Category Archives:
Uncategorized

[ad_1]

Of the many car driving tips that might be offered, this one isn’t intuitive – accelerate through curves to gain better traction. It seems that acceleration on a curve would cause a vehicle to loose traction and fishtail. It does if you apply too much, but limited acceleration improves traction when taking a curve.

To understand this, let’s first look at traction. Then let’s see how a vehicle wants to behave when rounding a curve, and then let’s put the two together.

Traction is…

Traction is necessary for travel in the direction we desire. When we accelerate away from a stop, the vehicle moves because it has traction with the road. It moves away from the curb smartly if we accelerate more because greater acceleration provides more traction – up to the point where we’ve lost traction because of applying too much power to the drive wheels.

If we’re on snow and ice, nearly any hard acceleration will cause the wheels to slip and the vehicle to slide in ways that make it behave more according to momentum and gravity than in the direction in which we’re steering. If we accelerate lightly, then we’re likely to move in a manner and direction that we expect.

Think in Term of Vectors…

Now, think of vehicle travel in terms of a single vector pointing in the direction your vehicle wants to travel. When you’re driving straight, there is a vector pointing directly ahead of you because your drive wheels are pushing or pulling you in that direction. Easy enough to understand.

Now, imagine the vector when you’re coasting around a curve. It’s pointing ahead of you and towards the outside of the curve because you’re going forward yet momentum wants to take you off the road. Accelerate hard and you lose traction and slide in the direction of momentum – the vector points hard to the outside of the curve as you slide off the road. It’s the same as if you had hit ice on a curve – you lose traction and the vehicle goes where momentum and gravity want it to go.

Putting it Together…

In light of the example above where we lost traction on a curve, it’s easy to understand that more traction will keep us going in the direction we desire (simply because a loss of traction had the opposite effect). We also discovered that increased acceleration provides enhanced traction – up to a point.

Therefore, if we accelerate just a bit, then we’re taking advantage of enhanced traction and effectively redirecting the vector to point more towards the desired direction of travel and away from the outside of the curve. This is why experienced motorcyclists will slow down a bit going into a curve and accelerate through the curve – it helps them “stick” to the road with more traction.

Try it Yourself…

Here’s an experiment to prove the point. Drive with a steady foot around a curve you travel often and note how it feels. Then the next time drive around the curve, simply coast a bit and see how it feels. Then, the next time you drive around the curve use slight acceleration. You’ll notice the difference between the three approaches, and it will convince you that limited acceleration promotes traction in a curve.

Again, of all the driving tips, this one isn’t intuitive, but it’s true that acceleration through curves provides a wider margin of safety because of improved traction.

[ad_2]

Source by Clair Schwan

[ad_1]

When your motor vehicle suddenly blows smoke there is NO need to panic. Why? Because as bad as it may seem it may not necessarily indicate that there is any real significant problem with you vehicle.

HERE IS WHY A CAR WILL BLOW SMOKE

Smoke from your car engine usually occurs because it may be worn. There is a possibility for a worn engine to blow smoke because oil leaks into the cylinders and around worn valve guides. Or, it could be because of worn oil rings and/or both.

The colors of exhaust smoke that could billow out from your car tailpipe:

* Black exhaust smoke.

* Grey exhaust smoke.

* White exhaust smoke.

Under these types of circumstances, white smoke will be produced. The process of blowing white smoke is oil burning. This is totally different from fuel burning which produces black smoke.

Black smoke is a rich fuel problem.

When you start your car after the engine has been at rest for hours you drag white smoke, and the problem could be worn valve guides.

WORN VALVE GUIDES

Here is what happens… when the motor car is at rest, oil that lies on the cylinder leads leaks into the engine cylinders. Since the engine is at rest, the oil sufficiently gathers and causes momentarily smoke as soon as the engine is again started.

There is NO need to get worried over this because as long as the smoking engine does not affect your cars spark plugs there is a good chance you will still pass emission tests. The only downside is you probably can not use your car safety reasons and to avoid getting a fine for excessive smoke coming from your car.

Under these circumstances, it is probably best to take your automobile to a reputable mechanic to fix the problem.

CHECK YOUR MUFFLER SYSTEM

Sometimes, the problem may be caused by other parts like the cars muffler. If this is the case you may only need to replace your muffler which is relatively inexpensive. It is a good idea to always get a professional opinion when it comes to checking out your automobile exhaust system.

Why?

Because there are many components which make up the entire exhaust system and while some are relatively inexpensive a few of the parts can cost you big dollars. Shop around for the very best price and check online for comparison costs.

Remember that it all depends on the make and model of your vehicle as to the actual cost and availability of the proper part(s) for your exhaust system.

[ad_2]

Source by Frank Keith Sullivan

[ad_1]

The purpose of fuel injector cleaning is to remove the buildup of fuel varnish deposits and contaminants that clog injectors and affect their operation. They need periodic cleaning for optimal operation. Experts recommend fuel injector cleaning every 25,000 to 30,000 miles or once a year.

Fuel injector cleaning not only improves functionality but also helps restore and improve engine’s performance, reduce emissions and improve fuel economy.

One good thing in fuel injector cleaning is you can do it all by yourself, without the help of an auto mechanic. However, if the injector is badly clogged, you may need to take his help. Let’s take a look at the different methods used in the cleaning.

Method#1: Using fuel injector cleaning kits

Fuel injector cleaning kits are available at any auto supply store. Before connecting the kit, locate the fuel injector and take measures to prevent fuel entering the injectors. You can do this either by using tubing to bypass the fuel injector so that the fuel returns to the tank or by removing the fuel pump and blocking the fuel return line. Once it is done, disconnect the fuel pressure regulator.

Now, connect the cleaning kit to the fuel input port and remove fuel cap of the tank to release any pressure in the tank that may built up by the kit. Open the cleaning kit’s valve till its pressure value matches with the injection pressure value (you can find injection pressure value of your car’s engine from the manual).

Once the cleaning kit reaches the required pressure value, start the engine so that the cleaning solvent passes from the kit through the injector and removes the dirt and debris that clogged the fuel injector. This will take a few minutes. Once it is done, switch off the engine, remove the kit and reconnect the fuel lines, fuel pump and fuel pressure regulator. With this, the cleaning job is done. You can notice significant difference in your engine’s performance after the clean-up.

Method#2: Adding cleaner additives to the fuel

Adding cleaner additives, also called as detergents or deposit-control additives, to the fuel helps to control the dirt and debris accumulation in the fuel tank. These additives help reduce the volatility of lighter components of the fuel. Though, the fuel from gas stations do contain certain additives, some suppliers may not add the required amount of detergents; some even use use low cost, less effective alternatives. So, you need to add additional additives to fuel.

One of the commonly used best additives is polyetheramine (PEA). Though it is a bit expensive compared to others, it is proved to be effective in keeping the injectors, valves and combustion chamber clean and it does not require any additional fluidizers.

Method#3: Manual cleaning

On-car cleaning may not be that effective for a badly clogged injector because it cannot pass the cleaning solvent during the cleaning cycle. So, when on-car cleaning doesn’t work you can for off-car cleaning, which involves removing the injector from the vehicle and cleaning it. However, this

has to be done at service center.

Off-car cleaning requires special equipment and takes more time compared to on-car cleaning. However, this is more effective as it cleans each part of injector thoroughly. Moreover, it also allows flow-testing that checks the spray pattern and volume of the injectors to confirm that they are cleaned properly.

Precautions

• Make sure to disconnect pressurized fuel connection

• Ensure there are no fuel leaks or high pressure solvents in the engine while it is operating. These solvents are highly flammable.

• Wear safety goggles for eye protection

• Close all open sources of ignitions such as sparking plugs

• Avoid contact with cleaning solvent

• Use only the cleaning kits specific to fuel injector cleaning. Don’t use other cleaners like carburetor cleaner, brake cleaner, etc.

• Don’t overuse fuel additives as they may eventually damage expensive catalytic converters

These are the popular methods used for fuel injector cleaning. If you experience clogged injectors frequently, it is better to replace them with good quality injectors that provide optimal performance for longer time.

[ad_2]

Source by Nate Rodnay

[ad_1]

Nothing is worse than driving down the road and not being able to see where you are going. You always notice the difference when you have just changed the bulbs in your headlights. The question is what the difference is between conventional and High Intensity Discharge (HID) head lights. Some people want the brightness the HID lights offer, but are unsure if they are really worth the price. Others simply do not know how they will be able to install the new technology in their car. This is why you should get to know as much as possible about the two lights.

Conventional Head Lights

The lights which people have been driving with over the past few decades are considered by most to be the best lights for your car. The low price of the head lights is one of the biggest driving factors of what people like about the lights. You can get away with a light bulb change for less than $20 in most cases. It is also possible for you to be able to quickly and easily change out the bulbs yourself right in the parking lot of the auto parts store.

HID Head Lights

The HID lights first made their appearance with the luxury models and with the tuner crowd. The lights are easily identifiable by their blue hue. The head lights are much more expensive than the standard bulbs. It is also not recommended you change the bulbs for the lighting system on your own. Most people are cautioned that the power used by the bulbs can create a danger of you being electrocuted even with the power supply being disconnected from the bulb. The two main reasons why people like the bulbs is because of the intense light they offer and the long life they offer.

Comparison of the Two Head Lights

When asked if there is really a difference between the two kinds of bulbs, most people will tell you that to see the difference all you have to do is drive a car with HID bulbs in it. The clarity at which you can see everything which is coming at you is a night and day difference. Instead of being able to see a short arc of the road in front of you, you can see everything. This is because of the hue of the light as well as the intensity of the beam which is being broadcast by the bulb. It is also fair to point out that while the HID bulbs will cost more, they have the ability to last for five years without the intensity being decreased.

The kind of head lights you prefer will depend on your personal preferences. It is a good idea to check out the two in a driving comparison before you make a decision. People who are die-hard conventional light fans have been converted to using HID lights after driving one time with the brighter lights. You owe it to yourself to try the lights out in a real world test.

[ad_2]

Source by Tommy Nickelson

[ad_1]

Material handling or bulk material handling is a branch of engineering that deals in designing equipments for transporting materials in large quantities in a planned and effective way. In simple terms material handling is all about creating the products that help in moving things from one place to another. However various other tasks such as assembly line management, waste handling and storage etc. also fall within the purview of material handling. All in all the material handling systems have several strands working collectively to make business functions more efficient and cost-effective. As technology is advancing day by day the techniques in material handling are also increasing.

Today there are quite a few material handling companies that offer material handling equipment and material handling systems. One of the recognized names in this area is FedEx. FedEx Freight comprises of three freight companies that have generated incredible and revenue of $29.4 billion in 2005. Everyday FedEx handles around 65000 shipments and there are more than 27,000 people working in the company. Right now FedEx aims at enhancing its market share by offering “just in time” service.

Another remarkably performing material handling company is Clark. Located in Lexington, Kentucky, Clark Material Handling Company or CMHC manufactures forklift trucks. Recently the company has come up with a collection of around 20 different models of forklift trucks. Clark is till date credited with having invented the world’s first truck with a hydraulic lifting mechanism, the Truclift, in 1920. Truclift is the forerunner to contemporary forklift trucks.

Nestled in Southern California is the holistic solutions provider in logistics, Logistics Edge Company. Along with transportation and shipping warehousing, storage, fulfillment, assembly, labeling and packaging are other Third Party Logistics solutions provided by the company. The company offers facilities for online inventory tracking and provision for customized warehousing solutions. Logistics Edge makes use of latest web based software applications and warehouse management software systems. Moreover the company has an ideal location on the West coast. This feature is not just beneficial for the company in terms of easy access to many significant ports but is also a boon for its clients as the services of the company are offered at affordable rates.

In case of companies manufacturing material handling systems, the SSI Schaefer Company ranks first. SSI Schaefer Company is globally acclaimed to be the world’s largest supplier and manufacturers of best quality material handling systems. Storage and workshop equipment, waste management systems, commissioning and conveying engineering solutions, planning and logistics systems, office furniture etc., are the various other tasks handled by the company.

Another certified manufacturer of material handling equipment is Banyitong Science and Technology Developing Company in Yaohai Industrial Park, China. The company has earned great recognition in the making of hydraulic and electric stackers, drum handlers, electric pallet trucks, electric tow tractors etc. Besides these non-standard products as per the need of customer are also made here.

Not to forget is the Yale Materials Handling Corporation (YMHC). Being a part of the Nacco Materials Handling Group (NMHG), YMHC is a global organization that is a leading provider of high quality performance lift trucks.

[ad_2]

Source by Mansi Aggarwal

[ad_1]

Are you wondering about upgrading your vehicle’s brake lights, turn signal lights, or the parking lights, and replacing them with the LED bulbs? If the answer is yes, then the first thing you need to figure out is to know the socket type in your car.

Generally, there are two basic types of bulb sockets that exist in any car, namely, SRCK and standard. The major difference between a standard and SRCK type is the position of the contacts at the ground. Though both of the sockets look alike, there is a significant difference in the placement of the ground contacts.

The identification of the socket type is extremely crucial for the proper functioning of the entire setup. Each type supports only a distinctive kind of LED bulb. For example, if a normal standard LED bulb is inserted into a SRCK type, then the LEDs wouldn’t function properly. Moreover, the LEDs might also blow the fuse which protects the lighting circuit. The only way to figure out which type of socket has been fitted into your car is to test it properly.

Read below to discover the different ways of testing the type of bulb socket that is provided in your car.

• Switch on the lights and connect the test light with the 12 volt positive of the battery.
• Once the battery is connected, probe the contacts in the different sections of the socket.
• As the tester illuminates, the ground of the socket is indicated.
• Every opening has two distinctive ground terminals which need to be identified separately.
• Grounds, in all standard socket types, always lie on the opposite side. If the ground is indicated on the opposite sides, your car bulb socket is of the standard type.
• However, if the ground terminals are indicated on the same side and are connected, then the socket is a SRCK type.

There are no set of rules which can reason out the type of the openings fitted in a car. The only way to find out is to test it in the above listed manner. Once you have found the type of bulb opening fitted in your car, you can easily shop for the complete Non-polar SRCK/Regular compatible LED bulbs to light up your car, both in terms of looks and utility. If you buy the LED bulbs without having the knowledge about your bulb socket types, you might end up damaging the entire lighting setup in your car as the protective fuse may blow.

[ad_2]

Source by Eric Wu

[ad_1]

Hybrid hydrogen oxygen gas HHO is used to get you down the road while stretching the fuel budget. These fuel cells can be easily homemade and installed. These little HHO bangers effectively assist in combustion and give you more bang for your buck. There are beneficial side effects of using a homemade fuel cell. I wanted to list and explain some of them, but first I wanted to explain the right way to use HHO, and yes HHO is made from water.

You might be thinking the more HHO the better

Not necessarily so… You want to keep your HHO less than 4% fuel mixture. How do you do that? You use a good set of plans. You have to know your cells HHO output. A good set of plans will spell it out. Unfortunately a free set won’t. Anything over 4% and your getting too much combustion. Aim your HHO at the intake before the air filter. This will let the filter atomize the gas better and let the HHO do it’s job. It’s job is to make the gasoline combustion cycle more efficient and save you cash.

The cash burner called a catalytic converter

Our current engines are so inefficient that we literally burn our cash. The EPA would have a heart attack if you got rid of your catalytic converter, and for a good reason. A large amount of our fuel is unused. Without a catalytic converter you’d be pouring gas onto the street right out of your muffler. The catalytic converter cooks all the unused fuel to improve emissions. Here’s how HHO nips that in the bud. The more efficient combustion while using HHO means less unused fuel. So much less that you don’t need your catalytic converter, and your HHO emissions turn into water. This alone improves MPG and cleans emissions, but this isn’t the only benefit it gets better.

HHO disolves carbon build up

Have you ever picked up a bottle of fuel additive? You’d see the before and after picture of carbon buildup. Those little $6 bottles recommended for every 3,000 miles. Well, HHO naturally removes carbon buildup, and this is achieved for the price of water. Removing carbon buildup alone makes an engine more efficient and run cooler. A more efficient cooler running engine adds horsepower and lasts longer. As soon as you add HHO into your air intake you’ll immediately notice a smoother running engine.

The benefits of using HHO

So the side effects of HHO are good additions to any engine. Not only do you improve your MPG, you’ll reduce your harmful emissions and gain horse power. Sounds like a no brainer. These kits are completely reversible and you can turn your cell on and off. The components to fabricate an HHO cell wont break the bank, and will quickly pay for itself. Go green and save some cash, the Earth your wallet and the EPA will thank you not to mention the IRS rebates.

[ad_2]

Source by Brandon Mchale

[ad_1]

Every time you take your car out of the garage it’s exposed to potential paint damage hazards. Some of the most common issues are acid rain, insects, battery acid and road stones. There is another hazard that’s particularly messy and harmful, and that’s bird poop.

Bird poop is essentially an acid. It can have a pH level between 3.5 and 4.5. That means it will burn delicate surfaces unless it’s removed relatively quickly. On car paint, in particular clear coat finishes, bird droppings burn the surface, causing a permanent etch mark.

It’s not at all uncommon for a large dropping to cause paint damage that’s 2 mils deep, or more. To understand what that means to your car’s clear coat, good laser printer paper is about 2 mils thick. More importantly, a quality clear coat finish is typically 4 to 6 mils. That means a heavy-duty bird bomb won’t leave a lot of clear coat in the area that needs to be repaired. The good news is that paint etching from hard water spots and bird droppings is an easy repair you can make at home. Most repairs like this take less than 5 minutes.

Fixing Bird Poop Paint Damage

The only way to repair the paint damage caused by a bird is to polish the affected area with a fine cut rubbing compound. The basic procedure is to use the compound to cut away the damage and re-polish the surface so it looks new again. This is exactly the step taken by professionals and the factory when they remove painting defects. Your only concern is over-polishing. Be careful that you don’t over do it and polish all the way through the top coat.

The best car polish to use is one that’s formulated for removing paint scratches or restoring oxidized paint. The product I highly recommend is Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound. It’s available in most auto parts stores, and it works great by hand or with an electric car polisher.

If the damage covers an area larger than about 1 square inch, a polishing compound alone might not do the trick. For larger areas of damage you can make the repair faster and easier by first removing the damaged paint with 2000 or 3000 grit wet sanding paper, then re-polish the area with the compound. This may sound severe, but it’s not. It’s a safe procedure used by paint and body shop professionals.

Preventing Bird Damage

Although it’s difficult to avoid being splattered with bird waste, it’s not at all difficult to prevent the damage. The sooner you remove the mess, the less likely it will be that your paint will be damaged. Conversely, the longer the mess remains on your vehicle’s paint the more damage it will create.

If you live in an area where you are prone to getting pooped on, I highly recommend keeping a small bottle of car detailing spray and a microfiber cloth or two in your vehicle. It will come in handy for all kinds of spills and emergency cleanups. The Meguiar’s Quik Detailer product is very inexpensive and easy to find. When you need to clean up a bird mess, simply give the bird droppings a few shots of the spray, allow it to soak for a moment or two, then wipe it away.

[ad_2]

Source by David Bynon

[ad_1]

Everybody finds a creative advert impressive. Often people will believe that after viewing the advert, that the car advertised is their ideal dream car. Sometimes these adverts will showcase a car beautiful car with stunning wheels. So what it is that draws people to want these cars?

The sound of a revving engine creates interest in a particular car. The low bass sound that the engine makes gets people interested. This is what guys want from a hatchback road warrior. It appeals to their inner beast that warns people that they are powerful and strong men. On the other hand, most people prefer a quieter engine. So certain cars are designed so that the engine simply hums and makes little sound while driving. This is appealing to most drivers, especially those that drive long distances and often.

Cars such as hatchbacks are known for their agility and speediness. They can go through traffic like an unbelievable little bee. That’s what people want when travelling. No obstructions and no setbacks. In the adverts they show exactly how quickly these cars can drive through places.

Lighting is also important when it comes to introducing a new product. As we move forward with the times we notice that almost every car has slick LED head lights. It’s important to introduce this as a separate factor to ensure you know the personality of the car. You are technically looking at its eyes.

On the same subject as lighting good lighting is used to showcase the car and emphasise its wheels. This allows us to see the smaller details we may not have noticed before. As the light travels over the car we are given a view of the wheels, design, and curves of the car. Beauty is everything nowadays and if a beautiful engine does not have a beautiful body people won’t desire it. Not often will they show the interior of an engine because that’s usually what drivers want to see in person when they visit the dealership.

Car manufacturers go through a lengthy process to choose the right wheel design for their new cars so they find the best and most reliable wheel and tyre suppliers to complement the design and function of their cars. The right type of wheels give the car a distinctive look that appeals to most drivers.

The cherry on top is to know that with the beauty of the car comes the speed and strength. With the right aerodynamic and unique design, it can appeal to many car lovers. The advert displays all the aspects of the car to create a desire for it.

Keep in mind that although the cars may look stunning on a screen you still have to see it live and test it yourself. It’s important that you are able to handle it while driving and experience it for yourself.

[ad_2]

Source by Morne Lourens

[ad_1]

It’s very easy to get confused about how the pay-off is handled in a car deal. Almost everyone who trades a car into a car dealer on a new purchase has a pay-off on their trade.

The pay-off is how much you owe the lender for your trade. It in no way reflects how much your trade-in is worth, and most often the pay-off is higher than your trade-in’s actual value.

When you buy a vehicle this is how the numbers break down:

Selling price of the new vehicle

+ Any Add-ons like extended warranty, protection package, etc.

+ Sales tax, title, documentation and registration fees

– Trade-in allowance

– Cash down and rebates

+ Pay-off on trade

_____________________

= Total Amount Due

Now adding the pay-off back on to the “Amount Due” tends to throw a lot of people for a loop! They have a hard time understanding why the pay-off has to be added back on once the dealer agrees to a trade-in figure.

You must remember, the loan on the trade-in is yours — not the car dealers — and it must be paid off so the dealer can get a clear title to the trade-in. In essence, the car dealer is buying the trade-in from you, and you can’t sell it to him if there is an outstanding balance owed on it. So the pay-off gets added on to your “Amount Due,” and then the dealer takes that money and pays off the loan. The lending institution in return sends the car dealer a clear title and everyone is happy.

Remember, the pay-off is your responsibility not the car dealer’s. The dealer is actually doing you a service by simplifying the way you pay off your vehicle. It also allows the dealer to control the process so they don’t get stuck with a trade-in that has a lien and an outstanding loan on it.

Now having said that, remember that most car dealers are honest and do business in a legitimate way, and they will pay off your outstanding loan promptly, or as soon as they get the funds on the car deal. It’s to their benefit to pay it off right away so they can then sell the car. If they don’t have a clear title for the vehicle they can’t legally sell it.

However, there have been occasions when a car dealer waits to make the pay-off, or in rare cases doesn’t pay it off at all. This is illegal and can get a dealer in a lot of trouble, but sometimes they are having cash flow problems or, in very rare cases you come up against a crook.

If the car dealer doesn’t pay-off you loan within a reasonable amount of time (one to three weeks) the lender is going to be looking for you to make a payment when it comes due. I have even seen cases where the customer didn’t know for several months that the pay-off hadn’t been made, and it was actually causing late payment entries on their credit report.

Remember . . . I said this was a rare occurrence, so don’t panic if you have a trade-in with a pay-off. There are steps you can take to protect yourself. If you trade a car with a pay-off get a written statement from the dealership signed by either the Sales Manager or the Finance Manager stating that they will in fact pay off your trade-in, and by what date. The statement should include the following information:

• The date of the document
• The amount of the pay-off
• By what date will the pay-off be made by
• How long the pay-off amount is good for (because the amount changes as interest accrues)
• The year, make, model, mileage and serial number of the car being paid off
• The name and mailing address of the lending institution
• The name of the person at the lending institution who verified the pay-off amount
• The signature of either the Sales Manager or the Finance Manager

Any reputable dealership should be happy to accommodate your request for this form. In fact, a professional dealership will have such a form as a routine part of their paperwork.

This way if anything goes awry you have something in writing to protect yourself, and to prove the car dealer agreed to make the pay-off. As I said before, most dealers are honest, but it’s always a good business practice to protect yourself.

If a dealer refuses to give you a written statement on the pay-off you should not complete the deal. To me this would be a big red flag! Go do business with another car dealer who will accommodate your request. There are too many honest car dealers out there for you to waste your time with a questionable one.

[ad_2]

Source by Tony Iorio