What You Need to Know About Rack & Pinion Steering

What You Need to Know About Rack & Pinion Steering

By Ron Haugen

The Rack and Pinion system is the system that most vehicles use to actually steer the vehicle. The system allows for directional steering, allowing the driver to maneuver as they need while driving their vehicle.

Problems with the Rack and Pinion steering system can cause serious issues with your vehicle. While some will find that the steering becomes difficult and unnatural, others will find that they simply cannot steer properly.

If you operate your own vehicle, you need to fully understand the simple Rack and Pinion system. When you understand how the system works, you may be able to quickly identify any problems that you have with the steering of your vehicle.

What is the Rack and Pinion?

The Rack & Pinion system is actually a simple system that only uses a few different gears to control the direction of the vehicle. The Pinion is the part of the system that is connected to the steering shaft. As you turn your steering wheel, the pinion rotates. This rotation occurs in the grooves of the rack, forcing the rack to move in either direction (depending on the directional change of the steering wheel).

The Rack of the Rack & Pinion system is attached to a tie rod. This tie rod connects the system to the tires, as the tie rod is connected to the steering arm that is connected to the tire. When you turn your wheel, the tie rod moves to direct the tires in the direction of the turn.

How It Affects your Driving

If you have driven different vehicles, you have probably noticed the differences in the feel of the steering of the cars. While some vehicles turn with ease, others require more work to turn. This is due to the torque that is had through the Rack & Pinion system. The more torque you have, the easier it is for you to move the tires. Older vehicles, or vehicles with Rack & Pinion issues, are harder to turn because the system does not move as efficiently as it used to.

Power Steering

Power steering is an important part of the Rack & Pinion system in all vehicles. All vehicles come with power steering because of the difficulty of actually driving the vehicle under non-power circumstances. It would be difficult to move the wheel enough to move the tires if you do not have the power steering, as the vehicle weighs too much to move quickly under simple man-power. The power steering system actually give a hydraulic boost to your actions, making it simple and easy for you to turn the wheels of your vehicle with the Rack & Pinion System.

The Rack & Pinion system is actually an incredibly simple system that allows you to turn your tires in both directions. If you are having trouble steering your vehicle, you can be sure that the problem lies within this simple system. This makes issues easy to identify and fix, getting your car into proper working condition quickly and easily.

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

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What You Need to Know About Problems With Automotive Batteries

What You Need to Know About Problems With Automotive Batteries

By Ron Haugen

The battery is one of the most crucial pieces of your car. When your battery dies, you cannot operate your vehicle. You need to make sure that your battery is in perfect operating condition to ensure that your vehicle can run.

The only way to do so is to know as much as you can about your automotive battery, and the problems that may arise with your battery. The more you know about automotive batteries, the better off you and your vehicle will be.

Preventing Problems

It is possible for you to avoid many battery issues. You simply need to know how to avoid these issues, and what you can do to keep eventual issues at bay.

If you live in a cold climate, you are going to need a battery that can handle the cold weather. It is harder for a battery to operate in cold weather, highlighting the importance of a battery designed for the weather.

An easy way to avoid many of the issues that can come from a battery is to get the right size battery for your car. If you have a battery that is too big or too small, the connections may not provide you with the actual energy that comes from the battery.

You Need to Test your Battery

If you do run into problems with them, you need to attempt a small amount of self-diagnosis; you need to fully understand the state of it. To do so, try to jump your it with another vehicle. If the vehicle will not start, even after a jump, you may be looking at a larger group of problems that may extend beyond it.

Battery Problems

There are multiple problems that can be had with them. While some of these problems are small and easy to fix, others may require a new one.

Some of the most common problems come from freezing or large discharges. If it is frozen, then it cannot operate properly and must be brought to an operable, non-freezing temperature. If a car battery has a large discharge (generally from leaving the car lights on for too long), it is too depleted to operate. A simple jump can help to re-charge it.

More serious problems include loose parts and corrosion. When a battery corrodes too much, the battery will no longer operate. If the battery has loose parts (a loose belt or clamp), it will fail to operate correctly. While loose parts only require a small tune-up, a corroded battery often requires a replacement.

You May Need a New One

It is important for many to realize that they may need to replace their battery. While many look to fix it that they have, they will only waste money with these short-term fixes. Talk to a professional to fully understand the state of your battery, and to understand whether or not you need a 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

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Tips For Comparing Anti-Theft Systems

Tips For Comparing Anti-Theft Systems

By Ron Haugen

At one time, anti-theft systems in cars were seen as a luxury. While some cars had built in systems, other cars required their owners to purchase and install their own systems.

While most cars come with an anti-theft system, many still install their own anti-theft system. They want to be able to customize their security level, and want to do so with the best security system available.

If you are looking to upgrade your anti-theft system, you need to make sure that you are looking for the right features. These tips will help you to actually compare different anti-theft systems.

Properties

Each and every anti-theft system has different operating properties. While some alarm systems may make noise for a short period of time, others can be set to make noise for a longer period of time. Some systems offer customizable properties, while others only feature the one property that they operate with. Look into the different settings and properties of each system to understand your options.

Actual Sound

The sound that comes from the anti-theft system can actually be important for those in the market for the system. Different types of systems feature different noises. While some feature more siren sounds, others feature a higher level of wailing sounds. You should be able to demo or preview each and every anti-theft system.

Cost

At the end of the day, you want to know that you are getting a good value. If you are going to pay a large amount of money, you want to know that you are going to get the best system available. Compare the prices of similar anti-theft system to make sure that you receive the best price for the system.

Reviews

Reading reviews is the most important thing that you can do when trying to compare different anti-theft systems. Online reviews will help you to understand what to expect from each and every anti-theft system. You can read customer reviews to see how the system has worked for actual consumers. You can also read reviews from professional websites. These reviews will help you to understand how professionals view the product. By reading all of this information, you can better differentiate between different anti-theft brands and companies.

If you are looking into different anti-theft systems, you need to make sure that you find the system that is right for you and your vehicle. Create a list of the different things that you are looking for in an anti-theft system. Use this list to evaluate each system up against one another.

By taking the time to compare multiple brands and companies, you can be sure that you find the best anti-theft system available. You will be able to narrow down your choices to those few choices that meet all of your criteria.

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

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Tips For Understanding the Clutch

Tips For Understanding the Clutch

By Ron Haugen

The clutch is an important and crucial part of your vehicle. The clutch is an obvious car part for those who drive a manual transmission, as it must be used to change gears. While automatic transmission vehicles need the clutch to drive their vehicle, the driver does not actually operate it manually.

In both situations, the driver should understand what the clutch of the vehicle does. You want to make sure that you operate your vehicle in the most efficient way possible. Knowing as much as you can about the clutch will help you to do so.

What is a Clutch?

To put it simply, the clutch is the piece of your driving system that allows you to actually drive your car. To be technical about the system, the clutch allows you to synchronize the spinning of the two shafts in your car, or to stop that synchronization. These changes allow you to change gears in your vehicle.

Why It Is Important

While you may realize that the clutch is important to allow you to operate your vehicle, there are other aspects that you may not consider. The clutch helps to keep your system working properly. Problems with the clutch can actually cause damage within the gears and operating mechanical parts of your vehicle. You must keep the shaft in good working order to make sure that you are not damaging or ruining your vehicle.

A Clutch Wont Last Forever

Many fail to realize that you are going to need to replace your clutch after a certain amount of usage. While technology has slowly elongated the life of the average clutch, the system must be worked on and replaced every so often. While there are various time lengths for different brands and companies, most clutches will need to be replaced around the 80,000 mile mark. Unfortunately, many will need to replace their clutch before they reach this number.

Clutch Problems

There are various problems that can be had with the clutch system in the car. The clutch system works with spinning, moving parts. If these parts become misaligned, the system will not work properly and may completely break down.

In general, the main problem with the clutch system comes from the friction properties of the clutch. The friction helps to engage and disengage the system, and will eventually wear down as you clutch goes through miles and miles of use. When the friction of the clutch is not working properly, the spinning parts have trouble synchronizing. The clutch will slip, and will cause issues with gearshifts as you drive.

Clutch misuse can cause issues and damage to your car. This is why many look to automatic transmission vehicles for their car. The automatic system takes care of the clutch, removing the need for the driver to actually operate the clutch through the clutch pedal.

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

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Useful Websites

Here are a few websites with very useful information for people seeking auto repair and service.

www.repairpal.com

www.mytiremonkey.com

www.getnitrogen.org

www.toptiergas.com

www.autorepair.about.com

www.itsallaboutthefluids.com

As always, if you have any questions, you may contact me through our website www.westsideautopros.com.

4 Reasons to Work With ASE Certified Technicians

4 Reasons to Work With ASE Certified Technicians

By Ron Haugen

There are different kinds of technicians that work with cars on a regular basis. Some of them will work in their local mechanic shop, simply learning the trade from those who have worked at that particular shop. Others will go through schooling and testing to ensure that they can fix your car correctly and efficiently. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to tell the differences between these two types of technicians.

The only true way to understand the type of service you will receive is to look for the certification of the technicians at a particular shop. You must look for ASE certified technicians if you want to have quality service. While there are multiple reasons to want this certification, there are four major reasons to work with ASE certified technicians.

Experience

It is important to understand that each and every ASE certified technician has a different level of experience. While some have had their licensing for years, others have just relieved their license. With that being said, you can easily find multiple technicians that have years of experience. They have worked on multiple makes of cars, and on multiple brands. Their experience will give them the upper hand when trying to work on your vehicle.

Expertise

While each and every technician will have a different level of experience, they all have a high level of expertise. Their certification will require a higher knowledge ad higher level of expertise. You can be sure that ASE certified technicians know more about your vehicle than most other technicians.

Cost

There are multiple ways to look at the cost of one. At first, these technicians will have a higher cost than all other technicians. They have gone through extra training and education, and will charge higher per hour because of this education.

In the end, however, they may actually save you money. These technicians will be more efficient with your vehicle. They will be able to analyze and fix your vehicle faster than many other non-certified technicians. While you will be paying more per hour, you may not be paying for as many hours as you would with a non-certified technician.

Ability to Look Up Reviews

They are more popular than other types of technicians. You will be able to find multiple reviews on many technicians in your area. These reviews will help you to better understand the service that you will receive from a particular certified technician.

Those who have received this ASE certification are simply better prepared for these jobs. They will be able to quickly identify the issue with your vehicle, and will be able to identify the necessary steps for an efficient fix. If you want to put your car into the hands of a trustworthy mechanic or technician, you must look for their ASE certification.

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

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Tips on the Importance of Wiper Blades

Tips on the Importance of Wiper Blades
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ron_Haugen]Ron Haugen

To keep your vehicle at its optimal operation level, it is important to consider every function of your vehicle, including the wiper blades. Considering that 90 percent of your driving decisions are based on how well you see the road, having a clear and unobstructed view through your windshield is essential for safety.

It is recommended that you replace your wiper blades every 6 months or 6,000 miles as there are many factors that can contribute to your windshield wiper blades' deterioration. These can include:

• Weather is the chief factor of wiper blade wear. Freezing temperatures can make the rubber parts hard and brittle which can lead to cracking and/or tearing. In the opposite, hot temperatures can warp the rubber and prevent the wiper blade from wiping your windshield effectively.

• As with many of the components of your vehicle, heavy use can cause wear on parts. For the wiper blades, the dust, abrasives, grime from the road and bugs can wear away on the cutting edge of the blade, wearing away the flat surface needed for efficient clearing of your windshield.

• Rubber deteriorates over time, so as the blades age they can lose flexibility and the ability to wipe cleanly. They may also possibly develop a permanent set or curvature which can prevent the full contact needed with the windshield for optimal usage.

• Exposure to sunlight and ozone can also cause the wiper blades to age regardless of how often they are used. Airborne contaminants, oil or pollutants also can weaken and reduce their ability to keep your view unobstructed.
Many factors relate to your wiper blades' ability to clean your windshield effectively. These are:

• The size and slope of your windshield. In many of today's car designs, the windshields are sloped for improved aerodynamics. The "cab-forward" design directs more wind against the wipers which can cause the blades to lose close contact with the glass at high speeds unless the wiper system has been designed to resist lifting.

• The spring tension in the wiper arm. Tight contact with the windshield from the spring tension is essential for effective cleaning to provide an unobstructed view of the road ahead.

• The amount of pressure points that hold the blade. Also called "claws", the more the better is the rule.
The more that a blade has, the broader the area the pressure of the wiper arm is spread. This also can provide more flexibility for the blade to follow the curvature of the windshield for better side-to-side contact.

The material used in the blade manufacture. Commonly, wiper blades are made of natural rubber, however some newer blades on the market are now made from a composite structure combining a soft flexible rubber on the surface for squeegee-like wiping and a firmer rubber in the body of the blade for support and durability.

When considering replacing your wiper blades, it is important to check with your ASE Certified Technician for their recommendations of types of blades and brands for your vehicle.

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/?Tips-on-the-Importance-of-Wiper-Blades&id=3693354] Tips on the Importance of Wiper Blades