Archive for the ‘Safety Tips’ Category
How your Edmonton Oil Change Benefits the Lifespan of Your Car
In the course of most Edmontonians’ lives, the purchase and upkeep of a car is an inevitable occurrence. The sprawling set up of Edmonton combined with the unpredictable weather makes having access to a vehicle important for everyday living in the city. This is why any steps that can help your car maintain its functionality should be taken. Having a frequent Edmonton oil change is one of the most important steps you can take.
The lifespan of your car, whether it was bought new or used, can easily be extended with frequent oil changes. Getting your oil changed is one the cheapest and easiest ways to maximize the lifespan of your cars’ engine and enhance its horsepower usage so that all cylinders are working as if it were brand new. On the flip side however, if you wait too long to have your oil changed there can be fairly substantial consequences. Oil is an important lubricator for all moving parts of the engine and when not enough of this is present, these moving parts are met with friction that causes quick deterioration of the engine. When the engine is not working at its maximum efficiency, you will undoubtedly feel the effects both in your pocketbook and your cars’ drivability. The same consequences occur when you use oil that has lost its integrity; this means if it is unreasonably filled with dirt or is not viscous enough.
If not enough oil is present to make the moving parts of your engine operate smoothly, these parts will not only face friction, but the stressful environment of an engine with a lack of lubrication can result in far more dire consequences. Over a period of time constant exposure to friction and heat not only causes moving parts to deteriorate, but to fuse together or to fail completely. If enough parts cease to work, the engine could easily overheat and even explode. Thus, both the integrity of your car and the safety of your person is reason enough to get your Edmonton oil change as frequently as the manufacturer suggests.
There are many factors that affect how often you should change your oil including how often you drive, the starting condition of the engine, the age of the engine and how you drive (for example if you rely too heavily on the brake for stopping and starting purposes, particularly if you drive a standard). Most manufacturers suggest that you get your oil change at least every 3,000 to 10,000 miles. However, given that Edmonton has lengthy and frequently very cold winters, the roads are often sanded. This causes quicker deterioration of parts and you should thus get your Edmonton oil change more frequently than the manufacturer suggests. The same goes if you frequently drive on dirty or gravel roads, if you consistently drive at high speeds, and or your vehicle is prone to carrying heavy loads.
Getting your oil changed as frequently as needed to keep the moving parts of your engine working is vital to keeping the lifespan of your car long and healthy. At around 50 dollars, oil changes are one of the most cost effective ways to keep your car and its parts running smoothly.
30 Ways to Save Gas
The surest way you can improve your fuel cost problem is to change your motoring habits. Listed below under four categories are 30 effective methods of doing so… no need to buy expensive add-on equipment.
ENGINE WARM-UP
1. Avoid prolonged warming up of engine, even on cold mornings – 30 to 45 seconds is plenty of time.
2. Be sure the automatic choke is disengaged after engine warm up… chokes often get stuck, resulting in bad gas/air mixture.
3. Don’t start and stop engine needlessly. Idling your engine for one minute consumes the gas amount equivalent to when you start the engine.
4. Avoid “reving” the engine, especially just before you switch the engine off; this wastes fuel needlessly and washes oil down from the inside cylinder walls, owing to loss of oil pressure.
5. Eliminate jack-rabbit starts. Accelerate slowly when starting from dead stop. Don’t push pedal down more than 1/4 of the total foot travel. This allows carburetor to function at peak efficiency.
HOW TO BUY GASOLINE
6. Buy gasoline during coolest time of day – early morning or late evening is best. During these times gasoline is densest. Keep in mind – gas pumps measure volumes of gasoline, not densities of fuel concentration. You are charged according to “volume of measurement”.
7. Choose type and brand of gasoline carefully. Certain brands provide you with greater economy because of better quality. Use the brands which “seem” most beneficial.
8. Avoid filling gas tank to top. Overfilling results in sloshing over and out of tank. Never fill gas tank past the first “click” of fuel nozzle, if nozzle is automatic.
HOW TO DRIVE ECONOMICALLY
9. Exceeding 40 mph forces your auto to overcome tremendous wind resistance.
10. Never exceed legal speed limit. Primarily they are set for your traveling safety, however better gas efficiency also occurs. Traveling at 55 mph give you up to 21% better mileage when compared to former legal speed limits of 65 mph and 70 mph.
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11. Traveling at fast rates in low gears can consume up to 45% more fuel than is needed.
12. Manual shift driven cars allow you to change to highest gear as soon as possible, thereby letting you save gas if you “nurse it along”. However, if you cause the engine to “bog down”, premature wearing of engine parts occurs.
13. Keep windows closed when traveling at highway speeds. Open windows cause air drag, reducing your mileage by 10%.
14. Drive steadily. Slowing down or speeding up wastes fuel. Also avoid tailgating – the driver in front of you is unpredictable. Not only is it unsafe, but if affects your economy, if he slows down unexpectedly.
15.Think ahead when approaching hills. If you accelerate, do it before you reach the hill, not while you’re on it.
GENERAL ADVICE
16. Do not rest left foot on floor board pedals while driving. The slightest pressure puts “mechanical drag” on components, wearing them down prematurely. This “dragging” also demands additional fuel usage.
17. Avoid rough roads whenever possible, because dirt or gravel rob you of up to 30% of your gas mileage.
18. Use alternate roads when safer, shorter, straighter. Compare traveling distance differences – remember that corners, curves and lane jumping requires extra gas. The shortest distance between two points is always straight.
19. Stoplights are usually timed for your motoring advantage. By traveling steadily at the legal speed limit you boost your chances of having the “green light” all the way.
20. Automatic transmissions should be allowed to cool down when your car is idling at a standstill, e.g. railroad crossings, long traffic lights, etc. Place gear into neutral position. This reduces transmission strain and allows transmission to cool.
21. Park car so that you can later begin to travel in forward gear; avoid reverse gear maneuvers to save gas.
22. Regular tune-ups ensure best economy; check owner’s manual for recommended maintenance intervals. Special attention should be given to maintaining clean air filters… diminished air flow increases gas waste.
23. Inspect suspension and chassis parts for occasional misalignment. Bent wheels, axles, bad shocks, broken springs, etc. create engine drag and are unsafe at high traveling speeds.
24. Remove snow tires during good weather seasons; traveling on deep tire tread really robs fuel!
25. Inflate all tires to maximum limit. Each tire should be periodically spun, balanced and checked for out-of-round. When shopping for new tires, get large diameter tires for rear wheels. Radial designs are the recognized fuel-savers; check manufacturer’s specifications for maximum tire pressures.
26. Remove vinyl tops – they cause air drag. Rough surfaces disturb otherwise smooth air flow around a car’s body. Bear in mind when buying new cars that a fancy sun roof helps disturb smooth air flow (and mileage).
27. Auto air conditioners can reduce fuel economy by 10% to 20%. Heater fan, power windows and seats increase engine load; the more load on your engine, the less miles per gallon.
28. Remove excess weight from trunk or inside of car – extra tires, back seats, unnecessary heavy parts. Extra weight reduces mileage, especially when driving up inclines.
29. Car pools reduce travel monotony and gas expense – all riders chip in to help you buy. Conversation helps to keep the driver alert. Pooling also reduces traffic congestion, gives the driver easier maneuverability and greater “steady speed” economy. For best results, distribute passenger weight evenly throughout car.
30. During cold weather watch for icicles frozen to car frame. Up to 100 lbs. can be quickly accumulated! Unremoved snow and ice cause tremendous wind resistance. Warm water thrown on (or hosed on) will eliminate it fast.
Batteries
The battery actually helps in starting and charging systems of the car and thus ensures vehicle’s operation dependability irrespective of the driving conditions you are driving your car in.
Car Battery Center of Electrical System
1. The car battery is the central unit of car’s electrical system and thus car’s whole electrical system depends on it. In general sense the car battery is considered to be the brain of the whole car’s electrical system which ultimately supplies the juice needed for all of the electrical components on a car to function originates from the battery.
Electrical System a Complex Web
2. The whole electrical system of the car is made up of a web of connected wires, fuses and relay systems. The current in to various components of the car is supplied by the car battery through the electrical wiring. A system of fuses, which serve as a protection against electrical malfunctions, and relays, which redirect incoming electrical charges, comprise the heart and inner workings of a vehicle’s electrical system.
Car Alternator Importance
3. During the normal course of engine operation, the car alternator power the whole car’s accessories – radio, lights, horn and is responsible for this operation only. The initial charge which is supplied by the car battery allows the car to be started, and then the alternator takes over the job of supplying a constant electrical feed. Apart for this, the alternator is also responsible for recharging the battery after the battery loses some of its strength from starting the car.
In case you have encountered a battery problem then don’t wait bring it to Metro Auto, we’ll get you on your way in no time with a high-quality battery. All Batteries are guaranteed up to 6 years. Free Replacement.
