Wednesday, June 30, 2010

What You Need to Know About Automotive Air Conditioners

What You Need to Know About Automotive Air Conditioners

By Ron Haugen




The air conditioner is an important amenity for many who drive their cars on a daily basis. While you do not need to have an air conditioner to operate your vehicle, you may need one to do so comfortably.

There are multiple things to consider when thinking about the air conditioner in your vehicle. You need to think about how it can affect your vehicle, and how to best use the air conditioner to get the most out of the extra amenity.

How it Works

The air conditioning system in your vehicle is actually a complicated system. Your vehicle has a small refrigeration system that is only used when you need to cool down your vehicle. Compressed gasses are used to remove the heat from the air in the system, bringing the cooler air to the inside of your vehicle.

Gas

Unfortunately, this system can affect the fuel economy of your vehicle. Your car will see a drop in the miles per gallon ratio when you are operating your air conditioner. The process requires extra energy, and will drop the overall fuel economy of your car. The size of the changes that are seen in your MPG ratio will change based on the way you drive your vehicle (speed, acceleration), and the size of your vehicle. Some studies have shown an MPG drop of over 10% when using the Air Conditioning System.

The weight of the system can also change the fuel economy of your car. When you add weight to a vehicle, you are going to lower the MPG rating of your drive. While the change may be slight and small, the weight of the air conditioning system does lower your MPG rating.

Changes in Technology

Changes in technology have completely changed the world of automotive air conditioners. The new technology has changed air conditioning expectations and abilities.

Drivers can now use climate control to change the air conditioning settings for various parts in the car. While the driver may request a temperature of 72 degrees, the passenger may want a temperature of 68 degrees. The new technology allows you to control different zones and settings for those zones.

The air conditioning system has also evolved to include the seats of the vehicle. Certain vehicle models actually feature air-conditioned seats. The seats feature small holes that connect with the AC system, giving you cool air to cool down your back as you drive.

Automotive air conditioners can be one of the best extras to put into a vehicle, as it will help to keep your vehicle at a comfortable temperature as you drive. These air conditioners can also be an energy sapping source, however, using extra fuel to cool your car.

By understanding these various aspects of air conditioners, you can better understand how to use them. You will be able to understand how to get the most out of your air conditioner for the smallest amount of gas possible.

If you are looking for honest advice, prioritized repairs, options on repairs, maximized fuel economy, and a good feeling with who you are doing business with go to http://www.westsideautopros.com




Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ron_Haugen


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5 Tips For Driving in the Rain

5 Tips For Driving in the Rain

By Ron Haugen




Most drivers will be forced to drive through a serious rainstorm at least once a year. These drivers will be putting themselves at risk as they drive through pouring rain. This rain can easily make the roads slick and hard to navigate, making the average drive slightly more dangerous than usual.

If you find that you need to drive through the rain, you need to make sure that you are both educated and prepared. These 5 tips for driving in the rain will help you to navigate the wet, slick roads as quickly and safely as possible.

Slow Down

The first thing to remember when faced with rain on the road is to watch for road conditions. The rain will make the road wet, which can easily make the road slippery and unsafe. If you are faced with this rain, force yourself to drive under the speed limit. Those who choose to scale back their speed will find that they have more directional stability and control when driving through the rain.

Use the Appropriate Lights

If you find yourself driving in the rain, you need to play around with the different lights in your car. In some situations, your visibility will be at its best when you utilize your fog lights. In other situations, you may need your "brights" to see the road and coming surroundings as clearly as possible. Test out your different lights to give yourself the best visibility possible.

Take Turns Slowly and as Wide as Possible

While you may find that the road conditions are safe at normal speeds on a straight piece of road, the same may not be said for the curves on that road. If you are driving in rain be sure to slow down as you approach and perform a turn. This will prevent your car from sliding during the turn.

Rain Repellent and Windshield Wipers

If you know that you are going to be driving in rainy weather, be sure to prepare your vehicle for the drive. Use a rain-repellent on your windshield, as it will help to remove the rain from your view. You should also be sure to keep your windshield wiper fluid full, as this can help you to clear any dirt that may come from the wet road conditions.

Know When to Pull Over

While a normal rainstorm may not be too much to drive into, a violent storm may be. If you feel that your visibility is too low, or that the road conditions are too poor, pull over. Knowing when to pull over can easily keep you from a potential accident.

If you are planning on driving in the rain, you need to stay focused. You need to keep these tips in mind at all times to ensure that you will be as safe as possible on the road. These tips will help you to avoid many of the possible issues faced by those driving in the rain. The slower you go, and the more you do to enhance your visibility, the safer you will be.

If you are looking for honest advice, prioritized repairs, options on repairs, maximized fuel economy, and a good feeling with who you are doing business with go to http://www.westsideautopros.com




Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ron_Haugen


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