Document QMXwvqK23qnx8vkE6pYEB0RJv

Washington Hotline ered the 1986 model year CAFE standard from 27.5 to 26 mpg in re sponse to petitions from Ford and General Motors, who said they could do no better. The agency must now decide the "maximum feasible level" for the next two years. The criteria for determining that level depends on technological feasibility, the effect of other feder al motor vehicle safety standards on fuel economy, the need for the nation to conserve energy, and eco nomic practicality. It is this last fac tor that stirs debate. In 1981, fuel economy was the number one consideration of car buyers. But with the nation wal lowing in an oil glut, Americans have reverted to form and are buying large cars like there is no tomorrow. And nearly half of those who still put a premium on fuel economy are buying Japanese. Ford and GM say the only way out of this dilemma is to restrict market choices or outsource enough parts to qualify large models as imports. Either way, it's going to cost the country jobs and revenue, the Big Two say. To which the Center for Auto Safety responds with its usual raspberries and lawsuits. NHTSA must now weigh these comments, again, and come up with a hard number. Bet on 26 mpg. In a related action on light trucks (pickups, vans and utility vehicles with gross vehicle weight ratings of Bet on 26 mpg for the 1987 and 1988 CAFE standards. up to 8500 pounds), NHTSA pro posed "composite" CAFE stan dards of 20.5 to 22 mpg for 1988 models, and 20.5 to 22.5 mpg for 1989 models. As is the case with current standards, manufacturers have the option of meeting either the composite standard for their en tire light truck fleet or optional sep arate standards for their twowheel- and four-wheel-drive trucks. For 1988 models, the ranges for the optional separate standards are 21 to 22.5 mpg for two-wheel-drive trucks and 19.5 to 21 mpg for four-wheel-drive mod els. For 1989 models, the ranges are 21 to 23 mpg and 19.5 to 21.5 mpg, respectively. Asbestos Substitutes The evils of asbestos have been known for years and, finally, on January 29, 1986, the EPA pro posed a ban on the manufacture, importation and processing of as bestos in certain products and a five-year phase-out of the use of as bestos in friction products, which includes most automotive applica tions. Despite its carcinogenic side ef fects, however, the unique combi nation of properties in asbestos-- heat and corrosion resistance, high tensile strength, thermal stability and processability--make it a diffi cult substance to replace in brake and clutch systems. But EPA points out that substitutes that are nearly as cost-effective as asbestos products have been developed for The clamp-on that clamps down on problems. Instantly. The TIF1000 DC Digital Clamp-On Ammeter )oints automotive problems in no time flat, uu st clamp this D.C. ammeter around any insulated wire or cable, ana you can instantly tell if it's the starter, alterna tor, battery, ignition system, voltage regulator or just a fuse. But that's just one reason why the TIF1000DC is recognized as the champion clamp-on ammeter. This self-powered, connectionless compact ammeter measures volts, ohms and amps. And shifts from ranges automatically. At the push of a button, you can see the precise draw of headlights, power windows, blower and starter motors, you name it. Without disconnecting a single wire or circuit. A clear LCD readout gives you the answer. And on top of everything else, you can use it on every thing from a motorcycle to a tractor-trailer. No question about it. The TIF1000 DC is the answer for automotive mechanics. Ask your favorite mobile dealer or jobber for a demon stration. Instruments of the Eighties TIF Instruments, Inc. 9101 N.W. 7th Ave., Miami. FL 33150 1-800-327-5060 80 Circle #136 on reader service card. dotOR e April 1986 PLAINTIFF'S EXHIBIT CHR-232 i Washington Hotline most friction products. For example, cellulose-based friction components have replaced asbestos in automatic transmis sions, and only one of three domes tic manufacturers of clutch facings still makes them with asbestos. The others have begun to replace asbes tos facings with facings made of fi berglass and textile fibers. Unfor tunately, these substitutes are infe rior to asbestos facings in durability, quietness and tensile fering this system in response to what we think our customers want--rather than in response to a government mandate--and that's the way it ought to be." No price was given for the new air bag system, but it is expected to be competitive with the $800 charged by Ford and Mercedes. Smith emphasized that the system "will be designed to work with--not in place of--the lap-shoulder belt, which will still be worn by the driv er." He also continued to urge pas sage of mandatory safety belt laws, which he said are "contributing to public acceptance of restraints of all kinds, including air bags." Recalls NHTSA reports that more than 5.6 million motor vehicles were re called in 1985 in 173 separate re calls. That's more recall campaigns than the 125 recorded in 1984, but significantly fewer vehicles than the 7.2 million vehicles recalled in 1984. Of last year's actions, 68%, or continued on page 82 j ; j! strength, but developments in fi berglass facings and the use of spe cial binders continues to improve its strength, wear and ability to withstand heat. Aramid fiber- based clutch facings are also being developed; the problem is cost. The EPA also notes that semi- metallic disc brake pads have large ly replaced asbestos disc brake I pads in new domestic cars with front wheel drive, which accounts for 85% of new domestic cars. In addition, a number of brake manu facturers have begun to introduce an aramid fiber into production of disc brake pads. But the EPA reports only limited progress in finding substitutes for asbestos in drum brake linings due ^MITYVAC REPAIRABLE PUMPSto problems in processing nonas ! bestos fibers and in meeting stan Introduce yourself to the new dards of durability and heat resis repairable Mityvac vacuum/pressure tance. Only one automobile manu tools. Designed for the mechanic that facturer is currently using semi- knows his tools, Mityvac is the only metallic drum brake linings, and complete line that offers: only one brake manufacturer has begun marketing aramid fiber-based Repairable Plastic & Metal Pumps linings for the replacement market. However, a number of other poten tial substitute fibers are being test ed by both original equipment and . Gauge Easily Read From Either Hand Fluid-Resistant Fluorosilicone Valves Controllable Vacuum or Pressure Special Application Kits Complete Accessory Line replacement manufacturers. 100+ Page Mityvac/Chilton User's Manual* GM Pops Air Bag News Sitting back watching MercedesBenz and Ford make hay, and may be even sales, with their air bag systems finally got to General Mo tors Chairman Roger Smith, who announced recently GM will offer driver-side air bags as an option on selected 1988 models. Smith credited "a new interest in safety" for GM's re-entry into the air bag business (the company sold 10,000 cars with air bags between 1974 and 1976) and said: "We're of- Motor April 1986 Check out the complete line of repairable Mityvac vacuum/pressure pumps today for tune ups, vacuum system checks, brake bleeding and more...contact your distributor or Neward direct for new 1986 catalog today. 'Included with mo$t kits; also available separate!/. L* MITYVAC AACKAOINO A ACCESSORIES NEWARD ENTERPRISES INCORPORATED 9251 Archibald Avenue, Cucamonga, California 91730 Inside CA 714/9B7-8975 Outside CA 800/MITYVAC Mityvie* it t Registered Trademark of Ntwtrd Enterprises. Inc. U S end Foreign Petenis * 1986 Newi'd Enterprises. Inc. Circle #137 on reader service card. 81