Posts Tagged ‘garage’

Take Care To Inspect Your Car’s Brakes

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

We are not all flat-landers who live, work and commute day by day on flat prairie land. Many live in hilly and mountainous areas. You would think that braking system effectiveness and reliability would be top on the list of most motorists and automobile owners when it comes to service and maintenance attention and schedules yet sadly break system inspection and service is at the bottom of most automobile owner’s priority and items to do list when it comes to their vehicles.

One simple question to ask most motorists. When was the last time you changed your hydraulic brake fluid. Brake fluid, is inexpensive yet deteriorates over time with dirt, moisture and humidity. You would think that simple routine “bleeding of the brakes” to drain out the brake fluid, and then replace it with new fluid would be a standard auto repair service. Hydraulic brake fluid should be replaced on a standard 2 year schedule. More often perhaps in cases of extreme service – taxis, police cars, vehicles in frigid cold winter climes. Yet most vehicles enter the auto junkyard with the exact same brake fluid which filled their car’s brake cylinders, reservoirs and brake lines when the automobile was manufactured at the factory level.

As the pressure is supplied to the wheel cylinders, it causes the cylinder pistons to move and pressure is applied to the brake drum or discs through the brake shoes or pads. The friction that then exists between the brake shoes or pads (which are lined with friction materials) and the brake drum or disc is what stops the wheels from turning round. Hence your wheels will stop rotating and your vehicle should slow down and come to a stop.

When you step on the brakes momentum throws most of the automobile’s weight in a forward direction. Approximately 60 % of the braking force generated in a vehicle is created and exerted by the front wheels, as opposed to the rear wheel brake system. For balanced braking it is necessary to have greater braking and stopping capacity at the front end of the car. Thus in the development and manufacture of autos and automobile models generally disk type brakes are employed at the front wheels, with less expensive older style drum brakes at the rear.

Motorists often take their brake systems for more than granted and as a result these systems suffer little maintenance, attention and care. Yet in an emergency handling system a brake system that is in good stead may make the difference between a safe short stop and a messy and needless collision,. Consider that in your vehicle maintenance and inspection schedule and schedules.

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Professional Automobile Service Mechanics Play It Safe

Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

The owner of a chain of auto dealerships remarked to a customer that he has always had battles with mechanics concerning preventative maintenance on vehicles. Overall prevention is preferable when it comes to automotive maintenance and upkeep. Once the damage is done, parts repair and labor are more extensive than if the work or driving wear and tear is caught in the bud. To the credit of the repair shops of this auto dealership group, “customers just love these shops” and bookings are often some time into the future. Yet if a person goes to a small shop or even prefers to do the auto maintenance and repair work themselves – either for cost savings or simple enjoyment of a hobby one factor often forgotten or certainly not emphasized is “safety on the job”.

While it is true that vehicles are more trouble free, requiring less maintenance, and with more electronic and automated systems today does not mean “no maintenance” ever. Auto dealership service departments still do a roaring business. Even though some avid auto owners may insist that their cars, trucks or SUVs never ever “break down” , Toyota and other Japanese auto dealership service departments are still in business with plenty of repairs on hand, and a long queue if you wish to book your automobile for service.

What are some safety precautions that backyard and do-it-yourself mechanics and budding service technicians should employ as a matter of standard procedure and course?

It is a simple rule and basic safety prevention rule and standard never to smoke cigarettes or tobacco products when working on the fuel system or battery charging system. Gasoline vapors from the fuel tank, fuel lines, carburetor or fuel injections are more than extremely flammable. Hydrogen gas inside the battery, as well as lingering about the battery case, is dangerously explosive. The hydrogen sulfide gas emitted by charging (as opposed to dead) auto batteries can be set off by any or even the smallest spark. Once set ablaze the hydrogen sulfide gas can serve to explode the battery with its dangerous caustic battery acid- which can splash not only on your mechanics set of clothes but also onto their face, eyes or skin. Thus make it a solid rule to refrain from smoking any time that you are working on a car or under the hood.

Lastly in this day and age with late model and current vehicles having computerized engine components and systems overall – as opposed to older mechanical contact points and less elaborate ignition and control systems , always remember that these computerized electronics are more than sensitive to voltage overloads and fluctuations. It is little different than the sensitive nature of your home computer and how sensitive these computer systems are too simple, in a flash electrical surges. Always remember two things – one that ongoing and regular maintenance of your automobile is the best value overall and provides for the best safest and most reliable driving and motoring.

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Obtaining A Supersonic Vehicle Wash & Wax

Saturday, July 3rd, 2010

Believe it or not beautiful summer weather can actually be detrimental to your vehicle’s finish. Sunlight and warm weather can actually harm your car’s finish. Ultraviolet light – U.V. light, can cause in chemical terms oxidation.

Aside from mechanical aspects of your automobile, the majority of professional used car appraisers , auto auction professional buyers or just plain Jane run of the mill late model auto purchasers look first and foremost in their first impressions for rust , dents on the body of the vehicle and also the condition of your auto upholstery and carpeting.

The results of oxidation of a previously shiny and beautiful auto finish are obvious for all or most to see. First the paint finish will present with a dull chalky appearance. Look for “crazing” – that is a maze of hair like cracks on metallic or refinished surfaces which can occur when paint shrinks under the hot summer sun. Crazing is especially common in hot climates such as Florida residents or even visiting tourists encounter. Lastly add in bird dropping – or bird do do which can permanently stain your car’s paint and finish if not wiped off or cleaned off more than promptly.

What are the basic steps of washing your auto? First Park the car in the shade. Second using a garden hose and plenty of cold water, rinse the entire exterior surface of your auto. Third comes the “car washing’. Fourthly the rinse off. If you have been using detergent to wash your car, it is very important to use the hose fully, or alternatively several full pails of clean water and clean towels to rinse each and every panel or section as you go along. You will find that by the time you have finished washing and rinsing your complete car , as well as complexly rinsing each and every section of your vehicle fully, that most cars , not unlike dinner plates in a dishwasher , will be “spotty” and “spotted” – that is water spotted. What to do – rinse your car again and follow the chamois drying instructions in the last paragraph below.

Lastly it is not only your vehicle’s exterior which keeps you traveling down the highways and byways easily, comfortably and reliably. No doubt about it that your car, truck or SUV takes an ongoing beating and pounding day in day out. Make it a regular and ongoing point to conduct ongoing and regular maintenance checks. Professional semi trailer drivers do it as a matter of course and habit and so should you. Check fluid levels for battery, brakes, steering and transmission. Of course check the level of your engine oil and change it regularly according to your vehicle’s manufacturer and your auto’s drivers and owner’s manuals. If it doubts double check at the service or sales dept of your local authorized automobile dealership. Inspect your engine’s hoses and belts for wear, tears and rips. Have these replaced if necessary. Check the air pressures of your tires. If you are unfamiliar again visit the service department of your local auto dealer or a local tire shop. They will be only too happy to assist you. Lastly change air filters – both engine and cabin if dirty or clogged. Preventative maintenance is always safer, less stressful and ultimately less costly and expensive on the auto ownership budget.

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