Car Tips
The Keys To A Front Wheel Alignment
by admin on Jan.27, 2010, under Car Maintenance, Car Tips
The Keys To A Front Wheel Alignment
Wheel alignments are one of many maintenance items that drivers overlook or completely ignore. Unlike an engine that overheats or a transmission that suddenly whines, alignment problems are nearly imperceptible when they originally form. Plus, they build gradually over time, making them difficult to identify. Eventually, you discover that your front-end is so poorly aligned that your car can make a right turn on its own when you release the steering wheel.
Fortunately, the problem is simple for a mechanic to resolve. It’s usually a matter of adjusting the caster, camber, and toe. In this article, I’ll explain the respective roles played by each in the proper alignment of your vehicle.
The Role Of Caster
Caster affects the directional movement (and thus, handling) of your car. It is defined as the forward or backward tilt of the steering axis when viewed from the side. If the axis tilts forward, the measurement is positive. If it tilts backward, it is negative.
Caster is influenced by the height of your vehicle. That means lowering or raising your car will affect it. Automakers typically set caster between +2 and +5. If it is not positive enough, the steering response will be highly sensitive. What’s more, uneven caster between the two front wheels will result in pulling toward the side with the lesser amount. It’s worth noting that such problems rarely impact tread wear.
The Role Of Camber
Camber reflects the tilt of your wheels when viewed from the front or the back. If the top of the wheel tilts outward, the camber is said to be positive. If it tilts inward toward the center of your vehicle, it is said to be negative. The measurement is defined by the tilt off each wheel’s vertical axis.
Automakers usually set the camber between 0 and -2. If it is too positive, you’ll notice tread wear on the outside of your tire. If it is too negative, you’ll see tread wear on the inside. Both can cause excess wear and tear on your car’s suspension.
Toe In And Toe Out
Toe reflects how much the front of your wheels are turned inward or outward when viewed from above. If they are turned inward, toe is said to be positive (or, toe-in exists). If they are turned outward, it is negative (i.e. toe-out). The former leads to an understeer while the latter causes an oversteer.
Automakers normally set the toe near zero, which means the tires point forward. Any other setting will usually cause excess tread wear and lower gas mileage.
There are additional factors that influence the alignment of your vehicle’s wheels, such as the track, wheelbase, and ride height. However, these factors are related to the design of your car and are rarely adjusted. If you suspect your car’s caster, camber, or toe is off, have an experienced mechanic perform a complete front-end alignment.
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On Replacing Your Vehicle’s Spark Plugs
by admin on Aug.10, 2009, under Car Maintenance, Car Tips
On Replacing Your Vehicle’s Spark Plugs
You walk out to your car, climb into the driver’s seat, and stick the key into the ignition. You turn the key and are surprised to discover that your engine seems sluggish. Over the ensuing weeks, it becomes even more sluggish. Eventually, it seems as if it doesn’t want to turn over at all. The problem may be your vehicle’s spark plugs (SPs).
They debuted in the early 1900s and have been an essential piece of automotive technology since. In the early days, they only lasted up to 15,000 miles. The reason was due to the lead contained within gasoline at the time. Today, they can last much longer; some are promoted as lasting up to 100,000 miles.
Below, I’ll explain why spark plugs need to be replaced periodically. In some cases, the emissions tests mandated in certain states prompts drivers to replace them (they fail the test otherwise). In other cases, engine and driveability issues are the catalyst.
Misfires
When you put new SPs into your vehicle, your engine will perform at its highest level of efficiency. It won’t last. Each spark plug has an electrode that delivers voltage for your car’s internal combustion process. These electrodes will wear down over time. As they do, voltage is forced to bridge a growing chasm in order to provide the ignition for the air-fuel mixture. Eventually, you’ll experience occasional misfires. They will steadily become more frequent. As a result, the level of emissions in your exhaust will increase, and your power and fuel efficiency will plummet.
Cold Starts
Often, vehicles have difficulty starting during cold weather. This is not due to the spark plugs having become fouled. Instead, it can happen as the result of their being exposed to dirt and fuel flooding. In the case of dirt, removing and cleaning the SPs will often solve a cold starting problem.
Flooding is a bit different. It happens when drivers flood their cars while trying to crank the engine. The released fuel soaks the SPs and prevents the voltage from sparking. This problem occurs mostly with cars that use carburetors, but it can also happen with those that operate on fuel injection systems. The only option is to clean or replace the spark plugs.
Protecting The Catalytic Converter
Catalytic converters are relatively sensitive to heat (and relatively expensive to replace). If an SP goes bad and misfiring occurs, excess fuel can filter into the exhaust and raise the temperature in the cat converter. If the temperature rises high enough, it can cause a partial or full failure in the cat’s substrate. New SPs help prevent excess fuel dumping, which prevents the catalytic converter from overheating and melting down.
If you’re using ordinary spark plugs, plan to have them replaced every 50,000 miles (or sooner). If you’re using a “life-long” model, replace them after 100,000 miles. They’re inexpensive and can help your engine operate at peak performance.
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Prepping Your Car's Air Conditioner For The Summer
by admin on Jul.16, 2009, under Car Maintenance, Car Tips
Prepping Your Car’s Air Conditioner For The Summer
With summer right around the corner, now’s the time to make sure your vehicle’s A/C is working properly. Many motorists have noticed small problems and procrastinated while hoping the issues will correct themselves. They won’t. Whether your air conditioning system is blowing warm air or not enough volume, a mechanic will need to run a few tests in order to fix the problem.
Below, I’ll describe the things that can go wrong inside your car’s A/C and why it’s important to describe the details to your technician. I’ll also explain the difference between how your heater and air conditioner perform their respective jobs.
Explain The Problem In Detail
The most common issue is a refrigerant leak somewhere in the assembly. The leak can occur in one the hoses, near the compressor, or around the expansion valve. If the refrigerant level drops too far, the airflow’s temperature can rise or the compressor will stop working. Dirt can also wreak havoc. If enough of it accumulates, it can cause the expansion valve to fail, the refrigerant to break down, or the bearings on the compressor to stop working.
Less common, but just as problematic, are restrictions caused by dirt, debris, and other elements that collect over time. If the restriction inside the A/C is big enough, the pressure and temperature within the system will rise. That will lead to a lubrication problem which, in turn, can cause the bearings to fail and the hoses to deteriorate.
When you visit a mechanic, it’s important that you explain the details behind whatever issue you’re experiencing. Low volume might suggest a restriction while warm temperatures imply a refrigerant leak. There are standard tests that your mechanic can perform to find the issue, but describing the symptoms can provide useful direction and save time.
The Heater Versus The A/C
A lot of drivers have the impression that their car’s air conditioner works like their heater. To be sure, the two systems are similar in some respects. For example, both use a core. The heater core carries warm water which generates heat that is pumped into the vehicle’s cabin. The A/C’s evaporator core carries refrigerant which generates cold. A major difference is in how the chemical in the refrigerant cools the cabin; it absorbs the existing heat while the cold air blows through the vent.
What The Mechanic Will Do
Normally, you’ll need a trained mechanic to fix any issue you’re experiencing with your A/C. It’s unlikely that you’ll have access to the equipment necessary to find leaks or restrictions that can develop throughout the assembly.
To locate leaks, the technician will send a fluorescent dye through the entire air conditioning system. He can watch the dye’s path on his diagnostic equipment and pinpoint any leaks easily. Next, he’ll look for restrictions; if he finds them, he’ll flush them out to keep the pressure down. Your mechanic might also check the ducts to make sure there are no problems in the making.
When summer finally arrives, you’ll be happy that you took the time and made the investment to prep your car’s A/C for the warm weather.