Category Archives: Technical Issues

A Discussion in Understanding Anti-Sway Bars

7050 sway bar mounts (photos courtesy of Jim LaBreck):

How do sway bars work, and how can you use them to tune your car’s suspension? Most performance people know that stiffer rear sway bars reduce the understeering tendencies of a vehicle, but if you ask them exactly why this is they generally draw a blank.

NASA satellite images highlight US air quality improvement

NASA satellite images highlight US air quality improvement

New NASA satellite images released this week demonstrate the reduction of air pollution across the US. After ten years in orbit, the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) on NASA’s Aura satellite has been in orbit sufficiently long to show that people in major US cities are breathing less nitrogen dioxide.

Distinguishing between pre-ignition and super-knock

A study led by a team from Tsinghua University elucidates the relationship between pre-ignition and super-knock.

Pre-ignition/super-knock tend to occur at low-speed, high-load conditions and are an obstacle to using a higher compression ratio to improve power density and fuel economy.

Extreme heat presents invisible danger to motorists and vehicles

AAA-autoshop

With temperatures soaring to record highs around the country, AAA cautions motorists not to underestimate the ways in which extreme heat can wreak havoc on vehicles.  With an estimated eight million automobiles in need of AAA’s roadside assistance this summer, heat will take its toll on vehicles and their occupants.

Daimler says France is blocking Mercedes registrations over new refrigerant

Daimler says France is blocking Mercedes registrations over new refrigerant

France has blocked the registration of some new Mercedes-Benz vehicles due a controversial air-conditioning refrigerant, a European Union source said.