What’s in a car emergency kit ?

Some people take planning emergencies for granted - the reason why most cars have no emergency kits. The sad part is that an emergency kit does not even cost that much. Often times, you’re certain that you have everything you need in the car and start to panic when you find out you don’t have it when the time comes that you need it. If you want an emergency kit for your car, but don’t have any idea what to put in it, here are some tips you might consider to help you decide what to store in your emergency kit.

Some of the items in your emergency kit are the common ones included in your first aid kit at home. The extra items that you should include in your car emergency kit will depend on your location. For example, if you’re from Florida, where snow falls in very rare occasions, people don’t have to include ice scrapper in their car emergency kit.

Booster cable is necessary in any car. Even if you do have any roadside assistance membership, it does not mean that you do not need a booster cable. If you are travelling in a rough road somewhere, it might take some time for your aid to dispatch and get to your location. You will see the importance of a booster cable if you are on this certain situation; however, it is not worth finding out. It is best to have one even though you don’t need it right now, so you won’t have to ask other motorists to give you a couple more miles you need to reach the next garage.

Your emergency kit should have all you needs on almost anything that could go wrong. You will benefit a lot from being prepared. Your items may include some band-aids, alcohol pads, burn creams, compact blankets and bandages. The items mentioned are the most needed in a car accident or some other emergencies.

A comfortable blanket will also come in handy in case of an emergency, especially when you are in a place where there is wintry weather. There could be an incident where your car is stuck in a heavy snow. You cannot leave the engine running for the snow may block your tailpipe, which can cause suffocation. You can use a blanket to keep you warm in this kind of situation.

How can I drive accident free ?

Many people break road rules every time they take the wheel, regardless of knowing it and having a license. Disobeying the rules and guidelines of the road is the primary cause of accidents. Here are some tips for all drivers to make sure that every time a road accident occurs, it is not your fault.

Resist speeding even if someone burn and tear up the pavement right beside you. Just let them speed and keep driving slowly, let the faster cars pass you by. Try to plan your travel ahead of time like checking the weather to be able to leave earlier and get ahead of heavy rain or storm. Slow down if you catch yourself driving in a bad weather and try to stay on the safe side of the road, which is the lane with shallow ditch. Check your car’s lights and fluids to ensure it is in complete working order. It is best to bring extra oil and a jug of water along with roadside safety tools.

Do not forget to wear seatbelts before you drive and be a good model for your kids as they learn by watching you take cautions in driving. Allow other people to drive for you if you have been drinking. Your alcohol level may not be over the limit but it is definitely not worth finding out. Remember not to mix alcohol and driving at any circumstances.

Keep your distance from the car in front of you to have enough space, if ever you need to stop or change lanes. Always remember that the road space is enough for a given number of cars. It is advised to keep about one full car’s length to the car in front of you for emergency maneuvers.

Maximize all the mirrors in your car for they are installed with a purpose. You should be looking from mirror to mirror where you plan to go in. stay away from telephone poles, concrete, transformers and drainage pipes. Lastly, be calm when you drive, do not do anything that can aggravate someone else. Use dim lights when driving at night. Use your car signals, don’t just stop when you turn or pass for the purpose of hurrying.

How can I prolong the life of my tyres ?

A good set of tires can make your car’s handling better and maintain a good grip on the ground. If you have misalignments on your tires, you may want to have it checked to avoid damages that are more serious. Proper maintenance of your car’s wheel alignment will extend your tire’s life. Misaligned wheels can cause hard driving, wear and tear, as well as increase the risks of accidents.

Most of the time, misalignments happens in the front tires. You may find it hard to steer if you have a misaligned wheel. You will know that you have misalignment by trying to steer from outside the car, being able to move the car’s wheel from the outside of an open window indicate that your car has minor misalignments. If you feel that your car’s wheel is having some trouble or your tires are getting old, you can remove the air from it to get the best view of wear and tear.

The first kind of misalignment is the camber, this makes your wheel tilted inwards or outwards seen on the front of the car. It is normal for a car wheel to have just a small amount of camber, but if you have a major case of camber, you can fix it by having a knock-kneed or a bow-legged to look at them.

Toe-in is another kind of misalignment, which is also normal in cars if it is in a small amount. A toe-in is the degrees of the car wheel facing each other. A toe-in has a pigeon-toe look when you are facing in front of the car. It is very normal to have a wheel in this position. In this case, the wheel is not forced too far out if you are at a very high speed. Toe-out is the exact opposite of toe-in, which no tires should have. A toe-out will greatly affect the steering of the car. Remember to have the right amount of air in your tire because over or under inflation can cause your tire to wear and tear quickly.

How can I replace my engine valve seals ?

If your car is blowing blue smoke when you’re going down the road or if you’re idling, this means that your valve guide oil seals are already worn out. It is very easy to replace your car’s engine valve seals. All you need is the right tools and some simple tips.

To replace your engine valve oil seals, you will need a wrench set, hammer, pliers, air compressor, socket wrench, valve spring tool, screwdrivers and a compression gauge. The first thing you need to do is disassemble your engine until you can get access to your cars’ valve spring. You will also have to remove the cover of your cylinder heads, push rods and rocker arms. Remember to take the spark plug out to avoid any accidents while performing the task.

Turn your air compressor on and set to sixty to ninety psi, the valve seals you are replacing should be on the top dead center of the cylinder when you turn the crankshaft on. Secure the compression gauge in the spark plug slot and connect the compressor hose to pressurize your cylinder. The pressure will keep your cylinder seals in a close position for you to replace it easier.

Use your valve spring tool to compress the springs of your valve and take the valve keepers out using a magnet. The valve keepers may stick in the valve retainers but you can use your hands for a little bump or a hammer if necessary to loosen the keepers. Keep the valve keepers into the engine by packing towels around the area. Now, you can remove the valve springs.

Use pliers to take the valve seals out and replace it with the new ones. Go back to the steps to reassemble the engine, install the keepers using a magnet and when you finish removing the valve spring compressor, use a hammer to tap the top of the valve and secure the keepers.

How can I change my oil ?

If you have no idea about the process, you may find changing a fuel filter quite hard. Here are some few steps that will help you install a replacement fuel filter properly. The tools and materials you need are safety glasses, screwdrivers, pliers, wrench, clean up rags and of course, the replacement filter.

You can start by thinking safety first; wear your safety glasses on and find where the fuel filter is located. The location of fuel filters depend on the make and model of the car, but normally, it is located underneath the car near the tank. When you found where the fuel filter is, detach the screws that connects the clamp and hose. Remember not to entirely remove the screws, just loosen it enough to disconnect the hose and clamp.

Next, hold the hose, take the clamp off, remove the old filter, and set it aside. Remember to place some rags to where you put the old filter for leaks. Then, place your new filter in place it in position and secure it. Attach the hose to the new clamp and screw the clamps back until it secure.

Finally, after installing the new fuel filter, do some tests by turning your car on and leave the engine running for a while. After five to ten minutes, check your work underneath the car. If you notice that your replacement fuel filter has leaks, check your hoses for cracks and tears, if it has, you need a new hose. Also check the hose or clamp connection, it might need more tightening if it’s loose.

How can I choose an environmentally friendly car ?

One of the main causes of aggravating air pollution is cars. Choosing the right car to buy and our habit of driving plays a vital role in affecting us both short and long term. Not all people can spend for expensive cars that save gas however; we can make smart decisions with what we have. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a car to buy and be friendlier with the environment.

First is to figure out what size of car you need, you can base your decision on the number of members in your family. If you only have three family members, a bid SUV would be unnecessary. If you have a small family, you can just get a small, lightweight car that requires only half the fuel compared to SUVs.

Do not purchase a car with options that you do not need. Power steering and air conditioning features both releases harmful chlorofluorocarbons even if not in use. If you have a cold climate, air conditioning would be unnecessary and if you really need the feature, you can install devices that can recycle harmful CFC in your car.

If you do not want to spend money for air conditioning, you can just get a car with tinted or slightly colored windows. This feature is much cheaper and this will make your car capable of staying cooler even in hot weather. Regarding the car wheels, you can consider using radial tires; they are proven more cost effective and this kind of tires can improve over all miles per gallon.

Remember to think of two factors when choosing an earth-friendly car, first is the air pollution emission and fuel economy. You will see fuel emission sticker on the car’s window, it reads the gas usage in miles per gallon. You are actually getting several benefits with fuel economy cars. Besides making the nation less dependent in oil, you also save the earth by releasing less carbon dioxide. The air pollution-emission sticker is under the car’s hood, these cars cleanly burns gasoline. So, before you get a car, check for both emission and mpg-rating stickers.

How can I change my car’s oil ?

It is very easy to change car oil; all you need are the right tools and materials that you can get in almost any auto shops. The best thing about changing the car’s oil yourself is saving around fifteen to forty dollars if you do it on your own.

To change you car oil, you will need an oil filter, oil, car jack, socket wrench with the correct socket size, and oil removal tool. You can also get a manual about the exact filter and oil you need for your car make and model.

First, prepare all the necessary tools and make sure to cool your car and jack it high enough to work comfortably underneath. You can use ramps or jack stand, but a normal scissor jack can also do the task. Get underneath your car and find the drain plug. You can easily find it; it will be the only bolt on a flat pan. You may find it hard to loosen, but it is just for the first turn and you can easily loosen it by hand afterwards. Make sure to position your oil pan to catch the old oil before you finish loosening the plug.

After completely draining the oil, insert the plug back and securely tighten it. Next, fin your oil filter. Normally, oil filters are located underneath the car near the oil pan, but sometimes it is under the hood. Remove the filter with the removal tool and pull it out. Replace it with the new oil filter and secure it back in by hand or the tool.

After successfully installing the new oil filter, you can release the jack and lower the car down. Find the reserve cap of the oil, it is located under the hood and remove it, and fill it up with new oil, the amount would depend on the make or model of the car. Then, close the car’s hood after replacing the cap and you are good to go. Remember to take measures on proper disposal of the old oil.

How can I adjust a steering wheel ?

Learning the basics in driving is very important, especially if you are a new driver. One of the most vital components in safe driving is steering. You need to make some adjustments on your steering wheel before you start to steer. To adjust the steering wheel of your car properly, follow these simple steps.

First, get in the driver’s seat and position your left foot on the pad located in front of the seat, left side of the floor. Then, make some adjustments on your seat until you are comfortable and so as the resting on the pad. Adjust you steering wheel, you will know that you made the right adjustments when you are able to see over the steering wheel without stretching upwards or leaning forward.

Now, think of the steering wheel as a clock, position your hands on the steering wheel with your left at nine o’clock and your left hand at three o’clock. Now, turn the steering wheel with push and pull method. Use one hand to pull and the other to push depending on the direction you want to turn to. And adjust you hands if needed.

Forget about expert drivers who tell you to position your hands at ten and twelve o’clock for it is no longer advised. This method will only block the air bag of your car when it deploys. Avoid adjusting your car seat where it is too close in the steering wheel and keep in mind to be at least ten inches away from your steering wheel. This method is the best way to avoid more injuries on possible accidents. Always use hand-over-hand method for steering maneuvers like three-point turns and parallel parking.

What is auto salvage ?

Auto salvage is the process of removing automotive parts on damaged cars and reusing them on other operable cars. Once the usable parts are gathered, the rest of the vehicle is disposed safely. This practice is performed by ‘auto recyclers’ or ‘auto salvage yards’, which not only promote environmental conservation through recycling, but also prevent wasting usable vehicle parts while earning money.

Since the automobile industry remains the most earning business in the world, it is also ranks top in generating waste. Unfortunately, there isn’t much the government and the automobile industry can do about the waste as it causes landfills. To solve or alleviate the problem, auto salvage companies reuse up to 75% of the old car’s parts.

Auto salvaging is done starting with pre-treatment, which involves disassembling the vehicle, draining fluids (such as fuel, oil and coolant) to prevent leaking and removing tires, battery and gas tank. The fluids and batteries are either sold, reused in other vehicles or transferred to a recycling compound. After draining the gas tanks, it could can be made as scrap metal. Among the many salvaged parts, tires are very versatile; they can be used as ground rubber, re-treaded or burned to produce energy.

Once all usable parts are removed, the auto salvage company would now evaluate if the remaining parts could be repaired or sold based on the condition of each part. If the entire car is evaluated and considered repairable, it can be sold as a whole. After all usable parts are removed, the auto recyclers contact a crusher that would flatten the vehicle’s frame. Non-metallic parts are placed in a landfill, while metallic parts can be reused.

Since many auto salvage yards today keep an electronic database of their car parts and vehicles, many people find it cheaper to visit a yard and check for parts to use on their vehicles. Some of the most sought out parts include bumpers, transmissions, motors and rear ends. Owners of rare or vintage cars can also benefit from buying in yards as most of them keep hard-to-find replacement parts.

What is a parking meter ?

A parking meter is a device used by traffic enforcers in collecting parking fees. When a vehicle parks in an area with a parking meter, the driver must pay by dropping in coins depending on the amount specified. However, since most parking meters are capped, or should only be used within a pre-determined amount of time, the fee is usually the same amount every time. If the driver fails to pay or the time has expired, he or she may be given a parking ticket.

Parking meters are used worldwide, but are widespread in impacted areas. The idea of using such a device dates back to early 1930s when Carl Magee noticed that many people parked their cars in downtown Oklahoma all day, discouraging other people to do business there. While Magee first thought of putting signs to warn people about parking durations, he decided that meters would work more effectively, allowing more revenues for the city. By 1935, the first parking meters were installed. Soon, many states followed Oklahoma’s idea.

Throughout the existence of parking meters, the design used hasn’t changed much. The original design required the drivers to insert money and turn the lever to activate the timer. Whenever the timer was up, a red flag would indicate that the drivers should insert more money or move. Starting 1980s, parking meters have become digital, displaying the timer digitally, making it easier to read. A huge improvement with digital parking meters is that they can now be reprogrammed without adjusting the meters throughout the entire city manually.

Until today, the principle behind parking meters remains the same as Magee’s idea; to help reduce congestion in cities or downtown areas. However, some parking meters use a pay & display set-up, while others can already accept credit cards. Most cities use the funds gathered from parking meters to fund various projects related to public transit, traffic management and other public works.

What is a muffler ?

A muffler is the exhaust system of an engine that reduces emission and noise. Often located underneath a vehicle at the rear, and in case of a freighter trucks, muffler usually uses a vertically mounted system in the cab rear.

A muffler has one or more tailpipes and back-box. A muffler reduces great amount of noise produced by the engine, even if the noise produced by the engine is from the combustion. Most of the unnecessary noise is coming from the pressure waves created by the rapid closing and opening of the valves. The back-box of a muffler is designed to absorb the pressure waves and carefully spread it inside the cylinders and chambers.

A high-performance muffler consists of straight pipe made of steel with perforations. This cancels some sound while creating little backpressure. Glass insulations wrap the tube and protected by steel shell, also known as the glass pack. These kinds of mufflers are very popular in the 60s and 70s, and earned the street name cherry bomb. The high-performance muffler is still popular nowadays in classics and hot rods.

Due to the muffler’s location in a car, it is usually forgotten. A muffler can rot, rust overtime and sometimes fall off a car. it is very important to check your muffler from time to time to make sure that it is securely clamped on to your car. if your muffler looks rusted, it needs to be replaced to be at its best performance. A poor conditioned muffler might cause you, especially when you passed a state, and does not meet the standard smog test. If you are good with the wrench, you can buy mufflers at any automotive shops and install it on your own or you can have them install it for you.

What is a fighter plane ?

A fighter is an aircraft designed for aerial combats instead of attacking targets on the ground. A fighter is one of the most crucial part of the air force; it ensures aerial superiority. Pilots of a fighter aircrafts are usually figures of public interest, for they are perceived as daring, bold and talented pilots. Some militaries do not have a female pilot due to the rules that prohibit women in some roles in the military.

Some characteristics distinguish a fighter plane from other kinds of military aircrafts. For instance, fighters were designed with only one seat and usually smaller than other aircrafts. They are also very fast and very easy to maneuver and stealthy as well. Old fighters use propellers and props while modern fighters uses jet engines.

In the 20s, fighter planes were known as scouts, and they were mounted with giant guns that allow them to strafe enemies on the ground and to fight in aerial combats as well. The guns were fixed in position in old fighters so, they need to aim the entire plane to aim for the enemies.

Modern fighters have missiles for enemies in long distance, cannons for closer engagement and they have jet engines giving them faster speed and versatility. You can usually see fighter planes in grand events doing aerial exhibitions and in museums in dedication to the military aviation. Decommissioned modern fighters are often displayed beside old fighter planes so sightseers can trace the evolution of fighter planes.

What is a fender bender ?

A fender bender is any minor accident, resulting in minor damages to vehicles involved. The term ‘fender bender’ was coined because most of these accidents affect the fenders. Fender benders usually occur in large parking lots, wherein drivers often compete for the best spots and at intersections when a car makes a sudden stop, causing the vehicle following it crash into the trunk or bumper. The typical result of a fender bender is low-speed collision.

Most insurance agencies include coverage for injuries and damages by a fender bender, but most increase a driver’s premiums after the report of an accident. As such, many car owners prefer to settle the damages between themselves.

While fender benders rarely cause major damages or injuries, insurance companies require all their clients to report both small and large accidents. Meaning, an authority figure, such as a traffic enforcer or police officer should come to the scene and take down notes about the accident, while the drivers involved should take photographs of the damages caused by the accident to support possible legal claims.

Some insurance companies cover the entire cost of medical claims and repairs, but other legal issues that may arise from a fender bender may not be covered. Depending on the insurance company, an occasional fender bender may be overlooked and no increase on your premiums would occur. While people involved in a fender bender can work out their problems privately, many experts recommend avoiding too much out-of-the-pocket payments on accidental damages. As a general rule, always estimate the damages caused by a fender bender and compare it to the insurance deductible.

For some fender bender cases, damages acquired are only cosmetic in nature, so they choose not to make repairs. Since minor chipping of paints would not affect the mechanical condition of cars, they could go on driving normally. However, car experts recommend fixing dents of vehicles as exposed metals are prone to rust damages, creating additional problems in the future.

What is a diesel engine ?

The diesel engine, which is an efficient alternative to gasoline engine, is a type of internal combustion engines. Invented by Rudolf Diesel to have a variety of engines to choose from, he received the patent for his invention only in 1892.

All types of engines work by producing a controlled explosion in the sealed piston chamber. This explosion moves the piston quickly to rotate the output shaft. The difference between the two engines lies in the process of ignition. Gasoline engines use a mixture of air and fuel that is injected into the chamber and ignited by a spark, which is created by a sparkplug. Diesel engines don’t require a sparkplug; instead, fuel and air is forced into the chamber and natural pressure results in heat enough to ignite the engine.

Some diesel engines are designed with a glow plug that heats up the chamber, minimizing the pressure needed in turning the engine on. Diesel engines require diesel fuel, which is much cheaper than gasoline because it requires less refining. In addition, diesel engines perform better in terms of mileage compared to gasoline engines.

What is a box car ?

A boxcar, which looks like a massive box on wheels, is a form of railway car that carries freight. Railway cars designed as boxcars are very versatile, since it allows people to load their cars. While the use of boxcars has decreased since shipping containers became popular, some small railroads still keep a few boxcars. However, if you want to see what a boxcar looks like, just head on to your local museums and view them on display.

A typical boxcar has no windows; it is fully enclosed with just a set of sliding doors, enabling people to access the inside of the boxcar. Some boxcars are loaded manually, as railway staffs stack goods starting from the backend of the boxcar going to the front. For heavier loads, a forklift is used to ensure proper placement of loads. Majority of boxcars, particularly high cubic-volume boxcars, have high ceilings, so it could carry tall items.

Throughout history, boxcars have been used in transporting different items. In the 1800s, slaves were transported using these railway cars. In the 1940s, people transferred to concentration camps also used boxcars.

Some boxers transport grains alone, while others allow livestock to be transferred from one state to the next. However, since all boxcars are enclosed, many people who are in the livestock industry prefer to travel their goods in buses, especially in hot weather. The military has also used boxcars, specifically the ‘forty and eight boxcar’, in transporting its troops and other military materials. These types of boxcars could transport up to 10 horses and 40 men with their gears. Today, boxcars are still used for different purposes, such as transporting modular shipping containers.

What are wheel chocks ?

Wheel chocks are lightweight wedges used in keeping the wheels of stationary vehicles from rolling or shifting away. Wheel chocks are usually used by sliding them beneath the wheels of cars, boats, mobile homes, trailers, motorcycles and other vehicles. These wedges are particular beneficial when parking, loading or unloading items and during car checkups.

Due to its small size, wheel chocks are very portable and can be used and removed easily. Usually made of heavy plastic, wheel chocks come in bright orange or yellow to make them more visible. Some wheel chocks are textured with rubber to ensure it would stick to the tires and pavement, so even large trucks can keep in place with high-friction chocks. If you want to pull the chocks easily from the wheels, you should choose chocks outfitted with nylon cord.

Wheel chocks can be very beneficial; it could be used when you’re under the car, loading groceries or attaching a boat, giving you assurance that the vehicle won’t move. Some vehicles that are parked in steep hills require wheel chocks to add security if emergency brakes fail.

Aside from the standard wheel chocks, others are designed to cater to vehicles with doubles wheels. These wheel chocks, which are usually made of aluminum or steel, are placed in between the tires. If you want to make your customized wheel chocks, you can make on by cutting 2×4s diagonally, creating the wedge and then cover all surfaces with sandpaper to add friction.

What are tire rotations ?

Tire rotation is the process of swapping the back tires with the front tires regularly. The principle of tire rotation is based on the idea that it could extend the life of tires. While majority of tire manufacturers explain to their customers not to rotate tires, most car owners continue to do so. Some car shops include tire rotation as a free service.

While the front and back tires both work the same, they receive different levels of wear and tear. The front tires perform a variety of tasks, such as responding to steering and providing traction, which both result in friction that would cause gradual tread loss. Generally, front tires experience more abuse that back tires during car movement. To avoid wearing down the front tires faster than the back tires, regular tire rotations are needed.

The interval of tire rotation can be confusing; some people suggest rotating tires after 7,000 to 10,000 kilometers, while others believe it should be done every other oil change. Some experts recommend rebalancing of tires or front-end alignment every time tire rotation is done.

While car service shops typically provide these services, basic knowledge on handling jacks can allow you perform tire rotation on your own. The secret is to keep track of the original location and new destination of each tire. If you have a hydraulic lift or jackstand, simply jack up the car evenly. Once the car is lifted securely, the left front tire should be removed using a lug wrench. A spare tire or the left rear tire should be moved to the front position, while the front left tire should be placed on the rear left end. Make sure to lock all lug nuts before proceeding to the right tires. After checking if the lug nuts are secured, you can now test-drive for security before using the car for normal driving. If the car tends to pull in one direction, your tires may need balancing or realignment.

What are tire chains ?

Tire chains are devices used in improving a vehicle’s traction in icy conditions. Tire chains come in three types –cable, diamond and link. A cable-styled chain features a set of straight metal strips that run horizontally on the face of the tire, while a diamond version, as its name suggest, has a diamond pattern that interlocks the metal strands. The link tire chain, however, is a mix of the cable and diamond styles. All of the three tire chains can be used in winter driving.

Vehicles in mountainous regions and areas where heavy snowfall occur usually require tire chains for extra traction. Some states even require all vehicles to have tire chains, or others may call “snow tires”, minimizing accidents and stranded motorists in isolated areas. However, it is important to check with your local laws, as laws regarding tire chain use vary from one state to the next.

Generally, laws on tire chains state that your vehicle must have a working tire chain without defects, such as loose or broken closing mechanisms. Some municipalities may give you a misdemeanor traffic offense if you drive with chains on bare pavement since it could be damaged by asphalt or cause damages to road surfaces. This happens because some drivers feel that removing and re-installing tire chains is time-consuming, particularly if they would be driving back to icy conditions.

Some tire chains are designed with temporary link chain systems that automatically work during emergencies. With an extra system, such tractions would wrap around the tires, allowing drivers to avoid icy patches on the road.

What are shock absorbers ?

All moving vehicles include a support system, which has an important part called “shocks”. These shocks help in minimizing wear and tear on vital parts, while providing additional comfort for passengers. All types of shock absorbers work using hydraulics. However, no single type of shock is suitable for all vehicles; shocks come in five different types.

Generally, a shock absorber is filled with gas or fluid, which is needed in absorbing the movements of support springs properly. As such, the movement of shocks depends largely on the support system’s springs. Shocks also exert pressure on tires, keeping them on the road firmly. Shocks help in balancing the load of vehicles, resulting in a balanced wear on tires and providing passengers with better comfort while on the road.

Due to the number of vehicles available today, there are also dozens of types of shocks to choose from, depending on the needs of a particular vehicle. Standard shock absorbers are configured to fit general passenger cars, but trucks and other vehicles requiring a larger load requires heavy-duty shocks. Some commercial vehicles feature an automatic control shock, which helps in controlling shock in order to compensate for varying load adjustments. Automatic shocks are very useful in trucks that make daily deliveries.

Powerful vehicles like long-haul trucks can benefit from adjustable air shocks, which help in providing better stability needed for heavy or fragile loads. However, some of the biggest vehicles need to install overload shocks, especially when transporting extremely heavy loads.

All types of shocks are available in auto parts stores. Installation and replacement usually require an hour or so. To ensure proper stability of your vehicles, it is best to get shocks examined at least once a year. Replacements should also be made at least every 4 to 6 years.

Why is there a computer in my car ?

Some of the vehicle owners tend to think that manufacturers that install computers in cars only do it for users to bring in their cars often for maintenance and repair. Although computerized information in cars may complicate maintenance as owners try to work on their own, it actually simplifies the service and makesit more efficient when you have it checked by a technician or mechanic.

Nowadays, cars can tell the technician what is wrong with them, avoiding many guesswork and saving time. Car owners could benefit as their bills would be reduced while enjoying fewer repairs. Today, owners can act immediately when the vehicle gives a warning. When you bring the car for maintenance, codes are available for the technician to check and determine what needs to be done.

Computer installed in cars is a standard feature nowadays. This includes on-board diagnosis that warns the owner before the car problem becomes serious. Computers in cars also provides warning if maintenance is needed. It also gives emission information.

There are many advantages in having computers in cars; it gives out a warning if you really need an oil change, instead of just changing oil that does not solve the problem. It will also tell you if your oil needs to be checked or if your pressure is low. Computers are also responsible for your car’s break operations, air bags, electric windows and door locks, keyless ignition and more.

Some cars have a single system installed that warns about oil, while others have several systems that tell you about general maintenance, air bags, emission and many more.