Engineering Magazines

Today many of us have automobiles and everybody would agree with the statement that states – engine as the most important part of any automobile. If a situation comes, when engine breaks down then definitely the chances are more where an individual would purchase a new engine. But at times it can be far costly to buy and install a new engine. Fortunately there is the choice of just substituting that defunct engine with a quality used one. While both the options require investments, choosing to purchase and install a used engine is far more economical.There was a time when many use to think that used engines are not long-lasting and not enough capable to work for long periods. But for the past few years things have changed dramatically. Today there are many automotive companies providing the best used engines only after checking the quality. Besides this, there are many websites that are acting as an online platform and selling all types of used engines such as petrol engines and diesel engine for different truck and car models.

Reason Behind The Growing Demand

If we carefully look at the present scenario then we could easily see that there has been drastic increase in the demand of used engines in automobile market. Purchasing used engine is getting a popular trend and turning out to more beneficial for automobile of every category.

Nowadays owning a car is turning out to be more costly. In addition to this, factors like high highway toll tax, gasoline and insurance cost are soaring high. Moreover, there are few countries in world where an individual has to take the parking permission before purchasing a car and the cost of parking is quite expensive. The cost of repair is also very high due to poor availability of auto-parts. Due to these reasons and several similar factors, the automobile market sometimes suffers sudden and quick depreciation. As a result many auto owners have started considering used engine for their cars or trucks. In fact purchasing used engine has helped many auto owners in reducing the maintenance cost.

The Present Scenario

Over the past couple of years shopping for automotive used engines and other used parts has been easier. With the advancement in technology, the used automotive parts market has exploded and has become lot easier to buy used engines online. These days the ratio of companies dealing in used auto parts and specially used engines are growing more day-by-day.

The companies which are dealing with used engine now have adequate technician staff to test the engine. They test several features like leak-down, compression, smooth crankshaft revolution, oil content, etc to ensure that the used engine work in same condition as a new one. This has further resulted in changing the mind-sets of many people who use to think number of times before buying used engine. Moreover, many of these companies also have a large network of salvage yards from where they find the best engine on the basis of car or truck model and customer’s needs. Used engine is definitely simple and affordable for any automobile owner to gear up his or her vehicle.

Sometimes it has been observed that the used automotive engine has a longer life then the new engine. However, it is very important to have a reasonable amount of idea about the authenticity of dealer before buying used automotive engine. Searching for the finest deal on engines can be tiresome and so being a well-informed can be in best interest. So, be sure to buy it from a trustworthy company that appropriately follows engine testing procedure.

For online purchase one need to make sure that all his or her queries regarding engine like- manufacturing date, model or specifications get solved by the online support. In addition, one also need to be sure about the company’s or dealer’s return policy and ask for a copy of warranty policy. Since most of used engine are thoroughly tested, so it must have a long warranty period. A sufficient warranty can let an individual test his vehicle in a proper manner after adding used engine.

Though purchasing a used engine is gaining its popularity and a good way to save money but doing a little homework can definitely go a long way toward preventing any disagreeable surprises.

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.

Some owners keep their automobiles running like finely tuned Swiss watches. They carefully follow all of the manufacturer’s recommendations in the owner’s manual. They buy premium grade oil, order regular check-ups and rush to the repair shop when they detect any unusual noise.

However, most of us are inclined to skimp a little on maintenance and some of us never see the repair shop until the car quits. Sometimes this is due to finances but most of the time it is a matter of convenience. We need our cars to take us where we have to go and we’re reluctant to give them up even for a short period of time.

But, now that gasoline is still at astronomical prices, we need to re-think our maintenance practices. Letting some things go can cost us money in extra fuel consumption. For instance, repairing a faulty oxygen sensor can result in a 40% improvement in gas mileage. Tuning an engine can increase mileage by 4%.

You should be sure that your air filter is always clean. If your engine is fuel injected, airflow regulates the quantity of fuel that is burned. The process of mixing air and fuel is quite precise so the filter needs to be clean to ensure an efficient mixture. The air filter also protects your engine from impurities, extending the life of the engine as well as saving on gas.

It is also important to check oil regularly and change dirty oil. An engine with clean oil operates at maximum efficiency, which translates into gas savings. You should definitely use the grade of motor oil recommended by the manufacturer. Using one weight oil in an engine designed for a different weight can lower gas mileage up to 2%.

You can also realize greater efficiency from using a high-quality multi-grade oil but if there is a price difference you need to compare the costs involved.

And when your tires are not properly inflated, your gas mileage decreases by 5%. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that millions of American cars run on tires that are not correctly inflated. Correctly inflated tires will also last longer and are safer.

The owner’s manual always states the correct pressure for the tires. If you are driving a pre-owned car with no owner’s manual, you can call a local dealer or research the information on the net.

Radial tires are supposed to improve gas mileage by 5% when driving in the city and by 7% when driving on a highway. So if you don’t already use radials, you might consider switching.

Another benefit of radial tires is that they last longer. However, you should be careful not to mix radials with conventional tires unless the owner’s manual clearly states that this procedure is acceptable for that model car.

In addition, tires need to be properly balanced. Properly balanced tires reduce road friction thereby increasing fuel efficiency.

You also need to check wheel alignment to ensure that wheels are properly aligned. Wheels that are out of alignment also cause your car to burn extra fuel.

Although the savings from each practice might be small, the overall savings is worth the extra effort.

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