fuel Archives | Page 2 of 5

2012 Honda Civic recalled already over potential fuel leak

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Recalls, Safety, Honda

2012 Honda Civic

2012 Honda Civic – Click above for high-res image gallery

Honda is recalling 1,156 of its recently introduced 2012 Civic sedans and coupes over faulty O-rings that could result in a fuel leak. In the affected cars, a misaligned O-ring that seals a connection in the fuel feed line could result in fuel leaking from the engine.

If any sort of ignition source is present, a fuel leak could obviously result in something quite tragic.

To remedy this problem, Honda dealers will replace the fuel feed line assembly free of charge. The recall is expected to begin before the end of the month; follow the jump for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s official statement.

Continue reading 2012 Honda Civic recalled already over potential fuel leak

2012 Honda Civic recalled already over potential fuel leak originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 May 2011 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “2012 Honda Civic recalled already over potential fuel leak”

Audi recalls A6, S6, RS6 over possible fuel tank issue

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Wagon, Recalls, Safety, Audi, Luxury

2004 audi a6 avant

2004 Audi A6 Avant – Click above for high-res image gallery

Got a hankering to own an Audi from the beginning of the Aughts? If you’re hunting for an example that wears a model badge with the number “6,” you might want to have a mechanic take a look its nipples. More specifically, make sure the rollover valve in the fuel system has been given proper attention, otherwise the nipple can become cracked and lead to fuel winding up on the ground instead of feeding the engine.

Audi and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have just announced a recall for specific years of the Audi A6, S6 and RS6. This recall affects 2001-2004 A6 models, 2002-2003 S6 models and the 2003 RS6. Up to 5,992 vehicles are potentially affected by this action. Click past the jump for the official recall announcement with more details.

Continue reading Audi recalls A6, S6, RS6 over possible fuel tank issue

Audi recalls A6, S6, RS6 over possible fuel tank issue originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 May 2011 17:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Audi recalls A6, S6, RS6 over possible fuel tank issue”

Feds expand F-150 fuel tank strap investigation to 2.7 million pickups

Filed under: Truck, Government/Legal, Safety, Ford

The Ford F-150 has been the best-selling truck in America for decades. That’s a very big feather in the Blue Oval’s cap, but when the truck line is bit by the recall bug, its massive volume can be a very bad thing.

The Detroit News is reporting that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced that it has upgraded its investigation into 2.7 million 1997-2001 F-150 pickups for fuel tank straps that have rusted and failed. If the straps rust and fail, NHTSA says there is a chance that the tank could drop and hit the road, causing a fuel leak. Back in September, NHTSA’s initial investigation included 1.4 million vehicles.

Of the 339 complaints NHTSA and Ford have received so far, one has resulted in a brief fire that quickly flamed out, while a second complaint lead to a fire that actually destroyed the vehicle. According to the report, there have been a total of nine documented incidents in which fuel has leaked from the tank as a result of a failed tank strap, though there have no injuries linked to these incidents.

For its part, Ford says it is continuing to support NHTSA’s investigation. The government safety agency says its investigation has “yielded information that strongly suggests the subject defect as the cause of the reported problem,” suggesting a recall may be on the horizon.

Feds expand F-150 fuel tank strap investigation to 2.7 million pickups originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 May 2011 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Feds expand F-150 fuel tank strap investigation to 2.7 million pickups”

Rental car fuel tops $9/gallon in U.S.

Filed under: Etc.

Hertz

It’s never a good idea to return a rental car with less than a full tank of gas. The reason? The rental car companies usually charge a fee if you don’t fill up before dropping off. And according to a report in USA Today, that fee has, in some cases, gotten a lot steeper.

The national newspaper polled 102 rental companies at 13 major airports to gauge how much is being charged per gallon for renters who don’t fill up before returning their loaner. Surprisingly, 54 of those airports were charging less than the average fuel price at local stations, likely because many companies haven’t adjusted their per-gallon charge to reflect rising gas prices. Another 43 rental stores were charging more than the average gas station.

Meanwhile, the Hertz rental company is in a league of its own. The USA Today poll shows that the rental giant was charging $9.29 per gallon of petrol at 13 locations. Dollar and Thrifty weren’t far behind at a pair of locations, with a price of $8.99/gal. For perspective, at $9/gal, it would take around $275 to fill up the typical full-size pickup, and about $110 to top off a Ford Focus.

While those are some ridiculous pump prices, this is one instance when the punishment is nearly 100 percent avoidable. After all, if you don’t want to get slapped with a $9.29/gal bill, all you need to do is fill up before dropping off the vehicle. Unfortunately, you’re still going to pay well over $4/gal in most areas.

Rental car fuel tops $9/gallon in U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 May 2011 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Rental car fuel tops $9/gallon in U.S.”

New York 2011: Subaru shows off 2012 Impreza with lighter figure, impressive fuel economy

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Sedan, Hatchback, Subaru

2012 Subaru Impreza Five-Door

2012 Subaru Impreza five-door hatchback – Click above for high-res image gallery

We just gave you a deep dive look at the 2012 Subaru Impreza. Now, we get to see the fourth-generation Subaru in its four and five-door flesh on the floor of the 2011 New York Auto Show. The new car is lighter and more fuel efficient, boasting a very impressive 36 mile per gallon highway fuel-economy rating. How is the new 2012 Impreza able to claim the title of most fuel-efficient all-wheel-drive car in the United States? Dropping a few pounds doesn’t hurt but there’s a bit more to it than that.

Beneath the hood lies a brand-new 2.0-liter horizontally-opposed four-cylinder engine, which produces 148 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. When paired with Subaru’s new CVT, the Impreza achieves the aforementioned 36 mile per gallon highway fuel-economy rating, and also returns 27 mpg in the city. And though the 2012 Impreza occupies the same footprint as the model it replaces, the wheelbase has been pushed out an extra inch, which allows for more interior space yet no trunk room was compromised.

The lightened-up Subaru Impreza sedan and five-door hatchback are scheduled to arrive at your local dealership later this summer. Follow the jump to read the full official press release from Subaru and check out our galleries of high-res live images from the show floor below.

Gallery: 2012 Subaru Impreza Five-Door: New York 2011

2012 Subaru Impreza Five-Door: New York 2011

Gallery: 2012 Subaru Impreza: New York 2011

2012 Subaru Impreza: New York 2011

Continue reading New York 2011: Subaru shows off 2012 Impreza with lighter figure, impressive fuel economy

New York 2011: Subaru shows off 2012 Impreza with lighter figure, impressive fuel economy originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Apr 2011 17:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “New York 2011: Subaru shows off 2012 Impreza with lighter figure, impressive fuel economy”

NASCAR could test fuel injection as early as July

Filed under: Motorsports, Technology

Chances are that just about every car you’ve ever owned featured some form of fuel injection, but the long-standard engine tech remains foreign territory in NASCAR. The sport has used carburetors since the racing series began in 1949, but that looks set to change later this year.

NASCAR reports on its website that fuel injection testing could happen as soon as July 7 at Kentucky Speedway. The date has been singled out due to the fact that this is the first time the Cup Series has raced there, and NASCAR has given racing teams an extra four hours of testing on the Thursday before the race.

Danny Lawrence, chief engine builder for Earnhardt-Childress Racing Engines, is hoping NASCAR comes up with specifications so the teams can prepare, adding “I know they’re working on it really hard, and hopefully, they’ll have it figured out in a few days.”

NASCAR is working with McLaren and Freescale Semiconductor to develop and manufacture engine control units to manage fuel and ignition systems. A wiring harness has reportedly already been developed, and the fuel-injector specification will be the next step. Teams are still wondering at this point if they’ll receive a specification for the fuel injection system or if NASCAR will provide systems that everyone must use. Hat tip to Pawager!

[Source: NASCAR | Image: Todd Warshaw/Getty]

NASCAR could test fuel injection as early as July originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “NASCAR could test fuel injection as early as July”

Hyundai Blue2 fuel cell concept brings ‘Intersected Flow’ design to Seoul

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Sedan, Hyundai, Misc. Auto Shows, Design/Style

Hyundai Blue2 Concept

Hyundai Blue2 Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Hyundai is revealing its new Blue2 fuel-cell concept car at this week’s Seoul Motor Show – a vehicle that the automaker hopes will help it gain “early leadership of the FCEV market.” Does this mean that a production version of the Blue2 (pronounced: “Blue square”) is on its way? It’s hard to say right now, but if Hyundai does bring some sort of fuel-cell vehicle to market, we hope it looks a lot like this stunning concept.

The Korean automaker calls the Blue2’s exterior design philosophy ‘Intersected Flow,’ incorporating both innovative and dynamic design elements. Will Intersected Flow’s tenets replace Fluidic Sculpture as the surface language of choice at Hyundai? We’re not sure, but we like the wraparound-style greenhouse combined with a flat, slightly slanted roof (Saab 9-5, anyone?), and we’re surprisingly fond of the glossy black strip that runs from the bottom of the C-pillar all the way back to the bottom of the front wheel well. Hyundai has executed some exceptional production designs as of late, but this is the first concept that we’ve fallen for from the brand in some time. Notice the LED screen panels at the front and rear – they display messages about the vehicle’s condition. Like many new concepts, conventional door mirrors have been replaced with cameras, and the car even features a welcome system that recognizes the driver and automatically opens the door.

The big news for the Blue2 is its hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain, which delivers a stack power of about 120 horsepower and will return about 34.9 kilometers per liter – that’s 82.1 miles per gallon when converted to the U.S. cycle. The Blue2 is fitted with low-rolling-resistance tires and uses an extremely aerodynamic shape in an effort to reduce drag to aid overall efficiency.

Things are just as high-tech inside the cabin, where the Blue2 uses a combined center cluster and fascia, using an organic LED monitor and ultra-light tempered glass to display vital information. There are even seat-mounted entertainment holders that house things like Apple iPad tablets and other tablet devises, as well.

Follow the jump for Hyundai’s official release, and be sure to see the shapely concept for yourself in the high-res image gallery below.

Gallery: Hyundai Blue2 Concept

Hyundai Blue2 Concept

[Source: Hyundai]

Continue reading Hyundai Blue2 fuel cell concept brings ‘Intersected Flow’ design to Seoul

Hyundai Blue2 fuel cell concept brings ‘Intersected Flow’ design to Seoul originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Hyundai Blue2 fuel cell concept brings ‘Intersected Flow’ design to Seoul”

2011 Honda Civic recalled over fuel tank valve issue

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Recalls, Safety, Honda

2011 honda civic

2011 Honda Civic – Click above for high-res image gallery

Honda has released notice of a recall for its 2011 Civic compact. The issue stems from a malignant fuel pump, which may have modules inside that became damaged during production. So far, no accidents or injuries have been reported as a result of the faulty fuel pumps. However, the damaged unit could cause fuel to leak onto the emissions canister in the event of a roll-over crash, potentially turning a bad accident into a fiery tragedy.

This recall comes on the heels of another Honda issue, which involves 2006-2007 Civic Hybrid models. This new voluntary recall affects 18,056 vehicles, and Honda plans to begin notifying owners beginning in mid-April. Peek beyond the jump for the official press verbiage with all the details.

Gallery: 2011 Honda Civic

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading 2011 Honda Civic recalled over fuel tank valve issue

2011 Honda Civic recalled over fuel tank valve issue originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 16:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “2011 Honda Civic recalled over fuel tank valve issue”

Geneva 2011: Toyota Prius+ sips fuel with room for seven

Filed under: Hybrid, Minivan/Van, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Toyota

Toyota Prius+

2012 Toyota Prius+ – Click above for high-res image gallery

As the second size extension of the Toyota Prius family tree, the 2012 Prius+ adds a healthy dose of roominess to the well-known fuel-sipping hybrid equation, and it’s making its world debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. There’s seating for seven occupants inside, but the multi-purpose vehicle shares a clear design language with Toyota’s standard-bearing Prius. What’s more, it manages a low 0.29 drag coefficient thanks to its extended roofline and carefully designed front fascia.

Equally as notable is the battery. This is the first lithium-ion battery pack to be incorporated within a non-plug-in Toyota full hybrid. Toyota has found enough room underneath the center console between the driver and the front passenger to fit the battery, which helps maximize interior space for occupants and their cargo.

As you would expect from a Prius, there are three drive modes: A zero-emission EV mode that relies on electric motor power alone, an ECO mode that maximizes efficiency and fuel economy and finally a somewhat ambitiously named POWER mode that is said to boost overall performance.

Toyota is saying that the Prius+ will be on sale in Europe in the first half of 2012, but it’s coming to the U.S. around the same time in the form of the Prius V, which we previously saw at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show. Check out the complete press release after the break and be sure to check out our high-res image gallery of live photos below.

Gallery: Toyota Prius+ MPV: Geneva 2011

Toyota Prius+

Continue reading Geneva 2011: Toyota Prius+ sips fuel with room for seven

Geneva 2011: Toyota Prius+ sips fuel with room for seven originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 06:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Geneva 2011: Toyota Prius+ sips fuel with room for seven”

NASCAR to get fuel injection for 2012; McLaren wins supply contract

Filed under: Motorsports, Technology, Racing

NASCAR at Daytona

If it’s good enough for Formula 1, it’s good enough for NASCAR. Heck, if it’s good enough for every single automobile sold in the United States for the past several decades, it’s good enough for NASCAR. What’s this newfangled techno-wizardry we’re talking about? Fuel injection.

For the first time since the series kicked off in 1947, the so-called stock cars that travel full-throttle around tracks all across America will abandon their carburetors in favor of an Enging Control Unit sourced from McLaren and a computer processor from Freescale. That tandem reportedly beat out eight rival bids.

According to NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton, “This is a positive step that will provide greater fuel efficiency and a greener footprint while maintaining the same great competition that we have seen on the race track.”

Fuel efficiency ought to go up, as will horsepower. Interestingly, NASCAR competitors like Ford and Toyota happy about the switch. “We think it’s very important that both the cars and the technology in NASCAR are more closely related to production cars. The move to fuel injection is another important step in that process,” said Jamie Allison, Director, Ford North America Motorsports.

NASCAR expects to have its fuel injection technology all sorted in time for the 2012 season opener, the Daytona 500.

[Source: National Speed Sport News, Fox Sports | Image: Reinhold Matay/AP]

NASCAR to get fuel injection for 2012; McLaren wins supply contract originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “NASCAR to get fuel injection for 2012; McLaren wins supply contract”