Tata Nano Production Sanand Plant

After almost one and a half year of strong protest against the production of Tata Nano in Singur plant by Trinamool Congress, the little wonder car is ready to roll out from its new mother plant. That's true. Tata Motors is ready to roll out the first batch of Nano from its newly constructed production unit at Sanand, Gujarat.

According to the automaker, the first set of Tata Nano cars from the Gujarat factory will roll out in the Indian market on the 1st of May, 2010. The day has been chosen carefully by the automaker as this day is celebrated as Gujarat Day as the state came into existence on this day in the year 1960. This year Gujarat would be celebrating its Golden Jubilee year and Tata Motors has grabbed this opportunity to build stronger rapport with the state by choosing this day for rolling out first batch of Tata Nano from its new Mother plant.

Automakers Hike Prices of Vehicles 1st April 2010

Various automobile companies have announced an increase in the prices of their vehicles from the 1st of April, 2010. This decision came as the new Bharat Stage emission norms come into effect from April 1st and the new automobiles that would be hitting the roads soon will require modifications to be compliant with the latest BS-IV norms.

Car majors like Hyundai Motors will increase the prices of diesel vehicles by 3% and prices of petrol run cars by 1.5%. General Motors, has made it clear that the company would be hiking the prices by 1.5% and the hike in prices will vary between Rs 600 and Rs 11,000."

The other auto companies who are increasing the prices of the vehicles include Tata Motors, Toyota Kirloskar Motor and Skoda Auto India. Tata Motors though has not announced any hike yet, but has also made it clear that there will be an hike in the products but at the right time. Toyota Kirloskar Motors will increase the prices between 1% and 3%.

While every automaker is announcing the price hike in vehicles, India's most popular automaker Maruti Suzuki has no plans at present to increase the rates of its products.

Some Do's & Dont's While Replacing Fuel Filter

Changing fuel filter must be easy for you now, but you need to keep a check to avoid any mishappening or any mistake. Since every process has few 'Do's & Don'ts, so does the procedure of replacing fuel filter has. A glance at these instructions would definitely ensure safer fuel replacement process. Read on to find the "Do's & Dont's While Replacing Fuel Filter."

Do's While Replacing Fuel Filter

Make sure to drain the fuel tank before removing it for cleaning.

Always keep in mind that the fuel to be used should be in a sealed container.

Its important that automobile battery should be disconnected before starting the process. The failure in which will lead to accidental sparks that could be dangerous.

Check the filter to ensure that it does not leak and is snug. Usage of gasket sealer to filter threads helps in a leak-free connection.

Cross check the hose clamps for their position. Make sure they are properly positioned as well as tight.

Don'ts While Replacing Fuel Filter

No Smoking – Never smoke while you are repairing or replacing the fuel filter. It is advised that you should also keep away all kinds of electrical systems to avoid any damage to them as well as any harm to yourself.

At the time of replacing fuel filter, one needs to tighten the screws into inlet fitting on carburetor. While doing so, never overtighten it. You might damage the threads in carburetor.

Never use RTV silicone sealer that dissolves in gasoline to prevent leakage. Even teflon tape should also be avoided.

Try not to bring in use old rubber hoses at the time of replacing in-line filter.

7 Steps to Replace Fuel Filters

A little attention and basic knowledge about the fuel supply system will help you follow these Do-It-Yourself (DIY) tips to replace fuel filters easily. When you know that it is time to change the fuel filter, you should also know how to do so. If you don't know how to, read on to find it.


Steps to Replace Worn Out Fuel Filter With New One

First Step – The very first step is to relieve the pressure in your fuel lines and fuel filter. For this you need to start the car first carefully pull the fuel pump fuse or fuel pump relay out. This should be done with engine running. This way you can release all the fuel pressure from the fuel lines. Remember, if you don't release the pressure, explosion can take place while changing fuel filter.

Second Step – The next step is to use wrenches to unbolt the fuel filter fittings. Now try sliding the fuel line off the bolt. Also unscrew the bolt on the other side of the fuel filter. Now that you have taken off the bolts, make sure you keep them properly. You will need them while fixing the new fuel filter.

Third Step – You can now easily remove the old fuel filter. While removing it, you may also find that a small clamp. A screwdriver can be used to release this clamp.

Fourth Step – Closely observe the position of old fuel filter before removing it because you have place the new one in the same position.

Fifth Step – Don't forget to change the washers too. It is important that you change the pressure washer that can be found with the fuel line bolts.

Sixth Step – Now take the new fuel filter and place it at its position. Now just try to snug down the clamps. Fix it properly and tightly so as to prevent any fuel leakage. Also fix the bolts that you had kept aside. Make sure you tighten them properly with the use of wrenches.

Seventh & Last Step – Start the engine to check. Once you have replaced the fuel filter, you need to run the car's engine. Now check the fuel filter for any loose connections. Also check for fuel filter seal.

These 7 steps to change or replace fuel filters are easy, but need to be followed carefully. Just change your car's fuel filter to enjoy longer and trouble free drive. Happy Safe Driving!

Keep following to find out "Some Do's & Dont's While Replacing Fuel Filter" in the next post.

Attention! Your Car's Fuel Filter Needs to Be Changed

It's important and needs special attention as many other auto parts do. That's true friends, Fuel filters, that constitute a major part of automobile fuel supply system should be changed every year if not possible at regular interval. For some of the fuel filters come with life time guarantee, yet it is safer and definitely better to change these filters after regular intervals. Here are the answers to all your questions related to fuel filters and their replacement.

Why Change Fuel Filter?

For Preventive Maintenance – As it is said, prevention is better than cure and so it is always better to keep your vehicle fit rather to take it for repair incase of breakdown. Hence it is the most important reason to change the fuel filters and the same implies for all the auto parts.

To Avoid Plugging Up - Incase of high mileage vehicles, it is always preferable to change the fuel filter at an interval of one year to avoid plugging. Being in regular touch with moisture leads to corrosion and the debris of this corrosion often flows into the fuel tank at the time of pouring fuel.

To Allow Only Contamination Free Gasoline Enters Your Vehicle's – If your fuel filter is damaged, it will not be able to filter gasoline that is contaminated and is mixed with alcohol blends. Whereas, a well fit fuel filters prevents debris from entering the tank.

When Is The Right Time to Replace The Fuel Filter?

Changing fuel filter is necessary. But the question arises as how to know when is the right time to replace the fuel filters. Here are few ways that determine the right time to replace the fuel filters.

Remove the Filter & Blow Through It – This is the D-I-Y tip to check whether the fuel filter needs replacement. Just trying blowing through the fuel filter. Make sure you maintain some distance from your face while blowing through this filter. Any kind of major resistance felt indicates that filter needs replacement.

Engine Might Not Start If Filter is Choked – While starting your vehicle, if the engine starts and then dies, then it is possible because of the choked filter. Such a filter restricts fuel flow to auto parts like fuel injector and carburetor. If you notice similar problem with your vehicle, then its time to replace the fuel filter.

Now that you know the need to change fuel filters and when to do so, don't wait for too long to replace them. If you do, you are inviting troubles for your vehicle. Stay Tuned to find how to replace fuel filters in the next post. For now, have a Happy & Safe Driving Experience.

Here's A Quick Way to Troubleshoot Car's No-Start Problems Part -II

Here are few more tips to troubleshoot car's 'No-start' problems...

What to Do When...

The Vehicle's Engine Cranks But Does not Fire - While starting the car, the engine cranks but does not fire. You may hear the cranking noise but slowly mellows down when you release the key.

Cause - Car's engine is not firing because there might be very less gas or fuel. If the problem arises in a fuel filled tank, the other causes for this no-start condition might be fuel, compression or spark.

Solution - Get the above mentioned auto parts tested at a trusted and known auto repair centre.

What to Do When...

While in Gear, the Car Does not Move - You find everything fine and the engine also functions smoothly, yet the starting problem persists if you place transmission selector in gear .

Cause - Incase the car does not move, there is something wrong with the transmission. The other possible causes might be some damage to the clutch.

Solution - First of all, check the fluid level. Now incase, the level of fluid is OK, you need to get the gear shift checked. A disconnected gearshift will cause this problem. If found low, you need to diagnose the problem behind it which might be a leakage. Get this leakage repaired as soon as possible.

If you release the clutch when the transmission is in gear and you vehicle does not move despite the fact that the engine is working fine, its time for you to get the clutch changed.

These were the causes & DIY car repair tips that would help you in a 'No-start condition'. Therefore, next time, when you are on you way to job in the morning and your car says – 'No-start', do not panic or be sad. Just inspect your car's auto parts and try these tips to troubleshoot the problems while starting a car. Remember, its always better to call a car repair mechanic if you find yourself confused.

Here's A Quick Way to Troubleshoot Car's No-Start Problems

A snapshot on how does a car start must have given you a better understanding of the causes of varied problems of starting system. Now its time to have a look at ways to troubleshoot these car start problems.

I do not recommend that you should not take your car for repair incase of any such problem. Rather, this post is just meant to help you understand the different 'No-start problems' with the automobile starting system and know few DIY tips to troubleshoot them when in need. Let's discuss some of the ways to troubleshoot these problems.

What to Do When...

You Insert the Key and It Does Not Turn - This is common as we know, but neither of us know why does it happen. Lets first focus on why it happens and then on how to troubleshoot this problem. This happens mostly when you have parked your car with its wheels that are turned towards just one side. Parking your car in such a position is wrong. When you come back to start your car, you will find that your car's key will not turn on inserting in the switch.

Cause - This happens because there is excessive pressure on the steering lock that prevents the key from turning.

Solution - What you need to do is just force the steering wheel slightly in one direction. Then do the same in the other direction. Make sure you do not exert a lot of pressure towards any of the sides. Try turning the key while doing so. This way the pressure on steering lock is relieved. Now you easily turn the key.

What to Do When...

Car's Engine Gives a Cranking Sound - You are definitely familiar with this. At times, while starting the car, you hear a different sound – either a cranking sound, a single or multiple clicks at a time.

Cause - Battery is the cause. Your car's battery might have died or become weak. Another possible cause is probably that the connection with the battery has corroded.

Solution - You need to test your battery in such a scenario. A simple way to do so might be to just switch on interior car lights. Dim interior lights when you start the car indicate the need to charge or change your car's battery.

If at all you find the lights working fine, then the problem is not related with the automobile battery or battery parts. Problem might be

- with starter motor or with starter solenoid.
- Or with clutch pedal switch.
- Or with ignition switch or connecting wiring.
- Or with transmission selector.
- Or with neutral safety switch – You may try again by starting the car again with transmission selector in neutral.

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.

Tips for Automotive Electrical System Maintenance

Now that all of us know the common problems related to electrical system, it should be almost mandatory for us to know few ways to keep these problems at bay. A little care towards the auto part and careful driving will definitely help. And few tips are to be followed that will take care of the electrical system of your vehicle. Automobile battery forms an important part of your electrical system. Read on to know what are these Do-It-Yourself (DIY) tips for its maintenance.

Things to Remember

Keep The Battery Clean – We often make this mistake. Our car's battery is mostly clogged. Try not to do this. Ensure that the vehicle's battery is not clogged.

Battery Connection Also Need Care – Its not just the battery, but also the connections that are important. Keep them clean too, inorder to avoid ovetaxing of your starter.

Ensure that Proper Ventilation Takes Place – Thats why, i say cleaning of battery is important. If clogged, the dangerous and explosive gases will not be able to find a way out of car's battery.

Always Buy Branded Battery – In case you are replacing your car's battery, remember to always buy a branded one or the one recommended by the carmaker.

Also Keep the Same CCA Rating – Few of us pay attention to it or are even aware of it. But, CCA rating that is cold cranking amps is important for any automobile battery. Make sure you buy a battery that has the same or higher CCA rating.

Group Size To Be Checked – While buying the battery, ensure that the battery's group size is compatible to fit your battery tray, battery cables and cable connections.

Never Jump Start Your Car Using Another Car – I suggest not to do so, as it might damage the vehicle's voltage system. If the other vehicle's battery's volt is more than you vehicle's, then it can cause damage to your vehicle. Overvoltage is a common problem in an electrical system. Always use, other vehicle's battery power alone for starting your vehicle.

No Heavy Load On The Battery - When you start you vehicle, make sure you do not put heavy load on the battery. Instead of starting your vehicle with A/C and music system on, make it a habit to turn off them. This eases the load on the battery.

Regular Checks of Car's Electrical System – Obviously, regular care increases the lifeline. Follow this tip to make sure that your car's electrical system gives hassle free performance all its life.