Potholes are just one of the many regular hazards people deal with as they drive their daily routes. Most will try to avoid potholes as much as possible, but will eventually end up hitting a large hole that is simply unavoidable. While some only try to avoid potholes because of the jarring bump that occurs, others realize the serious issues that can come from hitting a pothole. It is important to understand pothole damage and your wheel alignment, as potholes can cause serious problems that will require repairs.
The Problem with Potholes
Potholes are an incredible nuisance and annoyance, but can actually do some serious damage to your vehicle. The problems are all caused by the way the pothole forces your vehicle to move, as only one of the four tires of your vehicle is going to dip into the pothole at any given time. While your car wants to completely shift to the side that the pothole has been hit, the front (or back) tire that is not in the pothole stops it from doing so. This means that the parts that focus on the alignment of the tire that goes into the pothole will bend and shift to compensate.
This shift and bend can cause a myriad of problems for your vehicle, all of them stemming from the wheel alignment of your vehicle. When your tires and the various parts that keep them aligned move, they become off and misaligned. A small wheel alignment issue may not be noticeable for a long time; save for the shaking that you will feel as you drive. Eventually, serious issues will rise from that initial misalignment.
Pulling
If the pothole damage that your vehicle sustains manages to damage or shift the caster, your wheel alignment will be off in terms of steering. If you feel your vehicle pull from one side to the other as you drive, the casters are off. This can make driving and steering somewhat difficult, as you must constantly correct for the way that your vehicle shifts on the road.
Tires
Issues with wheel alignment can cause uneven wear and tear on your tires, as the jolt of a pothole can mess with the cambers of the alignment system. When the camber is damaged, the wheel will tilt to one side or the other. The uneven wearing of the tires results, and the suspension of your vehicle will suffer.
Toeing
The toe is the third part of the wheel alignment system of your vehicle. When you hit a pothole, the toe of your vehicle can turned in (positive toe) or turned out (negative toe). This can cause the same uneven tire wear as camber issues, and can also cause the steering issues caused when the caster is off.
The initial issues caused by pothole damage and your wheel alignments are small - you'll notice a shift in driving and steering and may notice some shaking. The tire wear and the suspension wear take time to surface, but will result in the need for part replacement.
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
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6339396
Friday, June 10, 2011
What Is an Alternator and How Does It Charge My Battery?
When something goes wrong with our vehicle, we take it in to the experts and professionals in hopes of finding out what the issue is. From that point forward, most of what the professionals tell us goes directly over our heads. While we may understand some of the basics about vehicles, hearing that a belt needs to be replaced or that we have an issue with the alternator tells us nothing about what is wrong with our vehicle. We need to work to understand more about our vehicles to know how they operate and what can go wrong with them. We need to understand things like "What is an alternator, and how does it charge my battery?" to have a better grasp of how our vehicle works.
The Alternator
The alternator is one important piece of the complete charging system for your vehicle. It works with your battery to keep your vehicle running by generating power for the vehicle. The power that it generates helps to keep the electrical components of your vehicle running. This covers anything from the lights on your vehicle to the entire instrument panel of your vehicle.
This piece is located around the front of the engine on most vehicles, and is connected to the crankshaft of the vehicle. The crankshaft utilizes the movement of the pistons in your vehicle, converting that up and down energy into a circular movement.
AC Power
The alternator gets its name from the type of power that it provides. The alternator works with alternating current to provide the power needed for the electric parts of the vehicle. The power that it takes in is AC power, power that is created between the rotor and stator. The rotor creates AC power through movement, and it directs that power through the prongs of the stator. The stator directs that AC current, which the alternator then converts into DC power. The alternator needs to covert the power to DC power because the engine can only utilize DC power.
It is possible for your alternator to wear down and go out, which can cause massive problems for your engine and your vehicle as a whole. If the alternator is not switching the current, the engine cannot use the power and simply cannot run.
Fortunately, alternators are not expensive to fix or replace. Their location, relative to the engine, makes them easy to reach. Unless you have an incredibly expensive vehicle, the part will not be expensive.
If you are looking to understand more about why your alternator stopped working or want to know more about how the alternator works, talk to the mechanic working on your vehicle. They will be able to explain any issues that you have with the part and what you may be able to do in the future to avoid having the problem again. They may also have recommendations for the alternator parts that you will want to use to repair, or replace, the alternator itself.
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
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6339404
The Alternator
The alternator is one important piece of the complete charging system for your vehicle. It works with your battery to keep your vehicle running by generating power for the vehicle. The power that it generates helps to keep the electrical components of your vehicle running. This covers anything from the lights on your vehicle to the entire instrument panel of your vehicle.
This piece is located around the front of the engine on most vehicles, and is connected to the crankshaft of the vehicle. The crankshaft utilizes the movement of the pistons in your vehicle, converting that up and down energy into a circular movement.
AC Power
The alternator gets its name from the type of power that it provides. The alternator works with alternating current to provide the power needed for the electric parts of the vehicle. The power that it takes in is AC power, power that is created between the rotor and stator. The rotor creates AC power through movement, and it directs that power through the prongs of the stator. The stator directs that AC current, which the alternator then converts into DC power. The alternator needs to covert the power to DC power because the engine can only utilize DC power.
It is possible for your alternator to wear down and go out, which can cause massive problems for your engine and your vehicle as a whole. If the alternator is not switching the current, the engine cannot use the power and simply cannot run.
Fortunately, alternators are not expensive to fix or replace. Their location, relative to the engine, makes them easy to reach. Unless you have an incredibly expensive vehicle, the part will not be expensive.
If you are looking to understand more about why your alternator stopped working or want to know more about how the alternator works, talk to the mechanic working on your vehicle. They will be able to explain any issues that you have with the part and what you may be able to do in the future to avoid having the problem again. They may also have recommendations for the alternator parts that you will want to use to repair, or replace, the alternator itself.
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
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6339404
Hypermiling, What Really Is It?
Gas mileage has always been an important statistic of the vehicles that people drive, as most are looking to get as many miles out of a gallon of gas as they can. Rising gas prices and a renewed focus on the environment have led car companies to tout the amount of miles their vehicles can get per gallon. These statistics are estimates, however, as the amount of miles we get per gallon rely on the way that we drive our vehicles. Enter hypermiling, the movement that many rely on to get incredible gas mileage. But what is hypermiling?
Hypermiling is simply the act of attempting to squeeze out as many miles per gallon as possible. Hypermiling individuals will do whatever they can do to get the highest gas mileage, and employ a wide variety of tactics to do so. Understanding these tactics may help you to get better gas mileage as you drive.
Light Vehicles
Hypermilers are going to try to get their vehicles to be as light as possible, as a lighter vehicle requires less power on the road. Hypermilers will not have anything in their trunks that they do not need for the trip that they are taking, and generally try to drive with the fewest amount of passengers as possible.
If you are considering hypermiling, you should think about mileage before you even purchase your car. Look for lighter vehicle models - they tend to have a higher MPG rating because of their low weight.
The Power of Shifting
Hypermilers are attracted to stick shits because of the power and control that they provide. When you drive a stick shift, you control the shifting of gears. When you shift gears at slower speeds and at slower RPM rates, you save gas mileage. Automatic vehicles fail to give you this control, shifting at higher speeds and using more gas.
Shifting comes into play for both manual and automatic transmissions in the form of neutral. When it is possible to do safely, putting a vehicle in neutral while moving gives your engine a rest. You will use less gas, and may save on gas mileage over time.
The Dangers of Drafting
When most people ask, "What is Hypermiling", the first response they get includes drafting. Drafting is the incredibly dangerous tactic of purposefully tailgating a vehicle, preferably a large one. The idea is that the car ahead breaks the air, lowering the wind resistance your vehicle will face on the road.. Drifters will even attempt to turn off their engine while following close behind in an attempt to save gas mileage. This is an incredibly dangerous maneuver that is not recommended. It requires driving at an unsafe distance and turning off your vehicle - both issues can cause a variety of issues and accidents on the road. Do not attempt to draft, even when implementing hypermiling into your driving lifestyle.
The Importance of Tires
Hypermilers know that the tires are an important part of gas mileage for a vehicle. When under inflated or overinflated, they reduce the amount of miles the vehicle can get per gallon. Check the tire pressure of your vehicles every day and adjust accordingly, as it will help you to save on gas mileage.
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
Hypermiling is simply the act of attempting to squeeze out as many miles per gallon as possible. Hypermiling individuals will do whatever they can do to get the highest gas mileage, and employ a wide variety of tactics to do so. Understanding these tactics may help you to get better gas mileage as you drive.
Light Vehicles
Hypermilers are going to try to get their vehicles to be as light as possible, as a lighter vehicle requires less power on the road. Hypermilers will not have anything in their trunks that they do not need for the trip that they are taking, and generally try to drive with the fewest amount of passengers as possible.
If you are considering hypermiling, you should think about mileage before you even purchase your car. Look for lighter vehicle models - they tend to have a higher MPG rating because of their low weight.
The Power of Shifting
Hypermilers are attracted to stick shits because of the power and control that they provide. When you drive a stick shift, you control the shifting of gears. When you shift gears at slower speeds and at slower RPM rates, you save gas mileage. Automatic vehicles fail to give you this control, shifting at higher speeds and using more gas.
Shifting comes into play for both manual and automatic transmissions in the form of neutral. When it is possible to do safely, putting a vehicle in neutral while moving gives your engine a rest. You will use less gas, and may save on gas mileage over time.
The Dangers of Drafting
When most people ask, "What is Hypermiling", the first response they get includes drafting. Drafting is the incredibly dangerous tactic of purposefully tailgating a vehicle, preferably a large one. The idea is that the car ahead breaks the air, lowering the wind resistance your vehicle will face on the road.. Drifters will even attempt to turn off their engine while following close behind in an attempt to save gas mileage. This is an incredibly dangerous maneuver that is not recommended. It requires driving at an unsafe distance and turning off your vehicle - both issues can cause a variety of issues and accidents on the road. Do not attempt to draft, even when implementing hypermiling into your driving lifestyle.
The Importance of Tires
Hypermilers know that the tires are an important part of gas mileage for a vehicle. When under inflated or overinflated, they reduce the amount of miles the vehicle can get per gallon. Check the tire pressure of your vehicles every day and adjust accordingly, as it will help you to save on gas mileage.
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
Gap Auto Insurance, What Is It Really?
The world of auto insurance can be tricky and difficult to understand, leaving many in a bind after accidents happen on the road. While many individuals feel that they are fully covered in the case of an accident, a strong majority of them are not. A prime example of this common auto insurance issue can be seen when looking at new vehicles and the importance of Gap auto insurance.
So what is Gap Auto Insurance?
To better understand this type of insurance, we need to understand how insurance works as a whole. Different insurance levels cover different levels of accidents and damage. While some insurance levels only cover the damage for the other vehicles involved, full coverage insurance works to cover the damage that may be done to your vehicle. Contrary to popular belief, this coverage may not be enough.
New Vehicles
Gap auto insurance plays an important role for those who have just purchased a vehicle or are currently leasing a new vehicle. The insurance covers the issues that regular insurance, even full coverage, may not cover.
The issue comes in the form of car value. When you purchase a new vehicle, or lease a new vehicle, it automatically loses value. For a period of time, you will owe more on the vehicle than the vehicle is worth. If you purchase your vehicle for $30,000, and the value immediately drops to $25,000 once it is drive off of the lot, there is a gap between what the vehicle is worth and what you owe.
This gap only causes issues for individuals who get in serious car accidents or have serious car damage during that time period. When the accident or issue occurs, the auto insurance company will only cover what they believe the vehicle is worth. While you may have paid $30,000 for the vehicle and still owe $28,000 on that vehicle, it was only worth $25,000 at the time of the accident. Most insurance plans will only provide you with $25,000. That leaves a $3,000 gap between the money that you received for the car and the amount of money that you still owe for the vehicle.
What is Gap Auto Insurance?
Gap auto insurance has the sole purpose of covering that gap that you will inevitably have after purchasing a new vehicle or leasing a new vehicle. The only way for individuals to get around this issue is if they put up large down payments for their vehicles - something most fail to do.
Gap auto insurance works like any other type of insurance in that you pay a set fee for the coverage. If your vehicle is in an accident or suffers major damage, the insurance company will cover the difference between what you owe and what the vehicle was worth at the time of that damage.
If you are purchasing a new vehicle or leasing a new vehicle, talk to the professionals and get the numbers on your gap. Once you understand the worth of your vehicle after you drive it off of the lot and compare that to how much you owe, you will understand whether or not Gap auto insurance is right for your situation.
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
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6252426
So what is Gap Auto Insurance?
To better understand this type of insurance, we need to understand how insurance works as a whole. Different insurance levels cover different levels of accidents and damage. While some insurance levels only cover the damage for the other vehicles involved, full coverage insurance works to cover the damage that may be done to your vehicle. Contrary to popular belief, this coverage may not be enough.
New Vehicles
Gap auto insurance plays an important role for those who have just purchased a vehicle or are currently leasing a new vehicle. The insurance covers the issues that regular insurance, even full coverage, may not cover.
The issue comes in the form of car value. When you purchase a new vehicle, or lease a new vehicle, it automatically loses value. For a period of time, you will owe more on the vehicle than the vehicle is worth. If you purchase your vehicle for $30,000, and the value immediately drops to $25,000 once it is drive off of the lot, there is a gap between what the vehicle is worth and what you owe.
This gap only causes issues for individuals who get in serious car accidents or have serious car damage during that time period. When the accident or issue occurs, the auto insurance company will only cover what they believe the vehicle is worth. While you may have paid $30,000 for the vehicle and still owe $28,000 on that vehicle, it was only worth $25,000 at the time of the accident. Most insurance plans will only provide you with $25,000. That leaves a $3,000 gap between the money that you received for the car and the amount of money that you still owe for the vehicle.
What is Gap Auto Insurance?
Gap auto insurance has the sole purpose of covering that gap that you will inevitably have after purchasing a new vehicle or leasing a new vehicle. The only way for individuals to get around this issue is if they put up large down payments for their vehicles - something most fail to do.
Gap auto insurance works like any other type of insurance in that you pay a set fee for the coverage. If your vehicle is in an accident or suffers major damage, the insurance company will cover the difference between what you owe and what the vehicle was worth at the time of that damage.
If you are purchasing a new vehicle or leasing a new vehicle, talk to the professionals and get the numbers on your gap. Once you understand the worth of your vehicle after you drive it off of the lot and compare that to how much you owe, you will understand whether or not Gap auto insurance is right for your situation.
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
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6252426
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