The Most Common Problems With Your Automotive Brake System

June 16th, 2010

Its Monday again and the weekend is over. How was this weekend for you and did you drive a lot? Was it a smooth drive or you faced some problems with the brakes of your car. You must have felt the change if you have followed the DIY tips to change your car’s brake pads.

Brake system form an essential part of an automotive engine. Regular maintenance and check of car brakes is very important in order to ensure your safety on road. There are a number of problems that you might have faced with car brakes. Lets discuss some of the common ones.

Wear of the Brakes – One of the most common problem is the wear of car brakes. This is obvious and natural coz auto brakes are frequently used and do a lot of work. The brake pads of your car are consequently working hard as well. This leads to the wear of the brakes.

Squeaking or Grinding Excessive usage of brake pads leads to their wearing down. You might notice brake problems like squealing or increased stopping distance. Most of the cars have brake pads with a thin metal tab. When you brake pads wears down, this tab vibrates against the rotor which might damage it.

Sounds of Wear Indicators At times, the dust of brakes can be the reason behind some kind of sound or squeaking. This is a minor problem with the brake system and you can easy do without it by cleaning the dust. Using a brake cleaner spray is an easy way to do so.

Rotors Might Warp Often, you yourself must have felt the problem of facing warped rotor or heard you neighbour facing this problem with his new car. Warping of rotor is a common problem which might happen because of overheating. The other reason for warped rotors can be incorrect tightening of the wheel.

Thin Rotor Wrap Easily I have heard a number of car users facing warped rotors problem with their new cars. This is so because the he new cars have thin rotors that get warped easily. This problem can be rectified by repairing the rotors or by replacing them. Please ensure that you consult an experienced car mechanic before doing so. It is also important that you should understand how brake system work.

Loose Lug Nuts After Repair This is crucial and can be dangerous also. If you have got your car brakes repaired and the lug nuts are not tightened, it can damage your car brakes. Ensure that the nuts are tightened evenly so that the rotor doesn’t warp. It is important that the care repair mechanic uses a torque wrench.

These were some of the common problems that you often face with your car brakes. A little care and few preventive measures will help you avoid these problems easily. We’ll find out few preventive measures and DIY tips to keep the car brakes and the entire automotive brake system of our car functioning at its best.

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Leasing A Car As One Of The Best Automotive Vehicle Finance Choices

June 16th, 2010

Planning on buying a new car ? With all the changes in the world and international financing your next automobile purchase may well lead you back to the world of leasing. Financing may be increasingly difficult to get but not perhaps a lease on the car where you lease or rent the car , pay regular payments and the ownership of the car remains in the hands of some or some corporate or financial owner.

Still there are pitfalls and common mistakes to avoid. What cards to play and tactics should a new car owner employ even if they know from the get go that leasing a vehicle s their best option by far.

First of all it’s best not to announce when shopping for a car that leasing is your preference. Why not leave all options on the table. First of all, who knows, the standard car payment purchase plans may be offered to you. Next you are in a better negotiating position overall to get the best deal. It’s always best to keep your cards close to your chest . Be careful that family members, along for the ride and purchase, do not let out privileged information inadvertently . Industry consultant Winnipeg based William Simpson pointed out that the automotive industry sharp salespeople will always be on the lookout for “Radio Moscow”.

Do your homework first and foremost. As a buyer or lessee you have a right to know the capitalized or “cap” cost. There is no way to calculate your “APR” or “Annual Purchase Rate” without this magic number. Insist that the vital cap cost be given and divulged to you. If not – then in this day and age there are plenty of other automotive dealers to buy or lease a vehicle from.

It is an interesting fact that many leased vehicle buyers are more than happy with their vehicle even after the covered time period. The car started new. You know its history and maintenance schedule and routine and any accident history since you are the original owner and driver. It’s not as if you had even purchased a one year vehicle from a dealership – which was most likely a drive rental vehicle and most likely will not have such a clear and known record. You may well decide to extend your lease period. Ask upfront about any lease extension terms, rates and additional add on costs or fees. You may not want to lock yourself in at the beginning for a very long term lease – yet if you are happy with the vehicle – then by extending the lease period you may find it a very easy and nice way to reduce your monthly payments , while driving a known and reliable vehicle that you still enjoy.

Lastly examine and take into account any assumptions that you may currently have of your driving habits. Not only with a newer or more reliable vehicle may you drive more or motor vacations that you may not of considered in the past but also there may be additional drivers that come onto the scene who would of not of been included before. Spouses or kids with driver licenses may well add miles to the vehicle on a regular ongoing basis that may not of been included in your or the leasing agent’s quick calculations when the whole deal is set up. Mileage over a given threshold may invoke not unsubstantial costs, fees and penalties.

In the end in shopping for a new vehicle – be it purchased outright, be bought on payments or leased it is always best to do careful and thorough homework and never be afraid to ask questions. Purchasing a vehicle is always a case of buyer beware and purchaser err on the side of caution.

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Clay Bar And The Proper Maintenance Of Automotive Paint Finishes!

June 16th, 2010

Of all the information out there and of all the products being sold to the public to preserve and protect your vehicles finish, little or nothing is said about a simple product used in the Automotive Detailing and Paint Repair industry.

Some detailers dont really understand the benefits of using this product in the way I am going to talk about, and how it is beneficial to their customers and why it should be done on a somewhat regular basis!

Well what is this product?

It is called a Clay Bar.

This is not a new product or a secret product. However, it is not a well know product. Its use even by manufacturers is not well explained or understood.

We have some insight that is unique and not well understood by detailers or body shops because of the range of automotive appearance restoration we specialize in. Since many of the vehicles we work on have already been detailed we have to leave the vehicles “front line ready” when we are finished.

Unlike a body shop whose job does not include any kind of detailing” we have to leave the vehicles we work on “front line ready”. Also, unlike a detail shop we have paint restoration experience.

Why does this matter to you, and how can our experience and knowledge benefit you?

First of all let me explain a basic rule to paint preparation when preparing for refinishing. The surface being worked on has to be completely “sterile” and properly scuffed in order for new paint to adhere well to the area being refinished.

Let me illustrate it this way. If I paint something that has a decal on it and I paint over that decal what happens if that decals glue looses its adhesive quality? That area will certainly peel off sooner or later. You would not paint over a pin stripe or decal but on a larger scale if you have removed all surface contaminates you will have great adhesion and a long lasting paint job!

One of the biggest things that makes a paint job a quality paint job is how well the surface has been “prepped! I cannot stress this point enough!

Have you ever priced a paint job? Have you wondered why some body shops can do a paint job for $400 and others will tell you $3000?!

Did you know the factory paint job on your vehicle can be valued somewhere between $3000 to $6000 depending of the make and model? Any paint work that is not done to the factory standard can devalue your vehicle the amount of your factory paint job.

The prep work done for a paint job when done properly can be the difference between a factory quality paint job and disaster!

So you have this $3000-$6000 paint job on your car, how do you protect it?

First of all do not neglect it by not removing damaging surface contaminates such as tar, sap, bugs, industrial fallout etc. Sap can actually boil in the sun and burn off the finish under the sap, ruining the panel where the sap is.

Second, make sure your waxes or sealants used to protect your paint job are of good quality and prepare the finish for proper adhesion of your wax or sealant.

Should you “prep” the finish for wax or sealants? Absolutely! However, most people think they are prepping for wax but they are not. So how do you “prep” the finish for wax?

The best way to “prep” your vehicles finish for wax or paint sealants is the use of a clay bar! Before you wax and after you have washed your vehicle use a clay bar at least once a year or every six months for the best protection of that expensive paint job.

A clay bar will remove any surface contaminates that washing did not. It can even remove hard water stains on the paint if they are not too bad. This is also the only way to remove paint over spray. A Clay Bar can also be used on the glass and on the headlights which should be part of your wax or sealer routine espeacially if you have restored your headlight lenses.

How do you use a clay bar?

A clay bar has to be used with a lubricant. It is a simple process really. In fact you can even use water as a lubricant. However, it is better to use a spray way that will both lubricate the panels you are clay barring and can be used to clean up clay residue as you go.

Simply spray the area you are clay barringa 12″ X 12″ area is best and rub the surface with the clay bar back and forth in a side to side motion. You will hear the clay bar picking up light contaminates and as the surface is cleaned you will stop hearing the movement of the clay bar.

You can also feel the surface. If it feels rough like tiny pieces of sand after you have washed it, it needs to be clay barred. Use the same method above and listen and feel the area you are working on after you dry it off.

So work your small area wipe it dry when you think it is finished and check the surface with the inside of your hand rubbing lightly feeling and listening for rough areas. Once you have completed a section you can move on the next.

A word of caution, it has been said, although I gave never experienced this, that a clay bar can rub the paint off eventually if not kept lubricated while using. Use common sense and you should be fine.

Well there it is, this is the best way to prep for waxing your vehicle and a great way to be sure you are getting the best results from your wax.

Enjoy and I hope this article helps!

www.headlightcare.com

www.headlightcare.com/smf

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Car Shows Put Automotive Excellence On Display

June 16th, 2010

Each year the new car show circuit captures the attention and imaginations of enthusiasts from all over the world. It is at these events that automotive manufacturers unfurl their new creations and accessory makers show off the latest and greatest gadgets for making cruising more comfortable, classy or just plain fun. If discovering what might make its way to showroom floors in the coming months sounds like fun, the show circuit is worth visiting.

The overall car show circuit covers the world with many major events taking place in the United States and Europe. Events tend to cover the calendar year with some shows bigger than others. Enthusiasts will discover the new car show circuit is extensive. In fact, there are dozens of events the world over. Some events in particular receive major press and are considered the premiere destinations for manufacturers to show off what will be new in a particular year and what prototypes are presently under consideration. These shows are also the ideal place to go to see aftermarket accessories in action.

Some of the bigger events include:

The Chicago Auto Show This event is more than 100 years old and is considered the biggest show in all of North America based on square footage alone. It takes place each year in February. The show is part of the annual auto show world tour and features more than 1,000 different vehicles. Automobiles include cars, trucks, SUVs, concept cars and even experimental vehicles. Visitors will also find there are a variety of automotive exhibits, competition vehicles, collectors cars and more on display. The event takes place at McCormick Place in Chicago and does require paid entry. The Detroit Auto Show Officially known as the North American International Auto Show, this event rolls into Detroit in January of each year. With a history that dates back more than two decades, this show is a major event in the auto circuit. The 2009 show features more than 55 vehicle debuts, including cars from not only North America, but also all over Europe. Exhibitors include major auto manufactures from North America and such international car makers as Rolls-Royce, Maserati and Lamborghini. The show also features a number of accessory makers. The Geneva Auto Show This massive event is the talk of Europe during March. It features manufacturers from all over the world, including an extensive lineup of accessory makers. Enthusiasts will find everything here from tires and GPS systems to car radios, fuels and other electronics. The Los Angeles Car Show Set for November each year, this annual event includes hundreds of cars and a variety of displays. Exhibitors include all major American auto makers, most major European and Asian manufacturers and a variety of accessory makers and retailers. Some exhibitors outside automobile manufacturers include Smart Wax, State Farm Insurance, the Automobile Club of So. Cal and Euroeffects.

The annual auto show circuit includes events in Paris, New York, Florida and elsewhere. These annual undertakings are the place to go to see what is hot, what is coming and what might be a must buy for a new or used ride.

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Indian Automotive Suppliers Have a Promising Future

June 16th, 2010

I will not be the first one to say that Indian automotive suppliers have a promising future; analysts from consultancies, big and small, have already stated that in many of their glitzy presentations to present and propsective clients. What I am observing is a trend that is getting stronger and stronger.

OEM purchase managers across the world no longer look at India and move on, the idea is now to have a deeper look at whats happening here. But more than OEMs, it is the Tier I and some Tier II suppliers that are taking a very deep interest in India. These are the companies hardest hit by rising costs and a slump in the North American industry. For them Indian companies are ‘White Knights’, as put by one of the leading pink papers recently.

Surely, a dependable Indian supplier catering to a part of any program will mean significant cost reduction. Good for business is that Indians speak English and realize very quickly which side of the toast is buttered. Fortunately, they can also be trusted with things like drawings and blueprints, unlike the Ming and Han dienasties.

The general feeling amongst global automotive executives is one of making India a sourcing hub. In a recent Roland Berger – SupplierBusiness survey of global automotive supplier executives, a high percentage of them listed India as the most promising destination for outsourcing. China matters too but the enthusiasm there is about the market, for India it is all about getting things done here.

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