22 Dec 11 Five Auto Repair Tools You Shouldn’t Be Without
We can’t live without our cars, they are an indelible part of our lives. Our society is built around them. Our cities are laid out so we can’t really walk anywhere, and bus services are an interesting experience to say the least.
That makes keeping your car on the road vital, and knowing how to perform basic auto repair tasks a real bonus. Auto repair shops are great, but can be expensive. As you generally pay for time and not the job, even the most basic repairs can cost a lot. That’s why you should know the basics of what your car needs to stay healthy.
To that end, we have put together a list of the five auto repair tools you should have in your garage. They don’t cost much and will save you an awful lot of money compared to taking the car into the shop.
First up is the jack and axle stands. The jack often comes with the car, but should be partnered with a pair of axle stands to secure the car while you’re working on it. You need these tools when checking brake wear, rotating tires, checking wheel bearings and other simple tasks.
While a jack comes with the car, it’s basic to say the least. If you’re serious about doing your own automotive repairs, invest in a trolley jack. They are stronger, more robust and offer a much stronger lift.
An oil wrench is another essential auto repair tool you should have. If you drive in the city, or in bad weather, you should change your oil every 3-5,000 miles at a local Naples car repair shop. While there are plenty of places offering oil changes, it’s cheaper to do it yourself. An oil wrench is essential to remove the oil filter, so appears on the list.
Third in our list is the humble screwdriver. A basic but essential auto repair tool that has a million and one uses in the garage and around the home. You will need one to free fuses, change filters, deflate tires and a whole host of other tasks.
Fourth is the trusty socket set. If you have ever opened your hood, you know there are a dizzying array of fixings and bolts securing everything in place. A basic socket set is enough for most automotive repairs.
Finally, but certainly not least are the trusty vice grips. Sometimes, parts simply won’t come undone, or need to be held together while you work on them. That’s where vice grips show their worth. Get a good, strong pair to give you good purchase and leverage while working on the car.
Repairing your own car is a rewarding, if messy pastime. With money tight, it’s something every car owner should learn. Even covering the basics like changing oil, filters, tires and fuses could potentially save you hundreds of dollars. We have some of the best auto repair shops in the world, but you pay for the privilege.
09 Mar 10 Web design & XHTML
XHTML means External Hypter Text Machine Language and this offers lot of benefits of compatibility to the web design and it is also very effective and works faster on the web sites. Designing an XHTML web page is often very easy to design and modern web browsers quickly load XHTML web pages.
But it is important to get a complete understanding about XHTML and there are many ebooks, free downloads which can help you as a tutorial to learn. This is one of the biggest benefits of Internet. For instance, if you wish to make a career in XHTML all by yourself, you can do that by taking an online tutorial lesson from the Internet. This is much easier, faster and quickly you can achieve your career.
The designs that come with XHTML are guaranteed and they work perfectly. Further they also provide accessibility and SEO optimization. Further you can also learn how to convert other web pages to XHTML which requires complete training and guidance of tutorial.
Many of the software professionals and web designers are of the opinion that XHTML is a very powerful platform that helps effective launch of web sites which are easily loaded, effectively working and most efficiently working on Internet.
There are thousands of web sites which are working on XHTML base and it is important to note that the importance for this, would be on the fast pace, as they begin to develop more and more number of web sites in this platform.
Although it is true that development of new software on every day basis in the field of web sign is catching up rapidly, those that are offering and proving to be efficient will continue to survive and sustain the stiff competition of web design products and one such product is XHTML which is continuously giving efficient services to the web site management system.
Some of the best advantages are these are easily loaded, managed, linked, controlled and monitored. So, the more you know, the better for you in bringing lot of success to your profession as a web designer or a web site client who use XHTML for their site.
In both ways, the benefit is derived and there is plenty of market all over the world for the demand of XHTML as it is considered to be an easiest method to bring a paradigm of shift to XML.
Therefore, it is important both for the web site owners and for the web designers to have a good understanding about XML and about XHTML so that more effective web site designing can be made for the launch of web sites. This is also more important for the current and upcoming young students who are opting for web designing career.
01 Mar 10 ‘Widespread fraud’ in California’s smog examination routine
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Point out aims to create major variations after finding that just about a third of elderly autos fail roadside smog checks inside a year of passing at examination stations.
February 25, 2010|By Margot Roosevelt
Practically a third of older-model vehicles stopped for roadside smog tests in Southern California failed them, despite having received a passing grade at inspection stations inside of a 12 months, a express audit has discovered.
The outcomes of people shock inspections of 6,000 designs created prior to 1996 have led law enforcement officials to crack decrease on unscrupulous stations, stage up fines and file extra criminal charges.
Legislation announced inside California Assembly this week would enable the point out to bar low-performing analyze stations from conducting smog checks.
“We identified widespread fraud during the program,” claimed Leo Kay, spokesman for that California Air Resources Table, which can be sponsoring the bill.
“There are fairly one or two individuals on the market who will get your dirty auto passed,” claimed Tom Cackette, deputy director with the panel. “You can stick a probe up the tailpipe of the clear car. And also the dirty auto doesn’t get inspected nevertheless it obtains certified. We place persons in jail for that. Undercover activity shows it truly is prevalent.”
The legislation, presented this week by Assemblyman Mike Eng (D-Monterey Park), also would fundamentally alter how the majority of inspections are carried out. Testers would be expected to make use of a hand-held scanner that reads information from on-board personal computers found on post-1996 vehicles, which report the vehicle’s overall performance around time. Tailpipe-and-treadmill testing, that is more susceptible to manipulation and scams, are going to be phased out as senior vehicles leave the state’s roads. Bill backers expect the examination, utilised in 22 states, to take half as very much time, which could drive straight down rates for shoppers.
The computer device would register the car’s type and VIN, producing scams complicated. Data gleaned from onboard laptops, which monitor components from catalytic converters to gas caps, would go directly for the state Bureau of Automotive Restore.
Some 23 million motorists are incorporated in the state’s smog check software and might possibly be afflicted through the proposals. Automobiles made before 1996 constitute only a quarter on the fleet but account for three-quarters of auto pollution, the panel says.
By cracking lower on smog check stations, the condition estimates it is going to keep an extra 70 tons of pollutants per day from fouling California air, on leading from the 400 tons daily that the smog examine software is credited with averting.
“This new and improved system will have exactly the same effect as taking 800,000 aged motors off the road,” stated board Chairwoman Mary D. Nichols.
16 Jul 09 Auto Repair
If you do your own auto body repair then it is all too easy to get car paint on other parts of your bodywork. There is a quick and easy trick to remove it without taking off the original paint underneath.
Wash the car as thoroughly as you can, being sure to remove as much dirt and grease around the affected area as you can. Dip a very clean cloth into nail polish remover and squeeze off any excess. Lightly rub the area with the cloth until the unwanted paint lifts clear. Do this until all the paint is removed while being careful not to remove the original paint.
Wash the car again, paying particular attention to the affected area as there may be acetone still on the body work. Once dry, wax the car to a shine. The area should now resemble the rest of the car and the unwanted pain should now all be gone.
Alternatively, if you don’t have or want to use nail polish remover you can buy wax that contains a rubbing agent. Applying this was and rubbing it in over the affected area can also remove the paint, again, being careful not to remove the original paintjob in the process.
Using either method will return your bodywork to its original color scheme without affecting the paint around it.
16 Jul 09 Naples Body Repair
Even in the lightest auto accident a headlight always seem to a casualty. Even if the damage is at the other end of the car! Often, if the damage is minor it’s just the bulb that’s gone and there is no need to go to an auto repair shop just to have it replaced as it can be done fairly easily yourself. All you need is the correct bulb for your model and year of car, a flashlight and a spanner or screwdriver.
Firstly prop open the hood and take a look at the affected side. Depending on the vehicle the headlight unit may be secured by a bolt or screw. Find out which yours is and get the appropriate tool to fit. Remove the back cover of the headlight unit with a screwdriver and let it rest on something. Inside the housing will be a reflective backplate which is often held in place by a spring which also secures the bulb. Carefully remove the spring, and backplate.
You should now have free access to the broken bulb. There will be a wiring harness attached to it which can be pulled off to free the bulb. Remove the broken bulb and put it to one side. Get the new one and place it in the housing and re-attach the wiring loom. Secure the backplate again with the spring until it is snugly in place. Then refit the back cover until it is watertight again. Test the new bulb by switching on the headlights before putting everything away just to make sure.
If it all works nicely you can clean up and dispose of the old bulb happy in the knowledge that you just saved yourself a few dollars by doing your own car maintenance.
16 Jul 09 How to Fix a Crack in the Windshield
If you live anywhere where the hail falls like golf balls or it gets hot enough to boil eggs on the hood then you will have or get cracks in the windshield. Most of the time they are ignored until they become big, and expensive deals.
It doesn’t have to cost the earth to get a crack or chip fixed. A professional will charge around $60 to fix it for you, which is much better than at least $300 for the windshield. Alternatively you can buy a kit and do it yourself for between $10-$15.
These kits contain a UV cure epoxy resin which you inject into the chip or crack and allow to dry. If the job is done properly it is almost invisible to the eye and restores the windshields strength to prevent further cracks appearing. These kits take around 20 minutes to use and is well worth the time and money as far as aesthetics and windshield preservation are concerned.
Alternatively you can make your own “resin” to fix a crack. Get a plastic bowl and add half a cup of water and 1 tablespoon of salt to it. Then a further of bug spray like Raid then a tablespoon of rubbing alcohol. Mix thoroughly with a spoon or something and apply several layers of it to the chip or crack with a brush. Allow it to dry out of direct sunlight for a couple of hours and when you return the crack or chip will be gone!
16 Jul 09 Auto Body Naples
Imagine taking the off ramp of the freeway touching the brake to slow down for the tight corner and nothing happens. Even pressing the brake pedal as hard as you can does nothing. How do you avoid crashing and having to send your car to the collision specialist to be repaired?
Staying calm is the single most effective thing you can do in this situation. Yes, it’s easier said than done when you’re speeding down a road with no way to stop. But keeping calm and steering to avoid hazards and other traffic is the best way to stay in one piece. Turn on your hazard lights to warn the people around you that something is wrong, even if they don’t know what it is.
Keep pumping the brake as you go because you may be able to rebuild enough brake pressure to get them working, even for a little bit. Don’t worry if you have ABS as it only kicks in when you brake too hard, which won’t be the case here!
If you have a manual, start shifting down the gears, without wrecking the engine. Use your judgement when to change gear, being especially aware when you get to 2nd or 1st gear. If you have an automatic then switch it into low gear as soon as you can.
Use the emergency brake if you can. It isn’t designed to stop a moving car but will slow you down to a stop in time. Do it steadily, don’t snatch it or you could spin out. If none of these mechanical measure work, find an open stretch of road away from pedestrians and traffic and let the car coast to a stop. If you are lucky enough to be near a hill, head for it and let gravity do its thing.
If you aren’t slowing down much or worse, are heading downhill, look for a truck emergency lane or somewhere to run off the road. These are dangerous manoeuvres but may have to be considered if you aren’t losing enough speed. Grass, gravel, shrubbery or anything like that will help you scrub speed while remaining mostly in control.
Other methods such as using the central reservation or crash barriers are only advisable if you are confident you could remain in control of the car. If you lose it then an accident is going to happen and you will probably be hurt, or write off the car. A collision with other vehicles is also not advisable. It may look good on TV, but hitting an unsuspecting driver from behind is likely to injure them as well as you.
Avoiding an auto accident while not having any brakes is as much a matter of luck as it is judgement. By following these straightforward steps you can avoid disaster and hopefully only end up with the car in the shop rather than you in hospital.
16 Jul 09 Auto Repair Naples Florida
If you have ever been in an auto collision or a bump then you know that often cars simply won’t start afterwards. Even if the damage is nowhere near the engine. This has been an issue since cars were first invented and even now where most modern cars are more controlled by computer than the driver it’s still the case.
Bump starting a car isn’t rocket science but it can damage the engine if not done correctly. Here are a few simple steps to get your vehicle jump started with the minimum of fuss, remembering of course that this can only be done with a manual car!
If the car tries to turn over when you turn the key, you shouldn’t try bump starting it. It means that the problem is something other than the battery or starter. If this happens to you it would be advisable to get a tow home or to the shop.
You will need two people to effectively bump start your car, but it can be done single handed if you’re quick. Start by turning off all electrics, so the lights, washer wipers, radio etc and turning the ignition to the on position.
Remove the parking or handbrake, depress the clutch pedal and put the car into 2nd gear. Leave the gearbox in neutral if you’re pushing yourself. By either pushing yourself or other pushing, get the car rolling as quickly as you safely can. As soon as you get a bit of speed put the car into 2nd gear if you need to and release the clutch while giving the car a bit of gas. If the engine fires, pop the clutch again and keep a light touch on the gas pedal to keep the fuel flowing. Thank your helpers if there were any and get yourself home as quickly as possible.
Depending on what happened to the car you may find that the engine starts normally again after that. If it doesn’t then it is probably going to need professional help.
16 Jul 09 Naples Auto Body Repair and Collision Repair
When it comes to auto repairs there is nothing as convenient as handing it over to your local auto repair shop or collision repairer and letting them handle it. Often drivers are a little daunted by the apparent complexity of the car and are put off working on it themselves. If you drive an older car, finding the parts is often the biggest roadblock to working on it yourself.
If you do want to fix your own vehicle then it is often much easier to do than it first appears. Older cars often have sentimental value that belies their actual value. Often owners only part with their cars when they truly have to, either when they or the car can no longer drive.
Finding parts for older cars isn’t as difficult as it may seem at first. Especially with the advent of the internet. You will need the exact part type and preferably the model number to get anywhere though as there are literally millions of car parts available out there.
Your first port of call should be the manufacturer of the car. They may have old parts in stock or know somewhere that has them. If the car is a classic, they may be able to fabricate a part or again, know someone who can. This is an expensive option though, and should only really be considered once all other avenues have been explored.
If you local car store doesn’t have what you need then your next step is your local junk or scrap yard. A quick call can often save you hours of fruitless searching as the owner will generally know if they have your part, or model of car around. If they don’t have what you need then buy a local paper with classified ads in it. Some private sellers list spare cars and parts only in the paper, so its definitely worth a look.
Check online, in auto forums, or forums or chatrooms specific for your car if there are any. You may find when chatting with other owners that a part may be interchangeable with another, which can broaden your search. These places are a literal goldmine of information and resources. Check Google, EBay and other listing and auction sites for the parts too. These are another popular way for private owners to clear out their garages or storage while making some money.
If after all these options have been exhausted and you have had no luck. The last port of call should be to a local engineering firm to see if they can make one for you. If you have the old part they can often use it as a template for a new one. Be prepared to pay for this as it won’t be cheap!
16 Jul 09 How to Touch up Bodywork
Nothing annoys a car lover more than finding a mystery scratch on your bodywork, especially if you have no idea where it came from. Fortunately, with a spare afternoon and a couple of tools we can make it as good as new. There is nothing like a little auto body repair to make you feel more in touch with your vehicle!
You will need some car paint, some clear base coat and some automotive sandpaper. Car paint is a specific mixture, combining different colors and lacquers to create the end result. This car paint is available from most good auto stores or online. Often they are make and model specific so you can get a finish as close as possible to your car color. The specific colors can also be provided by your manufacturers dealership in aerosol or pen form, but you will pay a premium buying it from them. You will also need sandpaper designed for car paint. It isn’t quite as abrasive as normal sandpaper and will give a much cleaner and softer finish.
Before even opening the paint, you need to prepare the vehicle properly. This is 90% of getting a good finish. Clean the car first and allow it to completely dry. Then lightly sand the area around the scratch with automotive sandpaper then clean all the old paint and dust away from the area being painted. This area needs to be as clean and uncontaminated as possible to give the best possible finish.
Apply a thin layer of clear base coat to the affected area and allow it to dry. This will give the paint a key to stick to. While that’s drying, find a spot on your car that nobody really sees. I generally choose the area where my spare wheels lives as it’s out of sight most of the time. Clean an area and apply a light coat of the base and then the color paint and let that dry too. Check the color match to make sure the paint is the right shade to match the bodywork. Car colors fade in the sun, and painting somewhere not generally seen gives you the opportunity to check the color match without displaying it for the world to see.
If the match is good and the base coat is dry on the scratch carefully apply the color paint to the car. Use light and even strokes in one direction until the area is covered. Allow it to dry thoroughly and repeat at least one more coat. Two coats should suffice but if you need to apply more repeat this process as many times as you need.
These touch up paints normally have lacquer built into them. If for some reason yours doesn’t you will now need to apply a couple of layers of lacquer to protect the color. Once the painting and/or lacquering is complete, apply normal car wax to the area buffing as you would normally.
If you have done this correctly the once annoying scratch should now be invisible to the eye. You have learned something about detailing and saved yourself a few dollars by doing it yourself!
