By Tom Tessin

Has it been a while since you last changed your cars brake fluid? If so, you may want to give your car some attention on that. To help keep your car running smoothly, and out of the shop you will want to make sure you give your car the attention and maintenance it needs. Changing your cars brake fluid is a very important part in how your vehicle runs. Brake fluid over time can get dirty and start to thicken. Once it starts to reach that level it is long over due for a change. Not sure how to change your cars brake fluid? Check out the step by step instructions below to learn how you can change it yourself.

Supplies needed:

• Brake fluid based on your vehicle

• A brake bleeding kit (vacuum)

• Drip pan

• A clean rag

Not sure what kind of brake fluid you need? Check your owner’s manual or ask a associate at an automotive store.

Step by step instructions for changing your vehicles brake fluid:

1. Make sure you are in an area with some room and that your vehicle is shut off.

2. Once you have a place to work you will want to pop your car’s hood.

3. You will want to now locate your car’s brake master cylinder. Not sure where this is? Look for something that is on the driver’s side of the car, next to the engine. Think of where your pedal would be located.

4. Now that you’ve located your B.M.C. you will want to search for the cap. Loosen the cap to take it off and check out the fluids color. You never want to have a dark or thick color fluid. Instead, your fluid should look similar to a light, very pale brownish color.

5. If your fluid color is dark you will definitely want to consider changing your brake fluid.

6. Take out your vacuum pump and suction out all the old fluid out of the master cylinder.

7. Now put the canister on the pump, (this becomes the reservoir) and drain the master cylinder.

8. When you place the tube into the master cylinder to suck out the fluids, be sure to make sure the hose is all the way down to the bottom. If you don’t place it in far enough you may not get all of the old oil.

9. Once your canister pump is all the way full, get your clean rag and put it around the tip of the hose to avoid having it leak over your vehicle.

10. Keep suctioning and emptying until all the fluid is out of the brake master cylinder.

11. Once all the fluid is out of the B.M.C. get a clean rag and wipe down the area. This will avoid having dust get in your fluid and any dirt that doesn’t belong there.

12. Since all your fluid is out, you will want to get your new brake fluid and pour it to the line that says “full”.

13. Once it is full, you will now need to take all the wheels off of your vehicle and get out the vacuum pump again.

14. By each tire there is a bleeder valve. Take off the cap and suction your vacuum pump to it.

15. Take a wrench and loosen the bleeder valve just a little bit

16. Now, pump your vacuum pump until all the old brake fluid comes out. (It may come out dirty at first and have a few bubbles.) Give it around 15-25 pumps.

17. Go back to your master cylinder up from and add some more of the new fluid to it. (It should be lower because you’re draining it through the bleeder valves.

18. Repeat these steps for the other three tires.

19. Once you’ve finished the work up front and all four of your tires, you will now want to test your vehicle. You may notice that your pedal will go all the way down to the floor and the ABS light may come on. If this happens, try to pump your brake about 10-15 times and it will firm up. The ABS light will go off after you turn it off and back on again. If you notice that it doesn’t turn off the first time try to unhook your battery so that the computer will reset.

A very important question that many people don’t know the answer to, “How often should you change your vehicle’s brake fluid?”

Answer: You should change your car’s brake fluid every 2 years or every 24,000 miles, which ever one comes first.

Changing your car’s brake fluid seems very intimidating at first but it is a very easy way to save money. By changing your own brake fluid you can avoid going to the automotive shops and learn to take good care of your vehicle. Follow these simple steps and you will be on your way to changing your car’s brake fluid in no time.

About the Author: Save on gas with a gas card and find more of Tom’s work at FINDgascards.

Source: www.isnare.com

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By Terje Ellingsen

The security of your car is vital, whether it is a Mercedes or a Mazda – even the safest vehicle on earth can have brake failure. If your car’s brakes don’t work properly, the consequences could be fatal. Thus, the brakes are probably the most important part of your vehicle. Car brake repair knowledge is always good to have because you never know if or when your car’s brake system will let you down. If this happens while you’re driving let’s say in the desert, miles away from the nearest garage, you should be able to:

Perform a brake inspection and troubleshoot the problem

Know what it takes to do a car brakes repair

If possible, do the fix yourself

If not, be able to describe the problem to someone who is able to repair your automobile brakes.

To become able to perform the work listed above, the first thing you need to know is how a car’s brake system works.

A drum system is utilizing hydraulic pressure to press a pad against a brake drum to slow down the speed of the vehicle. Here is how it works:

Press the brake pedal

The piston in the master cylinder sends pressure via the brake lines held by the brake shoe to the wheel cylinders inside the brake drum

The friction caused by the shoe pressed against the drum is stopping the wheel from turning

A brake drum is a flat-topped and heavy cylinder, that you normally find somewhere between the wheel rim and the drive wheel. When you press the brake pedal, the friction material held by the brake shoes is pressed against the brake drum. This will slow the rotation of the wheels. A wheel cylinder contains pistons utilizing hydraulic power from the master cylinder to force the brake pads against the brake drum.

Another brake system, called disk brake system is using hydraulic pressure to press a pad against the rotor. This way it slows down the vehicle. Here is how it works:

Press the brake pedal

The piston in the master cylinder is activated and sends pressure via the brake lines to the calliper when the pad makes contact with the rotor, friction is created and this stops the wheel from turning.

A rotor is nothing but a circular plate that is gripped by the brake pads for slowing down the vehicle. A brake pad is a pad made of friction material. When pressed against the rotor it stops the wheel from turning. This pad is held by the calliper, which straddles the rotor by using hydraulic pressure from the brake lines. With help from internal pistons it forces the brake pads against the rotors.

Performing this process, the breaking system needs brake fluid. The master cylinder provides this by distributing the brake fluid under pressure, to the entire breaking system of your vehicle.

The description above gives you the knowledge of how two different car brake systems work. These are the first things you need to know when troubleshooting and fixing any problems regarding your vehicle’s brakes. Brake problems can occur in a Cadillac, a VW or even in the safest vehicle brand. There are plenty free resources online which give you step by step instructions on fixing any brake problems that your vehicle may incur. I recommend that you go online and do a search for ‘car auto brake repair’. You’ll be amazed of the list of brake fix resources that will appear within seconds.

About the Author: Terje Brooks Ellingsen is an internet publisher. He runs the website http://www.cheap-used-cars.w-eland.com. Terje gives advice and helps people with automotive issues like Car repair help, see http://www.cheap-used-cars.w.eland.com/auto_repair_help.htm and buying auto parts online, see
http://www.cheap-used-cars.w-eland.com/car_parts.htm

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=12758&ca=Automotive

By Cooper Miller

Perhaps the tool that is most required by all workshops that are serious about carrying out repairs on a wide variety of vehicles is the standard transmission jack. These flexible and versatile lifting systems have many uses, and are essential for a wide range of different repair and servicing jobs.

Unlike a conventional jack, which raises a vehicle using either the chassis, or the axles, a transmission jack is positioned centrally, and lifts the transmission. Generally, the procedure for removing a transmission or gear box from a vehicle begins with positioning the transmission jack under the box. It is then raised to take the weight of the transmission, so that it can be safely detached from the engine block. Once this has been achieved, the jack can be raised the rest of the way up in order to allow the complete removal of the transmission ready for servicing.

There are numerous different styles and models of transmission jack available, and although their purpose is the same, the different versions are designed for different kinds of vehicle. Most cars and light weight utility trucks have fairly lightweight transmission systems attached to the engine block. These can generally be handled effectively by a transmission jack rated up to 1000lb capacity. A unit like the OTC 1728 jack is perfectly suited to such tasks. It is small enough to be easily moved around by a single mechanic, and yet hard wearing enough to be used every day without fear of failure. The unit comes with a lifetime guarantee, and thanks to its precision construction is a very reliable tool.

As with all tools, the OTC 1728 Transmission jack is designed with a specific purpose in mind, and features many enhancements to a basic design to make it easy to use. A gas lift piston to raise the transmission block when the jack is in use is combined with a manual release for easy detachment when the job is complete, and in use, the OTC 1728 is intended to be as simple as possible.

For larger jobs, a heavy duty transmission jack is required. If your workshop deals with a lot of trucks and larger vehicles, then you will require a much more powerful jack in order to support the heavier weight of the transmission and gearbox in a bigger vehicle.

In general, transmission jacks for larger vehicles such as trucks are rated to carry up to 2200lb in weight, and do so effortlessly. Heavy duty transmission jacks like the OTC 5019 are intended to be completely stable under even the largest weights, and are easy to manipulate when in use to ensure that transmission removal is as simple as possible, even with a particularly heavy unit to deal with.

Aside from the weight capacity of a transmission jack, the other major consideration is whether you require a high or low profile device. If your workshop is large enough to have hydraulic vehicle lifting platforms, then a high profile jack will be easier for you to use, while in a more restrictive environment, you are better off with a low profile model that can be slipped into place for ease of use.

The actual cost of a transmission jack will vary depending on the level of quality, weight that it can carry, and the manufacturer, and since there are so many different options on the market, finding the one that you want can be bewildering to say the least.

Prices start from around $825 for a low profile trolley style transmission jack rated up to half a ton, but you can easily pay in excess of $1800 for a full ton high profile device designed for trucks and heavier jobs. What is important is buying a tool that will last well, perform reliably, and last for as long as you need it.

About the Author: Jason has been in the construction equipment and industrial sales business for over 10 years. He owns and operates Red Hill Supply to better serve the automotive and industrial industries. – Air Compressors

Source: www.isnare.com

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By Sheryll Cross

Wouldn’t you like travel across the country without the hassle of a car repair? Its bad enough you have to pay an arm and a leg for oil prices, now you have to worry about transmission repair as well? How do you take care of your car and what can you invest in to avoid paying the price of drastic repair services?

One of the common causes of automatic transmission failure is heat. Avoid accelerations, remove the friction when you shift, and keep the cooling system in good working order. This will not just increase the mileage of your car, it will also extend the life of your transmission, which at this day and age, is not a bad thing.

The oil or the ATF helps drive the transmission other than acting as the transmission’s lubricant. A form of damage to the fluid may cause a reduction in its holding power. Thereby causing the transmission to slip and overheat. Continued servicing of your car’s transmission avoids these types of problems and also lengthens its life. This is one good consequence of having a complete fluid exchange done every year.

Now just like in any form of expensive machinery, you can’t guess what’s wrong in an attempt to fix a certain problem. One miss may cause further damage, therefore cause more damage to your pocket. Though you may think that going to a specialist will cause you more pain in the wallet, think again. There is a good reason this people exist for you and your car. And it’s not to take your money!

One good reason is the facilities and the technology. With the advancement in automobiles these days, we’ve gone from simple monkey wrench to computer detection systems to diagnose what’s wrong with your baby. Everything from low fluid to faulty valve body in an auto or manual transmission can be seen without poking around too much in your car. These facilities is also a good benefit for not just repairing your precious cars but also for preventive maintenance so you don’t have to go through the disasters on the road.

Besides the machinery, transmission specialists have that name that speaks so much of their know-how- SPECIALISTS. They are experts in the field and well experienced in handling matters concerning your car concerns. While you can go to the average mechanic to settle for your car repair problems, transmission specialists are skilled in a particular playing field and therefore are the best players to choose, as they are more focused and knowledgeable in the game.

You can have the car of your dreams but you might as well say goodbye to it when you don’t intend to take care of it the right way. A good investment pays off in the future. Especially when it comes to having a dependable vehicle and a safer ride for you and your family. When it comes down to it, it sounds like taking care of your car is a lot more trouble than it seems but take it from that lasting quotation: prevention is better than cure.

About the Author: For more information, check out this site on http://www.airworldtransmission.com transmission repair company.
Sheryll Cross is a web copywriter for a web design company associated with a transmission repair company in Houston, TX.

Source: www.isnare.com

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As the first of the winter snow begins to fall and the roads become snowy, icy and the gritting machines come out at full force, it seems about time to prepare ourselves (and our cars!) for the cold weather. Winter weather of course has its benefits but can also be extremely damaging to your car. As the weather deteriorates so can our cars if we do nothing to protect them from these potentially damaging conditions. Driving on salted roads can cause our bumpers and wheel wells to rust, windscreens can whiten very quickly, batteries become flat and tyres can easily become corroded. Essentially every aspect of your car has to work that bit harder during these blustery and busy months.

There are a few ways to avoid any temporary or long term damage and keep yourself safe during winter conditions. Firstly, ensure that the tire pressure is correct; an over pressurised tire can lose traction which can be extremely dangerous during snowy and icy conditions whereas low pressure can increase fuel consumption and contribute to the wear of tyres. Snow tyres are an option for many however they are perhaps not necessary in areas where the snow fall is infrequent and not severe. Ensure that your window screen is always kept clean as this too can corrode and cause the glass to chip. As soon as window screens come into contact with salt and grit, they can become damaged and grit can easily become trapped in the wipers. Ensure to attend to any minor cracks as a drop or change in weather can soon result in a damaged windscreen. During the frosty temperatures heaters are pushed to their limit, avoid any unwelcome problems by making sure your battery is prepared, tighten the terminals and ensure that they are clean.

Of course, the most effective way to protect your car during these months is to opt for frequent cleaning. It may be a wise investment to have a car wash more regularly than usual as contact with salt and grit can quickly begin to damage your car and left for a given amount of time can begin to rust and corrode. Regular car washing is an essential way to avoid any long term damage to a new car. Professional valeting services are the most effective given that hard to reach places can be successfully and thoroughly cleaned with the appropriate treatments and cleaners, reducing damage in the most prone places. This is also the an incredibly convenient option, often taking no longer than twenty minutes is reasonably priced and saves the unwanted hassle of braving the bitter temperatures with a sponge and bucket in hand.

Nothing could dissolute festive cheer like expensive repair or breakdown costs so ensure that your vehicle is in optimum condition all winter round through regular maintenance and thorough cleaning. In doing this, you are ensuring that any damaging grit is removed and always check your tire pressure. This will both keep you and others safe and avoid any long term damage or unexpected costs, leaving you free to enjoy the more pleasant benefits of winter weather!

Perhaps you have already been late to get to work, jump in the car or truck, turn the key and have the devastating noise of absolutely nothing happening? It’s happened to most people at one time in their lives. So how do you know if its the battery or anything else which is causing the car not to start? Listed here are a few tips for you to check the battery.

A lifeless battery or a discharged battery is a likely issue leading to your vehicle to not start. This may materialize for any variety of reasons such as: leaving the lights on when the car is off, leaving the dome light on or perhaps a car door ajar. These will drain the charge from your battery. If the battery still carries a little life left inside it, you should notice a clicking noise after you turn the key in the ignition. This particular clicking is signaling that there may be not enough electric power available to move the starter motor.

A simple method to find out if the battery is low is to turn the ignition on and with the engine off, start the windshield wipers. Whenever they move slowly, slower than usual or not at all it is most likely as a result of a lifeless battery. You can also have a look at the dashboard and dome lights; in the event the power is reduced they will be dim or even very low as well.

For those who have a pretty new battery, it usually can be charged up again. You can do this through jump starting it through an additional vehicle or maybe using a battery charger. Utilizing a charger in most cases require a power source such as in the home and could require anywhere from twenty minutes to many hours subject to the type of charger. The simplest way to give the battery a charge would be to use jumper cables from another car. Once your vehicle is started, allow it to run for a minimum of 10 minutes. This will recharge the battery by using the alternator.

You can also drive the car after it is started, but you should check out the lights and wipers to make sure the battery is being charged. If it is not, you need to drive to an Auto Repair Shop to buy a new battery so you don’t get stuck once more.

Tire care is important to maximize the performance and life span of your tires. Since tires are the only contact point between you and the road, it is important that you take good care of them to ensure your safety and mobility.

You can enhance the performance and quality of your tires’ lives by examining tire pressure, tread path, consistency and with frequent tire servicing.

You need to check the pressure regularly and should ensure that they are inflated to the recommended levels. Studies indicate that under inflated tires reduce fuel efficiency. Check your hand book or consult your local service provider to know more about pressure checking and related information.

Analysing the tread depth is another important way to ensure safety. If the tires do not have recommended level of tread depth, the wheels will not stick to the road properly. By measuring the depth of the tread you can know whether a wheel needs replacement.

You can insert a tire tread depth gauge if you have one and check it by yourself. You can also talk to a mechanic to know more about the tread depth conditions.

It is better not to use different brands of tires on the same vehicle. Ensuring the consistency of your wheels is important for your own safety and the wheels’ performance and life.

When you send your car for servicing, make sure that the wheels are rotated in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. This way you can ensure them maximum life.

You also need to check your rims regularly to ensure that there are no chips or damage. Also make sure that there is no unusual damage on the walls of your wheels and that the rims are dust free.

Another good tip is to avoid hard acceleration and hard braking since it can lead to excessive tire wear and increased fuel consumption.

The best way to enhance your tire’s life is to drive safely and accelerate gently, so take care of your tires and drive safely.

Owning imported cars is certainly a matter of pride, and driving them is a great experience. However, it is also important for luxury car owners to pay attention to their car maintenance schedule. Complete servicing according to scheduled dates is necessary, but it is also important to take care of imported cars during everyday use. It helps avoid several possible problems that may arise in future. This article covers some basic but very important tips for imported car maintenance.

Follow Manufacturer Recommendations

Every car manufacturer suggests some essential guidelines along with a recommended maintenance schedule. People are advised to strictly follow these recommendations. It includes various limitations during initial days of driving, suggestions for safety, replacement time of certain parts, and correct use of all the advanced features of imported cars. It may not seem so important in the beginning, but they have a great impact on cars.

Be Extra Cautious For Your Imported Luxuries

Owners are advised to be extra cautious about their cars and their performance. Pay attention to the sound of your engine, any strange noises coming from your engine may turn into a major issue. In case of any such issue contact a manufacturer approved service center. Also, keep an eye on car tires. Check manually for any rough patches or tear (if any). If necessary, get the tires replaced before the damage results in a blow-out.

Use Genuine Spare Parts

Genuine spare parts extend the life of any vehicle and enhance performance. Therefore, it is very important for owners to purchase only genuine spare parts for their luxury cars. Cost cutting while purchasing spare parts is not a wise decision. It may end up being a disaster. Therefore, trust only manufacturer approved service centers for genuine spare parts.

Servicing and Maintenance

Owners often have problems finding a manufacturer approved car servicing and maintenance center. Although, prominent manufacturers like Mercedes Benz, Audi, and BMW have manufacturer approved service centers in every country. But they are not enough to serve the demand due to the growing number of imported cars. However, there are specialists in imported car repairing servicing and maintenance. People can count on them for any kind of service and repair need.

People spend their hard earned money to purchase imported cars. To get the maximum return for their money they want to enjoy the ultimate luxury and performance offered by their cars for as long as possible. The tips provided in this article may mean a world of difference for owners and they can also save thousands of dollars on service and repair.

Most of us take our cars for granted. We jump in, turn the key, and off we go. Or do we? What if something happened and your car was no longer able to take you to work, pick up the kids or go to the store? Everyone depends on their car for transportation.

When something goes wrong, it could cost thousands of dollars to repair. Many times major repairs could have been prevented with proper maintenance.

Once upon a time there were attendants at gas stations, excuse me, I mean service stations. They actually pumped the gas into your tank and checked your oil! Oil is very important to your engine, it keeps everything moving smoothly. Many engine parts are made of metal and need oil to protect against corrosion and wear.

Check your oil

This is critical for cars with over 70,000 miles or over 4 years old.

While the gas is pumping into your tank, take a minute and pop the hood open. The engine should not be running when you do this. It only takes a short time to check your oil and it could save your engine.

Pull out the dip stick and wipe it off with a paper towel. (The oil dip stick has a yellow handle in most cars.)Push the clean dip stick back into the tube as far as it will go.

Pull it out again and look at the oil level on the stick. There are marks on the metal showing the safe zone. If your oil touches that area you are good.

If your oil is low, add some. There is a larger opening with a screw cap that has a picture of an oil can. This is where you will add the oil (not the little hole by the dip stick.)

If it is just a little low, purchase a quart. Add half of the bottle and check the stick again. Most gas stations today sell different grades of oil. When you open your hood, there should be a chart showing what type of oil you should put in your car, if not check the owners manual. The most common oil types for regular cars are 10w30 and 5w30.

Get your oil changed every 5000 miles or whatever is recommended by your auto manufacturer. If you drive an older model car, it is a good idea to keep a quart of oil and a bottle of windshield washer in the trunk.

Keep an eye on the driveway for spots where you park your car. It could be a warning sign that something is wrong.

Driving and owning a car is expensive, protect your investment and check your oil often.

Karen Sorensen is a freelance writer in rural Illinois. She enjoys many outdoor activities such as cycling, fishing, hiking and gardening.

ABC Rental, the family business has taught her not to be afraid to try new projects. She is experienced in many home repair projects. She loves to share her experiences in her writing.