Tag: Car Maintenance
4 Keys To Extending The Life Of Your Car
by admin on Apr.30, 2010, under Car Maintenance, Car Tips
4 Keys To Extending The Life Of Your Car
As people continue to tighten their financial belts, many are looking to their vehicles in hopes of finding ways to save money. While the price of gasoline and your monthly auto insurance premiums may be beyond your control, you can influence the amount of money you spend on auto repairs. Over your car’s lifetime, you can save thousands of dollars.
The life of your automobile is a direct result of the maintenance and care you provide along the way. The more diligent you are, the longer it will last. This article will describe four keys to ensuring that your vehicle lasts as long as possible.
#1 – Change Your Oil And Replace The Air Filter
Two of the most important things you can do to extend the life of your engine is to periodically change the oil and replace the air filter. Oil is necessary to lubricate the moving parts of your engine. Over time, the oil breaks down and becomes less effective. While every vehicle is different, changing the oil every 5,000 miles is a good idea.
Your air filter captures dirt, debris, and particles that might otherwise damage your engine. Eventually, it will become clogged. When that happens, your engine is forced to work harder in order to receive the air it needs for efficient combustion. If you drive in an area that is exposed to a significant level of dust and dirt, check the filter every 5,000 miles. Otherwise, it should last 10,000 miles or more.
#2 – Check The Tire Pressure
Your tires are the only part of your car that makes contact with the ground. Given that, it’s surprising that most motorists devote very little attention to their upkeep. The most common problem is the pressure within the tires. If they are underinflated or overinflated, they might impact your fuel efficiency. They can even present a safety issue.
Check your tire pressure every few weeks. Keep them consistent with the psi recommended by your owner’s manual. If the treads wear thin, invest in a new set of tires.
#3 – Be A Smart Driver
Hard stops and quick starts can become a habit over time. The problem is that both can have a negative influence on your fuel efficiency, brake pads, and suspension. When you accelerate, do so gradually. Try to anticipate traffic lights and other stops to avoid slamming your brake pedal to the floorboard.
#4 – Follow The Manual’s Service Schedule
Your owner’s manual includes a maintenance schedule that is defined by the number of miles you’ve driven. For example, it might recommend visually inspecting the brake pads and discs at 25,000 miles. It might suggest checking the drive shaft boots and steering linkage at 50,000 miles. Follow this schedule. The automaker recommends the maintenance items because they know what it best for your vehicle’s health.
By keeping on top of your oil level and air filter, driving smart, and following the service intervals in your owner’s manual, you’ll extend the life of your car. And that can keep thousands of dollars in your bank account over the long run.
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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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Making Sure Your Car’s Brakes Are Ready For An Emergency
by admin on Nov.12, 2009, under Car Maintenance
Making Sure Your Car’s Brakes Are Ready For An Emergency
Imagine that you’re driving at 65 mph and a young child suddenly steps out into the street directly in your path. Would you be able to stop your vehicle in time? How much time would pass before your brain would tell your foot to hit the brake pedal?
If we assume normal road conditions, you’ll probably need up to 200 feet to bring your car to a full stop. Given that a typical reaction time will be at least one second, you’ll use between 70 and 100 feet just to take action. That leaves very little room for error. And that assumes your braking system is working properly.
These type of emergencies occur every day to drivers who are unprepared for them. It can also happen to you. That’s why it is critical that you keep your braking system in good condition. In this article, I’ll explain why you shouldn’t wait for your ABS warning light to go on before having a mechanic inspect your brakes.
Don’t Wait For Your Warning System
Most drivers wait until their ABS lights come on before taking their vehicles to a repair garage. Or, they’ll wait until they hear the horrible grinding sound of metal rubbing against metal before asking a mechanic to inspect their brakes. The problem is twofold.
First, by the time the warning light flickers on, your braking system is already in dire need of attention. That means it already represents a safety risk. Given that most motorists procrastinate before visiting a mechanic, waiting for the light is dangerous.
Second, if you’re hearing metal grinding on metal, there’s a good chance that your braking system will need to be overhauled. Replacing the pads is one thing; replacing the pads and discs, and needing to have the rotor machined is another thing entirely. And it’s far more expensive.
Routine Inspections And Signs Of Trouble
You should have a mechanic inspect your brakes at least once a year. I would go further and suggest that you ask the technicians at the repair shop to inspect them whenever you have the oil changed, tires rotated, or the front-end aligned. The reason is because you’ll need to take the tires off to inspect the pads, discs, and rotors.
If a long time has passed since your braking system was last inspected, you may notice a few warning signs. For example, you might experiencing pulling to one side as you’re braking. You may also feel a vibration or pulsing when you press down on the brake pedal. If the pedal sinks without support when you press down on it, there may be a leak somewhere in the system. If you notice any of these telltale signs, have a mechanic take a look at the problem as soon as possible.
It is vital that you keep your car’s brakes in good working condition. That way, you’ll be ready for an emergency if it presents itself.