Car thieves used to smash windows, get inside vehicles, hotwire and drive off with them. Then, they’d either sell it outright to someone or take it to a “chop shop” to have it stripped for its parts. While that still happens throughout the nation, a new trend is becoming increasingly common: the theft of catalytic converters. Today, I’ll explain what this important component does and why it’s a target of car thieves. Then, we’ll explore how to prevent yours from being taken from you.

Why And How They’re Stolen

In the 1970′s, a federal law was passed that required all vehicles to have a catalytic converter installed. The purpose was to protect the environment from a number of harmful pollutants, such as hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides. These compounds are produced by cars, trucks, and SUVs during operation and escape into the environment through the exhaust. A catalytic converter prevents that from happening.

The reason why thieves steal them is because they’re built with a number of valuable metals, including platinum and gold. By ripping them out from under your car, they can sell them, often for as much as $200. The component is popular with thieves because they can be taken from your vehicle within 2 or 3 minutes. The only tool needed is a wrench.

Replacement Costs

If yours is stolen, plan to spend $1,000 to have it replaced. The part itself doesn’t cost much. The majority of the expense is due to labor fees to have a new one installed. But, it gets worse. Because of how the part is positioned under the hood, it’s relatively easy for a thief to accidentally damage the fuel line. If that happens, plan to spend a lot more money to have the damage repaired.

Preventing The Theft

If you ask your mechanic how to prevent your catalytic converter from being stolen, he’ll probably mention that you can shear off the bolt heads that keep it in place. That way, someone armed with a wrench won’t be able to get a grip on the bolts and therefore, won’t be able to remove the part. There are other options.

Because this component has become so popular with crooks, a few companies have designed products aimed at preventing its theft. Most of them were created to discourage thieves by making the component more difficult remove (for example, by placing a metal cage around it). The thought is that crooks will simply leave your car alone and move on to easier targets if it takes too long to remove the thing.

In the end, park in well-lit places and shave the bolt heads that keep your catalytic converter attached. If you take only those 2 steps, you’ll likely dissuade 90% of the crooks.

CVTs are “continuously variable transmissions.” It’s a relatively new type of system that uses pulleys instead of a traditional gearbox to shift gears. To understand how it works, we need to review the purpose of conventional transmissions. During acceleration, your car depends upon horsepower. The transmission’s job is to modify the speed of the engine based upon RPMs in order to maximize that horsepower. It does this through changing gears that interlock with each other.

As the engine’s RPMs climb to a certain level, the transmission shifts gears, reducing them. The problem is that horsepower is most efficient at approximately 5,500 RPMs. When you shift gears, they drop far below that level, effectively making the engine much less efficient.

System Advantages

The main difference about these transmissions is that they don’t use normal interlocking gears to modify the RPMs. Instead, pulleys are used. The benefit of using pulleys is that transmissions are no longer limited to only 4 or 5 gears. They can take advantage of an infinite number of them, delivering the power needed for various driving conditions. Instead of dropping the RPMs to levels at which the engine cannot produce power, a CVT allows your car to continually maintain the RPMs needed. Not only does that provide a smoother ride, but it also promotes better fuel efficiency and quicker acceleration.

Types Of CVTs

There are 3 main types of CVTs that are produced by manufacturers: pulleys, toroidals, and hydrostatics. The most common are those that operate from a pulley system. Though my description about how they work makes them sound complicated, they’re actually simple. Instead of a gearbox, clutch, and interlocking toothed wheels, a pulley-based system uses a belt and 2 pulleys (an input and an output).

Toroidals use discs and power rollers instead of pulleys. Though they look different, they operate under the same principle as pulleys. The third type is called a hydrostatic system, though it’s far less popular than the other 2 options.

Cars With CVTs

Years ago, CVTs were extremely expensive to produce. As a result, few cars had them installed and few people could afford the models that did have them. However, over the past few years, car manufacturers have taken a proactive approach to reducing their production costs. Today, many hybrid cars, such as the Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima, come equipped with them.

There’s little doubt that CVTs are going to eventually become the default transmission installed within most cars. Their inherent benefits are too important to ignore. As technology continues to advance and production costs decline, conventional transmissions will one day disappear.

Buying a used car can help you save a significant amount of money. In fact, some of the best bargains in cars can only be found in the garages of private owners. However, the main challenge is being confident that you’re not buying a lemon. After all, a used vehicle doesn’t come with a warranty. If something goes wrong and the car breaks down unexpectedly, you won’t have any recourse (except your checking account).

Buying a certified pre-owned car (CPO) can help you manage the risk. You’ll still save money because they’re less expensive than new models. Plus, they’re thoroughly inspected and come with a limited warranty. Below, I’ll give you 3 reasons why you may want to consider buying a CPO.

Reason #1: Inexpensive Car In Great Condition

A lot of people mistakenly think a low price makes a great deal when buying a used car. But, if that car leaves you stranded or experiences frequent mechanical problems, the costs of repairing it can transform it into a money pit. A CPO is nearly always in great condition. They’re usually a couple of years old and have low mileage on them. Plus, mechanics perform an exhaustive series of tests to make sure the CPO is consistent with the manufacturer’s specifications.

Reason #2: Depreciates Less After Purchase

When you buy a new car and drive it home, it loses thousands of dollars in value. The initial depreciation of a new car is significant during its first 2 years. That’s one of the reasons financial planners suggest buying a used car. A CPO helps you avoid paying for the initial depreciation.

Reason #3: Includes A Warranty

There are steps you can take when buying a used car to help prevent problems down the road. For example, you can invest in a vehicle history report and have a mechanic perform a diagnostic test. But, the used car still won’t come with a warranty. By contrast, a CPO usually has a limited warranty that covers specific parts. That eliminates a huge portion of the uncertainty. If something goes wrong with the parts that are covered, you’ll have recourse.

Even though certified pre-owned vehicles have been sold for many years, millions of people are either unaware of them or avoid them due to their higher prices. But, it’s important to remember that those prices reflect a higher level of confidence in the car’s safety and reliability. If you haven’t considered purchasing a CPO, visit a local dealer. You might be surprised by the deals you’ll find.

Mitsubishi’s popular range of electric cars begins with the i-MiEV.

Getting Attention

Raising environmental awareness is the aim of government departments, utility companies and green campaigners alike. In the past we have been faced by harsh truths and catastrophic billboard images. While these drives are worthy, they serve to turn people off and repulse them. It is only in recent years that the use of comedy and wit has been used to draw attention in a more engaging way.

Atmospheric Air Pollution

In May 2003, Singapore Environment Council released a trio of adverts designed by Fallon Singapore to draw attention to pollution and air quality. They used a suffocated alien Grey, a crash-landed witch and a conked-out Cupid surprising members of the public.

“Alien”

“Cupid”

“Witch”

 Vehicle Emissions

The World Wildlife Fund has many comical, eye-catching green campaigns. The first one I’m featuring used a static display at Fudan University in Shanghai. In case you can’t read the writing on the smoky balloon it translates from Mandarin to: ‘Drive less and see how your carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced’.

Reducing Power and Resource Consumption

The South African power company, Eskom, utilized just one light bulb on this billboard to great, simple effect that not only gets your attention but also makes you smile. It’s a successful blend of message and advertising nous in action.

Water Conservation

Denver Water Company in Colorado, USA proclaims ‘Use Only What you Need’ and illustrates this with clever use of street furniture and billboards.

Animal Conservation

The World Wildlife Fund created this campaign to illustrate the plight of the bluefin tuna whose place on the ‘Threatened List’ has been raised to ‘Critically Endangered’ due to over-fishing. They aren’t cute, they aren’t cuddly and because they live in the ocean you don’t see them. So the campaign centered on emphasizing the differences in at-risk species and drawing our attention amusingly and poignantly to our own biases.

Guerilla Campaigning

If you get laughs from slapstick comedy and shows like ‘You’ve Been Framed’ then you would probably appreciate the German Friends of the Earth – BUND’s, surprise attacks on motorists. With Earth printed balloons these cheerful chaps would attach them to unsuspecting motorists’ car’s exhaust pipes and sit back as the gases would burst the balloons with ‘hilarious’ results. Let’s hope that they used biodegradable plastic.

Global Warming

WWF makes its final appearance in my article; this time with its ‘You can’t afford to be slow in an emergency’ and its great tagline: ‘Act Now to Save the Planet’. Using funny staged shots of emergency services taking their time to respond by either a bit of sales shopping, taking the time to photograph a beautiful sunset or pausing for a bit of roadside urination these high contrast images illustrate the need for immediate action.

Greenpeace also have a quirky twist on the impacts of global warming on our seasons. The strap line reads, “Winter. You’ll miss it when it’s gone”.

Public Transport

Acts of Green

April 22nd marked Earth Day 2011. This environmental movement recently celebrated its 100 millionth ‘Act of Green’. Their aim is now to reach their billionth act prior to the Rio+20 Earth Summit next year.

And finally…

Comical Green Campaigns don’t need to be explicitly from a lobby or pressure group. This selection of advertising posters was ostensibly to promote Diesel’s latest clothing range but with the tagline ‘Global Warming Ready’ and imagery of a world with massively raised sea levels it makes a witty comment on the way things are heading. Mount Rushmore’s presidents are trying to keep their heads above water and scarlet macaws on Venetian streets are more than thought provoking.

Guest blogger, Greg Coltman, has his eye on environmental issues and reduces his carbon footprint by walking (downstairs!) to work.

The combustion process that takes place in your car’s engine produces a number of emissions. These include carbon monoxide (which can be deadly), hydrocarbons (which pollute the environment), and oxides of nitrogen. Because of the pollution and health risk these compounds pose, the government passed legislation in 1977 limiting their output. The result was that automakers were forced to design emission control systems (ECS) for their vehicles.

Within a few years, car manufacturers had begun to create technology that allowed engines to adjust themselves, according to their emissions output. This included placing an oxygen sensor in the path of the exhaust leaving the engine. The sensor monitored the level of fuel, and delivered that information to the powertrain control module (PCM). The PCM would then adjust the amount of fuel sent to the cylinders.

Today’s vehicles are equipped with systems that are more robust. The PCM – essentially, a computer – monitors data from multiple sensors, and uses it to identify problems, and if possible, correct them. Below, we’ll take a closer look at the main components that comprise your car’s emission control system.

Catalytic Converter

This component marks the biggest breakthrough in the design of emissions systems. The exhaust from your engine flows through the pipes and into the catalytic converter. The part contains a filter media that has been coated with a special material. This material interacts with the emissions contained in the exhaust. Carbon monoxide is turned into water. Hydrocarbons are turned into carbon dioxide. As a result, the output that exits your tailpipe contains very few emissions.

The catalytic converter is designed to last for several years, usually up to 100,000 miles. But it can fail sooner if it is forced to work harder than it should. If the exhaust coming from your engine is especially “dirty,” the converter will need to work harder in order to clean it. This can place excess stress on the component until it eventually dies.

PCV And EGR Valves

Your vehicle’s ECS is designed to funnel some of the gases coming out of your cylinders back into the engine. There, they are burned along with the air-fuel mixture. The positive crankshaft ventilation (PCV) valve controls this process. When your car is idling, the valve allows a small amount of gases into the intake system. When you’re traveling at normal speeds, it allows more in.

The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve performs a different, though related, function. Its job is to monitor the emissions going into the intake system, and adjusting the level to manage production of oxides of nitrogen. The higher the temperature inside the engine, the more oxides of nitrogen that are produced. However, the more exhaust the EGR valve allows in, the lower the combustion temperature becomes. The exhaust essentially has a dilutive effect on the air-fuel mixture.

Canister For Gasoline Vapors

Fuel evaporates even when it is sitting idle in the gas tank. The problem is, this evaporation allows vapors to escape into the atmosphere. In the 1970s, the government required automakers to install a control mechanism in the gas tank to catch these vapors before they could escape. This mechanism is a charcoal canister. Vapors are confined within, and released when you start your car. At that point, they are pulled into the engine, and burned with the air-fuel mixture.

When Trouble Codes Are Triggered

When problems develop in the emission control system, your powertrain control module will set a fault code. This code will be stored in the computer’s memory. The check engine light on your dashboard will alert you regarding the issue. Even though you can continue driving with a faulty ECS, you should have problems addressed as soon as the light goes on. Otherwise, your vehicle will allow excess emissions into the environment, and potentially place you and your passengers at risk.

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The key to your vehicle’s longevity is applying basic maintenance on a regular schedule. That includes checking the fluids, cleaning the battery, and taking a close look at your tire treads. Properly maintaining your car is not only simple, but quick. Fifteen minutes each week is sufficient for making sure important parts and systems, such as your engine and transmission, are in good condition. And that pays long-term dividends in performance, fuel efficiency, and less-frequent repair bills.

Unfortunately, most drivers neglect the basics. And of those who address automotive maintenance, many approach it haphazardly. For example, they watch for the indicators on their dashboard to flicker on, or wait until their tires are so bald, they’re hydroplaning on the road. Below, I’ll give you a 5-minute crash course on maintaining your vehicle so it will keep you on the road as long as possible.

Maintaining The Exterior

Consider your vehicle’s exterior a priority. Over time, the environment can break the paint down, allowing air and moisture to creep in and cause oxidation. If left unattended, rust will spread. Washing, waxing, and when necessary, applying touch-up paint, not only improves your car’s appearance, but it also prevents rust from settling in. Also, your car’s exterior will likely sustain small chips, scratches, and dents due to road debris or unmindful passersby. These, too, can set the stage for oxidation, and thus rust.

While you don’t need to wash and wax your car every week, doing so periodically will help protect the exterior.

Check The Fluids

Your car depends heavily on a number of fluids to ensure major assemblies under the hood operate efficiently. It’s important to check the levels of these fluids regularly, and replenish them when they decline. For example, your engine depends on motor oil for constant lubrication of its moving parts. If the level declines too far, these parts will create friction and heat, and cause your engine to seize.

Your engine also relies upon coolant to transfer heat away from the assembly. If the coolant level is low, your engine will overheat, causing damage that will be expensive to repair.

You’ll also need to check your transmission fluid. Your transmission needs an ample supply of fluid in the same way your engine requires oil. Starving the assembly of this fluid will cause damage. Expensive damage.

Clean The Battery

You’ll notice corrosion accumulating on your battery’s posts. This corrosion affects the connection between the posts and the connector cables. It can become so problematic that the connection is unable to conduct the battery’s voltage. For this reason, take the time to unhook the cables and clean off the corrosion. You can buy a simple wire battery post and terminal cleaner at most auto supply shops for less than $5. Cleaning the posts and terminals only takes a few minutes.

Check Your Tires

As you know, your treads wear down with use. They also allow a tiny bit of air to escape over time. Hence, you’ll need to check the tread depth and pressure on a regular basis (usually, every two or three weeks is sufficient). You can purchase a digital tread depth gauge for less than $20, and a digital tire pressure gauge for another $10. Both are worth the investment, and you’ll use them (hopefully) for the life of your vehicle.

Keeping your car’s exterior in good condition, checking the fluids, cleaning the battery, and inspecting the tires are all critical maintenance items. If you do these four things on a regular basis, your vehicle will last much longer than otherwise. Given the cost of repairing your engine and transmission, the time spent maintaining them is one of the best investments you can make in your car.

If you own your vehicle long enough, you’ll eventually need to replace various components. As I’ve mentioned in past articles, auto parts suffer wear and tear just like your tires. Given enough time, they’ll fail and need to be replaced. The question is should you purchase OEM (original equipment manufacturer) units or rebuilt parts? The former are more expensive than the latter, but are you truly getting your money’s worth?

In short, maybe. A new alternator produced by a dependable manufacturer is unlikely to fail anytime soon. However, a rebuilt will often have an even higher level of quality than an OEM product. A lot depends upon the work of the rebuilder. Below, I’ll explain how and why quality can vary widely. We’ll also explore remanufactured components as well as who is actually rebuilding the products.

Why Quality Varies

As in most industries, price leads quality. In other words, the lower the price for a replacement starter, master cylinder, or fuel injector, the lower the workmanship tends to be. Consider the job of rebuilders. They want to produce the best rebuilts possible; their reputation depends upon it. At the same time, prices have been driven into the ground by many retailers who do not place a high value on quality.

Some rebuilders stick to their proverbial guns and focus on producing reliable products that will last for years. Others go for the quick money and recondition units to look new, but are actually built shabbily. There is no standard in the industry. As a result, workmanship can differ greatly. The lesson to take away here is to avoid shopping purely on price when you’re in the market for replacement components.

What About Remanufactured Units?

Rebuilding components is a craft. A lot of people are under the mistaken impression that one brake caliper is the same as the next. As you’ve seen from the last section, that’s untrue. There’s yet another option that muddies the water even further: remanufactured parts. For a particular product to be “remanufactured,” it must be restored to the original equipment specifications. That usually means that only the pieces that have officially failed are replaced.

By contrast, a rebuilder might strip down a steering rack (for example) and replace everything, even if the pieces are merely worn and haven’t failed yet. In this case, the quality of the rebuilt steering rack will generally be higher than a remanufactured alternative.

Who Are The Rebuilders?

Think of the auto parts rebuilding industry in the same manner as the accounting industry. There are national firms, regional agencies, and individuals who cater to a small group of clients. A rebuilt component can come from any one of them. Some rebuilders work only in their area and supply parts to local repair garages. Others produce thousands of rebuilt units each year for nationwide repair shops.

In the end, rebuilt auto parts can represent a significant bargain when compared to OEM components. Look for quality and don’t balk at paying a few extra dollars for it. It will usually be worth it in the long run.

Automotive engines that rely solely upon gasoline may one day be a memory, though that day is likely to be many years down the road. Hybrid-electric vehicles (HVs or HEVs) are more efficient and environmentally friendly than their fuel-driven counterparts. They are designed around a configuration that takes advantage of an internal combustion engine (ICE) and an electric motor (EC). In doing so, they yield better fuel efficiency, more power output, and by most owners’ accounts, a quieter ride.

Below, we’ll explore how HVs work. You’ll discover what occurs under the hood that allows these disparate parts to work together. We’ll approach it methodically, beginning with starting the car, cruising, and bringing it to a stop.

Starting And Delivering The Initial Power

With most HEVs, the internal combustion engine does most of work. It delivers the majority of the propulsion power while the electric motor functions as a supplemental source. The motor places resistance on the vehicle’s drivetrain, thereby slowing the wheels. That creates kinetic energy which, in turn, rotates the motor. As the EM rotates, it converts the kinetic energy into an electrical current and stores it in the battery. The electricity remains in the battery until it is required by the motor. This design is called regenerative braking.

When you turn the key in the ignition, the ICE comes to life. If necessary, the EM will retrieve electricity from the battery to provide a secondary power source.

Cruising Down The Road

While you’re driving, a computer is constantly monitoring the performance of your vehicle. Its purpose is to determine your driving conditions, your intent, and ultimately, when it is appropriate to engage the electric motor.

For example, suppose you’re cruising down the road at a normal speed. Because the driver in front of you is moving too slowly, you change lanes and push your accelerator pedal to gain speed. You are essentially placing your engine under a heavier load. The computer identifies your intent and engages the electric motor to deliver a boost of power.

When you begin to cruise along at a normal speed again, the computer switches the EM off in order to conserve energy. By doing this, your car is far more fuel-efficient than would be the case if it were relying solely upon a traditional gasoline engine.

Stopping And Idling

The regenerative braking design mentioned earlier works to slow your wheels and bring your hybrid to a stop. When your vehicle comes to a full stop, the computer switches the engine and the motor off in order to avoid wasting energy while idling. The auxiliary systems (i.e. stereo, power windows, air conditioner, etc.) continue to receive power from the battery.

When you press on the accelerator to resume driving, the computer engages the internal combustion engine to produce the initial propulsion power. It then continues to monitor your hybrid’s performance to determine whether the electric motor should be engaged.

Why Hybrids Are More Fuel Efficient

There are several reasons why HEVs can deliver the same power output as a traditional internal combustion engine with greater fuel economy. First, the computer conserves gas by turning the engine off while idling (described above). Second, the kinetic energy normally wasted while braking is captured by the EM and stored in the battery. Third, hybrids are usually lighter than conventional vehicles, which requires less energy to propel forward. Fourth, most hybrids have been aerodynamically optimized to reduce drag.

This fuel efficiency is a compelling argument for the technology, and has motivated millions of people to buy hybrid vehicles. In fact, as gasoline prices have risen over the past few years, more people than ever are considering the same purchase. Over the next decade, we’ll likely witness a transformation in automotive design as cars, trucks, and even SUVs begin to integrate advanced hybrid technology.