Category: Automotive

Slip Sliding Away

  • Drive only if it’s absolutely necessary. I know you have probably heard that over and over again, but it’s true. If you don’t go out in the bad weather, you can’t get in trouble on the road.

Is your journey really that important and necessary? What harm would come if you were delayed for an hour or so? Chances are for most of us… nothing would happen. Stay home and have an extra cup of coffee or a nice breakfast with your family. That will give the road crews more time to clear the roads.

  • Clean off all the snow and ice from your vehicle. If you don’t have a garage then by all means clear off all the snow and ice before getting on the road. Don’t just clear off a small area on the windshield so you can peek out.
  • Make sure you have a full tank of gas. This way if you get stuck in traffic, or in a snow bank, you can keep your heater going to stay warm. The extra weight can also help by giving you more traction.
  • Slow down and keep your distance. Remember back in your driver’s training class… stopping distances can increase dramatically in icy conditions. It’s a fact that it can take up to ten times as long to stop on an icy road compared to a dry one.
  • Pay attention to your surroundings. Notice how far the next stop light is or the next corner you need to take. Drive carefully and gently using a constant speed. This will give you more time to act if you need to stop suddenly.

Watch out for road crews with the big snowplows and smaller trucks with plows. They’re lots of slow moving snowplows in snowy conditions.

  • Hang up your phone and just focus on your driving. As Forrest Gump would say, “That’s all I have to say about that!”
  • How to deal with skidding. It’s always a good idea to test out your brakes and steering to test the road and see how slippery it is. If you find it slippery then slow down and take your time.

If you feel your car starting to skid, then take your foot of the gas and allow the speed to drop by itself (don’t hit the brakes) that will only make it worse.

If the car starts to spin out on you, steer into the direction of the spin and allow the car to straighten out.

Finding Your Balance…

Proper Car Care

Washing Paint

Oxidation (starvation) occurs when paint loses its natural oils. Even mild soap accelerates this condition and detergent based commercial car wash products can dull the paint work.

For years, manufacturers of fine automobiles have recommended using only plain, cold water to wash their cars. To avoid paint damage use an extremely mild, low PH, essential oil based car wash that totally disperses in cold or warm (not hot!) water. Surfactants lower the surface tension and increase the natural solvency of the water. The essential oils will dissolve into micron diameter drops. These ‘drops’ will capsule surface grit and allow the grit to be washed away without scratching the surface wax. Wash top down in small sections rinsing frequently. Dry gently with two (2) clean soft terry towels.

Washing Wheels

Brake dust can permanently damage the finish of wheels. The adhesive used to mold brake pads will etch and pit if the dust is allowed to remain in contact with the heated wheel surface. Use a non corrosive, non-phosphoric, low PH wheel wash designed to break the cohesive bond between brake pad dust and chrome, painted, coated alloy, aluminum or steel wheels. Do not wash or rinse any wheel directly after vehicle operation. Wheels and rotors can be damaged by the sudden temperature change. Let wheels cool before washing. Wheel cleaner concentrates can be diluted to the strength you need for your particular wheel condition and cleaning regimen. Apply the wheel cleaner to dry wheels for best results and brush the wheel with very soft, heavily populated brush before rinsing thoroughly with cool water.
Be sure to turn the spray tip of the spray bottle of your wheel cleaner to a full close position to prevent leaks. Dry gently with a clean soft terry towel.

Cleaning Paint

Paint, like any surfaced exposed to the elements, gets soiled, stained, and in many cases, burned by the exposure. Sunlight and acid rain perpetrate more crimes against auto finishes than any other offender. The object of cleaning is to remove the foreign material and repair the exposure damage. Use a neutral cleansing astringent that has the properties to penetrate and release trapped dirt, impurities and dead paint adhering to the primary painted surface during the initial application. Natural oil based products will adhere to the released deposits to be easily removed. Work in small sections applying the cleaner with a medium pressure. Use a simple terry towel to buff the cleaned surface. Do not scrub the painted surface with the abrasive or caustic materials. Abrasive cleaners should be used only by professionals especially in view of the application of special acrylics for the new car surfaces.

Waxing Paint

Use a true natural wax without any cleaning properties. With pure wax the natural oils and wax will adhere to the paint and harden quickly without the traditional white staining or deposits. Excess wax can be removed using a terry towel without strenuous buffing and re-cleaning. Apply wax on dry days to a dry car as most natural wax is hygroscopic (naturally absorbs water) to prevent streaking. Wax small areas at a time using minimal amounts of wax. Most waxes do not need strenuous buffing. Buff lightly with a clean, chemically free microwipe, terry towel or soft cotton cloth.

Autonomous Cars Work

An autonomous car will feature a 360-degree vehicle monitoring system with an evolving Safety Shield, leaving the car monitored at all angles. The vehicles will feature two of the current released technologies.

Automatic lane centering and cruise control. Automatic freeway exiting, lane changes, stopping at red lights, and overtaking a slow or stopped vehicle will be new features on these vehicles. All of that will be implemented without driver involvement for these features to be activated. The all-around sensors will also warn the driver of any surrounding hazards so that the driver can react.

Also these vehicles could monitor incoming traffic while turning and overtaking, and side distance control (the latter works to avoid obstacles and steer away to avoid potential collisions). The technology also merges the car away from blocked roads and safely merges the vehicle into another lane, even if there is incoming traffic. In addition, these cars can also monitor against possible theft and can park themselves when prompted to do so. Just a few remarkable things on the already semi-long list of ‘tricks’ these vehicles can perform and it only promises to continue to get better.

So far, these vehicles have successfully (and safely) driven around a parked car, and entered to intersections during a lapse in traffic. This technology which consists of lasers scanners, cameras, advanced artificial intelligence and actuators which further extends the Safety Shield, helps implement real world scenarios so that the situations may be monitored and the car will be “taught” properly how to react. The cars need to react in the same way that a human driver would since these vehicles will be placed on the road with other human drivers, who may or may not be driving an autonomous vehicle.

Although the technology of these cars has advanced, there’s still a lot that needs to be done to ensure these cars will be safe on the road when they come to market at a dealer near in 2020. Advancements will include the ability to react to traffic lights and road signs, preventing the car from lane departure, and braking safely in traffic. The technology will also have to be advanced enough to differentiate between what is a hazard and what necessarily isn’t, to prevent any mishaps that could only potentially put the driver or other vehicles in danger. But Motor Chief Executive is confident they can get the technology to where it needs to be by the end of the decade.

Cylinder Heads

In my experience, most consumers could save themselves costly repairs to their motor vehicles by recognising the common signs of cylinder head damage. A cylinder head can blow up from something as simple as the car overheating on a hot day. Another common cause for damage to a cylinder head is to let the motor run dry without water on a long drive.

The signs that something is wrong with your cylinder head can be white smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe. Maybe the motor won’t start as easily if the cylinder head is damaged. Have you ever heard a car misfire when it is started. This is another sign of cylinder head damage. When you check the water levels in the radiator look to see if there are frothy white bubbles. Please don’t do this when the motor is hot as the water will be boiling and can seriously burn you. The cylinder head can cause the radiator to crack.

What can you do about it. Well, the sooner you get it seen to by an automotive specialist, the better it is for the vehicle motor and also your hip pocket. the damaged cylinder head can cause other damage to the motor if it is left untreated which will result in a bigger bill and longer time off the road.

Protect the Exteriors of a Car

Aim for a Spotless Exterior

First and foremost, one must wash away the external debris using water and hose. The biggest enemy to the exteriors of a car is bird droppings, which being acidic in nature, may ruin the car paint. In order to remove boulders & squirrel remains, one must pre-soak the vehicle using a mild liquid soap, spray, and a car wash sponge. Thereafter, each section must be taken and rinsed off thoroughly for about eight to ten minutes. This will help in keeping the color of the car intact.

Prevent the Vehicle Against Sun Damage

The sun rays may cause oxidation and premature fading of the paint of the vehicle. Hence, it is advisable to always park the car in a shaded area. This will not only increase the longevity of its paint, but will also protect its headlights and rubberized trim. Wax protection is one of the most effective ways of maintaining the glossy look of the vehicle. Further, if one wants to give extra protection, then use of auto paint protection film kits is an ideal proposition.

Give Extra Attention to the Wheels

When it comes to the wheels, one must take extreme caution. To get rid of mud and grime, the tires must always be cleaned with a reliable protecting agent. It is of utmost importance to give emphasis on the wheels, as it safeguards not only the health of the car, but also the lives of the ones riding in it.

Windows and Windshields are not to be Forgotten

One must ensure to clean windows and windshields on a regular basis. A mixture of vinegar and water is a natural process to do away with the dirt. One can also use commercial products for cleaning these parts of the automobile. Rear view and side mirrors must also be cleaned for getting a clear view while driving.

Buying a Commercial Vehicle

There are various types of vehicles available in the market, but a good buying decision always stems from a thoughtfully prepared budget. Here, it is important to determine the return on investment, break-even, and the utility one can derive from the vehicle in the long run. All these factors have a direct implication on the budget.

Features – Needs Vs Wants

If one does not select the features of the vehicle cautiously, one may land up indulging in a costly proposition. It is important to note here that even minor adjustments to the truck might lead to huge costs. One should ensure that the features sought for, are an absolute requirement for the optimal performance of the vehicle.

What will be the primary use?

It is essential to outline the primary purpose of the vehicle. Once the primary attributes are defined, the rest of the features can be woven around those aspects. Will it be a heavy duty cargo carrying vehicle or a lightweight pickup van? Then, the frequency of use, mileage, and the safety facets, are to be considered in arriving at a prudent decision.

Will there be a secondary purpose?

At times, ice-cream trucks are also used to haul raw materials, such as milk and fresh fruits, to the factory. On similar lines, one should paint a long term picture for the possible functions the vehicle may be used for. This helps in reducing costs of making tweaks to the vehicle in the future. Of course, it also aids in increasing the return on investment.

The dimensions and build

After determining the budget, the primary job, and the secondary uses, one may now move on to the dimensions and build of the vehicle. Transporting medicines may not require much space, but it is essential that the entire system is refrigerated. On the other hand, transporting furniture may require a larger area as well as a decent payload handling capacity. Hence, it is important to know the contents of the cargo and the features required for securely delivering it to the clients. Accordingly, one may decide the dimensions of the vehicle to be purchased.

Get Good Fuel Economy

Always use the accelerator, brake pedals and other driving controls respectfully and smoothly. Sudden, swift and rough acceleration and sudden braking will harm your car’s fuel economy figures in the long run. Always combine multiple short trips for lowering overall fuel consumption of your car. Every time you run the engine, your car will automatically require fuel. This is why frequent and short trips are best combined into one or two longer ones.

Fuel economy depends heavily on how your car parts air while on the move. Fuel economy is highly affected by open windows even at high speeds. Keeping your window partly open is also a no-no in this regard. Higher drag will result in your fuel tank draining out much faster. As opposed to mainstream perceptions, you will save more fuel with your windows pulled up and the air conditioner running inside.

You should always take care to shift to the highest gear possible without any knocking of the engine. Fuel is consumed more while accelerating in lower gears. You should always shift down in case the engine is not pulling instead of just flooring the throttle. Shifting up at around 2,000/1,500 for petrol and diesel respectively is the best bet for getting sufficient speed and better fuel economy.

Clear excess baggage from your car including a deflated and unnecessary spare tyre, child seats which are not required anymore or even other bags and other stuff you usually carry. Keep your boot and interiors free clean and empty and you will certainly get fuel economy benefits.

Do not keep your car idling unnecessarily. This will only burn fuel without any traveling in the bargain. Suppose you are waiting for someone or at a traffic stop and you keep the engine running. This will give you 0 kmpl while fuel will be consumed all the same. Switch off the engine at traffic stops or while waiting somewhere.

Always get your oil and air filters cleaned as per the service schedule. Replacements are also necessary in particular cases. Sticking to your service schedule is a must since serviced and maintained cars consume less fuel.

Do not drive in rush hour if you want to save on fuel. Start a little early and plan your route carefully in order to avoid congestion as much as possible.

Diesel Injectors

An apparatus for fuel injection: Each cylinder of a compression ignition engine is connected to a fuel injector and therefore each cylinder has its own diesel supply line which carries the diesel from the diesel tank to the diesel engine. The fuel injector consists of a nozzle and a nozzle holder.

  1. Diesel supply line: Each cylinder of a diesel engine has its own diesel supply line which carries the diesel from the diesel tank to the CI engine.
  2. An intake valve: The role of an intake valve is to suck air into the combustion chamber. The air blends with the condensed diesel thus strengthening the combustion.
  3. Diesel engine exhaust valve: It plays the important role of eliminating the emissions produced by the diesel combustion chamber.

Once the fuel comes in contact with the injectors, it becomes extremely pressurized. This pressure is created by a little pump that the injector is connected to. This little pump enables air to pass through the injector, consequently pressurizing the fuel. The highly pressurized fuel enters and flows down to the body of the nozzle holder and finally into the nozzle passage. A diesel injector has a needle valve that is closely connected to the spring located in the body of the injector. The compression nut stresses the spring to produce spring pressure and injector opening pressure simultaneously.

Once the needle valve opens, the fuel is sprayed by the diesel injector through the tiny nozzle situated in the combustion chamber of an engine cylinder. The cluster of little holes in the nozzle ensures its equal distribution into the combustion chamber of the cylinder. The tiny holes are specially designed and arranged to break the fuel into tiny drops so that they can burn readily.

Next, the air intake valves carry air into the combustion chamber and gets combined with condensed diesel thus intensifying the combustion. Now the fuel engine exhaust valve gets rid of the emissions generated by the fuel combustion chamber. The return diesel line gets rid of the surplus diesel fuel by bringing it back to the fuel tank from the fuel combustion chamber.

Keeping Car Clean Internally

  • Don’t allow eating in the car. Crumbs are a nightmare to get out of nooks and crannies, even with an industrial strength vacuum.
  • Be cautious about liquids. Sometimes hydration is important when driving but ask people to use a cup rather than swig out of bottles in order to reduce spillage risks.
  • Only allow water to be consumed. If someone drops a cup or bottle of water in your car, then it’s a minor nuisance. If they drop a cup of sticky sweet red fruit juice (etc.) then it’s going to be a much bigger staining and removal challenge.
  • Don’t allow pets in your car. If you’ve ever spent hours trying to get pet hair off your seats and carpets, then the sense of this recommendation will be self-evident.
  • Keep a sick bag at hand when travelling with younger children. A child can be fine one second and in the blink of an eye, they’ll start vomiting for no obvious reason. Your notice is likely to be minimal and pulling up isn’t always possible in time. A receptacle of some sort could save your upholstery and a very unpleasant cleaning job afterwards!
  • If you can, choose leather or faux-leather upholstery. It’s much easier to clean and often harder to stain. In fairness, some modern fabric seats are good too but still probably not as ‘wipe-able’ as leather or simulated leather.
  • Keep an emergency seat cover in the car. This is invaluable when your kids have come back covered head-to-foot in mud and you can’t exactly ask them to sit undressed in the car for the drive back home.

Portable Car Tent

Whenever you need to park your lovely beauty outside. Your car will thank you for this. If you are waiting for someone in your car, it can never get better than this. If you are planning outdoor activities, your car definitely needs the car tent. Also, it is helpful when you go on business trips. All in all, you can use this car protection almost everywhere because it is useful for different occasions. This tent can protect your automobile from ta variety of elements. For example, your vehicle will stay protected from things like dust, sap, acid rain, and bird droppings. Ultimately, this equals fewer car washes and your car stays looking great longer, saving you time and money.

It is made up from a superior kind of material which does not hurt the surface of the vehicle at all. The bottom is made up of soft TPU circle which allows no scratching. The high-tech frame is made up from military grade hardened material fiberglass. The frame is made to be tough, strong and aging resistance and to ensure the stability of this item. It comprises of a battery which is required to charge once a month, making it very convenient.

This tent changes the temperature inside of the car for 35 degrees, simply covering it and making a shadow on the top of the car roof. It will be like under the big tree with the wide shade. If you are picnic lover, you will be happy if you know that they will make the same tent for the outdoor activities for the people and their tables and outside beds.