Tag: Car Repair
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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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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The Average Driver's Quick Guide To Power Steering
by admin on Apr.30, 2009, under Car Maintenance, Car Tips
The Average Driver’s Quick Guide To Power Steering
Seldom do we give much thought to the technical aspects regarding how we direct our cars on the road. If we need to make a right turn, we turn right. Older drivers might remember a time when turning a vehicle was practically a battle of wills. Power steering was not an option back then.
Of all car parts and assemblies, your vehicle’s power steering system is one of the most overlooked. We use it each day, yet most drivers never realize how the components which make up the assembly work together. Below, I’ll explain how it is powered, how you can get the most from it, and signs that there may be a problem.
How The Assembly Is Powered
When your engine is turning, it drives a belt. That belt activates a pump. The pump, when triggered, pressurizes a fluid within the assembly which allows you to easily turn the wheel. If you have ever tried to steer your car when the engine dies, you’ll know how difficult it is. If the engine stalls, it cannot drive the belt. As a result, the pump cannot pressurize the fluid which helps you turn your steering wheel.
The most common form of the assembly is called rack-and-pinion. That’s the type you’ll find in nearly all vehicles sold today. It uses a valve to direct the pressurized fluid to one end of the cylinder. As you turn the wheel, the fluid’s flow is directed toward the other side.
The ease with which the wheel turns is controlled by the automaker. Some car manufacturers, in an attempt to make their vehicles’ wheels easier to turn, make them so responsive that you can turn them almost by breathing on them.
How To Get The Most From The System
You can maximize the efficiency of your car’s power steering by keeping the right amount of pressure in the tires. If the tires are underinflated, they’ll be more difficult to turn. Also, consider having them rotated in order to keep healthy treads in the front. Most vehicles are front-wheel drive, so the front tires are affected more than the rear.
Warning Signs Of A Problem
Your vehicle’s power steering assembly should last for years without needing any maintenance. But, like all car parts, it can fail. Fortunately, there are usually warning signs which signal there may be a problem. For example, if you notice uncharacteristic sluggishness, have a mechanic inspect the system. If your car drifts and seems slightly out of your control while you’re turning, that too, can suggest a problem. Finally, if you turn the wheel completely to one side and hear a shrieking noise, drive immediately to a repair shop.
If a problem develops, no matter how small it seems, have it fixed quickly before it evolves into a bigger, and more dangerous, issue.