Tips on Buying and Installing Car Parts

Auto Emissions Standards Revisited

In a recent article, I described the various types of pollutants that are found in your car’s exhaust. You might remember that there are several components, including your catalytic converter, which help control the level of those pollutants. When those components fail to do their job, the amount of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and other particulates within your vehicle’s exhaust rises.

If you live in a state that doesn’t require periodic exhaust testing, there’s little need for concern. After all, compliance with existing standards isn’t enforced. However, if you live in California or any other state that forces regular testing, you’ll need to know how to comply with the regulations imposed by your state. Below, I’ll briefly review how emissions testing started. Then, I’ll explain the different tiers of standards used and pollutants that are commonly regulated.

How It Started

A long time ago, a growing avalanche of research data began pointing to the problem of vehicle exhaust. In essence, researchers discovered that the materials billowing from our cars’ tailpipes were beginning to have an adverse effect upon the environment. They further argued that those same materials were having a health-related impact on people.

In response, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) drafted recommendations and sent them to Congress. Many of the EPA’s recommendations were passed into law. Today, automakers are forced to produce vehicles that comply with existing regulations.

2 Tiers Of Emissions Standards

In the mid-1990′s, the emissions standards were far less stringent than they are today. They’re now considered “Tier 1″ standards. While they were a step in the right direction, they fell short of delivering the results needed to sufficiently clean the environment.

Beginning in 2004, Tier 2 standards went into effect. Among the many changes, 2 were especially noteworthy. First, there was a dramatic reduction in the level of pollutants that cars could emit. Second, large vehicles (for example, SUVs) were now being forced to comply with emissions regulations that were already enforced upon smaller cars.

Types Of Emissions

The Tier 2 regulations that went into effect in 2004 focus upon 5 main contaminants. They include non-methane organic gases, formaldehyde, oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, and various particulates. None of the 5 will be unfamiliar to those who have read my other columns. The important thing to realize is that emissions testing is a developing area. Last year, Congress determined that greenhouse gases that are produced as a result of an engine’s combustion should be controlled. As a result, the EPA is expected to add greenhouse gases to a Tier 3 list of standards.

New cars are already equipped with the means to comply with the Tier 2 rules. If you’re thinking about purchasing an early-model used vehicle, you may need to invest in a new catalytic converter or similar components. Check with your state’s regulations to be certain, and check for used car parts if you are required to make changes

When Your Car Breaks Down On The Road

If you’re like most drivers, you might neglect to maintain your car properly. Even though the owner’s manual spells out exactly the type of maintenance work you should have done on your vehicle, and when you should do it, millions of people don’t. After awhile, your car will send you a clear message that it feels neglected; the dashboard may light up, white smoke might start billowing from the exhaust, or it may simply sputter and die. When your car breaks down on the road, it’s important to have a plan of action.

Below, I’ll describe the basic tools you should have with you when your vehicle breaks down (don’t worry, I won’t turn you into a mechanic). I’ll also explain what you should do, given the circumstances.

Basic Survival Tools

First, always take your cell phone when you’re driving. Whether you’re involved in a traffic collision or you get a flat tire, having a cell phone means that you’ll be able to call a tow truck. Next, you should have a copy of all documents you’ll need in the event you get into an accident. That includes your vehicle registration, auto insurance policy, and phone numbers to call.

Invest in a can of tire sealant; you’d be surprised by how useful it can be. If you haven’t used your spare tire in years, it may not be suitable for replacing a flat. But, if you can manage to get your vehicle to a gas station, you can fill the flat tire and use the sealant to plug the leak. It’s not a long-term solution, but it can get you back on the road.

Finally, pack a blanket and bottled water. If your car breaks down, there’s no way to know how long the tow truck will take to arrive. Not only will the water keep you hydrated, but during the evening, you’ll have a way to keep warm while you wait.

What To Do When Your Car Has Trouble

Every situation is a little different, of course. For example, if you blow a tire, the engine will obviously keep running, but you should pull over anyway. On the other hand, if you notice lights starting to appear on the dashboard, that typically means an electrical part is failing. You can keep driving, but depending upon the part, you should find a repair garage as quickly as possible. If your vehicle overheats, you should definitely pull off the road; continuing to drive can damage the engine.

Preparing For A Break Down

In the end, be prepared for your car to break down. It’s always a hassle, but it happens to everyone, even if you’ve kept the parts under the hood well-maintained. Have your cell phone and copies of important documents with you. Also, pack a can of tire sealant, along with bottled water and a blanket. Then, if you experience a problem on the road, you’ll have everything you need to wait for the tow truck.

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Neophyte’s Guide To A Car’s Suspension System – Part 2

In Car Suspension System Part 1, we discussed the role of the shocks and springs in your vehicle’s suspension. I described their respective jobs and provided you with a rudimentary explanation regarding how they performed those jobs. Frankly, Part 1 was only meant to offer an overview, a bird’s eye perspective of the design. Today, we’re going to take a closer look at the springs. I’ll describe different systems, the purpose for which they’re used, and the end result of using them.

4 Types Of Systems

All vehicles use 1 of 4 different kinds of springs within the suspension design: coil, air, leaf, and torsion bars. Each provides inherent advantages and drawbacks. Let’s go through them in the order in which I’ve listed them.

Coils are the most widely-deployed of the 4 types, at least within vehicle suspensions that are designed for passengers. You might remember from Part 1 that their job is to absorb the impact of the road. Coils do that and more. They prop your car up, “suspending” it above the tires. In doing so, the coils work with the shocks, control arms, and joints in order to compress and expand an amount that is appropriate, given road conditions.

Air-powered units are relatively new and automakers have been including them within their higher-priced models. In a departure from conventional units, air systems use sensors and a compressor to modify the level of air loaded into the springs. The design allows for quicker response to road conditions, which delivers a more comfortable experience for the driver and passengers.

Leaf units are mostly used in heavy duty cars, trucks, and SUVs. They’re built with a unique design that bolts steel leaves onto a single component. Then, that component is attached to the rear axle. The advantage of this type of system is that they can distribute road impact along the vehicle’s frame more effectively than coils. The drawback is that they can be noisy and often need periodic maintenance.

Finally, torsion bars. They’re not actually springs; they’re steel bars that resist the force of the road upon the frame of your car. While springs compress and extend in order to absorb road impact, torsion bars reduce that impact by limiting the twist of the bars. They can be attached along the axle (that is, from driver to passenger side) or travel the length of the vehicle. You won’t find this type of suspension design on most sedans and passenger cars.

In Part 3 of this series, we’ll take a closer look at shock absorbers and how the contribute to your vehicle’s suspension.

The Neophyte’s Guide To A Car’s Suspension System

You probably realize that your car’s suspension system is responsible for providing a comfortable driving experience. And that’s true. In fact, you could presumably remove the entire thing from your vehicle and continue driving without a problem (other than sore muscles, of course). But, you may not know how they work or why they become less effective. What we’re going to do in this article is explore some of the fundamentals. I’ll explain what a suspension system does and some of the parts that are involved.

Before we get started, it’s worth noting that this is a large topic that encompasses many different facets. As technology changes, automakers design better systems. We’ll cover some basics today and dig a little deeper in future columns.

What Does It Do?

Imagine riding a bicycle over bumpy terrain. You’d be able to feel nearly every bump, right? If your car didn’t have a suspension system, you’d feel every small bump and crevice in the road while driving. In effect, it serves as a cushion or buffer between you and your passengers, and the pavement beneath you. Without it, driving would be unpleasant and you’d likely feel sore for several days afterward.

The Role Of Springs

Coil springs are used in order to dampen the impact from the road. They’re located by each tire and either compress or extend based upon bumps or dips. For example, if you’re driving over a 3-inch hole, the springs would compensate by extending. If you drove over a 2-inch bump, they’d compress. The higher quality the springs, the more comfortable the ride.

The Role Of Shocks

Shock absorbers also play a key role. However, they’re oddly-named because they don’t actually absorb anything. That’s the springs’ job. Instead, shocks distribute accumulated energy. To grasp the concept of how (and why) shocks work, it’s helpful to understand how a normal spring works. Whenever it extends or compresses, it builds energy.

Try to picture a spring bouncing up and down. As it does so, the energy builds and is released, over and over until it comes to a rest. That’s exactly what shocks do for your suspension system; they release the pent-up energy in the springs. If they didn’t, your car would keep bouncing up and down as you’re driving. In fact, when shock absorbers wear out, that’s what happens.

So, those are the basics. Again, we’re only skimming the surface here and we’ll come back to them in an upcoming column. For now, just remember that without the suspension, your body would be sore each time you drove your car. Next time, we’ll go into more detail.

Tips For Shopping For A Car Battery

Batteries don’t last forever and most of us have a cabinet full of replacements in the event our TV remote control dies. Oddly, most drivers are caught by surprise when their car battery dies, or loses enough juice to become practically useless. It’s important to realize that batteries aren’t perfect one moment and dead the next. They show signs that imply they’re getting weak. When you see those signs, it’s time to start shopping for a replacement. Today, I’ll give you 4 quick tips for buying the right one for your vehicle.

#1 – Have A Load Test Performed

There are times when batteries simply drain of juice when your key isn’t in the ignition. It’s called an electrical drain and can happen for a number of reasons (for example, when you leave your vehicle’s inside lights on overnight). So, if it dies unexpectedly, have a mechanic test its ability to hold a charge. It may have drained overnight, yet still be able to hold the charge. If that’s the case, save your money and have someone give you a jump start.

#2 – Know Your Group Sizes

Every car battery has a “group size.” That refers to the model’s size and the positions of the terminals. Different makes and models typically belong to the same group. For example, a Toyota Corolla will belong to the same group as a Nissan Sentra. Both cars will use similar batteries. It’s important that you buy a model in the right group so it’ll fit properly. If you don’t know the group size of your battery, look at your owner’s manual. Otherwise, ask someone who works at a nearby service shop. They have comprehensive manuals that list the appropriate sizes.

#3 – Look At The Date

Car batteries have an alphanumeric code stamped on the casing that identifies when they were manufactured. Typically, there’s a letter and a number. The letter denotes the month and the number denotes the year. For example, “A06″ means that the battery was created in January of 2006. “S08″ signifies September 2008. Knowing that is handy because you should only buy a model that is 6 months old or less.

#4 – Watch The Warranty

Just like new vehicles come with standard warranties, car batteries do, too. But, you need to know what to look for. Each model actually has a full and a partial warranty. The full warranty is important. It indicates the period of time during which you can get a completely new battery if the one you’re buying fails. Forget the partial warranty. By the time it becomes relevant, redeeming it is almost more trouble than it’s worth.

That’s a quick overview of car batteries. As long as you buy them new (or less than 6 months old), stick to the appropriate group size, and watch the warranties, they’ll perform well. As noted above, consider having a mechanic check your current battery before spending money on a new one.