October 18th, 2009 by engineering magazines
We live in the digital age where technology makes our lives easier each day. Advance medical equipments are created to help doctors treat patients, kitchen tools are innovated to make it easier for home makers, and
cars are made smarter to make driving easier for humans.
Automotive electronics paved the way for helpful features like anti-lock braking systems (ABS) and automatic weather adjustments which makes driving safer and more comfortable.
Car manufacturers spend about two thousand dollars in automotive electronics for every car that comes out of the assembly line. These automotive electronics transform the car into a vehicle with better performing engine, more adaptive entertainment systems, and safety features that are far more superior than its predecessors.
Automotive Electronics of the Modern Car
Control Area Network or CAN – There are several computers that run a modern car. The CAN is a network of computers that play vital roles in the different functions of the engine and its peripherals. The CAN serves as the bridge for the different computers so they can communicate with one another so everything are well coordinated. CAN controls the functions like cruise control, engine management, and the ABS.
Fuel Efficiency- automotive electronics can save a car owner hundreds of dollars in fuel consumption. This is done thru the EFI or Electronic Fuel Injection technology which ensures that the engine’s fuel consumption is at its optimal. In hybrid cars, a driver can easily switch from using gas and electronic power supply to run the vehicle.
Safety Devices- Most safety system is controlled by automotive electronics. Devices like the Acceleration Slip Regulation, Traction Control, Electronic Stability and Dynamic Steering wheel ensure the safety of the driver and the passengers. The simple but complicated timing of airbags during a road collision is also controlled by advanced automotive systems.
Added Features- Some cars today can even park themselves without any assistance from the driver. All the calculations are done by a computer making sure the car will not hit anything by making references to other cars and different objects in its surrounding.
One cannot imagine the evolution that took place with automotive electronics. The Apollo 11 which landed on the moon ran on a memory which is 150 kilobytes only. The sound systems of our cars today are running on 500 kilobytes of memory to ensuring our entertainment pleasure. Automotive electronics have gone far beyond entertainment and enhanced modern day vehicles in terms of safety, efficiency, and convenience.
The automotive industry projects billions of investments and sales in developing cars that are smarter, more fuel efficient and more environment-friendly in the future. Modern cars can be the answer to alleviate the adverse condition of the environment and the rising price of fuel all over the globe.
Cars are being developed to scan the traffic, the road, and all hazards so it can drive itself while the driver can do anything that he wants while in motion. The future cars can think for themselves with the aid of advanced automotive electronics. In that way, driving will be more than getting from one place to another.
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July 31st, 2009 by engineering magazines
Removing an auto engine can be one of the most difficult if not troublesome as well as potentially dangerous phases or parts of the whole process of rebuilding your vehicles automotive motor.
The degree of difficulty becomes compounded when it comes the reverse procedure – when it comes to the time period when it comes to install that auto’s motor back under the hood of the vehicle. You must well remember how everything goes back together under the hood or bonnet of your means of transport otherwise you will not be able to start up that car, truck, van or SUV to drive down those streets, roads, highways and byways. Hence it is essential that you develop and maintain a careful as well as orderly set of procedures in regards to the removal process to help the whole rebuilding or upgrade process go easily and smoothly without hitch.
There are a number of preliminary steps that should be taken before the automotive engine can be removed and the work started on the vehicle.
First of all locating a place to do the work is extremely important. Adequate work space along with storage space for that vehicle or even set of vehicles, if you are providing for parts cars, is needed. If a shop or garage is not available, then at the very least then a flat, level, clean work surface made of concrete or cement is required. If it turns out in your searches and travels that the only surface available is asphalt, then be sure to remember that most jack stands will tend to sink into your asphalt when it comes time to support an extreme amount of weight especially when it comes time to support heavier sets and types of vehicles – be it SUV’s, older well made heavier vintage cars and of course trucks and busses.
Cleaning the power plant compartment and the engine before beginning the whole removal process and procedure will help to keep your tools and tool chest clean and even well and better organized. Often automotive professionals themselves and those in the trade will suggest and recommend to novice mechanics that the best method and methods for cleaning both the engine and engine compartments is to have them steam cleaned themselves by a professional automobile “detail” shop. As an alternate method most often used by home mechanics is to have the engine itself degreased. You can easily purchase a can of engine degreaser - say at your local Canadian tire store or other big box automotive parts outlet. If the motor and other power train components have an extraordinary amount of dirt, grime and grease you might want to consider purchasing two cans. Why have to drive back to the parts store unnecessarily? There are more than one brand or type of engine cleaner and degreaser to choose from , the best advice here by experienced mechanics and car industry professionals is to be sure that the label of the cleaning product specifically designates the product as an “engine degreaser” not a brake or other type of cleanser.
Before the vehicle is dissembled itself, you can drive the vehicle over to a self service car wash or alternate where you can find high pressure cleaning equipment as well as proper drainage for the dirty water left over from engine compartment degreasing. Make sure that the trip over to the car wash has allowed the engine to heat up to normal operating temperatures to allow the degreaser solution to do its work in softening up and removing the long baked on dirt , grease and engine compartment grime. You can use a few old rags as well as plastic bags to cover areas that you do not want to get wet – for example electrical components as well as distributors and electric coils in older vintage cars and vehicles. Of course this will help the engine to start, and you drive away easily and without fuss after the whole cleaning process are over.
It’s always easiest to work on a clean engine both before, during an engine overhaul as well as the whole process of putting the motor and its automotive components back to the condition where it can be simply driven away – back to automotive owner or car lot where it came from.
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July 17th, 2009 by engineering magazines
DP Engine Degreaser
Get the engine so clean, you’ll want to show it off! DP Engine Degreaser is a powerful but environmentally friendly cleaner for the greasiest area of your vehicle, the engine compartment.
Surfactant technology replaces harsh solvents to create a VOC-free, biodegradable degreaser. Erase years of engine neglect in one afternoon with DP Engine Degreaser. The engine compartment is the last place many drivers clean, but it is important to the beauty and performance of a vehicle.
For example, think of how difficult it is to find an oil leak if the entire engine compartment is covered in grease. Many engine problems are just easier to diagnose and repair when the mechanic can locate the problem on a clean engine. And regular cleaning will make regular, do-it-yourself maintenance much less messy.
DP Engine Degreaser is a blend of surfactants, sequestering agents, and emollients that immediately loosen and lift greasy buildup from engine surfaces. This formula is based on remarkable cleaning technology that’s used to clean up oil spills in the ocean because of its ability to break up oil and encapsulate it. This same technology powers through layers of grime on engine components to uncover a factory-new looking engine.
DP Engine Degreaser is not what you’d expect from an engine degreaser. It has no harsh fumes, it is nontoxic, VOC-free, biodegradable, and safe on any hard surface. We’ve replaced the butyl, butyl ethers, and acid with safe, nonirritating cleaners.
DP Engine Degreaser is VOC compliant in all 50 states. But you do not have to work harder to compensate for a safer product.
DP Engine Degreaser works better than conventional degreasers. It quickly cuts through grease and allows you rinse it away with minimal agitation.
Use DP Engine Degreaser on rubber, plastic, wiring, clear coated and painted surfaces. The surface-safe surfactants will safely clean any surface under the hood provided that it is safe to get wet. The air intake should be blocked to prevent moisture from entering it, as well as the air filter.
Check your owner’s manual to see if there’’s anything else under the hood that should not get wet.
As a precaution, you can use small pieces of aluminum foil or sandwich bags to cover electrical components, spark plugs, the distributor, and sensors. These areas are already water-proofed but they’re not prepared to handle sitting water. You may also choose to warm the engine by running it for several minutes. Make sure it doesn’t get too hot to touch. A little warmth will loosen the buildup. Spray the engine with water to remove any loose dirt and grime. Then spray the engine compartment with DP Engine Degreaser and let it sit for about 2 minutes. (This is another reason why your engine should be only slightly warm, you don’t want the degreaser to evaporate too quickly.) Use a sturdy bristled brush to agitate any heavily soiled areas.
DP Engine Degreaser

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June 20th, 2009 by engineering magazines

Can you surmise what ships, industrial plants, tractors, small engines, trains, and aerospace equipment (including military aircraft), jet aircraft (even including jumbo jets) have in with motorcycles? They were all developed by the one and the same company – Kawasaki. Kawasaki motorcycles are solid built, well designed, and calculated for performance, dependability and ease. Your eyes find them very pleasant to the eye. Even the names, such as Kawasaki Ninja or Kawasaki Vulcan will bring a smile to your face and conjure up visions of excitement and adventure. The exhilarating 2008 Kawasaki Concours will have you slobbering all over yourself. Don’t wait, now is the time to own a Kawasaki motorcycle.
The new Kawasaki Concours 14 and Concours 14 ABS merge together hang on to your britches engine performance with flawless handling and a relaxed riding arrangement. You will find the clean, suitable shaft drive contributes to the great looking locking hard luggage side bags. It has this in reality a cool electrically adjustable windscreen. The enormous amount of features creates a large amount of astonishing long-distance, get down and dirty high-speed motorcycle offered to the public today.
The Kawasaki Ninja (think wild) is the performance bike that justifies the Ninja name. The Four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, four-valve per cylinder, parallel twin 649 cc engine delivers the Ninja a karate chopping machine. If you ready to send dust on someone, leap on this bike, downshift to 1st and let it fly. There is no need to look back because your opposition is not there. Even the color, Candy Plasma Blue or Passion Red intensifies this extraordinary bike for the motorcycle enthusiast.
Motorcycle auctions are fun. They are great place to buy or sell a motorcycle. You can own a Kawasaki motorcycle through a motorcycle auction. How does buying and selling in the comfort of your home sound to you? It is really easy to sign up for eBay and start bidding on the Kawasaki bike of your dream. Auctions provide a medium to bid on a Kawasaki motorcycle and to pay what you want to pay.
If you want to take a seat down on a Kawasaki and do the touch and feel before you buy, go visit your local dealer. Caution: Sitting on a Kawasaki is addictive more than ever if you start its engine. What are you waiting for? Some auctions (not all) may provide an easy way to finance the machine of your dreams.
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June 14th, 2009 by engineering magazines

Nowadays you will find a variety of good motorcycle accessories. You can purchase most of these items over the Internet. While motorcycle dealers will offer you high-priced accessories, you can buy most of the accessories from online auction shop.
Some motorcycle accessories, which are important for your motorcycle, are windshield, engine guards, sissy bar, luggage rack, and saddlebags. You may have come across the problem of wind and draft from the large vehicles during your ride. A good windshield will deflect the airflow from the large vehicles around the sides of your bike. While making a pick for motorcycle windshield you should have the proper knowledge and know, which one will best suit you. It is recommended that the windshield height should not be more than your eye’s level. Some windshields also allow you to hold a cup of coffee between sidebars and a windshield-but do not let the coffee spill over!
A set of engine guards is also a useful motorcycle accessory. Not only does it add an extra safety feature to your bike but also gives extra chrome to your bike. In case of any accident that might occur and cause your bike to fall, engine guards will protect your legs from getting broken as well as protect your bike from getting damaged.
Another good accessory is sissy bar. It not only gives an improved look to your bike but also, like engine guards, adds additional safety feature to your bike. Sissy bars provide a support from the backside to the passengers sitting behind you. If you are not carrying passengers, a sissy bar will provide support to carry cargo. All you need to do is to place your cargo inside cargo net and strap it firmly to sissy bar. Sissy bar is especially helpful in carrying cargo if you do not have saddlebags.
Along with sissy bars, you should also consider adding luggage rack to your motorcycle. This is a recommended motorcycle accessory especially if you go on longer trips. You can place your bag in the luggage rack whenever going to work. All that is required from you is to place your items in bungee cords or cargo net and strap it to the luggage rack.
Other motorcycle accessories that you should consider buying are saddlebags and cargo storage systems. There are many items in accessories that will come handy during a ride. In addition, you can get different kinds of leather bags for your motorcycle from online websites. You should also check for new exhaust system for your bike.
As you see there are a number of different accessories that you can buy for your motorcycle. Before spending any money, you should make sure to search Internet for all available options. You should primarily opt for those motorcycle accessories that are best for your motorcycle in terms of safety and necessity. After that, you should move towards buying those items that are more of a fashion statement. Always remember that from wherever you buy make sure that it is a reputable dealer in motorcycle accessories.
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June 12th, 2009 by engineering magazines

Can you conjecture what ships, industrial plants, tractors, trains, small engines, and aerospace equipment (including military aircraft), jet aircraft (including jumbo jets) have in common with motorcycles? They were all built by the identical company – Kawasaki. Kawasaki motorcycles are rock-hard, well engineered and calculated for performance, trustworthiness and comfort. They also are very pleasant to the eye. With such names as Kawasaki Ninja or Kawasaki Vulcan, they will bring a smile to your face. The exciting 2008 Kawasaki Concours will have you drooling all over yourself. Now is the time to buy Kawasaki motorcycle.
The new Kawasaki Concours 14 and Concours 14 ABS combine hang on to your britches engine performance, unblemished handling and a relaxed riding arrangement with clean, suitable shaft drive, great looking locking hard luggage side bags. It has this really cool electrically adjustable windscreen. The massive amount of features creates the most astonishing long-distance, get down and dirty high-speed motorcycle offered to the masses today.
Are you ready to get from here to there in style? The engineers at Kawasaki have the devised the Concours 14 to do much more than just that. For those of you who are looking for a cool supersport bike which is also a authentic road burner, the Concours can assail a mountain road with bona fide excitement, stability, speed than anything else in its class.
The Kawasaki Ninja are within your means performance bikes that justify the Ninja name. The Four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, four-valve per cylinder, parallel twin 649 cc engine formulates the Ninja a killer machine. If you ready to leave someone in your dust, leap on this bike, downshift to 1st and let it fly. You don’t need to look back because your competition is not there. Even the colors, Candy Plasma Blue or Passion Red amplifies this is a extraordinary bike for the motorcycle aficionado.
The Kawasaki Vulcan2000 Classic LT is the perfect blend of touring comfort plus unmatched performance in the motorcycle cruiser category. If the call of the open road motions, then answer its call with the fully-dressed, fully loaded, get on and ride Vulcan 2000 Classic LT cruiser. This bike is ready to tour and wander America’s back roads and highways directly off-the-showroom floor. It is just a matter of stuffing your bags. As a weekend rider, the Vulcan elevates the standards on the traditional cruiser style motorcycle with extra features that are sure to appeal to the easy rider in you. The extensive assortment of supplementary motorcycle accessories allows you to tailor the Vulcan the way you wan to.
You can acquire a Kawasaki motorcycle through motorcycle auctions which allow you to buy or sell your motorcycle surrounded by the comfort of your own home. It is really is straightforward to sign up for eBay and start bidding on the Kawasaki bike of your dream. Auctions are fun and supply an occasion to pay what you want to pay. If you want to sit down and touch before you buy, go visit your local dealer. Caution: Sitting on a Kawasaki is addictive more than ever if you start its engine. What are you waiting for?
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