Engineering Magazines

If automobile battery is something that troubles you often, you need to keep a check on this auto part. It’s easy and simple. Car Battery maintenance is essential as this automotive part plays a major role in the smooth functioning of any vehicle. As I always say, a little care and basic knowledge is what is required. Just have a fair idea of the automobile electrical system to keep the car’s battery in the best shape without any hassles. Follow the following car maintenance tips to keep you car’s battery running smoothly.

Tips No. 1 – Battery Needs Change - This is common and known to almost all the car owners. Your car’s battery needs to be changed after a duration of four years. Don’t forget to do that.

Tips No. 2 – Monthly check of the battery’s load test helps you avoid any hassle. Take your car’s battery to your auto mechanic and can load test it. Make sure your car’s battery is able to pass the test. Make sure that it is capable of sufficient charge even at below freezing temperatures.

Tips No. 3 – Just wipe off the battery terminals of any crust. An easy way to do so is to use some baking soda and water. Use a wire brush to clean the crust using this solution.

Tips No. 4 – Always keep the battery cables tightly tied. Make sure the cables are so tight that they do not move.

Tips No. 5 – Keep the battery safe in a tray. Also ensure that battery remains properly in the battery tray so that no damage is caused to the hood.

Tips No. 6 – Excess of cold is not a good condition for the car batteries. Therefore, look for a solution to it. The best way is to opt for an engine or battery heater. This keeps the car’s battery function smoothly. The heater will help in easily starting the battery and would also minimize the power consumed.

Tips No. 7 – Keep a check on when Service is needed – Different cars come with maintenance free battery. Regular check is needed for such automobile batteries. There is a light in maintenance free batteries that goes black when service is required.

Tip No. 8 – For Conventional Car Battery - These batteries come with a plastic cover that can be easily removed to check the water inside. It is important that the water inside the battery reaches the filler necks.

Tip No. 9 – Be Careful While Adding Water – Incase there is less water inside the battery, you may also add distilled water. I guess I should warn you at this moment. You might just harm yourself if you don’t be careful. The battery acid that is highly corrosive might harm your clothes.

Tip No. 10 – During Battery Check – It is important to make sure that you do not keep any kind of open flames near the car battery. Automobile battery contains chemicals that are combustible and hence can be dangerous.

Tip No. 11 – Over Charging Should Be Avoided – This is common and known to everybody that a dead battery can be charged using a battery charger. Improper charging of a battery is something that should be avoided. It might also lead to damage of battery’s as well as car’s parts & components.

These were some of the battery’s maintenance tips that are to be followed in order to keep your car’s battery and electrical system in best condition. The smooth functioning of automobile battery helps you have a tension free long drive. You can try these car parts maintenance (D-I-Y) tips yourself. Have a Happy & Safe Driving!!

Your car is a very important investment that you would never want it to experience a breakdown especially if it is new and you are also new as a driver.

Aside from your parents’ pieces of advice on road safety, it is also better to read some tips on the magazines or on the internet perhaps. Your parents may be experts on raising kids but they may not be when it comes to vehicular concerns. There are several write ups on car safety, repair and maintenance that you as a neophyte on the road should always keep in mind.

Examples of these tips are as follows:

Read your owner’s manual first. Written there is everything about your car that you need to know and remember always. From the auto parts to the proper repair and maintenance, all are written there. It is also important to obey the manufacturer’s recommended service schedule as written there.

To ensure excellent engine performance, at a good repair shop, have your engine drivability problems corrected. These problems include hard starts, rough idling, stalling, diminished power, etc. It is also much better to replace dirty air, fuel and PCV fuels to ensure a real quality engine performance.

In order to keep moisture from freezing in the fuel line, place a bottle of fuel de-icer in your fuel tank once a month. Remember that moisture formation is prevented in a gas tank that is always filled.

The oil and filter concerns are also specified in your owner’s manual. Change them according to the stated schedule. Most often, they are changed at least every 3,000 miles. This is so if driving is mostly stop-and-go or consists of regular short trips.

Flush and refill the cooling system as recommended in the manual. Needed to be inspected periodically are the level, condition, and the concentration of the coolant. The usually recommended concentration is a 50/50 mix of anti-freeze and water. If you are checking this part by yourself, do not remove the radiator cap until the engine has thoroughly cooled. Let the tightness and condition of drive belts, clamps, and hoses be checked by a reliable auto technician.

To achieve further comfort, the heater and defroster should be in good working condition.

Old windshield blades must be replaced. Buying rubber-clad or winter blades so that ice will not build up is a must in a winter season.

The brakes should be regularly checked. Consult the manual if you can replace the original ones with other brands such as EBC brakes.

Inspect the battery through professional equipment. This is the only appropriate way to detect a weak one. Remove the corrosion from posts and cable connections. Clean the entire surface. Make sure all connections are tightened. These should be your routine. Also check the level of fluid monthly if battery caps are removable.

Removal of cables might damage or loose data or codes on some newer vehicles. For further guidance, it is always safe to check your manual. Contact to acids is dangerous. Avoid contact with corrosive deposits and battery acid by wearing an eye protection and rubber gloves.

Before going out with the car, check all lights and bulb. Burned out bulbs must be replaced immediately. All lenses should be free from road grime. For simple lights cleaning, a dry rag can be used.

Examine the exhaust system for leaks through putting your vehicle on a lift. See to it that the exhaust trunk and floorboards do not have small holes. And take note of this: any sweat in the exhaust is deadly. To avoid this, regularly check the system.

Worn tires are also dangerous. Regularly check them to avoid short tread life, uneven wearing, and cupping. The sidewall should also be checked. Tire pressure should be checked once a month, but be sure tires are in cool condition before checking them. The manufacturer’s recommended rotation must be followed. And remember to always bring with you your spare that is in good condition. The jack, which should also be always present in your tools area, should also be in good condition.

And lastly, in case of emergency, you need to have some equipment to back you up. Always bring with you gloves, boots, blankets, flares, a small shovel, sand or kitty litter, tire chains, a flashlight, and a cell phone. This will further ensure your safety especially that you are a neophyte on the road.

Reading some materials on automotive can further add to your knowledge on cars.

1. Inspect Your Motorcycle Regularly

Make up a checklist of the important things you should inspect regarding your motorcycle’s safety and performance. Send it to the service center as well every time you cover 5,000 kilometers. Regular visits may cost you a small amount of money but this amount is certainly nothing considering that it’s equivalent to the price of your life!

2. How Oily is Oily?

Make it a habit to check your motorcycle’s oil level when you’ve stopped for gas. While checking the oil, make sure that no foreign material will accidentally fall into your motorcycle’s oil storage compartment. Avoid subjecting your motorcycle to constant exposure to extremely hot or cold weather as this can affect your oil’s quality.

3. Batteries are a Motorcycle’s Best Friend

Do you know that one of the most common causes for motorcycles to cease operating or malfunction is due to battery problems? As such, you need to take excellent care of your battery at all times. Firstly, never remove or replace them if the engine is still running. Don’t change batteries by yourself if you don’t have any experience.

4. Adding Fuel to the Fire

An absence of care and precaution can easily add fuel to the fire and lead you to experiencing an unfortunate accident. To avoid fuel troubles, start by learning the various locations and uses of your motorcycle’s fuses. When changing fuses, always subject it to testing to ensure that it’s in good working condition. Damaged fuses put you at the risk of having your motorcycle’s blow up while you’re on the driver seat.

5. Clean Up Your Act

Believe it or not the mere act of cleaning can significantly reduce future maintenance costs and the chances of having an accident while you’re riding your motorcycle. If you don’t like the idea of regular cleaning, just think of it as killing two birds with one stone: cleaning will let you enjoy a safer and cooler ride on your bike!

6. Your Motorcycle’s First Aid Kit

Always have a properly equipped toolbox strapped to your motorcycle. Even the world’s slowest and safest driver can still be an unfortunate victim of an accident so having a toolbox will just be your way of preparing for any eventuality!

Check out the amazing New MUV from Mahindra – The Mahindra Xylo

Did you know that just cleaning your car can drastically improve fuel economy? Or that traffic death rates are three times greater at night than during the day? Browse through these car care or auto repair tips and find out how to get the best out of your Mahindra Xylo, keep your vehicle in good shape for years to come and discover ways to make your journey safer and more enjoyable.

Car Care and Auto Repair

Car Engine Oil

It is normal for engines to consume some car engine oil during operation. If the Oil Pressure warning light glows continuously, check the car engine oil level and add the recommended grade of oil if necessary. Use Mahindra Maximile Premium Engine Oil only. It is ideal for your Mahindra Xylo.

Note:

Car Engine oil consumption depends upon the viscosity and quality of the oil, and upon the conditions in which the vehicle is driven. Oil consumption will be more during high speed driving and frequent acceleration and deceleration. A new engine will consume more car engine oil since its pistons, piston rings and cylinder walls are not conditioned.

Battery

If the battery terminal is corroded, wash it with a solution of warm water and baking soda.

Check the battery exterior for corroded and loose terminal connections.

Be sure the engine and all accessories are turned ‘OFF’ before performing maintenance.

Always disconnect the negative terminal cable first from the battery.

Check the electrolyte level at intervals of 3 months. If the level is below the lower marker, add distilled water until the level reaches the upper marker.

Tires

Inspect your vehicle’s tires by performing the following checks.

Measure the air pressure with a tire gauge. Adjust, if necessary.

Check for abnormal wear, cracks and any damage. If a tire shows abnormal wear, have it inspected by your Mahindra Dealer. Replace, if needed.

Increasing Fuel Efficiency

Get up to 25% more fuel efficiency from your Mahindra Xylo by following these tips.

Sudden bursts of speed can prove costly. Accelerate steadily, brake gradually. Plan your trip and pace your speed. And avoid high traffic density roads. Rolling in neutral saves 15-20 cc of fuel. Ensure perfect wheel balance and you can cover up to 20% of your distance in neutral. Wrong tyre pressure is a drain on fuel. Check the owner’s manual for the correct tyre pressure for your Mahindra Xylo. Better still invest in a tyre pressure gauge. Use oils & fluids recommended by the manufacturer.

Only Mahindra knows what oils & fluids your Mahindra Xylo needs. Buy only what is recommended in the manual.

Excessive cooling increases fuel consumption. Switch off the AC when it’s not needed. Keep the refrigerant topped up. Get the AC checked regularly. Use the tachometer to save fuel. Your owner’s manual will tell you how to shift gears according to the Tachometer and thus save fuel. Going easy on the clutch saves fuel. Take your foot off the clutch pedal if you’re not shifting gears. And when you do use it, remember to depress it completely. Remove the 3rd row to reduce fuel usage. Fill only as much fuel as needed. It reduces extra weight, unwanted spillage and evaporation losses. Dirt soaks up fuel. Remove dirt from wheel arches, drip rails and other such places. It could reduce weight by almost 15 kg. Go easy on accessories.

Accessories such as roof carriers and bumper extensions drag down fuel efficiency. Listen to music and save fuel – When stuck in traffic, turn off the engine and switch on the car deck.

Check out the amazing New MUV from Mahindra – The Mahindra Xylo

Like any piece of machinery, a car needs an extra amount of maintenance and protection during seasons where the temperature spikes or falls drastically. On such occasions, regularly checking your car for damage and necessary replacements such as car seat covers, windshields, engine oil status, and car floor mats, not only lengthens the service life of your car, but also maintains comfort and cleanliness.

Winter / Extreme Cold

Driving through blizzards, iced roads, and chilly air is way different than driving through the bliss of a summer breeze. While safe driving is imperative all year long, driving during winter requires a lot of precaution and necessary steps to ensure optimum car control, safety and comfort.

Speaking of comfort, changing the interior of a car to suit the cold weather is a must. Ditching those old sets of cotton jeep seat covers and switching to sheepskin car seat covers is one of the best ways to keep warm inside a car while a snowstorm is brewing outside. A great addition to provide some warmth inside a vehicle is a car warmer to complement those thick sheepskin jeep seat covers. Apart from generating heat to the car’s interior, car warmers also prevent vehicles from icing up and becoming brittle. Placing thick car floor mats can also help insulate your car and create warmth.

Replacing regular tires with winter tires is also a good option to maintain maneuverability of the vehicle whendriving on snow and ice-covered roads. Winter tires offer better grip and road traction because special treads enable the snow to slide off as the tire rolls.

To keep the car engine in tip-top shape throughout the winter, make sure that you put an antifreeze solution in your radiator every day to keep your engine from frosting. A 50/50 mixture of water and antifreeze solution at full level every single day will keep your engine running and protected from the biting cold. Keeping a daily track of the engine oil and other motor fluids, such as steering and brake fluids, is also a must to ensure the optimum performance of the car and your safety as well.

You must also stock on windshield washer fluid in conjunction to replacing the wiper blades as you need to keep the windshield clean when driving out. Battery state must also be checked frequently because extreme cold strips the battery of its charge. Washing and waxing the car on a regular basis not only gives the car a boost in terms of looks during the winter, but also protects the body, the chassis, and the tires from salt corrosion.

Extreme Heat

When driving though extremely hot regions, such as deserts, or areas affected by heat waves, it is best that you prep your vehicle and yourself for the significant rise in temperature. Unchecked vehicles cruising through a heat wave may end up with blown tires or melted rubber accessories under the hood. Hoses, engine belts, and tires are made of rubber. Under extreme heat, they can easily cause a total breakdown of your vehicle.

Checking the pressure of your tires not only prevents them from blowing up, but allows you to see if they need to be replaced. Worn-out tires are very vulnerable of blowing up under tremendous heat. Aside from tires, checking the engine for clogged air filters, corroded battery posts and the coolant level of your car before heading out to the road or desert trail is pretty much an imperative.

You can leave air-conditioning out in the equation, as it is the one that provides interior cooling. Checking the status of the air-conditioning system’s refrigerant is one way to keep the cooling system running smooth.

Preventative car maintenance in summer months is not much different from what it takes to maintain cars in winter. In summer, you have to regularly check and maintain the mechanical components of the car to tackle the rigors of the hot summer conditions. The following tips on preventative car maintenance in summer assures you trouble less rides:

The very first thing you need to take care is the cooling system. During the hotter months, the cooling system works more intensely to prevent overheating of the engine. For the mechanism to work effectively, the coolant and water mixture for a vehicle’s radiator should measure to 50:50.

The next point about preventative car maintenance in summer is tire pressure. Tire pressure is important in all contexts – irrespective of whether it is for speed or for safety reasons. If you need your car’s tires to last long and perform efficiently, you will need to inflate them properly. Properly pumped up tires help maintain the best possible contact with the road giving the vehicle steadiness and speed. Inflating tires improperly, on the other hand, leads problems like punctures.

Refer to your owner’s manual for the ideal air-pressure for your vehicle’s tire. Remember, summer heat causes the pressure within the tire to rise; hence, you will be required to check the air pressure when the tires are cold. The subsequent preventative measure for your car’s maintenance involves engine oil. The owner’s manual specifically mentions the best engine oil for your vehicle during hot summers. Yet, the general rule for engine oil necessitates you to use a little thick, viscous oil, which lubricates the integral parts of the engine.

Next in order of importance is the car’s battery. Car batteries hardly signal failure well ahead of time. It is advisable to leave all cares of car-batteries to professionals, especially in summertime when the excessive heat causes further damage to it. Changing your car battery every three years will save you a lot of trouble.

Beside these essential tips about preventative car maintenance in summer months, your cars need some lesser yet significant maintenance programs too. Replacing belts and hoses is one such car-care as is inspecting the wipers and wiper fluids.

Round up your preventative car maintenance in summer time by placing an emergency kit including basic tools like flashlights, pliers, screwdrivers, wrenches, etc. inside your car. With your car ready to budge, you can hoard some rations if you are really thinking of a long journey. Placing a first-aid kit in the car will make your journey 100% safe.