The cars on display at the current Shanghai auto show indicates that China is serious about alternatives to the internal combustion engine—but also reveals that it has not sorted out the differences between real short-term solutions and long-term dreams.
via New York Times: "China's Automakers, With Beijing's Prodding, Show Alternative-Fuel Cars"
April 21, 2007
Then I thought, "What if the new Key Transponder ECU comes programmed when sold with the lock set?" There is no mention of this in the instructions, but wanting to avoid the shame of failure, and the fear of having the same problem with the new part, provided me with all the motivation I needed to completely exhaust all avenues before giving up and ordering yet another new ECU.
What's the best way to understand hybrid technology? You can read the marketing literature put out by the carmakers—or discuss theories with hybrid engineers. Or you can get the straight dope from the mechanics who see, touch, and smell actual hybrids after the vehicles have been on the road. Intrepid hybrid technicians experience the everyday adventure of maintaining and fixing hybrids—and most of the time, they live to tell the tale.
There's no better adventure guide than Paul Cortes of Art's Automotive in Berkeley, California.
Honda Insight Oil Leak
The repair of a messy oil leak on a Honda Insight becomes a kaleidoscopic journey through the mechanics of the retired king of hybrid fuel economy. Along the way, we learn about the similarities and differences between the Insight, other hybrids, and conventional vehicles.
Toyota Prius RFID Unit
Replacing the ECU for a Toyota Prius RFID immobilizer is harder than it looks.
Stay tuned for more adventures.
Hybrids used to be the environmentalists' great shining hope for combating auto pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and gas guzzling. Those were the romance days for hybrids, the first two or three years following their introduction in 2000. But the honeymoon is over.
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