Auto

Catalytic converters are devices that help reduce pollutants in the emissions of cars. They contain the metallic element: platinum or sometimes palladium. This is used to break down harmful gases in the emissions and make them safer for the environment.

A catalytic converter is an automobile emission control device that reduces air pollution by changing harmful exhaust emissions into less-harmful gases. The device accomplishes this by first passing exhaust gas through a honeycomb-like ceramic substrate coated with a catalyst, that usually platinum or palladium. The catalyst breaks down the hydrocarbons in the exhaust into harmless molecules of hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and water vapour.

An important device that is standard equipment on vehicles built since 1975 is the catalytic converter. This part, when properly working, will significantly reduce pollutants from your engine before they leave your exhaust. A catalytic converter is essential toward promoting overall environmental cleanliness; most state auto inspection stations will check to see if yours is working as part of their regular inspection of your vehicle. If your vehicle fails inspection your catalytic converter may need to be replaced. Let’s take a look at what a catalytic converter does and how you can save money in replacing one should it fail.
As your engine burns fuel, it produces environmentally harmful gases. These gases, if not handled properly, will leave your car’s exhaust and work harm on the environment. The Environmental Protection Agency, established in 1970, began to require that cars come equipped with devices to reduce harmful emissions. Thus, the catalytic converter was born.

The catalytic converter in your vehicle is installed in the exhaust line between the exhaust manifold and the muffler. Pellets inside the converter work to change the harmful gases into harmless gases before they leave the tailpipe and out into the open air. Thus, a properly functioning catalytic converter is essential toward maintaining good air quality.  It can help your car pass annual emission tests like the UK’s MOT test.

Signs of a deteriorating catalytic converter include the following symptoms:
Rusted or broken converter body or end tubes.
Bits of substrate in other sections of the exhaust system.
No rattle detected in a pellitized converter (If the converter doesn’t rattle, the pellets may have melted together or fallen out). A rattle detected in a monolithic converter (A rattle in this kind of converter indicates the substrate has separated.)

In each case the diagnosis is for you to replace your catalytic converter immediately.  Whether you are purchasing a Ford catalytic converter or a BMW catalytic converter or other car manufacturer it does help to shop around. While some people turn to manufacturers to find replacement parts, ordering through online shops can result in significant savings for you. Some after market parts are of very high quality, but it does pay to do your research.  Obviously going for the more expensive manufacturer’s own part might give added peace of mind. In addition, the information provided online will go far toward helping you decide which product is right for your car.

Automatic Tyre Chains are a new technology that is becoming more and more popular in the world of tyres. These chains are designed to help drivers keep their tires from spinning when they lose traction on the road.

A snow chain is a device for attaching to the tyres of a vehicle to provide better traction in snow or ice. Snow chains are usually made from metal and rubber. They are often used in mountainous regions where heavy snowfall makes driving difficult.  Historically they have always had to be put on manually and it can be a frustrating experience.  The driver needs to stop and put the chains on (which can be time consuming) and in the meantime, the weather could worsen further.

Automatic tyre chains are about making driving easier, simpler and safer.  Automatic tyre chains could make putting on snow chains manually a thing of the past.  It should make it much easier to drive in challenging weather conditions.

This article will explore the different ways that automatic tyre chains can be used, so that drivers can have a better understanding of how they work and what they do.

With technology always advancing, it is no wonder that automatic tyre chains have made their way into the tyre chain market. These tyre chains take away the pain of attaching tire chains in wintry or wet conditions, and can save drivers a lot of time.

Automatic tyre chains can be used on cars, pickup trucks, camper vans, caravans, lorries and buses, and they offer the traction of a single set of conventional snow chains at the touch of the button, which means an end to stopping and getting out of the vehicle to install chains.

To install automatic tyre chains, drivers mount an electric switch to their dashboard, which provides 12 volts to an air solenoid mounted on the vehicle’s frame rail. Compressed air is then supplied from either the vehicle’s onboard air system or via a 12-volt compressor kit. When the dashboard switch is activated, the solenoid opens, thus allowing compressed air to enter the air cylinder and lower the chain wheel so that it contacts the inside of the tyre. The friction between the tyre and the rubber-covered chain wheel then causes the chain wheel to rotate, which creates enough centrifugal force to wave the chains out in front of the tyre. The chain is spaced at 60-degree intervals in sixth lengths on the chain wheel. This guarantees that there are always two chains between the tyre and the road surface, regardless of whether the driver is accelerating or decelerating. The traction is obtained both in forward and reverse modes. When the dashboard switch is turned off, the solenoid exhausts the air, and the chain wheels are brought back to their resting position.

Automatic tyre chains are a great new technology for anyone who wants tyre chains — but does not want the inconvenience or time wasting of getting out of their car and installing the chains in adverse weather conditions.  It’s a good idea to have a look at winter readiness during the summer months so you are prepared – you might even be able to bag a bargain out of season!

What do you think the car of the future will be?  I think the car of the near future will be electric.  We know that many governments are pushing and pulling consumers that way.  There are incentives to buy electric vehicles: lower taxes, being able to use them in city centres without cost, subsidies on fitting charging points at home.  Soon there be bans on buying new cars that aren’t electric.  Many countries have a timetable for this and manufacturers are working towards this.  We still have quite a long way to go – a lot more charging infrastructure is needed.  Hopefully, it will all be in place by the time everyone is forced down the electric route.  What do you think the car of the future will look like?

The future car, lets say a 2035 model will be a very different machine to its present day Grandfather. They will be packed with computers and safety devices ensuring that not even a stunt driver can crash, and they will run on carbon dioxide and emit strawberry scented oxygen. Well they might.
Predictions of future vehicles are usually wildly inaccurate, by now we should all have space programs to rival NASA based out of our backyard. However some of the automobile related cutting edge technology emerging now may well make it into production models of the future. But how much of this technology will be needed or even wanted? Car design of the present is already influenced by politicians, bureaucrats, health and safety regulations and emissions regulations and the stunning concept seen at the motorshow emerges into the world as a 1.0 litre shopping cart, but at least its legal.
Personally I like the idea of fuel efficient hybrid cars, and fuel cell cars emitting nothing but water. However, like most enthusiasts I also like powerful loud convertibles with with the ability to snap a vertabrae at 10 paces. A sensible mix therefore is required and this will be the job entrusted to car designers and engineers of the future, to make a politically correct car that is also desirable.

Another imminent problem facing designers of the future is coming up with styling ideas that are fresh and new. Some of the more recent concepts are certainly striking but not necessarily beautiful in the classic sense of the word. But if there is one thing the automobile industry is good at that is innovation, and I for one am confident that radical and extreme concepts never before imagined will continue to appear at motorshows around the world.
Computer technology has already taken a firm hold of the automobile and the modern driver is less and less responsible for the actions of their vehicle, soon crash victims will try to sue the electronics companies for accidents they caused because their computer system failed to brake the car even though they were fast asleep at the wheel on a three lane highway. Until you have automation of every single vehicle on every single road computer driven cars are just not feasible, in my mind there are just far too many on-the-road variables, with all the logic in the world you cannot beat a brain. Now computer assisted driving is already available in certain Mercedes models which brake for you if your not looking where your going and your too close to the car in front, but there is still a driver in control of the car, or is there. What if for some reason you wanted to get closer to the car in front, you needed to get closer to the car, if you didn’t get closer to the car something terrible would happen to civilization. Where do you draw the line with vehicle automation?

In advanced cities of the future CCTV will be so prevalent that visible crimes such as car theft are all but wiped out, but that still won’t stop the determined thief. GPS (Global Positioning System) units fitted as standard to all new automobiles will be able to track any vehicle at anytime anywhere, this technology is already common but more widespread use is inevitable. In the UK the government is already talking about fitting GPS to charge motorists depending on what road they travel on and at what times to cut spiraling congestion. This technology coupled with an improved mobile phone and bluetooth network can be used to track and recover stolen vehicles. When the vehicle is found to be stolen a call can be made which shuts down the engine of the car. At the same time a call is sent out which alerts available nearby police, by using the GPS installed in both the stolen car and the police car officers can track the car even if they cannot see it. The police will also have much more insight into a vehicles record when out on patrol, using bluetooth technology a police car can tail a vehicle and receive information on the owner, the current driver and their driving history, and even find out recent top speed and acceleration figures. Of course who wants that, you think you’ve just had a fun little blast on your favorite bit of road you get pulled over five miles later and the officer gives you a speeding ticket for something he didn’t see. But if this technology is mandatory then what choice do you have.

Access to future automobiles may be very different to the keys of today, push button code entry and keycard systems where the key doesn’t even leave you pocket, already available, will become common place. You hear the term keyless entry but it still uses a remote control attached to a key which is then used to start the car. Biometrics which are available on some computer systems and use fingerprinting as a password could be an effective alternative to the key, you could even program it for members of your family deciding between access only for the children or access and drive functions for those with licenses. However I believe it will be some time before this is the only means of vehicle entry or start up, what if you are lending your car to a friend and you cannot be present to allow start up.

Multimedia systems will continue to develop in cars until the point where the “are we there yet” phrase develops into “can we stay here”. Manufacturers are continuing to cram more and more video screens into increasingly ingenious places providing a rolling cinematic Dolby 7.0 surround sound experience. DVDs are going to go the way of the VCR with hard disk recording of video being the dominant power much as MP3s are killing off CDs. This MP4 technology will save space in the car and allow for far more footage to be kept on board. Improvements in wireless Internet connections could mean that the larger roads can support Internet capable vehicles and constantly inform the driver with up to date relevant road information. A screen in the dash can display live images to show traffic reports and also predict traffic jams by using the GPS systems in all vehicles to show areas where vehicles have been stopped or are congested, and then supply alternate routes. The sound systems of cars will also improve and become more personalised for the various passengers, with headphone sockets and multiple sound outlets, there might be four different radio stations that can be played at once through the different jacks, and a variety of MP3s that can be played at once.

Passenger safety is already a priority for modern day car manufacturers and this will only increase in importance into the future. The widespread use of airbags will increase, the side impact protection airbags featured in some models have proved to be extremely effective in saving lives, more research and better positioning will continue to improve their performance and reliability. Airbags at the moment can only be deployed once so in a multiple collision crash their effectiveness is voided after the first impact, future airbag systems however may take this into consideration and incorporate multiple single use airbags in one position or reusable airbags which can be inflated several times. Some manufacturers use a dynamic headrest in some high-spec models, these move forward during a collision to stop the head snapping back quite so far and reducing the chance of spinal injury and whiplash.

It has been found that a vehicles bumper and frame height is a very important factor when it comes to safety during a collision, if a vehicle has bumper which is too high it can override the bumper of the other vehicle and plough directly into the passenger compartment putting the occupants at severe risk. Accidents like this usually occur when a average size car collides with a truck or SUV, this mismatch can be avoided by having adjustable ride heights on the larger vehicles, when they are on a smooth road lowering the vehicle to a suitable height would reduce the dangers normally associated with these sorts of collision, as a by product this would also reduce the top heavy nature of trucks and SUVs and rollover accidents could be avoided.

Sensors will be increasingly responsible for predicting and safeguarding against avoidable accidents. Sensors will monitor the road surface scanning for black ice and hazardous conditions, this information will then be displayed to the driver and the vehicle may take appropriate steps to improve traction thus reducing the chance of an accident. The information gathered may also be relayed to a central road monitoring network which can inform other motorists of changing weather conditions, in effect every vehicle would become a roving weather station.

Sensors will also monitor the cars position on the road and if the vehicle is found to be straying from the road or traffic lane an alarm would sound this feature is already found on the Citroen C4 amongst others. Sensors could also monitor the drivers well-being, imaging sensors would track eye movement and if the eyes close for more than a few seconds an alarm would sound to alert the driver. Audi uses sensors on its new A6 which monitor for wet conditions, if found the BOSCH brakes are applied intermittently to wipe off the water and ensure good contact when they are needed, the pressure applied in this process is so slight the driver does not notice. Improved night vision and spatial awareness would help cut down on night time crashes which account for half the road related fatalities each year even though only a quarter of all driving occurs at night. Cadillac already includes infrared night vision as an option on some of its more desirable models, infrared vision does not see light it sees heat and the warmer an object is the more it stand out on the screen. The screen is a heads up display projected onto the windscreen in front of the drivers line of sight allowing the driver to see the real world and also the digital projection. Honda has a similar system with the added ability to identify objects and pick out pedestrians and digitally highlight those which are likely to step into the vehicles path and then emit an audible warning.

New materials are constantly brought into the automotive field, in 2005 Chrysler Daimler began using biological composite materials made from coconut, sisal, jute and other plants. This biological material is used mostly on the interior of the car and finds its way into seat cushions, seat backs, underfloor body panels and interior door panels. One of the benefits of using these biological compounds is that they can be recycled and reused and the manufacturing process involved is far more environmentally friendly than that of conventional synthetic compounds. Ceramics first used in braking by Porsche are becoming increasingly popular, although still very expensive limiting them to exclusive vehicles. The benefits of using ceramics is their high tolerance to intense heat making them suitable for high performance vehicles, and where the heavy use of the brakes is needed regularly. Their ability to perform under these extremes help reduce the brake fade associated with excessive use and high temperatures. Materials first such as carbon fibre and carbon kevlar first used on race cars and famed for their high strength and lightweight properties have now filtered down to the production car level, mainly in high-end vehicles but in due time these composites will begin to appear in the average car, cutting weight and increasing fuel economy whilst maintaining structural rigidity.

In the future car designers will have to explore new themes and find alternative influences for their designs. In an effort to catch peoples eye the designs will have to be increasingly bold and brash often sacrificing the aesthetic balance of the design in attempt to be different in an increasingly ‘done before’ market. This is not to say all designs are going to be hideous, just some. Another influence to exterior design will be made by law as stricter pedestrian protection laws are enforced requiring the front ends of cars to be ‘softer’, this thinking has already been introduced on some models, overall though it is difficult to project how this will ultimately affect the face of car design. With the increased use of alternative fuel sources such as the hydrogen fuel cell and hydrogen combustion engine, vehicle bodies may begin reflect the green nature of their power. However I belive this to be a mistake. The Honda Insight Hybrid might have been more of a success had it not been utterly repulsive, people were already wary of its power source and to then make them vomit in disgust at its styling is just not intelligent. Why do all the eco-friendly cars look like a 60’s psychedelic nightmare, why can’t they just look like a decent concept car with an alternative engine. Things seem to be improving however and BMW’s H2R is an undeniably stunning vehicle if somewhat impractical. And hybrid technology is finding its way into mainstream production vehicles as an optional power source.

The interior of vehicles will also change, becoming more user friendly and personalised. Ergonomically positioned controls and lumbar support seats with adjustable everything will come as standard to increase driver and passenger comfort and reduce chronic pain and discomfort. Customisable and personalised interior space will also become desirable features on the future automobile. Just as you swap mobile phone covers an entire dash could be swapped to match your mood, if your a little bigger than average why not fit an XXL seat in two easy steps, the possibilities will be endless in order to cater for an increasingly demanding consumer.

Alternative power sources for vehicles are becoming ever more popular. Government incentives will eventually force all but the super rich into environmentally friendly cars, no problem, by then fuel cell cars will be just as rapid as their fossil fuel counterparts but with none of the mess or stench. However it may take some convincing to get a ‘petrol head’ to put down his piston and pick up a proton exchange membrane cathode, its just not the same is it. Eventually common conventional fuel cars will become classics and extremely sought after by collectors, but not for a long long time.

A flood damaged car is not something you want to buy. Floods can cause a lot of damages to cars. You can’t just wash away the water and everything will be back to normal. Flood damage is very expensive and it will cost you even more if you don’t get it fixed in time.

Here we will be providing some information about what flooding does to cars, why buying one of these cars is not a good idea, and what can happen if they are not fixed in time.  It’s good to look out for the tell tale signs if you are buying a used car.

Freak weather conditions, global warming and storms can lead to floods and where there are floods there are damaged cars. These used cars are generally known in the business as “flood cars.”
Now I know what you are thinking, “I don’t live in an area prone to floods, so I am not at risk of unknowingly purchasing one of these flood cars.” Sorry, but you are dead wrong…actually the farther away you live from the hurricane damage, the greater you are at risk for being scammed into buying one of these cars.
Why are you more at risk? Think about it. Local residents will be much more on the ball about flood damaged cars. Away from the coast or big rivers, there may be less knowledge though. The scam artists behind these flood cars know this. This issue is huge and will hurt many people who make the mistake and purchase one of these vehicles.  Even 4×4 vehicles can be affected even though they tend to be a bit more protected from floods due to the higher engine.

What is the big deal about a car that got water inside it if it seems to run just fine? The engine itself might be fine, and long term engine damage might not have occurred, but there are many other components of the vehicle that can seem to be working normally now, but can deteriorate in the near future.
Electrical components and wiring are usually affected most. There is a ton of complex wiring under the hood, in the dashboard, and under the carpeting of the vehicle. Water gets inside the vehicle from underneath from holes in the frame and body and around the door openings. If the carpet gets wet, so does the vast network of wiring under the carpet. The carpet can easily be replaced, but the wiring under the vehicle is usually too complex and therefore too expensive to replace, so new carpet is laid on top of them, concealing potential damage.

So what if the wires get wet?  Rust is what will cause the problem. These wires will now slowly begin to break down and rust will form on any part of the wire that is not protected. When the electricity traveling inside these wires makes contact with this rust, resistivity will increase and the electricity will stop traveling. Whatever component the electricity was traveling to, a fuel pump for instance, will soon stop working. Finding the trouble spot in the miles of wire is not an easy task. The carpets and seat will probably have to be removed and hours of diagnostic time will probably be accumulated as the mechanic tries to find the trouble spot.

In most cars, the onboard computer system is located in the lower part of the passenger dashboard area, just inches above the carpeting. Some Japanese vehicles have the computer located under the passenger seat, on top of the carpet. If the computer system gets wet, not only will it need to be replaced, but it can damage many other electrical components as well.

Transmissions are another big ticket item that can be affected by water and not show symptoms for some time. When moisture enters the transmission, the normally light pink fluid becomes a light white/pinkish frothy mix, like a strawberry milkshake. The entire workings of the transmission are extremely complex and full of wires, sensors, and lots of rubber seals and O-rings. The water will cause the rubber parts to swell and leak, and the sensors and electrical components will soon succumb to rust and water damage as well.
So what can you do to protect yourself from buying a flooded time bomb?
1. Be cautious of every used car on the market.
2. Take your time inspecting and test driving. A good deal today is usually a good deal tomorrow too, so don’t succumb to pushy sales people.
3. Inspect under the driver and passenger seats for obvious signs of rust on the seat tracks and metal seat frame.
4. Look at the headliner (the fabric on the roof inside the car). Once wet, the glue that holds this fabric in place will begin to weaken, and the fabric will begin to fall down completely, or will fall in small sections that will look like bubbles.
5. Inspect the undercarriage and the exhaust system for signs of large scale rust. I would expect a small amount of rust as being normal; ask your mechanic if you have questions.
6. Use your nose. If the inside of the vehicle smells damp and moudy, or feels damp to your skin, you need to walk away.
7. Remove the wheels and inspect the brakes. This should be done anyway if you are inspecting a used car, but rust damage will really show itself on the brake components.
8. Inspect all under-hood fluids for water contamination. Oil and water will look like a chocolate milkshake, oil and transmission or power steering fluid will look like a strawberry milkshake.
9. Get the dealership or the seller to give you a written statement that to the best of their knowledge that the car has not been in a flood, and  the car was not involved in any type of insurance claim that might have resulted in the original owner selling the vehicle to their insurance company as a “total loss.”
10. Look in the boot under the carpeting and under the spare tyre. Water and rust will tend to puddle here since it is one of the lowest places of the vehicle. If you see standing water, or signs of rust in and around the spare tyre area it is probably a flood damaged vehicle and should be avoided.

Running a car can get expensive.   I’m always on the look out for ways to save time and money on the maintenance of my car.

One way to save time and money is by learning how to do minor repairs on your own. There are many auto repair videos available online that will teach you how to fix common faults in your car. Or you could sign up to a car maintenance course in the evenings or weekends.  Learning about your car is a good way to save money because you will be able to identify problems before they get expensive. You could set up your own home workshop in your garden or yard.

Take The Scare Out Of Auto Repair

1. How to choose a repair shop. What you should look for when choosing a repair shop
Ask for a recommendation from friends, family, and anyone else you really trust. If you have just moved to a new area maybe ask for recommendations on a local Facebook page.  Look for a repair shop before you need one, so you are not rushed at the last minute to find one.  Use the phone, shop around to compare prices and warranty policies on the repair to find your best deal.  If you have an Extended Warranty Contract and intend to use it present it to the garage to make sure it will be honoured before any work is started.

2. How To Find The Right Automotive Technician.
Look for shops that display various certifications of their technicians, like manufacturers or trade body certification seal. Certification indicates that some or all of the technicians meet a basic standard of knowledge and experience in a specific technical area, if the certification states the tech is a Master certified tech that means the tech has passed tests and meets the standard for all areas of repair.
Also make sure that the certifications are all current as the mechanics have to be re tested every few years to make sure they stay up to date with changing technology, but remember just because the shop is certified does not always guarantee good or honest work.  Make sure you ask the garage/mechanic if they have experience working on the make/model of your vehicle as some shops may not have the experience working on your import if the specialize in domestic cars and vice versa.

3. Unlocking the Mystery of Repair Charges
Before arranging to have any work done to your car, ask what the garage’s pricing policy is. Some garages or dealerships charge a flat rate for labour on vehicle repair. The rate is based on an independent or manufacturer’s estimate of the time required to complete a repair. Some firms will charge actual time the tech works on the vehicle. Most garages use the flat rate system and this is usually the best for the customer as there is no wiggle room for the tech to “make time” on a repair.
If you need an expensive repair or a complicated repair or if you question the required repair, consider getting a second opinion. Just think of it as going to a doctor for major surgery and you want to make sure the doctor is right.
Find out if there is a diagnostic charge if you decide to take the vehicle some where else for the repair. Many garages will charge you for diagnosis time if you have repairs done or not, most will deduct it from repair bill if work done at their garage.

Consider asking for a written estimate for larger repairs and the written estimate should include the following: it should state what is being repaired, the parts and parts cost needed and the labour cost for the repair. Make sure you get a signed copy before you leave the premises.

Make sure you know about parts that are to be repaired or replaced, parts are classified as:

• New-These parts are made to original manufacturer’s specification either by the vehicle manufacturer or and independent company. Prices will vary from original manufacturer equipment or an after market manufacturer and you should be informed of what is used or decided which you want replace on your vehicle.
• Remanufactured, rebuilt or reconditioned.-All three of these terms generally mean the same thing. It means the respective part has been restored to original working condition. Most of these parts will have standard warranty on them from 30 days to a lifetime depending or the part and the source of the part. Usually this includes just the part and not labour to replace it.
• Salvage-These are used parts taken from another vehicle without any alteration from vehicles in a salvage yard. These parts carry a 30 day guarantee depending on the part and salvage yard. Most electrical parts from a salvage yard is bought as is.

After the repair is completed make sure you get the completed repair order showing work done and parts replaced. It should list the repair , parts used, cost of parts and cost of labour. Make sure you check the odometer from when you brought the vehicle in and when you pick it up, there should not be any difference in the miles unless a road test was needed after the repair to make sure everything was working properly. Ask to see all the replaced parts, you are entitled to take them with you if you want.  The exception is that a part that was replaced and needs to have the old part returned as a core. The shop is charged a core charge for the old part until it is returned to parts store, if you want to take this part you can if you pay the core charge. Sometimes these are very high depending on the part as they are sent back to a rebuilder to be reconditioned, large parts (transmissions, engines etc.) and electrical parts are most expensive.