Car Maintainance Checklist -Wear and Tear Parts

When it comes to used cars, it's often the small problems that are left unchecked which end up costing the most money. Unfortunately, given enough time, they can require repairs that often cost thousands of dollars. Most drivers can avoid expensive car repairs simply by addressing issues as they occur. Below, I'll describe a few common problems and how to resolve them.



The Wrong Gas
Drivers fill their gas tanks with the wrong type of fuel more often than you might think. For example, they'll put diesel gas in when they should be using unleaded (or vice versa). It's an innocent mistake, but it can cause severe damage. If you fill your tank with the wrong gas and recognize the mistake immediately, don't start your engine. Doing so will circulate the gas throughout your car, potentially damaging parts in the process.
Instead, have your car towed to the nearest mechanic. He'll be able to drain the gas tank of the wrong fuel. The drain may cost a few hundred dollars, but it's better than having to pay thousands to repair or replace expensive parts.
Bad Water Pump
Your car's water pump will likely develop a leak at some point. When it does, you should replace it as soon as possible. A lot of drivers fail to do so and as a result, their car's engine ends up overheating. The problem is that an overheated engine can cause the head gasket to blow or rupture. While a blown gasket may sound benign, it usually requires that substantial repair work be performed on the engine.
Replacing the water pump may only cost a few hundred dollars (including the labor). By contrast, replacing the head gasket can carry a price tag of over $2,000. Address the problem early and you'll save money in the long run.
Low Oil
The motor oil that you put in your car lubricates the parts during combustion. If your car runs out of oil, that lubrication deteriorates. When that happens, the parts grind together and heat builds, eventually causing your car to die. At that point, adding oil might not do much good because your engine is likely damaged and may even need to be replaced. Aside from running your car off a steep cliff, allowing the oil levels to decline is one of the most damaging things you can do.
Taking care of your car is largely a matter of identifying and addressing small problems early. If you do, those small problems won't lead to expensive car repairs in the future. And these days, when the economy is soft, avoiding unnecessary repairs is like money in the bank.

Everette Jamison

Benefits of Synthetic Oils

If you're considering synthetic automobile oils, you may be wondering what the point is. Aren't there plenty of perfectly good motor oils derived from natural petroleum? Since the regular stuff seems to work just fine, why would someone go to the trouble of making synthetic oil to begin with?
It's a fair question. But as it turns out, developing synthetic automobile oils wasn't a complete waste of scientists' time. The best synthetic motor oil can provide significant advantages over conventional oils, especially in modern high-performance engines.
Synthetics' biggest advantage is that they're designed from the ground up for their specific purpose. Conventional oil is slippery and, for a long time, that was enough. But as modern engines have gotten more complicated, they've placed tougher demands on their lubricants. Modern engines are built from specialized materials to reduce weight. They run to tighter tolerances. And they run faster and hotter.
Out of the ground, petroleum is a stew of different hydrocarbons used for everything from gasoline to plastic. Enormous refinery complexes go to a lot of effort to sort out different types of molecules. It's like trying to take apart a bowl of vegetable soup.
The refining process gets rid of most of the things that don't belong in a motor oil, but a lot of molecules remain. From your engine's point of view, these leftover hydrocarbons are useless at best and at worst actually troublesome.
These other molecules can gum up the oil, they can cause it to lose viscosity at low temperatures, and at high temperatures they can break down into a chemical sludge that interferes with the oil's lubricating properties. Synthetics have none of these issues. In especially demanding high-performance applications, the best synthetic motor oil can make all the difference.
Even for everyday driving, synthetic automobile oils can offer some pretty significant benefits. You'd be surprised where you'll find high performance engines these days. As car makers push the envelope on weight and fuel efficiency, the engine of the regular family car is getting more sophisticated and more demanding.
So whether you're racing the Baja or driving the kids to school, the best synthetic motor oil can keep your car running better longer, improve your gas mileage, and reduce your emissions. In general, they just help your car do what it does better.

Synthetic Oil Helps Gas Mileage Improve

Most people aren't really aware of the differences between synthetic oil and regular oil beyond the higher price for the former. When browsing the racks in the automotive aisle of the local big box or automotive supply store, many drivers simply equate the greater price for synthetic with it being a product for car enthusiasts or performance nuts. It is rare to find the average motorist who is fully aware of the benefits of synthetic oil when it comes to every day use in the family car, truck or van. Synthetic oil is preferred by race teams and sports car owners, yes, but that is far from the only advantage that this type of oil offers. Users of synthetic lubricant in any type of vehicle can see gas mileage improve significantly when compared with regular oil changes using petroleum-based lubricants.
How does synthetic make such a difference? It has to do with the way that the oil is created. Unlike petroleum oils, which are refined from crude oil which comes out of the ground, synthetic oil is engineered in a laboratory in order to meet very specific requirements. By starting from scratch instead of refining a natural product, scientists are able to create an oil wherein each molecule is of a uniform size. These identically-sized oil molecules have a much easier time moving through an engine and coating all of the surfaces that need to be protected, greatly reducing the resistance encountered by internal components moving through the oil itself. This decreased resistance leads to an increase in overall efficiency, making gas mileage improve and keeping power at a healthy level.
These specially engineered molecules also have unique heat-resistant properties not found in petroleum oils. By using a combination of additives, synthetic oils are far more resistance to heat and cold, meaning that they maintain the same level of protection no matter what temperature is found inside an engine. This helps a vehicle operate at maximum efficiency even in demanding situations, keeping fuel use lower than it would be if petroleum oil were to be used instead. Not only is fuel economy improved under these circumstances, but the engine is better protected from friction and heat.
Synthetic oil might seem expensive, but the money that is saved in fuel costs can quickly add up. The initial investment that is made in the oil itself will be repaid many times over when it comes to extending the life of a vehicle - and extending the period between trips to the fuel pump.

Save Fuel with Synthetic Oils

AMSOIL SOLUTIONS For nearly three decades, AMSOIL INC. has been recognized as the leader in synthetic lubrication technology. AMSOIL was the first to introduce a synthetic motor oil qualified by the American Petroleum Institute, the first to recommend 25,000-mile/1-year drain intervals, the first to recommend 35,000-mile/1-year drain intervals, and the first to implement a system for dramatically increasing drain intervals with oil analysis. Decades of research, laboratory analysis and millions of engine miles have kept AMSOIL the leader in automotive applications for synthetic lubrication. Although the results have paid off in maximizing efficiency and minimizing waste, they are not conclusive. AMSOIL is the leader in synthetics and with continued research, analysis and product development will remain the industry's leader.

LOOKING TOWARD THE FUTURE In 1983 AMSOIL created the TRI-GARD system. The life of a lubricant is dependent on the quality of oil and the filtration system's ability to keep it clean. The AMSOIL TRI-GARD system incorporates AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oil, the AMSOIL Foam Air Filter, the AMSOIL By-Pass Filter and oil analysis to dramatically extend the oil change interval. Less oil changed means less oil disposal and less oil pollution. With regards to the environment, the AMSOIL TRI-GARD System is the most technologically sound, environmentally friendly motor oil program to reduce oil disposal.
OTHER ECOLOGICAL/ECONOMICAL BENEFITS OF AMSOIL Reduces Emissions: Increases Engine Life Each year nearly 600 million gallons of motor oil are burned and exit through the tailpipes of cars and trucks, creating emissions pollution. Petroleum oils volatilize (burn off) more readily than AMSOIL synthetic oils and create more emissions pollution. The graph at the right (will be available soon) shows the results of five oils that underwent the NOACK Volatility Test. Of all the oils tested, AMSOIL shows dramatically less weight loss . . . less than half the weight loss of its closest counterpart. Some oils tested lost 20 percent of their weight. That means almost one fifth of the oil boils away and is released into the environment. For most cars, that's approximately a quart of oil being burned and expelled into nature. The thicker oil left behind after volatization contributes to damaging deposits, sticky piston rings and oil blow-by, all of which cause reduced engine life, reduced fuel economy and increased air pollution. "Each month, petroleum products emit the equivalent of an 'oil spill' into the Los Angeles Basin's air as massive as the 10-million-gallon spill from the Exxon Valdez, according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District." (Truckers' News Magazine)
GREATER FUEL ECONOMY The advanced lubricity (slipperiness) of AMSOIL synthetic lubricants has been proven to increase fuel economy by 2-5%. AMSOIL reduces friction and allows your engine to use its heat-energy more efficiently.
How Much Is a 5% Savings in Fuel? The average person drives slightly more than 10,000 miles each year. A 5% savings in fuel gives you more than $25 in savings a year (assuming you get 30 mpg, at $1.60 per gallon). And if you get 20 mpg a 5% savings in fuel gives you $39 in savings a year and you get better gas mileage!

Save Fuel with Synthetic Oils

AMSOIL SOLUTIONS For nearly three decades, AMSOIL INC. has been recognized as the leader in synthetic lubrication technology. AMSOIL was the first to introduce a synthetic motor oil qualified by the American Petroleum Institute, the first to recommend 25,000-mile/1-year drain intervals, the first to recommend 35,000-mile/1-year drain intervals, and the first to implement a system for dramatically increasing drain intervals with oil analysis. Decades of research, laboratory analysis and millions of engine miles have kept AMSOIL the leader in automotive applications for synthetic lubrication. Although the results have paid off in maximizing efficiency and minimizing waste, they are not conclusive. AMSOIL is the leader in synthetics and with continued research, analysis and product development will remain the industry's leader.

LOOKING TOWARD THE FUTURE In 1983 AMSOIL created the TRI-GARD system. The life of a lubricant is dependent on the quality of oil and the filtration system's ability to keep it clean. The AMSOIL TRI-GARD system incorporates AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oil, the AMSOIL Foam Air Filter, the AMSOIL By-Pass Filter and oil analysis to dramatically extend the oil change interval. Less oil changed means less oil disposal and less oil pollution. With regards to the environment, the AMSOIL TRI-GARD System is the most technologically sound, environmentally friendly motor oil program to reduce oil disposal.
OTHER ECOLOGICAL/ECONOMICAL BENEFITS OF AMSOIL Reduces Emissions: Increases Engine Life Each year nearly 600 million gallons of motor oil are burned and exit through the tailpipes of cars and trucks, creating emissions pollution. Petroleum oils volatilize (burn off) more readily than AMSOIL synthetic oils and create more emissions pollution. The graph at the right (will be available soon) shows the results of five oils that underwent the NOACK Volatility Test. Of all the oils tested, AMSOIL shows dramatically less weight loss . . . less than half the weight loss of its closest counterpart. Some oils tested lost 20 percent of their weight. That means almost one fifth of the oil boils away and is released into the environment. For most cars, that's approximately a quart of oil being burned and expelled into nature. The thicker oil left behind after volatization contributes to damaging deposits, sticky piston rings and oil blow-by, all of which cause reduced engine life, reduced fuel economy and increased air pollution. "Each month, petroleum products emit the equivalent of an 'oil spill' into the Los Angeles Basin's air as massive as the 10-million-gallon spill from the Exxon Valdez, according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District." (Truckers' News Magazine)
GREATER FUEL ECONOMY The advanced lubricity (slipperiness) of AMSOIL synthetic lubricants has been proven to increase fuel economy by 2-5%. AMSOIL reduces friction and allows your engine to use its heat-energy more efficiently.
How Much Is a 5% Savings in Fuel? The average person drives slightly more than 10,000 miles each year. A 5% savings in fuel gives you more than $25 in savings a year (assuming you get 30 mpg, at $1.60 per gallon). And if you get 20 mpg a 5% savings in fuel gives you $39 in savings a year and you get better gas mileage!

Volkswagen's Diesels To Visit AltWheels Festival

Automakers like Toyota and Honda are focusing on the development of gas-electric hybrid vehicle as their response to the increasing call for cleaner cars. American automakers like Ford and General Motors also manufacture hybrid vehicles. But in Europe, automakers are focusing on the development of new generation diesel engines which are made to be as clean as gasoline engines. One of the automakers paving the way for the development of diesel vehicles is Volkswagen.



The biggest European automaker Volkswagen is making huge strides in the development and manufacturing of clean diesel engines. The diesel-powered Volkswagen Polo Blue Motion was found out to be the greenest vehicle in the United Kingdom. Volkswagen's Audi is also making huge steps forward especially in the promotion of diesel engines with its two straight victories at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans with a diesel powered race car. In the United States, Volkswagen has embarked on a Dieselution Tour in an aim to educate the general public on the benefits of clean diesel engines to the environment. The Dieselution Tour will be making a stop at the AltWheels Alternative Transportation and Energy Festival on September 28 to 29 in Boston, Massachusetts. The AltWheels festival will be the Dieselution's first public stop. The people behind the Tour will be using interactive displays and exhibits to point out the growing concern for the protection of the environment. The exhibits will also feature how the automaker designed their advanced diesel engines and all its parts like the Volkswagen glow plug Duraterm, and other for-diesel engine components.



The Dieselution Tour will be going across the United States and making stops at events and displaying the company's diesel technology. They will spend four months on the road and the biggest event that they will be making a stop in is during the 2008 Super Bowl. The Dieselution Tour will also be making stops at auto shows across the country. "Volkswagen of America considers the Dieselution Tour an important informational resource for everyone concerned about the environment and improved fuel economy standards," said Keith Price, Public Relations Manager for Product and Technology at Volkswagen of America. He further said that this tour is aimed to change the perception of many American consumers whose view of a diesel engine is that of diesel engines in the 80s which produces a lot of soot and noise. "We want to show Americans that today's clean diesel technology is a quantum leap from the powerplants introduced nearly 30 years ago.

This tour aims to change any outdated perceptions about diesel technology," said Price. In the end, this tour is about bringing consumers to Volkswagen dealership. With gasoline priced higher than diesel, consumers need just a bit more persuasion to give diesels a chance. And that persuasion is what the Dieselution Tour brings to the table. "As the diesel car sales leader in the United States, we have worked hard to make our diesels cleaner, quieter and more fuel efficient," said Price. "Once consumers realize that a clean diesel alternative can improve their fuel economy by nearly 35 percent over comparable gasoline engines, we're confident that many drivers will visit their local Volkswagen dealerships."

Volkswagen's Diesels To Visit AltWheels Festival

Automakers like Toyota and Honda are focusing on the development of gas-electric hybrid vehicle as their response to the increasing call for cleaner cars. American automakers like Ford and General Motors also manufacture hybrid vehicles. But in Europe, automakers are focusing on the development of new generation diesel engines which are made to be as clean as gasoline engines. One of the automakers paving the way for the development of diesel vehicles is Volkswagen.

The biggest European automaker Volkswagen is making huge strides in the development and manufacturing of clean diesel engines. The diesel-powered Volkswagen Polo Blue Motion was found out to be the greenest vehicle in the United Kingdom. Volkswagen's Audi is also making huge steps forward especially in the promotion of diesel engines with its two straight victories at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans with a diesel powered race car. In the United States, Volkswagen has embarked on a Dieselution Tour in an aim to educate the general public on the benefits of clean diesel engines to the environment.
The Dieselution Tour will be making a stop at the AltWheels Alternative Transportation and Energy Festival on September 28 to 29 in Boston, Massachusetts. The AltWheels festival will be the Dieselution's first public stop. The people behind the Tour will be using interactive displays and exhibits to point out the growing concern for the protection of the environment. The exhibits will also feature how the automaker designed their advanced diesel engines and all its parts like the Volkswagen glow plug Duraterm, and other for-diesel engine components.

The Dieselution Tour will be going across the United States and making stops at events and displaying the company's diesel technology. They will spend four months on the road and the biggest event that they will be making a stop in is during the 2008 Super Bowl. The Dieselution Tour will also be making stops at auto shows across the country.
"Volkswagen of America considers the Dieselution Tour an important informational resource for everyone concerned about the environment and improved fuel economy standards," said Keith Price, Public Relations Manager for Product and Technology at Volkswagen of America. He further said that this tour is aimed to change the perception of many American consumers whose view of a diesel engine is that of diesel engines in the 80s which produces a lot of soot and noise. "We want to show Americans that today's clean diesel technology is a quantum leap from the powerplants introduced nearly 30 years ago. This tour aims to change any outdated perceptions about diesel technology," said Price.
In the end, this tour is about bringing consumers to Volkswagen dealership. With gasoline priced higher than diesel, consumers need just a bit more persuasion to give diesels a chance. And that persuasion is what the Dieselution Tour brings to the table. "As the diesel car sales leader in the United States, we have worked hard to make our diesels cleaner, quieter and more fuel efficient," said Price. "Once consumers realize that a clean diesel alternative can improve their fuel economy by nearly 35 percent over comparable gasoline engines, we're confident that many drivers will visit their local Volkswagen dealerships."

Fuel Injection System

Fuel injection system refers to the set of automotive part which mix fuel with air in an internal combustion engine. The primary component of this system is the fuel injector, which is a computer controlled valve. When pressurized fuel is supplied to it, it delivers fine droplets of fuel and air mixture into the combustion chamber of the engine. It's a sophisticated piece of machinery and can open and close multiple times within a second. The quantity of the fuel supplied to the engine is determined by amount time the fuel injector stays open. This function is electronically controlled. The system also makes use of a lot of sensors to ensure that the right amount of fuel is sprayed into the cylinders.



Source: automotive-online.com/carcraft.com

Honda Civic, Stand Up Against High Gas Prices

Everyone understands that with gas prices topping $3 or $4 per gallon, monthly gas prices can be more than a car payment. We recommend everyone buy a honda civic. We have realized that a low cost, attractive and reliable vehicle is needed to offset the new inflated gas costs in our economy. Studies have shown that driving a honda civic can save thousands of dollars over the life span of a vehicle for gas, maintenance as well as overall vehicle cost. The Honda Civic is absolutely a great choice.When shopping for a honda civic you must take a few things in to consideration. You must research out the invoice pricing, this can be done easily online. You must also decide what options you want and need. With an Estimated 34 highway miles per gallon you are sure to save money.

Lets say you currently drive a dodge ram truck that gets an average of 13 miles per gallon. However you could drive a honda civic with an average 29 miles per gallon. If you drove the average 16,000 miles per year you would save an amazing amount. With the honda you would buy 551 gallons of gas in one year. Now lets consider you drove the truck, you would buy 1230 gallons in a year. Lets take that in to consideration when paying $3.50 per gallon. You are buying an extra 679 gallons of gas per year. With the Dodge Ram you would be spending an extra $2376 per year on fuel, that is an extra $200 per month. Then take in to consideration insurance expenses, lower prices to wash your vehicle, maintain your vehicle, and less repair costs from a more reliable vehicle.

You could literally save 20-30 thousand dollars over the life span of your vehicle over a 7-10 year period.Its really time to take these huge prices in to consideration so you can start saving money on your vehicle expenses. There are obviously other great vehicles on the market as well. Shop around and be savvy. Research out your overall expenses and put some money back in your own pocket. Studies have shown that the Honda Civic outperforms most all vehicles in being affordable and reliable. You need to buy a vehicle that will lower monthly expenses and also lower large costs that can arise from a poorly functioning vehicle. We believe that the Honda Civic meets and exceeds both of these requirements.

Environmentally Friendly Cars – Hybrid Cars the Road Warriors of Tomorrow

You are an environmentally friendly person and have all the correct reasons to want to buy a Hybrid car. But buying hybrid cars can be a little more complicated than that. The complication is not whether to buy Hybrid cars but more on which to choose from, given the maze of hybrid cars currently in the market.
And just like in any purchasing process, there are certain considerations to be made before you could narrow down with your choices.

The Hybrid Car - A More Intelligent Vehicle. The nature of hybrid cars, or hybrid electric vehicle, HEV has two energy sources for its engines, namely electric and combustion. In an ordinary scenario, like cruising along the highway, the Hybrid car generally runs on one or the other of the sources, until the driver needs more power such as greater acceleration. When this happened, the two engines will operate in unison. Hybrid HEV cars are low emission, fuel efficient, and this is one of the key considerations when buying hybrid cars.
Another beauty of hybrid cars are is that they recharge their batteries while being driven. This literally removes the necessity of plugging the car for electricity. Unlike pure electric cars, which need to be plugged into wall sockets to be recharged.

Speak The Lingo. Prospective buyers should attempt to achieve some level of understanding with terms related in buying hybrid cars. For instance, according to the California Air Resources Board, Ultra Low-Emission Vehicle is a car with 50 percent cleaner emission and a Super Ultra Low-Emission Vehicle emits 90 % cleaner. There are zero-emission cars however, are purely electric vehicles, not hybrid cars. But pure electric cars are currently still rather cost ineffective and impractical for full scale production.
Your Lifestyle and Travel Needs. When buying hybrid cars, you should consider your work and home locations. Most Hybrid cars are made for urban or suburban travel. Short trips are most suitable for fuel savings, when hybrid cars are using electric engines at low RPMs. Conversely, driving on a highway or interstate travel won’t see much of the expected fuel reduction.
When is the Price Right. The other consideration for consumer before finally buying hybrid cars is the cost. Hybrid cars, are priced higher than gas-powered counterparts due to the fact that production of hybrid cars are still in low numbers and has more mechanically complex to build. But bear in mind that the upfront higher cost of your hybrid will be eventually offset over the long term by fuel saving due to higher fuel efficiency.

Tax Incentives Helps. Buying hybrid cars at present is encouraged by the Federal State, due to the long term benefits of limiting fuel usage. There several tax deduction for new buyers of hybrid cars. Several cities are offering free parking as an additional incentive for low-emissions vehicles. This list of considerations above is by no mean exhaustive. We have examined the factors from broad perspectives.
There is however, one key criterion you need to seriously consider when making your buying decision, namely how a Hybrid car fit into your lifestyle and travelling habits, whether you as an urbanite or a trans-state person is critical in buying that hybrid car..
While it is a fact that Environmentally friendly hybrid cars will be the new future vehicles of today’s roads, the greater question is, are you game for it yet?

Save Gas While Driving

Gas prices are on a rise and it is now becoming a concern for most of the car owners. However, not much as a consumer can be done with the price of the gas but surely something can be done to control the consumption of gas. By choosing your car wisely and driving conservatively, you can save a lot of money at the pump.

If you are concerned about the daily expenditure incurred on the gas for a car then you should give some thought to the type of car you’re getting before buying it. Larger cars obviously consume more fuel than the smaller cars. Before buying a car one should compare the mileage per gallon. Sports cars are pretty good to look at but are not at all fuel-efficient. So, it depends on the priority of the customer as to what he is looking for in the car. Still, smaller and lighter sports cars, like Japanese models, are far more fuel efficient than giant muscle cars.
By just changing the driving style, one can easily increase the fuel efficiency by 25%, especially if the gearbox is manual. In order to save fuel, just try to change the gears without the engine going over 2500 RPM's. This is very important but generally people ignore it to get high speeds and don’t realize that actually they are burning much more fuel. The gears if changed too early will not help in minimizing the fuel efficiency.
Another important aspect to save fuel and thereby save money is avoid using the clutch too often and try to stay away from heavy traffic points. Maintaining an even cruising speed is far more efficient than speeding up and slowing down all the time. It should also be noted, along the same lines, that flooring the gas at every start is going to kill your gas mileage. A nice an easy acceleration, keeping your engine at a low RPM will get you a lot more bang for the buck as far as mileage is concerned.
As they say “A stitch in time saves nine.” Keep your car tuned up, as cars in poor condition definitely use more fuel. Also, avoid putting on the air conditioner if it is not required as if you run air conditioner the mileage of the car can be affected. Once the car gets cool, then you can obviously switch off the air conditioner and let the fan rotate the cool air. On the flip side, closing the windows at high speed can save you gas, as open windows causes extra drag, thereby affecting the car mileage. Consider using the car vents instead. Opening the windows at high speed may consume more fuel than running an air conditioner.
The tires should have the appropriate pressure as fuel efficiency is reduced if the tires are overfilled or under filled with air. Avoid running the car on high speed with low gears, as this will obviously bring the mileage down.
In conclusion, to get the best mileage, one should drive at a proper and constant speed to get the best mileage. When increasing the speed, you should accelerate slowly, as you are not in a racing competition and nobody is going to give you a prize if you come in first. Avoid filling the tank when the prices of gas are high and the most important point is try to purchase a vehicle with good mileage as this would surely save you a lot of money.

How to get better Gas Mileage

There are many car repairs you can (and should) do to get better gas mileage. Since almost every system in your vehicle can affect gas mileage, here are some of the more common repairs to increase gas mileage. Please note: this information is not meant to be a "how-to" section on car repair, it focuses on repairs that can increase gas mileage.



car repair - brake system - brake repair that can increase gas mileage
When brakes drag, something is broken or out of adjustment. It can be anything from overadjusted rear brakes to a worn out front brake caliper. Brakes are serious business as the life of the driver and passengers obviously depend on them, so any repairs done to get better gas mileage will ususally go hand in hand with increased safety.
car repair - cooling system - maintain proper cooling for best gas mileage
Overcooling or undercooling (overheating) can both affect gas mileage negatively. Undercooling, when the engine runs too hot, can cause metal engine parts to expand an increase internal friction, which kills gas mileage. Overcooling, when the engine runs too cold, allows more combustion heat to escape the engine as heat always moves toward cold. The engine has to burn more gas because too much energy is converted into heat and simply dumped into the cooling system.
car repair - fuel system - keep fuel system clean and in good order to get good gas mileage
Two common problems here are fuel injectors that are worn or stuck open (partially or completely), or stuck chokes on carbureted systems. Fuel injectors can get stuck open or partially open from dirt or wear, allowing too much gas into the engine. This can happen whether your engine has TBI or multi port injection. Carbureted engines often develop problems with the choke mechanism, which can cause the engine to use too much fuel.
car repair - suspension system - keep suspension aligned and tight to maintain good gas mileage
Many suspension problems cause an out of alignment condition which causes the wheels to "drag" instead of tracking a straight line. This can make it difficult to handle the car since it will try to go in a direction other than where the driver is steering it. This also causes premature wear of the tires, another major safety issue. Springs that sag, struts that allow the car to bounce too much, ball joints and tie rod ends that are worn all contribute to an out of alignment condition. All should be repaired immediately.

Right Fuel Treatments

Choosing the right fuel treatments might be the difference between your car mechanism's receiving bad deposits or not as well as it could reduce the engine's wear or increase it in case it was wrongly chosen. Due to all these reasons, it is very important that you buy the right fuel treatments for your car instead of choosing them randomly.
If you wish to learn which the right fuel treatments for your car are, you should start by consulting your car owner's manual. Most car owner's manuals come with indications regarding the use of fuel treatments and some of them would let you know which ones you should buy and which ones you should avoid since some of them could be very prejudicial.




Fuel treatments are applied in order to improve specific car functioning areas and therefore you should have a clear idea on what you need to correct before buying the treatment fuel for it. This way, one of the best ways to make sure you will buy the right fuel treatment for your car is by choosing it according the specific problem it is going through.
Although there are some low cost treatments which are not bad, you should always try to make sure you buy a well known one or one which has been recommended to you by your mechanic or someone who knows what he is talking about. Another great way to buy your treatments is when they are on sale which happens very often in many stores.
After you have bought the right treatment, you should wait to add it until the next time you will add gas to the tank. This way, you should add the treatment, with a maximum of one bottle, and then add the gas you wish. If you have any doubts regarding fuel treatments you should ask your mechanic, or, in case you have doubts on how to use it you should ask the treatment manufacturer for further advice. You shouldn’t add any treatment to your car if you are not sure about it and what it could do to the car.

Tips to Improve Diesel Exhaust Systems

Since diesel engines are becoming more and more popular, the demand for performance diesel exhaust systems is quite high. Factory stock exhaust systems cannot give you optimum performance in most cases since there is always room for improvement.
Diesel performance exhaust systems have many advantages. They can give you more mileage per gallon and help you harness the most power from your engine because they aid proper waste gas emission, which is critical to the efficient output of the diesel engine. If the emission system is clogged with exhaust waste, the clean air that is necessary for fuel combustion gets cut off. Besides, these exhaust systems look good and sound seductive.




The seductive purr of the diesel exhaust system can go from a low growl to a full-throated roar, something that is difficult to beat! Regardless of whether you are driving a Duramax, Cummins or Powerstroke, the right diesel exhaust system can maximize the performance of your engine.
So, if you are in the market for diesel exhaust systems that enhance the performance of your engine, then the choice is a tough one. Due to the increasing popularity of diesel, many viable options for diesel exhaust appear in the market from time to time. It is not just the exhaust alone, there are many chips and turners aimed at performance enhancement, which can make the choice of the right exhaust at the right budget even more difficult. Fortunately, a number of established brand names can help you make the right choice.



Magnaflow This brand is well recognized in diesel exhaust circles. With their tried and true formula, these systems streamline fuel flow with the right amount of air. This allows the diesel engine to maintain regular temperatures, which in turn helps enhance the performance and the longevity of the engine. Magnaflow has just introduced a stainless steel mandrel bent system that comes with a five-inch tip and carries a lifetime warranty. Magnaflow has been in the market for years; so, their technologies are backed by years of experience.
Other popular diesel exhaust systems like aFe and Diablo also help boost the efficiency and power of exhaust systems. Whichever brand you choose, one thing is certain: upgrading the diesel exhaust system of your truck will take performance to the next level.


These systems boost horsepower and increase torque while keeping a tight control on exhaust gas temperatures. According to some independently conducted tests, these systems can improve performance by as much as 10-15 hp and 20-23 ft. lbs. of torque. Finally, by equipping your engine with a high performance exhaust system, you are doing your two bits for the environment too!
Some of the important things you have to remember before you buy your diesel exhausts system are: 1. Decide on your budget and the type of exhaust system you want. 2. Write down all the basic information about your vehicle including model, engine, make, year and size, and carry this information with you. 3. There are different kinds of steel diesel systems in the market, with the topmost being stainless steel systems. 4. Do not buy from the first dealer you come across. Shop around and hunt online for the best price. Take into consideration installation costs and go for systems with healthy warranties.
Pmtdiesel.com stocks all diesel performance parts from chips and tuners to full diesel exhaust systems, with thousands of products in inventory from only the top quality brands like Diablo Sport, AFE, Autometer, Air Lift, Superchips, Edge, Magnaflow, Banks, Bullydog and more.

The Best Synthetic Motor Oil

Motor oils are comprised of two parts, the base oil and additive package. The base oil comprises 80-90% of the oil by volume and the additives the remaining 10-20%. There are five groups of base oils: GroupI, II, III, IV and V. Groups I to III are refined from crude oil containing tars, asphalts, waxes, aromatics and other "bad things". These crude oils are "cleaned up", to the extent possible, by hydrocracking, filtering and hydroisomerization. The group III base oils are the best of this genre. However, they still contain variably-sized molecules and some contaminants that can result in sludge, varnish and other deposits in your engine. Moreover, the quality of group III base oils vary greatly due to differences in the combination of feedstocks and refining methods utilized.

Synthetic oils are group IV Polyalphaolefins (PAOs) and group V (esters) base oils. Both pao-oil and ester oil are synthetic oils that are "man-made" synthesized uniform molecular structures that significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of these oils relative to their petroleum oil competitors. More specifically, these synthetic oils have significantly lower coefficients of friction, thermal (heat) and pour-point (cold weather performance) properties than do petroleum oils. Finally, synthetic oils have no waxes, tars, or other contaminants to sludge or varnish your engine. While synthetic lubricants are initially more expensive, when you consider their extended oil and engine-life extension capabilities, in addition to their improved performance, then you have only one choice and that choice is synthetic oil, and that oil is AMSOIL. These oils are definitively the best synthetic motor oil. Petroleum oils are produced in an oil refinery, where crude oil is separated into fractions. These fractions become the basis for lubricating oils and fuels. Thick tangled masses of carbon chains become asphaltic materials used in roofing tar and road work; whereas, short molecular chain and ring compounds of carbon are volatile and can be refined into gasoline and other types of products. Petroleum refining is a complex science, wherein, contaminants, as mentioned earlier; including sulfur and other reactive hydrocarbons, cannot be completely removed from the crude oil. Thus, these contaminants remain in petroleum oil base stocks. The advantages of AMSOIL are hardly limited to extreme conditions, but rather from their strength in day-to-day use. At the core of AMSOIL's synthetic lubricants is the ability to provide superior lubrication.

That means engines and machinery operate more efficiently, with less friction. Less friction means less heat produced and less wear andtear on mechanical parts, which allow engines and machinery to have much longer life spans. The increase in operating efficiency also means an increase in power and fuel efficiency, since your equipment is not fighting against itself and friction. AMSOIL is one of the least expensive and smartest investments you will ever make to insure that your motorized equipment will run the longest with the least amount of maintenance and the highest fuel efficiency. Lubricating oils are the lifeblood of mechanical equipment, and are the single most determining factor in how long your equipment will last, and what the costs of maintaining that equipment will be. Michiel Van Kets provides articles for Norm Eckel, about oil and lubricant sales & marketing and for his the websites; pao-oil.com and bestmotoroil.com offering the best synthetic motor oil.