May 5th, 2009 admin
Three Main Parts Of Your Car’s Cooling System
Every minute you’re driving, your vehicle’s engine goes through its combustion process thousands of times. As it does, it produces intense heat. Nearly half of that heat leaves through the tailpipe and dissipates in the air. The other half must be absorbed by the parts that comprise your engine. That includes the cylinder heads, pistons, and other components.
On their own, these parts cannot withstand the high temperatures generated by combustion; they would start to malfunction and eventually fail completely. Luckily, your car has a cooling system. It is specifically designed to help these components soak up the excess heat without their being destroyed in the process.
Below, I’ll give you a brief overview of the three main parts that make up your vehicle’s cooling system. I’ll explain the job they do and how they help ensure your engine doesn’t overheat.
#1 - Water Pump
The “secret” behind your cooling system’s effectiveness is the coolant. It circulates throughout the engine and surrounding components, absorbing much of the excess heat along the way. Then, it travels into the radiator which is cooled by constant airflow.
In order to circulate, the coolant must be pumped along its path. This is the job of the water pump. It’s powered by your car’s timing belt, though older models might have a flat belt that powers the pump. If the timing belt breaks, it cannot operate the water pump, which will ultimately prevent the coolant from circulating and absorbing the heat.
#2 - Plumbing
By plumbing, I’m referring to the auto parts through which the coolant travels. That includes a network of hoses, valves, and the radiator. It also includes the heater core, but that’s less important for this discussion. We’re mainly concerned with the hoses. Because the hot coolant travels through them continuously, they deteriorate quickly. A lot of car enthusiasts recommend replacing the hoses every three years. However, you should check them for cracks and fissures every four months. The hoses are relatively inexpensive, so if you notice crack - even small ones - replace them.
#3 - Sensors And Thermostat
Your car’s cooling system is equipped with sensors, fans, and a thermostat to monitor and control the temperature around the engine. They work together as a team to help make sure the temperature does not exceed a certain limit. If any of these parts fail, the temperature can rise higher than normal. When that happens, your vehicle’s performance can be hampered and emissions will likely rise.
It is impossible to overstate the importance of your vehicle’s cooling system. When all of the components involved work properly, your car’s engine will perform its combustion process without problem. However, if the water pump, hoses or valves, or sensors or thermostat malfunction, your vehicle can overheat. And that can easily lead to expensive engine damage.
Muscle Cars
Related posts
Tags: Car Cooling System, Car Maintenance, Car Tips
Posted in Cars | No Comments »
April 30th, 2009 admin
Common Mistakes Car Buyers Make
Automakers, desperate to sell their inventories, have begun offering attractive incentives to lure prospective buyers. But, finding an automotive bargain can still prove elusive. Car dealerships can easily confound buyers and secretly hide pockets of profit. For the unwary, a trip to the auto dealer may begin as a bargain-hunting expedition, but end up as an expensive lesson in car shopping.
In this article, I’ll give you three important tips that you should use when shopping for your next vehicle. These tips will help you save money, save time, and negotiate objectively to get the best deal.
#1 - Set Your Emotions Aside
You visit the dealership lot and your eyes settle longingly on the gorgeous red automobile gracing the nearby pavement. You must have it, no matter the price. Slow down and take a breath. Buying a vehicle is a substantial investment. Unless you’re paying cash, you’ll be making monthly payments for several years. Will you feel the same way about the car three or four years down the road? Or, are you merely suffering from love at first sight?
#2 - Keep The Numbers Separate
If you’re hoping to trade-in your clunker to have the value applied to your new automobile, be careful. When it comes to numbers and amortization schedules, the dealer’s salesperson is king. Too often, prospective buyers will blend the negotiations. Predictably, the salesperson will offer what seems to be an incredibly generous amount on the trade-in. The buyer, reeling from his good fortune, practically falls into the seat of his new vehicle. Unknown to him or her, the dealer’s profit is built into the monthly payments.
Negotiate the transactions separately. Begin with cementing the price of your new automobile. Then, work on the value of your trade-in. That way, you’ll know whether you’re truly getting a good deal (on both transactions) or if you’re being taken around the block.
#3 - Shorten The Financing Terms
One of the strategies that auto dealerships are using in order to entice people into buying new vehicles is offering a 7-year loan. At first, it sounds great; a longer loan means lower monthly payments. The truth is, longer financing terms translate into a higher cost for you and more profit for the dealer. In other words, they’re not offering it to be nice.
If possible, say no to the extra long loan. Instead, opt for shorter terms that allow you to pay off the loan more quickly. You’ll pay less interest and when the time comes to sell your car, you won’t find yourself owing more than it’s worth.
Even though the car-buying landscape has shifted in favor of the buyer, you should still be wary of making a purchase decision too quickly. Remember, set your emotions aside, keep your trade-in negotiation separate, and avoid the extra long financing. By the time you leave the dealership lot, you’ll be confident that you weren’t taken for a ride.
Muscle Cars
Related posts
Tags: Automobiles, Car Buying, Car Tips, Cars, Vehicles
Posted in Cars | No Comments »
April 21st, 2009 admin
The Push Toward The Electric Car
Television news programs, newspapers, and magazines constantly extol the advantages of driving a battery-powered automobile. The coverage is having an effect on the auto buying public. Last year, when gas prices skyrocketed, motorists flocked to their dealerships to inspect the latest electric vehicles (EVs).
But, all is not as it seems. Even as consumer polls suggest that the public has made a mass migration to EVs, our highways and city streets tell a markedly different story. Battery-powered cars are seldom seen. What’s more, automakers and dealerships report that over 95% of sales are comprised of cars with gas (and sometimes, diesel) engines.
In this article, I’ll explain the obstacles that EVs must overcome in order to dominate our highways. I’ll also describe one sector of the auto industry that will likely remain a permanent fixture of our culture.
The High Price Of Going Electric
Hybrids are priced higher than their gas-powered brethren. Recent polls organized by J.D. Power and Associates suggest that nearly half of motorists would be willing to absorb a higher price if the difference was only a few thousand dollars. Unfortunately, the difference is often much greater.
Families that are considering larger vehicles often have to choose between a gas-powered engine or a hybrid costing $15,000 more. Further, those people who need extra towing capacity are often confronted with the same dilemma.
Car Parts And Maintenance Costs
Mechanics report that automobiles with battery-powered engines are more complicated than conventional vehicles. Aside from oil changes and other low-maintenance jobs, they’re harder to work on. Also, not only do EVs require specialized training to fix, but the parts are often more expensive to replace.
During the first few years of ownership, when the vehicle is fully covered by a warranty, these issues are less relevant. However, auto parts fail over time due to wear and tear. Down the road, replacing those parts - not to mention the labor involved - can carry a hefty price.
The Death Of The Muscle Car?
Electric vehicles are fuel-efficient and more friendly to the environment. However, it’s unlikely their engines will ever be able to match the raw power and intensity of a muscle car. Automobile enthusiasts take great pride in their performance cars. Their engines may guzzle fuel, but the sound and sensation of their roar are a time-honored part of our automotive culture. They will not be easily replaced by a fuel-efficient electric engine.
There is no doubt that the car-buying public is becoming more open to the idea of driving an electric-powered vehicle. The cost advantages and environmental friendliness of EVs make our eventual adoption of them a forgone conclusion. But, there are obstacles to overcome. Until prices come down further, and parts and maintenance costs level, drivers will continue voting with their dollars for gas-powered vehicles.
Muscle Cars
Related posts
Tags: Eco Cars, Electric Cars, Hybrid Cars
Posted in Cars | No Comments »
