20:1 Digital Professional Infrared Ir Laser Thermometer Pyrometer -58~2102°f on 2040-parts.com

Recall is last linked to fire hazard, Ford says

Ford Motor Co.'s new recall of vehicles that pose potential fire hazards will be its last because the latest action covers all remaining cars and trucks with cruise-control switches made by Texas Instruments, even if those switches don't pose safety risks, a Ford spokesman said today. "We did this to reassure customers and make sure there will be no future actions connected to this," spokesman Wes Sherwood said in an interview. "We've gone to extra lengths to include both vehicles with risks and those that don't show risk." Yesterday, Ford announced a recall of 4.5 million vehicles--its eighth in the past decade involving cars and trucks with faulty cruise-control deactivation switches.

California rules give push to 'green' vehicles in the near future

California regulators on Friday approved a plan that would require 15.4 percent of new vehicles sold in the state be electric, fuel-cell or plug-in hybrid vehicles by 2025. The rule--supported by major automakers--is part of a broader package of regulations called the Advanced Clean Car program designed to cut vehicle greenhouse gas and smog-forming emissions. The sweeping new auto emission standards could mean 1.4 million electric, fuel cell and plug-in hybrid vehicles on California roads by 2025.

Crowds come back to Concorso Italiano at Monterey weekend

Organizers of this year's Concorso Italiano didn't know what would happen. New owner Tom McDowell had taken over the annual "Celebration of Italian Style" and moved the whole festival from the rather barren airport location to the sprawling Laguna Seca Golf Ranch just downhill from Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Would anybody show up?