Thursday, February 23, 2012

Where To Find A Good Dyno Tune Technician

If you are planning on making aftermarket modifications to your vehicle, part of the process includes having the car Dyno tuned. Dyno tuning is an essential to ensure your car reaches its performance potential. The tuning is as much of an investment as paying for the modifications. So finding a good technician you can trust is vital.

Why Dyno tuning?

Dyno tuning is performance tuning. Professional technicians use a dynamometer and test the vehicle with the engine running, in gear, and under various speeds and load conditions. The engine performance is monitored by comparing the horsepower transmitted to the drive wheels in relation to the amount of engine vacuum. At the same time, a Wide-Band Air/Fuel Monitor checks the carburetion to monitor each circuit of the carburetor.

Where do I look for a good Dyno tune technician?

Talk to your Parts/Installation Technician

You already have someone you trust who supplies0 your aftermarket parts and installs them. Ask for a recommendation. The entire tuning process is about taking what they have done and fine-tuning it to give the vehicle the best possible performance. Chances are they have a relationship with some shops around town.

Websites

Searching around on the internet will educate you on shops in your area which perform the type of service you need, whether it is AWD or 2 wheel Dyno tuning. But how do you know if they're any good? Go to non-sponsored review listings and see what other customers have said. Just be aware that people are far more likely to go out of their way to write a negative review than write anything if they had a good experience. Scroll through the reviews and see if the same complaints are coming up again and again. Then you'll have an idea of what really is a problem and what is one person's grievance. You can also try forums. There are a lot of frank discussions on forums. The downside is you are talking to people across the globe who won't necessarily have a recommendation for your neck of the woods.

Go in Person

With your list cut down, make a point to visit the shop in person. Call ahead and ask if there is a good time to come down and get a tour of the facility. You're going to be spending some bucks here, on a vehicle you've already put money into. If the shop refuses to give tours, don't waste your time. You've got to wonder, what are they trying to hide? Cross them off the list. You want technicians who are eager to talk about what they do and show off their facilities. If they won't show you around, you're looking at people who aren't customer-service oriented. Performance tuning may require follow up visits if your vehicle has concerns down the road. You want to be sure the technicians you are entrusting your car to will have time for your questions after the Dyno tune. If you're lucky, they may let you sit in on a tuning session. Don't be afraid to ask.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Important Tips For Protecting Your Car



Not every material made for protecting your vehicle is made the same. In fact, some vehicles require you to have a vehicle cover specially made due to its shape. Making the right choices for protecting your car is important to also protect your investment in it.

You wonder what the best choices are when it comes to choosing cover material. This choice will depend on several factors. One of the greatest is the climate where you live. If you live in area that is hot, you might consider choosing a material that provides UV ray protection. The material best for water resistance would be a good choice for persons living in wetter climates.

Once you have chosen a cover, following some important tips can help you get the most benefits. Being careful when taking one off and when you are putting it on will help you prevent scratches on the paint. Rolling the cover on and off in a uniform manner can help you avoid this mistake.

Some parts of a vehicle like antennas and external mirrors can be a challenge when putting on a cover. You might consider learning more about customized choices for solving these issues. Several companies offer customization services that provide you with the material and the kind of simple application you want in a cover.

You want the finish of your vehicle to be protected from the particles the wind tosses around. However, be sure to fasten your cover so that wind does cause it to flap back and forth. This motion can cause damage from the cover. This is small tip that can save you big damages later.

If you plan to cover a car for long term storage, be sure to wash, dry and wax it first. Covering up a paint job that is covered with even a slight layer of dust can cause scratches. Remember as well to make sure your car is dry before covering it. The wet finish can dry and cause some covers to stick to it. Peeling a cover off in an area it has adhered to can cause expensive damages.

Taking the best care of a vehicle is important to protect the money you have in it. Some cars cost more than a nice home does, so making sure you tale the steps to explore your option for car covers is necessary. Learn more by visiting the many websites online selling this type of coverage.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Effective Auto Repair Can Reduce Future Costs

Investing in smart auto repair can save consumers hundreds of dollars over the years they keep their car, truck, or SUV. While general maintenance such as regular oil changes, tune-ups, and diagnostic checks should be a given for car owners, investing in various repairs can reduce the long term costs of owning or financing a vehicle. Beyond this, consumers can expect to maintain the value of their vehicles if they should ever decide to sell or trade in the future.

Smart auto repair can include everything from replacing the brake systems, fuel lines, maintaining the catalytic converter, spark plugs, and other technical issues under the hood. Nevertheless, this also means repairing certain things on the external areas of the car that are found on the body. Replacing windshields break lights, mirrors, and dents and scratches can often decrease the decline of value in a car over time. This is especially important for valuable cars and vintage automobiles that require regular maintenance and repair to restore and increase their value.

Those interested in maintaining their long term investment in their vehicles should approach specialized auto repair shops in their area, especially if they own and maintain valuable, vintage models that they may wish to auction in the future. Those professionals in the business of appraising cars will take such repairs into consideration when they estimate the value and worth of an automobile. While the model, year, and type of vehicle is the primary concern when estimating the value of a car, working parts and performance are also of high concern. These can often only be achieve with specialized care, so it is important for owners to attempt to keep all of their vehicles in top condition.

While many companies specialize in general auto repair, some have specific expertise in maintaining and repairing custom automobiles. Non-American automobiles can often fall into this category as many of their parts are either difficult to find or take longer to arrive from foreign manufacturers. On the other hand, the automobile market in the United States is so large that it is rare that specific parts or repair needs cannot be met with most automobiles, even classics. This is good news for those owners who might one day wish to trade, sell, or auction a vehicle that they previously purchased or acquired. Nevertheless, staying up to date with an automobile's needs and repairs are essential.

Those looking for specific repair shops should pay close attention to reviews online. Classic car collectors often know the best locations for their types of cars, and because they are often so precious, can recommend highly skilled and professional service teams to help repair and maintain the integrity of a truly special automobile. Locating collector groups, classic car associations, or individual collectors might wield the best advice for getting a specific repair for a specific vehicle. With a little ingenuity and perseverance, those with an interesting in restoring, maintaining, and repairing their automobiles should be able to find a reliable service in no time.

Friday, February 10, 2012

It May Be Time To Have Your Car's Radiator Inspected



Most vehicle manufacturers recommend flushing the cooling system about every two years. However, this depends on how many miles you drive each year. If you drive above the normal 12,000 miles a year, you may need annual cooling system service.

One of the best times to have your car's radiator inspected is when the cooling system is serviced. This is very important for older vehicles as they are prone to develop rust or corrosion. When rust or corrosion gets into a cooling system, all kinds of problems can develop. You can see rust in the radiator as it will appear as a brown color.

Corrosion can form tiny particles of rust and they can accumulate over time. You radiator is made of a series of cores and it vital for coolant to flow freely through the all of the cores. When the cooling system is properly flushed, it will remove corrosion and rust.

Another reason to have your car's radiator inspected during service is to change antifreeze. Today's antifreeze products are supposed to last much longer than in the past. However, they can still break down over time. It is far better to change antifreeze before the recommended interval, than to wait too long and suffer cooling system problems.

When you have your car's radiator inspected, the technician will also inspect the hoses that connect to it. Hoses can become brittle in time and this can form tiny cracks. In fact, many hoses may develop a series of small cracks or weak spots. You may not notice any leaks when they are weak spots in the radiator hoses. However, you may suddenly develop a major leak while driving down the road. When this happens, you will need to pull over to avoid damage to the vehicle.

Many people are stranded along side of the road because the fail to properly maintain their vehicles. In the summer, you may need to run the vehicle AC a great deal of the time. This places more stress on the cooling components. It is important not to let a vehicle sit and idle with the air conditioning on for prolonged periods of time. Many vehicles will overheat under these conditions.

Sometime older cars develop leaks in their radiators. When you have your car's cooling system inspected on a routine basis, these problems can be detected before they get worse. Many people resort to adding leak stopping products to their vehicle. This may work well on a temporary basis, but many of these products may add to the problem in the future. In some cases, it can contribute to clogs or blockages. When this happens, you may need some major repairs.

If you fail to have your car's engine inspected regularly, you may have to deal with overheating problems. It can cause all kinds of trouble when a vehicle overheats. In some cases, it can severely damage the engine or the gaskets. If a car overheats and blows a head gasket, you could be looking at some very expensive repairs. This is why it is important to take good care of the cooling system.

When the cooling system is serviced, it is a good idea to replace the thermostat. Thermostats use a spring mechanism in them that can become weak with wear. When this occurs they may sometimes stick in one position.

If a thermostat sticks in the "open" position, the heater may not function. However, if it sticks in the "closed" position, the vehicle will overheat. This is due to the fact that the thermostat opens and closes off the flow of water to the radiator.

When you have your car's radiator inspected, a qualified garage will also inspect the heater hoses. These should be replaced when they become hard or brittle. They are not too expensive and can save you from breakdowns due to coolant loss.

When you bring a car in for service, ask to have your car's radiator inspected. A qualified garage will take a look at the entire engine. They can spot problems with hoses and check for any kind of coolant leaks. They will drain the system and replace it with fresh coolant. This will help to eliminate many of the common problems that occur with overheating. It can save some major headaches and some major repair bills.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Auto Repair: The Safest Way to Maintain a Working Relationship With Your Car

Owning a car is a lot like being in a committed relationship. It has its ups and downs, its highs and lows, and it often takes hard work, dedication, and maintenance to reap the full benefits of being a car owner. The main difference is when something-i.e. a breakdown or malfunction-puts a wedge between a person and their car, they turn to auto repair instead of counseling. One of the main reasons auto mechanics have cars put in their shop is problems with the cars' brakes. These problems have the potential to be catastrophic and cause harm to the driver, the passengers, and other motorists on the roadway. There are several common malfunctions of the brakes that auto mechanics typically see.

The first is worn out brake pads. Brake pads are used to help apply friction to the brake rotor, which in turn stops a vehicle when the brakes are applied, an extremely important job in the vehicle. However, brake pads do not last forever. They tend to thin out and wear away they older they become. This wearing away is caused by many things: excessive stop-and-go traffic, sharply or quickly applying the brakes, or braking frequently at high speeds. Many instances of these can be avoided by changing driving habits. Symptoms of needing the brake pads replaced are squeaking, squealing, or scraping whenever the brakes are applied or low brake fluid.

Another threat to someone's brakes is a brake pedal that sinks to the floor. It is not normal whenever someone applies the brakes for the pedal and their foot to make contact with the floorboards underneath, not even Mario Andretti who is fairly used to making his gas pedal touch the floorboards. This means that the master cylinder may not be holding pressure correctly or there is a leak in the hydraulic system. Both of these malfunctions require immediate auto repair as they could both cause the brakes to fail completely, a situation that no one wants to find themselves in.

A third common threat to the brakes is low brake fluid. The brake fluid level in a vehicle can become depleted for many reasons, one of the most common being worn brake pads. Worn brake pads are a problem in themselves, but coupled with low brake fluid, it's an entire new ballgame. This may also mean a leak in the brake system, which can also cause brake failure. In certain cars, if there is a leak and the fluid becomes too low, a brake light, similar to the check engine light comes on. This light should not be ignored, and the car should be taken to an auto mechanic immediately for a diagnostic work up.