Abstract: The present invention provides a steering device which has a steering column selectively moveable from a first position to a second position. The first position is a position angled upward conducive to driver use, and the second position is a more horizontal position which is conducive to vehicle crashing. The steering column has a front bracket and a locomotive device. Upon impact, the locomotive device drives the steering column, which rotates about the front bracket, and changes the resulting steering column angle. Thus, when the air bag inflates, it is positioned at a reduced angle and absorbs the impact of the driver more effectively.

Abstract: A method of determining the deterioration of automatic transmission fluid by detecting shudder during the EMCC portion of air conditioner clutch engagement. Shudder is detected by calculating the acceleration of the turbine during EMCC slip with the following equation:.SIGMA..alpha..sub.t =.SIGMA..alpha..sub.t (i-1)+.alpha..sub.twhere .alpha..sub.t represents the absolute value of turbine acceleration. In a preferred embodiment, the turbine acceleration is summed for twenty-eight periods of 7 msec each after the start of EMCC and the determination that shudder occurred made if the resulting value exceeds a predetermined number. In a further preferred embodiment, the method is used to modify the air conditioner compressor clutch engagement sequence. Once it is determined that shudder is occurring during the EMCC portion of the air conditioner compressor clutch engagement sequence, the EMCC portion of the air conditioner clutch engagement sequence is eliminated or bypassed.