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Posts Tagged ‘battery’
Tue, October 7, 2008 10:24 am By James Coolridge  Printer friendly version
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 Car braking system is one of the most important safety features that a driver should have perfect control over. Generally most car manufacturers devote extensive years to refine and develop the best braking system to make the car. The power assisted brakes was designed and introduced to ensure the safety of the cars.
The basics of the automotive braking system always remain the same, even if it is power or non power, disc or drum. By pushing the brake pedal, the driver is forcing a plunger into a cylinder filled with brake fluid, which is an oily liquid that has features of corrosion and temperature resistance. This system acts by the usage of the power of the engine and the energy from the battery to increase the brake efficiency. Most of the modern cars carry car brakes on the front wheels. But some cars have the disc brakes on all four wheels. This ensures effective stoppage of the car, when the brakes are applied.
The brake system removes the kinetic energy of the car to stop it. Each time the car is topped, the kinetic energy is let converted to heat generated by the friction between the pads and the disc. In most cases, disc brakes have vents that pump air through the disc letting it cool. Disc brakes generally have three components, namely the rotor, the brake pads, and the callipers. Rotors are circular metal disc that are fixed behind your tire to the hub, while the calipers, are circus performers that cause the spinning of the dinner plate on the tip of his finger. A rotor may seem similar to the plate, and the fingers could act like the calipers.
The widely used brakes are single piston, and floating calliper. The present day brake systems have improved a lot in their features. They carry an anti-lock system that prevents the tires from getting ‘locked up’.
Always it is necessary to take care of the brakes. It is a must to check the brake once in a while, to prevent serious disasters later.
Tags: Cars, Safety, battery, cylinder, kinetic energy, calliper, piston, disc, friction, drum
Tue, June 24, 2008 11:51 am By Vinnie Samson
 Hybrid cars have found their hour of fame this year. A lot of credit goes to sky rocketing gas prices which are not showing any signs of coming down. Now, people no longer stare at a hybrid car being driven down the freeway, as it has become a common scene. Most of the big shots in the automobile industry are cashing in by manufacturing hybrid cars.
Hybrid cars consume very little fossil fuel. This is because they partly run on gas and partly on the huge batteries that are under the hood, charging. You don’t have to plug them in, ‘coz the batteries are charged free as you drive. However, a big problem lies even with hybrid cars- the batteries need to be replaced and replacement of batteries will cost you a hefty sum.
Hybrid cars are popular on city roads because they have a lot of room inside. The mileage range is 24mpg to 64mpg on the larger hybrid models. However, good mileage doesn’t come without a price. Consider this- you could drive down from San Francisco to Sacramento on just a gallon! Well, who would mind spending bucks on these hybrid cars??
Tags: battery, Fuel, Clean, earth, efficient, electronic, alternative
Mon, June 23, 2008 8:48 am By Jenny Musto
 Every day millions of batteries of cars, motorcycles and trucks are thrown away because they have stopped working. Most of the batteries are discarded due to sulphation (build up of sulphur crystals) on the plates of the battery. This hinders the contact of electrolyte with plates. As a result, battery stops holding charge.
Since the process of sulphation is inevitable, it is better to recondition the battery. The reconditioning process involves removal of sulphation from the lead plates of the battery. Additives are added for the break down of sulphation on the plate. By doing this, the battery rests for sometime.
Another way to recondition your car battery is to leave the battery in refrigerator’s freezer for a night and then putting it back for recharging. This method may sound strange but, it has proven to be an effective reconditioning process. By refrigerating the battery, you are actually making your battery work for additional hours. Repeat this process two to three times and make your battery work for 3 extra hours.
There are many other ways to recondition the car battery. Some people use tools to recondition their battery while others rely on professional mechanics to do the job for them.
Modern car batteries are quiet sophisticated. Therefore, handle your car’s battery with utmost care and caution as the battery contains dangerous acids as electrolyte.
Tags: Car, battery, test, wastage, charge, reconditioning
Tue, June 17, 2008 9:11 am By Jack Mounce
 The car owners living in colder parts of the world should pay special attention to this article. This is for you folks, who are planning their trip during the Christmas holidays and happen to live in Canada or any other place which witnesses snowfall round the clock. Here are few handy reminders to keep your vehicle in good working condition this winder.
Oil change: The oil should be changed after every 30,000 miles. If you have approached the deadline, don’t delay anymore; get the oil changed. While changing the oil, make sure that the oil has right viscosity. Oil tends to thicken as it gets colder, so you should ensure that the oil is not too thick as it won’t lubricate your engine properly.
Coolant: The antifreeze, which is called as the coolant, should be mixed in the right proportion. It should be a 50-50 mix (coolant: water) as to prevent the mixture from freezing in the extreme cold conditions.
Emergency kit: This doesn’t require to be reminded. However, we have seen many car owners forgetting to drop the emergency kit into their cars while traveling in the extreme cold conditions. Make sure that the emergency kit consists of ointments, a blanket, bandages, some dry food like chocolates.
Clear windshields: Since the life of the windshields doesn’t last longer than a year, it is better to invest in the new ones. Visibility while driving is highly affected during peak winters. To have considerable visibility in the blinding storm, fill up your windshield washer reservoir with windshield washer fluid.
Check the battery: If your battery has sustained three winter seasons, get it tested for the ability to hold a charge.
Check the belts and hoses: Get the belts and hoses checked for wear and tear.
Check the tire pressure: This is vital during peak winters. The air pressure is likely to drop with the dropping temperature. Inflate the tires properly. It is better to change the regular tires to snow tires during peak winter. This will ensure smooth drive along the wet and snowy roads.
Tags: driving, winter, snowfall, oil, battery
Sat, May 24, 2008 8:33 am By James Coolridge
 Do you face starting trouble in your vehicle? If yes is said then you really need to look around your car for what is troublesome in your vehicle. Here are some possibilities of the starting troubles in your vehicle.
Electric fuel pumps:
The in-tank electric fuel pump may be giving the trouble. Now, check the fuel filter and recall when you had changed them. What? You haven’t changed them for a long time! What are you waiting for? Change them ASAP! Fuel filters can cost approx. $100.00 and I am sure you can afford it!
The timing belt:
Have you recently changed the timing belt? Well, if yes then make sure that the belt change wasn’t done before crossing 40,000-60,000 miles. This is because most of the timing belts are designed to last approx at least 40,000 miles under normal use. Replacing the belt before it brakes can result in expensive engine damage. Always have the timing belt changed a little before the recommended change interval and check the tensioner replace if questionable.
The battery:
Remember, batteries do not last for long forever. Many battery failures and other problems (including starting troubles) are caused due to poor maintenance practices.
Ignition:
Electrical problems may also contribute to the starting troubles. You will be shocked to know that some ignition switches have been known to cause fires! Don’t panic, check the ignition switches of your car and learn if any replacement is needed.
Other causes for the starting trouble may be lack of oil in the engine, bad fuel injectors, plugged exhaust system or even the brand of gasoline used.
Tags: battery, engine oil, fuel pump, exhaust system
Tue, May 20, 2008 12:39 pm By James Coolridge
 The car battery manufacturers may claim that their batteries are the best in market and require least maintenance. We don’t say they are really true because no gadget (even your battery for that matter!) can survive life long with zero maintenance! So, check your battery regularly to extend its life and avoid the hassle of being stranded with a dead battery. Here are a few tips to maintain your battery for its longer performance.
First of all, your battery case should be kept clean. A dirty battery case can cause current to drain. Dip a clean damp cloth in a mild detergent and clean the battery case thoroughly.
Now clean the battery posts or terminals. Loosen and remove the negative cable (black or minus sign) first, then the red positive cable. Use a brass wire battery brush dipped in a paste made from a few tablespoons of baking soda and a little water. Then, reinstall the cables, positive first, and coat the terminals and clamps with a thin coating of grease to prevent new corrosion.
Check whether your battery needs distilled water. Remove the vent caps of your battery to check the level of the electrolyte. It should rise 1/2 inch (13 mm) above the battery’s top plates. If it doesn’t, use distilled water to raise the level to 1/4 or 3/8 inch (6 or 10 mm) below the bottom of the vent cap. Don’t use tap water, as it may contain minerals that can damage your battery.
This way you can increase the life of your car’s battery.
Tags: battery, distilled water, battery vent
Sun, May 4, 2008 11:43 am By Vinnie Samson
 Are the headlights of your car dimming? Does your car need a jump- start? I f yes then check your car battery- they may need to be replaced. The battery of your car may be the hardest and heaviest part to lift but it is the easiest auto part to replace. Yes, you can do it yourself! Read on the steps and get the job done.
• Open the hood. Use the prop to keep your hood open. Now, locate the battery.
• Identify the positive and negative terminals of the old car battery. A plus sign denotes the positive terminal while the negative terminal will have a minus sign.
• After identifying the terminals, disconnect the cable terminals from the old battery’s terminals.
• Disconnect the cable terminals from the old battery’s terminals (negative/black first and then positive/red). To do this, use cable clamp with a wrench (Usually 8mm or 10mm) and slide it off of the terminals.
• Lift the battery out by removing the frame or bracket which is holding the battery in place.
• If you find the cable terminals corroded or dirty, clean them using a wire brush, baking soda and water. This way, the clean metal is exposed to the new battery terminal.
• Lower the new battery into position, with the positive and negative poles in the same relative positions as before, and secure the frame.
• Connect the cables to the new battery securely - positive to positive and then negative to negative. The cable ends should not be able to move at all; any looseness can prevent your car from starting.
Now that you have fixed the new battery, take a test drive by starting the engine.
Tags: battery, engine, cables, wire brush
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