Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Top 10 Hottest Automotive Technology

There are several emerging technologies used in designing vehicles nowadays. These technologies will soon improve fuel efficiency, increase safety, aid navigation and repair in vehicles. As I am surfing the net I happened to stumble in a post authored by Rudy Hiebert about the top 10 hottest technology on vehicles within the next decade. These new road-breaking technology will soon be applied to modern vehicles and would surely give potential improvement in the car consumer’s way of life. Here are the top 10 new technologies that is expected to hit in the market place in the years to come:


New technology expected to hit the marketplace within the next decade:

1) Active safety systems will include radar and cameras that watch for danger. “We’ve put airbags just about every place you can.” Says Toyota Product-planning Manager, John Weiner, “Within the next five years the car will use algorithms to anticipate hazards and intervene or warn the driver.

2) Keyless entry has already been implemented on certain Cadillac, Infinity and BMW models and will be introduced to approximately 40 different vehicles in the next three years. Credit card style systems will replace car keys.

3) Navigation systems such as computer-like screens on the dash, displaying navigation systems that employ global positioning satellite and onboard DVD’s to provide the driver with distractions, maps, and information on businesses such as hotels, hospitals and restaurants. The video screens will also have the capability to connect to PDA’s and cellular phones.

4) Wi-Fi hook-ups in almost every vehicle will provide weather, news, and other information. “We’re going to see hot spots in places like gas stations and restaurants,” says Peter Wengert, marketing manager for automotive products at Microsoft.

5) Data collection will give vehicles the capability to collect pertinent data that can be shared with dealers, manufacturers, and other vehicles helping service personnel perform remote diagnostics and help troubleshoot for a broken down motorist.

6) Onboard cameras will help detect blind spots, while helping parents watch their kids. Many recreational vehicles already have this technology at the rear and in front to “see” around corners.

7) 40 Volt Electrical Systems will become standard to accommodate the many new electric devices.

8.) Voice commands are already in certain BMW’s, Jaguar and Lexus models and will become common and necessary in order to operate the various functions in cars.

9) Electronic pedals already in use in Mercedes, Chevy Corvette and all recent Audi vehicles, brake-by-wire and accelerate by wire pedals send an electronic signal rather than activating a physical connection to the engine and brakes. Emergency brake handles will also be replaced by electronic controls.

10) Programmable vehicles will let you use electronics to express your choice of vehicle you wish to drive, says Stanford professor of mechanical engineering Chris Gerdes. “You can have it be as sporty or luxurious, as you choose.” Drivers of the new Audi A8, for example can change the car’s ride by raising and lowering road clearance.

Still, and even with the availability of these electronically controlled vehicles, one can always make a choice. If you favor manual controls and you find goodness in fiddling your performance parts inside your engine bay, you can continue using your manual vehicle. Also, there are also new models that includes manual transmissions on their lineup so there is no way, you will be outdated. These are vehicles that are not fully electronic but bettered with additional amenities and safety devices, but the same manual controls are left for your pleasure. So watch out for these new technologies and be excited, be really excited! Who knows what you'll gonna see in the future?

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Dealing with gas prices


* Drive less. Walk, bike, ride the bus or join a car pool. Reduce your commute by moving closer to work or working closer to home. Combine trips and make to-do-lists to avoid having to go back. Call ahead to avoid wasted trips.
* Walk between stops. Once you get into town, some of your stops may be near each other. Park between some or all of them and walk.
* Parking in the first spot you find in the parking lot. If you wander all over the parking lot looking for that really close parking space, you’ll use more gas.
* Use the lowest recommended octane for your car. The lower octane gas is cheaper. Check your owner’s manual to be sure, as not all car engines should use lowest octane gas.
* Determine whether gas with ethanol is right for your vehicle. However, 10% or less ethanol actually helps gasoline burn more completely, resulting in better economy.
* Compare ethanol price. Fuel with ethanol may be more expensive than standard gas, but the minimal price difference is often offset by lower fuel taxes or subsidies.
* Don’t fill until the last quarter tank. If you do this, it can extend your gas because you are hauling a lighter load as the tank nears empty. However, in cold weather, you run an increased risk of condensation in the fuel tank.
* Don’t top off the tank. It is wasted money and bad for the environment since the extra gas evaporates in 10 minutes of driving.
* Change car oil regularly. Properly maintaining your car will keep your car running as efficiently as possible. Use synthetic oil instead of mineral oil. This will cause your engine to run better and give you better mileage.
* Upgrade air filter. More efficient brands of air filters cost a little more but will pay for themselves in most vehicles in fuel savings. Clogged air filters cause engines to work overtime which requires more fuel.
* Use a fuel injector cleaner or complete fuel system treatment occasionally. Not only will you see a boost in gas mileage, but in your car’s overall performance. Fouled injectors vaporize fuel poorly, affecting how completely the fuel is burned.
* Clean out any unnecessary items in your car. If your car is lighter, it will use less fuel to get where you’re going. If you have a bicycle or ski rack, remove it when you’re not using it. It causes drag and lowers mileage.
* Avoid idling. While idling, your car gets exactly 0 miles per gallon while starting the car uses the same amount as idling for 30 seconds. TIP: Park your car and go into the restaurant rather than idling in the drive-through. Idling with the air conditioning on also uses extra fuel.
* Plan your trips in advance. This can prevent wasting fuel and wasting time. Use alternative routes. Often back roads can prevent you from stopping at traffic lights and more importantly sitting in traffic jams. TIP: Try to schedule your trips and errands when traffic is lighter.
* Use a global positioning system (GPS) to help you navigate and find the fastest and shortest distance to your destination.
* Drive at a consistent speed. Avoid quick acceleration and hard braking.
* If approaching a red light, see if you can slow down enough to avoid having to actually stop.
* Take off slowly from a full stop. This is one adjustment that will have dramatic effects on your gas mileage; don’t tear off from a stoplight or stop sign!
* Stay well away from store fronts where you will spend significantly more time idling and waiting for pedestrians and other vehicles.
* Shift into neutral if you are not comfortable with down shifting. NOTE: This strategy will result in more wear and tear on your brakes.
* Park in the shade because gasoline actually evaporates right out of your tank, and it does so faster when you park directly under the sun - winter or summer.

Friday, September 19, 2008

Tinting Your Lights

One great way in customizing your car is by tinting the lights. To do this, there are a few steps to follow. It can be done in less than an hour provided with the right things needed like:<
• VHT Niteshades (or other black transparent paint)
• 1 can of clearcoat paint
• 600 & 1500 grit sandpaper
• painters tape
Follow these steps and you’ll surely attain the best tinted lights ever!
• The first thing you need to do is to scrub the lights and make it clean. Just be sure not to get the electrical components wet.
• With the use of 600 grit sandpaper sand the light in the desired areas you wish to tint.
• Then wipe away any plastic debris removed during the sanding process with the use of a wet rag.
• Tape-off the areas which you do not wish to be tinted in the light assembly.
• Place lights in a well ventilated area with as little dust as possible.
• Hold the can UPRIGHT about 12-15 inches away from the lights. Apply the basic coat. Don’t go too thick on the coats.
• Wait for 15-20 minutes between each coat. Sand the coat with 1500-2000 grit sandpaper if desired to remove any imperfections in the paint job. Apply as many coats as you wish until desired darkness is reached.
• After letting the final coat of nightshades dry for 30 minutes or so. Then you can now apply clear coat in the same manner as the tint spray. Apply 2-3 coats of clear coat. Let the lights dry for a few hours after the process is complete.
• Then reinstall the light in your car.
Warnings and Tips
• When using the spray tint, spray many light coats instead of heavy ones because the tint will easily run.
• You can put stickers to add designs in your light. Remember to remove it before you spray the clear coat.
• Don’t spray heavily. Many light coats will render a much better project.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

DIY, last segment


Take a look at all the devices in your life, and which one seems the most resistant to DIY improvements, repairs and useful tweaking? The answer, most likely, is that four-wheeled gadget resting just outside. But while many of us lifehack fans aren't as comfortable in our driveways as our desktops, there are lots of cheap and (mostly) simple ways to get more from your vehicle and make driving and owning it a bit more enjoyable. Today we've rounded up 10 of our favorite car-related tips and tricks that work whether you're at one with your engine or regard your ride as a mysterious four-wheel transporter.



8. Find your car anywhere
Few things feel like wasted time more than wandering a vast parking lot, searching out a car that looks just like all the others. To prevent the problem, take a picture of your car and its notable surroundings to quickly re-orient yourself when you come back. Forget to grab that pic? Hold your fob up to your head to boost your alarm-inducing signal and find your ride. Still can't spot your wheels? Try a few other tried-and-true tips. Hate the idea of using your "panic" button for anything, much less a game of parking lot Marco Polo? Feel free to simply and quickly disable it.



9. Clean your engine (and other parts) for better service
Apologies in advance if this comes off like an over-bearing, car-obsessed relative, but a little time spent with soap and water saves you a lot of ruined clothes and grunt-inducing frustration later on. Cleaning out your engine compartment, for example, makes it easier for mechanics (and yourself) to find leaks, belt and hose breaks, and other problems, and you'll also get a cooler-running motor from your efforts. Check out 74 more wise tips on keeping your car running in tip-top shape.




10. Make your own storage space
Just because your car's designer was uninspired by the driver's-side space doesn't mean you can't have convenience and easy storage within arm's reach. Using some duct tape, yogurt cups, and other common items, you can put together your own DIY car console, or spend a bit more time and care to craft something a bit more slick-looking. And, while not technically all-the-way-DIY, adhering a sticky pad to your dashboard can serve as seriously convenient, no-stick place to keep your gadgets.



Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Autopartswarehouse.com : Top 10 DIY Car Hacks Continued







1. Fix a dent yourself
Hitting another car almost always means a trip to the body shop, but what about that little ding from the mailbox, the garbage can, or the really inconvenient parking sign? Grab yourself some dry ice, or a hair dryer and a can of compressed air, and you've got two cheap solutions for popping your car's body back into shape. It might not work with serious body repairs, but it saves you a hefty labor charge for fixing cosmetic flaws. Photo by tylerkaraszewski.
A lot of this stuff (most of it, in fact) has been covered before in previous posts, and we're always on the lookout for clever and low-cost ways to make owning and driving a car more convenient and, well, fun. What's the neatest or most elegant car hack you've seen or made yourself? Share your successes in the comments, and we'll consider them for future posts (with credit!).
2. Connect your MP3 player, no transmitters involved
There's no end to the ways you can integrate your iPod, iPhone, or other portable device into your dashboard—if you're willing to shell out for that top-shelf car or after-market stereo. But break out your screwdriver and you can easily tap into, or add, an auxiliary jack to your stereo. Wired's How to issue shows you how to plug into existing jacks (scroll down to "Wire your car stereo ..."), while Make magazine offers a simple soldering solution to add your own line-in connection.



3. Fix cracks and scratches with nail polish
Nail polish can do many, many things, and its clear variety is no less an amazing solve-all. Need to slow a crack in a windshield or window before you can get to the glass shop? Nail polish has you covered. Got a little ding you want to prevent from rusting? Clear nail polish does the trick. Better still, if you can find a nail polish shade that (closely) matches your car's paint job, it can work as less-expensive touch-up paint, since the two paints are eerily close in nature. Photo by wrestlingentropy.



4. Remove coffee and other tough stains
It's the basic math of the morning commute: Hot liquid + Velocity + Distraction = Stains. Take a few minutes and some household items, however, and you can save your car's interior from looking like the break room carpet. Check out this eHow guide to get started, and then consider using less cream in your java to prevent similarly tough stains in the future. If oil or gasoline hitch a ride on your shoes and onto the carpets, try dryer lint or dish detergent, respectively, to banish them.



5. De-ice a lock with hand sanitzer
As pointed out by a commenter and others, a tiny tube of water-less hand sanitizer does more than keep germs away—its heavy alcohol content can also break down ice. Squirt some in a resistant lock, and spend less time in the cold, fumbling with cold metal keys.



6. Clean your windshield with a razor blade
If you live near a gas station with a freely-available (and relatively clean) squeegee bin, you're in luck. If not, don't settle for a view crusted and hazed over with dirt and bug guts. Keep a covered razor blade in your glove compartment for a quick means of dealing with noticeable blotches, and it might just come in handy in other situations, as well. Photo by Antediluvial.




7. "Hypermile" for better fuel economy
We're never going to recommend shutting down your engine and riding a tractor-trailer's draft, but you can learn a thing or two from the folks who take their gas mileage very, very seriously. Here are a few tips gleaned from Wise Bread's take on hypermiling:
• Track your mileage: You can't tell if your efficiency efforts are working unless you're keeping track. Try resetting the odometer every time you refill your tank, rather than trying to note and guess mileages individually.
• Leave lots of space ahead of you: It not only shows you paid attention during driving lessons, it gives you more time to gradually slow down instead of slamming on your brakes and losing all your momentum.
• Use cruise control more often: Accelerate gradually over a distance and you save on all the gas eaten up by lead-footed acceleration.


Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Mcdonald’s Cooking Oil Used in Police Cars in Manila



Mcdonald’s will donate some cooking oil that will be used in police squad cars in Manila. According to CBS report, the said cars will run on 60 percent diesel and 40 percent cooking oil and the Philippine National Police Makati branch could save $10,000 a year in diesel, and they aim to aims to convert squad cars in Manila's bustling central business district to run on a combination of 60 percent diesel and 40 percent cooking oil, according to police Senior Superintendent Gilbert Cruz.

Mcdonald’s is the first fast food chain to offer donations for the program - oil used to cook French fries and fried chicken, but other restaurants may soon help to grease the wheels of law enforcement. The Autopartswarehouse.com blog notes that traffic enforcers are using electric jeepneys in Makati City. The Philippines are sounding very savvy when it comes to green technologies.

Energy saving tips for cars, part 1

Energy saving tips for cars have got to be a good way of reducing the impact on the environment on than while we wait for better public transport or alternative fuels etc, so here are the energy saving tips for cars from autopartswarehouse.com:

Switch off your air conditioning could save you 16% of your gas.

Driving with your windows down can reduce MPG by 8%

Make sure your tires are at the right pressure to save 1-2%

Energy efficient tires can reduce fuel costs by 5%

Keep your speed down.

Accelerate (and decelerate) slowly rather than in one big burst. Planning ahead is the most useful thing. If you must make short trips save up a group of them and do them all at once.

Choose a route and time of day to travel that is less congested and allows you to cruise at a steady speed, acceleration is not your friend. Keep a good gap to the car in front so you can choose how to brake and accelerate and look well ahead so you can change speed gradually in response to the traffic.

Use the car as little as possible when it, the car, is cold. In its first couple of miles from cold the fuel consumption is very poor indeed. This is one of the reasons grouping journeys together is a good thing.

Weight is your enemy. Every kilogram you have to accelerate uses fuel. Don't carry anything you don't need to. Go on a diet.

Take your roof rack off when not in use, above 30 mph it will add significantly to your fuel bills and pollution.

When choosing a new car avoid automatics, only the Audi multitronic gets close to manual efficiency.

Drop the motorway cruising speed and the fuel consumption is 2% better. Not bad for an automatic.


Start the engine only when ready to go & set off immediately. Avoid revving up & push in a manual choke as soon as possible.

Control your speed as traveling at less than 15mph creates the most pollution. As your speed increases up to 60mph your level of pollution decreases, traveling over 60mph increases your level of pollution again. 40-55 mph is the most economical speed. At 70 mph you use up to 30% more fuel than at 50 mph. Drive steadily & read the road to maneuver smoothly.

Harsh acceleration and braking can use up to 30% more fuel and can cause increased wear and tear on the vehicle, especially brake pads & tires.

Get in the right gear, preferably top. Change before 2,500 revs per minute.

Avoid idling. Shut off the engine when standing still for one minute or more.

Check tires monthly. 7psi under-inflation wastes half a gallon per tank & will wear out your tires faster.

Start the engine only when ready to go & set off immediately. Avoid revving up & push in a manual choke as soon as possible.

Control your speed as traveling at less than 15mph creates the most pollution. As your speed increases up to 60mph your level of pollution decreases, traveling over 60mph increases your level of pollution again. 40-55 mph is the most economical speed. At 70 mph you use up to 30% more fuel than at 50 mph. Drive steadily & read the road to maneuver smoothly.

Harsh acceleration and braking can use up to 30% more fuel and can cause increased wear and tear on the vehicle, especially brake pads & tires.

Get in the right gear, preferably top. Change before 2,500 revs per minute.

Avoid idling. Shut off the engine when standing still for one minute or more.

Check tires monthly. 7psi under-inflation wastes half a gallon per tank & will wear out your tires faster.

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Road Driving Tips

Paying attention to the road while driving is one of the most essential thing that you need to do when you’re on the road. But better keep these tips when you’re driving your car.

Autopartswarehouse.com wants you car owners to take note of these tips in order for you to prevent accidents.

Have a safe trip!

Rule 1: Pay Attention!

"I never saw him!" is the most common excuse heard after a collision. Was the other vehicle invisible? Virtually all collisions involve inattention on the part of one or both drivers. Inattention can involve many things, some of which are daydreaming, distractions, sleepiness, fatigue, "highway hypnosis," talking, etc.

A moving vehicle develops thousands of foot-pounds of energy. YOU as a driver have the responsibility not to use that energy to injure or kill others, or damage their property. Paying attention makes it possible for you to see, recognize and avoid the hazards lurking on the road; these are the three basic elements of defensive driving. The primary attribute necessary for a safe driver is alertness, and paying attention is the most important driving task because it helps create the time you need to recognize hazards and avoid a collision.

One statistic often quoted is that most collisions happen within a short distance from home. Why is this true? Since we mostly drive in our own neighborhoods, the odds are we'll have most of our mishaps there. Close to home we get more comfortable and perhaps let our guard down (and the other guy does the same thing); you've heard that "familiarity breeds contempt?" Better yet, familiarity breeds inattention. We don't often consider that serious or fatal injuries can occur in low speed collisions.

I have a challenge for you. While it is important for you to be alert and aware, it isn't an easy task. The next time you drive, try concentrating solely on the driving task. Think of nothing else. Then see how far you get before your mind wanders. Many drivers won't even get out of the parking lot! Seasoned drivers don't HAVE to think about driving much. It's something we do automatically, and our minds are free to wander. And our minds WANT to wander. Have you ever driven somewhere and been so lost in thought that you couldn't remember anything about the trip itself? Is this a problem?

Is this a curable problem? Paying attention can become a habit, but you have to work at it. Make conscious, persistent choices NOT to eat while driving, or whatever you do that takes your attention off where your moving vehicle is pointed. Connect your mind to your eyes and work at consciously analyzing what you see while you drive. We call this "situational awareness." Driving is the most dangerous thing most of us ever do. It deserves your full attention. Mastery of this one habit can almost make you bullet-proof. Not quite, but almost.

Rule 2: Don't Trust Nobody!

We have met the enemy and he is us. You can never rely on what the other driver will do. Think back to all the mistakes you've made while driving over the years. Think ahead to the ones you know you will make in the future. All the other drivers are just like us! Don't trust them! While you are driving, keep a wary eye on the other guy and leave yourself plenty of room. Anticipate the mistakes he might make and be ready for them. Eventually, he will! Because he's just like us! When you are driving on "autopilot," you have turned control of your vehicle over to those other drivers - you are at their mercy. Their fate is your fate.

If you are too trusting, you are relying on that other driver for your safety. Is he worthy of that trust? Every few seconds, some drivers in this country find out this is a poor bet. Maybe some of those other drivers are returning from a beer festival! Maybe they just lost a job, or worse, a loved one. The other driver might be an 11-year-old who found Dad's keys. Approach driving with the idea that every other driver is an unpredictable menace and out to get you. Most collisions occur when the "other guy" does something we don't expect, or when we do something they don't expect.

If you accept that everyone makes driving errors, the next step is to drive with a wary attitude. Be careful of approaching red lights, because you know a light by itself never stopped anyone. Watch out for folks getting ready to pull out from parking beside the road. Look for gaps in lines of traffic which might be the result of someone pausing to let another vehicle cross in front of them. (I've personally witnessed three or four collisions in the past ten years that happened just this way). There are others: failure to signal a lane change or turn, or tailgating someone when they are poking along because they need to make a turn-a turn they suddenly WILL make when they see it at the last second. You can think of dozens of others. Be alert to the possibilities and have a strategy in mind for dealing with them.

Source: Squidoo.com

Friday, September 5, 2008

Autopartswarehouse.com presents: Auto Detailing 101

What Is Auto Detailing?


Auto detailing is the practice of performing an extremely thorough cleaning, polishing and waxing of an automobile, both inside and out, to produce a show-quality level of detail. It can be practiced for personal satisfaction, and it is also performed to prepare a car for a Concours d'Elegance (often shortened to just Concours), a car show that features the appearance of cars. Elements of exterior detailing include claying, polishing, and waxing. Interior detailing involves the cleaning of the interior of a vehicle using vacuums, liquid cleaners, and brushes. Engine detailing involves cleaning the engine bay area of dirt and grease by using degreasers and all-purpose cleaners.

What is Detailing?

While there are no specific guidelines for what actually makes up a 'detail,' it is typically considered more extensive than washing and drying a car, and will often involve many steps. Main goals are typically beautification and protection, but can also touch other areas such as minor paint repair and surface restoration, as well as thoroughly cleaning areas which are normally ignored such as the engine and underchassis, wheels, tires, and trim.

The steps of a basic exterior detail of the paint surface consist of, in this order, wash, dry, clay bar, polish, glaze, sealant, wax. Application of a glaze is optional, as is application of both a sealant and wax.

A variety of shampoos, cleaners, degreasers, protectants, lubricants, polishes, clay bars, and waxes have developed over time to suit various demands of consumers and professionals.

Clay bar

Clay is a mixture of clay base and various mild abrasives that is used to remove paint contamination. Spray wax, window cleaner or water can work as a clay lubricant. Road grime, tar, bugs, rust, tree sap and even paint overspray can be removed with a clay bar.Claying does not remove the clear coat of the paint but can cause marring or dullness if used incorrectly. It takes a few passes of clay to feel the difference on the surface of the paint. Claying does not replace polishing. It is simply a process that should be used before polishing compound is used. Claying should be used once or twice a year depending on the year of the car or truck.

Purpose of Polishing

The purpose of polishing is to remove oxidation, swirls, scratches, water deposits, and other imperfections from the paint. In contrast to a clay bar, which removes contamination, polishes remove surface imperfections. Polishing generally is the single most time consuming step in an exterior detail.

Polishes typically are classified in two categories, a chemical polish or abrasive polish. A chemical polish, sometimes called a prewax cleaner, cleans the surface and removes oxidation. An abrasive polish removes a small portion of the clearcoat or the base paint itself on single stage paint. Abrasive polishes are classified based on how abrasive they are. The abrasive polish with the most abrasion typically is called a Rubbing Compound. A Rubbing Compound will remove heavier scratches and swirls as well as oxidation. It can be compared to a very fine sandpaper. The abrasive polish with the least abrasion typically is called a finishing polish. A finishing polish is used to remove light oxidation and fine scratches and swirls. It is also used to remove the haze resulting from application of a more abrasive polish. Abrasive polishes work best when applied with a machine rotary buffer or machine random orbital buffer. Different pads are used on the buffer depending on the abrasion level of the polish.

An "All in One" product typically combines a chemical polish and sealant to be applied in one step. A "buff and wax" contains a high level of cleaner and U.V. protectant or carnuba, producing a polish and a protect effect. Unlike a chemical polish or abrasive polish, a glaze does not clean or abrade the paint. A glaze typically contains oils and kaolin to fill and mask minor imperfections remaining after polishing, and to enhance the brilliance of the finish. If a glaze is applied, it is used after use of a chemical polish or abrasive polish or All in One product but before application of a sealant or wax.

Purpose of Sealants and Waxing

Synthetic sealants are polymer based and provide more durability than even the best carnauba wax. They are liquid in form and apply very much like a liquid wax. It is suggested that most sealants cure for 12 to 24 hours before layering additional coats on the paint or applying wax over the sealant. Curing involves the cross-linking of polymer strands. When cross-linking is completed, the product has "cured." Some sealants contain an accelerator, or are sold with a separate accelerator that is mixed with the sealant before use, which speeds up the cross-linking (curing) process. For best results, the surface of the vehicle should be properly prepared for a sealant, which involves cleaning and polishing the paint prior to application. Applying a sealant over a wax or surface contamination may inhibit the bonding of the product to the paint. Once you top a sealant with a wax you will not be able to apply additional layers of the sealant without first cleaning the paint and removing all the wax.

Waxing further enhances the gloss and depth of the paint, and provides even more but shorter lasting protection. Wax comes in many forms such as cream, paste, and liquid. Most waxes contain carnauba which contains a high amount of fatty acids. This fatty acid creates a solid layer between the paint and the outside world which protects it, and gives it a glossy finish. Synthetic waxes commonly mix low amounts of cleaners with high amounts of U.V. inhibitors to create the same protective layer that carnauba does. Synthetic wax creates a high gloss while carnauba waxes give a warm and wet looking finish.

Source: Wikipedia

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Autopartswarehouse.com presents: Top 5 Tips - DIY Car Maintenance

Good car maintenance is a prerequisite for a smooth running and a longer life of our prized possessions. While there indeed are automobile service stations to take care of them when they fall sick, you at your end can do a lot for your car's upkeep and stitch it in time so as to save nine. This post offers 5 essential tips you can implement yourself, and which should pretty much ensure your car's good health.

1. Check Engine Oil

Critical to an automobile's lubrication system, the engine oil lubricates a car's moving parts, cleans and inhibits corrosion, and also cools the engine by carrying heat away from the parts.

To check engine oil, Turn off the car's ignition. Locate the dipstick, in case you don't know where it is take the help of the owner's manual and then remove the dipstick. Most dipstick carry the label "engine oil."

Wipe off any excess oil and then check dip it another time to see if it reaches the "Full" mark or not. If not then you need to fill up to reach the "Full" mark.

Now, observe the color of the engine oil. A black an opaque appearance means time for a change. Dark brown but somewhat transparent means you'd need to change it after some time. A clear appearance means it's OK, but be wary if it appears to be whitish, as that might indicate a need for a professional check up.

To replace engine oil, choose the product that's already inside your car. Pour in slowly allowing it time to settle down. After you're done, replace the dipstick properly.

2. Check Automatic Transmission Fluid

To run a check for automatic transmission fluid change the transmission lever's position to Park of 'P' position. Locate the transmission dipstick, in case you don't know where it is take the help of the owner's manual and then remove the transmission dipstick. Wipe it and dip it again to check the levels.

Also look at the appearance of the fluid. A black fluid with a burnt smell is a sign that it needs a quick change. If its brown in color, then there's still some life in it. In comparison a newly replaced fluid is red in color.

Aside from the appearance, refer to the owner's manual as well. As some manufacturers specify the number of miles you can drive before a refill is needed.

3. Check Engine Coolant

This is a simple procedure. To perform the check simply locate the coolant overflow tank and note the levels.

Low coolant level will cause the engine to overheat, which may cause serious damage to the engine. If the levels are between "LOW" and "FULL" markings, then it's OK. If it's below the "LOW" marking, then naturally a replacement is needed.

4. Check CV Joint Boots

A majority of modern day automobiles are front wheel drive, wherein a CV joint's job is to help in transmitting power to the wheels.

To check the CV joint for breakage or damage, you'd need to inspect the internal sides of the wheel. To make it easier for you, first turn the wheel to one side as much as it can turn. Now, look at the inside to inspect the front wheel arch. If your inspection reveals oil or greasing on the boot, it means that it's broken. If it dry then there's nothing to worry about. If it's broken, then treat it as an emergency and arrange for a replacement.

5. Check Tire Pressure

Taking good care of wheels & tires is simple, very basic and very important. The point is to check air pressure without fail at least once a month. It might be a good idea if you purchased a tire pressure gauge, so that you can check the pressure any time by yourself. Another key consideration is to ensure the ideal tire pressure (as has been prescribed by the car manufacturer).

In addition to the basic checks outlined above, don't postpone going to a professional mechanic if you sense trouble. Further, regular checkups too would ensure that an impending bigger trouble is forestalled before it blows out of proportion.