Now, to the maintenance part for as you have seen there are actually many parts that form the whole brake system which is imperative that you keep in tip top shape as possible for safety’s sake. Any fluid leak should be inspected or at least have it looked at by a mechanic to ensure they are not a danger. Worn out hoses and brake lines can suddenly burst (the pressures are immense if you were only able to see the small brake pads in how they stop your vehicle) leading to sudden loss of pressure preventing them from functioning. There is however a safety feature on brake systems which is now standard which is a dual line system which divides the wheels into two brake circuits. The driver’s side wheel is linked to the one at the rear of the passenger’s side and the other way around. This allows braking even if one of the brake systems fails and as last resort, there is still the mechanical parking brake (check out the post on how to stop without power assisted brakes for if not done properly you could lock the wheels and totally loose control).

The brake disks and drums also have to be inspected for they eventually develop deep grooves that have to be re-milled in a process called re-facing wherein the rotor/disk and drums are machined to make the surfaces flat removing the deep grooves that occur naturally. The break pads are replaced even if they are new so as to avoid making new grooves on the newly re-faced parts. Wheel cylinders get stuck or springs leak (which usually happens if they get submerged in water, say in a flood) causing them to bind which leads to smoking wheels for the brakes don’t release and the wheels have a hard time turning. Some problems can be repaired and some may have to be replaced but with proper maintenance and care you should be able to have brake trouble free use of your vehicle providing for your transportation needs for times to come.

Written by Marcel on July 27, 2011 | Leave a Comment

The brake system of your car is one of the most vital safety features that without which driving would be impossible. There are many things that can go wrong with your brakes and as preventive maintenance and regular inspection, it would be best to check on a few parts so you don’t get caught without brakes on the road.

Under the hood of any vehicle there is a container or reservoir as it is called that contains brake fluid and to most drivers, is the most known part of the brake system. Don’t keep this only topped off but make sure you use the right type of brake fluid (DOT 3 is the most common brake fluid grade used). The metal thing this reservoir sits on is called the Master cylinder which contains the pistons that forces the fluid from the reservoir into the brake lines (more on the other parts as we go on) to the wheel cylinders. Directly behind that is a metal drum like thing that is the brake booster which has a rubber gasket inside which multiplies the amount of force exerted by your foot on the pedal into immense pressures to stop your car. The brake fluid then goes through the brake lines to each wheel which are actually metal pipes with some rubber hoses in tight corners and moving areas to the wheel cylinders. The wheels all have individual cylinders or pistons that push the brake pads or drums to close and stop the vehicle. The parts the pads come in contact with are the rotors for disk brakes and drums for drum brakes.

More on the next post regarding maintenance and troubleshooting of the brake system.

Written by Marcel on July 20, 2011 | Leave a Comment

While drivers are not expected to act as mechanics, tools that are normally placed on standby in cases of emergency would be best placed at the trunk of cars. There will be times that a screwdriver or a pair of pliers would come in handy and you just never know when you would need them.

Mechanical troubleshooting is not a requirement for drivers. But as far as roaming mechanics are concerned, you would be surprised that at times they would need some tools. This is not to say that they don’t have tools when you ask for their help. It is just best that you have the basic tools for such cases such as perhaps tightening a bolt or screw.

Car tools are perhaps one of the overlooked aspects. Especially for drivers that have to travel in longer destinations and spend most of their times moving from one place to another, it would not hurt to make sure that they have stock tools on hand. Even the well-maintained cars are susceptible to anything and apparently one tool can make the difference.

Some would say that they occupy a lot of space but consider that your trunk is quite large and would normally be empty, how can you say that small tool boxes or even packaging can occupy space. With models today out in the open, there are specified compartments for tools since car troubleshooting is normally a need at times. Just keep them there, it may make a difference one day.

Written by Marcel on June 23, 2011 | 1 Comment

The hazard lights of our car would normally be turned on only if your are driving in emergencies. But the thing is, how do you classify emergencies?

There are various types of emergencies, the most common of which is health-related. But lately, thanks to some weird weather, rains often pour at will and may reach a point where you no longer see what is in front and behind you. Turning on your headlights and park lights would be great but the thing is, it may not be enough to warn other cars and drivers on the road.

Hazard lights would be of great use in this area. Just its blinking is often a good sign for warning for you and people who have a hard time seeing the road and the cars at the back and in front of you. While many are fine with park lights, drivers today who find themselves in the middle of the road would do well to turn on their hazard light before they continue or even park when the weather is totally non-cooperative.

Accidents during storms can be higher in frequency. In fact, sometimes you cannot blame others for running into you. But the best you can do is forewarn them that there are other drivers and cars around and if accidents cannot be avoided, at least damages can be held to a minimum such as scratches or slight dents. As far as the driver is concerned, just pray that he has buckled up in cases of impact.

Written by Marcel on June 16, 2011 | 2 Comments

At times when you are on the road, you are bound to see police cars, ambulances or VIPs flashing blinkers and sirens meaning they are in a hurry. Well, they are always in a hurry to reach their point of destination and as a sign of courtesy, private and public vehicles know for a fact that they have to give way or clear the road to let them pass.

That is a common practice that is done anywhere in the world today and for sure, no one wants to get into trouble or be ticketed as an obstruction for refusing to give way. As a rational driver, emergency or not it would be wise to allow them to pass since you never know what could happen and may be held accountable in the end if the emergencies fail to reach their actual point of destination.

As far as having blinkers and sirens is concerned, there are some people who install them without licenses or permits. By doing so, you are placing yourself in a lot of trouble. In most countries, unless you are licensed or authorized to have such things installed on your car, it would be best to keep that thought clear.

These gadgets are normally restricted to the proper people commissioned to do them. It goes in hand with their work. Some use them for status symbol while others just want to feel powerful. They are used for a purpose. Do not install one unless you have the right to have them.

Written by Marcel on April 20, 2011 | Leave a Comment

Car owners can never be too sure on when their car would suddenly experience dead batteries due to length of use. The usual way to start your car can be classified into two categories since cars can either be manual or automatic. Here are some tips on how to properly jack start your car when the need arises.

For Manual Transmission Cars:
1. Place the ignition key towards the power on
2. Place the shift knob to 2 or Reverse, depending on the direction that offers more space for pushing
3. Have someone help you in pushing the car forward or backward
4. Step on the clutch and the gas pedal
5. Wait for the car to gain momentum usually in a consistent speed like 10 KMH
6. Instantly release the clutch and step on the gas
7. Once that car starts, step on the clutch again to cut the momentum and step on the brakes.

For Automatic Transmission Cars
1. Place the ignition power to on
2. Get jumper cables and connect the positive to the positive poles of the other car battery and negative on the negative.
3. Once connected, make sure that the main source of the battery where you will get power from is holding a consistent rev to avoid wrecking the other battery.
4. Start the car that has been jumpered and allow to run for some minutes before taking out the jumper cables. Make sure no accessories are turned on so that the alternator will charge up the electricity to the car.

At times, this is just a temporary solution. Eventually you have to trace the key areas of your car such as:
1. Alternator
2. Starter
3. Battery

It does not always follow that the battery is the problem. Have a certified electrician look at it and he will tell you the real cause for your car not starting upon ignition.

Written by Marcel on November 11, 2010 | Leave a Comment

One basic thing about cars that some drivers fail to do is on how to handle cars that have suddenly overheated. Normally, cars would overheat due to:

1. Lack of Water
2. Damaged Water Hoses
3. Worn Out Belts (Alternator)
4. Lack of Ventilation
5. Engine Decompression
6. Busted Auxiliary Fans

Normally, a driver would stop the car for fear of breaking down somewhere unknown. But did you know that as much as possible, you should not turn off the engine (as long as it can) manually? If the engine would die normally, then that would be okay. But if you want to put water which is the normal impulse that people would think of, try not to fill up your radiator if you have just shut it down to avoid overheating.

Assuming you have replaced the hose or anything that needs to be fixed that are causes for overheating, try this out.

Cars normally come with a reserve water tank to which reserve water can be placed. If you happen to shut down your engine, it would be best to initially put water there. Once you do, try starting it. If it does, try out these things before turning that radiator cap:

1. Wet a piece of cloth with water and get lots of water.
2. Before you turn the radiator cap, pour water extensively on top of the cap and the radiator. This is to try and bring down the temperature as much as possible.
3. Get the wet cloth and try to place it on the cap first. Wait a couple of seconds and then try to put your weight on it, and slowly loosen the radiator cap. You are bound to feel the pressure from wanting to get out. Do not allow it to do so as extremely hot water is bound to spill all over you.
4. Once you have released the mounting pressure, open the cap and then put water while the engine is running.

Do not turn the engine off (unless you can wait for it to cool down) and place water. The sudden change in water temperature is bad for your engine and may force you to overhaul it if you are not careful.

Written by Marcel on October 29, 2010 | Leave a Comment

Several reports from consumers have been found to have accidents linked to old tires being sold at many tire centers across the world. Even newly installed tires that have been manufactured years before they were installed onto vehicles have the potential to fail miserably soon after installation. These tires have long since been in inventories that though they are new have been sitting for as long as 10 years, maybe more in shelves and stocks. Tires like all manufactured goods have a specific timeframe fro them to retain their reliability and for something that is supposed to carry your car as you drive around that becomes a serious matter. Many have died as a result of old tires that have been stripped of treads sending vehicles crashing into everything in its path. Tires that blow out takes away control form the driver for the much needed traction which is the main form of control for all motorized vehicles. Tires that have been sitting on shelves for more than 10 years lose integrity with plies separating and shearing off resulting in accidents.
Tires do have a code to indicate when they were manufactured but they come in cryptic codes that only the manufacturer knows how to read. Families of people who have died as a result of tire blowouts, wants congress to issue strict laws that would require tire manufacturers to include manufacturing dates on the information stamped on tires and that a ten year limit to be imposed as shelf life for them.
The deaths have to stop and it would only be prudent for these manufacturers who sell millions of these tires worldwide to take measures that allow consumers to determine the lifespan of their products. Hopefully, these measures would make the Sunday drive safer and people would be assured of safer cars with brand their new tires.

Written by Marcel on October 22, 2010 | 1 Comment

Studying driving is nothing compared to being released on the streets and driving your car. Without someone to guide you, you are on your own and alone in your car. Once that happens, you will be surprised at the difference it will be considering there will be no one to correct you and to tell you to do this or do that. In short, all judgment calls when you start to drive will be left to you. You should have confidence in driving otherwise you are bound to encounter some accidents along the way.

Confidence is something you need to bring when you drive. Driving is not about stirring the wheel and gassing up for acceleration. It takes mind and focus to drive a car so that you can get places. But be sure to put that confidence level in check. At times you may be tempted to drive fast and the faster you go, the closer you are to accidents. We can just check out news about car accidents. Most of them occur due to reckless driving.

These days, wise driving is all about defensive driving. Logically, at any speed you can reach your point of destination. For people who are following a schedule, driving fast is not the solution. You can always leave early so you will not be late for an appointment. In short, there are alternatives. It’s just a matter of thinking sensibly. The difference in choice can likewise be a telling part between safety and driving wisely and of course building on confidence to being a great driver.

Written by Marcel on October 15, 2010 | 1 Comment

The advances in automobile technology has been so much that a great number of deaths are prevented especially due to the use of newer materials that has increased the safety of vehicles so much that they are literally cages within the car. Automotive manufacturers have installed airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners and the use of exotic alloy metals/materials that are lighter yet several times stronger than normal steel are not common place that the term safety has translated into a total safety zone within the vehicle which prevents the passengers and driver from serious injury. This is a good thing for all of us till accidents occur and people get stuck in these types of vehicles with the best passenger protection technology installed.
Fire and rescue personnel are the ones who bear the brunt of injuries sustained during rescues from such vehicles. Airbags that are triggered by rescue people trying to free trapped people from crashes send the rescuers and the rescue both to the hospital. Regular extrication techniques are proving to be very ineffective as metals and composite materials need very expensive hydraulic systems such as the “Jaws of Life” which can cut the posts off a car in minutes. Those volunteer departments without enough funding cannot afford such equipment which translates to lost time in the critical period it takes to get a person out of the crashed vehicle to the hospital increasing the risk of death or permanent injury.
Firemen and rescue people are now being more careful in their trying to get people out trying to avoid hazards wasting time searching for the wires that send signals to the airbag systems and belt tensioners to free their patients. This might necessitate the need for more safety and rescue equipment which can be effective as the jaws was in it’s early days. Another solution may be a standardized emergency radio disabling system with a frequency that is unique to emergency situations which can disable such safety systems preventing injuries to rescuers as they try to save lives. Carbon fiber which is used in more exotic cars is a very difficult material to deal with for it is many times stronger than steel that only hydraulic cutters can deal with. Better measures such as improved budgets, training materials and re-training of personnel in how to deal with such materials should they need to be handled.

Written by Marcel on September 30, 2010 | 1 Comment