Posts Tagged ‘repairs’
Author: John Newcomb
Although it might seem trivial, but maintaining the right (read: recommended by your car manufacturer) air pressure inside your car’s tires can have a significant effect on your car’s performance and fuel efficiency, not the mention the life span of your tires.
Your car’s tires serve as the medium between the car and the road. Under or overinflated tires tend to not grip the road as well, and will give you a nasty, bumpy ride. They will also wear down much more quickly than tires maintained at the correct air temperature.
If you ask any automobile expert, he’ll tell you that the right air pressure inside your car can have a substantial effect on your car’s fuel efficiency and performance. This is the reason why you see drivers and teams in motor sports fussing over their tires so much. When your tires are under, or over inflated, it can increase the friction between the tire and the road, leading to excessive power consumption. With the current prices of fuel, this extra power/fuel consumption can come to a significant amount of money.
When measuring the air pressure using a tire pressure gauge, make sure that you do so when the tires are cool. When the tires are warm, the air inside them expands, giving a faulty reading of the air pressure. Place the tire pressure gauge over the valve stem and press it down. You’ll hear a slight hissing sound of escaping air if you’ve placed the gauge properly over the stem. Read the rest of this entry »
Author: Groshan Fabiola
As we all know, garage fees can affect our budget drastically. Even routine services can cost us a lot if we take our car to a service and unfortunately this is something that has to be done very often. Aside from the yearly check, there are always some filters that have to be change, minor servicing to be done and maintenance jobs that cost us. However, there is a very convenient alternative: become your own car mechanic. You can save hundreds of dollars if you are armed with the right automotive tools, a manual and some patience, at least until you get a hand of it.
Besides saving a lot of money, working on your own car with the right automotive specialty tools helps you get a better understanding of your automobile. This makes it easier in time to do a full maintenance of your vehicle and why not, even start using air conditioning tools or scan tools, when you have acquired more experience. Becoming your own maintenance mechanic is not a difficult task at all and with the right automotive tools you can save yourself a lot of money, precious time and traffic jams.
Any home garage needs a wide selection of automotive specialty tools so the job can be done properly. Most vehicles have non standard sizes and machining used during the construction and this is why you must have automotive specialty tools. For example, you might need Ford tools or Mercedes Benz tools, if you own this type of car. However, there are many shop tools that have automotive tools for certain types of car and all you have to do is choose the one suited for yours.
Moreover, there are many online shop tools you can buy from so that you save time. If you are not sure what type of automotive specialty tools you need, going from store to store is not such a great idea. You might waste a lot of time. Going online is the smartest and easiest way. Online shop tools are very easy to navigate and buy from. You just look for the automotive tools you need, order them and in a short period of time, they will be delivered right at your door. Read the rest of this entry »
Author: Hal Vance
At some point or another, you are going to require car repairs. This implies you want to know how to choose a good vehicle body shop.
When you debate this question with folks with auto experience, there’s one piece of recommendation that you hear again and again. There are a few reasons for this. Barely the best time to be making a very important call. The possibilities of going astray under these circumstances are too many.
When you pre-select a vehicle body shop, you approach your investigation at your leisure and when your head is clear. It is possible to make the effort to ask around among your pals and business colleagues about any recommendations they could have for you. A good report from a buddy who’s had dealings with the shop can be invaluable. Folks concerned in the automobile industry sometimes have viewpoints on good body shops. This could be soldiers at your local gas station, or perhaps salesmen at used auto agents. it is also possible to go to the store, and this is a great idea. Let them know you are a potential long term shopper. In this visit you can get clear answers to what should be a long list of items that may be used to compare different shops. Does the store perform all services? If not, which ones are performed there, and what are the recommendations and techniques used to handle things like glass fix or repainting? Read the rest of this entry »
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I won’t go into details with this job, but I want you to think about it.
Your brakes are very important. Your life depends on them.
When you have to have brakes repaired on your favorite vehicle, don’t skimp.
Sure, it looks like all you need is a set of pads, or shoes.
But, if the pads or shoes are wore out, what about the other parts?
I don’t recommend having the rotors or drums turned.
I know, a lot of technicians will tell you that you will have better braking if you turn them.
On the small cars with the removable rotors on the front, I have had some turned, and then I had to buy the customer a new set of rotors and pads!
For some reason, the little rotors seem to eat the pads, after you have them turned.
They are not that expensive. Go ahead and replace them if they are not usable.
By that, I mean, if the pads were down to the metal plate and rubbing on the rotor.
Another thing to take into consideration is the rubber line coming from the caliper to the metal line that goes to the master cylinder.
If your vehicle is several years old, those lines are, too.
Those lines tend to deteriorate inside.
With the heat from the outside air, and from the engine, and the rotor when you apply your brakes, the fluid gets rather hot.
If you don’t replace those two lines on the front you may have to replace a lot more parts.
The particles from the inside of the hoses will get into the master cylinder and the caliper.
The master cylinder can cause a major malfunction and not apply the brakes when you need them.
See the little child playing ball in the street?
If the particles get into the caliper, they can cause it to “stick” in the outward position.
That could happen, and I’ve seen it, when you apply your brake, and release them.
Only thing, the caliper doesn’t release.
This causes the piston in the caliper to keep pressure on the pads against the rotor.
It will cause the vehicle to pull to one side upon braking.
It will burn the pads before their time.
It will probably overheat the rotor and cause it to crystallize, causing it to loose its braking power even if you put new pads on it.
It can also cause extreme heat through the system.
Causing the grease in the wheel bearing to melt and run off the bearings.
Then you have a wheel bearing to go out.
Is a $39 hose worth it?
Replace it the next time you have a major brake repair.
Have the master cylinder and brake lines flushed, and new brake fluid added every two or three years.
I don’t want to lose a reader just because the brakes failed in a curve with a high-line pole in the way. 
Tommy Sessions has been in auto repair since 1970. He publishes Auto Repair Answers Newsletter so you can learn how to keep your vehicle looking new, running safely and efficiently, while you save money and time…also, learn how to avoid shop rip offs. Don’t be at the mercy of the dealerships and auto repair shops…they will have more respect for you.
http://www.auto-repair-answers.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tommy_Sessions
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