Tech Feature: Acquiring Data on Scan Tools, Part II Technical contributor Gary Goms discuss the importance of choosing the right scan tool, using scan tool database systems, graphing data, storing data for future use, analyzing scan tool data and using bi-directional controls. More

Tech Feature: Engine Technology Gets a Boost As a technician, you'll need to understand how Ford's EcoBoost turbocharged gasoline direct injection engine works, since the automaker plans to incorporate it in 90% of its new vehicles over the next three years. More

CURBING CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFTS Catalytic converters have been disappearing at an alarming rate. The theft of these emission control devices is being perpetrated by sleazeballs looking for easy money. A thief can hock a pilfered converter for $25 to as much as $100 depending on the value of the precious metals inside it. More

Directions: Turbocharging’s Not Just A Lot of Hot Air In a recent study of U.S. consumers by Honeywell, more than half of those who plan to purchase a vehicle in the next two years believe fuel efficiency is more important than it was during their last vehicle purchase. More

Tech Feature: Getting The Most Data From Your Scan Tool It's more than likely that many technicians use their scan tools as diagnostic trouble code (DTC) readers rather than as the analytical and testing tools that they really are. More

Tech Feature: The Subaru Boxer Engine: A Balance of Power According to their engineers, these high-powered engines are ideal for all-wheel-drive applications used in Subaru vehicles because they are inherently compact - short and low. More

Tech Tip: Wave Dynamics for Headers and Pipes Depending upon the market to which an import shop might be catering, the term "performance exhaust" can have two different meanings. The first market actively seeks out the throaty rumble and chrome-plated look as part of the street-driving scene. The second market installs an exhaust system that produces the most horsepower for a performance application. Sometimes the two markets are identical and... More

Tech Feature: Servicing Diesels in Your Shop Is there a diesel in your service bay? Maybe not now, but there definitely will be in your future. You're going to see trucks as well as SUVs and passenger cars. Mercedes-Benz produced a 3.0L V6 diesel-powered SUV for the 2008 model year and Volkswagen has a Twinturbo 5.0L V10 diesel engine in its Touareg. As the automakers focus on better fuel economy, you might say the diesels are coming again. More

Tech Feature: Manifold Makeover - Increasing Engine Power An intake manifold is more than the plumbing that connects the carburetor or throttle body to the ports in the cylinder head. It is an integral part of the induction system that has to match the airflow characteristics of the cylinder head and camshaft, as well as the displacement and rpm range of the engine. A well-designed manifold that is properly matched to the engine's requirements will make more... More

Tech Feature: What's New in Spark Plug & Ignition Cable Technology Ignition systems have changed a great deal in recent years, with coil-on-plug (COP) ignition systems being the most common setup on many late-model engines. Car makers like COP ignition systems for a variety of reasons. The main one is that mounting a small ignition coil over each spark plug gets rid of the troublesome spark plug wires. Plug wires are vulnerable to heat and vibration damage, and can... More