Car Care Tips
Think of the questions your customers ask most frequently and write them here along with the answers.
Three good reasons not to run low on gas
Source: Car Care Council
Are you one of those optimistic drivers who doesn't worry about stopping for gas until the gas gauge needle is approaching “E”? In cold weather that's inviting trouble, says the Car Care Council. Condensation of moisture in the air in the gas tank causes an accumulation of water. Because water is heavier than gasoline, it settles to the bottom of the tank, entering the gas line and eventually working its way to the lowest point in the fuel system.
Once the moisture freezes, the fuel flow is blocked and the engine may not start on a cold morning.
Most brands of gasoline are formulated to prevent freezing, says the Council. Additional protection in the form of gas line antifreeze, however, can prevent starting trouble in severe cold. This methanol (methyl-alcohol) based product, found among automotive chemicals on most auto supply shelves, mixes with water to prevent freezing. The solution of gasoline, alcohol and water is burned in the engine's combustion process.
Some premium brands of fuel antifreeze products contain isopropanol, capable of absorbing five times its weight in water.
Consider other reasons for not allowing the gas tank to drop too far below half full. First, and most obvious, is the possibility of running out of gas in an area where no service stations available.
The other reason, less obvious, applies to fuel injected vehicles on which the fuel pump is located inside the gas tank. Cooled by the gasoline that surrounds it, the pump can be damaged from overheating when fuel level is too low.
It costs no more to keep a tank at least half full and the addition of fuel line antifreeze is a small price to pay for the added protection it affords.
Beyond this, because a battery loses some of its output in cold weather, be certain it's OK for another winter's use. Finally, concludes the Council, make sure your engine has adequate antifreeze/coolant protection and that the spark plugs and ignition system components are up to the cold weather challenge, it'll save you down the road.
for "frequently asked questions."
Understanding your brakes
Source: Car Care Council
To help prevent brake problems or failures, the following regular inspections and maintenance should be performed on your brake system.
Check the fluid levels.
Check the line for rust or punctures. You may be able to do this, but consult a qualified technician if necessary.
Check the brake hoses for brittleness or cracking. This check should be done by a qualified technician.
Check the brake linings and pads for wear, brake fluid or grease. This check should be done by a qualified technician.
Check the wheel bearings and grease seals. This check should be done by a qualified technician.
Adjust the parking brake as required. This adjustment should be done by a qualified technician.
Some signals that may indicate a problem with your brake system are:
Squeals-- caused by excessive heating of brake pads or linings.
Rubbing -- caused by the metal brake rotor rubbing against the metal component of the brake pad. This sound means that the brake pad is completely worn away.
A soft brake pedal indicating that there may be a brake fluid leak or air in the lines.
Brake pull indicating worn linings, stuck pistfons in the calipers or wheel cylinders, or saturated linings (caused by grease or brake fluid).
Source: Car Care Council
When it comes to recycling, many Americans feel like Kermit the Frog when he sings, "It's Not Easy Being Green." But the attitude of the automotive industry is just the opposite. They approach recycling in a two-fold fashion that not only saves space in the landfill, it also saves you money.
First, automotive scrap yards are now recycling a great deal of the material from junked cars. Thanks to auto makers' commitments, vehicles are now being designed with the "green effort" at the forefront. This means using components that lend themselves to recycling and making those parts easily identifiable for the automotive dismantlers. With sophisticated shredders and magnetic sorters, these materials can be separated and sold to the appropriate industries. At present approximately 75% of the material from scrapped vehicles is recycled.
The flip side of this endeavor is that auto makers are also trying to use as many recycled products in their vehicles as possible; this is a real challenge for design teams. However, plastic 2-liter soda bottles are now used for trunk carpeting and old tires are turned into parking brake pads with none of the existing quality or performance standards being compromised.
Of course, the real question is, how can recycling save the consumer money? According to the Car Care Council, the answer is, through remanufactured products. When a car winds up in the junk yard, many of its parts are reclaimed and sent to automotive aftermarket industries.
After being rebuilt and/or retooled, these elements are as good as their new counterparts but at a fraction of the price. Many of them even carry lifetime warranties. Components such as starters, brake shoes, alternators, drive shafts, and power steering units, are all available as remanufactured products.
One of the best investments a consumer can make in a rebuilt part is the remanufactured engine. These engines feature new components as well as remachined ones that meet new car specifications. A remanufactured engine can be installed for between $1,800 and $2,500 on most cars to deliver "new car" performance at about 10% of a new car price.
So if you're one of the people who think it's not easy being green, think again. The automotive manufacturers, dismantlers, and aftermarket dealers, are working hard to make saving the environment simple for car owners and easy on their pocketbooks.
Source: Car Care Council
The Environment Protection Agency has regulations in place establishing requirements for on-board diagnostic (OBD) systems on light-duty vehicles and light-duty trucks beginning with the 1994 model year. These requlations are required by Section 202(m) of the Clear Air Act Amendments, passed by Congress in 1990. Following are some frequently asked questions regarding On-Board Diagnostics.
By the early 1980s, numerous vehicles were using electronics and on-board computers to control many of the engine's control systems, such as fuel and ignition. Vehicle manufacturers had to develop ways to diagnose problems generated by the new electronic hardware found under the hood. Thus, the first OBD systems were developed by auto manufacturers in the early 1980s as electronic systems replaced mechanical systems.
The engines in today's vehicles are largely electronically controlled. Sensors and actuators sense the operation of specific components (e.g. the oxygen sensor) and actuate others (e.g. the fuel injectors) to maintain optimal engine control. An on-board computer, known sometimes as a "powertrain control module" or an "engine control unit," controls all of these systems. With proper computer software, the on-board computer is capable of monitoring all of the sensors and actuators to determine whether they are working as intended. It can detect a malfunction or deterioration of the various sensors and actuators, usually well before the driver becomes aware of the problem through a loss in vehicle performance or driveability. The sensors and actuators, along with the diagnostic computer software in the on-board computer, make up what is called, "the OBD system."
The purpose of the OBD system is to assure proper emission control system operation for the vehicle's lifetime by monitoring emissions-related components and systems for deterioration and malfunction. There are circumstances under which the vehicle computer will detect a system problem before the driver notices a driveability problem. Furthermore, OBD can detect problems that may not be noticeable upon visual inspection because many component failures that impact emissions can be electrical or even chemical in nature. By detecting these emission-related failures and alerting the driver to the need for potential repair, it is hoped that vehicles will be properly repaired before vehicle emissions become a problem.
How does OBD inform drivers of problems?
When the OBD system determines that a problem exists, a corresponding "Diagnostic Trouble Code" is stored in the computer's memory. The computer also illuminates a dashboard light indicating "Service Engine Soon" or "Check Engine," or displays an engine symbol. This light, usually yellow in color, serves to inform the driver that a problem has been detected and vehicle service is needed. When the car is delivered to the repair shop, a service technician can quickly retrieve the stored diagnostic trouble codes from the computer memory of the vehicle using newly developed diagnostic tools. Since the diagnostic trouble codes will help indentify the problem, the service technician can more quickly and accurately make the proper repair.
There are also cases when the dashboard light may illuminate due to a loose or missing gas cap. If your dashboard light is illuminated, check the gas cap. If, after several trips, the light is still illuminated, seek service as soon as possible. It is important to note that an illuminated dashboard light, as described here, is intended to inform the driver of the need for service, NOT of the need to stop the vehicle. Also, while service should be sought as soon as possible, it is NOT necessary to seek service immediately. However, seeking service within 1 to 3 days could prevent more costly repairs.
Why does the dashboard light blink or flash?
Under certain conditions, the dashboard light will blink or flash. This indicates a rather severe level of engine misfire. When this occurs, the driver should reduce speed and seek service as soon as possible. Severe engine misfire over only a short period of time can seriously damage emission control system components, especially the catalytic converter, which is typically the most expensive to replace. It is important to note that a flashing dashboard light does NOT indicate an immediate need to stop the vehicle. The proper response is to reduce vehicle speed and seek service as soon as possible. The vehicle should not be driven long distances with a flashing or blinking light. Drivers should also consult their owners manual for manufacturer specific information.
How can the dashboard light be turned off?
After fixing the problem, the service technician will turn off the dashboard light. There are situations under which the vehicle's OBD system can turn off the dashboard light automatically if the conditions that caused a problem are not longer present. If the OBD system evaluates a component or system three consecutive times and no longer detects the initial problem, the dashboard light will be turned off automatically. As a result, drivers may see the dashboard light turn on and then turn off. For example, if the gas cap is not properly tightened after refueling, the OBD system can detect the vapor leak that exists from the cap not being completely tightened. If the gas cap is subsequently tightened, the dashboard light should be extinguished within a few days. This is not an indication of a faulty OBD system. In this example, the OBD system has properly diagnosed the problem and accordingly alerted the driver by illuminating the dashboard light.
How does OBD help the environment?
The intent of OBD systems is to assure proper emission system operation of each and every vehicle and light truck for its lifetime by monitoring emission-related components and systems for malfunction and/or deterioration. An important aspect of OBD is its ability to notify the driver of a problem before the vehicle's emissions have increased significantly. If the vehicle is taken to a repair shop in a timely fashion, it can be properly repaired before any significant emissions increases occur. OBD systems will also provide automobile manufacturers with valuable feedback from the customer's vehicles that can be used to improve vehicle and emission control system designs.
How does OBD help consumers?
OBD systems are designed to alert drivers when something in the emission control system begins to deteriorate or fails. Early diagnosis followed by timely repair can often prevent more costly repairs on both emission control systems and other vehicle systems that may effect vehicle performance such as fuel economy. For example, a poorly performing spark plug can cause the engine to misfire, a condition sometimes unnoticed by the driver. This engine misfire can, in turn, quickly degrade the performance of the catalytic converter. With OBD detection of the engine misfire, the driver would be faced with a relatively inexpensive spark plug repair. However, without OBD detection, the driver could be faced with an expensive catalytic converter repair in addition to the spark plug repair.
In addition, manufacturers have increased incentive to build a higher quality vehicle with better performance, reduced emissions, and more efficient powertrains to prevent problems that can lead to OBD detection. OBD systems will also provide far more information than ever before to help auto technicians diagnose and properly repair vehicles during their first visit to the repair shop, saving time and money for consumers.
Are OBD-related repairs covered by warranty?
Federal law requires that the emission control systems on 1995 and later model year vehicles be warranted for 2 years or 24,000 miles. Many auto makers provide extended warranty coverage beyond what is currently required by federal law. Federal law also requires that the on-board computer and the catalytic converter on 1995 and later model year vehicles be warranted for 8 years or 80,000 miles.
Can anyone service and OBD-related problem?
Only qualified, trained technicians equipped with the newest diagnostic and repair equipment should conduct OBD-related service. All dealerships and independent repair shops should have qualified personnel for conducting OBD related repairs. Vehicle owners should ask their dealer and independent repair shops if their technicians have received proper training and have access to the necessary equipment to properly service OBD equipped vehicles. In addition, EPA requires automobile manufacturers to make available emissions-related service and repair information to aftermarket repair technicians and facilities. This requirement helps ensure that aftermarket service and repair industries have access to the information they need to diagnose and repair emissions-related problems.
Will aftermarket parts work with OBD?
Most aftermarket parts should work with OBD systems, but there is no guarantee. It is the responsibility of aftermarket parts manufacturers to ensure that their parts work properly with the vehicle for which they are designed. This is even more true for OBD. The OBD regulations have required manufacturers to devise technologies and monitoring strategies that didn't previously exist. However, EPA is confident that aftermarket part manufacturers who do a thorough job of replicating original equipment manufacturer parts and those who carefully develop specialty parts will be able to produce parts that work with the OBD system.