Steps to a “Greener” Car

It doesn’t matter if the car you’re driving is new or old, big or small. There are preventive maintenance steps every vehicle owner can take to make sure their car is as “green” or environmentally friendly as possible, according to the Car Care Council.

By following a few simple preventive maintenance steps, you can help protect the environment by improving gas mileage, which in turn saves money at the pump.

Keep your car properly tuned for optimum performance. Regular tune-ups, maintenance and having clean air filters will help your car pollute less and burn less gas. Getting a tune-up can improve gas mileage by an average of 4 percent. Simply changing the car’s air filter can improve efficiency by 10 percent. Fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve gas mileage by as much as 40 percent.

Drive Smart – If you have to drive your car, recognize that how you drive has a lot to do with fuel economy. Avoid sudden starts and stops and go the speed limit. Jerky and aggressive driving decreases your miles per gallon (MPG) and increases wear and tear on your vehicle. Minimize unnecessary miles by combining errands in one trip.

Lighten the Load – Get the junk out of the trunk and the stuff out of your car, with the exception of emergency items such as a spare tire, flares and a first-aid kit. Extra items weigh the vehicle down and cause an increase in gas usage.

Regularly check and replace dirty air filters. An air filter that is clogged with dirt, dust and bugs chokes off the air and creates a “rich” mixture – too much gas being burned for the amount of air – that wastes gas and causes the engine to lose power. Replacing a clogged air filter can improve your car’s performance, but not miles per gallon.

Have spark plugs checked and replaced if necessary. A vehicle can have four, six or eight spark plugs, which fire as many as three million times every 1,000 miles. This results in a lot of heat, electrical, and chemical erosion. A dirty spark plug also causes misfiring, which wastes fuel.

Maintain the cooling system. A cooling system thermostat that causes the engine to run too cold will lower the fuel efficiency of a car by as much as one or two mpg. There also are improved radiator caps on the market today that allow the cooling system to operate at a higher temperature before boiling over, increasing the system’s efficiency and reducing emissions

Tire Checks – According to the Car Care Council, around two billion gallons of gas each year could be saved if the tires on every American’s car were properly inflated. Optimal tire pressure for your vehicle is listed in the owner’s manual. Tires that are not properly inflated add rolling resistance that makes the engine work harder to move the vehicle. All of this increases fuel costs as much as three to five cents per gallon, and increases the risk of engine damage.

Gas Caps and Fill-Ups – Check your vehicle’s gas cap. Approximately 17 percent of vehicles on the road have loose, damaged or missing gas caps, causing 147 million gallons of gas to vaporize every year. Topping off your gas tank when filling up your car can also release harmful vapors into the environment.

A/C Maintenance and Use – The A/C system should be inspected annually, during which a technician checks pressures to test operation, refrigerant charge and outlet temperatures. Use the window to help keep the car cool.

Vehicle Fuel System - By properly maintaining your vehicle’s fuel system, such as replacing your car’s fuel filter every two years or 24,000 miles and having your fuel injectors flushed our every 30,000 miles, you will not only have a cleaner, ‘greener’ car, but you will save money at the pump.”

Emission systems - Emission systems control a vehicle’s emissions, exhaust and pollutants using an array of sensors, computerized engine controls and the exhaust components. Emission systems substantially reduce harmful gases such as carbon monoxide (CO), unburned hydrocarbons (HC) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx), and prevent harmful gasoline vapors from escaping at the fuel tank. Your car’s emission system keeps the engine running cleanly and efficiently in all sorts of operating conditions, and keeping it in proper working condition can save money and protect the environment.

Maintain and repair your car as outlined in the council’s Car Care Guide. The guide helps drivers understand their car, the care it needs, and when it needs it and why. Single copies of the free guide may be ordered here on the Car Care Council Web site.

Questions to ask your mechanic

1. What is the most important thing I should do to my car to make sure I’m doing my part to protect the environment?
2. If my car emits a lot of exhaust, does this mean there’s something wrong with it?
3. Is the refrigerant in my car environmentally friendly and if not, what should I do?
4. Where can I take my used oil, oil filter and other fluids for recycling?

Click here for the section in the Car Care Guide about environmental awareness.

Keep Your Cool in Hot Summer Cars

When it’s hot outside, one of the last places you want to be is sitting in traffic without a properly functioning air conditioning (A/C) system. To help avoid this uncomfortable situation, the Car Care Council recommends having your A/C system checked annually to make sure it is functioning at its peak performance level when the temperatures are soaring.

“Making sure your A/C system is working properly will give you the peace of mind knowing that your vehicle will keep you cool and safe when you hit the road this summer,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Not only are high temperatures harmful to the body with prolonged exposure, but they can provide unnecessary wear and tear on a vehicle.”

A vehicle’s heating, ventilating and air conditioning system (HVAC) keeps the interior cabin comfortable in any season by providing the right temperature and humidity level. Typical A/C service consists of the following steps:

• Service technician visually inspects hoses, lines, seals and other components for leaks as well as inspect the drive belt for cracks or damage.

• Technician checks pressures to test operation, refrigerant charge and outlet temperatures.

• If the system is found to be low on refrigerant, a leak test is performed to find the source of the leak. Keep in mind that if your vehicle is leaking refrigerant, it is damaging the ozone layer.

• Refrigerant may be added if necessary to “top off” the system, although some states do not allow “topping off.”

• A technician may also check for evidence of refrigerant cross-contamination, which is the mixing of refrigerants.

• A/C service should also include a check of the compressor’s drive belt and tension.

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers

74 Tips To Extend the Life of Your Car

Care and Maintenance Tips Keep Your Car Running in Top-Notch ConditionWe’ve compiled our best expert advice, surprising tricks, and car care tips to prolong the life of your automobile!

1. Be patient during the break-in period

You’ve bought your dream car and now you want to make it last at long as possible in top condition. Here are some things to remember as you pull it out of the dealer’s lot:

• During the break-in period, typically the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km), keep your speed under 55 mph (88 kpm) or to the speed recommended by your car’s manufacturer.
• Avoid heavy loads on the drive train, such as towing trailers, and loading the roof rack or trunk with heavy construction materials.
• Do not allow your new car to idle for long periods — this is good advice for the life of your car, but especially during breakin. The oil pressure generated by doing so may not be sending oil to every part of your engine.
• Use only light to medium acceleration, keeping the engine rpms below 3,000 for the first few hours of driving.

2. Drive with care everyday
Being car considerate shouldn’t stop after the break-in. Drive with care every day and your car will reward you with longer intervals without repair.

• Do not race your car’s engine during start-up.This is a quick way to add years of wear to your engine, especially if it’s cold outside.
• Accelerate slowly when you begin your drive.The most wear to the engine and drive train occurs in the first ten to twenty minutes of operation.
• Warming the engine by letting it idle in the driveway is not a smart idea.The engine doesn’t operate at its peak temperature, resulting in incomplete fuel combustion, soot deposits on cylinder walls, oil contamination, and ultimately damaged components.
• Put less strain on your engine and automatic transmission by shifting to neutral at red lights. Otherwise, the engine is still working to push the car even while it’s stopped.
• Avoid driving at high speeds and accelerating quickly, especially when it’s very hot or very cold outside. Such driving behavior will result in more frequent repairs.
• Extend the life of your tires with careful driving. Observe posted speed limits. Avoid fast starts, stops, and turns. Avoid potholes and objects on the road. Don’t run over curbs or hit the tire against the curb when parking. And, of course, don’t burn rubber.
• When turning your steering wheel, don’t hold it in an extreme right or left position for more than a few seconds. Doing so can damage the power-steering pump.
• Consolidate your short driving trips. Most of the wear and tear — as well as the pollution your car generates — takes place in the first few minutes of driving. Doing several errands at once, during low traffic hours if possible, will keep your engine happier longer.

3. Buy gas at reputable service stations

Ask whether the gas you buy is filtered at the pump and if the station has a policy about changing the pump filters regularly. If you get a song and dance, find another gas station. Some stations don’t have pump filters, making you more vulnerable to dirty gasoline. Other stations may not mix alcohol and fuel properly — or worse, water down their product. Find a station you trust and stick to it.

4. Don’t fill up if you see the tanker

If you happen to see a gasoline tanker filling the tanks at your local gas station, come back another day or go to a different station. As the station’s underground tanks are being filled, the turbulence can stir up sediment. Sediment in your gas can clog fuel filters and fuel injectors, causing poor performance and possibly necessitating repairs.

5. Go easy when you’re stuck

When stuck in mud or snow, don’t make the problem worse by damaging an expensive component. Gently rocking in an attempt to free the car is fine. But if it looks as though you’re really stuck, don’t keep at it. Throwing your car from forward to reverse repeatedly, as well as spinning tires at high speeds, can generate lots of heat and spell trouble for transmissions, clutches, and differentials. It may be cheaper in the long run to call the tow truck rather than risk big repair bills down the road. It’s a good idea to carry a traction aid in the trunk, such as sand, gravel, or cat litter.

6. Lighten up your key chain

Does your car key share a chain with a dozen or more other keys? That’s a pretty heavy load hanging off the car key when it’s in the ignition.The weight, combined with bouncing while you drive, can wear out the tumblers inside the ignition and eventually lead to ignition switch failure.To add years of service to your ignition switch, purchase a lightweight key chain that allows you to separate your ignition key from the others. Drive with only the ignition key in your ignition. If your ignition key “sticks” when you try to turn on the car, it’s a warning that your ignition switch is about to fail. Replace it before you get stranded.

7. Choose a good car insurer

Sometimes, no matter how careful you are, disaster inevitably strikes — typically in the form of an accident. Make sure that your car will be repaired to the best possible standard by finding an insurer that will pay for parts from the original manufacturer and guarantee the repairs it authorizes.

8. Keep an auto log

Keep a pad and pencil in the glove compartment and use them to record your gas fill-ups and mileage. If you notice that your gas mileage worsens, mention it to your service man. It may be an early warning sign that something is wrong with your car.

9. Preserve your car during long-term storage

If you are not going to use your car for more than a month, store it properly to prevent unnecessary damage and repairs upon your return.

• Fill the gas tank to help prevent condensation from accumulating in the gas tank. Add a fuel stabilizer and drive the car around a bit to distribute the additive to engine parts.
• Wash and wax the car thoroughly to protect the finish.
• Place a vapor barrier on your garage floor. A 4-mil polyethylene drop cloth will do.
• Disengage the parking brake to help avoid brake corrosion.
• Put the car on jack stands to take the weight of the vehicle off the wheels and tires.
• Disconnect and remove the battery to keep it from draining. Place the battery on a trickletype charger. Or periodically drain the battery, using a small light bulb, and then recharge it with a low-volt charger.
• Plug the tailpipe with a rag to prevent moist air from infiltrating into it.

Read more here

Fun Reads

The 10 Commandments of Auto Repair

Funny, but good rules of thumb to safely work on your car.

By Matthew Wright, About.com Guide

1. ortion of thy anatomy beneath a car that is not properly supported with jack stands or blocks.
2. Thou shalt not work on any part of the starting or charging system without first disconnecting the battery.
3. Thou shalt suffer no flame or spark near the battery or the fuel system.
4. Thou shalt forsake the open end of the wrench, and whenever possible to use always the box end upon thy nuts and thy bolts.
5. Thou shalt always securely block the wheels of the car before starting work, lest thee run thyself over with thine own car.
6. Thou shalt never lose thy temper or thy patience. Remember: "Act in haste and you will repent at your leisure."
7. Thou shalt always exercise extreme care when opening thy radiator, lest thee parboil thyself or some innocent bystander.
8. Thou shalt clean up any and all of the fluids that thy auto may emit, lest they ignite or poison thy pet, thy child, thy soil or thy groundwater.
9. Thou shalt always place thy car's transmission in Park or Neutral before commencing work.
10. Thou shalt never forget the laws of ASSUME, K.I.S.S., and Murphy, and never blame another person for thine own errors.

Auto Repair Insight

Making Use of Your Senses & What Your Car is Telling You

The five human senses are; sight, smell, taste, touch and hearing. How can you use these to keep your car running longer and your repair costs down? We'll go over the five different senses and see what your car might be trying to tell you.

This is not intended to diagnose any problems, but instead help you be "aware" of what's going on when you operate your vehicle and how you might be able to prevent more costly repairs.

Smell & Taste

Most people might instantly think of gas. Yes, any fuel smell should be promptly checked out by a professional. I think this goes without saying..... But what are some other smells that you might encounter that can also be a safety concern? Coolant is one. Sometimes when a heater core starts to leak, the coolant will be evaporated and blown through the vents before it starts dripping inside and becomes an obvious problem. When this happens, you can "smell" the coolant and even "taste" a sweet taste in your mouth for no apparent reason. This is not safe and you need to have your car checked out promptly as coolant is poisonous.

As your engine warms up, any leaks on or around your engine these can also be noticed with your sense of smell. More noticeably if it happens to be leaking directly onto hot exhaust components. This can be a fire hazard.

On the other hand - Carbon Monoxide has NO smell, so any exhaust leaks need to be sealed up as soon as possible.

Sight

As you walk out to your car in the morning do you see anything out of the ordinary? A crooked tailpipe can be an indication of a muffler or exhaust pipe hanger problem. Any leaks that are causing visible drops on the ground are sufficient enough to be repaired. Some leaks are in fact normal and are discussed here. Since When is a "Water Leak" Normal??

There are a lot of plastic covers that protect your engine and associated moving parts from the elements during operation. These shields are commonly located on the lower front sides and in the lower front. They can become loose and damaged from age and coming in contact with curbs, etc. These can usually be easily reattached before they become more damaged and need to be replaced.

You may notice many different warning lights on your dash. Sometimes they can be overwhelming to the average person. Air Bag, ABS, & Check Engine lights should always be checked out as soon as possible. Sometimes a Check Engine light can be as simple as a loose gas cap. We have many tools and resources to properly diagnose the tough problems too.

Touch & Hearing

While driving, some problems might be "felt" as well as "heard". Wheel bearings, brakes, tires and suspension components can exhibit these very characteristics. Does your steering wheel vibrate while braking? This is a common complaint when the front brake rotors are warped. A simple (but thorough) brake inspection can find the exact problem. Worn or unbalanced tires can also cause your vehicle to not "feel" right as you are going down the road. Loose suspension parts can cause premature wear on your tires, so periodic inspections are well worth your time.

In Conclusion

It is very important that all the different "systems" in your vehicle are working as they were designed, and in unison with one another. By using your "senses", you can catch small problems before they turn into big ones, and save yourself a lot of time and money. We always offer courtesy inspections with every visit to help you keep your repair costs down.　

Luxury Auto's

You Can Buy The Dartz Armored SUV From “The Dictator,” If That’s Your Thing

In a match made more in heaven than Crockett and Tubbs, Russian purveyor of insanely customized luxury Dartz is providing Sacha Baron Cohen’s new movie The Dictator with a few examples of its biggest SUV, the Prombron, which aspires to be the Simpsons Canyonero. Yes, you, Mister Small Ruler Of An Oil-Rich Middle Eastern Nation, can buy yourself one of eight examples of the very car His Excellency Admiral General Aladeen of Wadiya can roll in.
As another Cohen character would say, “verry nice!”
Dartz is the sort of company that’s seemingly run by a 12-year old boy with a penchant for mid-90s MTV rap videos and an attention span shorter than the inkling sprouts of hair on his adolescent chest. The Dartz Aladeen Edition Prombron sounds like a planet from Star Wars but, unlike Alderaan, is certainly a real thing. Dartz takes pride in labeling itself as “The World’s Most Expensive Armored Car,” because it is. The base model Prombron is equipped with armor top to bottom, blast-proof windows, a V-8 engine producing 400 horsepower, the ability to withstand a rocket attack from certain members of the Shriners Club, a coffee maker, cloth seats—no leather, not anymore—a discount card for the same place Eliot Spitzer usually frequents (buy nine and you get a free lunch buffet), and a free Metallica t-shirt. But unlike those plebeian vehicles, this model is draped in gold. Because, you know, that’s just tempting fate and the assault rifle fire of angry Starbucks baristas in Oman.
The cost? Between $500,000 to $750,000, which, incidentally, is also the same cost of renting a hot-air balloon and dropping miniature solid-gold Oscar statuettes emblazoned with the phrase “I HAVE MORE MONEY THAN YOU” and Tony Robbins’ home phone number over certain neighborhoods in Brentwood. But hey, the car does get its fair share of screen time in The Dictator, and you could probably buy three or four General Lees for that price. Only 10 are earmarked for production, and we hear that Dartz will throw in a coupon for a Qdoba burrito if you buy two or more examples.
Who knows if the Russians are in on the joke—and who cares. The joke is that The Dictator satirizes the trappings of obnoxious Middle Eastern wealth, yet Dartz is offering its well-heeled customers a chance to live the dream without their tongues firmly in theirs—or someone else’s—cheeks. Logic? There is no logic in buying a gold SUV. Only hilarity. The ghost of Don Simpson would surely be proud.
Source: Yahoo! Autos

Read more: http://blogs.automotive.com/you-can-buy-the-dartz-armored-suv-from-the-dictator-if-thats-your-thing-91811.html#ixzz1tA73xOX5

Cobble Hill Super Service Inc.