What Exactly is an Ignition Coil?

Most of us think of cars as basic and straight forward, this is due to the fact that the cars we have owned have all been older models. As technology gets more integrated into our cars the simplicity has pretty much vanished. The suspension is a great example of this it used to be shocks and springs. Now suspension can be air suspension with a suspension pump or suspension compressor with 10 different sensors controlling it. Till recently the ignition system in most cars was very simplistic, distributor with a cap and rotor with spark plug wires that lead to the cylinders. This is not so with the new models which are coming onto the market in recent years.

The biggest and most noticeable change to the ignition system for modern vehicles is the introduction of the ignition coil. The ignition coil is more efficient than a plus wire since there is no loss, through the wire. The ignition coil pack is an induction coil that increases the voltage going to the spark plug to the 20-30 thousand volts that is needed to create a solid spark.  Some coil packs use internal resistor to create voltage and others rely on external to get the job done.

Replacing a coil pack is just as easy as replacing a spark plug wire but it will cost a bit more. It may seem like a waste of money for something that does the same thing but in truth it makes for better gas mileage which means that they will pay for themselves. 

Clean Fuel Injectors Mean Better Gas Mileage

After time you may notice your car isn’t getting the same gas mileage it once did. A cause of this may be one of your diesel injectors, which can experience wear over time. Diesel or regular fuel injectors will need a bit of work to sustain the power and performance they had from stock. In some cases a simple cleaning of the injectors can restore the vehicle’s performance. In other cases, the diesel injectors may need to be replaced with a new diesel injector kit.  A recent consumer reports study shows that 46% of people think fuel economy is the most important factor when purchasing a car. (Have you seen any Hummers around lately?) The only factor that seems to have more of an impact on new car sales is price.

A main factor that can hurt the performance of a fuel injector is dirt. A fuel injector is basically a valve controlled by the car’s ECU. This valve opens and closes very quickly to allow fuel to be squirted into the intake valves. Ideally, the fuel is delivered as a mist and it is vaporized immediately. If there is any dirt on the nozzle or within the injector itself, the fuel will not be sprayed as consistently and the combustion system will suffer. This process takes place in small fractions of a second and is therefore extremely sensitive.

How do you clean your fuel injectors? Give them a bath! Ultrasonic cleaning is one of the more intensive (but effective) solutions.  This process involves actually removing the injectors and giving them a “bath” in a special cleaning solution. Simpler cleaning tips include doing a few full throttle accelerations on the highway. After having the injectors cleaned, most car drivers notice an immediate improvement in performance.

If there has been too much dirt buildup or there are other problems facing the fuel system, the fuel injectors may ultimately need to be replaced. If it comes to this, you should probably consider changing out all of the fuel injectors at the same time. So save yourself some money at the pump this holiday season and make sure your getting the gas mileage you’re suppose to!

The Toybaru or Subaota or Whatever You Call the FT-86 Concept is Finally Here

About 2 years ago Toyota and Subaru decided to work together to bring the first completely new sports car to the market in years. The car they have created is beautiful and very light, with a very low center of gravity. Due to this the car has no need for a turbocharger or supercharger to make them fast. The whole idea behind this dual creation car was to make something that handled like a dream.

The two car companies used their vast knowledge and resources to create a car that has the lowest center of gravity of almost any production car.  The reason that anyone would want a very low center of gravity is simple, the lower the center of gravity the better the handling can be. The center of gravity on a car may not be the only factor that will make this car handle well but it is a huge influence on the characteristics of the vehicle.

The styling of the car caught the attention of the car world almost instantly. The main reason was because of the elegant looks that still had some serious aggression. A look that said yeah I am fast and mean but I still look great…kinda reminds me of the way an Aston Martin makes you feel. This car will be instantly recognizable as a sports car and will have a very distinct sound. What is the reason for the distinct sound? That would be the boxer motor which is not only very flat which means the center or gravity stays low but also creates that unique Subaru sound. Love it or hate it the sound will be very different for a 2 door rear drive sports coupe. 

Nicola Roberts Designs her own Renault Twingo

Nicola Roberts

Anything's Possible With Twingo!

Four artists with “twinguesque” genes express their view of the world: joyous, optimistic, clever and bold, just like the compact city car. Renault is giving the main artistic disciplines – fashion, music, design, cooking – an opportunity to express themselves in a bright and original environment: by making over the interior of New Twingo.

The line up features: French fashion designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, a man of multiple talents, Italian chef Davide Scabin renowned for his creative cooking, UK singer Nicola Roberts, queen of the charts, and pragmatic German designer, Nils Holger Moormann, who finds new uses for everyday objects.

Rich In Twingo-Elements

A cheery urban citizen, in tune with its times, Twingo gains a new, softer, smilier front end, reflecting the dynamic, mischievous spirit that made the first Twingo such a success. It marks a return to the original spirit of Twingo and states Renault’s new visual identify.

With its own unique character, New Twingo is out to dispel the gloom of everyday life. Thanks to its curvy lines, pop art design, and humorous, playful looks, New Twingo expresses the joy of living… and driving!

Kahn RS300 Cosworth Range Rover

Range Rover Kahn RS300 Cosworth

How has Afzal Kahn succeeded in making you think this vehicle came from the original manufacturer?

Well, the answer is pretty straight forward, this fugi white range rover, essentially an 8 piece pace car, can only be described as a head turner. Edge-bound in bespoke composite, akin to a rare treasure; it retains the original Range Rover's decorum and also accommodates Cosworth's heritage.

Featuring the kind of treatment that makes A Kahn Design's bespoke vehicles a favourite amongst celebrities, the 2012 RS300 edition boasts an exceptional Cosworth aerodynamic styling package.

On the outside, it looks immaculate. The body kit makes the Range Rover's already flawless lines continue: the Cosworth vented front and rear wheel arch spats with integrated air dams, led daytime running lights in front air dams, Cosworth front grille with 3D mesh and exhaust side vents all curb the wilder excesses associated with aftermarket SUV dressers.

Additional trinkets include diamond gear selector, RS300 rev counter, Cosworth speedo, Cosworth time clock facia insert, Cosworth stainless steel door entry sill plates, Cosworth machined aluminum vented foot pedals, Cosworth quad diagonal exhaust system, calipers (painted in special heat resistant paint and available in a choice of colours) and Kahn branding - all of which are positively addictive and demonstrate improved interaction coupled with a sense of motor supremacy, performance and style.

Inside is the 'bespoke touch', and although this particular vehicle has an ivory interior - we always provide our customers with the opportunity to express one's individuality, and they can have whatever they want. Afzal Kahn could, for example, design for you a vehicle with an exterior the colour of your jeans and an interior with seats the same shade of lets say, a grey T-shirt. Customers could change the colour of the clock, or ask for anything else, the world is their oyster, so to speak.

Kahn wheels sit perfectly, on any vehicle, conveying the essence of the vehicle's identity. Created using state-of-the art manufacturing and materials technology, the Kahn RS/R wheels are available in 9.5 x 22 and 10.5 x 22. With simple clean lines, soft organic surfaces on the edge of the spoke and a purposeful mechanical centre, the RS-R wheels are synonymous with elegance and innovation.

This vehicle is available for £65,875.

Toby Silverton, the Managing Director of Bristol Cars, is stepping down

It has been announced today that Toby Silverton, the Managing Director of Bristol Cars, is stepping down in order to concentrate on his aviation businesses.

William Chia, Director of Bristol Automotive Group and Group Director of Operations of Frazer-Nash, said: "We would like to take this opportunity to thank Toby for helping us during the crucial transition period since we became guardians of the Bristol Cars marque in April and we’re delighted that we will still have access to his input should the need arise. This is an exciting chapter in the company’s history in which we are investing in the development of new Bristol cars adopting Frazer-Nash’s green technology as well as in the Kensington showroom, which will continue to sell the best selection of cars from Bristol’s magnificent 65 year history.”

Mr Silverton added: "I am profoundly optimistic about Bristol’s future. The next-generation technology, engineering resource and investment that Bristol now has access to will ensure that the new cars live up to their high tech heritage. I am looking forward to returning full-time to head up my interests in the aviation industry and will be pleased to assist Bristol Cars in whatever way I can."

The appointment of a new General Manager of Bristol Cars will be announced soon. In the meantime, it is very much business as usual.

ESP is now Compulsory on New Cars

ESP Installation Rates

From 1st November 2011, all new car and light commercial vehicle models in the EU must be equipped with the anti-skid system ESP® (Electronic Stability Program). The corresponding EU regulation applies to all vehicles with type approvals issued after this date. ESP® will subsequently become compulsory in all new EU vehicles from 31st October 2014.

Making ESP® compulsory is part of a comprehensive European Commission strategy to improve road safety. "ESP® can prevent up to 80 percent of all skidding accidents. It is the most important vehicle safety system after the seat belt”, says Dr. Werner Struth, president of the Bosch Chassis Systems Control division. Bosch developed ESP® and in 1995, it was the first company worldwide to start series production. By 2010, 41 percent of all cars and light commercial vehicles weighing less than six metric tons that rolled off the world's production lines were equipped with the system. And some 63 percent of all cars and commercial vehicles manufactured in Europe had ESP®.

Since 1995, Bosch has played a key role in ensuring the widespread use of ESP® by delivering more than 50 million systems worldwide. It is expected that every second new car across the globe will have ESP® by 2013.

The global success of ESP® supports the goal of the United Nations (UN) initiative ‘Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020’, which aims to help halve the number of road deaths by 2020. According to recent surveys, around 1.3 million people are killed on the world's roads each year. To make sure that breakthroughs such as ESP® become a global safety standard, Bosch never lets up in its development efforts. The objective is to boost the systems’ performance while also making them ever smaller and more cost-effective. Encouraging widespread market use of such systems will help keep everyone safe. Equipping all new vehicle models with ESP® as standard in Europe also paves the way for increased use of driver assistance systems based on intelligent networking between ESP® and sensors that monitor vehicle surroundings, such as radars or cameras.

The Electronic Stability Program uses intelligent sensors to check 25 times per second whether the driver's steering input matches the vehicle's actual direction of travel. If the system detects some discrepancy and identifies that the vehicle is likely to become unstable, ESP® intervenes by reducing the engine torque in order to restore stability. If that is not sufficient, then it additionally brakes individual wheels. ESP® also incorporates the functions of the antilock braking system (ABS) and traction control.

The New Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet goes on sale in the UK on the 3rd March 2012

Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet

The New Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet goes on sale in the UK on the 3rd March 2012.

There is a choice of two engines - the £79,947 - Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet is powered by a flat-six 3.4-litre engine producing 350 hp mated to a seven-speed manual gearbox.

The £89,740 - Porsche Carrera S Cabriolet has a flat-six 3.8-litre engine developing 400 hp also coupled to a seven-speed manual transmission as standard.

The Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet is also available with a seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) double-clutch transmission as an option, delivering lower fuel consumption and shorter acceleration times.

The 911 Cabriolet shares its new, high tech aluminium-steel body with the Coupe, and the convertible extends this innovation to its all-new, unique hood. When raised, the design of the hood ensures the iconic 911 roof line is retained in its entirety. Intelligent lightweight design, including the use of magnesium in the hood frame, ensures reduced weight for increased responsiveness, lower fuel consumption and greater comfort. As is the case with the Coupe model, the new 911 Cabriolet is significantly lighter overall than its predecessor.

To protect your 911 – Porsche have fitted the Porsche Vehicle Tracking System (VTS) as standard. VTS is a sophisticated vehicle security package approved to Thatcham Category 5 standard, and customers will also be able to explore the potential of their new car by participating in a complimentary course at the Porsche Experience Centre, Silverstone.

New Mitsubishi Dealer for Bridport Dorset

Mitsubishi Dealer Bridport Dorset

Motorwell Limited have been appointed as the official Mitsubishi dealer for Bridport, Dorset. They will be opening will open their doors in Bridport to the public on Tuesday 3rd January 2012. The latest addition to Mitsubishi’s nationwide dealer network will provide sales, service and parts for the Bridport area operating from 16-18 East Road, Bridport, Dorset.

Graham Elliott and Adrian Haylett formed Motorwell Limited in April 2008 in Yeovil representing another vehicle manufacturer. In 2010, Motorwell expanded the business after a major showroom re-fit and added the Mitsubishi franchise to its portfolio. Employing 17 staff members from the Yeovil area, they have increased their market share to date from 0.8% to 3.6% in a shrinking and difficult market. Motorwell believe that their heavy investment in staff training and development has seen the operation go from strength to strength.

Motorwell Limited already pride themselves on providing their customers with Excellent Service, a key pillar in Mitsubishi Motors in the UK’s ongoing strategy. Their policy of employing and investing in local people has proven itself by resulting in Motorwell Yeovil Mitsubishi achieving numerous service awards. Motorwell recognise the importance of a good customer experience and as a result currently hold 4.5 star rating (out of a possible 5 stars) in the Mitsubishi Motors Customer Service Score programme. This means that up to 94% of their existing customers would recommend Motorwell to their family and friends.

Traveling Turkeys

What am I thankful for this year? I am thankful for the DVD player in my car to keep the kids quit during a road trip. I am also thankful for the navigation unit to get me to my in-laws’ house, and then to the closest sports bar.

What am I not thankful for? I am not thankful for having to travel this holiday season.

One of my least favorite moments of the holidays is traveling with all the other turkeys out there. What makes me even unhappier is discovering that an estimated 42.5 million people will be traveling this Thanksgiving.  According to AAA, 90% of these travels will be driving to their destinations.  I’m not the greatest at math, but 90% of 42.5 million drivers clogging up my interstate does NOT sound like a good time.

However, it could be worse.  I could have been one of those unlucky go-getters on the Pennsylvania Turnpike last night.  Driving through a 40 mile stretch of driveway sealant taught them a lesson.  A tanker with a leaking valve spread black goo all over the highway.  It covered the car’s tires and undercarriages.  These travelers will think twice before leaving a day early for Thanksgiving next year.

Identifying What Killed a Turbocharger

There are many causes that can lead to a turbo failing but what are the main causes that can be seen after the failure happens. Turbochargers themselves are very simplistic pieces of equipment. All they really do is move air, it is not magic and there are not really that many moving parts. The process of designing a turbo is difficult with years of research into every element of the creation. Once they are built it is just a matter of maintaining them with proper services.

When it comes down to the turbo failure on a motor there are only 4 main reasons that caused failure. The first and most common reason for failure is metal fatigue over time. This will happen to all turbos eventually due to the expansion and contraction of the metal in the unit over time. Eventually over time the metal will become brittle and being to crack or crumble, usually starting with the impeller. Proper maintenance on a turbo will slow this process but in the end it cannot be avoided.

The second major type of failure is oil starvation, this occurs when the oil flow to the turbo stops. With no oil flowing to the turbo the bearings will become under-lubricated and will either seize up or just fall apart. Oil starvation can be seen when taking the turbo apart and inspecting the shaft of the turbo. When the shaft shows discoloration or scaring oil starvation is what killed this turbo. This can be cause due to low oil pressure, a blocked oil line or oil sludging. Oil sludging is caused by the turbo burning the oil that is in the unit and then it is pumped back into the oil pan. Usually the sludge is due to the car being shut off when the turbo is excessively hot and the oil sits in the turbo and burns. Then once the car is started it is pumped back into the system, this can be an issue for the engine as well as the turbo.

The third major reason for failure in a turbocharger is over-heating. While this may sound like a strange thing to worry about in a unit that gets hot enough to glow red, it is an issue. Many modern turbos use engine coolant pumped through them to keep the turbo within operating range. When the flow of coolant stops or is hindered it is just a matter of time before the turbo gets too hot and cooks the bearings inside. Again this can be seen by discoloration on the internal pieces of the turbo unit.

The last and final common cause of failure in turbochargers is foreign objects. The internal parts of a turbo spin around 30-50,000 RPM and if something like a rock or other debris were to enter the system it will cause serious damage. Basically a turbo is very intense fan just imagine if you threw a brick into a house fan. Think of the damage, well that is exactly what will happen to the impeller of the turbocharger. This can be detected if there are dents in the impeller blades and sometimes all of the blades get chewed off completely.

Making sure to check and determine the reason for failure is the best way to make sure that the replacement won’t fail for the same reason. An automotive turbo can cost upwards of $2,000 and a truck turbo can fetch prices in the $10K range so failure can be a costly repair. All of the failures listed here besides normal wear will void the seller warranty. In other words if the cause of the failure is not determined you could be stuck with a huge repair bill that could have been easily avoided. 

What the Heck is a Control Arm?

I had never been interested in learning about fuel pumps or control arms.   Don’t get me wrong, I know what fuel pumps and control arms do, but that’s about as much as I wanted to know.  I was recently forced to learn more about control arms when I had to replace one of mine. Isn’t it amazing how you can go for so long not caring about something until it hits your wallet?  Here is a bit of information I found out after I had to put in a few hours replacing my own lower control arm.

Control arms are an important part of the suspension system.  There are several types of control arms, including upper, and lower control arms, which are located in both the front and the rear of the vehicle.  Control arms by nature must be able to handle a great deal of weight, therefore the shape and size of these units can vary greatly between models. The wide end of a control arm attaches to the frame of the car and pivots on a bushing, while the skinny end of the control arm attaches to the knuckle which pivots on a ball joint.  A two control arm set-up per wheel makes up a double wishbone suspension that is found on most modern vehicles.  On a side note, I thought it was fitting that I had to replace a part referred to as a “wishbone,” so close to Thanksgiving.  Alright, I am getting hungry again; let’s get back to these control arms.  When there is only one control arm per wheel, than that control arm is most commonly the lower part of a MacPherson strut suspension system.

Like most suspension components, control arms allow for a smooth ride even over a rough surface. This explains why it felt like I was driving over invisible speed bumps. The control arm assemblies were designed to attach the suspension to the vehicles while using bushings to cushion the impacts taken by the wheels.  The reason there are usually two control arms per wheel is to add stability, and secure the wheel as the car travels over uneven surfaces. Think of it like a wheel barrel, which is a lot easier to keep going smoothly when you have two handles to grasp onto.  Imagine how much more difficult it would be with only one handle.  Though, not all cars have two control arms per wheel.  Front wheel drive vehicles that have strut assemblies instead of shocks usually have the lower control arms, but not the upper.

Control arms need to be inspected on a regular basis and serviced if damage or cracking has occurred.  Make sure to have them inspected regularly so you don’t have to blow another Sunday in the garage instead of on the golf course. If you don’t properly service them, the control arms can prematurely fail which will cause the handling of the car to become erratic and unsteady. Just like driving on the golf course, this can raise your handicap by about two to three strokes.  A sure sign that a control arm bushing is worn out is a knocking sound when driving over bumps, or when turning the steering wheel back and forth.