Daily Archives2017 January 20

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A gearbox (also called transmission) provides speed and torque conversions from a rotating power source to another device using gear ratios. It can be used in various situations such as fixed machines, pedal bicycles, and anywhere else rotational speed and torque needs to be adapted. But the most common place is in motor vehicles, where the gearbox adapts the output of the internal combustion engine to the drive wheels. Because these engines need to be operated at a relatively high rotational speed, they can not be used in many operations such as starting or stopping.

As gearboxes are so widely used in motor vehicles, it is obvious that they must be largely used in cars. With the development of our economy, more and more cars are consumed, as a result, gearboxes are playing more important role in our daily life. Although many people have cars, few of them have the knowledge of how a car works, let alone the relationship between different mechanical components. Since car gearboxes are the fundamental parts for its working process, it is a wise decision for car owners to learn something about gearboxes.

In cars, the gearbox will generally be connected to the crankshaft of the engine. And the output of the transmission is transmitted via driveshaft to one or more differentials, which in turn drive the wheels. The gearbox converts engine speed into torque which will push the car forward. It is the main job of the gearbox. There is some difference between manual cars and automatic cars. For example, in a manual car, when the driver depresses the clutch, the gear will be disengaged from its original position so that it can slide up and down the gearbox, while automatic gearboxes are the opposite.

As the main task of the gearbox is to convert engine speed to torque so as to push the car forward, it is indispensable for your car. Your car will not be going anywhere if it lacks the gearbox. As a result, you should pay more attention to the gearboxes. Since we are talking about gearboxes, it is necessary to mention the gear ratios. Commonly, a gearbox will have multiple gear ratios, with the ability to switch between them as speed varies. And this switch may be done manually or automatically.

There is no doubt that gearboxes can be used in many other places except in cars. But no matter where they are used, these transmissions share an important feature, i.e. the gear ratio cannot be changed during the usage. It is because the gear ratio is fixed at the time the transmission is set.

All in all, there is more knowledge about gearboxes and their functions. It is advisable that you should have some basic knowledge of gearboxes. Maybe it will be helpful in your future life.

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Source by Lou Lingling

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A modern way in which the appearance of a vehicle can be enhanced is by using carbon fiber wrap. It can be used on cars, motorcycles, trucks and vans. It provides a solid exterior coating that protects the original pain from chips, nicks and scrapes while adding personality and beauty to a vehicle. Following are some of the most ideal reasons that carbon fiber vinyl should be used in a vehicle.

Affordability

In comparison to a custom paint job, the appearance of a vehicle can be enhanced and modified at a much cheaper price if carbon wrap is used. If applied properly, the original color of a vehicle is not affected but the same professional look as paint is achieved. Finished vinyl wrap looks very similar to paint, so telling the difference between the two is not easy. Unlike real carbon fiber, the vinyl is considerably cheaper and working with it is much easier.

Convenience

For car owners who are handy with tools, they will be able to install fiber vinyl on their vehicle quite easily since no special equipment is needed. If they get involved in an accident, which leaves their vehicle damaged in one section, the area can be repaired easily and cost-effectively by cutting out the wrap from the damaged section. Working with the vinyl wrap is very easy, and it can be easily matched up.

The wrap can also be easily removed. Car owners can simply peel off the wrap to restore the original state of their vehicle. As long as the correct technique is used, the surface beneath will not be damaged if the vinyl is installed or removed.

Self-Expression

Car owners can excellently show off their personality if they use a vinyl wrap on their vehicle for self-expression. Making a vehicle stand out is quite easy since a variety of designs and graphics are available. A unique, one-of-a-kind look can also be created by layering different colored sheets of carbon fiber one top of each other.

Choices

Since so many options are available, car owners can conveniently use carbon fiber car wrap to be unique. They can choose specialty colors like Matte Black and Pearl, plain colors or just about any kind of design they can think of, such as hood wrap and roof wrap. When it comes to the wrap, a perfectly suitable color or pattern can be found quite easily.

Advertisement

Advertisement is one of the oldest reasons carbon wrap was used. This has been done for years by big companies but using these wraps for advertisement can prove to be beneficial for anyone. Car owners can draw in a large number of customers by using carbon vinyl wrap on their vehicle to advertise their small business.

One of the biggest benefits of using carbon fiber for advertisement is that changes can be made whenever necessary. Corrections can be made without spending a large sum of money. Car owners can express themselves flexibly and show off their distinct personality if they use carbon wrap on their vehicle.

Thus, the advantages of using carbon fiber car wrap on a vehicle are endless, and car owners will definitely set their vehicle apart by using carbon fiber car wrap.

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Source by Zeeshan Naveed Bari

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Most people who buy a new or pre-owned vehicle from a dealership choose to finance their purchase rather than paying cash upfront. While this makes financial sense for most people, making a mistake while negotiating the terms of an auto loan can end up costing the borrower a lot of money. Here are five tips to help anyone tackle auto lending like a pro.

1. Credit reports sometimes contain mistakes.

People with lower credit scores often must pay higher interest rates on loans, so anyone considering borrowing money should become very familiar with his or her credit report. Sometimes mistakes happen. These errors should be fixed before meeting with a lender. Some shoppers might even find that dishonest lenders may try to claim their scores are lower than they actually are. Being familiar with all three reports could give the borrower additional negotiating power and save a lot of money in the long run.

2. Shop around for the best deal on an auto loan.

Although dealerships often advertise low-APR specials, those rates are usually reserved for borrowers with the best credit. Many people will find better terms at a credit union or an online or community bank. If the borrower gets prequalified at a bank, they will be in a better position to negotiate at the car dealership without being legally bound by any agreement with the bank. Bonus tip: Any credit inquiries within the same two-week period will only count as one inquiry when affecting a report.

3. Some lenders will take advantage of subprime borrowers.

Some dishonest lenders will offer high-interest loans to drivers with poor credit, and as soon as the driver misses a payment, the dealership will confiscate the car and resell it. Defaulting on a loan will do additional damage to already bad credit, so borrowers should be sure they can afford payments before agreeing to a loan. Even subprime borrowers should shop around for the best APR. Auto lending requirements are usually lower than mortgage requirements, so shoppers should check to make sure they are getting the best deal.

4. Lower monthly payments might actually cost more.

One tactic sometimes used in auto lending is for dealers to advertise low monthly payments while concealing a higher total purchase. Lower monthly payments also lengthen the terms of the contract, and longer loans usually have higher interest rates. Shoppers should be sure to negotiate the total purchase price separately from the APR and monthly payment.

5. Read the fine print.

Before driving away in a new vehicle, shoppers should be sure that the auto lending process is complete. If the lender says that the deal is still subject to approval after you leave, they may call later and demand a higher APR or monthly payment, or ask that the car be returned to the lot. The fine print should also say that the APR is fixed; otherwise, it may go up, possibly making payments unmanageable. In addition, some dealerships charge penalty fees if the borrower pays off the loan early.

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Source by Andrew Stratton

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Natural leather chamois’ have been used to dry vehicles and glass since the early 1700s where they were used by French “footman” responsible for the care and cleaning of carriages. They are no less effective or useful today for drying modern vehicle finishes and windscreens. Natural chamois cloths have been, and continue to be, used because they are durable, extremely soft, remove dirt and trap in the cloth away from the surface, and release dirt effectively when rinsed. And although many products have been introduced in recent years as better or less expensive substitutes for the chamois, none have the combination of these characteristics that make the natural leather chamois so useful and effective.

What is a Natural Leather Chamois?

A chamois, like any leather product, can last for years with proper care. A genuine leather chamois cloth is defined by the National Standards Body in the UK (British Standard BS 6715: 1991) and, in America, by the United States Federal Standard (CS99-1970) as “flesh split of the sheep or lambskin tanned solely with oils”; typically fish oils. Although they may be tanned in many different countries, the best chamois’ hides come from New Zealand. However, because they may be tanned in some other country, many chamois cloths that originate in New Zealand are labeled as “made in” or “product of” some other country; this is a result of the regulations that govern labeling. A genuine leather chamois will have a slight fish oil smell and will fade if left in direct sunlight.

The Softness of Chamois Leather

Chamois leather is one of the softest materials available for drying a car or truck. Like the chamois skin the original cloths were made from, sheep or lamb skin has a naturally open fiber structure. The open fiber structure has spaces or voids between the fibers that, combined with the frayed fiber ends, give a chamois leather its softness. When tanned with fish oils, soaps form in the loose weave of the fiber of the leather. These soaps give the cloth a slick feel when wet and create a “buffer” layer between the body of the chamois and the surface of the vehicle. It is the same fish oils that make it extremely absorbent and durable.

Although a genuine leather chamois will become stiff when dry, it may be re-softened by rewetting the cloth. To re-soften a chamois without wetting it, simply rub it against itself or grip it on either side and drawing it across the edge of a hard clean surface

Natural Chamois Nap

The spaces naturally created by the loose weave of the sheepskin and the frayed ends of the fibers that stick out from the weave create the “nap” or pile of a chamois. Nap is what gives a material a soft feeling and provides the pockets in the material that dirt and grit are pulled into and trapped. The natural nap of a chamois, and the soaps created by the tanning process, are what traps and retains dirt grit and water in a leather chamois. A large degree of nap is essential to any car drying product to keep from scratching or marring the finish. The advantage a natural leather chamois has over synthetic materials is that it not only traps the dirt, grit and water, but then releases the abrasive material when rinsed. Many synthetics are good at trapping dirt and grit, but then do not effectively release them when rinsed; causing the material to become increasingly abrasive over time.

Chamois Leather is Extremely Absorbent

A quality natural leather chamois will hold, on average, more than 5 times its own weight in water, while retaining the ability to be easily rinsed and wrung out. A 20oz cloth will hold 0.8 gallons of water. The loose weave of the fiber in leather chamois will not only release more dirt and grit than synthetic products, but will also release more water when rung out, making it an ideal material for drying a car.

Chamois as a Renewable Resource

In addition to being soft, absorbent and durable, a natural sheepskin chamois is organic and a natural byproduct of the sheep farming industry. In addition to providing a large percentage of the world’s food and natural fiber (in the form of wool) production, Sheep farming also produces numerous essential byproducts such as lanolin, tallow, gelatin and leather, to name a few. It is a renewable and sustainable resource that has been an essential part of the world economy for several millennium and promises to remain so for the foreseeable future.

Summary

Because of its natural properties, a leather chamois remains the most cost effective, safe and efficient product available for drying a car today. Although many newer materials and products have been introduced since Chamois first came into use in the early 1700’s, none have the unique combination of properties that make the chamois ideal for drying vehicles; And all, but the most recently introduced, have eventually fallen into disuse.

Properly maintained, a natural leather chamois can last for years. They are also extremely absorbent and cut down on drying time. Natural chamois cloths are extremely soft, especially when wetted, and protect the finish being dried with both soaps infused into the open fibers during the tanning process and by trapping dirt and grit away from the surface in the naturally occurring nap. So regardless of the numerous new products that are continuously made available for drying a car, a natural leather chamois is still the Best and Safest Car Drying Cloth.

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Source by Brian T Cooper

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Many professional car care appearance specialists and auto detailing entrepreneurs ponder the benefits of a detail shop and the costs as opposed to the inexpensive mobile detailing option. One of the nicest things about setting up a fixed shop as opposed to a mobile one is that we can have more types of products available for special uses to insure the finest possible results in our work.

Fixed detail shops also allow us to set up a shop where we can move towards a more efficient platform and workspace. Much has been written on this subject. However the industry leaders have proven the test of time and continually update and innovate and of course we are the greatest recipients of their conquest to build the best possible and most efficient assembly style techniques. Bud Abrams invented a nifty all in one unit which dispenses all the products you use most, such as tire dressings, cleaners, wax, etc.. You may wish to check this out on his website: http://www.detailplus.com .

This is just one innovation of the business minded professional detailer. Bud has been the leader Auto Detailing for over 30 years. We know when we have a question Bud, has an answer. As you can might have guessed, in our company we watch the flow of work and make it efficient one perfect example of this is our newest innovation in our Auto Detail Shop Detail Center Lay out where we have things under control. Bud who owns Detail Plus has spent years perfecting the most possible efficiencies in the industry and the greatest achievements in work flow models and shop lay outs and he sells to the industry, his products and knowledge. Bud is the Henry Ford of the Auto Detailing Industry. On his website at DetailPlus.com you can see the world’s most efficient layout for detailing automobiles. Detail Shop layouts are important indeed, you would be wise to study up on all aspects for maximum efficiency.

Also important is the greater chance for perfection, after you lessen the variables created by an outside environment such as dust particles from wind, wax drying inconsistent rates and rain issues. By using check lists and creating a Six Sigma quality assurance program and concentrating on TQM along with such principles as ISO 9001 type standards in procedures you can literally claim to do a perfect job. Our goal is not to eliminate the artist who is a “Detailer” but to add to this an element of perfection, not readily seen in our industry.

Professional Car Care Specialists should not just limited to Wholesale Detail work for Rent-A-Car Companies, Auto Auctions, Bank Repo Work, New and Used Car Dealerships, but also to such things as add-on after market accessories, chip repair, pin stripping, windshield repair, gold plating and perhaps even spray-in bed liners.

By understanding flow processes in a systematic, quality controlled setting we can insure on maximizing our resources to effectively increase profits and increase productivity. Once this is done add-on services can be added which will not impede your core business. For information on what it means to work in such an environment may we suggest the books; “Finite Capacity Scheduling”

http://www.carwashguys.com/finite.pdf

Many people fail to understand how some car care specialists and auto detailing professionals can have all the best equipment, image, pay the best salaries and still charge less? Had they really looked at our operation they would say, why are you charging so much? Being efficient is the smartest thing you can do in business. We believe with economies of scale that franchises typically can deliver and the proper selection in our arsenal of competitive techniques that the game is actually won before it ever starts. When we enter or even many times start a price war, we know we can outlast the competition simply by efficiency. I am not suggesting you go and start a price war; that serves no one in the end. But if another operator in your market starts a price war and you are forced to compete due to a competitors mass mailing of coupons, it will be nice to know you can survive and even thrive in the process.

In the Business of Detailing, which in fact it is a business, the trophy goes to not only the best artist in the field but the most efficient company that can take that level of artistry and refine it into a system of maximum productivity. Without sounding too much like the late Henry Ford, we would like to make one comment. No matter what you thought about his views on other issues, his methodology which was later refined into many different industries is the reason we won W.W.II. It is also the reason Ford Motor Company is one of the longest standing companies in the world today. And thank God it is, without all those cars there would be less automobiles to detail. Please think about what I have said here today. Study your options and improve your flows of work, you’ll be glad you did.

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Source by Lance Winslow

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I have been driving a tractor trailer for about 10+ years. I am a member to many CB Radio Forums, also a lot of Truck Driver Forums.

I see and get this question all the time, so I thought I would try and answer it here.

You made it through truck driving school, now you need a CB Radio? OK, first off we need to do some research on CB Radios. DO you want a 10 meter radio? Or do you want a standard 11 meter CB Radio? Well it is going to have to be the latter of the two. Because unless you are a Ham Radio operator licensed through the FCC, then it is illegal to own a 10 meter radio.

CB Radio operators are only allowed to talk on the 11 meter band.

There are 40 channels in the 11 meter band, no CB Channels go below channel 1- 26.965 or above channel 40- 27.405. Anywhere in between you are allowed to operate as long as your CB Radio has not been “worked on”, we will get into this later. There are several different kinds of CB Radio’s to choose from that are legal in the US.

1. Cobra 25 LTD, 29 LTD, 148 GTL, 19 DX, 25 NW, 25 WXNW, 29 NW, 29 WXNW
2. Texas Ranger 696, 121,966
3. Uniden PRO 538 with weather, 510 XL, PC 68 XL, PC 68 LTW, PC 78 XL, PC 78 LTW, PC 78 Elite
4. Galaxy 949 and the Galaxy 959

These listed here are the basic legal radios allowed to be used in the USA today without having to have a Amature radio license. They are allowed to be used as long as no modifications have been made to them such as a “Peak and Tune” where the power has been turned up on the radio. From the factory these radio’s are preset at 4 watts of power, which is legal. Tuned properly they will go up to about 35 watts, but again this is not allowed by the FCC.

But most truckers go to the nearest “cb shop” and pay $50.00 to $100.00 to have a “Connex Board” and a “peak and tune” done to their radios. The “Connex Board” is a echo feature added to the inside of the radio, so as to distort (echo) the voice it also adds a talk back feature so the operator can hear themselves through an external speaker.

Most drivers I know usually buy a decent radio ($150.00) then they buy a cheap antenna to go with it. Well this won’t work, your antenna is 95% of your cb outfit. I recommend any Wilson antenna, especially a Wilson 2000 or Wilson 5000. These range in price from $50.00 to $100.00 and that is usually installed. Yes, have it installed by a tech so that they can set your SWR for your antenna. SWR- Standing Wave Ratio this is what makes your radio talk. If you have a SWR of above a 3 or more it will burn your radio up. The tech will use a SWR meter connected to your coax and antenna to check it’s SWR reading. If it is to high they will cut some of the antenna whip off 1/8″ increments, until a satisfactory SWR is reached. If you do not want to spend a lot on an antenna at least buy one that is tunable.

The coax is another big part of the radios performance. Which would be caught by a good tech when they were installing your “new” antenna. But if you are already using the radio and you notice it drops in performance, it will either usually be the SWR or the coax. Truck stops sell precut lengths of coax, usually you will need a 18′ piece to replace what is bad runs about $25.00, I recommend the gray or clear coax. If you are just replacing the coax you can do this yourself, unless you want the SWR checked.

I hope maybe this has shed some light on what to buy.

Be safe out there.

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Source by Paul J Cox

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Auto Repair Services- Why You Should Invest In Quality Auto Repair Services?

Investing in quality auto repair services can help you enjoy a safe and smooth drive. While you can always take a DIY approach for the general car maintenance services such as an oil change, tune-ups or diagnostics but always hire a professional for the complex car problems. If you want to get a better value of your car in future then you should know how to take care of your car.

Choosing A Quality Repair Shop

Always get referrals/recommendations from your friends, relatives, coworkers and other people you trust. Co-workers can help you find a good repair shop in your locality. It is always a good idea to find a good repair shop before you need one. This way you won’t have to pick someone randomly.

Thanks To The Internet!

Look online to learn about the top repair shops operating in your locality. Compare the different quotes to choose the best deal. Ask them to show the license and also check whether it’s an updated license or not.

Consult local consumer protection agency to see if there is any complaint against the repair shop from the old or existing customers. Above all, you should make sure that they can fix the problem easily.

Tips

Have a look at some of the following tips to consider before you start your search for the best repair shop:-

Tip 1

Read The Car Manual

You should always take time to read the manual and understand the specific instructions mentioned in the schedule. A manual has all the necessary information. So you should go through all the instructions carefully before choosing any repair station.

Tip 2

No Quick Decisions

Remember, it’s always a good idea to shop around for the best deal before you meet a breakdown. It will help you to make the right choice because you are not choosing someone randomly. Never ever choose a repair shop/repair mechanic without checking the testimonials. A little bit of research can help you choose the right service provider for your car.

Tip 3

Word Of Mouth

It is always a good idea to get referrals/recommendations from your friends and family. Word of mouth is still considered as one of the best ways to find a reliable professional.

Conclusion

Put a little bit of effort to find quality auto repair services. It will give you many benefits in the long run.

Happy Driving!

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Source by Robert Unatnas

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Mopar Parts Are The Best Choice For All Chrysler Vehicles

When it comes to replacement automotive parts, Mopar parts are the most sought after for use in Chrysler vehicles. Mopar, an acronym for motor parts, is the official parts and service division of the Daimler-Chrysler Corporation. Mopar is a name and that is known for precision fit and quality that Chrysler product honors with to with confidence.

The Mopar concept is about being sure that replacement parts will fit your car just like the original equipment. Since genuine Mopar parts are manufactured by the same people who engineered and built the original vehicle, car owners can be sure the parts will perform with reliability.

The Mopar name was first used by Chrysler over eighty years ago and has been considered to be synonymous with quality and dependability in terms of both repair and modification. Over time, the term ‘Mopar” was given broader usage among many car enthusiasts and now it is often used to refer to any Chrysler brand parts, or the automobiles themselves, including Dodge and Plymouth cars. After Chrysler’s purchase of the AMC and Jeep vehicle brands around twenty years ago, the name was applied to them as well.

In addition to replacement repair parts for Chrysler automobiles, the company produces after market modification parts designed for performance on both street and dragstrip machines. Mopar is a term well known in relation to power enhancement and automotive racing equipment.

Original equipment, or OEM parts, means they are guaranteed to fit and perform perfectly. In fact, they are warranted just the same as original equipment on a Chrysler built vehicle. They are considered to be covered by some of the strongest warranties in the all the automotive industry. This is a statement few other parts manufacturers can lay claim to.

Mopar not only provides parts for newer vehicles, but also antique parts and accessories for Chrysler produced cars. Mopar antique parts are precisely designed and engineered to be exactly like the original parts the cars were equipped with. Antique Mopar parts must pass the same equipment tests and standards that were used in the original production of the vehicles.

The company takes care to be sure that only the highest quality materials are used and will fit exactly. The main advantage of Mopar products is that they are considered to be highly superior in comparison to other non-original antique auto parts that are available on the market. The Chrysler vehicle types have a very impressive reputation in the automotive industry among users all around the world. Car part makers such as Mopar have a name to protect and they make sure that all the products they produce will maintain the good reputation they have been able to earn in their many long years of serving Chrysler customers.

Mopar parts also have the reputation for being easy to find. Buyers especially have little difficulty in locating the items they need through the technology of on-line marketing. An amazingly vast array of stores are out on the Internet net for buyers to obtain just about any part or accessory. Without a doubt, Mopar parts are the best choice for replacement in Chrysler automobiles.

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Source by Jim Maxwell

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Because of the challenges of insecurity in the present society, the Car DVR is now a tool for people who would like to keep their vehicle under surveillance against theft or accidents. Yet, most people have not come to appreciate its importance as a security and safety facility for their cars.

The term “DVR” means digital video recorder. Here are top 3 benefits you can derive from a car DVR if it is installed in your car.

First and foremost, it is advisable to get the DVR system for all vehicles, most especially emergency vehicles like taxis or cabs since they pick and drop people throughout the day. If you unknowingly pick up an alcoholic passenger at a late night time, you may be in a dangerous situation. Nonetheless, if the digital video recorder is already installed in your car, it will offer you extra security. You will be able to document the complete events that may transpire between you and your passenger, if peradventure you face any threatening behaviour from such a passenger. This will be good evidence for you to defend yourself during the investigations of law enforcement agencies.

The Car DVR can also be used to address the claims of accidents. The system is being used today to record all the events of a journey so that if an accident happens, the footage of the video will serve as evidence. The documentations of the camera play a vital role in protecting you from wrong accusations on the cause of the accident; it also prevents the possibility of high claims from your insurance company. The documentations of the DVR system consist of the condition of the road, the traffic load, the weather condition at the time the accident takes place, and the behavior or act of the driver prior to the crash. These are useful for investigations.

The device is quite beneficial too as regards giving you the consciousness of safe driving. You will want to drive carefully, knowing that you’re being monitored by the camera. So, it helps to develop a good driving habit in compliance with traffic rules and regulations. By so doing, the chances of having an auto crash coupled with its attending insurance claims will be greatly reduced.

DVR systems come in a wide variety of small sizes, thus making it easy to mount them on your vehicle’s windshield or the dashboard. A car DVR is ideal for trucks, cars or any other kind of vehicle. Even if you want to capture interesting events that are taking place on the road, you should opt for this device. You just need to search for the type that you like from the available options being offered at online stores.

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Source by Mack Richie-Love

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What is a ‘good car sound’? Can you tell when your car sounds unhealthy?

Car sounds good – music to the ears; car sounds bad – scraping, grinding, knocking, tapping or squealing are some of sounds you hear when something is wrong. This article aims to help you tune into the sounds your car makes when its healthy and running well and sounds you should not ignore when something is wrong. If there’s a fault with your car the symptom is often an unusual noise; a noise you should not ignore.

This article also aims to give you more information to help you to decide if you can tackle a job yourself or should you get specialist, expert help. Knowledge is power. Find a good garage/mechanic you can go to if the job is too much to do yourself; and you’ll get more respect if you know something about the problem.

When an engine is running properly it has a healthy sound. The healthy sound is a regular, constant note. Like music with a regular, unchanging rhythm a healthy engine running at a constant regular speed will not hunt and wander and there won’t be any extra noises. Also the engine will pick-up and run smoothly and powerfully when you apply the accelerator pedal.

Unhealthy engine noises include valve train noises(clicking or tapping), sticky hydraulic tappets (knocking), etc. Usually these will be metallic sounding. Scraping, grinding, knocking, tapping or squealing are some of sounds something is wrong

Unhealthy hissing noises from the engine bay may well be the result of a coolant leak somewhere. Coolant/anti-freeze flows in the engine and in pipes or tubes. These can develop small holes or come loose where they are joined. Never ignore coolant leaks or noises. Always check out immediately. Low coolant level can easily mean an engine seizing because it gets too hot. Seizure is bad news for your budget. Very expensive repair bills are almost always the result. If you hear a hissing noise or see fluid leaking onto the floor beneath your car check under the bonnet/hood to find out, if possible where it’s coming from. Keep an eye on the dashboard temperature gauge; there will be a change in temperature if the coolant level gets low.

Noises coming from the wheels on your car will usually mean either wheel bearing problems or brake problems.

Wheel bearings are the sort of job you can tackle for yourself and save money. If you need to replace bearings shop around for a good price and also for good quality. Wheel bearings on today’s car are usually Taper bearings. This means they can be adjusted to ‘take up’ normal wear and tear. Usually good quality bearings will last a considerable time and do a fair number of miles. Normal wear and tear can be dealt with by tightening the retaining nut. Make sure you adjust them correctly; too tight and rapid wear and over-heating will result, too loose and rapid wear will also occur.

Noises from the wheels on your car will most likely be from the brakes if the bearings are OK. Brake noises are usually caused by excessively worn brake pads (grinding, scraping noise) sticking caliper piston, excessively worn brake discs. Squealing from the brakes is not always a sign of danger but don’t ignore it. Consult an expert if you’re not sure.

Brakes on modern cars are not rocket-science. but need to be maintained for the obvious reason of safety. Replacing brake pads is a job you can tackle yourself and save money on mechanics bills. You will find plenty of more detailed guidance on the net or in a Haynes manual for your specific car. Brakes can bind (not release properly), caliper pistons can seize, and worn brake pads can mean metal is running on metal.

The design of some brakes means they can sometimes squeak….open the window while driving so the noise is audible, when safe to do so lightly touch the brake pedal so the brakes are applied lightly. if the noise goes away you can be more confident it is something to do with the brakes.

Modern car brakes have a long history of design and modification behind them. All modern brakes are hydraulically operated. When you press the brake pedal a brake caliper squeezes two pads together and the brake disc sandwiched between them is slowed down. The wheel is slowed because the wheel and disc are attached to each other. The pads have a brake lining glued to them and this lining wears sometimes so thin that the metal backing of the pad makes contact with the metal brake disc. Preferably don’t let them get this bad. Take a look at the pads – you can see how much lining is left on them.

The engine has a lot of moving parts and can produce a lot of noises. Listen to the engine when it’s healthy and unhealthy noises will be easier to recognise when they occur. Oil is the lifeblood of an engine; it reduces friction and heat. Low oil level will generally mean the engine sounding harsher. Noises from top or bottom of the engine may indicate bearing or component problems. When it’s healthy try to keep it that way with regular oil and filter changes; you can do them yourself!

Lastly pay attention to the noises that seem to be coming from the exhaust. The exhaust pipe and the silencers/mufflers are under the car and exposed to water, salt (winter) and very high temperatures (exhaust flame temperature around 1000 degrees C) The exhaust is heated and cooled frequently so it will develop leaks eventually. Any leaks from the exhaust are also a health/safety issue because of the danger of carbon monoxide. If you suspect it get it checked at an exhaust repairers; genuine firms will tell you true and not usually charge for diagnosing a problem.

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Source by Andy Hewing