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Archive for the ‘Automotive’ Category

Amateur to Professional, Where to Start Repairing the Engine

Sunday, July 18th, 2010

There are a number of problems that can develop with a car engine. If you want to become a professional auto mechanic, you will want to practice bringing various makes and models back to life, and working on many different engines so that you have a better understanding of what can go wrong between two different vehicles. You’ll also want to learn what the most common problems are, for example if there’s an electrical problem, you will want to check the fuses first and foremost.

On the first few cars you work on you may need to refer to your repair manuals in order to find all the fuses. Sometimes fuses are hidden and looking in a Dodge Caravan repair manual can help you locate them more easily. It is doubtful that most people will have installed smart fuses in their cars, so you will need to know what goes to what, which is another reason to use the manual. If there are smart fuses, replacing burnt out fuses is a breeze, as it will be the fuse that is lit up.

Some repair manuals will say that fuses are often the problem and will mention it early on. Ford Expedition repair manual s have a good explanation of the fuses and can save you a lot of time if it is one of these and is not something more serious.

A Greener Way to Inflate Your Car Tires?

Sunday, February 21st, 2010

For many years, race car tires and jet tires have been filled not with air, but with nitrogen. Now many people are investigating whether or not adding nitrogen to passenger and commercial vehicles will be better in the long run for the environment. Many of those who are for this change, state that nitrogen leaks out of tires at a slower pace than air. This means that the full capacity of pressure will remain more consistent for longer periods of time, which has a great effect on the gas mileage a vehicle gets. Makes sense. Car companies are constantly looking at innovative ways to increase their vehicle’s fuel efficiency, and this is one way people can do it on the cars that they already own.

From newer models to old classics with antique tires, cars will become more efficient. Studies have shown that while it is recommended that drivers check the pressure of their tires weekly, most people do not do it. Many never do it unless the tire becomes visibly lacking in air, to the point that it starts to go flat. A study was conducted in Europe and the results were that 93.5% of drivers, are driving cars with tires that are under inflated. Each year, this means that 2.14 billion gallons of petrol are being wasted. This is a waste that adds up to billions of dollars being thrown away by consumers and it wreaking havoc on the environment, a waste that is so easily rectified. And the scary thing is that analysts are certain that should this study be conducted in the United States, the numbers would be just about the same.

Hankook tires are one of the brands that are brilliantly designed, but the fact is that all tires loose air. Not everyone is convinced that filling tires with pure nitrogen is the answer, as 78% of the regular air used to fill tires, is nitrogen. However others state that it is the 22% of oxygen that is causing the problem, and by removing the oxygen the problem will be solved. Whether or not it is nitrogen that is the answer, the main goal is to just keep your tires at their recommended level of pressure, for your pocketbook and for the environment .