Popular Mechanics articles from July 2008

Popular Mechanics archives from July 2008

Red man-an american experience.(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Red Man, one of the most well known and respected brand names in smokeless tobacco, has introduced its new Red Man Premium Moist Snuff. A blend of full bodied high quality tobacco, Red Man Premium Moist Snuff is available in three popular...

Gadgets.(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Whether it's time to cash in on grad gifts, upgrade your mobile tech for a family vacation or expand your power-tool arsenal, catch up on the newest and best gear with an online special: PM's midyear Wish List. ...

Cars.(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... From the Lexus SC 430 (right) and cheaper new convertibles to mouth-watering exotics, PopMech.com rounds up the rides you wont to buy. A bit out of your budget? Commiserate with fellow car junkies on PM's myWheels forums. [ILLUSTRATION...

DIY.(do-it-yourself)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Ready to get busy in the backyard after building that bookcase (page 87)? PM's how-to library is expanding on the Web, with step-by-step plans for quick projects by PopMech .com's new DIY gurus--and an online hub to...

America's to-do list.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Thanks for the great article on rebuilding our nation's infrastructure ("The Work Starts Here"). Here's the best option for fixing our levee system: setback levees. They offer greater volumetric flood capacities and...

Correction.(LETTERS)(Correction notice)
July 1, 2008... Cincinnati's Roebling Bridge opened in 1_867. It, not the Brooklyn Bridge, is the oldest suspension bridge still in use in the United States.

PM's National Magazine Award.(LETTERS)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] We're proud to announce that PM has received magazine journalism's highest honor, a National Magazine Award, for our "Know Your Footprint: Energy, Water and Waste" (June, Sept. and Dec. '07) series on how individuals...

Sunlight to steam: clean energy becomes as easy as boiling water.(TECH WATCH)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Solar thermal energy (STE) generators share little technological DNA with rooftop photovoltaic panels, the hardware commonly associated with solar power. Ausra, of Palo Alto, Calif., has built a prototype (above) of...

Finding friendlier fireworks.(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Pyrotechnic displays are staples of America's birthday and other celebrations, but the chemicals that produce their eye-catching effects are nothing to cheer about. Researchers in Germany are developing cleaner...

Peas dividend.(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Plants produce many chemicals that humans find useful--and sometimes researchers have to get rough to obtain more of the goods. Researchers at the University of Arizona found that jolting pea plants with electric...

Go master 2.0.(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... One of humanity's oldest board games has finally been mastered by artificial intelligence. Go, believed to date to the 5th century B.C., has simple rules--two opposing players place black and white stones on a grid in a bid to control more of...

Stretchable silicon.(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed silicon circuits that can be folded and stretched into useful shapes. While applications such as flexible displays already incorporate bendable electronics,...

Amped-up river currents.(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Hydropower may be a renewable energy source, but the massive dams it requires disrupt riverine ecosystems. New York-based Verdant Power is developing "kinetic hydropower" by planting turbines on river bottoms. A project in Canada's St. Lawrence...

Matchups of the new Cold War: U.S. and Russian weaponry face off across the world's hot spots.(TECH WATCH)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Despite renewed friction between Russia and the United States, the specter of open conflict has faded since the days of the Cold War. However, equipment designed by the two nations remains on opposite sides of...

GPS's understudy: upgrades to an old navigation system will provide a backup, in case satellites falter.(TECH WATCH)(Global Positioning System)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Satellite-based navigation has become a ubiquitous tool for business, military and personal use. The downside is that any disruption in the Global Positioning System could wreak havoc down on Earth. This year,...

Time machine: July 1917.(TECH WATCH)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Oceans are dangerous wildernesses, and plying them safely has always required the right equipment. In July 1917, spurred by several high-profile tragedies at sea, including accidents and U-boat attacks, PM reported...

Information superbyway: Internet access comes to developing nations by whatever means necessary, be it scooter, bus or farm animal.(TECH WATCH)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... When computer technicians talk about moving data around via a "bus," they are usually referring to a set of wires between personal computer components. When Amir Alexander Hasson talks about moving data on a bus, he means a vehicle lumbering...

Laser harp.(UPGRADE)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... For the past year, YouTube has been alight with high-tech harps made by DIYers who substitute laser beams for strings. But until now, these toys have been out of reach to all but savviest solderers. The Beams Music Performance System ($600,...

Showdown: LCD TVs: steep vs cheap.(UPGRADE: WISH LIST)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SAMSUNG LN 40A650 40" LCD ($2700) samsung.com vs VIZIO VU42LF 42" LCD ($1100) vizio.com Low prices make off-brand HDTVs tempting alternatives to the top-shelf sets. And in recent years the quality of...

Rapid Shark.(EDITOR'S CHOICE AWARD)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The sensibility of a Swiss Army Knife has finally trickled down to the humble utility knife. Inside the handle of the Rapid Shark ($25) is a spring-loaded wire stripper and knife, giving users the convenience of two...

Rescue wrench.(UPGRADE: WISH LIST)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] If somebody is trapped in a tight spot, every second is crucial to increasing his odds of survival. Each extremity of the Channellock 88 6-N-1 Rescue Tool ($70) is designed to tackle a different emergency, giving you...

Running records.(UPGRADE: WISH LIST)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Studies show that logging workouts helps runners stick to a routine. When it came out two years ago, the Nike Plus iPod training system made it easy--it used a shoe-based chip to beam distance, time and calories...

Sharp shooter.(UPGRADE: WISH LIST)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] If you want your home movies to last forever, you better make sure they're futureproof. With video, that means high-definition: In 10 years, anything not shot in HD will feel like a flip book. Thankfully, whatever...

Swanson Wood Magnet.(EDITOR'S CHOICE AWARD)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A construction job is only as solid as its studs and joists. However, making lumber plumb and level can be tough--most levels require you to either hold them steady or construct an awkward homemade rig. The Swanson...

Cracking cases.(UPGRADE: ABUSIVE LAB TEST)(Product/service evaluation)(Table)
July 1, 2008... Checking baggage is a leap of faith: You never know what condition your case (or its contents) will be in when it reaches the carousel. But does expensive luggage increase your belongings' chance of survival? To find out, we pit one budget hard...

Open and cut.(UPGRADE: WISH LIST)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Sure, you can approach yardwork as a dreaded chore (to be passed off to somebody else whenever possible), but it can also be a great excuse to break out heavy machinery, like the Leatherman Genus Professional Pruners...

3Dconnexion SpaceNavigator for Notebooks.(UPGRADE: WISH LIST)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Unless you're a CAD engineer, you've likely had little use for computer controllers that allow you to navigate virtual space in three dimensions. The technology may be cool, but finding practical applications for the...

Aquatic warrior.(Test Drive: HONDA PWC)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It's been six years since Honda last released an all-new personal watercraft. The result of those years of toil: the Honda AquaTrax F-1.5X ($13,300). While other PWCs may run a bit faster than the 65 mph we squeezed...

Haute wagon: the sleek 2009 Audi A4 Avant has the chassis dynamics to knock most lumbering SUVs right into the weeds.(NEW CARS)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... The A4 Avant has been one of our favorite wagons since it debuted in '95, and this new one--loaded with fresh tech, higher levels of refinement and a crisp design--only reinforces the sentiment. The turbocharged 211-hp 2.0-liter direct-injected...

1 Practical fun: 2009 VW Jetta Wagon.(NEW CARS: TEST DRIVES)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The new Jetta Sportwagen is like a junior-league Audi. The interior furnishings are upscale and exterior panel gaps are perfect. It has that just-short-of-luxurious feel. Cargo space is as important as style in a...

2 Top gun: 2-008 BMW X6.(NEW CARS: TEST DRIVES)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Imagine a BMW X5 morphed into a hatchback four-door coupe with a 400-hp twin-turbo V8 and a bleeding-edge all-wheel-drive system thrown in for good measure. Well, that's the new X6, and it's positively dripping with...

Subtlety improved: 2009 Hyundai Sonata.(NEW CARS: TEST DRIVES)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The refreshed 2009 Hyundai Sonata proves that small improvements can really matter--if they are smart ones. The new Sonata gets a rejuvenated interior plus a few key chassis enhancements. On a drive along the sinuous...

Retro rocket: 2008 Dodge Challenger.(NEW CARS: TEST DRIVES)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Decades before paddle shifters and traction control, the Challenger gave raw power to the masses. Well, the Challenger's back. And the $38,000 muscle car hits all the right notes, from its set-in headlamps to its...

Mega power: 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG.(NEW CARS: TEST DRIVES)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Next to the 604-hp SL65, the $132,000 SL63 is the beast of the SL lineup. The 518-hp 6.2-liter V8 brings 465 lb.-ft, of torque and spins to 7200 rpm. That means 60 mph in the 4-second range. The new MCT (Multi-Clutch...

Proof of concept: 2010 Chevy Volt.(NEW CARS: TEST DRIVES)(Product/service evaluation)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The future of General Motors' advanced plug-in electric hybrid vehicle program is a 2005 Chew Malibu. Surprised? Well, that's just a disguise. Underneath the test mule's pedestrian sheetmetal here at GM's Technical...

Coupelike four-door sedans.(NEW CARS: TRENDS)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Two-door coupes may look rakish and sleek. But practical? Not so much. To fit, rear-seat passengers must nearly fold themselves into human origami. Once back there, legroom is practically nonexistent. The awkward ingress/egress issues are...

Beautiful obsessions.(JAY LENO'S GARAGE)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] One day I was driving my 1955 Buick Roadmaster and spotted two older, gray-haired guys (meaning they were probably my age) in a 1956 Buick, a lot like my car. They were wearing hats and satin jackets with Buick logos...

The carbon conundrum.(CLIMATE SOLUTIONS)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The 6-ft.-high steel wellhead jutting up from a weedy field next to the R.E. Burger coal-fired power plant in eastern Ohio doesn't look momentous. If anything, it resembles a supersize fire hydrant. Yet the wellhead...

Ranger down.(EXCLUSIVE REPORT)(Cover story)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY. THIS IS THE ALASKA RANGER. 5, 3, 5, 3 NORTH, 1, 6, 9, 5, 8 WEST... WE ARE FLOODING, TAKING ON WATER IN OUR RUDDER ROOM." IT WAS 2:52 AM ON MARCH 23 EASTER MORNING, WHEN COAST GUARD...

Home health.(PM Checklist)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Poke through enough dank crawlspaces and dusty attics, and you gain an encyclopedic store of cautionary tales about ill-conceived DIY plans, bad workmanship and deferred maintenance. Tim Hockenberry, a home inspector...

Re-inventing the engine: the road to a new propulsion system is a rocky one at best. Many engineers are focusing their efforts on fuel cells and batteries--but some are looking at a more pragmatic solution. Here's why: the trusty internal-combustion engine, a relic from the 19th century, could still be driving vehicles for many decades to come.
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE INTIMIDATING CAUTIONARY SIGNS and tall fire doors that front the Combustion Test Cell inside the General Motors Powertrain Research Center in Warren, Mich., serve as a warning: This is a laboratory where anything...

Middleweight cruisers.(Road Test)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ***** Motorcycles have an alter ego. On the outside, a husky cruiser bike may look like the two-wheel equivalent of a gas-guzzling muscle car. But despite the big chrome pipes, fat rear tire and bulging V-twin...

Extreme coasters: thanks to cutting edge technology, new roller coasters are taller, faster and more intense than ever. Prepare for NASA-worthy G-forces, blistering speed--and the ride of your life.
July 1, 2008... Shortly after dawn breaks on a crisp March morning, ironworkers Paul Atherton and Clint Richard climb onto the trussing of a roller coaster's steel skeleton, strap themselves into safety barnesses, and wait. Legs swinging, Atherton lights a...

Case study: the inside story of a book-lover's project.(DIY HOME)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I built my first bookcase in middle school. A multitiered assemblage of wooden planks laid across stacks of bricks, it was reminiscent of pieces from the early Flintstone Period--and I was proud to have made it...

The up-armored home: siding is on the front line in any structure's war against the elements.(How Your House Works)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Early houses built from stone or logs didn't need siding--the walls themselves were weatherproof. But most modern houses are constructed with a more vulnerable wood frame that needs protection by a layer of vinyl,...

Beyond the sprinkler.(Homeowners Clinic: Q + A)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Q I spend summers working in my yard but not enough time enjoying it. I'm tired of all this weeding and (wasteful) watering. How can I make my landscape easier to maintain? A It's one thing to install garden or...

Scan tools for the rest of us: scan tools let you check for those pesky trouble codes, turn off the check engine light and monitor dozens of engine parameters in real time. And now, they're affordable.(SATURDAY MECHANIC)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] You're tooling down the road; it's a beautiful, sunny summer day, and to top it off, your car is running absolutely perfectly. Perfectly, except for that Check Engine light shining like a beacon of bad news....

Pimple cure.(Car Clinic: Q+A)
July 1, 2008... Q I recently painted my own car. There are some places where the clearcoat has sagged. But I've figured out what went wrong--the air temperature, when I painted, was cooler than I expected. I used a thinner intended to dry properly at a higher...

Different spokes.(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Hopefully you can tell me--and the rest of the world--why the wheels on vehicles look like they are going backward on TV and in the movies. I'm curious. Contrary to what you might think, TV and movies don't provide a continuous image that...

No free lunch.(Car Clinic: Q+A)
July 1, 2008... I am not a mechanic, but I have a few efficiency ideas. Couldn't they build a car that ran the air conditioning, power steering and all the other accessories electrically, rather than with belts? The roof, hood and trunk could use composite...

Need to grease a squeaky rod end that doesn't have a zerk fitting? Here's a simple, temporary fix.(CAR CARE tip)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Tie-rod end squeaking mercilessly as you go down the road? Or maybe a ball joint or two, in chorus? By the time these start to squeak, they've probably had no grease in them for a while. Even if you could get some grease in, they're doomed. But...

Dripped calls.(DIY TECH)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Q If I get my phone wet, what's the best way to bring it back to life? A Even if a wet cellphone seems dead, there's a good chance it can be resuscitated. Just make sure you act fast--the longer the water sits...

Voice mail 2.0.(DIY TECH)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Weeding through voice mail can be deeply tedious--a fact that becomes obvious the first time you try the iPhone's Visual Voicemail, which allows users to graphically browse messages on the phone's screen. While it's certainly a better way to...

Back-seat theater.(DIY TECH)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... My car navigation system has a DVD drive for map discs. If I install monitors in the rear of my car, is it possible to hook this drive up to them to play movies? It's possible, but unless you're an especially avid DIYer, you'll probably...

Marked machine.(DIY TECH: DIGITAL CLINIC Q + A)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... My white MacBook has developed dark smudges where my wrists rest. What's the best way to remove these unsightly marks? This is a very common problem, and one that causes a lot of people to send their wares back to Apple. Fortunately, it's...

Not-so-high definition.(DIY TECH: DIGITAL CLINIC Q + A)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... I recently read that Comcast was caught reducing the quality of its high-definition channels in order to fit more stations onto its network. Do other cable or satellite services intentionally lower the quality of their HD? How can I get the...

Fender reader: if you want a car-racing game to feel realistic, you've got to know how to make a decent wreck.(DIY TECH)
July 1, 2008... In most car-racing games, you can hit a barrier at 140 mph and bounce off. That may make it a bit easier to complete the course in record time, but it's hardly realistic. In the just-released game GRID you can pilot virtual versions of up to 50...

Hidden messages.(DIY TECH: DIGITAL CLINIC Q + A)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... I want to read my personal e-mail at work without the IT department looking over my shoulder. Is there any way for an employee to browse the Web anonymously on a company computer? According to the courts, your employer has the right to...

This is my job: paleontologist.(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Don Esker has wanted to work with fossils since he was 4 years old. "My first polysyllabic word was dinosaur," says the in situ curator of the Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, S.D. To map a bone at the indoor dig--a...

DIY handbook (A-Z).(home)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Anyone can look up something in a dictionary, but real know-how means understanding the way it works in the real world. At Popular Mechanics, a century s worth of experience has taught us that insights are best...

DIY handbook (A-Z): auto.
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Every month in Popular Mechanics we explain both the new technologies changing the automotive world and the fundamentals of car repair. Here we take a moment to distill the important concepts that every guy should...