: your engine parts are now capable of 'Volume and Model Mix Flexible Production' thanks to the latest mix from the Japanese automaker.

Mazda earlier announced the launch of mixed model production on the engine parts machining line at its engine plant located near the company’s headquarters in Hiroshima. The engine plant builds the new 3.7-liter V6 engine and the current in-line 4-cylinder 1.8- to 2.3-liter MZR series gasoline engines. Production of V6 engines resumed in May, roughly 4 years since their manufacture stopped in August of 2003.

The Japanese automaker announced in North America today that the new V6 engine will be mounted in the 2008 CX-9. The crossover sport utility, launched in April at the New York International Auto Show, features third-row seating, and replaces the Mazda MPV minivan for North America.

The CX-9 competes with the redesigned 2008 Toyota Highlander, Nissan Murano, the all new 2007 Hyundai Veracruz, the redesigned 2009 Honda Pilot, as well as General Motors' Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia and the Buick Enclave. The all-new CX-9 is set to go on sale this summer.

According to a press release, the engine machining line was designed to achieve the diversification and high efficiency necessary for flexible production(*1) by applying Mazda’s latest production and manufacturing technologies to various engine parts(*2) as they move along the line. Jigs and tools that were previously specific to each engine model have been replaced with generic equipment. The result is a consolidated process that supports Volume and Model Mix Flexible Production and requires less investment for equipment, the report added.

Mazda’s Senior Managing Executive Officer in charge of Production and Business Logistics, Masaharu Yamaki, has this to say: “Achieving mixed model production for both V6 and in-line four cylinder gasoline engine parts machining at the Ujina plant is the first step toward Volume and Model Mix Flexible Production, which lies at the heart of Mazda’s Manufacturing Innovation concept.”

He added, “Going forward, Mazda will progressively introduce the latest techniques to all of its production facilities in Japan and overseas as part of our Manufacturing Innovation initiative. We will continue to support improvements in production that raise Mazda’s brand value and enhance our business efficiency under the ‘One Mazda’ banner.”

Note:
(*1) A production method that supports efficient and fast changes in production model and volume.
(*2) Five parts: cylinder block, cylinder head, crankshaft, camshaft and connecting rods.

I'm just dropping by to share one of my personal favorite cars of all time! I'm talking about the Honda S2000 - the 2007 model. What makes it one of the world’s power performers? The auto body styling is obviously awesome… but what makes the S2000 as quick as a sly fox? It is obviously found underneath those dazzling pieces of metal! It's the heart of every vehicle in the planet… the power source… the adrenaline pumping, ground-breaking, earth shaking… whew! It’s the exceptional power of the S2000's engine - the fast beating heart.

Now try to check out the complete specs of Honda S2000’s engine courtesy of honda.com and I’m out of here. Ciao:

• Engine Type: In-Line 4-Cylinder
  
• Engine Block/Cylinder Head: Aluminum-Alloy
  
• Fiber-Reinforced Metal (FRM) Cylinder Walls: Standard
  
• Displacement (cc): 2157
  
• Horsepower at rpm: 237 at 7800
  
• Torque (lb.-ft. at rpm): 162 at 6800
  
• Redline (rpm): 8000
  
• Bore and Stroke (mm): 87.0 x 90.7
  
• Compression Ratio: 11.1:1
  
• Valve Train: 16-Valve DOHC VTEC
  
• Multi-Point Fuel Injection: Standard
  
• Drive-by-Wire throttle system: Standard
  
• Rear-Wheel Drive: Standard
  
• CARB Emissions Rating: LEV-2
  
• Direct Ignition System with Immobilizer: Standard
  
• 100,000-Miles-or-More Tune-Up Interval: Standard

• City/Highway: 20 / 26
  
• Crankcase (qt.): 5.9
  
• Coolant System (qt.): 8.0
  
• Fuel (gal.) 13.2
  
• Required Fuel: Premium Unleaded

Don’t be so ignorant about the basic tasks that your car requires you to do! There are things that you can do without getting any help from certified auto mechanics. As a responsible owner, do the things that are basically necessary for your car. One of these tasks is removing and changing your car’s engine. It seems to be very complicated! But with a little help from our very reliable source, WikiHow.com, changing your car’s engine will turn out just a piece of sweet cake for you!

So in case you arrive at a situation when you need to change your engine, these simple steps will absolutely help you do the task smoothly! Follow these steps and you’re on your way to be an independent mechanic:

Steps