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.....

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.

Tips & Advices for Automotive Cooling System Maintenance

If you have been experiencing some problem with car's radiator, then its time to check your car's cooling system. Few maintenance tips and some precautions would help make your car functioning efficiently without any hassle. There can be a number of possible reason behind the problems in the cooling system. Minor checks or change of engine cooling fluids would assure smooth functioning of the auto part.

Find out how you can keep your car's cooling system function amoothly. Read at Automotive-online.com

Awesome New Year Gifts

Its new year season and definitely presents are the best way to express your love for your dear ones. What can be better than gifting them some auto accessories for their vehicle or some new automotive parts & components. As a father get your son or daughter a special gift. If you are a wife just give your husband an auto part that he has been planning to buy for long. He would definitely love it. So, lets begin this year with smile on the faces of our loved ones. Here are few suggestions for some automotive parts that can be great gifts this year..

Auto Gauges
They are the best gift for any automobile lover. Gift the latest models of automotive gauges that will surely add to the look of car interior. The auto industry is full of automotive gauges of different brands.

New Car Tires
Definitely a great gift for new year. Worn out car tires affect the performance of the vehicle, so just get them changed to enjoy a smooth ride. One of the best option while choosing automotive tires would be seasonal tires that are ideal for being used in any season whether summer or winter.

Designer Seat Covers
An important auto accessory, seat covers change the complete look of the interiors. Get your young daughter attractive seat covers that will give a swing to her mood whenever she drives. You might also match the seat covers with her favorite color. If you are more inclined towards fun & excitement, then choose vibrant colored seat covers.

Audio Devices
If you had been waiting for long for getting a new audio device for your car, then this is the best time. Gift yourself a new car stereo for that enjoying foot tapping music. You can choose from the different devices available in the market. The different audio devices include amplifiers, car MP3 players, head units, two way radios, car CD players, car speakers and noise filters.

Get The Vehicle Painted
When you are talking about the interiors of vehicle, how can you ignore the exterior. Give the vehicle a new look by car painting. Get your motorbike or car painted in your favorite hues. You can give a new look to your car by painting the face of an animal on the car's bonnet or hood.

Free Car Repair
Financing car repair will surely please anyone and will come as a pleasant surprise too. If you feel like, just pay the bills of monthly car repair of son. Not only will this be a new year gift, this will definitely help him save some dollars.

These are some of the suggestions for you to give some special gift on the occasion of new year. These priceless gifts will express your passion for automobile.

Year 2008 - Best Electric Car – “Tesla Roadster”

Year 2008 witnessed a number of cars, but those who stole limelight were electric, hybrid cars and concept cars. Amongst all the electric cars launched this year, Tesla Roadster is the best one. This sleek and small model car is not only attractive but also offers a number of features. There are a number of unique features that make these cars special and best electric car of year 2008.

Tesla Roadster is 100% electric sports car with zero emissions . This car offers 135 mpg equivalent , 220 miles per charge. Whereas the horsepower and RPM is 248 and 13, 000 respectively. The car tires and battery of this electric car are recyclable and hence are eco friendly. The battery of this electric car gets fully charged in 3.5 hours. This ultra modern car costs less than 2 cents/ mile and hence helps you save money. The other attractive features include touch-screen navigation, 16″ front, 17″ rear & spoke wheels . It also has all the features for your entertainment like 7 speaker, ipod and 170 channel satellite stereo .

Roadster is an electric car with carbon fiber body and has heated leather automotive seats that come with inflatable lumbar support. The most important advantage of this electric car is that being electric it requires no oil. Well, there is another important advantage that will gives these cars an over the other electric cars and that is – Tesla Roadster requires maintenance after every 12, 000 miles. Wow, that would definitely bring a smile on your face. So, are you really interested in this electric car? I hope so, the last piece of information for you – Price of the car – it is $109, 000.

Exploring Automotive Gauges

Latest technology and innovative car designs have combined together to give space to auto gauges dashboard in a car. A wide variety of automotive gauges can be noticed on a modern dashboard. These auto devices are used for determining the dimensions, measurement, speed and pressure. Often, one does not pay attention to the auto gauges in his or her vehicle, but having a fair idea of these gauges or warning lamps helps in smooth functioning of the car. Acting immediately to find the solutions to the existing problems would help in avoiding unnecessary damage to the vehicle. Know your auto gauges dashboard for better driving experience.

Read More at Automotive Components & Parts

Tires – Your Vehicle's Lifeline

Tires – doesn't sound that important, right? Rather, you feel they are car parts that are meant to bear all the load of car. Poor souls. When its comes to car care/ vehicle maintenance or regular cleaning, we mostly pay attention to the body of the car, mirror, windshields and engine. The car tires are often left untouched or are rather checked for the air pressure only.

But friends, let me make it clear, auto tires are the backbone of any vehicle, whether its your car, motorbike or any heavy utility vehicle. We need to take care of our car tires. Here's a post dedicated to these car parts that bear the cars' as well as our weight.

Wheels and tires are the indispensable auto parts that are responsible for the movement of the vehicle. Apart from being the load support, there is more to these auto tires.

Functions of Auto Tires

• Tires are helpful in the rotation of a vehicle.
• One of the important functions of auto tires is to add traction to the vehicle.
• These are the load support of the entire vehicle
• Automotive tires are a major factor in enhancing the vehicle's performance by providing a smooth and comfortable grip of the road.
• With their shock absorbing features, these car parts make our journey jerk proof and comfortable.

Types of Auto Tires

Tires being vital to any vehicle must be chosen judiciously. Before buying auto tires, you must know how to buy auto tires. There are a number of factors on which the choice of auto tires depend. Some of them are the season or the place where you live. The different types of car tires are:

• All-season Car Tires
• Summer Tires
• Winter Tires
• Wet-Weather Tires
• Mud Tires
• All-Terrain Tires

You must ensure that chosen car tires are ideal for your car. Choose the Best Car Tires That Suit Your Vehicle.

This was a snapshot of auto tires and their role as car parts in a vehicle. Do come back to read about a few tips on the maintenance of automotive wheels and tires.

Here's A Quick Way To Troubleshoot Auto Gauge Problems

Another car problem? Oh, is it your engine's temperature gauge this time? Not to worry, we'll discuss few troubleshooting ways to repair this automotive gauge. You must ensure that the auto gauges function properly so as to avoid any kind of damage to the vehicle's engine. There are different types of auto gauges like fuel gauge, temperature gauge, tire pressure gauge and many more.

Temperature gauge in the vehicle is installed to indicate the temperature range within which the engine is working. It is very essential that we maintain these car parts and speaking honestly, its not actually difficult to do so because problems with auto gauges can be easily diagnosed. Few small checks of these auto gauges will help you know whether you need to replace them with new temperature gauges.

Begin with the Gauge Wire. Unplug it at the sending unit. Remember, you must unplug only the temperature gauge wire. Usually, you will find the wire located on the engine.

Turn on the Ignition Key. Please ensure that you don't have to start the engine of the vehicle.

Ground this Wire to Engine. The next step that follows is of grounding the temperature gauge wire to engine. You can do this by using a jumper wire.

Keep an eye on the Temperature Gauge Needle. Check what does it indicate. If it reads 'Hot', it is time to replace the temperature sending unit.

If Needle does not read 'Hot' – In such a case, you should check the fuse whether it is fine.

Fixing the Problem - Now that you have ensured that you fuse is working fine, check the voltage. For that you need a voltmeter. You must check the voltage at ignition terminal using this voltmeter.

Found a Problem there? - You might notice that there is no voltage. If this is the case, then it is because of some damage in the circuit between the ignition key & gauge or fuse panel & gauge temperature.

Repair It – Since you have diagnosed this problem, repair or fix it. Fix the problem and test again. You may also replace the gauge.

Observe Closely – Ground the temperature gauge wire to engine with a jumper wire. Check the gauge. If its working fine, then disconnect the wire at sending unit as well as turn on the ignition.

Needle Higher then Cold Range – Does the needle this time indicate that it is a little bit higher than cold range. If it is, then unplug the wire that is going to the sending unit at the gauge. Check the gauge again by turning on the ignition key.

Watch the Needle this Time – Is it still higher than cold range, the gauge needs to be changed. Check the auto gauge, doesn't it read 'Cold'.

Gauge Reads 'Cold' – You can fix this problem of short in the wiring. It is because of this, the gauge reads cold. After the repair, test the gauge again.

These were some of the ways how you test your temperature gauge of your vehicle. Monthly checks of the automotive gauges will help you avoid any major damage of the engine. In case, you are stuck anywhere, I suggest do not take a chance. Call your car repair mechanic. Try these troubleshooting tips and have a safe driving experience. Happy Driving.