Flush Your Car Radiator – Guides to Prevent Engine To Overheat

Most mechanics will tell you that one of the most overlooked maintenance items on a motor car is the coolant system.

It’s just that people don’t even think about it until they are on the side of the road with the hood up and steam pouring out of the radiator. This traffic nightmare can be avoided by some simple routine maintenance. Your coolant system should be flushed every 2 years and the anti freeze replaced as well. The chemicals in anti freeze begin to lose their effectiveness and rust and grime can build up in your engine and radiator.

This will clog up your engine’s cooling system and cause your engine to overheat. The good news is very little mechanical skills are required to flush your radiator system and keep your car running for years to come.

Simply follow these steps:

Step 1. Locate the drain valve on the radiator to drain it. It should be located on the bottom of the radiator. Be sure to drain the fluid into a container and not the ground. Once you have drained it, close the drain valve.

Step 2. you are ready to install a back flush kit. This kit is inexpensive and can easily be purchased at a local auto parts store. Simply follow the instructions on the back on the packet. Basically, you have to cut the heater inlet hose going to the top of the engine. This is where you install the T section provided in the kit into the line. Slip both ends of the hose onto this fitting and tighten the clamps provided in the kit. Go ahead and connect your garden hose to this fitting.

Step 3. Now place the diverter that came in the kit into the opening on the top of the radiator. This is where the water and coolant will pour out from when you start to flush the system. A hose or tube will be helpful to direct the run off into a bucket.

Step 4. Okay, now go ahead and start the engine. Turn the heater on high and also turn on your garden hose. Coolant is now circulating through the engine and coming out through the diverter on the top of the radiator. Continue this process until clean water begins to come out the top.

Step 5. After a few minutes have passed by, go ahead and turn off the engine and your garden hose. Now drain the radiator again into a bucket and close the drain valve when you are done.

Step 6. You should next add the new anti freeze. Pour the entire contents of the anti freeze bottle into the empty radiator, and fill it until coolant pours out of the neck. Screw back on the radiator cap and you are done. Make sure you have also screwed back on the provided cap onto the T fitting you installed.

Step 7. Take your car for a test drive around the block a couple of times, and make sure that everything is working okay.

Now you have a back flush fitting installed for the next time you need to flush your radiator and it will be a lot quicker. You will thank yourself the next time you pass that unlucky person on the side of the road with an ominous amount of steam cloud pouring from under the hood.

Car Detailing Manuals — Free Tips and Tricks that Save!

If your idea of car detailing is washing and waxing your car, you might be in for a bit of a shock. While you can save a lot of money making this a do-it-yourself (DIY) project, this is definitely a skill which has been developed over the years.

If you do not want to pay the detail shops to perform this work for you, buying a DIY manual on car detailing is probably the next best step. A manual will provide time-saving shortcuts, as well as tips to give you the professional edge you need.

Repair Minor Body Damage

We all hate the annoying dings and scratches we get from everyday driving. Luckily, a repair book can save you a lot of money. There are many how-to tips which will enable you to repair simple dents (such as hail damage), saving hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Waxing and Buffing Techniques

Think you know how to wax a car? Well, after reading a manual you might find out you didn’t know as much as you thought! First, you need to start with the right type of polish or wax for your vehicle. Understanding the chemical and material makeup which provides the best shine and long-term protection will help you determine what type of wax to buy. Most do-it-yourself guides will even list a comparison of the most popular brands (so make sure you purchase a recent version).

Interior Preservation

The best way to make sure you don’t have to restore your interior is by preserving it. Easy how-to instructions explain the best way to care for leather, synthetic leather, vinyl, and cloth seats. You will also learn about wear patterns, and how to prevent them. Remember, prevention is the best medicine!

Interior Restoration

Although it is possible to completely restore the interior of a vehicle by having new upholstery installed, this is not always the most practical—or cheapest—method. Car detailing manuals demonstrate common methods to repair small tears in cloth, leather, and vinyl. They will also show you how to bring life back into your worn fabric, which is valuable since it is not always easy to find an exact match on vintage vehicles.

Engine Detailing

If you have ever purchased a car, surely one of the first things you did was open the hood to look at the engine – even if you didn’t have a clue what you were looking for! Whether you are looking to care for your existing car, baby your classic, or spruce up a bit before you sell, engine detailing is one of the most important steps in car detailing.

It is extremely important to follow the instructions in the do-it-yourself manuals. Some cleaning chemicals can cause accelerated deterioration of hoses and electrical components. Certain cleansers are not meant for automotive use, and their residue can remain flammable for several hours. Following a manual will prevent you from making the basic mistakes, show you the best techniques and tools to use (saving you scrapes on your hands as well as time), and can even help you create your own cleaning products which are just as effective as the one sold in your automotive store.

Wheel and Tire Maintenance

Keeping your tires looking good is a great way to keep your car looking good as new. While there are many great products out there to make your tires look great, you should know which ones clean, and which ones leave a residue all over the rubber which will haunt you once the shine wears off. When it come to wheels, it is important to keep them clean and protected. Small rocks and other debris on the road will put small pits in your wheels, making them more susceptible to rust and corrosion. A good how-to book shows you how to clean and protect your wheels so they look brand new for years.

It Just Makes Sense

Owning a how-to manual or book just makes sense. For a few dollars, you will have a wealth of knowledge and a handy reference guide to look at while you are detailing your car. You will pick up time-saving techniques and money-saving tricks that will improve the overall quality and safety of your DIY projects.

The Perfect DIY Method 0n Changing Oil

Changing your car’s oil on your own is a relatively simple task that will help you save some extra cash. Purchasing your own motor oil and oil filter typically runs about $20 at any auto parts store, but many oil and lube facilities charge much more than that. The added cost is the convenience of not having to jack up your car and get dirty, but performing your own oil change can be educational, save time, and keep a few extra bucks in your pocket.

Getting dirty while change your oil won’t sound appealing to plenty of drivers. But getting in the trenches appeals to people who want to take pride in do-it-yourself maintenance. While most do-it-yourself oil changes can be done quickly and painlessly, Tuscaloosa Auto Repair says it’s important to remember that oil is vital to the health of your vehicle. Honda Parts Salinas points out that forgetting an important step or making a careless mistake can easily cost more time and money. For those performing an oil change for the first time, it’s important to consult a tutorial or have a guide with you before you begin.

An oil change consists of draining old oil, adding fresh oil, and replacing the dirty oil filter. While automotive technology seems to be constantly changing, not much has changed when it comes to this type of vehicle maintenance. If you’ve performed an oil change on a car years ago, Hyundai Service Millville suggests that you will be perfectly capable of changing your oil again.

A common concern for those considering a do-it-yourself oil change is whether such a procedure will void the vehicle’s warranty. Luckily, if you change the oil and filter in the recommended fashion, you should have no problem. However, Minneapolis Ford Service recommends keeping receipts and records to indicate that maintenance was performed.

Free Latest 2009 VW TDI Upgrades – Advanced Flow Engineering

The 2009 VW TDI Performance Upgrades are finally here! If you’ve been waiting patiently for the chance to modify your 2009 TDI, your wait is over.

True Volkswagen TDI enthusiasts have something to cheer about as new Performance and Upgrade product releases are here for the 2009 VW JETTA 2.0L TDI Sedan and Wagon. After Volkswagen’s decision not to manufacture 2007 and 2008 VW TDI’S, many TDI enthusiasts have pounced on the chance to buy a factory fresh 2009 TDI Jetta. With no TDI vehicles coming off the VW assembly line for a few years, manufacturers of VW TDI upgrades had to turn their attention to other product lines. Now, however, with the popularity of Volkswagen’s new 2009 TDI Jetta’s, upgrade and modification companies have taken note and are again giving car owners the types of Performance products they crave – products that until only recently had been reserved for older model VW TDI’S.

Performance Cold Air Intake Systems and Rapid Power Module’s, or “Chips” as they are often called, are two of the easiest, least expensive, and most effective upgrades you can make to your 2009 TDI Jetta. Diesel engines want cold air to breathe and properly atomized fuel to burn, and an upgraded intake and module will give your TDI just what it needs. If you are interested in maximizing the full potential of your VW TDI, read on.

To give your Turbo Diesel more cold air, a high-quality choice comes from Advanced Flow Engineering, or AFE Power as they are commonly known. AFE has recently released a Performance Air Intake System for the 2009 Jetta TDI 2.0L with an impressive list of benefits and performance data. The system is 100% bolt-on, mounts to the lower airbox housing, and no drilling or cutting is required. After a simple 15-30 minute installation, you can expect air flow to increase 56% over stock. Horsepower gains average +10 at 3150 RPM, and expect Torque to increase by 23 lbs. at 3050 RPM. The system comes with a high efficiency, low restriction air filter in your choice of either a Pro Dry S or a Pro 5R. Most people choose the Pro Dry S for ease of use with filter cleaning being a simple wash and air dry.

Performance modules improve TDI fuel economy and provide extra horsepower at the same time by improving the efficiency of the vehicle fuel injection system. Performance market manufacturer and TDI stalwart Bully Dog now markets a “Rapid Power Performance Module” for the 2009 VW TDI Jetta which effectively improves fuel economy and horsepower. This module is a simple inline, between wiring harness, plug-in chip designed for safe and long lasting use. It is adjustable on-the-fly, allowing you to choose between three power levels; Stock, +10% and +15% horsepower via a simple toggle switch that can be left in the engine bay or installed within the interior of the vehicle for easy access. The total horsepower increase from this module on the highest setting according to Bully Dog’s Dyno testing is +25HP and a torque increase of 30 ft-lbs. If you can keep your foot of the gas pedal you should even see some impressive fuel economy gains on a car that already gets remarkable mileage.

Combine the Performance Cold Air Intake System with the Rapid Power Module and you’ll see tremendous gains in horsepower, torque and economy; perhaps most importantly, though, will be the increased fun you’ll have driving your modified 2009 VW Jetta TDI!

Free Car Care Tips – Washing Engine In Correct Way

Besides keeping the outside of your vehicle looking like brand new you also want to make sure you periodically clean the engine compartment. There are many reasons for doing this, including helping prevent rust, to check for oil or fluid leaks and to detect belt wear. To soften the grease and grunge that collects in the engine compartment you should start the engine and let it run for a few minutes and then shut it off. If you can just hold your hand on engine without burning, then it is warm enough to clean. The proper temperature for cleaning the engine is warm but not hot.

While the engine is cooling down you will want to cover the openings on the motor that you do not want to get water in. These include the air intake/ air filter, the distributor, the coil and the oil dip stick/breather. You can use baggies and rubber bands to cover the openings. You also want to check the tightness of the oil filter cap, power steering cap, windshield washer fluid cap, battery filler caps and all other caps.

Now that you have the engine warm and everything is sealed you then spray the engine and engine compartment with a high quality non petroleum based degreaser. You should start at the bottom and work up, that way you won’t be getting your face covered with degreaser.

Allow the degreaser to set for about three to five minutes and then use a 100% cotton towel or a soft brush to start removing the heavily soiled areas. You then re-spray and re-brush any areas that need additional cleaning. Once the entire engine and engine compartment have been cleaned you rinse it thoroughly with water. You don’t have to use a high pressure sprayer a gentle spray will work just as well and you won’t have to worry about getting water in sensitive spots.

Once the engine compartment is clean you can remove the plastic bags and rubber bands. You then dry any puddles and aluminum parts with a soft towel. Use paper towels to thoroughly dry the battery. You now start the engine and allow it to warm up. This will dry the rest of the engine and will evaporate any moisture that has collected.

Once everything is dry and completely cooled you should wax the painted areas of the engine compartment, but not the engine. If the undercoated aluminum areas are dull or have whitish corrosion you can use a mild metal polish to help restore the finish. At this time you should check the battery terminals to make sure they are clean. If they are not clean you can disconnect the cables and clean both the cable terminals and the battery posts with a wire brush.

Then you should check all hinges, throttle cables and shocks to see if they need a thin coating of non silicone lubricant. Then check all fluid levels and remove any stray baggies and you have completed cleaning your engine.

The best spark plugs & HT leads improve performance.

An efficient engine needs a good supply of cold air laden with oxygen.

The correct mixture of fuel and a good spark to ignite the mixture.

The two main components of a plug are:-

The ceramic casing which is a good insulator and

The electrodes from the central tip and the negative pick up contact which is connected to the engine block.

The ceramic casing allows the spark to happen at the tip rather than it shorting out inside the spark plug core. We are talking about very high voltages as we are trying to get a spark to arc through a gap.

Be very careful working on any part of a cars high tension circuit and never work on it with the engine running. Many cold start faults are caused by faulty plugs or HT leads but lets first of all remind ourselves of what goes on inside our engine.

The suck has a big effect on the bang or combustion part of the process. Any restriction in the suck will affect the efficiency of the burn. The more air that gets sucked in the more fuel can be efficiently burnt.

Primarily you need a strong spark so make sure you have a good set of spark plugs with a slightly wider gap than standard. Lining the spark gap to be on the side of the intake can also increase the efficiency of the burn.

With the plug out of the box make a mark on the ceramic edge, at the top so you can see it as it goes into the engine, with a marker pen to show which side the gap is on.

All plug threads will typically be different so if the mark does not line up with the intake remove it and rotate it 45 degrees and try again until it does.

The spark will always take the shortest path so on a twin, triple or quad tipped plug the gaps must be the same all round otherwise you may just as well have a single contact point. Join the debate which is raging on in our forum to establish whether triple or quad plugs increase a cars performance or not.

High performance HT (high tension) Leads

Faulty high tension leads – (HT leads) will not cause a weaker spark they will just prevent the spark from happening so if you are having a misfire or uneven idle make sure the HT leads are in good order – flexing and bending them is often enough to damage then so make sure that they are handled carefully. A set of good quality HT leads will minimise electrical faults especially in extreme temperatures but will not in themselves increase performance.

The HT leads should have the lowest internal resistance and also provide electromagnetic shielding to prevent electrical interference with other car components such as the main engine control unit (including the radio). The lead should be matched to the voltage as the wrong size core can lead to heat problems and resistance issues. A sports core size will be as large as 8.5 mm whereas a street tuned car will probably get away with 7 or 8 mm core sizes. Most HT lead suppliers can assist you in choosing the right length and core size for your cars application.

Performance ignition coils and coil packs.

Just as a power transformer converts mains 240 volts into a usable 9 volts for your charger or appliance a coil will increase the voltage (in some installations up to 40,000 volts) allowing the creation of a spark which can jump the gap between the plugs. In some modern engines there is a separate coil pack with a separate coil for each spark plug. A faulty coil can also reduce the spark voltage to the point that no spark happens and you end up with a misfire.

Sports coils increase the power to the plug and allow a larger spark so match a sports coil with a larger plug gap. Timing the spark is critical too early (premature ignition) and the engine could be damaged and too late and the compression will be lower as the exhaust port opens potentially causing damage to the cat & exhaust as combustion move down along the exhaust.

Ideally you want to create a spark inside the cylinder of the engine and expose as much of the spark as possible to the compressed air and fuel mixture. Ideally the electrodes should be as thin as possible and be good conductors of electricity and the voltage should be as high as possible. Spark plug technology has really moved on in recent years and iridium tipped plugs allow an ultra fine electrode, last for up to 40,000 miles and are superb conductors of electricity.

Ignition system maintenance.

A good steady power supply is vital for a good strong spark, common problems in an old engine are actually caused by a bad earth connection (actually just the connection to the -ve battery terminal). Power regulators are available which ensure that a constant voltage is always available.

If you have a large ICE install and lots of other power draining accessories you may find that on a cold day when a battery typically struggles it will fail so ensure you have a battery with a large cranking power which although only gives 12V, it will do so in a much more steady manner and be more resilient to adverse conditions.

Ensure that the spark plugs are clean and in good condition as the terminals may well glaze and lose their conductivity to a small degree over time (expensive plugs are typically more resistant to glazing and can be left for longer periods of time).

So every six months or so it can be beneficial on normal plugs (we are not here referring to iridium or performance/long life spark plugs) to deglaze them by rubbing them over with a wire brush and fine grade of sandpaper. This keeps the conductivity of the contact points and ensures a strong spark thereby maintaining both performance and economy.

Free Improve Vehicles Appearance Tips – Auto Detailing & Headlight Restoration

There are two simple ways to improve your vehicles appearance and actually improve its safety at the same time. By combining two services that are offered at most auto reconditioning shop, auto detailing and headlight restoration, you can achieve those two things. It may not sound like a lot but it really can make a difference.

The first – Auto detailing your vehicle will experience an extremely thorough cleaning, polishing and waxing of an automobile, both inside and out, to produce a show-quality level of detail. Auto detailing entails several things. The exterior detailing includes claying, polishing, and waxing. This will remove any tree sap, pollutants, or other things that may be on your car. It also restores the deep shine of your car. The interior detailing process involves the cleaning of the interior of a vehicle using vacuums, liquid cleaners, and brushes. The professional detailer should clean every inch of your vehicle. You may also get your engine bay area detailed if it is a concern for you.

The next step is getting your headlights looking and working good with headlight restoration. After time all vehicles headlights become hazy/cloudy and sometimes yellow. Actually about 90% of the cars on the road have dirty, scratched, discolored, or hazy headlights lens. Not only does this affect the appearance of your vehicle but it also affects the safety of your car. The hazy or cloudy headlights can significantly reduce your night vision.

Free Car’s Interior Cleaning Tips – A More Refreshing Interior

Maintaining the cleanliness of the inside the car makes driving even more pleasurable and helps prevent accidents while your eyes are on the road. Vacuum cleaner and attachments, small brush for cracks and tight places, paper towels for windows cleaning, lint-free cloths for dusting, cleaning and window polishing are essential tools usually used in cleaning the inside of your car.

Remove those things that cannot be absorbed by the vacuum like plastic bags, your childs small toys, office papers, pens, bottles, cans, etc. Then, proceed with the use of the vacuum. After removing the seat covers, vacuum the seats, the dash board, the floor mats and the carpets. It is also advisable to wash seat covers. Let them dry, and then return them to the car. Changing the seat cover is also great for a more refreshing look.

Adding some car fragrance can also help in accessorizing and maintaining good odor in your car.To maintain cleanliness inside your car, practice to immediately remove any unnecessary things or return the accessories in their proper places after using them. With this, you can be assured of a neat, pleasurable, and a worry and hustle free driving experience.

It is important to take note, however, that your car exteriors cleanliness must also be tantamount to the cleanliness of the interior, for a more desirable appearance.

Simple Headlights Restoring Tips – Safety Driving Conditions

First of all you need to understand what happens to make your headlights change from their original condition. Well many years ago car’s came with headlights that were made of glass so this problem didn’t really exist. However, the car manufacturers started using plastic headlight cover that is made from plastic, and they will continue to because plastic is much cheaper to produce.

The plastic lens covers, over just a few years, begins to discolor and get cloudy. This is a result of oxidation. Oxidation is a common form of chemical reaction which is the combining of oxygen with various elements and compounds. Similar to what happens when a freshly cut apple turns brown. The oxygen mixes with certain elements in the apple and turns it brown. The same goes for your vehicles headlights. Your vehicles headlights are exposed to many different things like pollutants, road debris, UV rays and much more that react with the oxygen and therefore cause your headlights to oxidize, which is what causes the hazy and discolored look.

Not only does this oxidation look bad on your vehicles headlights, but it can also be unsafe for you while driving. This oxidation produces a discolored and hazy headlight which decreases the amount of light that can shine out. Therefore, it will significantly decrease your night vision and produce unsafe driving conditions. Back to that not looking good part. Surely you want your vehicle to look its best. Even if you wash and wax your car regularly, your headlights can still look bad. Your vehicle is normally a reflection of yourself, so make it a good reflection. Also if you need to trade in or sell your car getting the headlights restored can increase the value of your vehicle.

Headlight restoration is a great solution to driving safer and riding nicer. It is also a great choice since getting new headlight lens can be very costly, and restoration is affordable. Start looking today to find a qualified professional to restore your vehicles headlights and get it looking like show room appearance in no time. You will also be playing it safe with headlight restoration!

How to prevent oil leaking in your car

Trying to prevent things from going wrong with your car is not easy work. It is often, however, difficult to avoid, given that some cars are produced with a fault pretty much inbuilt. Not deliberately, of course, but we have all heard from owners of certain kinds of car that a certain thing is always going wrong with theirs and other ones that they know of. Some cars are prone to clutch problems; some have spongy brakes, some lack a bit of consistency in the steering department. One problem that can be more annoying than almost any other is a leaking oil reservoir in your engine. It affects the running of the car, and finding the leak can be a messy job in itself.

As often as not, your first warning that you have an engine oil leak is when it gets trailed into your house or your front porch as a series of grimy footprints. These footprints can be either large and human, or small and feline or canine. Essentially, it is a visual clue to the fact that your engine is dripping oil and there must be a leak somewhere. After you have cleaned your shoes (or dog, or cat), it is important to get out to the car and have a look at it, so as to find the source of the leak and see if you can fix it yourself, or whether it may need a trip to the body shop.

There are a number of products on the market which help you identify an oil leak. One of these is good, simple white printer paper. By placing this under your car, starting the engine and leaving it to run for a few moments, you will be able to collect a sample of exactly whatever is dripping out of your car engine. Should the substance be thick, oily and black then you have got engine oil leaking and you need to investigate further. This is where the products you will need become a little bit more technical. They include a trace dye that you mix with water and add to the engine. Under UV light this dye will show up as a yellow-green color that cannot be mistaken for anything else.

If you put some paper under your engine and let the engine run for a while, then the drips will appear in this color under UV light. You can then trace the leak to its source and identify where exactly your problem is. This may take quite a bit of detective work, but an oil leak can be very problematic and can lead to very expensive repairs if not fixed quickly and properly. If you recognize the problem and are sure of how it can be fixed, and equally sure you can do it yourself, then go ahead. If you have your doubts then get a friend to look at it, before taking it to a garage if necessary. This could save you a lot of money and hardship in the meantime.

DIY - replace motor for you car power window

Modern car models are now equipped with car power windows that automatically roll up and down the car with just one click of a button. But like any other mechanical parts and motors, such new car feature can also face some shortcomings along the way. In some cases, a car power window doesn’t fully roll up or down, and much worse, would not respond to the click of the button that prompts it to roll up or down.

In this case, there is probably something wrong with regards to your power window motor. But before you buy a new one, make sure first that the problem really is with your power window motor. To do so, you need a multi-meter to test whether the motor is still functional or not. If you have confirmed that the there really is a problem with your power window motor, then its time for you to purchase a new one and consider these few easy steps to guide you properly on replacing your power window motor.

The first thing that you need to remove is the door panel where you first have to unscrew all the necessary bolts that connect the entire door panel to the car. You are going to need a door clip tool in order to help you remove the entire door panel. The water deflector is then removed after the door panel followed by the connector for the motor. In most cases, car owners think it is already safe to lift the motor out after the connectors are being removed. After you deal with the connectors, you first have to flex away all the release tabs from the motor before you can easily remove the motor out of the regulator.

After removing the motor, you may then replace it with a new one and carefully trace back and reinstall all you have removed from the start. Installing a new motor for your power window is not that hard at all. By the looks of it, mechanical works for your car may not be a job for all. But all you need is the right and sufficient knowledge to help you properly repair all that needs to be repaired in your car.

Car Wax - Color Protection Guides

Some men treat their cars with more respect than their spouses-because they last longer than the later. Jokes apart! The secret of a shiny and glitzy car goes back to European history. Over 100 years ago, the Europeans used to apply animal fat over horse-drawn carriages to protect the paint. The same tradition continues with car wax, but with a modern and scientific approach. No matter how good the quality of your car paint is, it will surely lose its glossy finish and go dull with time. But a car wax can definitely protect car color from fading and give a glossy look for a long time.

With increasing pollution, acid rains and ultraviolet radiation, keeping healthy car paint is difficult. A simple method to keep it safe is - waxing. Car wax provides an easily renewable, transparent barrier between the finish and a hostile environment. It also makes the new or old car, look better. Many varieties of car waxes are available. They combine enriching oils that “wet” the surface with protective methods for high gloss finish and brilliant shine. Initially the quality of wax was thicker and at times in protecting the paint, would reduce the look and shine. But over the years enough research has been done in this field to produce car waxes that are thin, transparent and still offer great protection. These days the car waxes would form protective layer, as thin as 0.004 to 0.006 inches.

Applying car wax is the best way to protect your car from dust or corrosion that is caused by water. It takes about 30 minutes to apply car wax which would last for nearly three to four months, even keeping in mind a wash once in two weeks. There are two forms of wax available these days; paste and liquid. They differ basically in the amount of solvents. Hard Carnauba is diluted with solvents to produce a paste form or further diluted to produce the liquid form. When you apply a paste form, the friction of application helps melt the wax and evaporate the solvents. A liquid wax usually contains more volatile solvents that evaporate out when the wax is applied. The excess wax, left over lubricants, excess bonding agents, solvent residues and whatever else is left forms the layer that is buffed out to reveal the only the wax. And further polishing it leaves the car shiny.

The quest for cleverer cars. "Hi tech - Hi Cost - Hi Stress."

We seem to be getting more and more gadgets fitted to our cars. The list of possible enhancements seems to be complete and then another great innovation comes along. All types of entertainment equipment are available including DVD and various voice activated MP3 music, SAT nav and telephone systems.

Many gadgets now seem to be aimed at the incompetent driver and this will inevitably move towards a completely self driving car where you input your destination and various radars sensors and GPS technology will drive the car to the destination for you. This bring the issue of driver satisfaction and driver enjoyment to the fore. Lets take a look at some of these enhancements and see if they are really worth the extra cost.

Give me a track day car any day with no electrical gadgets or assistance except for ABS

ABS braking systems. These sense the wheel motion and as the wheel locks up the brake is released allowing a driver to maintain full control over the car in an emergency situation. Even an experienced driver employing cadence braking will be unable to brake as efficiently as a car fitted with ABS. The only downside of ABS is when moving to a car without ABS the impulse to stamp on the brake is not diminished and this can put the car into a lethal slide. Overall though most people will concede that ABS is an essential.

Power steering. With cars getting heavier and wheel sizes increasing the muscle power required to move the steering wheel is much greater. Power steering though takes away a lot of the feedback you get from the road, we all remember taking afast corner in a non power steering car and fighting against the tug of the corner and some how that seemed to improve the driver experience and involvement. Makers have woken up to this and now produce power assisted steering giving greater assistance at lower speed when steering becomes heavier and less at high speed when you really want the steering feedback to tell you how the car is behaving in the corner.

Various braking enhancement systems, are in place and all work in a similar way. The braking enhancement systems starts or enhances the braking process in an emergency situation. Simple systems detect a stab of the brake pedal and increase the braking force applied to assist the driver in avoiding a collision.

It appears that drivers do not brake hard enough in emergency situations. We mixed feelings on this, when you get used to the system you actually start to rely on it and although at first this is a safety enhancement it can actually be the opposite should you find yourself in a less well equipped car. Other braking enhancement systems detect your foot lifting off the throttle and it starts the brakes or at least moves the brakes toward the disks and starts braking. This system can really impact on driver enjoyment on fast bends when you have always relied on lift off over steer to help you round the corner - the last thing you want is for the brakes to be applied!

Traction control. Most drivers turn this of when they go onto the track and We have yet to see an effective implementation of traction control. The best ones are fitted to 4 wheel drive cars like the Nissan skyline and Audi quattro which alter the power to each corner of the car to maintain power and stability in the corners. Nearly all traction control systems sap power from the engine. For the ultimate drivers car We would not recommend a traction control method which holds back the power and full enjoyment of high speed cornering.

The next one just made us laugh. Audi have introduced a system which prevents the car from rolling backwards on a hill in that instance where you transfer your foot from the brake to the accelerator. Everyone learnt clutch control and hill starts in their driving test do we really need a feature that compensates for lazy habits to this extent.

Then Japanese makers come along with technology that helps warn the driver if he is tired. Lane sensors detect that you are drifting out of your lane and vibrate the seat to warn you. Others monitor you blink rate and give you a warning if they detect that you are getting drowsy. Nissan have devised a system which detects alcohol on your breath and will not start the car. What happens though if your car is full of drinkers and you are the one who didn't drink and was elected to do the driving. Whilst a Moron detector would be a good and long overdue addition to a cars arsenal of gadget we cannot see it happening! Many of these headline grabbing features are just publicity stunts and add very little to road safety. Other enhancements are useful until the driver adjusts his driving style to rely on them.

Give me a basic track day car any day with no electrical gadgets or assistance except for ABS brakes and I will be happy.

Install A Car Speaker On Your Own

Installing the speakers yourself can allow you to take every consideration into account. Not only this, but it could well save you a bit of money into the bargain. So as long as you make sure you are well informed before you set to work, there is really no reason why you should not at least consider setting up your in-car speaker system yourself. It is really the best way of getting the set-up you want at a price that is agreeable to your wallet, and having the information close at hand should anything go wrong with your set-up and need repairing.

The good news is that the woofers in any new speaker pack should fit straight into the locations already in place for those that came with the car. The tweeters, however, will usually require custom installation, and this is where you will have to either be brave and prepare yourself for some mildly fiddly installation work, or admit defeat and take your car to the garage to ask the mechanics there to do the work. If you have a little bit of confidence, though, it is perfectly manageable to do it yourself.

You will need to do a little bit of taking apart, but nothing that will affect the running of the car – indeed, it is all stuff that is easy to put back together again. What you need to do is work out the locations of the speakers that are currently in your car – these are usually in the door and in the boot – and then access these by using the door panel popper to remove the door panel. Remove the old speakers, and wire up the new ones, remembering to match positive wire to positive outlet, and do the same with the negatives. When putting your new speakers back into the door cavity it is wise to pack it in with a sound dampening add-on like Dynamat, which will lessen any excessive vibrations (this is the part that noise polluters often forget!)

Repeat the process for any speaker that needs replacing, but take great care when you are removing and replacing speakers. Take care not to break any of the old ones, and not to make your installation system too haphazard as there may come a time when you are selling the car and want to reinstall the old speaker system – either because you want the bespoke one for your new car, or because the old one might appeal more to potential buyers.

Get Better Horsepower Or Gas Mileage Tips

Today there are more performance parts available for your Acura, and other high performance vehicles, than ever before. Finding Acura parts or parts for other premium automobiles can be a little bit of a challenge, but once you find the right performance parts, your car and your ego will thank you. There is a lot of satisfaction in knowing that you have found the best performance parts money can buy, for your car.

Considering the Required Skill Set for Do-It-Yourself Mechanics

Deciding on which of a variety of performance parts to choose depends on what type of power you are looking for and if you plan on installing those parts yourself. Everyone has their own level of mechanical ability, and if you decide to install the parts yourself, you will need to be comfortable with your mechanical skills.

For example, installing larger fuel injectors can be a lot of work for the backyard mechanic. To complete an installation of larger fuel injectors, you will need some specialized tools and you will need to have a fair amount of time to dedicate to the project.

Other projects are much simpler and can quickly and easily be completed by the backyard mechanic. For example, if you purchase a high-flow air filter for your car or some rapid-fire spark plugs, you will not need any specialized tools. Installing performance parts such as these does not require a lot of time for most people either.

Increasing Your Horsepower

Some performance parts can result in great gains in horsepower for your car. Some of the types of performance parts you may be considering can include camshafts, high flowing cylinder heads, nitrous oxide, etc. However, you can also add parts that will result in smaller gains, but will provide great payoffs in the long run.

For example, a higher flowing fuel pump may only result in a small immediate horsepower gain, but if you decide to add a larger throttle body at a later time then the high flow fuel pump will be well worth it. These performance parts, much like all of the parts of your car work in sync with each other and adding one without the other may not provide as good of results as you had expected.

Measuring Your Performance Gains

Adding one of these performance parts at a time can be a great option for those who are on a budget. Adding one part at a time is also a great way to measure the horsepower gains that each of the individual parts provide to your car. Further, if you install one part at a time and you experience any operational problems, it is easy to track the problem down to your latest modification. If you add a handful of parts all at once, it can be difficult to determine which one was the culprit.

Whether you are looking for a quarter mile monster, or simply want to have a little more acceleration when entering the freeway, some of these performance parts may be just what you have been seeking to make your car come to life.

Fuel Efficiency Gains

Performance parts can not only add to your horsepower, they can also add to the efficiency of your car. This means that some of the performance parts can actually improve your gas mileage, if you can keep your foot off the gas! A more efficiently operating vehicle will also last longer if you keep it well maintained.

Replacing Factory Parts With Performance Parts

The inevitable reality is that at times you will need to replace some of the parts on your vehicle. Due to general wear and tear, parts will need to be replaced. It makes good sense at these times to upgrade to high performance parts instead of going with the standard factory parts, especially if you are looking for that extra boost in your horsepower.

These performance parts are often better in quality than the factory replacement parts. The cost difference is generally minimal, and when you add in the fact that they outperform the factory replacement parts, it is really no contest. The companies that produce the high performance parts know that you have choices as to which parts you buy for your car. Because of this, they go the extra mile to not only add power, but also to also create parts that are a higher overall quality than the factory parts.

Check out some of the performance parts available for your automobile and get that boost in power that you want.

How to Maintain Your Automobile

If you own an automobile, here are some automobile tips that can help you. These tips have been collected from various automobile news websites. Read on and benefit from them.

Here are some automobile tips for maintaining your automobile in the finest conditions. All the automobile tips are related to the different parts of your automobile:

Tyres – one of the most important automobile tips is to rotate the position of the tyres on a regular basis. Another of the automobile tips is to balance the tyres at around 10,000 km. Also the under-inflated tyres have to be checked regularly. Also the tyres have to be checked for any gravel or stone residual.

Brakes – one of the most important automobile tips for the maintenance of breaks is to top up the brake fluid reservoir occasionally. This is to be especially done if you notice the brakes becoming wobbly and getting slow.
Battery – The automobile tips for battery maintenance is to clean the battery terminals regularly as well as apply some grease. The second tip is to check the battery’s distilled water level.

Interior – the interiors should be vacuumed regularly. This helps to prevent any deposits of sand, grime, dust, salt, etc. while cleaning the dash should be wiped, instruments and seats should also be cleaned. It is advisable to use some special car cleaners.

If the interiors have leather, you should not use any high alkaline content as they can actually bleach the color off the leather.

Exterior – the best of the automobile tips for cleaning the exteriors is to wash the windscreens with water and soap. To dry the exterior, the chamois leather should be used. As soon as the car dries off it is advisable to use a rag dipped in a solution of water and methylated spirit to polish the glass.

Lights- all the lights like, brake lights, emergency flashers and turn signals should be cleaned regularly. Some fuses and bulbs should be kept in the vehicle as spares. Make sure that all your lights are clean and working, including the brake lights, turn signals and emergency flashers. Keep spare bulbs and fuses in your vehicle.

Hoses – the automobile tips for hoses state that they should be inspected every month. Same is true for the belts. In case you feel that a hose appears bad or has become really hard, then it should be replaced.

Exhaust – the exhausts should be given proper attention. They should not be loose; also their clamps should not be broken. The automobile tips suggest that you should look for any possible holes in the pipes or the muffler. You should also change the parts that are either damaged or have caught some rust. Also the emission of your automobile should be checked every year.

Spare parts- most of the automobile tips that you will ever read will suggest you to use only genuine spare parts for your automobile. They last long and do not have any side effects on the automobile’ performance.

Free Changing Windshield Wipers Guides

Windshield wipers are made up of plastics and rubbers which tend to break down easily over time. Weather conditions certainly play a role in this. Changing your wipers is best done before it becomes a necessity. Learning the hard way when you are caught in a rainstorm without good wipers can be both inconvenient and potentially dangerous. Changing your wipers during the spring or summer is usually a safe bet. Do not wait until extremely bad weather hits in order to put new wipers on your car.

Plan to put your new wiper blades on the car during a sunny day. Make a point to schedule it into your day timer if it is something that you are tempted to put off. This is an easy task that will not take you long at all if you just get to it. It looks harder than it really is. You should make a note to check your wipers every 4 months or so, just to be certain. It does not take long for wear to build up. The quality of your wipers as well as the climate you live in will all be a factor in how long they last for. Try to buy wipers that are of reasonably good quality.

Grab the windshield wiper and pull it so that it stands straight out from the windshield. Look for the little tab that releases the wiper. You have to press it and then the wiper will release. Even though these wipers are exposed to harsh elements, you still must be careful with the wiper arm when doing this so that you do not break anything. Once you slide the wiper off of the wiper arm, you must be sure that the arm will not fall against the windshield as it could crack or damage the glass.

Putting the new wiper on is as simple as sliding it down the wiper arm and clicking it into place where the tab is. Make sure that you are putting it on the proper way. Most wiper blade packages have instructions to show you how to put the new one on. Be absolutely certain that the wiper blade has been put on correctly. You certainly do not want the thing to go flying off when you are driving down the road or when you try to use it in the rain.

The type of windshield wipers that you choose to purchase is very important if you want them to last for more than a few months. Try looking for some that come with an automatic warranty. Price will play a role as well of course. If you get the cheapest ones available then you can bet the quality is likely to match. Purchasing the right type of wipers is essential too. Not all cars have the same type of windshield which means that you need some that will fit yours. Changing your wipers will take a few minutes of your time but it is well worth it once you are driving and you can actually see.

Car Maintenance: 6 Car Repairs You Can't Afford to Skip

1. Brake Pads

It seems like common sense: Don't neglect your car's brakes. Still, when it's time to replace your car's brake pads, it's easy to look the other way. For one thing, brake pads tend to wear gradually, so you might not notice changes in your braking performance right away. Secondly, a car with worn brake pads will still stop -- just not as well. So what's the harm in saving some money and holding off?

It turns out the harm in not replacing your brake pads is about $400. When your brake pads are worn, they can cause damage to brake rotors. As the rotors rub against the worn pads, they become warped, which makes it tougher to stop the car (if you feel your car shudder as you brake, you probably have warped rotors). Fixing the rotors requires that they be turned or smoothed out -- something that requires a mechanic and can run over $100 per rotor. If the rotors need to be replaced, you'll end up spending four times what it would have cost to replace the brake pads.

2. Oil Change

An oil change should cost you around $40 at most quick oil change stations. And that same station will probably tell you to come back in three months or 3,000 miles. But do you have to? It depends. That old rule of thumb still applies to some cars, but others can go much longer between oil changes. To find out how long your car can go between changes, read your owner's manual.

After you've found out the oil change interval for your car, follow it. Oil is like your engine's blood. But unlike your blood, all sorts of impurities build up in unless your oil is changed regularly -- not to mention that all engines lose some oil. Too much buildup and not enough oil lead to your engine seizing up. Sure, you can save $40 by putting off an oil change, but you could end up spending $4,000 on a new engine.

3. Air Filter

Changing an air filter is cheap. It's even easy enough for most people to do themselves. Not changing your car's air filter, on the other hand, is expensive. According to the EPA, a dirty air filter can reduce fuel economy by up to 10 percent simply because your engine won't breathe as efficiently. By not changing a dirty air filter, you'll save about $15. But, if your car is supposed to get 25 miles per gallon, and gas is $2.50 a gallon, those savings have evaporated by the time you've driven about 150 miles.

Even worse, if the air filter isn't clean and that means enough air isn't getting to the engine, you could foul your spark plugs and might have to replace them. Depending on your engine, that can cost anywhere from $100 to $300. Now, spending $15 for a new air filter doesn't sound so bad, does it?

4. Transmission Fluid Leak

One of the most common problems associated with your transmission is a fluid leak. You'll likely first notice it when you see drops of red fluid on the pavement where you usually park your car. Ignore it for long enough, and you'll definitely notice it when the leak leads to your transmission shifting roughly, or the gears slipping.

Transmission fluid is what cools and lubricates your transmission. If it's leaking, you need to fix it, and fast. Resealing a transmission is a relatively easy job and should usually only cost a few hundred dollars. Ignoring the leak can lead to the transmission seizing up and a subsequent transmission replacement --which costs several thousand dollars.

5. Burned Out Lights

Here's one car repair on our list that is really easy to ignore. After all, a burned-out tail light won't eventually lead to engine failure or to your transmission falling out. While that's all true, you should still fork over your hard-earned $5 for new tail light bulb if yours is burned out.

Believe it or not, failure to keep your rear lights working can be an expensive proposition. First, if a police officer sees you with broken tail or brake lights, you're going to get a ticket. In some states, the fine for a broken tail light is $150, which makes paying for a new bulb seem like chump change. Second, broken lights increase your risk of being on the receiving end of a rear-end collision. And while the other driver's insurance should cover any damage (assuming they have insurance), you still have to deal with the headache of getting your car fixed.

6. Clogged Fuel Filter

An important part of maintaining your car is keeping impurities out of the engine. While the air filter does part of the job by keeping airborne impurities out, the fuel filter keeps impurities from the fuel out of the engine. Like the air filter, if it gets clogged and you don't fix it, you're looking at some major problems.

On older cars, a fuel filter is relatively easy to replace because it's easy for mechanics or car owners themselves to get to. On newer cars, it's a more complex job. More complexity means more money, which makes this repair tempting to skip -- despite the fact that it can lead to the car stalling or refusing to start altogether.

Don't skip it. At its most expensive, replacing a fuel filter will be a few hundred bucks. Let it go too long, and not only are you looking at dealing with a car that will barely run, you could also have dirt in your fuel injectors -- causing them to need replacing. Replacing just one fuel injector can cost over $500. But if they all need replacing, you're looking at least $1,000 in repair bills.

Free Guide: Quick shift gear stick upgrade kits

Being able to change gear as quickly as possible can make a big difference in time critical situations like drag racing and even track day racing. The slowest component in any car is the driver and there is little that can be done to improve that. A quick shift kit will help to give you the competitive edge by enabling faster gear changes and allowing more 'feel' by reducing play.

The gearstick is basically a lever which links to the gearbox. Underneath the gate we have essentially a pivot and the bottom of the lever is what does the work changing gear. Some quick shift shafts have a bend in them to allow extra leverage whilst keeping the gear knob in the same place.

Simple physics applies here a shorter lever above the pivot and longer one below the pivot means that gear changes are quicker. More effort is needed but no gearbox should offer enough resistance to a gear change unless something is seriously wrong with it.

When you have driven a car with a quick shift you will not want to go back to an ordinary long throw gear stick.

Many different quick shift kits are available. When choosing one you should look out for one that is adjustable. Each driver has his own preference and it is also fair to say that each gearbox is different. In some the fastest setting may cause clearance problems.

After you have fitted the quick shift kit ensure that you can engage each gear easily. Sometimes the rubber blocks behind and below the lower shaft will rub and prevent smooth changes. If this is the case adjust the quick shift and or shave away some of the rubber that is causing the fouling.

When you have driven a car with a quick shift you will notice that the amount of travel on the gear lever is substantially reduced. Up to 40% shorter distances in some cases. This effectively make the gear changes faster and gives a more slick feeling. You will really not want to go back to a standard or long throw gear lever afterwards.

Changing to a quick shifter is a relatively straightforward job. Sadly though cars are too different for us to offer general advice here. In some cars, you will need to jack up the front of the car and use axle stands to fit it properly whilst others can be done pretty much entirely from inside the car.

Most quick shift kits come with instructions but you can also consult a workshop manual for you car if you are unsure. This modification is simple and really makes the car feel more sporty, although in real life your performance is pretty much the same.

Free Interior Headliner Repair Tips

As a car ages in years, it starts needing a little more attention and care. Even if you take care of your car very well, chances are that as old age settles in it will need a few repairs. Some of these repairs are kind of unavoidable and maybe even unpreventable. However, getting the repaired is usually simple. And even if you car has a few years behind it, keeping it looking good will still help you sell the car if you happen to need or want to at some point down the road. One of these repairs is headliner repair.

The headliner is the fabric covering of the interior of an automobile’s roof. It is normally made of lightweight fabric and may have an inner framework of stiff wire or a cardboard backing for stiffness. It is usually made of a light colored material as well. Since the headliner is made out of such lightweight material it usually begins to wear down quicker than other parts of your vehicles interior. What usually ends up happening is that it started to sag in small areas, and then eventually it is sagging the entire way only holding on at the edges. It not only looks bad, but is annoying as it sits on your head as you drive.

You have a few options available to you as you endeavor to fix this headliner problem. You can replace the headliner or you can repair it, or you may even try to fix it yourself.

First of all, it is not advised that you try fixing your headliner yourself with crazy ideas you think will work. Whether it be an adhesive, pins, or anything else you will be wasting your time and money. Usually they will fix it for a day or maybe a few days, but you end up in the same spot you were before and maybe worse depending on how you tried to fix it yourself. You should either get it repaired professionally or get it replaced.

If you choose to replace the headliner you will pay more than having it repaired. You may also have to wait for them to order materials or supplies to complete the job. You may also be out of a vehicle while they work on your car. However, this is an option you can choose to get your car’s interior looking great.