People sometimes don't listen to their cars -- even when they're trying hard to tell them something important. For example:
* Underhood screeches: Your engine bay's not Abu Graib and it shouldn't sound like it, either. If you hear screeching sounds when accelerating or turning the steering wheel, your car could be telling you it needs a new belt. Or the power steering reservoir might be low. It could also be a failing water pump. Don't just turn up the radio to drown out the noise.
* Undercar sputtering: If you suddenly begin hearing sounds of this kind, you've probably got a leaking exhaust system. Usually, the sound gets more obnoxious the harder you push on the gas pedal -- and when you suddenly lift off the gas, even more so. It's important to get this checked out as quickly as possible because a leaking exhaust system can allow dangerous fumes to seep into the car's interior -- in addition to annoying your neighbors.
* "Clunking" or "Ka-thumping": If, when you put your car in Drive, you hear a fairly loud clunking or ka-thumping sound, it's not the body in your trunk -- but more than likely worn-out universal joints. Let it go forever and eventually, the joint could fail -- and the driveshaft come loose, with potentially unpleasant results.
* Strange smells: Engine coolant has a very distinctive smell -- and if you've smelled it inside your car, you could have a real mess on your hands. A not-uncommon problem on older cars is a leaking heater core -- a small, radiator-like part buried deep inside your car's guts. When it fails, it can allow hot, smelly, disgusting engine coolant to seep into the car's interior, soaking the carpet and making your life very unpleasant. Another clue: The presence of an oily/foggy film on the inside surfaces of the windshield, right near the defroster ducts. Get thee to a shop, pronto.
* The drips: Babies leave clear signs it's time to change the diaper and in the same way, your car's leavings can clue you in to developing "issues." If you notice reddish-brown drips, it's a sign you may have a leaking transmission. Green-orange suggests cooling system trouble. As for oil (heavy, molasses-to-blackish colored goo) so long as it's just a few drips, it's probably nothing to worry about. All engines eventually drip a little. But when you see more than usual -- especially anything that could be described as a "puddle" -- you should have the car checked out right away. And be sure to top off the oil level before you drive anywhere -- and watch the oil pressure gauge as you go. If the pressure drops (or, on cars with just warning lights, the light suddenly comes on) stop the engine immediately and check/add oil. If the leak is severe (or you don't have any extra oil with you) either call a tow truck or go get some oil. Just don't run the engine -- unless you won't mind paying for a new one.
* Metallic tapping/clicking: If you hear a sound like this, it could mean you're low on engine oil. If you've checked the oil level and it's fine -- but the tapping/clicking sound won't go away -- you might have an out-of-adjustment valvetrain (or perhaps a collapsed lifter on non-overhead cam engines). In either case, the underlying cause should be investigated as soon as possible to avoid further damage -- and expense.
* Someone's knocking: If you ever hear really loud knocking sounds, it could be the funeral march/last words of your four-wheeled friend. These sounds are impossible to drown out -- and signal ugly, unpleasant things things like main bearing failure. If you shut down your engine immediately, you may limit the damage. But it's probably already too late.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Friday, November 24, 2006
BP-Amoco Golden Mechanic for 2006
For the second year in a row at SEMA, the BP-Amoco Corporation has crowned a new "Golden Mechanic". Last year's winner Ryan Kooiman was the first to win the prestigious award and was on hand to pass the torch.
From June 19 to August 11,
independent mechanics could register or be nominated to compete head-to-head with other contestants, with the winner receiving $25,000.00 in cash, a one-year supply of BP-Amoco gas, and a complete Klein Tool kit. In addition the winner will be named the Amoco Ultimate spokesperson for 2007.
Damon, 43, is the shop manager and lead technician of Sant Automotive in Crestwood, MO. He is an ASE certified Master Automobile Technician, with an Advanced Level Specialist Certification (L1) in engine performance, Certified Under Car Specialist (X1) and a Gateway Clean Air Program Recognized Repair Technician.
In addition, Damon hosts a weekly automotive radio talk program on KMOX 1120 in St Louis Check out a recent program when available at http://kmox.com/pages/2659.php
For more information on the competition, visit http://www.bpgoldenmechanic.com
Sunday, November 19, 2006
How to Deal With Distracted Drivers
Blamed in an estimated 4,000 to 8,000 crashes each day, distracted drivers require careful monitoring
if you're nearby.
Children should always ride in the back seat for maximum protection in the event of a crash; however, d
rivers can be easily distracted by tending to a fussing youngster.
One study found between 25 percent and 50 percent of all crashes are due to driver inattention or distraction.
This driver was caught on camera reading behind the wheel. Stay alert for erratic movements from other vehicles and steer clear of distracted drivers.
Automaker officials tout "hands free" cell phones as one solution to driver distraction. Others say that the device is not the issue: if drivers are talking while driving their attention is divided; that distraction puts them at a higher risk for a crash.
I wondered why the car in front of me on the freeway kept speeding up, then slowing down. Tired of the erratic driving, I moved out to pass. Imagine my surprise when I saw the driver was flossing her teeth while behind the steering wheel!
Sickened by the thought of what her car interior must look like and fearing she could lose control of her car at any time, I pressed pedal to the metal and got as far from this distracted driver as I could.
But I was curious whether my urge to flee was a safe and correct one. Really, what should a motorist do when a distracted driver is nearby?
Not a Simple Situation
Police, safety advocates and an official at a motorists' rights group don't provide any one rule. It all depends on the situation, they said.
"It's not dissimilar to when you encounter someone who is intoxicated, but in this case, with a distracted person, it's not—per se—illegal (as is drunken driving)," said Lt. Ray Samuels of the Newark, N.J., Police Department.
To be sure, the state of New York and a few local jurisdictions around the U.S. have passed laws that ban the use of handheld cell phones—one kind of distraction—in moving vehicles. But more widespread restrictions on cell phone use and other in-vehicle distractions—such as eating—aren't coming any time soon.
So, it's pretty much every driver for himself and herself.
Give Them Wide Berth
If there's a simple message, it is to "drive defensively," said Kathy Lusby-Treber, executive director of the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS), a Washington D.C. group.
NETS, which promotes the theme that "safe driving is a full-time job," found that nearly all drivers—94 percent—admitted to having engaged in some kind of activity that was potentially distracting, including tuning the radio, eating and tending to a child. A NETS phone survey, conducted in late summer 2001, also found that 39 percent of these activities went on while drivers were on the clock for work. The organization reports between 25 percent and 50 percent of all crashes are due to driver inattention or distraction.
"I would be aware and I'd steer clear of [the distracted driver], whatever it means," Lusby-Treber advised, adding, "I don't really encourage motorists to confront a distracted driver."
Besides, she said, "Lots of times, these people are doing more than one distracting thing."
Samuels called it "making a safety cushion around them" so if the distracted driver loses control or does something abrupt, you have an opportunity—and room—to react.
Allan Williams, chief scientist at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in Arlington, Va., recommended "staying alert," even for cell-phone users and other distracted drivers at intersections.
Steering clear, though, can involve different strategies, said Eric Skrum, communications director for the Waunakee, Wis.-based National Motorists Association.
"Take a look at the particular driver and the environment," he said. "If it's a single lane road and you can't get around them, slow down [and give them space]. If you're in front, definitely, get out of the way. If they're weaving through traffic and causing a dangerous situation, you must use your own judgment [to stay out of harm's way]."
And, he noted, "If someone is driving like that, you can call the police. That can be reckless driving."
Where Is the Driver's Mind?
Sgt. Al Della Fave of the New Jersey State Police has seen a lot of distracted drivers. And he says it's simplistic to blame it all on cell phones.
"Most of the time, it's not the cell phone that's the problem," Della Fave said. "It's when they start getting emotional about things and the conversation on the phone gets heated [that driving irregularities occur]."
He also noted drivers can be distracted for other reasons. "When I was on patrol in the early '80s, I found drivers reading novels, even having full-course meals spread out on the front seat," he said. "They had the special sauces right there, too. It amazed me, and it went on every other day."
More Distractions Coming
While you're trying to stay safe on the roads, lawmakers and regulators continue to study driver distraction.
Road conditions are expected to get worse, since automakers are adding more information and entertainment devices inside their newest models. Everything from navigation systems to MP3 players to movie players are potential distractions.
Yes, automaker officials tout "hands free" cell phones as one solution because they allow drivers to keep their hands on the steering wheels. But Della Fave and Samuels still urge caution. "It doesn't matter if it's hands free or a headset," Samuels said. "Drivers are still distracted."
Della Fave added: "For some reason, people don't like to dedicate time to just drive."
if you're nearby.
Children should always ride in the back seat for maximum protection in the event of a crash; however, d
rivers can be easily distracted by tending to a fussing youngster.
One study found between 25 percent and 50 percent of all crashes are due to driver inattention or distraction.
This driver was caught on camera reading behind the wheel. Stay alert for erratic movements from other vehicles and steer clear of distracted drivers.
Automaker officials tout "hands free" cell phones as one solution to driver distraction. Others say that the device is not the issue: if drivers are talking while driving their attention is divided; that distraction puts them at a higher risk for a crash.
I wondered why the car in front of me on the freeway kept speeding up, then slowing down. Tired of the erratic driving, I moved out to pass. Imagine my surprise when I saw the driver was flossing her teeth while behind the steering wheel!
Sickened by the thought of what her car interior must look like and fearing she could lose control of her car at any time, I pressed pedal to the metal and got as far from this distracted driver as I could.
But I was curious whether my urge to flee was a safe and correct one. Really, what should a motorist do when a distracted driver is nearby?
Not a Simple Situation
Police, safety advocates and an official at a motorists' rights group don't provide any one rule. It all depends on the situation, they said.
"It's not dissimilar to when you encounter someone who is intoxicated, but in this case, with a distracted person, it's not—per se—illegal (as is drunken driving)," said Lt. Ray Samuels of the Newark, N.J., Police Department.
To be sure, the state of New York and a few local jurisdictions around the U.S. have passed laws that ban the use of handheld cell phones—one kind of distraction—in moving vehicles. But more widespread restrictions on cell phone use and other in-vehicle distractions—such as eating—aren't coming any time soon.
So, it's pretty much every driver for himself and herself.
Give Them Wide Berth
If there's a simple message, it is to "drive defensively," said Kathy Lusby-Treber, executive director of the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS), a Washington D.C. group.
NETS, which promotes the theme that "safe driving is a full-time job," found that nearly all drivers—94 percent—admitted to having engaged in some kind of activity that was potentially distracting, including tuning the radio, eating and tending to a child. A NETS phone survey, conducted in late summer 2001, also found that 39 percent of these activities went on while drivers were on the clock for work. The organization reports between 25 percent and 50 percent of all crashes are due to driver inattention or distraction.
"I would be aware and I'd steer clear of [the distracted driver], whatever it means," Lusby-Treber advised, adding, "I don't really encourage motorists to confront a distracted driver."
Besides, she said, "Lots of times, these people are doing more than one distracting thing."
Samuels called it "making a safety cushion around them" so if the distracted driver loses control or does something abrupt, you have an opportunity—and room—to react.
Allan Williams, chief scientist at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in Arlington, Va., recommended "staying alert," even for cell-phone users and other distracted drivers at intersections.
Steering clear, though, can involve different strategies, said Eric Skrum, communications director for the Waunakee, Wis.-based National Motorists Association.
"Take a look at the particular driver and the environment," he said. "If it's a single lane road and you can't get around them, slow down [and give them space]. If you're in front, definitely, get out of the way. If they're weaving through traffic and causing a dangerous situation, you must use your own judgment [to stay out of harm's way]."
And, he noted, "If someone is driving like that, you can call the police. That can be reckless driving."
Where Is the Driver's Mind?
Sgt. Al Della Fave of the New Jersey State Police has seen a lot of distracted drivers. And he says it's simplistic to blame it all on cell phones.
"Most of the time, it's not the cell phone that's the problem," Della Fave said. "It's when they start getting emotional about things and the conversation on the phone gets heated [that driving irregularities occur]."
He also noted drivers can be distracted for other reasons. "When I was on patrol in the early '80s, I found drivers reading novels, even having full-course meals spread out on the front seat," he said. "They had the special sauces right there, too. It amazed me, and it went on every other day."
More Distractions Coming
While you're trying to stay safe on the roads, lawmakers and regulators continue to study driver distraction.
Road conditions are expected to get worse, since automakers are adding more information and entertainment devices inside their newest models. Everything from navigation systems to MP3 players to movie players are potential distractions.
Yes, automaker officials tout "hands free" cell phones as one solution because they allow drivers to keep their hands on the steering wheels. But Della Fave and Samuels still urge caution. "It doesn't matter if it's hands free or a headset," Samuels said. "Drivers are still distracted."
Della Fave added: "For some reason, people don't like to dedicate time to just drive."
Thursday, November 16, 2006
"The world hates change, but it is the only thing that has brought progress." - Charles Kettering
[Pictured here is Kettering with his starter invention]
Before starter motors, engines were hand-cranked. Then, in 1911 a friend of Henry Leland (who was the founder of the Cadillac) was trying to start a car for a lady and was killed from injuries caused by the starter crank flying off hitting him in the head.
Leland saw the need for a starting system that didn’t risk personal injuries, especially since so many people suffered from broken wrists and forearms when the engine timing wasn’t retarded properly and the crank handle kicked back. Leland commissioned Charles Kettering (who was head of Dayton Electric Company—which later became Delco) to invent a safer and better method of starting an engine. Within a year all Cadillac’s came standard with electric starter motors.
But you still had to stomp on a mechanical switch on the floorboard which would both engage the starter motor gear as well as provide an electrical switch to power it up. Vincent Bendix designed the starter “Bendix” and was granted a patent 1910. This is essentially the same starter design that’s used today.
Today, with the invention of super-magnets, a starter motor for a 4-cylinder engine produces 1,200 watts of power, which is equivalent to approximately 1.6 horsepower.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
ultra-low-sulfur diesel- ULSD
By this fall, most of the diesel fuel available in truck stops will be ultra-low-sulfur diesel, or ULSD, with sulfur content of less than 15 parts per million. Currently available low-sulfur diesel contains up to 500 ppm sulfur, 33 times more than the new federal standard.
The super-refined fuel is designed not only to curb emissions but to prevent sulfur damage to the diesel particulate filters used on 2007 trucks.
The DPF’s( diesel particulate filters)biggest downside is the need to clean it of ash every 150,000 to 300,000 miles, depending on application. The ash is a consequence of the oil additives that protect the engine from sulfuric acid.
Drivers of pre-2007 trucks shouldn’t be overly concerned about the effects of the new fuel, Leonardi-Cattolica says. The transition to 500 ppm sulfur back in 1993 changed the fuel chemistry to a much greater degree than the upcoming introduction of ULSD, she says. ULSD will neither smell nor appear any different from any other diesel fuel.
What is happening is very similar to what happened when Unleaded gasoline replaced all leaded gasolines back in the 1970's. learn more read the article at ..
http://www.etrucker.com/apps/news/article.asp?id=54137
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
When The Car Doesn't Work
As I have said before, check your owner's manual to see what maintenance is needed on your vehicle
before it needs repairs. Maintenance is much cheaper than repairs. By not taking care of your vehicle
and ignoring warning signs such as pulling or drifting, noises or mysterious problems that seem to fix
themselves will result in a costly repair and leave you stuck. There are three main types of problems you
will run into.
Starting Problems.
Most starting problems are a result of a battery in poor condition. Most of the time these problems are
solved with a jump-start or battery charge. If neither of these cures gets the car started, you will need
a mechanic to look at it to determine the problem.
Moving Problems.
These are problems such as hesitation, loss of power or idle problems. An experienced mechanic is
the best person to handle these problems. Overheating could be due to low coolant level or vehicle
overloading.Turning on the A/C could help lower the temperature as well as turning the heater on high
speed and full hot. In these cases you should check and top off the coolant or lighten the load and,
if you are towing a trailer, dropping the trailer off. If this doesn't help, you will need a mechanic.
A professional mechanic should always inspect transmission problems for repair or adjustment. If you
can still drive the vehicle, drive slowly and carefully to the nearest repair shop. If it won't move at all,
call a tow truck.
Stopping Problems.
If the brakes grab, squeal, drag or don't hold, they should be checked and repaired at a repair shop.
If the problem is due to bad or worn out tires, they should be replaced before damage to other, more
expensive parts of the car, can occur.
Tips on Tires
There will be instructions on using the jack on the underside of the trunk lid or under the spare tire cover, so when changing a tire these are the first places to look. You should carry a piece of plywood
24" x 24" x 1" to place under the jack in case there is no hard surface where you get a flat tire.
Never use a brick or any kind of patio block since there is the possibility of breaking under the weight
of the vehicle. Once the vehicle is up, do not get under the car for any reason!
How to Change A Flat Tire
Changing a flat is something you should practice before you get a flat. This is something that should
be done by everyone who drives the vehicle, Mom, Dad, Son, or Daughter. Pull off the road as far and as
safely as possible. Park on a hard level surface if at all possible, even if it means driving into a nearby
parking lot. Turn on your four way flashers. Chock one front and one rear wheel. Place an automatic
transmission into PARK or a manual transmission into REVERSE. You should have wheel chocks, a lug
wrench, rubber hammer, penetrating oil and, of course, the jack in your trunk.If your vehicle has hubcaps, use the screwdriver or the end of the jack handle to pry it off. Some hubcaps have a lock in the center that needs a special key to remove. In most vehicles it is attached to, or near, the jack or jack handle.
On some vehicles it is in the glove compartment. Make sure you know where it is before you need it.
Crack the lug nuts loose before you jack up the vehicle so you don't knock the vehicle off the jack.
Put your foot on the lug wrench and turn the lug nuts counterclockwise. Remember, righty tighty
lefty loosey.Some lug nuts have a left-handed thread. Look on the end of the wheel stud and if you see
an "L", it is a left-handed thread. In that case you would turn the lug wrench clockwise to remove them.
Use the penetrating oil on the lug nuts and wait a few minutes to make getting them off easier,
especially if they are rusted.
Scissor jacks will have a pad, slot or protrusion that they fit into; bumper jacks will fit into a slot in the
bumper. Actually, I haven't seen a bumper jack in years but a lot of older vehicles will have them.
Place the jack in the position shown in the owner's manual. Some vehicles have detailed instructions
with diagrams. Jack up the vehicle until the wheel is about an inch off the ground. Now remove all the
lug nuts and slide the tire off.Position the spare in the wheel well and line up the holes in the spare
with the wheel studs and place the tire on the vehicle. Most spare tires on passenger cars are of the
"Space Saver" type. These tires are for temporary use only and you should not exceed the maximum
speed prominently marked on the tire, usually 50 miles per hour. Have the original tire repaired or
replaced as soon as possible.Install the lug nuts and tighten them by hand, then a ¼ turn with the
lug wrench. Don't tighten them completely just yet. Lower the vehicle and remove the jack. In a
crisscross pattern, tighten the lug nuts in this order. Be careful not to over tighten them or they may
break off. Another ½ turn is tight usually enough.
If it is a full size spare, replace the hubcap being careful the valve stem goes through the hole provided
for it in the hubcap. Use the rubber mallet to tap the hubcap on or hit it hard with the heel of your hand.
Check it by tugging on it to make sure it is on tightly.
If the tire has a slow leak, you can use a can of flat fixer to temporarily repair it. Just follow the directions on the can carefully. Drive to the next service station and have it repaired as soon as possible.
Be sure to tell the attendant that the tire contains an aerosol flat-tire fixer so he can take the proper
precautions when repairing it.
Low air pressure and worn tires can make squealing noises, mostly when turning. Check the tire
pressures and replace worn out tires. Low air pressure, bad front-end parts or the front end being out
of alignment will cause rapid tire wear. Check and correct the tire pressures. If they are okay,
take it to a repair shop and have the front end and wheel alignment checked.
A few things can cause a tire wobble. Always first, check the tire pressures, lug nuts or bad tires.
Correct the problem if one of these problems is found. Missing wheel weights, bent rims, worn steering
linkage or misalignment can also cause a wheel wobble. Have the car repaired by a mechanic if you
can't fix it yourself.
Other Problems
If there is any steam, fluids, smells or smoke coming from your car, other than the normal cold morning
steam from the tail pipe, catalytic converter smell or diesel engine smell, someone with repair experience or a professional mechanic should check the car. Any problems found should be repaired as soon as possible.
Any strange noises such as hissing, clunking, squealing, clicking or whirring coming from the front, rear
or from the engine should be investigated and repaired by a mechanic if it is not something you can
do yourself.
Most windshield wiper problems are due to a burnt fuse or worn out wiper blades. If you find the problem
is elsewhere, you should have a mechanic repair it before it rains again.
If you have lights, headlights high and low beam, turn signals, tail lights, emergency flashers etc.,
that don't work or stay on all the time the first thing to do is check the fuse and bulbs. Other than
that the problem may be bad wiring or bad switches. Have a mechanic look at it and repair the problem.
before it needs repairs. Maintenance is much cheaper than repairs. By not taking care of your vehicle
and ignoring warning signs such as pulling or drifting, noises or mysterious problems that seem to fix
themselves will result in a costly repair and leave you stuck. There are three main types of problems you
will run into.
Starting Problems.
Most starting problems are a result of a battery in poor condition. Most of the time these problems are
solved with a jump-start or battery charge. If neither of these cures gets the car started, you will need
a mechanic to look at it to determine the problem.
Moving Problems.
These are problems such as hesitation, loss of power or idle problems. An experienced mechanic is
the best person to handle these problems. Overheating could be due to low coolant level or vehicle
overloading.Turning on the A/C could help lower the temperature as well as turning the heater on high
speed and full hot. In these cases you should check and top off the coolant or lighten the load and,
if you are towing a trailer, dropping the trailer off. If this doesn't help, you will need a mechanic.
A professional mechanic should always inspect transmission problems for repair or adjustment. If you
can still drive the vehicle, drive slowly and carefully to the nearest repair shop. If it won't move at all,
call a tow truck.
Stopping Problems.
If the brakes grab, squeal, drag or don't hold, they should be checked and repaired at a repair shop.
If the problem is due to bad or worn out tires, they should be replaced before damage to other, more
expensive parts of the car, can occur.
Tips on Tires
There will be instructions on using the jack on the underside of the trunk lid or under the spare tire cover, so when changing a tire these are the first places to look. You should carry a piece of plywood
24" x 24" x 1" to place under the jack in case there is no hard surface where you get a flat tire.
Never use a brick or any kind of patio block since there is the possibility of breaking under the weight
of the vehicle. Once the vehicle is up, do not get under the car for any reason!
How to Change A Flat Tire
Changing a flat is something you should practice before you get a flat. This is something that should
be done by everyone who drives the vehicle, Mom, Dad, Son, or Daughter. Pull off the road as far and as
safely as possible. Park on a hard level surface if at all possible, even if it means driving into a nearby
parking lot. Turn on your four way flashers. Chock one front and one rear wheel. Place an automatic
transmission into PARK or a manual transmission into REVERSE. You should have wheel chocks, a lug
wrench, rubber hammer, penetrating oil and, of course, the jack in your trunk.If your vehicle has hubcaps, use the screwdriver or the end of the jack handle to pry it off. Some hubcaps have a lock in the center that needs a special key to remove. In most vehicles it is attached to, or near, the jack or jack handle.
On some vehicles it is in the glove compartment. Make sure you know where it is before you need it.
Crack the lug nuts loose before you jack up the vehicle so you don't knock the vehicle off the jack.
Put your foot on the lug wrench and turn the lug nuts counterclockwise. Remember, righty tighty
lefty loosey.Some lug nuts have a left-handed thread. Look on the end of the wheel stud and if you see
an "L", it is a left-handed thread. In that case you would turn the lug wrench clockwise to remove them.
Use the penetrating oil on the lug nuts and wait a few minutes to make getting them off easier,
especially if they are rusted.
Scissor jacks will have a pad, slot or protrusion that they fit into; bumper jacks will fit into a slot in the
bumper. Actually, I haven't seen a bumper jack in years but a lot of older vehicles will have them.
Place the jack in the position shown in the owner's manual. Some vehicles have detailed instructions
with diagrams. Jack up the vehicle until the wheel is about an inch off the ground. Now remove all the
lug nuts and slide the tire off.Position the spare in the wheel well and line up the holes in the spare
with the wheel studs and place the tire on the vehicle. Most spare tires on passenger cars are of the
"Space Saver" type. These tires are for temporary use only and you should not exceed the maximum
speed prominently marked on the tire, usually 50 miles per hour. Have the original tire repaired or
replaced as soon as possible.Install the lug nuts and tighten them by hand, then a ¼ turn with the
lug wrench. Don't tighten them completely just yet. Lower the vehicle and remove the jack. In a
crisscross pattern, tighten the lug nuts in this order. Be careful not to over tighten them or they may
break off. Another ½ turn is tight usually enough.
If it is a full size spare, replace the hubcap being careful the valve stem goes through the hole provided
for it in the hubcap. Use the rubber mallet to tap the hubcap on or hit it hard with the heel of your hand.
Check it by tugging on it to make sure it is on tightly.
If the tire has a slow leak, you can use a can of flat fixer to temporarily repair it. Just follow the directions on the can carefully. Drive to the next service station and have it repaired as soon as possible.
Be sure to tell the attendant that the tire contains an aerosol flat-tire fixer so he can take the proper
precautions when repairing it.
Low air pressure and worn tires can make squealing noises, mostly when turning. Check the tire
pressures and replace worn out tires. Low air pressure, bad front-end parts or the front end being out
of alignment will cause rapid tire wear. Check and correct the tire pressures. If they are okay,
take it to a repair shop and have the front end and wheel alignment checked.
A few things can cause a tire wobble. Always first, check the tire pressures, lug nuts or bad tires.
Correct the problem if one of these problems is found. Missing wheel weights, bent rims, worn steering
linkage or misalignment can also cause a wheel wobble. Have the car repaired by a mechanic if you
can't fix it yourself.
Other Problems
If there is any steam, fluids, smells or smoke coming from your car, other than the normal cold morning
steam from the tail pipe, catalytic converter smell or diesel engine smell, someone with repair experience or a professional mechanic should check the car. Any problems found should be repaired as soon as possible.
Any strange noises such as hissing, clunking, squealing, clicking or whirring coming from the front, rear
or from the engine should be investigated and repaired by a mechanic if it is not something you can
do yourself.
Most windshield wiper problems are due to a burnt fuse or worn out wiper blades. If you find the problem
is elsewhere, you should have a mechanic repair it before it rains again.
If you have lights, headlights high and low beam, turn signals, tail lights, emergency flashers etc.,
that don't work or stay on all the time the first thing to do is check the fuse and bulbs. Other than
that the problem may be bad wiring or bad switches. Have a mechanic look at it and repair the problem.
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Video-Dangers of refueling your automobile!
This is a surveillance camera view of an actual incident. Notice the victim returns to her car during the refueling process. She appears to pull her hair back as she exits the vehicle. As she returns to the gas pump, a fire is sparked as she reaches for the nozzle. See for yourself, watch the video at ...
http://www.pei.org/static/static.avi
You should know that..
* Static electricity can be generated by many different sources. There are documented fires caused by plastic gas cans, nylon windbreakers and, possibly most dangerous of all, human nature. We found a common thread in a substantial number of these accidents: the victims got back in their cars.
* Cell phones have been cited as the cause in e-mails circulating on the Internet. So far the PEI.org has not been unable to document any incidents that were sparked by a cellular telephone. In fact, many researchers have tried to ignite fuel vapors with a cell phone and failed. PEI still recommends not using any electronic device that might distract the motorist during the refueling process.
* If you must re-enter your vehicle during refueling, be sure to discharge any static that may have built up before reaching for the nozzle. Static may be safely discharged by touching a metal part of the vehicle, such as the vehicle door, or some other metal surface, away from the nozzle, with a bare hand.Read more at http://www.pei.org/news/static.htm
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