Friday, August 30, 2013

Chris Froome Test Drives the Jaguar F-Type



Team Sky rider and Tour de France winner Chris Froome visited Jaguar Land Rover Global Headquarters at Gaydon in the UK to test drive the all-new Jaguar F-Type V8.

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Techniques To Extend Auto Transmission Life

The transmission system of a vehicle is made up of a huge number of components. Naturally, this makes the system highly complex. For the system to run successfully, there has to a perfect synchronization between all these components. Hence, if in order to make the transmission system work for long, it is necessary to take care of each of the components on a routine basis. Let us discuss some of the techniques that will help in doing that.

Make sure that the level of fluid is maintained

There is a need to make sure that the level of fluid is maintained at an optimal level for the spare parts to work efficiently. Due to usage over time, the fluid level tends to decrease due to use. However, if there is any leak or crack then it may be the reason enough for drastic loss of fluid leading to decrease in the level of fluid.

That is the reason it is imperative to regularly check the level of oil or fluid. There is a pair of dipsticks that you will find in close proximity to each other. They will act as the yardsticks the measure the level of fluid. This will surely provide an indication about the level of fluid that the system contains. However, before the level is checked, it is compulsory to switch off the engine at least a minute in advance.

Besides, there is an ardent need to check the color of the fluid other than the amount. In perfect condition, the fluid will have a reddish tinge. However, if something goes wrong the liquid will turn brownish or muddy. That is a clear enough indication that the fluid needs to be changed. For that, you need to refer to the user's manual and follow each and every step thoroughly. Also, it is wise to stick to the service schedule chalked out by the manufacture to get the best results.

See if there are any leaks

It is necessary to keep a strict vigil on development of leaks, for leaks cause extensive as well as expensive damage to the vehicle. Now the question is how to know about the development of leak or crack? Well, the first and foremost sign is that there will be droplets of fluid falling on the road. That is an early sign and this is to be taken into account. There is need to take care of it and see whether it is the result of any faulty steering problem or a leaking transmission system and take evasive action without any delay whatsoever.

Take care of trivial issues without any delay

The system may at times develop snags and cause troubles which though not major can be quite nagging at times. These may well be the early signs of a fast deteriorating transmission system. Do not ignore them and take evasive actions without any delay whatsoever. This will not only extend the life of the system but will help you in a substantial amount of saving. You must keep in mind that though auto transmission repair is an expensive affair, there are issues that when detected early can be fixed without much expense. After all, "a stitch in time saves nine".

Allen T Smith is an experienced auto mechanic who has specialized in transmissions repairs in Sydney. The person is also associated with one of the most famous repairing company of automotive transmissions in Sydney.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Allen_T_Smith

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Saturday, August 24, 2013

Nick Hart, Uncompromising Extraordinary



Style icon, opinion maker, perfectionist --Nick Hart is the master of extraordinary design. While his collaboration with Mercedes-Benz he speaks about his inspiration, his work and what the CLS Shooting Brake makes the free spirit of the road.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Keep Your Brakes Responsive With A Brake Fluid Flush

One of the most important systems on any car or truck is the one that lets us slow down and stop when necessary. Most of us take our brake systems for granted until we find ourselves in a situation where we are driving down a steep grade and need to slow down to stay safe. The brake system is made up of a number of essential components including brake pads, calipers, rotors, brake master cylinder, and brake fluid. Brake fluid has been referred to as the life blood of the system as its job has to do with both protection and facilitation. Let's get familiar with hydraulic brakes and find out why it's important to have the system flushed at scheduled maintenance intervals.

Slowing down and stopping are almost involuntary activities that most of us don't even think about when we're out on the road. However, there are a number of processes happening every time we push down on that pedal. When the brake pedal is pressed, a piston rod is pushed into the master cylinder which allows fluid to move into a hydraulic line. Hydraulic lines or hoses can be made of stiff or flexible materials. Engineers have designed most brake lines with minimum flexibility in mind. This type of construction helps to keep fluid inside the line as expansion is outward instead of flowing towards the caliper.

Calipers work in various ways. Cars with hydraulic brake systems use a disk and the caliper sits on either side of a rotor. The master cylinder connects to the caliper. When fluid goes through the line into the caliper, pistons inside it are activated and move inward to the rotor. Brake pads are located between the rotor and pistons. If your car has hydraulic drum brakes, the caliper or wheel cylinder is inside of a metal drum. Rather than pushing inward, the pistons move outward to depress brake pads on the inside of the drum instead of the outer side of a disk.

When you press down on the brake pedal, you will feel resistance as your vehicle slows down. This pressure is the result of hydraulic brake fluid which provides the required force for all the mechanical processes to take place. This means that brake fluid is also essential for your safety because without it, the brake system on your car or truck will not work properly. This specialized fluid is designed to protect metal brake system components from rust and corrosion by absorbing moisture. Over time, the fluid can absorb so much moisture that it becomes saturated. Brake fluid can also break down over time due to extreme heat. Contaminated and worn out fluid can cause the brake system to be less responsive. The solution to this problem is to have the system flushed..

The basic procedure for flushing a hydraulic brake system consists of pressurizing the brake master cylinder and adding fresh brake fluid. At the same time, the brake lines underneath the vehicle will be opened to allow the old fluid to be drained and discarded. This preventive maintenance procedure will restore braking responsiveness, stop corrosion, and help prevent unnecessary breakdowns. As a general rule of thumb, the hydraulic brake system should be flushed every 30,000 miles. You can also ask your local certified repair shop to test the health of your brake fluid. The owner's manual should also contain a detailed schedule of all necessary preventive maintenance procedures.

http://www.mainstreetshell.com Main Street Shell Service is a full service auto repair shop and STAR certified smog check station in Santa Maria, California. We also offer a full line of preventive maintenance services for your transmission, power steering, cooling system, and brake system. For more information on the hydraulic brake system flush, please visit us at http://www.mainstreetshell.com/preventive-maintenance/brake-fluid-change-santa-maria/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Clark_Crandall

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Sunday, August 18, 2013

Mobil 1 & eHow: Upgrading to Ceramic Headers



Mobil 1 & eHow team up with Automotive Improvement Expert Chris Duke to explain the benefits of upgrading to ceramic headers versus using standard steel.

Thursday, August 15, 2013

This Man Has One of the Best BMW 3 Series Collections.



Daniel Falkenberg from Germany owns an exemplar of nearly every BMW 3 Series model. He keeps them in his backyard barn. Have a look at one of the most versatile collections of BMW 3 Series.

Monday, August 12, 2013

7 Common Reasons for an Oil Change!

The lifespan of any vehicle revolves around several factors one of them is the maintenance of the vehicle. Most people neglect their vehicles and when they really need it the most, the vehicle might suddenly die. This can happen not only to old cars but to new cars as well and hence it's very important to make sure your vehicle is in for a scheduled maintenance check-up often. Consider these seven reasons why you should get your oil changed.

1. Longevity - If you are looking to increase the lifespan of your vehicle you will probably want to get this done. Getting your oil changed is not expensive and by servicing you would get a filter replacement with fresh oil that would keep your engine lubricated and perform optimally. You can either do it by yourself or you can visit a mechanic who would do it for you at a small price.

2. Sludge - Do you know that your engine parts are ruined because of dirty clogs and then an engine build up acidity which causes unnecessary damage to the internal parts of your vehicle? Damaging the engine would require a replacement or repair which is much more costly than a simple process of oil change.

3. Stress - If you are going on a long road trip or going through the mountainous terrain you will need all the possible power in the engine to get you through. Changing your oil regularly will not give you any problems and your car will run just fine. If you have not been doing a regular oil change you would find that the car will have a real hard time going up the hills and engine could get over heated.

4. Most vehicles especially during mild climate regions should have its oil changed every 3000 miles. And if you're living in an area that is particularly dirty or dusty you will want to take care of this more frequently. Do not delay, as this should not take long, especially if the mechanic is not very busy. This is a simple, inexpensive, and crucial service, so forgetting to keep up with it can lead to some serious setbacks.

5. Depending on whether you are an aggressive driver and drive in a lot of stop and go traffic, you will want to check your fluid level and regularly top it off as needed. This style of driving will necessitate changing out the engine oil more often than average drivers would need to

6. Oil constantly burns as we drive and simply adding fresh lubricant bought from a store is not good enough for your car's motor. Over time, the oil inside will turn black and accumulate dirt and other debris. After a while this will likely clog your engine and can lead to permanent damage. Once this fluid is contaminated, it can lead to some serious problems. To properly address the problem, a full oil change is necessary.

7. If you have any pinging in your engine or other unusual noises could indicate that the oil level is low or that it is dirty. Oil dampens noise and reduces friction, so when it is degraded your car will typically begin making different sounds.

The above are some of the main reasons why one should get their oil changed regularly, you can do so by having a scheduled maintenance plan with your mechanic. This will increase the lifespan of your vehicle and you will be at a lot of peace when you know you're vehicle is functioning well.

Service Plus Automotive is a family owned business since 1991. We are focused on providing the best possible customer service experience when servicing or repairing a customers vehicle. We strongly believe in customer education and regularly show the customer what needs repairing. We are very involved in various community activities and believe in giving back to the community who has supported us for almost 20 years. For more information, go to http://serviceplusautony.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Hulbert

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Friday, August 9, 2013

Introducing SmileDrive



Volkswagen SmileDrive™ powered by Google. The first social app to maximize fun on every drive.*

Whether you're commuting to work or traveling cross country, SmileDrive records your drive, awards you points for unique accomplishments, and lets you share stories after your trip.

Go for happier drives.

* Disclaimer: Driver should not attempt to operate the SmileDrive app while vehicle is in motion. Always pay careful attention to the road, and do not drive while distracted. Requires compatible Android device. Standard data rates apply.

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

How to Tell When Your Car Needs a Tune-Up

Normal daily driving subjects cars to a lot of wear and tear. Even a small malfunction of one part makes a huge difference in performance and safety. Recommended tune up intervals vary depending on the age and model of the vehicle. Check the owner's manual for specific recommendations.

Most newer vehicles need a tune-up every 30,000 miles. Check older vehicles every 10,000 to 20,000 miles. Tune-up the car more often if it pulls heavy load or if it is used for a lot of stop-and-go driving.

A typical tune up involves flushing and filling vehicle fluids, checking all belts and hoses, checking the battery, installing a new air filter, adjusting or replacing spark plugs, and checking fuel injectors and other components. Mechanics also use modern automobile diagnostics that reveal other maintenance issues.

• The "Check Engine" or "Service Engine Soon" lights come on and stay on after starting the vehicle.

• The car stalls frequently, indicating a spark plug or electronic sensor issue.

• The engine idles roughly, or it runs unevenly during acceleration. Sputtering while accelerating or going uphill indicates the car needs a tune up. Often a dirty emissions system causes cars to sputter or stall.

• The car becomes harder to start. This may indicate problems with the starting system, battery, fuel system, ignition system, or electronic equipment.

• The vehicle suddenly gets lower gas mileage than usual. Dirty fuel filters, bad fuel injectors, and spark plug problems commonly cause unexpectedly low gas mileage.

• The car makes a loud squealing noise when the steering wheel is turned, or the steering feels very stiff. Low fluids affect how the steering mechanism operates.

• The vehicle makes a sudden jerk when shifted from park to drive gears. This indicates the car needs the transmission fluid and filter changed immediately. Failure to fix these minor items leads to very costly repairs in the future, including transmission replacement.

• The brakes feel soft or spongy, or squeaking or squelching noises occur when pushing down the brake pedal. This indicates low brake fluid. Consistently low brake fluid indicates worn out brake pads.

• A "rotten egg" exhaust odor indicates a dirty or clogged catalytic converter. A tune up checks and cleans the catalytic converter. A clogged catalytic converter also affects gas mileage and overall vehicle performance.

• Chugging or "dieseling" after the car is shut off indicates the vehicle needs a tune up. Other causes of dieseling include buildup of carbon in the combustion chambers. Poor quality gas cause chugging and dieseling in some engines.

• Knocks and pings from the engine compartment result from carbon build-up in the combustion chambers. These noises may indicate a need to replace the fuel injectors.

• The car emits black smoke or a burnt fuel smell from the tail pipes. This may be the result of a clogged O2 sensor.

Tune-ups let the car's ignition system, fuel system, emission system, and computer systems work together properly. This leads to optimum combustion chamber efficiency, better performance, and better gas mileage. The car runs its best and emits the minimum amount of pollutants when it has regular maintenance, including tune-ups.

Service Plus Automotive is a family owned business since 1991. We are focused on providing the best possible customer service experience when servicing or repairing a customers vehicle. We strongly believe in customer education and regularly show the customer what needs repairing. We are very involved in various community activities and believe in giving back to the community who has supported us for almost 20 years. For more information, go to http://serviceplusautony.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Hulbert

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7899797

Saturday, August 3, 2013

The BMW i3. Pure Electric Vehicle. Introduction and Interview with Designer.



Today, BMW i revealed it's first series-produced car: the BMW i3. It's also the first BMW Group model running on electric power alone.

The BMW i3 generates a maximum output of 125 kW/170 hp and peak torque of 250 Newton metres (184 lb-ft).

The battery gives the car a range in everyday conditions of 130 -- 160 kilometres (81 -- 99 miles) when fully charged from a conventional domestic power socket, BMW i Wallbox or public charging station.

The visionary design of the BMW i3 showcases both BMW's customary sporting capability and the efficiency of a four-seater with authentic clarity.

This video shows the BMW i3 and an interview with Benoit Jacob, head of BMW i Design.

The BMW i3 stands for totally new and groundbreaking ways to experience driving pleasure, sustainability and connectivity on city roads.