By the Editors of MOTOR
Smoghouse Emissions Training Software
by Tools for Education
With enhanced emissions programs coming on like gangbusters, you better
become proficient in 5-gas analysis in a hurry. That’s exactly what
Smoghouse is designed to help you do, and it does it better than any interactive
training program we’ve ever seen!
Boot up the Smoghouse CD and you’ll find the program divided into
three main modules: 5-Gas Theory, Interactive Case Studies and Diagnostic
Flow Charts. The theory portion provides all the comprehensive information
you’ll need to interpret exhaust readings on failed vehicles, with
mini-quizzes that give you instantaneous feedback on your progress. A
little weak in one area? No problem. Smoghouse allows you to go back and
review the material at a pace you’re comfortable with.
Once
you feel you’re up to speed, you can move on into the case studies
module. Here, you’re put into a virtual smog test facility, with
five vehicles with simulated emissions failures at your disposal. Click
on one and watch as the vehicle gets pulled onto the dyno. Then listen
as the dyno roars to life and the vehicle, tires squealing, spews out
its poison. Once you determine what gas(es) has failed, the program will
then guide you over to a workbench with various tools—among them
a scanner, scope, fuel pressure gauge and precat exhaust probe—and
ask you to pick the one best suited to pinpoint the failure particular
to the vehicle. Pick the wrong one and the program gives you a gentle
slap on the wrist, then prods you to the right choice. Amazing!
Move into the diagnostic module and you’ll be provided
with
flowcharts that’ll help guide you through any combination of real-world
failures you may encounter, in a logical step-by-step se-quence. In addition,
you’ll get tips on
root causes for specific failures and how to best go about diagnosing them, plus
some
great info on catalytic converter diagnosis. We could go on forever talking
about the merits of Smoghouse and still never give this interactive training
program the credit it richly deserves. So check it out for
yourself; we promise you won’t be disappointed!
