Starting The Car – Process & Problems

This is the first thing that you do when you sit in a car. 'Starting Your Car.' But did you ever wonder, how does the car gets started ? If not, lets just have a glance over the process of starting a car. The basic knowledge about starting a car would help you understand the problems that you face at that time. Read on to find what happens in the automobile starting system when you insert the car's key into the switch.

The Process

- The car driver behind the steering wheel inserts the ignition key into the switch.

- The next step that follows is to turn the ignition key to start position. This start position is also technically known as spring loaded start position.

- In this position, the ignition key inside the switch engages the starter. While doing so, the car's battery is connected to electric starter motor. This makes the switch engage the starter. In this process, the electric starter motor cranks the engine over.

- When the engine cranks, you can hear it and generally it means that your car has started.

- Following the cranking of engine, you need to release the key as the automobile engine is functioning now.

- Now is the time to place the transmission selector in drive.

- Once you do so, you can start with your journey.

Common Problems That You Face

Now that you have a better understanding of the process of starting a car, just have a look at some of the common problems that occur at that time.

1. The first and most common problem is that 'car's engine does not crank'. This is commonly seen that when you engage the starter through switch, very often the engine does not crank.

2. Similar problem is that the vehicle's engine cranks but does not fire, so that the vehicle gets started. In such a case, you get to hear the cranking of vehicle's engine, but its actual firing does not take place.

3. Very often, when you put the key into the switch, the key does not turn. This is also a common problem while starting the car.

4. Everything goes fine, still your car does not move. When you must the key in the switch and turn it, you put the car in gear so as to move the car. But problem arises, when the car does not move.

These were some of the problems of car's engine and its components that are faced by a car driver sometime or other. In the next post, we'll discuss the ways to fix these problems, so that you can have a hassle free drive.

People's Dreams Comes Packed In 'People's Car' – Tata's Nano

Tata Motors has launched the 'People's car' – Nano. The brainchild of Ratan Tata - the chairman of Tata Motors, this car is set to change the fate of Indian auto industry for sure. Termed as the cheapest car, Nano's price is less than $2,000. In actual terms, the People's car is to cost more than that. (In Rupees, its gonna be somewhere between 1.2 lakhs to 1.3 lakhs.)

Launched at the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai, the car will be available in three versions in the auto market that includes the base version and two upper tier versions. The automaker has promised to keep the 1,00,000 price for the base models. With Nano in showrooms from today, the car will only be able on road from the first week of July, 2009.

Other Important Details of 'Nano'

Features

• Snub-nosed
• 4-Seater
• 33bhp & 623cc Rear Engine Car
• Measures just 3 metres long (10ft)

Booking Details

• Bookings & Booking Acceptance - 9th - 25th April, 2009
• Deliveries – From Early July, 2009
• Initial Booking Amount – As low as Rs 2999

Production Details

• Limited Production - Around 50,000 - 60,000 units in the first year

Night Driving Tips – Parts II

Its important to understand that one needs to be extra careful while driving at night. The following safe driving tips for night drivers would help in safe drive. Follow these tips to make night driving easier than never before. We have discussed some of the tips in earlier post, here are few more tips that would definitely be of great help to you.

Tip No. 6 – Deal with Glares of lights – There are different ways of dealing with glare. Try to look beyond the beams of oncoming headlights. You may also reduce the illumination of dashboard lights.


Tip No. 7 – Avoid the Usage of High Beams Yourself – Remember, if you avoid the use of high beams car lights yourself, you are not only helping other drivers on the road but are also preventing the troubles for yourself also.

Tip No. 8 – Try to Maintain or Increase The Distance Between Your Vehicle & the One Infront – Make sure when you are driving at night, there is a distance between your car and the other vehicles on road.

Tip No. 9 – Try not to Drink & Drive – Its illegal to drink and drive. And if you are doing so, you are inviting troubles for yourself.

Tip No. 10 – Keep A Close Watch on the Vehicle Mirrors – You must keep your eyes wide open and use your vehicles mirrors. Rear view mirrors and side mirrors help you drive safely at night.


Tip No. 11 – Drive Within Speed Limits – You tend to be careless at night. Never forget, exceeding speed limits can be dangerous. Prevention is always better than cure.

Tip No. 12 – Always Keep In Mind – You Have Access to Emergency Brakes – Make sure you don't forget that you have emergency hand brakes in your car. Right usage at the right time will surely save a number of lives.

Now that you keep in mind these driving tips, you will surely experience a difference in driving at night. Feel the difference yourself. Have a happy & completely safe driving experience at night.

Night Driving Tips

It's been quite some time since we discussed something on driving ways or driving tips. Its needless to say that when we are behind the wheels, we are responsible for our behaviour on road. We are not only responsible for our safety but also for others. Therefore, its important to know 'Safe Driving Tips'. Apart from learning our driving lessons well, we ought to know some special tips that vary from place to place or with the hours of driving.

Night driving involves a lot of risk, therefore its important for every driver to know certain night driving tips. Before we begin to discuss what are these tips, lets roll our eyes on the facts that often make night driving difficult, scary and at times fatal.

What Makes Night Driving Difficult ?

Poor Visibility – Obviously and Naturally, there is very less natural light on the road.

People Feel More Sleepy Than During Daytime - It is universal that one tends to feel more sleepy at night.

Silence around Makes One Feel More Drowsy – If your are driving alone and late at night, there ought be few cars around. Silence on the road also makes you feel at easy and consequently sleepy.

Dim Road Lights – Excluding the urban regions and posh areas in most of the countries, the road nights are not sufficient for driving at night.

People Drink Mostly at Night – That's true and implies to people around the world. For some of them its a habit, while for others its a party night.

Cars Lights from Opposite Direction Disturb – The cause for most of the accidents at night. Direct & sharp light from the opposite vehicle hit eyes of the drivers and lead to mishappening.

For Those Who Are Visually Impaired – Those who have problem with their eyesight or suffer from night blindness driving at night is a major challenge

Try Your Hands on These – “Night Driving Tips”

Now that you know the common reasons behind the difficulty in night driving, here is a small list of tips that would surely help you have a better driving experience.

Tip No. 1 – First & Foremost – Check Your Vehicle – You need to check your vehicle to ensure that it is in good working condition. You can avoid 50% of your troubles at night, if your car does not breakdown on road.

Tip No. 2 – A Special Check for Car Lighting System & Brakes – In a crisis situation, safety depends on these auto parts. You may avoid dumping into something if your car lights are on and working properly. Applying brakes at the right time also saves you a number of times on road. Therefore, keep the brakes and car lights functioning smoothly.

Tip No. 3 – Keep Your Windshields Clean & Wiped Off – That's important and for this use the windshield wipers if needed after every few minutes.

Tip No. 4 – Use Dipper Light At Night – This is important as usage of dipper light does not reflect light on the eyes of the other drivers in the opposite direction.

Tip No. 5 – Tune In Your Favorite Radio Station – If you are driving late at night and are all alone in the car, you are likely to feel sleepy. Play your favorite song to avoid falling sleep at the wheels. You may listen to an irritating song that might also wake you up. Try any of these, but don't sleep while driving.

These are not all. There are many more tips for safe driving at night. Do come back again, to find them out in the next post. Till then, Have a Safe, Relaxed and Happy Driving!

Preparing Car's Brake System for Summers

With summer season around the corner, its time for car lovers to gear themselves up for some serious maintenance work. It obviously gets difficult to keep your car functioning smoothly during summers. If one follows few car parts maintenance tips regularly, it would definitely help in summer car maintenance. Talking about the car parts maintenance, brakes and its system needs a special mentions. the braking system is Important for functioning and for safety of the automobile, the automotive braking system need extra care. A close watch and few repair & maintenance tips would maintain the automobile braking system.

If you wanna know these tips and want to keep your car ready for this summer, then Read more at Automotive-online.

A Glance At Geneva Auto Show 2009

For all those auto lovers who could not make it to the Geneva Auto Show, here is a look that would provide a glimpse of this auto show. This automotive show was held from 05th March, 2009 to 15th March, 2009. Organized at Geneva Palexpo, Switzerland, the auto show showcased some of the amazing concept cars and other alternative powered cars this year. Scroll down to have a quick look at some of the moments of the 79th International Motor Show - Geneva.

Opening Ceremony

Atmosphere At Geneva

Stupendous Cars At The Geneva Auto Show

Image Source - Geneva Auto Show

Top Tips for Car Battery Maintenance - Part II

In the earlier post, we covered some tips to keep our car's electrical system function properly. Here are few more maintenance tips for Your Car's battery...

Tips No. 7 - Keep a check on when Service is needed – Different cars come with maintenance free battery. Regular check is needed for such automobile batteries. There is a light in maintenance free batteries that goes black when service is required.

Tip No. 8 – For Conventional Car Battery - These batteries come with a plastic cover that can be easily removed to check the water inside. It is important that the water inside the battery reaches the filler necks.

Tip No. 9 – Be Careful While Adding Water – Incase there is less water inside the battery, you may also add distilled water. I guess I should warn you at this moment. You might just harm yourself if you don't be careful. The battery acid that is highly corrosive might harm your clothes.

Tip No. 10 – During Battery Check – It is important to make sure that you do not keep any kind of open flames near the car battery. Automobile battery contains chemicals that are combustible and hence can be dangerous.

Tip No. 11 – Over Charging Should Be Avoided – This is common and known to everybody that a dead battery can be charged using a battery charger. Improper charging of a battery is something that should be avoided. It might also lead to damage of battery's as well as car's parts & components.

These were some of the battery's maintenance tips that are to be followed in order to keep your car's battery in best condition. The smooth functioning of automobile battery helps you have a tension free long drive. You can try these car parts maintenance (D-I-Y) tips yourself. Have a Happy & Safe Driving!!

Top Tips for Car Battery Maintenance Part - I

If automobile battery is something that troubles you often, you need to keep a check on this auto part. It's easy and simple. Car Battery maintenance is essential as this automotive part plays a major role in the smooth functioning of any vehicle. As I always say, a little care and basic knowledge is what is required. Just have a fair idea of the automobile electrical system to keep the car's battery in the best shape without any hassles. Follow the following car maintenance tips to keep you car's battery running smoothly.

Tips No. 1 – Battery Needs Change - This is common and known to almost all the car owners. Your car's battery needs to be changed after a duration of four years. Don't forget to do that.

Tips No. 2 – Monthly check of the battery's load test helps you avoid any hassle. Take your car's battery to your auto mechanic and can load test it. Make sure your car's battery is able to pass the test. Make sure that it is capable of sufficient charge even at below freezing temperatures.

Tips No. 3 – Just wipe off the battery terminals of any crust. An easy way to do so is to use some baking soda and water. Use a wire brush to clean the crust using this solution.

Tips No. 4 – Always keep the battery cables tightly tied. Make sure the cables are so tight that they do not move.

Tips No. 5 – Keep the battery safe in a tray. Also ensure that battery remains properly in the battery tray so that no damage is caused to the hood.

Tips No. 6 – Excess of cold is not a good condition for the car batteries. Therefore, look for a solution to it. The best way is to opt for an engine or battery heater. This keeps the car's battery function smoothly. The heater will help in easily starting the battery and would also minimize the power consumed.

Stay tuned for few more tips on battery maintenance in the next post.....

Stronger Cars - Why Dangerous?

Its human to believe that stronger is always more reliable. But is that true with the vehicles? Have you ever paid attention to the fact that stronger cars are more dangerous than the weaker ones. Newer technologies in latest models of cars do not make the situation any better. Infact, if you notice, in most of the accidents, it gets difficult for rescuers to cut down car bodies.

The danger of stronger cars increases especially during accidents. Wondering how and why its not the case with the weaker cars? Read on to find the answers to your question on Automotive-online.com

Top Tips For Spark Plug Repair

In the previous post, we covered the problems with the automotive spark plugs. Now that you know these problems and what causes them, it would be great if you also know how to repair your car's spark plugs. Probably, you would be able to save some money on auto repair.

Spark Plugs form a part of the automobile ignition system, hence we would also have a glance on D-I-Y tips for repairing of ignition of the vehicle. Follow these auto parts repair instructions coming weekend, if you have been successful in diagnosing spark plug problems.

Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Tips

• The first tip always for any auto part repair is to go through the carmaker's manual. Read it carefully to avoid any kind of confusion at the time of repair. Every manufacturer specifies the time for changing of the car's spark plugs. If its time, do not delay in replacing the auto part.
• It is essential to ensure that the other auto parts connected or related in the functioning of spark plugs are in proper condition. If the ignition wires have burned, they need to be changed too.
• For checking the wires – Have a look at the the ignition system at night. Its easier to notice the shorting of wires at that time.
• Try checking the spark plug wires by pulling each and every wire manually. First switch off your engine and let it cool for some time, else you might harm yourself. Once you pull out one wire, check it for burns, cracks or any kind of discoloration. If found O.K. fix the wire back into its position. Follow the same step to check all the wires. Any damaged wire should be immediately replaced.
• Remember : Do not pull out all the wires at the same time, rather pull them one by one. Otherwise, you might get confused while fixing them in right terminals, causing more auto repair loss.
• Change the Spark Plugs – the first step is to clean the debris accumulated on the well of this auto part. Avoid any dirt or dust to fall into the combustion chamber. You may also blow air into the well or brush off the debris so as to clean it properly.
• Now remove the spark plug wire. The next step follows is to keep the plug socket over the plug & then unscrew it.
• Its time to pick up the new plug. Now just start threading it. Only thing that you need to remember is to not cross- thread it.
• Now take the plug & socket and them try lowering it into the plug well. Then screw the plug with a socket extension.
• Once you get the feel that the thread have matched, you need to use a ratchet for tightening the plug in its place.

That's it friends, you have successfully replaced your car's spark plug.

Tools Required During Spark Plug Change Procedure

• A Half-inch Ratchet Drive
• A Spark-plug Socket with Rubber Retainer
• A Flexible Drive Coupling
• Socket Extensions
• Needle Nose Pliers

Other Things

• Small Stepladder
• A Cloth Shield
• A Protective Eyewear
• A Narrow Paint Brush

Diagnosing Spark Plug Problems

When we are talking about automotive electrical system, how can we miss on the spark plugs. Spark Plugs, as the Wikipedia defines, are electrical device that fits into the cylinder head of some internal combustion engines and ignites compressed aerosol gasoline by means of an electric spark. Often, a little problem with the spark plug is the reason behind the breakdown of the vehicle in the middle of road.

A little maintenance and few D-I-Y tips will help you keep these auto parts in place. But before that for repair, you need to know the common problems behind spark plugs. Lets together find out the common spark plug problems.

Problems With Your Spark Plug

• There are times, when your car's engine cranks, isn't it? But then, nothing happen after, i.e. It doesn't start after that. This is possible because of the spark plug.


• In some cases, the engine might run. After that, it often misfires. Check for any worn out spark plug. In such a case, it is possible that these auto parts have either fouled or probably the reason is bad spark plug wires.


• High or Low Voltage also indicate problem. On an oscilloscope, if you observe the firing pattern of each cylinder, you might be able to diagnose the problems yourself. If the firing voltage is noticed to be normal, it means there is excessive resistance in a plug wire. Other possibilities can be loose plug wire, badly worn or too wide spark plug.


• In case you notice that there is a lower voltage in firing pattern, then it indicates, a damaged or shortened plug wire.


• Fouling is something that should be avoided. One important cause of it is deposits of oil or fuel upon the plug electrodes.

Reasons Why You Need To Change the Spark Plugs

There are a number of factors that can be the cause for replacement of spark plugs. Some of them are:

Fouling – Incase you notice that there is a single fouled spark plug, you need to be cautious and get it replaced soon. Otherwise, you might have to suffer the loss of 25% of output of four cylinder engines.

For Preventive Maintenance – This is always suggested as to avoid any major auto repair.

Due to Worn Out Electrodes – That increases the distance between the electrodes and finally increases the firing voltage.

Auto Repair Shops Gain While Automakers Loose

Its true that economic recession has not left any industry untouched. The most badly affected is of course automotive industry. But despite the increasing industry gloom, there is a wing that has been consistently making profit. Wondering about it? Friends, its the auto repair shops and centers worldwide.

On one hand, when even the major automakers are facing heavy losses and are on the verge of bankruptcy, the auto repair centers are making the optimum utilization of this opportunity to make money. Being cash-strapped, the consumers are unable to buy any new car and this fact has been a boon in disguise. Car owners are taking their old cars to repair shops that in turn is helping repair centers make ample money.

Obviously, its always a wise decision to cling on to the money that you have in economic recession. With a number of job losses every month, one never knows what happens next. Save money. You may also try these fuel saving tips and save money.

Used Cars – Making Great Business

Since, no one has money at present to spend on any new vehicle, people are preferring used cars instead of new ones. Different car owners are getting a fair amount for their old cars. The centers that deal in old cars are cracking great deals for used cars. Inflation in buying of used cars is directly proportional to increase in business of auto repair. People buying used cars are taking their vehicles for repair to these centers. Good, for the repair center owners!! Atleast someone is gaining through amidst this recession.