July 8th, 2009 by 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!!
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June 27th, 2009 by engineering magazines

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.
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June 24th, 2009 by engineering magazines

Proper
car care and maintenance helps increase the life of your car and enhance driving experience. When we say that it will enhance driving experience is not because maintenance will add comfort to the experience but because when a car is in a well-maintained condition, the possibilities of car failure reduce. This in turn enables you to enjoy a safer and stress-free ride.
In addition, a well-maintained car also improves the engine performance, enhances fuel-efficiency, and increases the resale value of your car. So, some time taken to maintain your car today will prove beneficial in the long run.
Here are the some of the useful tips for car maintenance:
The most important part of a car is the car engine. Therefore, it is very important to take good care of the engine. Inspect the engine well for ensure proper functioning of all the engine components. If any component needs to be replaced, replace it immediately. Also check the engine oil once in every two weeks. If the level is low, add oil to the tank and if you find any kind of adulterant empty the tank and reload the car engine oil. Make sure that you use the oil as recommended by the car manufacturer.
Then come to the car battery. It is a car component that generates energy to the car electronics and other high-end technologies in the car. It is linked with various components in the car through electric cables. Visually inspect these cables and also inspect the battery for corrosion.
Most of the significant car components like the dash lights, taillights, headlights, brake lights, and turn signals work on electric power. Make sure that all these are in proper working condition. If any of these lights are not working properly, it may lead to an injury or even a fatal accident.
Check the condition and working of the windshield wipers to ensure that there are no cracks in the wiper. Replace the wiper blade if required. Don’t touch the wiper blades with your hand as the oil in your fingers may hamper the performance of the wipers.
Tyre care is also very important. Check the tyres for uneven wear and appropriate air-pressure. Any kind of wear or cut on the surface of the tyre may cause the tyre to burst and incorrect air pressure may cause premature tyre failure. In both the cases, you may meet a fatal car accident.
Check the level of engine coolant once every fifteen days. Low level of engine coolant may cause overheating and hamper the performance of the engine. Also check for old radiator hoses or loose clamps periodically as this may cause the leakage of the coolant. Any leakage of the coolant may lead to overheating and expensive repairs. Replace the hoses if required.
Your driving style and habit also influences the condition of your car. To keep your car in a well-maintained condition, it is also important to follow good driving methods. Never apply abrupt braking and acceleration. Also avoid driving with your foot on the clutch pedal. Release the pedal fully while driving.
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May 24th, 2009 by engineering magazines
A lot of people are looking for certain options that could help them save money. A great portion of the monthly budget is allotted for gasoline expenses. Now, there is an effective way of cutting down gas expenses and that is through a hydrogen-assist fuel cell.
You already know what hydrogen is and that it makes up a large portion of the Earth’s atmosphere. However, not all the hydrogen present here on Earth are usable as fuel. The hydrogen must first be converted into a usable form before people can benefit from it.
For many years, scientists and researchers have looked for efficient and effective sources of energy. One of the possible solutions for today’s energy crisis is hydrogen. Hydrogen can be turned into usable fuel that can be used in modern homes and even vehicles.
In fact, some cars now have fuel cells. The cars make use of hydrogen fuel. The fuel cells are not as expensive as you think. If you like to build things, then you can certainly build a hydrogen-assist fuel cell. Try to conduct a research and know the different parts of a fuel cell that is used in cars. Once you determine the parts, you can now purchase them in a local hardware store. The parts are not that complicated, so don’t you worry.
If you think that shopping for fuel cell parts is quite hard, then you have another option. You can purchase a fuel cell kit. The parts needed to build the fuel cell are already included on the kit as well as an instruction manual. What you need to do is to read the instructions carefully before you touch the various fuel cell parts. As much as possible, you must know what you’re doing so that there will be no room for mistakes. You can’t afford to make a mistake; otherwise, the fuel cell will not work.
A typical car fuel cell is made up of a water container, vacuum hose, electrical wirings, and baking soda. You have to connect the parts the proper way for it to be effective. You should be able to connect the HHO generator to the car battery. Most cars that use hydrogen fuel today still use gas. In fact, if they can’t find a hydrogen station, the car will still run on gas. The cars are often called hybrid cars or dual- tank cars.
Hydrogen-assist fuel cell is not difficult to build. But if this is your first time to do a DIY activity, it would be best to get a fuel cell kit so that everything you need is already there. From the parts to the instruction manual; so don’t settle for using gas to power your car engine. Why not try using hydrogen fuel instead? You can even use both gasoline and hydrogen fuel.
If you’re able to build a fuel cell, you will notice that the gasoline costs are not as high as it used to be. You will only purchase gasoline if you run out of hydrogen fuel in the middle of nowhere. But you know, water is available almost anywhere. Most fuel cells use water since it contains hydrogen.
The car is powered efficiently and you can even double the distance of your driving. Plus, you don’t contribute to the pollution that pesters the human race for many years now.
Try out the hydrogen-assist fuel cell now.
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May 21st, 2009 by engineering magazines
Hydrogen power has garnered all the hype these days and if you think that people are not using it, then you’re quite wrong. In fact, more and more people are now looking for a limitless supply of clean and usable hydrogen fuel. Have you finally decided to get a hydrogen fuel cell for your vehicle? If your answer to this question is a yes, read on to find out how.
There are a lot of advantages in building a hydrogen fuel cell. One is that it is cheap. If you’re looking for a cost effective energy source, make it hydrogen fuel. The fuel cell does not require a huge amount of money or resources. The parts of the hydrogen fuel cell can be obtained from the hardware store in your locality. Even if the hydrogen fuel cell is a powerful system, the parts are fortunately inexpensive and not very complicated.
Another advantage is that the fuel cells are not complicated. In fact, the process is quite easy. You will the following in building the fuel cell:
- Quart-sized water container
- Vacuum hose
- Electrical wiring to be used in connecting the car battery to an HHO generator
- Baking soda
If you don’t want to trouble yourself in purchasing the materials one by one, you can also buy HHO car kits. You can get the kits online or major local stores.
Once you have the different materials needed to build the fuel cells, you should be able to put them together properly. This is not hard to do as long as you have decent handyman skills. Building rocket power is definitely easy as compared to rocket science. The hydrogen fuel cells as mentioned awhile ago are not complicated and if you purchase the kits, it is equipped with step by step instructions in building the fuel cells.
So what’s it going to be? Are you going to purchase the materials one by one and later on research for the procedure on the net? Or are you going to opt for the HHO car kits? The choice will greatly depend on the individual. Oftentimes, price is a great factor when choosing between these two options. Well, it’s all up to you now. Just make sure that you choose the most cost effective way.
If you choose to purchase the materials one by one, you still need to find the needed information on how to build the hydrogen fuel cells. This is not a big problem and you have the internet to thank for. You can find all the needed resources online to help you build the fuel cells. You can print the instructions to guide you every step of the way.
On the other hand, if you opt for the HHO car kits, you hit two birds with one stone. All the materials needed to build the fuel cell are included in the kit and you don’t have to research online for the instructions because it also included in the kit.
If you want to enjoy an unlimited supply of useful and clean energy, build your own HHO fuel cell now. As long as you know how to read and comprehend, you can build the fuel cells in no time. If you want, you can also ask help from friends and other family members.
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May 19th, 2009 by engineering magazines
Treating your car to both regular and major tune ups will certainly improve its performance, prolong the life of its engine and dramatically increase fuel efficiency. With today’s constantly increasing fuel prices, it pays to keep your engine in top condition to minimize gas consumption.
Major engine tune ups can be pretty expensive when done by the dealer. It will be more practical to get to know a mechanic who owns a garage to ensure you won’t get ripped off. Or you can perform a do it yourself tune up and maintenance of your car’s engine. Here are some basic tips.
Ignition and electrical systems
Inspect your car battery levels four times a year at the very least, at each season change. Top off low levels with distilled water. Remove corrosion from cable clamps and terminals by using a wire brush and a little baking soda. This practice will extend battery life.
Spark plugs should be replaced every 35,000 miles, or if they’re platinum, replacements are required every 65,000 miles. Check the spark plug for cracks and corrosion and change them if damaged. Get high quality cables for added durability and reliable performance.
Get a new distributor cap with each major tune up, if the cap is not attached permanently to the spark plug cables. Also replace the rotor of your distributor, if it has one, as some new model cars don’t have either a distributor cap or a rotor.
If your car is a 1978 model or older, replace the contact points and condenser. Newer car models have electronic ignitions and don’t require condensers or contact points. Contact points should be aligned or replaced two times a year.
Oil and fuel systems
Unless your car has hydraulic valves, adjustment of valve covers is a necessity. While you’re at it, also replace the valve cover gasket. If done properly, this will prevent oil from leaking out on top of the car engine.
Inspect the timing belt and readjust or replace it if needed. Electronic ignition-equipped cars don’t often come with timing belts, while some do, so you have to be certain.
Inspect the fan belt and other belts. If they are cracked, frazzled or worn out, consider replacing them at once.
If your car has a fuel injector, you don’t need to clean it regularly. Clean it only if it gets clogged and use only clean fuel bought at a gas station. The fuel filter needs to be changed every 35,000 miles.
The air filter has to be replaced every 15,000 miles, or if it is already covered with dirt. Keeping your air filter clean ensures a more efficient fuel burn, thus minimizing gas consumption.
Brakes and clutch
If your car has a manual transmission, the clutch will require certain adjustments. Newer model cars are now equipped with adjustable clutch. Consult you manufacturer’s manual to be certain.
Oil, brake and transmission fluids should have their levels checked every week, or before and after long drives. Have an oil change and oil filter replacement every 3,000 miles as having clean engine oil prolongs the engine’s life.
You can do your own tune ups to increase fuel efficiency, gain better engine performance and offer a smoother ride. This is not an assurance that you won’t run into any car troubles, but do it yourself car tune ups will save you a lot of money in maintenance and repairs.
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