WHAT AIR CAN DO FOR YOUR CAR

Car racing has been one of the favorite pastimes of every car enthusiast. Its like every period, a new breed of racing car is produced which amazingly has an improved designs and increased speed. New technologies have been developed to drive this racing cars from beyond and push it to cross their limits. When talking about car racing, the first thing that comes inside my mind is aerodynamics. Well, aerodynamics when conquered, racing car can speed up to limitless speed without acquiring further damage in its exterior.
According to NAS, the challenge for each Indy Car Team is the same every year. Designing and develop a race car that is safe, durable, and competitive in different racing conditions is what every team wants to develop. Furthermore, cars must meet the demands of four different types of racing circuits, each course requiring a different aerodynamic and mechanical setup.
• Street: A narrow, temporary course ranging from 1.6 to 2.1 miles in length, with tight turns and a long straightaway. The Long Beach circuit (lap record 108.198 mph), tests the durability of the gearbox, braking system and low speed acceleration.
• Road: Laguna Seca Raceway (lap record 112.296 mph), is an example of a road course with hills. A road course is a wide open track that ranges in length from 1.9 to 4 miles. It has both slow and high speed corners and wide enough for passing. The suspension system, downhill braking and power are stressed on this type of course.
• Short Oval: Phoenix International Raceway (lap record 172.804 mph), is a one mile, long oval track. Short straightaways and banked turns are characteristics of this type of track. The short oval tests the suspension and aerodynamic setup of the car.
• Speedway: The speedway is an oval track with banked turns and long straightaways. The one lap record at the Michigan International Speedway (2 mile oval), is 234.275 mph. At Indianapolis (2.5 mile oval), the record is 232.618 mph. High, sustained speed requires aerodynamic efficiency.
The job of the team is to design a car that can be adjusted quickly to run properly in the above mentioned racing circuits. And since safety rules and regulation have been administered in car racing, engineers are challenged to become more inventive in creating more complex car. This has forced teams to concentrate on the total aerodynamic package of the race car. Teams that plan on staying competitive use track testing and wind tunnels to develop the most efficient aerodynamic design. The relationship between drag and down force is important. To further improve the aerodynamics of vehicles the wings are improved resulting to generation of down force on the race car with a minimum of drag.
As you can see, Down force is necessary for maintaining speed through the corners. Unwanted drag which accompanies down force will slow the car, thus engineers made an efficient design of a chassis which is base on the down force/drag compromise. Also they have considered the different race circuits in designing their cars. Generating the necessary down force is concentrated in three specific areas of the car. The ongoing challenge for team engineers is to fine tune the airflow around these areas.
• Front wing assembly - The front wing assembly is constructed of carbon fiber and is the first part of the car to meet the air mass. The flow field here is better than at other parts of the car because the air here has been disturbed the least. In setting up the front wing assembly, engineers must consider what happens to the airflow as it travels toward the back of the car. In an effort to clean up the disturbed airflow, small adjustments are made to the front of the car.
• Chassis - The car chassis is designed to produce maximum down force, while at the same time minimizing drag. Downforce produced by the front and rear wings and the under body which allows maximum speeds through the corners. To accomplish this the top of the car is designed to slice through the air, while the underbody is shaped to create an area of low pressure between the underbody and the track. The shape of the tunnels under the car resemble an inverted wing.
• Rear wing assembly - The rear wing is made of carbon fiber and is attached to the transmission housing.
Well, engineers of race cars have gone through a lot of testings and trial and errors in making speedy cars to endure the racing environment in different race circuits. No wonder in the near future engineers will finally create the fastest car in the racing history.

OVERSIZED TIRES MAKE YOUR DAY

Just last Sunday my brother customized his Mustang by means of installing a larger tires. Well, at first his kinda confuse what kind of tires he would buy. We spend the whole morning surfing the net and look for auto parts store where will we gonna buy a new extra large tire for his mustang when we stumbled on a some tips on how to buy oversized tires. Well, for your benefits, I have included here on my post some important tips which you may find beneficial when you have decided to oversize the tires of your car.

* Measure the fender wells on before you buy oversized tires. Remember that some oversized tires just won’t fit. This can be determined beforehand saving you from having to make a return trip.
* Trim your wheel arches if you want to buy oversized tires that your vehicle wouldn’t otherwise accommodate. you can do this if you don’t want to spend much to hire a mechanic.
* Decide if you want highway or off-road tires. THE REASEON: Off-road tires work fine on the highway but never use highway tires off-road as you risk getting stuck. Also, there is a difference in cost between these two oversized tires.
* Buy the oversized tires at a reputable dealer. A BIG CHECK FOR THIS TIP! Make sure the oversized tires aren’t so big that they compromise the safety of your vehicle. REMEMBER to Ask about a warranty.
* Arrange for installation of the oversized tires on your vehicle. THIS TIME you are required to hire a mechanic for you need to use special machinery.
* Purchase a spare oversized tire. FOR EMERGENCY! An average spare won’t work on your vehicle due to the height of the oversized tires. You can keep the tire deflated for space conservation and carry along a small compressor to inflate the tire if needed.

WRONG TIRES FOR MY AUTO

There are several instances when I have brought the wrong tire for my car. Each time I have bought the wrong car my daddy would say.. “ How many times do I have to tell you to check the specs of your car and check the tire you are going to buy?” Well… as usual, his words just come inside my ear and come out to my other ear LOL! Am such a tease! Anyway just this weekend, the same incident happen, I have bough the wrong tire! WHAAAAA! For me to avoid such kind of mistake again, I have researched on some tips on how to buy a new tire and avoid being mistaken.

* Think likely when tires need to be replaced. Examine the tread depth every 3,000 miles and shop around before you need to replace them.
* Decide likes and dislikes of current tires. Softer tires drive more comfortably, but they’ll wear faster. Firm tires are rigid and noisy, but they grip the road well.
* Know your tire’s speed rating. Purchase tires at that rating or higher. You can find it in your driver’s manual.
* State the weather and terrain you usually drive through to the service provider. For example you often drive through chunky snow, you may need snow tires, but these should only be used when snow is on the ground; they don’t drive well on dry roads. Pn the other hand if you drive through construction or unpaved roads, you may need firmer tires for the rough terrain. There are different types of tire suitable in every road configuration and climate, so be wise! Use the right tire to use in different driving environment.
* Check steering, suspension and brakes at a full service center. This check up prevents problems left over from your old tires causing unnecessary wear on your new tires. By doing so, you can prevent premature damages to your new car. Thus you’ll vaoid g\frequent tire replacement. Remember: Discount stores don’t have the capability to check for problems beyond tire replacement.
* Purchase a road hazard agreement. A lifetime plan covers tire maintenance, such as balance and rotation, and will save you money on tire repairs. By doing so, you’ll spend your money wisely. You’ll not be compromise with over spending!

Thanks to ehow for this amazing tips! Next time I am confident that i can get the right tires for my car..FINALLY! LOL!

GAS MILEAGE CAN BE EARNED!

1. Drive Sensibly

Estimated Savings: 7 to 49 cents per gallon

Aggressive driving includes speeding, rapid acceleration and constant braking. All of these facilitate waste of gas. To maintain constant speed, always pay attention to the traffic flow. You can lower gas mileage by as much as 22% on the highway and 5% on city streets by driving sensibly.

Source: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); cost savings are based on an assumed value of $3.23 a gallon.

2. Replace Dirty Air Filter

Estimated Savings: 15 to 32 cents per gallon

A clean air filter protects the engine and save gas. Thus, it is greatly important to replace a clogged air filter. It has proven that once you replace a your clogged air filter can increase gas mileage as much as 10%.

Source: EPA; cost savings are based on an assumed value of $3.23 a gallon.

3. Bypass High-Octane Gas

Estimated Savings: 15 to 35 cents per gallon

Buying a high-octane gasoline won’t improve your car’s performance but will add to your fuel cost.

Source: Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

4. Maintain the Speed Limit

Estimated Savings: 10 cents per gallon

Gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph, thus by observing the speed limit and using cruise control during highway driving will conserve gas.

Source: EPA; cost savings are based on an assumed value of $3.23 a gallon.

5. Drop the Weight

Estimated Savings: 3 to 6 cents per gallon

Unload unnecessary and heavy luggage in your vehicle An extra 100 pounds could reduce your miles per gallon by up to 2%. Based on the percentage of extra weight relative to the vehicle’s total weight it affects smaller cars more than larger ones.

Source: EPA; cost savings are based on an assumed value of $3.23 a gallon.

6. Keep Tires Properly Inflated

Estimated Savings: Up to 10 cents per gallon

If your vehicle’s tire is not inflated properly, it’s just like driving with the parking brake on. This can cost a mile or two per gallon. You can improve your gas mileage by around 3.3% by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure.

Source: EPA; cost savings are based on an assumed value of $3.23 a gallon.

7. Use The Recommended Oil

Estimated Savings: 3 to 6 cents a gallon

Using a grade of oil recommended by the manufacturer of your car can improve your gas mileage by up to 2%.

Source: EPA; cost savings are based on an assumed value of $3.23 a gallon.

8 Avoid Long Idles

Estimated Savings: Additional miles per gallon

When you allow your vehicle to run idle longer that one minute is equivalent of putting your money in a trash. Shut off the car; it takes less gas to restart it than what is being used while sitting still. You are burning gas but getting zero miles per gallon.

Source: Car Care Council

9. Check Gas Cap

Estimated Waste: Gallons of gas each year

Gas caps that are damaged, loose or missing can cause gallons of gas to vaporize. So to be able to save you from gas overuse, send your car to the pump sooner than necessary.

Source: Car Care Council

10. Get a Plan

Estimated Waste: Gallons of gas each year

Plan your day. Trips to the grocery store, dry cleaners and shopping centers should be planned so you are not wasting time retracing your route. Make a list of what you need so you don’t forget something and have to make a return trip.

ROAD EMERGENCIES

Experiencing emergencies in the road is terrifying most especially if you are not prepared and it happen in the middle of a deserted are where there is no help around. My bother and I when we’re still in our teenage years, we often sneak out and bring along our dad’s pickup truck. Well, as a teenager we are not that familiar with auto stuffs, what matters is that we drive our dad’s car, hangout and that’s it! There’s this incident which somehow teach us a lesson, and never again run out with my dad’s pickup… (for just a few months… LOL) it was my bother’s 17th birthday at around midnight we decided to sneak out and watch a concert…. At first we are confident that we can go home before my dad find out that we bring his car with us. But then, when we are almost home the engine suddenly stops.

It was early in the morning when daddy finds out what we’ve done. He just laughs at us when we told him about what happen last night. He told us that he will suppose to send his car in the mechanic early this morning to have its battery be replaced. We later then find out that its engine stops because of a dead battery. In my post today, I will include some of car emergencies and some tips to get through with it without freaking out LOL!

Here it is!

Breakdowns

Prior to setting out from your vehicle, check your car’s location, double-check your resources, and make a plan. Remember to lock the doors and take your keys.

Use the nearest phone booth and call 911 for help and detail if you are being threatened.

If you ask help for a neighboring home, stand back from the door. Ask the resident to call for help for you, and give him your car details and exact location.

If it is dark or you are stuck in an isolated spot, it is better to stay locked inside your car until daylight.

If you are a long distance from a phone or house, flag down a passerby and then return to your car, locking it, and talk through a partly closed window. Give him your car details and exact location.

Frozen Locks

Dealing with frozen car locks is not only a frustrating delay, but can be dangerous for people left out in the elements, or in unsafe neighborhoods.

The best thing to do is to constantly heating the tip of your key with a match or lighter. If that doesn’t work, consider carrying a small de-icer spray bottle with you; locking it away without access in your glove compartment is worthless when your locks are frozen to begin with!

Flat Tires

I have a post about dealing with flat tires. You can browse it on my previous post.

If a tire blows out or otherwise suffers extensive damage, it can’t be repaired. But, if it had a puncture, remove the tire and mark the location for later repair. Since these things tend to travel in pairs, look for more punctures, and also listen for air leakage.

Change the tire by first making sure the car doesn’t move, setting the emergency brake, unscrewing the lug-nuts and taking off the tire. Replace with the spare, retighten the nuts and proceed to a gas station to have it patched—-or replaced.

Always bring with you a tire filler to inflate a problem tire and get you as far as the closest gas station for further repair. The tire does not need to be completely flat to use this, and it is not the permanent answer. It won’t, however, fix severe damage, repair sidewalls, rim leaks, or large punctures/cracks in wheels.

AUDIO SYSTEM GA-GA

Audio systems nowadays are integrated with a lot more features other than the traditional AM/FM tuning. These features are satellite radio; digital HD Radio from conventional stations; six-disc, in-dash CD changers; built-in hard drives for downloading music and photos; and connections for MP3 players, including iPod docks that power the device and let you control and play it through your car’s audio system. Also, several electronic devices are also included in cars audio system such as GPS navigators and DVD entertainments system.

When choosing an audio system for your car, you have to consider two factors. First, you must decide what brand you’ll buy Factory or Aftermarket. Second, is to consider what type of audio system is more cost-friendly, satellite or HD radio. After you have decide what best suits your preference and needs you can finally purchase what audio system you’ll buy.

Factory or aftermarket? Automaker systems, in general, have improved in quality and now offer an array of audio-system choices, ranging from basic to premium. But expect to pay a premium for a high-end factory system. And many don’t allow you to easily upgrade with new features or technology, or to replace the radio with a more up-to-date one. On the other hand, aftermarket audio system can give you more features for your buck with an aftermarket system. And you may be able to equip your car with advanced features that just weren’t available for the model you bought.

However, buying aftermarket requires more effort to shop for the right system for your needs and for one that fits your car. You can take the time to choose the individual components yourself and then take them to an installer, or consult with an installer for a complete system. But you might find that you can get a better system for the same or even less money by going aftermarket.
Before buying, check your car’s warranty to be sure that nothing you’re planning to do will void it.

Satellite or HD Radio? If you want better audio quality but don’t want to commit to a monthly subscription fee, you might want to give HD Radio a try. You can also explore the diverse subchannels that stations are beginning to broadcast. But you may want to wait before investing in HD-Radio equipment, especially as more and cheaper gear arrives and more stations add HD Radio capability.

On the other hand, if you want a much wider selection of music, news, sports, and other content than you can get through local stations, satellite radio is the way to go. It’s especially appealing if you travel out of your region a lot and don’t want to be limited to the local radio fare.

Tips:

* If you want to choose your own music on the road but don’t want to tote around a load of CDs, look for a system that includes a USB port, hard drive, or iPod/MP3-player integration
* if you already have an MP3 player or iPod, adding a hard-drive collection and setting up new play lists could consume lots of time to load.
* If you buy a system or aftermarket adapter with a built-in dock, you can charge the unit while you drive
* You can also retrofit an existing system to accept an iPod, albeit in a less elegant way than using an iPod dock.

An inexpensive solution is to have an audio shop install an input cable that plugs into the iPod’s headphone jack. In this way, you don’t have to worry about spending loads of money in buying an audio system which includes the features you want.

For music lovers,choose what’s the best audio system to put in your car, but always be sure that it is cost-friendly.

EXTENDING THE EXTENDABLE

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) provided checklist for car owners residing in areas with cold climates to do necessary maintenance in keeping their vehicles in shape. Hope what I have shared to you today would help you in keeping your vehicle perfectly working.

The first step on the checklist is to read your owner’s manual and follow the manufacturer’s recommended service schedules.

Engine Performance:

* Fix your engine’s drivability problems by sending your car to a trusted repair shop.
* Replace dirty filters.

REMEMBER that cold weather will make existing problems worse.

Fuel

* Put a bottle of fuel de-icer in your tank once a month to help keep moisture from freezing in the fuel line.

REMEMBER: gas tank that’s kept filled helps prevent moisture from forming in the first place.

Oil

* Change your oil and oil filter as specified in your manual.

SUGGESTION: if your driving is mostly stop and go or you always go on short trips, you have to change it often every after 3,000 miles or so.

Cooling System

* The cooling system should be flushed and refilled as recommended.
* The level, condition, and concentration of the coolant should be checked periodically. RECOMMENDED mixture of coolant is 50/50 mix of anti-freeze and water
* The tightness and condition of drive belts, clamps, and hoses should be checked by a certified auto technician.

Heater/Defroster

* The heater and defroster must be in good working condition for passenger comfort and driver visibility.

Windshield Wipers

* Replace old blades.

REMEMBER: in choosing a replacement for old blades consider the climate in your area, purchase rubber-clad (winter) blades to fight ice build-up. Carry an ice-scraper. Stock up on windshield washer solvent — you’ll be surprised how much you use.

Battery

* The only accurate way to detect a weak battery is with professional equipment.
* Check fluid level monthly. If battery caps are removable
* For DO-IT-YOURSELF’ers scrape away corrosion from posts and cable connections; clean all surfaces; re-tighten all connections.,

CAUTION:

* Be sure to avoid contact with corrosive deposits and battery acid.
* Wear eye protection and rubber gloves.

TAKE NOTE: Removal of cables can cause damage or loss of data/codes on some newer vehicles so refers to your manual for instructions.

Lights

* Inspect all lights and bulbs.
* Replace burned out bulbs.
* Clean road grime from all lenses with a moistened cloth or towel ( do this frequently).

Exhaust System

* Your vehicle should be placed on a lift and the exhaust system examined for leaks. The trunk and floorboards should be inspected for small holes.

CAUTION: Exhaust fumes can be deadly.

Tires

* Worn tires will be of little use in winter weather.
* Examine tires for remaining tread life, uneven wearing, and cupping; check the sidewalls for cuts and nicks.
* Check tire pressure once a month.

REMEMVER: Let the tires “cool down” before checking the pressure. Rotate as recommended. Don’t forget your spare, and be sure the jack is in good condition.

Emergencies

* Carry gloves, boots, blankets, flares, a small shovel, sand or kitty litter, tire chains, a flashlight, and a cell phone. Put a few “high-energy” snacks in your glove box

These are some few steps on how to keep your car in perfect shape and thus extending its life. There are several ways you can do to keep you car in perfect condition, all you have to do is to look for reliable sources ( thanks to DoItYourself.com for this great tips). Furthermore, you can send you car in the mechanic every other month and have it checked. You can also send your car in a car wash ( if you are a busy person and no time to clean your car). See there are several ways in keeping your car in shape all you have to do is to know what your car needs!