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Archive for the ‘In Automotive’ Category

The Power Probe 3 is the latest iteration of one of the most popular automotive tools on the market. What started out as a basic circuit tester, and won fans for its simple to use design and rock solid reliability has become one of the most advanced products of its type that is currently available, and now includes a number of additional features that will make it even more useful than ever before.

While the original Power Probe I, which is still available, was intended to simply offer auto engineers the ability to check whether circuits were live, and determine what the current flow through the system was, the all new Power Probe 3 takes its functionality to a whole new level, and includes plenty of additional features to make it even more indispensable to a modern auto workshop.

The most immediately obvious addition to the Power Probe design is the presence of an LCD screen on the device. This is where the Power Probe 3 displays voltage. For the first time, rather than simply indicating whether there is electricity present in a circuit, the Power Probe 3 now tells you exactly what the power in the circuit is. This means that you no longer need to use a digital multi meter in conjunction with your Power Probe when assessing the circuit strength in a car while it is being repaired.

Another feature that has been built into the Power Probe 3 is a flashlight. With this high intensity beam of light, which is generated by a tiny bulb right next to the probe, you can see directly into the area that you are testing. This means that you will never have the problem of not getting the right location for the probing, due to darkness or shadows getting in the way and obscuring wires from view.

The Power Probe 3 comes with all the accessories that you will need in order to ensure that you are able to get the job done properly. Reliable and hard working connectors are used on all wires to prevent them popping apart at the wrong moment, and the Power Probe 3 also features a 19 foot long extension lead to ensure that it reaches from one end of the vehicle to the other, and allows you to check circuits throughout.

With connectors for both hooking it up to a battery, and plugging into the standard cigarette lighter outlet available in most vehicles, Power Probe 3 is ready to go as soon as you are. The whole kit also comes in a hard wearing blown plastic case to protect it fully whenever it is not in use, and this is added at no extra cost.

Power Probe 3 includes a flashlight, built in voltmeter with a number of functions including the ability to test a bad ground, and measure voltage drop across a circuit. If can also be utilized to test relay switches and all other aspects of circuit continuity and assist the engineer in finding any problems quickly and easily.

As with its predecessors, the Power Probe 3 has been designed to be as simple to use as possible, with a single button operation, and all the functions available as soon as it is turned on. Rather than having to wade through loads of complex menus as you do on some systems, the Power Probe 3 simply works. The whole system is as elegant as can be, and nothing useless has been added. This means that the whole tool fits straight into the palm of your hand, and can be held comfortably during any job when it is needed.

The only problem with the Power Probe 3 comes in the form of the previous models. These devices are so hard wearing and easy to use that they will last for years. Thankfully, the build quality of the new model is exactly the same, and you can therefore rely on it to provide you with years of service, and reliability straight out of the box.

On many automotive forums, questions abound about throttle body spacers and their potential to deliver serious performance gains. For an easy installation and relatively inexpensive part, it may seem like a no-brainer. However, many remain skeptical of the hype and denounce them as expensive paper weights.

Before we get into the debate, let’s first describe how the throttle body works. The throttle body is part of the air intake system in a fuel injection engine. The throttle body regulates the amount of air that flows into the engine based on input from the accelerator. Throttle bodies are most often located between the air filter and intake manifold. The throttle body is also often attached or near the mass airflow sensor.

Inside the throttle body is the throttle plate. This is the largest piece inside the throttle body. It is the butterfly valve that controls the airflow into the intake manifold. When the accelerator is pressed, the throttle plate opens and allows air to rush into the intake manifold. The more air that flows into the intake the better, since this allows the engine to produce more power.

The throttle body spacer is a metal piece that is installed onto a throttle body. The piece is designed to increase the speed of the air within the throttle body assembly and change the airflow so that the fuel can “atomize more efficiently”. Throttle body spacers also claim to house a larger amount of air within the throttle body assembly so that the engine doesn’t have to work as hard to suck air into the engine. These modifications in the air intake assembly supposedly allow for performance gains such as higher horse power, torque and fuel efficiency.

While the benefits sound impressive and the product is fairly inexpensive and easy to install, many have stated that the gains don’t live up to the claims. Some throttle body spacers claim an increase of up to 18 horse power, 4 miles per gallon and 25 lb/ft of torque. This sounds a little too optimistic.

Opponents of the throttle body spacer movement point out that if such gains were possible from this simple installation all major auto manufacturers would implement the piece into their vehicles. In some forums, members reference university projects that have tested the performance gains from throttle body spacers. One experiment included a small block V8, which required the throttle body spacer to be about a meter long for any measurable gains to be present. A smaller engine that didn’t require as much air would need an even longer throttle body spacer.

Even if the big performance gains aren’t present for your vehicle, there may be some additional benefits from the throttle body spacers. Some say it can act as a heat sink, which will keep the throttle body cooler. Others declare that the lengthening of the throttle body may increase low end power. The shiny metal may also add an attractive accent under the hood if you are concerned with aesthetics. It has been observed by some that the throttle body spacer may create a faint whistling noise, which could be very useful if you are interested in tricking people into thinking you have a turbo setup.

As with any performance product, results will vary. Go to a forum dedicated to your specific make and model and see what kind of results others are reporting with their throttle body spacer install. If enough people are raving about the benefits, you may want to throw a throttle body spacer into your rig next weekend.

Follow these links to see a Throttle Body, Throttle Body Spacers and Air Intakes.

With the current system of creating number plates, i.e. basing two of the digits on the six month period in which the car is put on sale, there has been some confusion surrounding what happens in March of 2010……

 

The way it operates at the moment March 2009 started the 09 digits being used in all new license plates and September 2009 started the 59 digits. This pattern follows on from March 2008 beginning 08, September 2008 beginning 58 and all the way back to March 2001 beginning 01 and September 2001 beginning 51.

 

What some people are wondering is what this will mean in 2010. The final digit can no longer be changed to match the year! Except that the initial digit can be changed too, and that is exactly what is going to happen. March ’10 will see the 10 code being used, and September 2010 will simply use 60.

 

This means that everything is fine until 2050. At this point the March update will move on to 50 and the September update will need to change from 99 to 00. What happens the following year is a problem though. September 2051 using 01 would step on the toes of the March 2001 registration date. March meanwhile, will begin encroaching on the September 2001 registration dates.

 

Whether this will genuinely be an issue or not remains to be seen. It will have been fifty years since the original 01 and 51 license plates were issued and it may turn out that they can be reused with no issues. If this does prove to be the case then the system could continue when 2101 rolls around and both the March updates and September updates will begin repeating themselves.

 

Another possibility is bringing in a new format for license plates either in 2051, 2101 or at any point from now onwards, though given that the system is fine until then, this would appear to be unnecessary and costly.

 

So far we have discounted the possibility of a new technology emerging to replace license plates, of course. What form this would take and why it would be seen fit to make the change are speculative at best. For the next forty-one years, we can remain confident that license plates will stay the same