Monday, December 27, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Different Types of Winter Wiper Blades Available
Different Types of Winter Wiper Blades Available
By Ron Haugen
Winter wiper blades are inexpensive, and should be put on cars before cold, snowy weather moves in. The winter blades are designed specifically for harsher conditions. They are able to move ice and snow more easily, making it safer for you to drive in winter weather. There are several types of winter blades available. Here's a quick look at a few of them and the differences and advantages to each.
A silicone blade will use a wiping surface made of silicone rather than rubber. Silicone can withstand colder temperatures without freezing and cracking as rubber can. The silicone surface will provide a clearer field of vision during times of freezing rain or snow. They also last much longer than rubber blades, and many are available with lifetime guarantees. You may pay extra out of pocket when you purchase these, but you'll save money in the long run. At the end of the season you can remove them and store them for use again the next year.
Vibrating wiper blades, or shaker blades, use a vibrating motion while wiping the vision area. This helps to remove snow or ice that can accumulate under the blade. When snow or ice builds up on the blade, the vision field can become obscured, making driving more dangerous. These can be used at any time of the year as well to clear leaves and other debris that can become lodged under the blade. These aren't considered disposable. Some models offer replacement rubber strips instead of full blade replacement. These will cost more than standard blades, and you may end up needing to pay for installation as well. If you choose to only use these during the winter, you may also have to pay to have them removed for storage.
Heated wiper blades are becoming more popular as a standard feature on new vehicles. These include a heating element inside the rubber strip of the blade. This is nice to melt ice or snow as it builds up. The driver is able to turn the heater on and off as needed. This isn't typically going to be easy to install, and will need to be done professionally because of the wiring involved. However, many people still opt for these since it makes it much easier to defrost a window in on a cold morning and makes it safer for driving in sleet and snow.
You will get the most out of your winter blades with some basic maintenance. Use a washer solution that will not freeze. This is easy to find, most big box retailers and auto parts stores will carry these solutions. Keep your blades clean, and always return them to the off position before turning off the car. This will help if they become frozen overnight, as you won't burn out the motor in the morning while trying to heat up 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/?expert=Ron_Haugen
http://EzineArticles.com/?Different-Types-of-Winter-Wiper-Blades-Available&id=5559925
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HZkECpa3Jw&fs=1&hl=en_US]
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Christmas Wish Granted from Westside Auto Pros
From all of us at Westside Auto Pros
....we hope that you have a Happy Holiday, and a prosperous new year.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Engine Block Heaters Compared
Engine Block Heaters Compared
By Ron Haugen
Engine block heaters
are commonly used in areas that experience bitterly cold winters. Starting a cold engine can prove to be troublesome, and can eventually create unneeded wear and tear on the engine block. These are easy to find in all parts of the country, and can be purchased at any auto parts retailer. While it's not necessary to have these, it's a good idea in certain areas of the country.
An engine block heater is connected to a standard AC plug on one end and fed through the grill of the vehicle on the other end. The idea is these heaters will keep the coolant warm, so it will start easily in the morning. This not only helps to maintain your car in the winter, it can reduce pollution by shortening the amount of time the engine runs roughly before the fuel is warmed up enough to fire correctly. There are several types of heaters available to keep your vehicle warm overnight.
A dipstick heater is placed where the dipstick would normally be. This keeps the oil warm. This will prevent the oil from getting thick and sludging up in extremely cold weather. These are very effective and inexpensive. Anyone can install these without much help.
Radiator hose heaters aren't as common as the other types of heaters, but they are nonetheless effective. These are spliced into the top radiator hose, heating the coolant from here. These are the easiest to install, requiring only a screwdriver and access to the hoses.
These are the most effective types of heaters available, but they tend to be expensive as well when compared to other types of heaters. Even with this in mind, some heaters can be found for under $50. These plug in directly to the engine block and keeps the coolant and the oil warm. These are made for specific car models, but they can be found or ordered online or at any auto parts store. Installation is a little tricky with these, but again can be done with some time and a few tools.
For those who live in areas that do experience cold temperatures, but not often, a heater blanket may be a good alternative to some of the other types of heaters. These work in a fashion very similar to a standard electric blanket, except they are made to be used in harsh conditions. These will plug in to a standard wall outlet, and you just place them over the engine block of your vehicle. They will keep the engine, oil and fluid warm during the overnight hours.
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
http://EzineArticles.com/?Engine-Block-Heaters-Compared&id=5511212
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Ethanol Fuel - Understanding the Hype
Ethanol Fuel - Understanding the Hype
By Ron Haugen
Ethanol fuel is becoming a popular alternative for standard fuel. As more people start to look towards green living, making the switch to ethanol seems like a good choice.
Ethanol is a fuel that is created from renewable resources, such as corn, switch grass, sugar cane, and a few other crops. Any crop that is carbon based can be used, making it easy to make regardless of the region you are living in. It is mixed with gasoline to power a gas powered engine.
Conversion kits are available all over the internet. These kits will allow you to use ethanol fuel in any vehicle. They are difficult to install, but with some time and the right instructions you can do this yourself. There are also companies that specialize in converting vehicles to alternative fuels as well if you decide to use a professional. Purchasing these kits will vary in price depending on the type of car you have, but generally run around $400. Some car models can be as low as $200 while others can be as high as $600.
Ethanol fuel requires different storage than standard fuel. Many stations that carry ethanol fuel will mix it at the station, which lowers the cost. For those stations that are smaller though, this can create a problem. Trucking ethanol that is premixed is expensive. Because of these considerations ethanol fuel isn't something that is available everywhere. You can find station locations online. There are several websites devoted to mapping out the locations across the country.
Ethanol is great for the environment, but it's also good for local communities. Since several crops can be used, using these crops for the production of ethanol fuel will help support local farmers, which can make a stronger community.
Ethanol can be produced in America, lowering our Independence on foreign oil suppliers.
Ethanol is completely renewable, which means it won't strain our natural resources. It is also perfectly safe to use in any vehicle with simple modifications.
Disadvantages of Ethanol
While ethanol has many advantages, it has a few disadvantages as well. Producing ethanol is a costly process, and that cost is passed on to consumers. A gallon of E85 fuel will be more than a gallon of standard gasoline.
Ethanol also burns at a higher rate than fuel, meaning less distance on a gallon as opposed to gasoline.
Because ethanol is produced from crops, space is needed to cultivate the crops. Since most crops are used for human consumption, many farmers are reluctant to waste valuable space on a crop that won't nourish people. It also is less desirable because of the costs associated. Even though ethanol is renewable, the waste produced as a result of making ethanol is toxic. Research costs money, and there is much research still needed on how to use ethanol effectively on a regular basis.
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
http://EzineArticles.com/?Ethanol-Fuel---Understanding-the-Hype&id=5464638
Monday, November 22, 2010
How to Change Spark Plugs
How to Change Spark Plugs
By Ron Haugen
You will find that spark plugs are very important when it comes to keeping your car running. They need to be not only changed periodically but taken care of and kept clean. Make sure that you know when they need to be replaced and what you need to do in order to replace them so that you can keep your car running as smoothly as possible for as long as possible. Changing your spark plugs is something that is very easy to do and can end up being extremely beneficial to the running of your vehicle.
The first thing that you are going to need to do is know where exactly the spark plugs are. You will need to open up the hood of your vehicle and then pull on the release catch that will be on the inside of your vehicle. This will allow you to open it. Once you have successfully opened the hood of your vehicle, you are ready to find the spark plugs. If you have an engine that is a 4 cylinder, then they will be on top of your engine block where the cylinders will be upright along a line. If working on a V engine, then they are going to be in 2 different rows sitting at an angle. HT leads will cover the spark plugs so that they cannot be easily seen. Your manufacturer's handbook will be able to provide you with the exact location if you can't easily locate them.
It is important that you understand what order that your HT leads are in. they are made so that they can fire on your cylinders in a very specific order so that your vehicle can run properly. Whenever you are getting your leads replaced, you will need to make sure that they go along with the right spark plug. You will need to make sure that you always start with the lead that is on the right side first. Once the HT lead has been pulled off, then remove your spark plug where it will be exposed. A socket as well as a wrench will be necessary for removal.
Once you have removed the spark plug, inspect it thoroughly. Clean the dirt off of it and make sure that the gap that is at the base of it is the right size. The size that the gap should be will have a lot to do with the make and the model of your vehicle. Make sure that you know the right size of it before determining if it needs to be replaced. A gapping tool or a feeler gage will be able to set the necessary gap for you.
Whenever you are screwing the spark plug back into place, make sure that it is threaded properly. This is something that can be very difficult and expensive to have to repair if it is not threaded the way that it should be. Over tightening can also be something that can damage your thread.
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
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Change-Spark-Plugs&id=5385717