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Posts Tagged ‘Car Tips’

Your car’s alternator won’t last forever. Neither will your catalytic converter. Actually, your fuel injectors, ignition switch, and muffler can fail as well. Every auto part under your vehicle’s hood can unexpectedly expire and need to be replaced.

If you take your car to the dealership, they’ll use Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts. On the other hand, the mechanic at your local repair garage is likely to use aftermarket alternatives. Which is better?

Claiming one choice is always better than the other is overly-simplistic; it ignores subtle pros and cons of each. Below, we’ll compare the advantages of investing in OEM parts versus buying their aftermarket equivalents.

The Advantages Of Aftermarket

Aftermarket components and systems are less expensive than their OEM counterparts. However, the percentage you’ll save will vary by the item your vehicle needs. Be cautious. A lot of aftermarket units seem low-priced, but hide defects that can leave you stranded at the side of the road.

Another advantage is that the quality can be just as high as Original Equipment Manufacturer systems. The reason is because the automaker is often forced to offset the performance of the component with other factors. For example, consider anti-lock braking systems. The manufacturer has to make sure the pads don’t squeal; otherwise, customers will complain. The problem is that high performance brakes are often noisy – ensuring the brake pads are silent sacrifices performance.

Yet another advantage of buying after-market components is that they’re widely available. Mechanics can easily obtain any replacement part your vehicle needs. In fact, they’ll often have them in stock.

The Advantages Of OEM

OEM parts also offer significant advantages. First, you’ll always know what to expect from them. They are nearly identical to the systems that were installed within your vehicle at the time it rolled off the factory floor.

Second, you won’t need to examine a given component in order to spot defects. Original Equipment Manufacturer parts are designed to be seamless replacements and possess a consistent level of quality. That means there is no reason to be concerned with compatibility and performance issues.

Third, they are usually supported by a one-year warranty. For example, if you have your alternator replaced and it malfunctions within the first year, the automaker will replace it with another OEM alternator without cost. The experience might not be the same if the alternator were an aftermarket unit.

Which is the Better Choice?

There are a few reliable rules of thumb to follow. Anything on your car’s frame (like a body panel) that needs to be replaced should be replaced with an Original Equipment Manufacturer replacement. Second, if you’re leasing your vehicle, you should also choose OEM parts. Otherwise, you’re likely to lose your deposit when you return the car. Third, for something like an alternator or a fuel pump (a key component), OEM is always the better choice.

On the other hand, if you’re willing to take a risk (and the risk can be substantial) in order to save a few dollars, aftermarket parts may be a good investment.

The 4-stroke combustion process (intake, compression, power, and exhaust) normally occurs smoothly. The pistons, spark plugs, fuel injectors, and other components work like a well-oiled machine. Pressure builds within the combustion chamber until the air-fuel mixture contained within it is ignited by the spark plug. That’s what propels your vehicle forward. When you hear a knocking sound as you accelerate, especially during heavy load, that means there is something wrong with your engine. When this occurs it is referred to as spark knock. And it can lead to expensive damage.

In this article, I’ll explain what is happening inside your engine to produce the knocking or pinging sound. We will explore some options and provide some clues to the root problems.

What Is Spark Knock?

The knocking sound is due to the fuel within your vehicle’s combustion chamber detonating. Rather than burning cleanly, it explodes under load, over and over. This occurs due to erratic build up of heat and pressure inside the chamber. It is not being controlled properly, and the excess heat and pressure is igniting the gas.

You might not immediately notice a change in the performance or output of your car engine. However, over a period of time, the spark knock can cause problems such as cracked rod bearings, broken rings, and head gasket problems. Each of these problems can be expensive to repair.

Reasons Knocking Can Happen

So, why does detonation happen? It can occur when your car’s exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system malfunctions. The EGR valve main function is opening when you are putting your engine under heavy strain such as towing a trailer or something up a hill. By opening, it allows excess exhaust to flow out of the combustion chamber, lowering the temperature. If the EGR fails, this process cannot happen.

Detonation can also happen if your car’s knock sensor malfunctions. This sensor is supposed to identify situations in which the fuel is igniting erratically. It then tells your car’s computer to change the ignition timing in order to compensate. A failed sensor prevents this from occurring.

With older vehicles, the detonation can be a result of carbon buildup. This happens when the carbon accumulates inside the combustion chamber on the pistons. This issue is easy to resolve by having a mechanic flushing the injectors and combustion chamber to clear all carbon build up and deposits.

Low-octane gas is another common cause of detonation. Some gas station owners label their pumps with “87″ when the octane is actually lower. Try filling your tank with a premium grade fuel from a respected brand (for example, Chevron).

If you hear knocking when your engine is under heavy load, take your vehicle to an experienced mechanic as soon as possible. He’ll have the necessary equipment to test your engine and identify the root cause of the fuel detonation. If you ignore the problem, you could be setting yourself up for expensive repairs in the future.

Recommendations regarding when to change your vehicle’s air filter fall into a surprisingly wide range. Some experts claim that doing so every 3,000 miles helps to ensure that your vehicle’s engine is performing as efficiently as possible. At the other extreme are proponents that claim that changing it every 30,000 will suffice. In truth, neither is entirely correct. It;s based on more factors than the standard 3000 miles indicators. What’s more, this is one area in which it might behoove you to ignore your owner’s manual (I’ll explain why in a moment).

The basic job of the air filter is to prevent dirt, grit and debris from getting to your car’s engine. This is significantly important. When foreign particles enter the engine, they can accumulate and cause expensive damage. By filtering them, your engine can remain free of debris and perform more effectively.

In this article, I’ll explain why your driving circumstances will influence the frequency with which you change your air filter. I’ll also describe its value in the context of fuel injection systems.

Consider Your Driving Situation

People drive in different circumstances. For example, you might drive in an area that is not exposed to a large amount of dust. If that’s the case, you might be able to drive 20,000 miles without needing to replace your car’s air filter. On the other hand, suppose you live in a city that undergoes perpetual construction. Grit, dust, and dirt are always a factor in the outside environment. In that case, you may be able to drive 10,000 miles before needing a replacement part.

The more dust and debris that is in the air or kicked up on the road, the more frequently you’ll need to buy a replacement. This is the reason why you should only use your owner’s manual as a guide. The automaker has no way to know whether you’re driving your car in extremely dusty conditions or not.

The Age Of Fuel Injection Systems

Newer vehicles are not equipped with carburetors; fuel injection systems have taken their place. The advantage of fuel injection is that it offers a more precise blend of air and fuel for combustion. That allows your car engine to perform with greater fuel efficiency. The issue remains that a clogged filter can cause many problems with the system. Even though your car’s computer will attempt to recalibrate the mixture based upon available airflow, the ratio is imprecise. As a result, fuel efficiency plummets and your engine’s performance is hampered.

Invest A Few Extra Dollars

When it’s time to buy a new air filter, spend a few extra dollars and invest in quality. A high-quality replacement will generally cost less than $20, yet its overall impact can be enormous. It is designed to keep dirt and other particles away from your engine to prevent damage an increase performance. It will also affect your vehicle’s fuel efficiency.

You should also check for clogging in your air filter every time you have the oil changed. You may not need to swap it out, but at such a low cost, it’s far better to err on the conservative side.

Some auto repair jobs come with prices that seem appropriate given the size of the part, time required to fix or replace it, and the value of having a particular problem resolved. Others can mysteriously cost an arm and a leg, even if the issue is unimportant and fixing it carries negligible value.

The fact is, there are a lot of parts, service jobs, and repairs that can take a significant bite out of your checking account despite seeming small or easy. We will explore several car repair options that seem small but can be extremely costly.

More Than A Cosmetic Scratch

Think of the consequences of a low front end as your drive over a speed bump. You get out of the car and notice some minor damage on the bottom of the front bumper. You may think the largest expense will be the time you wait for having the car damage repaired, so you take your car to the local body shop or garage. Prepare yourself; the cost to fix it might run into the thousands of dollars.

The bumper can actually hide structural damage in the front-end. Actually, even when the bumper appears to look just fine, the front-end may need replacing.

Foreign Performance Models

When you have a performance vehicle you can expect even the smallest repair job to be quite expensive. For example, consider an exhaust valve that needs to be replaced. Normally, the cost would be about $30 in parts and additional $30 in labor cost.

On a high-end car designed for muscle, the price tag can skyrocket. It’s not uncommon for a small job like this to turn into an expensive nightmare. For example, the mechanic may need to practically remove the entire engine in order to get to the valve. And more then likely he will charge way more then $30 for his labor.

Seeing White Smoke

White smoke coming from a car’s tailpipe looks innocent enough. It can be the first sign that future repair, replacement parts, and expensive mechanic bills are headed your way. When operating your vehicle, the car engine goes through the combustion process. Coolant keeps the surrounding temperature under control. If the coolant gets into the combustion chamber, it will burn and produce white smoke.

There are a couple of ways this can happen. Sometimes, the gasket can break and need to be replaced. Diagnosing the problem and narrowing it to a simple gasket issue usually means removing the intake manifold. And that’s the least expensive path. If you remove the intake manifold and discover that the gasket is fine, your mechanic will need to start dismantling the engine. This will be an expensive price.

Unfortunately, many auto repairs that turn out to be enormously expensive cannot be avoided. However, the next time you visit your mechanic for a “minor” job, you’ll at least be prepared for possible bad news.

You can save money and the environment by using used auto parts and recycled replacement parts. Consider Everdrive Used Auto Parts

According to some folk, the correct awareness of chemistry and its effects on gas and fuel could assist you greatly in stretching your greenback. The reason is because mavens in chemistry explain that gas really becomes denser in cooler temperatures. Now, gas pumps measure the volume of the fuel and not the density, you would be getting a better and larger amount of gas for your cash should you purchase this commodity during cold weather. That is the reason why people offer a piece of advice when purchasing gas : buy in the early morning or at night. This is when the temperature is cooler compared to the temperature during noon Time.

However, this is only a little part of keeping your costs when it comes to driving lower. Automobile gurus have come up with tips about how to further cut back your driving costs.

One of the tricks up these mavens sleeve is to use the vehicle when only necessary. Folk became extraordinarily contingent on their automobiles so much so that the straightforward and short trip to the mall will require them to still use the automobile. This is regardless of the very fact that one could simply take a short walk to the mall to get there. Or, short trips could also be done by riding a bicycle.

Two % is reduced from your fuel mileage if your automobile has under inflated tires. So it might be best to test your car’s tire pressure continually. Professionals advocate that you take a look at your tires monthly. If your tires are under inflated, it also suggests that it is pretty much prone to wear and damage which is another added cost to driving.

By keeping your speed in the limit, you are actually saving up to twenty p.c of fuel. So, be certain that you obey those speed limits. Also, don’t accelerate or brake suddenly if not required. These use up a great amount of gas that, when combined, costs you a great amount of cash.

Air conditioning also uses up fuel use from a low of ten percent to a high of 20 p.c. It also uses up your battery and drains it. Use the wind during sunny days. It would be more fun to drive with the wind in your hair. Also, excess weight on your car has a tendency to gobble up your fuel. Cut back the amount of load or luggage that you have.

Damaged parts also equate to losing gas. This is basically because the whole car system has to work double time to keep the auto running well regardless of the fact that some parts are not running well. Automobile experts advocate that you replace these parts immediately rather than spend more on gas. Vehicle Parts Discount is one vehicle parts store that offers quality parts at low costs. They are well-known for their topnotch Audi parts and accessories.

Do you like fast cars? If yes, you may also visit www.thesupercars.org to get more information about the fastest cars in the world. Also, you might want to check out Audi Nuvolari concept.

Every minute you’re driving, your vehicle’s engine goes through its combustion process thousands of times. As it does, it produces intense heat. Nearly half of that heat leaves through the tailpipe and dissipates in the air. The other half must be absorbed by the auto parts that comprise your engine. That includes the cylinder heads, pistons, and other components.

On their own, these parts cannot withstand the high temperatures generated by combustion; they would start to malfunction and eventually fail completely. Luckily, your car has a cooling system. It is specifically designed to help these components soak up the excess heat without their being destroyed in the process.

Below, I’ll give you a brief overview of the three main car parts that make up your vehicle’s cooling system. I’ll explain the job they do and how they help ensure your engine doesn’t overheat.

#1 – Water Pump

The “secret” behind your cooling system’s effectiveness is the coolant. It circulates throughout the engine and surrounding components, absorbing much of the excess heat along the way. Then, it travels into the radiator which is cooled by constant airflow.

In order to circulate, the coolant must be pumped along its path. This is the job of the water pump. It’s powered by your car’s timing belt, though older models might have a flat belt that powers the pump. If the timing belt breaks, it cannot operate the water pump, which will ultimately prevent the coolant from circulating and absorbing the heat.

#2 – Plumbing

By plumbing, I’m referring to the auto parts through which the coolant travels. That includes a network of hoses, valves, and the radiator. This includes the heater core, but that is not a significant part of this dialog. We’re mainly concerned with the hoses. Because the hot coolant travels through them continuously, they deteriorate quickly. It is recommended that you replace your hoses at least every 3 years. Every four months, you need to check them for fissures and cracks. The hoses are relatively inexpensive, so if you notice crack – even small ones – replace them.

#3 – Sensors And Thermostat

Your car’s cooling system is equipped with sensors, fans, and a thermostat to monitor and control the temperature around the engine. They work in congruent of each other to assure that temperatures stay with in a predetermined limit. If any of these parts fail, the temperature can rise higher than normal. When that happens, your vehicle’s performance can be hampered and emissions will likely rise.

It is impossible to overstate the importance of your vehicle’s cooling system. When all of the components involved work properly, your car’s engine will perform its combustion process without problem. However, if the water pump, hoses or valves, or sensors or thermostat malfunction, your vehicle can overheat. And that can easily lead to expensive car engine damage.

When looking to purchase a new car, most people are only concerned with the sticker price or up front costs. They judge the deal based only on the amount of money they pay before driving their new car off the dealership lot. However, studies show that the initial investment can be misleading. Over the course of several years, a seemingly inexpensive automobile can end up costing far more than a higher-priced model.

Below, we’ll explore the four factors that can increase the long-term cost of automotive ownership. When you eventually decide to purchase a new model, keep these factors in mind.

Tip 1 – Fuel Efficiency

A lot of drivers would be surprised by the variance in gas expenses for different models over five years. You can save literally thousands of dollars by driving a 4 cylinder car rather than a fuel guzzling SUV. To determine how much you’ll be spending on gas, assume that you’ll be driving 12,000 miles each year. You’ll also need to make an assumption regarding where you think fuel prices will be during the next five years.

Tip 2 – Insurance Premiums

Many motorists believe that their insurance premiums are based solely upon their driving record. In truth, most insurance providers also take into account the type of car you’re driving. As an example, the premiums that your would pay on a convertible sports car are significantly higher than you would pay for a 4 door family car. Call your insurance agent prior to purchasing a new vehicle. He should be able to tell you which models will cost more to insure.

Tip 3 – Regular Maintenance And Repairs

This is one of the hidden expenses of owning an automobile. When buying a new car from a dealer, the last thing on the prospective car owners mind is the expense of future car repairs. Maintaining and repairing your car is inevitable. The older it gets, the higher the likelihood that car parts and systems will fail. The important thing to realize is that certain models are more expensive to repair than others. And while your warranty will cover the first few years, it won’t last forever. Take into account that you can save money on car repairs by utilizing used auto parts which are not only cheaper, but help save the environment

Tip 4 – Depreciation

Finally, we come to the largest expense of all: depreciation. Most people understand that automobiles depreciate. However, many people are taken a back when they learn, how much, how fast and the difference between car makes and models.

It is estimated that vehicles lose more than half their value during their first five years. Some models lose their value more quickly than others based on available inventories, popularity, and even the cash incentives offered by automakers and dealerships.

When you decide to purchase a new car, consider the initial price in the context of how much it will actually cost to own the vehicle. In other words, don’t be swayed simple because of a low sticker price. Consider the factors I’ve listed above to make sure you’re still happy with your purchase several years down the road.

Fuel Injection Systems, known as ( FIS) are part of the fuel pump. Located next to – or often within – the tank, it has two jobs. First, it must make sure enough gasoline is available for the injectors. Second, it needs to generate the right level of pressure so the injectors can deliver the proper amount of gas to the engine. If something goes wrong with this part, the issue can impact your vehicle’s performance and increase its level of emissions.

In this article, we’ll explore this component in detail. We’ll look at the potential problems that can occur and how to diagnose them. I’ll also provide insight about replacing the car parts that a lot of motorists might be surprised to learn.

Things That Can Go Wrong?

The purpose of your car’s FIS is to provide the precise amount of gasoline for any type of conditions in which the car engine is operating. The technological advances and precision level are the main attributes why fuel injection systems replaced the outdated carburetors. When the fuel pump fails to work properly, the injectors cannot add the right amount of gas to the mixture. As a result, your vehicle’s engine might run “too lean” or “too rich.” That can cause idling problems, a persistent stumble, power loss, or trouble during cold starts.

Running too lean or too rich can also lead to misfiring. When that happens, your vehicle will produce higher levels of emissions (i.e. hydrocarbons) which can potentially cause your car to fail a smog test.

Diagnosing Problems

Let’s suppose you’re noticing symptoms while driving that suggest the pump is failing. It’s possible that the issue is simply a bad connection. It’s also possible that your battery isn’t generating a sufficient charge to operate the fuel pump, so check the battery’s voltage output. If the problem is not related to a connection or a low charge coming from your battery, check the static pressure. If it doesn’t match what is listed in your owner’s manual, you’ll probably need to replace the component.

Replacing The Unit

The first thing you’ll need to do is to make sure the replacement car part is a good match for your vehicle. Just because it fits does not mean it’s appropriate. Again, look at your owner’s manual. It should list the proper specifications that your car’s fuel pump must meet. If you change and install a miss matched part for your car model, it will work. However, you’ll probably notice performance issues.

The industry has undergone a fair amount of consolidation in recent years. As a result, a lot of fuel pumps are sold in a “one size fits all” configuration. Realize that this configuration may not meet your automakers standards. When the time comes to replace the part, make sure it meets original equipment parts (OE) specifications. That way, you can be sure that the replacement doesn’t cause your engine to run too lean or too rich.

As the economy continues to suffer, the selling of used Honda parts and other used car parts has now become widespread because the savings are tremendous and the quality remains high.

You have to be careful though or you could get taken. And that’s why one of the best places for buying used parts is the Internet…when you know what to look for and the sites to trust.

The junk yard can serve you because they offer a wide variety of used auto parts but the quality and guarantees are spotty at best.

Getting used Honda parts has always been a process treated with skepticism. People misconstrue and believe recycled auto parts are unreliable and that they may konk out after only a few days or worse be dead on arrival.

But lately, companies are changing their policies and increasing the quality and testing which provides assurances to you before buying. The parts undergo thorough testing, which proves their quality and helps you rest more comfortably. These Honda parts are molded again in their new shape which makes it extremely hard to identify the old ones from the new ones.

These days, the Internet has become the latest vessel for buying all types of products including used Honda parts and other types of used car parts. So, for getting cheap and high-quality used auto parts, the Internet has come of age and is more than a handy option because the quality remains and you get the product shipped right to your door.

So, now it becomes important to select the right site for buying and getting the parts at affordable rates.

Some of your buying decisions are based on:

1. Easy Buying Procedure: In today’s world every human being faces the problem of lack of time so you want it to be dead simple and fast.

2. Wide variety of Products to cover the majority of your potential customers.

3. Security and Safety: You feel comfortable that you can purchase excellent quality used car parts. And look for an iron-clad guarantee so your site visitors have no hesitation entering their credit card information and hitting the buy button.

Purchasing used car parts in working condition is much better than spending all the money for a new Honda car or even new Honda parts at retail prices.

You cost include shipping , transportation and other overhead costs that are tacked on by retailers.

This is where recycled parts purchased through reputed online sites are reliable and also maintenance free. And you can get more life out of the car you have already depreciated rather than throwing away good money on new cars and new parts.

With the advent of Internet, refurbished car parts are bought more now than ever before. This includes both foreign and domestic.

Even with the struggles Honda is having and the car dealers are having the maintenance and parts businesses are thriving. It’s one of the bright spots for auto dealerships.

Of course, savings is the major advantage of buying used Honda parts. New parts have much higher markups and profit margins than old. Are you willing top spend the money on a retail cost overhead?

Because online sellers operate with very low overhead, prices can be kept low and affordable for various auto parts including engines, alternators, and transmissions.

There is a big market worldwide for used auto parts.

I highly recommend purchasing used transmissions and engines because they’re reliable. Also used side panels and bumpers are other big ticket items you can save on without loss of function or looks.

Since online barriers to entry within the used auto parts business is low, many services have popped up opening a lot more choices for consumers. As well there’s lots of information you can research to guide you in making the right decision. The only thing left for you to do is read all required notices and terms and then make your choice.

Millions of people are fooled into accepting the myths by savvy marketing and untrustworthy mechanics. For example, the idea that your vehicle must have regular oil changes every 3,000 miles is an absolute falsehood. Similarly, your technician’s advice to have your radiator flushed once a year is more for his bottom line than for preserving your cooling system. Despite this, a lot of drivers spend unnecessary time and money following such advice.

Today, I’m going to describe 2 more common fallacies about car maintenance. These are myths that are perpetuated not only by your local mechanic, but by your dealership’s service technicians. Learn them and save your money.

#1 – Frequent Tune-Ups

Unless you’re driving a vehicle that was built when disco was still the rage, your car’s engine probably doesn’t need a tune-up. The service was performed in order to adjust the engine and moving car parts during a time when carburetors were installed in every model. The newer cars only need spark plug replacements rather then the old time traditional “tune-up”. And those just need to be replaced every 50,000 miles. Everything else – the ignition, fuel injection, and idling of the car engine – is controlled by computers.

Unfortunately, dealerships continue to tell their customers that they need to bring their vehicles in for a tune-up after 60,000 miles. It is not surprising. The bottom line is, it increases their profits.

#2 – New Air Filters

Think back to the last time you took your vehicle in for an oil change. Did the mechanic suggest a new air filter? Did he subtly imply that your car might sustain damage if you neglected to replace it? This is a common mistake. First, the air filter catches debris before it can enter the engine. Over an extended period of time, dust and dirt build up on the filter so that air will not pass through. At that point, it’s a good idea to replace it. But, it takes a long time for the air filter to reach that stage.

Of course, that doesn’t stop auto technicians from recommending the replacement every time you visit. From their perspective, you come to their shop ready to spend $20 on an oil change and end up spending $40. It’s in their best interests?

Auto Maintenance Education Saves Money

Your vehicle requires ongoing preventative maintenance. That’s what helps ensure that it will last. But, it’s too easy to waste valuable time and money following bad advice from mechanics and dealership technicians. Remember, their goal is to increase their sales; many of them are willing to do it at your expense.

Chances are, your vehicle doesn’t need regular tune-ups. Neither are you required to replace the air filters that the mechanic will mention every time. As always, follow your owners manual. It’s the best way to keep your car in great condition.