On all modern vehicles there is a computer that controls the way the engine operates, this computer is called Electronic Control Module, or ECM. The purpose of the ECM is to maintain the engine running within emissions limits and at top efficiency. With the very strict emission regulations of today, this is not an easy task to achieve. Precise and constant adjustments to match various conditions of the engine must be made by the ECM in regards to speed, load, engine temperature and others.
How the ECM works:
A number of sensors are available that provide the ECM with the information it needs, such inputs are engine and ambient temperature, vehicle speed and load. The ECM makes adjustments by advancing or retarding the ignition timing, adds or subtracts fuel or increases and decreases the idle speed.
In the exhaust, before the catalytic converter, an oxygen sensor monitors the quality of the combustion produced in the cylinders. The sensor produces a feedback that is then used by the ECM to make fine adjustments to the fuel-air mixture with the objective to reduce emissions. After the catalytic converter, another sensor in the exhaust monitors it’s efficiency
Other additional emission control systems exist, such as the Evaporative System, or EVAP. The objective of EVAP is to prevent vapors of gasoline, from the gas tank, from being released into the atmosphere. There are also a number of sensors and actuators that are controlled by the ECM.
The operation of sensors and other engine components is constantly tested by the self-diagnostic capability of the ECM. If one of the signals is missing or if it’s not in the normal range then the Check Engine light is illuminated and the Diagnostic Trouble Code, DTC, is stored in the memory of the ECM. The Check Engine light will be illuminated also if a mechanical component, such as the EGR valve, fails.
With a special scan tool, the stored code can be retrieved by a technician, that will then know only a direction where to look for. The code doesn’t tell specific information about the failure, certain tests have to be performed for each code, in order to find the exact cause of the problem.
Visit Hiperformer.com today to get your remanufactured engines. Hiperformer Rebuilt Engines are built to last.
Showing posts with label Tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tips. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Hybrid Cars: List Of Real Drawbacks To Owning A Hybrid Vehicle
As oil prices continue to increase amid depleting supplies and rapid growth in demand, all economies globally are feeling the setbacks of the need to curtail excessive consumption of fuel.
For quite some time, research and development has been actively finding ways on how problems regarding very high demand could finally be eliminated. With the advent of the hybrid car, car owners and users all over the world are now finding relief that indeed there is hope.
A hybrid car is a specially designed and manufactured vehicle that combines the power of the conventional gasoline engine and electricity. In the past, many have referred to hybrid vehicles as electric vehicles.
Technically, a hybrid car could not be classified as purely electric because only about 40% of the energy consumption of the vehicle is from electric sources, in the form of stored electricity in batteries.
Though the wide use of hybrid cars provide hope that in the future, when oil supplies finally and completely runs out, the transportation industry would not feel the drawback. Yes, for now, driving a hybrid auto could equate to a lot of savings on the part of the car owner.
At least, the overall consumption of oil could be significantly lowered. Research is still ongoing so that in the near future, further better versions of the modern hybrid auto could be developed and launched into the market.
However, just like many other predecessor technologies, there are actual setbacks to owning and using a hybrid car. Many people hope that in the coming months or years, people could finally realize a better and more effective hybrid car. Here are the most practical and obvious of those drawbacks.
1. Because the hybrid car technology is still a relatively new car technology, it is just logical that the vehicle is expensive. On the average, a hybrid car these days costs more than the regular and usual cars by around $2,000 to $5,000. That is just right and is expected with the high demand for the car as more consumers get excited about it and manufacturers continue to produce the vehicle models on a limited ability.
2. Any hybrid car needs to allot a significant amount of space for battery. Because the hybrid car needs batteries to keep it going and for the use of some if its functions, the overall weight of the car gets more and more.
3. There are several states in the United States and some other global governments globally that are charging more additional fees and other charges for acquisition and registration.
4. If the hybrid car gets into possible crashes and collisions in the future, there is a risk that the incident would be more tragic. A hybrid car typically and normally has high voltage wires within it.
5. A regular and even simple hybrid car is made of a very complicated car system. Thus, ordinary mechanics would not have the needed and required skills and knowledge to attend to any technical need for maintenance of any hybrid car.
6. Because hybrid cars are still not too rampant and ordinary, buying spare parts may be very hard, if not impossible. Further, costs of spare parts can be very expensive.
7. It is a common knowledge that hybrid cars run slower than regular car models.
By Alex Baumm. Visit the CarClubTalk Car Forum and learn about Hybrid Cars or Car Charity
For quite some time, research and development has been actively finding ways on how problems regarding very high demand could finally be eliminated. With the advent of the hybrid car, car owners and users all over the world are now finding relief that indeed there is hope.
A hybrid car is a specially designed and manufactured vehicle that combines the power of the conventional gasoline engine and electricity. In the past, many have referred to hybrid vehicles as electric vehicles.
Technically, a hybrid car could not be classified as purely electric because only about 40% of the energy consumption of the vehicle is from electric sources, in the form of stored electricity in batteries.
Though the wide use of hybrid cars provide hope that in the future, when oil supplies finally and completely runs out, the transportation industry would not feel the drawback. Yes, for now, driving a hybrid auto could equate to a lot of savings on the part of the car owner.
At least, the overall consumption of oil could be significantly lowered. Research is still ongoing so that in the near future, further better versions of the modern hybrid auto could be developed and launched into the market.
However, just like many other predecessor technologies, there are actual setbacks to owning and using a hybrid car. Many people hope that in the coming months or years, people could finally realize a better and more effective hybrid car. Here are the most practical and obvious of those drawbacks.
1. Because the hybrid car technology is still a relatively new car technology, it is just logical that the vehicle is expensive. On the average, a hybrid car these days costs more than the regular and usual cars by around $2,000 to $5,000. That is just right and is expected with the high demand for the car as more consumers get excited about it and manufacturers continue to produce the vehicle models on a limited ability.
2. Any hybrid car needs to allot a significant amount of space for battery. Because the hybrid car needs batteries to keep it going and for the use of some if its functions, the overall weight of the car gets more and more.
3. There are several states in the United States and some other global governments globally that are charging more additional fees and other charges for acquisition and registration.
4. If the hybrid car gets into possible crashes and collisions in the future, there is a risk that the incident would be more tragic. A hybrid car typically and normally has high voltage wires within it.
5. A regular and even simple hybrid car is made of a very complicated car system. Thus, ordinary mechanics would not have the needed and required skills and knowledge to attend to any technical need for maintenance of any hybrid car.
6. Because hybrid cars are still not too rampant and ordinary, buying spare parts may be very hard, if not impossible. Further, costs of spare parts can be very expensive.
7. It is a common knowledge that hybrid cars run slower than regular car models.
By Alex Baumm. Visit the CarClubTalk Car Forum and learn about Hybrid Cars or Car Charity
Basic Maintenance That Can Make Your Car Last Longer
The future in uncertain, which means most of us are trying to save every buck we can. When it comes to your car, doing some basic maintenance can make it last an incredibly long time. The longer your car last, the longer it will be before you have to spend money on a new one.
Ask anyone about what car maintenance should be done and they will usually blurt out, “Change the oil every 3,000 miles”. Somewhere, a marketing professional is smiling happily. Yes, you should change the oil regularly, but not this often. Even so, there are other steps you can take that will make a world of difference for your car.
Okay, let’s start with oil. The 3,000 mile recommendation is a marketing slogan, not a fact. Oil has become very sophisticated and will usually last 5,000 miles without any problems unless you are putting it under major stress. An even better move is to switch to a synthetic oil like Mobil One. These always will last much longer, often 10,000 miles or more. You can pull up recommendations for your car online. Most manufacturers offer them.
A second critical maintenance step to your car has to do with breathing. Air is a critical part to the combustion process. You need gas. You need a spark. You need air. The air comes into the engine through an air filter. Your engine can start to starve for air if you don’t change out your oil filter. This makes the engine run poorly and puts stress on the system. Stress is bad for a car. Change your air filter every 10,000 miles.
Ask yourself a simple question: Is it good for a machine to run hot? The answer is nearly always that it is not. Most people understand this, yet they also never take any steps to do upkeep on the coolant system of their car. If you want to kill an engine well before its normal lifespan, just neglect the coolant system.
It is important to understand that oil is meant to lubricate, not cool an engine. Your radiator and coolant system is just as important as keeping your oil up. Make sure to adjust your coolant system at the beginning of each summer and winter. When you do, make sure to check the hoses and such so you’ll know if it is performing right. If your car tends to run hot, you should have the thermometer in the coolant system checked.
There you are. Three basic maintenance steps. If you stay on top of them, you are nearly guaranteed to have a car that is going to last a very long time. These days, that counts as money in the bank.
Write By : Dirk Gibson
Ask anyone about what car maintenance should be done and they will usually blurt out, “Change the oil every 3,000 miles”. Somewhere, a marketing professional is smiling happily. Yes, you should change the oil regularly, but not this often. Even so, there are other steps you can take that will make a world of difference for your car.
Okay, let’s start with oil. The 3,000 mile recommendation is a marketing slogan, not a fact. Oil has become very sophisticated and will usually last 5,000 miles without any problems unless you are putting it under major stress. An even better move is to switch to a synthetic oil like Mobil One. These always will last much longer, often 10,000 miles or more. You can pull up recommendations for your car online. Most manufacturers offer them.
A second critical maintenance step to your car has to do with breathing. Air is a critical part to the combustion process. You need gas. You need a spark. You need air. The air comes into the engine through an air filter. Your engine can start to starve for air if you don’t change out your oil filter. This makes the engine run poorly and puts stress on the system. Stress is bad for a car. Change your air filter every 10,000 miles.
Ask yourself a simple question: Is it good for a machine to run hot? The answer is nearly always that it is not. Most people understand this, yet they also never take any steps to do upkeep on the coolant system of their car. If you want to kill an engine well before its normal lifespan, just neglect the coolant system.
It is important to understand that oil is meant to lubricate, not cool an engine. Your radiator and coolant system is just as important as keeping your oil up. Make sure to adjust your coolant system at the beginning of each summer and winter. When you do, make sure to check the hoses and such so you’ll know if it is performing right. If your car tends to run hot, you should have the thermometer in the coolant system checked.
There you are. Three basic maintenance steps. If you stay on top of them, you are nearly guaranteed to have a car that is going to last a very long time. These days, that counts as money in the bank.
Write By : Dirk Gibson
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Taking care of your car’s transmission
In order to maintain you car in a good shape, to offer you the safety as well the performances it was designed for in the first place, taking care of your vehicle’s transmission is a vital thing you should take care of. Modern cars have very complex drive trains, and the transmission being one of the most important elements of it, repairing it because of the in-proper use can be very costly. The most serious operations on a car’s drive train can only be executed in specialized shops, but the casual maintenance operations you can make them yourself.The biggest enemy of the vehicle’s transmission is heat. There are many causes for the heating of the transmission’s elements, and many are related to operating your car under difficult conditions. Racing with your vehicle, towing a load, or repeatedly putting it in drive and reverse for exiting heavy snow or mud can contribute to the overheating of its ensembles.
If you often are forced to operate your car under these circumstances, you can benefit greatly from adding additional cooling to your transmission. Such a cooler will be mounted on the radiator and it will cool the transmission fluid. Because many SUV owners use them to tow heavy vehicles, they came equipped from the factory with such auxiliary transmission coolers.
In the following paragraph you will find a series of tips about properly maintaining your car’s transmission.The most important aspect is to have your transmission fluid checked on a regular basis. Also check for its color. It should be red. If it had turned brown or it has a burnt smell should be changed at once.Before buying transmission fluid, check with your car’s owner’s manual to se the exact type the manufacturer recommends. Never mix two different types of fluid of fluids coming from different manufacturers.The recommended period to replace it is every 2 years or every 24,000 miles, which ever condition occurs first.When you want to put your car in reverse, come to a complete stop first. Changing from drive to reverse while the vehicle is still moving will harm your transmission.
In order to protect vital transmission elements, put the cark into park after you have pressed the brake pedal and pull the emergency brake. By doing this, less stress is applied to the drive train.Always change gears from park to drive only when your engine is at idle.
When towing a very heavy load or when you are climbing abrupt terrain, be sure to disengage the overdrive feature, if your car is equipped with such a option, as it will prevent the car from repeatedly changing gears from and to overdrive. Overdrive is the highest gear in the transmission and it used to allow that vehicle to run at highway cruising speeds with a reduced revs, in order to mainly save fuel and reduce noise. If the automatic gear in your car has a 4-speed transmission with overdrive, the overdrive refers to the 4th gear. The same is with cars with 5-gear automated transmission with overdrive. There is the possibility to have a smaller car, with a 4 or 5 way automated transmission, but without the overdrive function.
Write By : Dennis James
Dennis runs Car Dealer Check which has reviews on Iowa Car Dealers including Des Moines Dealers.
If you often are forced to operate your car under these circumstances, you can benefit greatly from adding additional cooling to your transmission. Such a cooler will be mounted on the radiator and it will cool the transmission fluid. Because many SUV owners use them to tow heavy vehicles, they came equipped from the factory with such auxiliary transmission coolers.
In the following paragraph you will find a series of tips about properly maintaining your car’s transmission.The most important aspect is to have your transmission fluid checked on a regular basis. Also check for its color. It should be red. If it had turned brown or it has a burnt smell should be changed at once.Before buying transmission fluid, check with your car’s owner’s manual to se the exact type the manufacturer recommends. Never mix two different types of fluid of fluids coming from different manufacturers.The recommended period to replace it is every 2 years or every 24,000 miles, which ever condition occurs first.When you want to put your car in reverse, come to a complete stop first. Changing from drive to reverse while the vehicle is still moving will harm your transmission.
In order to protect vital transmission elements, put the cark into park after you have pressed the brake pedal and pull the emergency brake. By doing this, less stress is applied to the drive train.Always change gears from park to drive only when your engine is at idle.
When towing a very heavy load or when you are climbing abrupt terrain, be sure to disengage the overdrive feature, if your car is equipped with such a option, as it will prevent the car from repeatedly changing gears from and to overdrive. Overdrive is the highest gear in the transmission and it used to allow that vehicle to run at highway cruising speeds with a reduced revs, in order to mainly save fuel and reduce noise. If the automatic gear in your car has a 4-speed transmission with overdrive, the overdrive refers to the 4th gear. The same is with cars with 5-gear automated transmission with overdrive. There is the possibility to have a smaller car, with a 4 or 5 way automated transmission, but without the overdrive function.
Write By : Dennis James
Dennis runs Car Dealer Check which has reviews on Iowa Car Dealers including Des Moines Dealers.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Gas Savings Tips
Do you remember when you could purchase a full tank of gas for less than twenty-five dollars? It seems like that was ages ago. Then, gas mileage was not a big concern of mine. That is no longer the case. I want to save every extra mile per gallon that is humanly possible. I’ll let you in on my top ten secrets on how to increase your gas mileage.
1. Tune your engine. A regularly tuned up car will not only mean a longer life span for your vehicle but can also guarantee better gas mileage. If you follow the recommendations from your car manufacturer, tuning your engine can increase you gas mileage by an average of four percent.
2. Replace your engine oil. Minimizing friction and engine heat and reducing gas consumption can be accomplished by using the proper grade and type of oil. Change your oil according to the maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual. This is a great way to increase your gas mileage by up to two percent.
3. Air filters should be checked and repaired on a regular basis. By changing your filters, you can help burn less gas because your engine’s efficiency increases. More force and energy are created, which means better gasoline consumption for your car. Instead of utilizing reusable air filters, look for quality paper filters when replacing your filter. You could add ten percent to your miles per gallon, simply by replacing filters that have become clogged.
4. Always make sure your tires are properly inflated. In addition to damaging the tire itself, poorly inflated tires can cost you fuel. Looking at the imprint that is on the tire wall is the most accurate way to determine the correct pressure amount. By inflating your tires to the correct pressure level, your gas mileage may increase three percent. Make sure that your gauge is accurate when you check your pressure. Buying a better tire gauge is definitely worth the few extra dollars.
5. Check your wheel/tire alignment. If you wheels or tires are out of alignment, the car will pull to either the right or left. This pulling requires extra energy to continue in a straight line and thus reduces gas mileage.
6. Fill your gas tank using the minimum required octane. For most cars, regular octane is the recommended gas. Buying higher octane gas is a waste of money unless your engine is knocking. Check your owner’s manual for the right octane level and do not buy a higher octane gas.
7. Utilize a fuel injector cleaner or purchase a fuel system treatment. Carburetors, fuel injectors, intake valves, intake courts and combustion chambers commonly have carbon deposits that will form on them. The fuel will vaporize poorly when carbon deposits block the injectors. Such things as fuel cleaners and additives can increase your car’s miles per gallon.
8. Clean the junk out of your trunk. Remove any unnecessary items from the trunk, and just leave the basic items required in emergency situations. A lighter car will use less gas.
9. Avoid rooftop carriers and carrying things on the roof. Wind resistance can have a big impact on your mileage.
10. Inspect your gas cap. Check the seal to make sure it is complete and in good condition. It allows gas to readily escape from the car, if it is damaged.
Since the price of gasoline continues to rise, it makes sense to spend the extra time and effort to keep your car well maintained. These tips will help you reduce your gasoline costs and let you use that money on something that you enjoy!
Write by : Jonathon HartmanAuthor Biography - Personal Finance Expert John Hart from Financial Info Hub focuses his efforts providing innovative ideas on the best ways to save money in all areas of personal finance. For a limited time, you can sign up to his financial tips newsletter absolutely free and learn the best strategies for saving money.
1. Tune your engine. A regularly tuned up car will not only mean a longer life span for your vehicle but can also guarantee better gas mileage. If you follow the recommendations from your car manufacturer, tuning your engine can increase you gas mileage by an average of four percent.
2. Replace your engine oil. Minimizing friction and engine heat and reducing gas consumption can be accomplished by using the proper grade and type of oil. Change your oil according to the maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual. This is a great way to increase your gas mileage by up to two percent.
3. Air filters should be checked and repaired on a regular basis. By changing your filters, you can help burn less gas because your engine’s efficiency increases. More force and energy are created, which means better gasoline consumption for your car. Instead of utilizing reusable air filters, look for quality paper filters when replacing your filter. You could add ten percent to your miles per gallon, simply by replacing filters that have become clogged.
4. Always make sure your tires are properly inflated. In addition to damaging the tire itself, poorly inflated tires can cost you fuel. Looking at the imprint that is on the tire wall is the most accurate way to determine the correct pressure amount. By inflating your tires to the correct pressure level, your gas mileage may increase three percent. Make sure that your gauge is accurate when you check your pressure. Buying a better tire gauge is definitely worth the few extra dollars.
5. Check your wheel/tire alignment. If you wheels or tires are out of alignment, the car will pull to either the right or left. This pulling requires extra energy to continue in a straight line and thus reduces gas mileage.
6. Fill your gas tank using the minimum required octane. For most cars, regular octane is the recommended gas. Buying higher octane gas is a waste of money unless your engine is knocking. Check your owner’s manual for the right octane level and do not buy a higher octane gas.
7. Utilize a fuel injector cleaner or purchase a fuel system treatment. Carburetors, fuel injectors, intake valves, intake courts and combustion chambers commonly have carbon deposits that will form on them. The fuel will vaporize poorly when carbon deposits block the injectors. Such things as fuel cleaners and additives can increase your car’s miles per gallon.
8. Clean the junk out of your trunk. Remove any unnecessary items from the trunk, and just leave the basic items required in emergency situations. A lighter car will use less gas.
9. Avoid rooftop carriers and carrying things on the roof. Wind resistance can have a big impact on your mileage.
10. Inspect your gas cap. Check the seal to make sure it is complete and in good condition. It allows gas to readily escape from the car, if it is damaged.
Since the price of gasoline continues to rise, it makes sense to spend the extra time and effort to keep your car well maintained. These tips will help you reduce your gasoline costs and let you use that money on something that you enjoy!
Write by : Jonathon HartmanAuthor Biography - Personal Finance Expert John Hart from Financial Info Hub focuses his efforts providing innovative ideas on the best ways to save money in all areas of personal finance. For a limited time, you can sign up to his financial tips newsletter absolutely free and learn the best strategies for saving money.
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