While not everyone is planning on taking their car to a race track, most people do want to find ways to get more power out of their vehicle. The problem is, most people don’t understand how more power is made in the engine to begin with. The most straight forward way to get more power is to allow more air to get into your engine and pass through it quickly. The more air there is, the more combustion is made when the fuel is sparked inside the engine.
This means that you can get more boost from your car without having to drop in a new engine. But how do you get more air into your car? The easiest way is to keep your air filters clean. The longer you drive without changing or cleaning your air filters, the less air goes into your engine. If you are driving with a dirty filter, your car is actually doing more work to bring air in, and still creating less power. This will also take away from your gas mileage since more fuel is required to combust.
Another way to help air flow is to allow the air to exit your car faster. This is done through your car’s exhaust system. The bigger your exhaust pipe, the more air is allow to be pushed out of your car. But sometimes you don’t need to buy a new exhaust system, you just need to keep your exhaust pipes clean and unobstructed. By checking and cleaning your exhaust regularly, you will get more power, and it is another way to squeeze in a few miles per gallon.
If you are looking for easy solutions to get a little more kick out of your motor, as well as save some money at the tank, just be sure that you are keeping your air flow strong. If you have any other questions on how to put some more horses under the hood, feel free to come by, and we’ll help you out.
It doesn’t matter how large or small the load you’re towing is, if you aren’t doing it correctly and safely then you are putting yourself and other in danger while driving. Whether you own a truck or SUV, or a smaller vehicle with a tow hitch, learning how to properly tow will make life on the road easier for you and everyone else.
You may think that one you have your hitch secure then driving should be easy. Just remember that your car or truck will behave differently when you are towing, and its best to learn how your vehicle will handle and move before driving like you normally would. I found a great article from etrailer.com with a great list of dos and don’ts if you plan on towing.
The addition of a trailer adds weight and length to the tow vehicle. More weight means more time to speed up and more importantly, slow down. Overall handling is also affected. When towing, allow for extra time when switching lanes, stopping and passing other vehicles. To assist in slowing down, trailer brakes are a very good option. The extra length can also cause problems on turns. Because the trailer does not follow the exact path as the vehicle on turns, remember to swing out wider when traveling around bends and corners.
To conserve fuel when towing, travel at moderate speeds. Faster speeds increase wind resistance, reduce gas mileage, and place added strain on the vehicle and trailer. When traveling over large hills or down gravel roads, use a lower gear to ease transmission and engine operation. Shifting out of overdrive and into a lower gear may also improve vehicle gas mileage.
Be extra cautious of potholes and other large bumps. Riding over one can damage the tow vehicle, trailer hitch and/or trailer. When pulling a trailer take your time and be careful.
If for some reason (a gust of wind, a downgrade, a pass by a larger vehicle, etc.) the trailer does begin to sway, the driver needs to assess the situation to determine the proper course of action. Here is a list of Do’s and Don’ts to think about.
Do’s – Good Towing Practice
Gradually reduce speed
Steady the steering wheel – sudden turns can cause more sway
Apply only the trailer brakes to help reduce trailer sway
Don’ts – NOT Good Towing Practice
Do Not slam on the brakes – jackknifing could occur
Do Not attempt to steer out of a sway situation
Do Not increase speed – Trailer sway increases in faster speeds
Do Not tow a trailer that continues to sway
Look at reloading the trailer or perhaps adding a sway control or a weight distribution system with sway control
If you have any questions regarding your vehicles ability to tow, and weight capacity be sure to drop by and let me know and I’ll be glad to help.
One of the best things you can do for your cars health is to make sure that all of its fluids are at an acceptable level. This means more than the occasional oil change and gas fill up. Nearly every one of your cars mechanical parts is dependent on a fluid to help keep things running nice and smooth. Checking your fluids should be done regularly to help ensure that you won’t hit any problems at the most inopportune times. It only takes a minute, and your car, as well as your wallet, will really appreciate it.
Knowing where your fluid reservoirs are in the engine is the first step in making sure your levels are okay. Another thing to make sure of is whether or not your car needs to be warmed up or not when checking these levels. For clarity, I found a very useful article from wikihow.com on where and how you should check your fluids. Here’s an example of how to check your power steering fluid.
Check the power steering fluid. This will generally also be a plastic reservoir. Read it through the walls, as you did with the brake fluid, by opening the lid and pouring more of an appropriate power steering fluid in. There may be two pairs of lines, one for a hot engine and one for a cold engine. Read the one that is appropriate to the current condition of your car.
The ability of your car to work at its best is dependent of your fluids. Like a person, being hydrated means staying healthy and productive. If you have any questions regarding your cars fluids and how to change them, feel free to contact me and I’d love to help.
I know that the general consensus and those who study fuel efficiency will flat out disagree with the idea that going faster isn’t as fuel consuming as you might think. In fact, a news team in Oklahoma took this challenge to the real world with 2 separate, but identical trips to Tulsa. First trip was at 55 mph and the second was at 75 mph. Check out the video below to see the results of this non-scientific test:
I was a little surprised by the outcome. However, all of the experts are stand behind the controlled studies that state, in a nutshell, that the faster you go, the more fuel you will consume. Trust me, I had my fingers crossed too, but alas if you want to save money at the pump, all you need to do is lighten up on the pedal. Easier said than done, I know. Now if you are getting really poor gas mileage, you may have another issue. Keep your tires inflated properly, have your air filter replaced and your injectors cleaned. That should help you get a few dollars back at the pump. If you suspect that you need so maintenance, just swing by and see us and we’ll see what we can do about improving your fuel efficiency.
You may think that jump starting a car is a simple, no-frills process, and it can be. However, there are necessary precautions that you must take when working to do this correctly and to prevent injury. You need to know that car battery actually is a “live” thing and contains explosive hydrogen gas. Albeit while it is a small amount, it is a battery charging by-product and can be dangerous.
Here are some rules to obey when jump starting a car:
• Always avoid having any flammable material that can produce sparks around a live battery. Furthermore, no live electric or flammable material should be kept around jumper cables that are in use.
• Remember to never hook a car battery in a position that could be considered a series circuit. If this is done, there is a high possibility your car’s entire electrical system could catch fire, also ruining the starter.
• When jump starting the car, make sure the batteries that are connecting have the same voltage. While most vehicles today use a 12 volt battery, some older models use batteries that have different properties.
• Always ensure that the batteries that are being connected to each other have the same polarity, in that they both have the negative terminal grounded.
• Keep the vehicles a reasonable distance from each other, do not let them touch.
• Make sure vent cap holes are not covered or obstructed by any material.
• Do not smoke while you are jump starting a car and keep lit cigarettes away from the batteries.
• If you are trying to jump start a car in cold weather first make sure that the battery electrolyte is not covered in ice or frost. This is highly likely if your car’s battery has been discharging liquid in cold weather.
• Make sure the electrolyte fluid stays away from your skin. Contact medical care if this fluid makes skin contact.
It is important that you work to make sure you and other parties stay safe when jump starting a car. Always use your hazard lights and make sure you are pulled into a secure location or parking lot. If at all possible, avoid jump starting a car on the side of a busy road or highway in inclement or bad weather. Not only do you increase your chances of doing something wrong because you have to maneuver a car to reach a stalled vehicle, but it is dangerous to be so close to traffic.
Finally, after you are done jump starting the car and feel confident that the vehicle has been sufficiently charged, make sure you turn on the headlights, the heater and rear defroster of the jump started vehicle and the vehicle that was being used for the charge as this will help reduce the possibility of a voltage spike after the jumper cables are disconnected. A voltage spike is very common, especially in cars that have computer controls. Follow these guidelines the next time you are faced with a car that needs a jump. Know it is an easy process, but you must consider correct safety measures in order to guarantee complete safety.
I decided to rifle through my glove compartment over the weekend and found pretty much everything I’ve been missing since I got the thing. Receipts for forgotten purchases, papers from the mechanic, business cards, a 100 year old pack of gum and yes, a left sock. “I wondered where that went?” Needless to say, I had my work cut out for me. What did I need? What could get thrown out?
“No, you don’t need that semi-melted peppermint”, I had to keep telling myself.
So, I did a little research and I found this helpful list at nationwide.com. It outlines the 10 most useful things for your new car glove box. Feel free to modify this list to fit your lifestyle, I just thought it was a really good starting place…thanks Nationwide!
The crucial stuff
Critical medical information. Write down any medical conditions, medications and allergies for each family member in case you’re involved in an accident and can’t communicate these important facts yourself.
Emergency contact numbers. Write them down, and while you’re at it, add them to your cell phone and put them in your wallet, too.
Pen and paper. If you’re in an accident and need to exchange information, you’ll have something to write with – and on.
Proof of insurance. It’s the law almost everywhere in the United States. But don’t store the car’s title (keep that at home) or registration (keep that in your wallet) in your glove compartment.
Owner’s manual and recommended maintenance schedule. So you can figure out what those weird symbols on the dash mean.
The convenient stuff
A flashlight. To help you find that dropped french fry under the passenger seat.
Napkins/travel wipes/tissues/hand sanitizer. After touching the gasoline hose at your next fill-up, you’ll be glad to have something to wipe the odor off your hands.
High-energy snacks. Stash a few granola bars in the glove box so you can last through an extra-long rush hour.
Plastic grocery bags. Smash a few into a zip-top plastic bag and use them for trash as the need arises.
Lint roller. If you have pets, you know you can never have too many of these.
Who can add to this list? Is there something missing? Let me know! I’d add a Tire Pressure Gauge to the crucial stuff. Maybe even fuses! You never know what Pennsylvania roads have in store for your car.
If your engine has been misfiring and you suspect a bad fuel injector, I’ve found a simple trick clean it out. Almost all of the fuel injectors these days fail because they are plugged up and not because of an electrical problem. Take a look at the video below for a quick trick.
Here are some signs to look for:
No-Start Condition
If a fuel filter is totally blocked or clogged to the point of blocking fuel flow to a vehicle’s engine, the vehicle will not start. Fuel combined with air is what is ignited inside a vehicle’s engine to get it started.
Hard-Start Condition
A partially blocked or clogged fuel filter will often result in a vehicle that is hard to start. Adequate fuel flow to a vehicle’s engine is needed to produce engine starting. A reduced or restricted fuel flow to a vehicle’s engine will hinder normal starting.
Frequent Engine Stalling
For a vehicle’s engine to run efficiently and adequately, a constant flow of fuel needs to reach the engine. Any disruption of this fuel flow, which is what happens when a fuel filter is clogged, can cause an engine to frequently stall.
Engine Hesitation
Engine hesitation is a common symptom of a clogged fuel filter. By causing an abnormal fuel flow to a vehicle’s engine, a condition that results in abnormal engine combustion and reduced engine power, a clogged fuel filter can cause an engine to hesitate or stumble during acceleration.
Erratic Engine Performance
A clogged fuel filter often results in erratic engine performance by causing an abnormal or alternating pattern of fuel flow into a vehicle’s engine. Under heavy acceleration or at high engine speeds, fuel pressure may be sufficient to allow adequate fuel flow past a partially clogged filter, which results inadequate engine performance. When engine speed is reduced, fuel flow may be restricted to the point of causing reduced engine power and performance.
Now if you are still experiencing problems, then it is advisable to take the “Old Girl” in and have the Pros take a look at her.
Have you ever had to rent a large truck with a trailer attached? Do you use your truck for towing? If so, you’ve probably taught yourself to maneuver it successfully time after time. For the rest of us, it’s not that easy. So here’s a little cheat sheet and video to steer us in the right direction.
Tip to remember: When backing a trailer, put your hand on the bottom of the steering wheel and the direction you move your hand is the direction that the back of the trailer moves!
Here’s a sneak peak at the new Buick Coupe slated to hit the U.S. in a couple of years. As of right now, it’s being called the Buick Verano Coupe, but SURELY we can come up with something cooler to name it. Any suggestions?
So, your new GMC Sierra has a receiver hitch. Have you ever used it? Do you know how handy your trailer hitch can be, even if you don’t have a trailer to haul? What do you need to get the most out of your trailer hitch?
First. let’s talk about the receiver. It’s a square hole located below your bumper. it’s called a receiver because it “receives” the stuff you stick into it. Makes sense, right?
Your receiver is either 1.25 or 2 inches square. The smaller receivers are either class I or class II hitches depending on how much weight they can handle. The 2 inch receivers are class III, or IV; as the class number increases so do the weight limits. For example, a class I hitch can tow up to 2000 lbs. and handle up to 200 lbs. downward pressure on the actual hitch (that’s called tongue weight), while a class IV hitch can tow up to 10,000 lbs. and handle 1,000 to 1,200 lbs. tongue weight.
Equally important to the trailer hitch’s weight specifications are the towing specs for your vehicle. You can find these in your owner’s manual and they should always be respected. Overloading your trailer hitch will not only risk damage to your vehicle, but it will also make steering and braking more difficult, making you a danger on the road.
So, what can you do with your receiver hitch? Obviously, you can tow a trailer. If it falls under the weight specs for your hitch and vehicle, you’ll just need a ball mount and a hitch ball. The ball mount is the square metal shaft that slides into the receiver. The hitch ball mounts onto the ball mount and sticks out behind your vehicle when properly installed. You can tow cargo trailers, camping trailers, utility trailers, just about anything that you want.
Beyond towing, you can use your receiver hitch for cargo carriers, bike racks, boat carriers, ATV ramps, ski racks, hitch mounted grills, hitch steps, and to display your personality with a custom hitch cover.
The bike racks, cargo carriers, and ski racks are all generally mounted to a shaft that slides into your receiver. These racks offer great convenience as they allow you to safely carry bulky and/or dirty items outside your car. Many of them fold for easier access to the rear of your vehicle and to require less storage space. Sports racks and cargo carriers are a great use for your receiver hitch.
You can also get bed extenders and hitch mounted boat racks that allow you to put one end of a ladder or canoe on top of your pickup cab and support the other end with a rack that mounts to your hitch. Similarly, hitch mounted ramp supports are available to allow you to attach ramps to the back of your pickup so you can drive what ever you need to right into the bed without fear of damaging the tailgate.
A hitch mounted step is a great way to access the rear of your vehicle; they are simple to install and fold to be out of the way when you’re not using them. They often double as hitch covers which keep your receiver clean.
If you’re a tailgater, you will love a hitch mounted grill. Forget hauling the mess of a charcoal grill or dealing with the small rack on a portable grill; with a hitch mounted grill you can bring the comforts of your back patio with you–it’s easy and awesome. Even if you don’t go with a hitch grill, you’ll want a tailgater hitch cover. It displays the logo of your favorite team and has a built in bottle opener for your convenience.
Whatever trailer accessories you choose, make sure you get a hitch lock to keep your stuff safe. This handy little lock replaces the tow pin you use to keep the ball mount in your receiver hitch and will give you peace of mind as you make the most of your trailer hitch.
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