the engine
- Obviously the engine is the most important part of a vehicle, but most people don't know the true complexity of it. It is quite literally a well oiled machine, and all components under the hood revolve around it. If a problem occurs with just one of these mechanisms, it can lead to much bigger problems down the road. It's hard to express the importance of keeping these key components in the best condition possible and replace them when needed in order to keep your engine running smoothly.
- As a simple description, the engine is a series of pistons enclosed in cylinders set up in two rows. Typically, each row consists of either 2, 3, or 4 cylinders. Engines are classified by how many cylinders they have, so a 4 cylinder is 2 rows of 2, a 6 cylinder is 2 rows of 3, and an 8 cylinder is 2 rows of 4. More cylinders equals more power due to a larger fuel intake. In addition to cylinders, engine size is also classified in liters, or the total volume of all the cylinders. The more liters an engine can hold, the more fuel there is per combustion.
- Now that you know cylinders and liters, you can understand how the process works. Although it is fairly complex, the engine is a cycle. Put simply, the cycle is intake, compression, ignition, exhaust. A cylinder will take in a mix of fuel and air, then the piston will compress the fuel to a very high pressure. This pressurized cylinder is then ignited creating energy for the vehicle to move. After the energy is spent, the piston returns to its original position simultaneously releasing the excess fumes through the exhaust system. While the excess fumes are being exhausted, more fuel is being taken into the cylinder. All of this happens in perfect sync with each cylinder, allowing constant power that transfers to the wheels, thus enabling the vehicle to move.
battery
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Spark plugs
- Remember how the cylinders in the engine combust in their cycle? The spark plugs are what takes energy from the battery and transfers it to the engine in order for the combustion to occur. Spark plugs can deteriorate over time or burn out, and will need to be replaced as soon as possible.
- Spark plugs are not checked in some maintenance services, so here are a few tips to know if they aren't working. They might need replacing if your vehicle has a rough idle when parked, the engine misfires while driving, or the most noticeable being a lack of acceleration.
- Replacing spark plugs is literally a snap. Simply pull off the cap of the plug and use the correct size socket wrench to remove the unit. Attach the new plug in the same fashion that you removed the old one. Refer to your vehicle care guide to measure the correct gap size between plugs.
Air filter
- As you now know, the engine takes in both fuel and air. The air filter can be described as a protective unit for the engine, and does exactly as the name suggests. It prevents debris such as dust, leaves, and other contaminants from entering the engine through the air intake.
- Like any filter, the air filter in a vehicle will need to be replaced. It is typically found encased in a type of snap on box. Remove the cover of the box, and take out the dirty filter. Place the new filter in the box and snap on the cover. Easy as 1, 2, 3.
oil
- Everything under the hood is of some importance to the engine, but the oil is one of the most necessary components. Everyone knows you have to occasionally change the oil, but not many people understand why it is important. The oil in an engine is what keeps everything lubricated and running smoothly. Without oil, the engine would not run efficiently because there would be too much friction between the components. A vehicle can technically operate with dirty oil, but it creates a level of friction that can be harmful to the engine over time. This is why it's important to change your oil when you reach the mile limit.
- If for some reason you don't know the milage until your next oil, the dip stick is a measurement tool used to check the oil level. The dip stick is a yellow ring attached to a long, thin metal shaft. At the bottom of the shaft is about a 2" hash marked area that holds a layer of oil. To properly use the dip stick, remove it from its holding tube and wipe off the bottom with a rag. Insert the clean stick into its tube as far as it can go, hold for a second, and remove. Try not to drag the shaft along the inside of the tube, it could smear the oil and give a false reading. If the oil is above the middle hash mark, the tank is full. If the oil is below the middle hash mark, the oil may need replacing.
- Replacing your oil is a relatively easy task, but it requires lifting your vehicle at least a foot off the ground to access the oil compartment. Once the vehicle is off the ground, its smooth sailing. There is a small bolt on the bottom of the oil tank that acts as a plug to hold the oil. Place a tray under this bolt that is big enough to hold a couple liters of oil. Once the tray is in place, remove the bolt and let the oil leak out. *Caution, the oil will be hot.* While the oil is draining, you will replace the oil filter by simply unscrewing it. Fill the new filter with oil until it spills over a little, then use the spill over to lubricate the rubber ring on the filter. Thread the new filter into place and you've successfully changed it. After all the oil is drained from the tank, tighten the bolt back into place. Now all you have to do is fill up the oil tank with the amount of oil your vehicle specifies in the care book and you're done.
Tires
- Tires are obviously necessary for a vehicles movement, but a lot of people don't know that tires can indeed go bad. The tread on a tire serves a very important purpose. Tread is the reason you don't skid out of control when it rains, why you are able to maneuver on the snow, and how you can drive over loose and not spin out. For example, when a tire meets the road on a rainy day, the tread actually forces the water on the ground into the gaps on the tire. This allows for maximum contact between the ground and the tire, which creates a certain amount of traction. If the tire was bare with no tread, there would be nowhere for the water to escape, therefore it would stay under the tire and cause you to hydroplane.
- A simple and easy way to check if your tires need replacing is the penny test. Take a penny and hold Lincoln upside down. Place the penny between the tread ribs on your tire. If the tread lines up with the top of his head, you should consider replacing your tires. If the tread lines up with his forehead, you have some time before you need new ones. Certain tools are needed to replace a tire, and unless you have the necessary tools and skills, it is recommended to have a mechanic complete the task.
brakes
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Leaks
- It's not a car without the leaks, right? There are many different things that could be making a puddle on your garage floor. The most common ones are antifreeze, gas, oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, windshield washer solvent. Some are more important than others, but they are leaks none the less and must be identified and fixed.
- Antifreeze is a greenish color and somewhat gooey. It lowers the freezing point of water based liquids so they can function properly in cold environments. These leaks can occur from the radiator or the hoses attached to it.
- Gasoline is an easily identifiable leak due to its distinct smell. If the puddle is near the back of your vehicle, you probably have a leaky gas tank, and if the puddle is near the front, you most likely have an issue with your fuel pump.
- Oil leaks are very important to take care of immediately because it can disrupt the oil levels of the vehicle. If oil is newer it has a yellowy-brown color, while older oil appears dark brown. If you have a puddle of oil on the ground, check the oil plug, filter, coolant line, and gasket. If these seem to be in tact, you might have high oil pressure and you should see a mechanic.
- Brake fluid has a yellow tint to it and is somewhat thick. This is the fluid that allows the hydraulic brake system to operate. If you even suspect a brake fluid leak, do not attempt to drive your vehicle anywhere due to the possibility of brake failure. These leaks will be found along the brake lines of your vehicle.
- Transmission fluid is a reddish color and allows for smooth shifts between gears. A burnt out transmission is very expensive to replace, so fixing this leak if you notice it is well worth it. These leaks can be found in the front or middle of your vehicle, depending on the location of you transmission components.
- Power steering fluid is either yellow or brown and is the reason turning the steering wheel is so easy. These leaks will be near the front of your vehicle, and will most likely come from the power steering pump or the hoses connected to it.
- Windshield washer solvent is typically blue and has the consistency of water. This solvent is what squirts onto your windshield when you push the wiper button. If you find a puddle of this on the ground it's not a big deal. Check the wiper fluid container and the hoses connected to it for any leaks.