Month: June

First Self-Driving Car Death Involving Tesla S Driver Using Autopilot

The NHTSA is now investigating a fatal crash involving a Tesla Model S with the Autopilot system activated — the first known fatality involving the Tesla Model S Autopilot. The accident occurred on a divided highway, when a tractor trailer drove across the highway perpendicular to the Model S. Neither the driver nor the car noticed

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Flat Towing Tech: The Hows and Whys of Installing a Tow Bar

It’s time to hit the highway for a little summer adventure. Our getaways often include four-wheeling on new and distant trails, and that means towing our Jeep behind a motorhome or some other tow vehicle. When it comes to choosing a towing method, you’ve got a few choices: flatbed trailers ($2,500+), tow dollies ($1,000+), and tow bars ($125). Obviously, the

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Back in Black Nighthawk LS (Part 2): Heads, Valvetrain, Oiling System & More

Editor’s Note: Mike Mavrigian’s shop, Birchwood Automotive, specializes in street performance and racing engines as well as vehicle restoration. We covered his last build, a 499 cubic inch Mopar 400 big block. This time, he’s building a 408-cubic-inch LS engine based on a 6.0L cast iron block. We covered the short block in Part One of the

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Video: How to Set Your Clutch’s Throwout Bearing Clearance

Quarter Master makes high performance racing clutches. Good ones. But no matter how good or well-built a clutch may be, it can’t last long if the throwout bearing clearances aren’t properly set. Without proper clearance, the clutch will never fully engage or fully disengage, and that will cause it to wear quickly. Properly setting your

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Volkswagen Settles with U.S. for $14.7B Over Diesel Emissions Scandal

The U.S. Justice Department and Volkswagen AG have agreed to a $14.7 billion settlement over the German automaker’s cheating of diesel emissions tests. The settlement will be filed today in a San Francisco, CA federal court, Bloomberg reported. As part of the deal, VW will offer one of two options to U.S. owners of diesel

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Photo Gallery: 2016 Summit Racing All Ford Show and Shine

The Fords took over Summit Racing Equipment in Georgia this past weekend. The 9th annual All Ford Show and Shine took place at the Summit Racing Retail Store in McDonough and drew some of Northeast Georgia’s cleanest and best Fords, Lincolns, and Mercuries. The event was presented by the Ford Owners Association, which provided us with some great images from

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Mailbag: Building a Potent, Pump-Gas Pontiac on a Budget

Q: : I have a 1967 Pontiac GTO with a 400-cubic-inch engine that originally came from a 1968 Grand Prix. The 10.75:1 compression engine is rated at 340 horsepower. The car has an M-20 four-speed transmission and 3.55 rear-end gears, and curb weight is about 3,500 pounds. What I really want is a strong, daily-driven

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