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

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The Importance of Antifreeze and Cooling Systems

The Importance of Antifreeze and Cooling Systems

By Ron Haugen

The engine in your car runs best at a fairly high temperature making the efficient operation of the antifreeze and cooling systems essential. They serve the purpose of heating up your engine quickly while removing any excess heat from your engine and keep it at a constant temperature.

With a cold engine, the components can wear out faster, making the engine operate less efficiently and emit more pollutants. An inefficient system can produce costly repair bills in the future.

How does a cooling system work?

During operation, your engine burns gasoline of which a little less than a third of the energy released goes into the mechanical operation that runs your vehicle while the rest is converted into heat.

Some of the heat generated is released through your tailpipe and the remainder heats up the engine. Without an efficient cooling system, your engine could be heavily damaged due to excess heat in less than 30 minutes of startup.

The cooling system works by moving coolant, such as is a mixture of water and ethylene glycol (C2H6O2), also known as antifreeze, through the engine. Once through the engine, the coolant becomes heated and is moved through the radiator, where its heat is then released into the surrounding air.

A well functioning cooling system has the capacity to maintain the engine at less than 100 degrees temperature during continuous 50mph level drives on cool days. Overheating can be detrimental to your vehicle and your wallet.

If your antifreeze and cooling systems in your vehicle are not working properly, the damage that this can cause to your engine can be quite costly. Sometimes an engine overheat can be corrected by simply fixing the root cause of the problem. However, overheating all too often can cause consequential damage that could cost you over a thousand dollars to fix.

The most common overheating damage is a broken head gasket. The overheating causes the head and the block on the engine to expand differently or at radically different rates, causing the break. This results in high labor costs as well as the high costs of the parts.

Another significant overheating damage risk is pre-ignition detonation which is caused by operating a vehicle with an engine temperature that is too high, resulting in damage to various components in your engine which can lead to total engine replacement. Engines are usually not too expensive to replace (depending on the type of vehicle), however the labor and time involved with installation can be quite costly.

Regular maintenance can save you money while keeping your vehicle operating at its best. Cooling system preventive maintenance can make an operational as well as a cost effective difference. While your vehicle may operate perfectly now and it may seem to be a waste of money to do the yearly maintenance, your technician may be able to spot and fix small problems that could become large problems. By simply servicing your vehicle's cooling system each year you can prevent costly repairs in the future.

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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Practical Advice on Snow Tires

Practical Advice on Snow Tires
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ron_Haugen]Ron Haugen

For those of you out there trying to decide whether or not to buy a snow tire for the winter season, there are some things to keep in mind. Before deciding to keep on your all weather tires, there are certain safety issues to keep in mind. There is a good reason why snow tires have become so popular over the years. When your safety is at risk, you can never be too careful.

It is recommended you use snow tires rather than all weather tires when it snows. This is because of the material snow tires are made out of. The rubber on the tires are softer and the pattern is designed to grab the snow better. This will keep you from slipping and keep you on the road. All weather tires do not do as good of a job of this. They are more designed to stand up to heavy rain by whisking it away from the center of the tire. Snow is not going anywhere and needs to be latched on to by something which is not as hard as your all weather tires.

Some people will try to save money by only replacing two of the four tires with show tires. This is a mistake as you will actually be putting yourself at even more risk. Putting snow tires on the wheels which power the car will help you to gain momentum, but without tires that grip on your steering wheels, you will just be plowing straight forward. If you hit a turn, or any kind of slope in the road, your chances of landing in a ditch escalate dramatically. This is why it is recommended you put snow tires on all four wheels. You will be able to stop, start, turn, and do all the wonderful things you have come to expect from a car these days.

For those of you who hate having to remount new tires at the end of the snow, consider an alternative. By having two sets of wheels, you can have two sets of tires mounted. This will allow you to be able to simply replace the wheels when the seasons change rather than having to go through the process of having a new tire mounted on the wheel. Those who buy special rims for their car might consider keeping the old wheels and using those for the winter tires. After all, the snow does not do any favors for fancy wheels. This will help make a distinction between your summer and winter gear.

Procrastinators need to pay attention. Because of the soft rubber the snow tires are made out of, if you do not switch back to regular tires, you will regret it. Two things will happen, you will get annoyed by the loud noise, and you will wear down the tires quickly. Good snow tires can last more than one season if properly cared for. The soft rubber will grind down against the asphalt as you will hear every day when you drive. The louder noise from the tires should act as your reminder that it is time to change back to your summer tires.

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]http://www.westsideautopros.com.

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What You Need to Know About Transmission Fluid Changes

What You Need to Know About Transmission Fluid Changes
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ron_Haugen]Ron Haugen

The transmission fluid is a very important part of your engine. Without the proper levels of transmission fluid in your car, you will experience all kinds of problems. Additionally, if the transmission fluid is not changed periodically, you will experience problems. Some people have come to believe that transmission fluid is something that never needs to be replaced. While it does not need to be changed as often as oil does, it is still very important to check and maintain clean fluids in your car.

The schedule by which to change your transmission fluid will differ between manual and automatic transmissions. Every 30,000 miles is a very good suggestion for all drivers regardless of whether they own an automatic, or manual. Those who are heavy manual transmission drivers are suggested to get a change every 15,000 miles. Intervals for automatic cars goes up as high as 100,000 miles between changes. There are reasons why you would want to change the transmission fluid more often than that. Because of the long length of this kind of fluid in automatic cars, some believe it never needs to be changed. This is incorrect and can lead to costly repairs.

The problem that you will run into with it is the build-up of metal particles. These particles will float through your engine and build up in different components causing you other kinds of problems. The money you saved on not changing the transmission fluid will seem like a drop in the bucket compared with the price of replacing the entire transmission later on. This can be avoided by simply changing the fluid regularly. Keep in mind, automatic transmissions run hotter than a manual does. For this reason, transmission fluid can actually be broken down over time. This will cause the fluid to not lubricate as well which will lead to mechanical problems.

Those thinking about changing their own transmission fluid may want to reconsider as it is not as simple as an oil change. With regular oil, you can utilize gravity to easily drain the car of any oil it contains. It is much more viscous and requires a transmission flusher to get everything out. It is recommended to bring in your car to get this kind of fluid change in order to make sure all metal shavings in the old fluid will be washed away. Not removing all of the fluid can cause you just as many problems as if you did nothing.

Those looking to check the levels between maintenance visits simply need to know what they are looking for. Keep in mind, most manual engines will not come with a dipstick to help you check the fluid level. Those with an automatic transmission will want to either have their mechanic point out the right dipstick, or check the owner's manual. Many will confuse the crankcase dipstick with that of the transmission. Keep in mind, generally the only reason why the fluid level will be low is if there is a leak. If you check your level and it is low, you need to get your mechanic to check out the transmission right away.

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]http://www.westsideautopros.com.

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