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November 17, 2008

Learning The Basics Of Antifreeze

Filed under: Car Info — Tags: , , , — admin @ 2:11 pm

Learning The Basics Of Antifreeze

When your car’s engine undergoes its combustion process, the heat within rises quickly. If left unchecked, it can cause your engine to overheat. Antifreeze prevents this from happening. By adding it into the radiator, it mixes with water and helps to remove heat from the engine while it’s running, cooling it so it can function properly. It also prevents the water that sits in the radiator from freezing when the car’s not in use. In this article, we’ll explore the coolant in more detail. I’ll explain how to check its level, change it when necessary, and how to dispose of it.

Checking And Changing It

Checking the level of antifreeze in your radiator is easy and can be accomplished in less than 5 minutes. First, never remove a radiator cap when your car is hot or the engine is running. Pressure builds from the heat and its release can cause burns. You can manually inspect the cooling system by looking at it. In many cars, there will be a reserve container with line markers that indicate fluid levels. That makes checking extremely simple.

If the radiator is running low of antifreeze, you can usually take the top off the reserve tank and replenish it (a funnel will prevent spills). If the tank is completely empty, add the coolant directly to the radiator, too.

Disposal Options

Even though it’s biodegradable, you should still avoid dumping the used coolant in sewers, creeks, or gardens. It can contaminate those areas, killing vegetation and fish. Plus, keep in mind that it collects lead while it sits in your radiator. That makes it a toxic pollution hazard. Depending on where you live, landfills won’t even accept it because of the potential for contamination.

So, where can you dispose of it? There are licensed disposal centers that will get rid of it for you. Of course, you’ll need to pay them to take it and the service is not always cheap. A better (i.e. free) option is to take it to a garage that has a machine to recycle it.

Safe For The Environment?

Most types of antifreeze are currently made from ethylene glycol. In recent years, a new type containing propylene glycol (PG) has been gaining attention. PG is advertised as being less hazardous to the environment and less dangerous to people. But, studies are still being conducted to test the validity of those claims.

For the time being, the important thing is to check your antifreeze level every 12,000 miles. Add more whenever you’re running low. By doing so, you can prevent your engine from overheating and thereby avoid expensive repairs in the future.

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November 13, 2008

Front, Rear, Or All – What Drives Your Car?

Filed under: Car Info — Tags: , , , — admin @ 11:35 am

Front, Rear, Or All – What Drives Your Car?

There was a time when most cars were designed as rear-wheel drive (RWD). Whether due to customer preferences or platform limitations, car manufacturers seemed hesitant to pursue other options. Over the years, that changed. Today, vehicles are built with front-wheel drive (FWD), rear, and all-wheel drive (AWD). While car enthusiasts might intuitively know what these terms mean, neophytes may not. In this article, I’ll provide an overview of how each works along with their inherent advantages.

Front-Wheel Drive

By far the most prevalent, FWD cars place the majority of the vehicle’s weight (up to 70%) in the front. While it can feel “slippery” to a driver who is unaccustomed with FWD vehicles, it actually provides more traction and better safety. Plus, there’s another benefit. Because the engine is located in the front of the car, transferring its thrust to the front wheels is more efficient than connecting a drive shaft to the rear wheels (as done with RWD cars). The result is that more performance is retained and fewer parts are required.

Rear-Wheel Drive

RWD cars used to be much more common than they are today. In many ways, they work in the opposite fashion of FWDs. Because most of the engine’s power is allocated to the rear wheels, a drive shaft and rear differential are required. The good news is that a car with RWD can accelerate quickly, which is why they’re commonly used in race cars. The bad news is that RWDs are inefficient in transferring horsepower from the engine to the wheels. Drivers who enjoy the feeling of fast acceleration will appreciate RWDs. However, it’s important to note that this type of drive also reduces the amount of controllable traction.

All-Wheel Drive

By now, you might be wondering why automakers allow half the wheels on their cars to basically lay dormant while the other half does the heavy lifting. AWD cars answer the question by allowing all 4 wheels to participate. In effect, the engine’s power is transferred through the entire wheel base. This provides better traction and more efficient performance, arguably the best of both worlds. AWDs are more expensive than RWDs and FWDs, and they use front, center, and rear differentials. That means more parts, added weight, less fuel efficiency, and greater complexity to the drivetrain.

Which Drive Is Right For You?

Most car experts agree that none of the 3 options above are necessarily the best type of drivetrain. It depends largely on what the motorist is looking for. FWDs provide more traction and less performance. RWDs offer fast acceleration and less traction. AWDs provide traction and performance, but do so at a higher cost while sacrificing efficiency. Use the overview that I’ve provided above to understand each drivetrain’s respective advantages and limitations. That way, you can choose the best option for your driving needs.

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November 10, 2008

Used Cars Avoid Buying An Accident Survivor

Filed under: Car Info — Tags: , , — admin @ 11:37 am

Used Cars: Avoid Buying An Accident Survivor

Buying a used car is a great alternative to buying or leasing a new car. It’s less expensive and you won’t need to pay for the depreciation that all new cars endure during their first few years. That said, used cars represent a unique risk: they might have been involved in an traffic accident. At first, this may not seem significant. However, there are many used vehicles being sold that were deemed “totaled” by the insurance companies. They may be accident survivors, but will likely leave you stranded. Below, I’ll explain how you can avoid buying a used car that has “survived” an accident.

Get A Vehicle History Report

Before you purchase a used car, you should always order a vehicle history report. These reports will list whether the car has been in an accident and how many people have owned it. The information on the reports is gathered from auto repair shops, dealerships, and other sources from around the country. It’s a quick way to tell whether the used car you’re considering has structural damage from a past collision, fluid leaks, or other warning signs. The report should cost under $20.

Have A Diagnostic Check Performed

Always have an experienced mechanic run a diagnostic check on a used car prior to your buying it. Let him know that you’d like to him to look for any evidence of a past collision. Even before the technician runs the diagnostic test, he’ll be able to put the car on lifts and identify damage that seems out of place. Once he runs the test, he can check for any parts or systems under the hood that aren’t working properly. The diagnostic test will cost between $40 and $80. It’s well worth the investment.

Check, But Verify

You might be surprised by how much you can learn about a car simply be examining it with your own eyes. For example, look at the paint. Used cars that have survived accidents will typically have received a quick paint job. A telltale sign is specks of paint on chrome or plastic car parts. Look at the floorboard near the pedals. You may be able to identify signs of flooding and water damage. Also, start the car and watch the dashboard. You should see an indicator for the airbags. If you don’t, that may suggest that the airbags were removed after being deployed during a collision.

Whenever you buy a used vehicle, check things over with your own eyes. But, that should only be your first line of defense. Always invest in a vehicle history report. And always have a mechanic run a diagnostic check. That’s the surest way to avoid buying an accident “survivor.”

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November 7, 2008

Leasing Vs. Buying A Car A Comparison

Filed under: Car Info — Tags: , , , — admin @ 12:22 pm

Leasing Vs. Buying A Car: A Comparison

Buying a car versus leasing it. That decision continues to plague millions of people each year. There are a lot of factors to weigh and despite what some people claim, one choice is not necessarily better than the other. The decision depends mostly on the individual buying the car. Today, I’ll provide a point-by-point overview comparing the most important factors to consider.

Initial Investment

Regardless of whether you’re buying a new or used car, or leasing one, you’ll need to pay registration fees, taxes, and a down payment. A lease will also require a security deposit (usually refundable later) and the payment for the first month. On the surface, it’s impossible to tell which is better.

Size Of Payments

You’ve probably heard that a lease offers “more car for your money.” This refers to the size of the monthly payments. In effect, the payments you make on your car loan are always higher than lease payments on the same make and model. The reason why loan payments are higher is because the value of the car is built into the payments. With a lease, you’re simply paying for the depreciation.

Mileage And Usage

Leases carry mileage caps. A dealership will usually build a cap of 12,000 miles into the contract. If you drive more than that amount during any year of the lease, you’ll pay a fee (and it’s often hefty). You may be able to negotiate a higher annual cap, but it might drive your lease payments up. On the other hand, if you’re buying a car, you can drive it as much as you’d like. That is, there’s no annual mileage limit.

Custom Car Parts

When buying a car, you can add any parts you’d like. Whether you’re doing it for aesthetics or to bolster its performance on the road, you won’t be limited by the terms of your contract. Leasing is different. While you can add or replace car parts according to your preferences, the vehicle must be returned at the end of the lease in its original condition. That means you’ll need to remove any customization you’ve done. If that results in damage, structural or otherwise, you’ll be charged for the repairs.

Lease Or Buy?

The biggest factor is one of ownership. After paying off your car loan, the vehicle belongs to you. You can replace parts, drive it as much as you wish, or do anything you’d like with it, including selling it. At the end of your lease contract, you’ll either need to enter another lease, buy the current car, or purchase another. That’s why the payments are higher for a car loan. In the end, consider how important each of the factors above is for your individual circumstances and preferences. That’s the most effective way of making the right choice for your lifestyle.

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November 3, 2008

Managing Your Car’s Blind Spots

Filed under: Car Info — Tags: , — admin @ 10:43 am

Managing Your Car’s Blind Spots

Blind spots are defined as the areas that cannot be seen by a car’s driver unless he exits the car or turns his head. Every vehicle has them and they’re different for each model. Unfortunately, car blind spots can lead to accidents both on the road and at home. For example, an overly-confident driver may not see a car that occupies the lane next to him. If he changes lanes, he may cause a collision.

On the other hand, there have been hundreds of fatalities due to drivers accidentally backing up over people in their driveways. While it’s a horrible thought, many of the victims are small children. Today, I’ll explain how car blind spots change based upon the vehicle. Then, I’ll describe preventative measures that can be taken to compensate.

Different Cars, Different Blind Spots

Bigger cars have bigger blind spots in the rear. And vehicles that are raised have larger blind spots than those which are not raised. For example, a Toyota Corolla is a relatively small sedan and normally sits close to the ground. As a result, a driver with an average height may only have a 10-foot blind spot behind the car. By contrast, a Ford Exhibition is large and usually sits higher. In that case, a driver’s blind spot may be nearly 15 feet.

Mirrors And Video Systems

Fortunately, you can manage most of your car’s blind spots by using your rear view mirrors and an onboard video system. Many larger vehicles are now equipped with cameras that allow drivers to see real-time video of the space in back of the vehicle. Of course, if you’re buying a used car or driving an older model, it’s unlikely these cameras will be installed. But, you can still use your rear view mirrors to help reduce your blind spots and expand your field of vision.

Safety First

Accidents and collisions will continue to happen, of course. But, drivers should always be aware of people and other vehicles that may occupy areas in back of their cars. Plus, because sales of SUVs have been strong over the past decade, many drivers are operating large vehicles with huge blind spots. And a lot of the older models aren’t equipped with video systems. The driver must either use her rear view mirrors effectively or she runs the risk of hurting someone.

At home, people who are driving large sedans and SUVs should physically check to make sure there are no children or objects behind their vehicles. Taking that simple safety precaution could potentially save hundreds of lives.

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