Automotive Basics ~ Page 3 of 4 ~ Roadkill Customs

Understanding Alternators – How To Test and Troubleshoot

July 5, 2017 Roadkill Customs

When most people think of the engine, they do not take into consideration the importance of alternators. The alternator is one of a few indispensable auto performance parts that the engine cannot run without. [More…]

Understanding Car Starters

June 4, 2017 Roadkill Customs

In the earlier days when automobiles were a new thing, a hand crank was used to start the engine, but by 1920, nearly every vehicle had self-starters. It had replaced the hand-cranking. [More…]

Understanding Fuel Filters

April 5, 2017 Roadkill Customs

Fuel filters are found along the fuel lines, either in the engine compartment or near the fuel tank. The fuel filter’s job is to trap large particles in the fuel and stop them from getting into the engine. [More…]

Understanding Exhaust Systems

March 26, 2017 Roadkill Customs

The exhaust system is a series of pipes that evacuate the spent gases from an engine. So basically, the exhaust system will just vent waste gases from the engine. There are multiple exhaust system types which you can learn more about here. [More…]

Understanding Suspension Lift Kits

March 18, 2017 Roadkill Customs

Suspension Lift Kits are a system of springs used to raise a vehicle by suspending the frame, body, engine and power train above the wheels. It is a modification, often done by Jeep, truck, SUV and offroad enthusiasts to raise the ride height of their vehicle. [More…]

Understanding Cold Engine Starts

February 18, 2017 Roadkill Customs

Starting a car with a cold engine is easier said than done. Cold weather will come; that’s for sure and inevitable. The trick is to not let cold engines stop you from driving your car without hassles. [More…]

Understanding Cooling Systems

January 14, 2017 Roadkill Customs

Most of the energy in the gasoline is converted into heat. It is the job of cooling systems to take care of that heat. Therefore the cooling system is quite an important part of the vehicle. [More…]

Understanding Oxygen Sensors

November 14, 2016 Roadkill Customs

It is necessary to have oxygen sensors as they are a vital component of a vehicle’s emission system. All new vehicles have them. The vehicle’s computer will communicate with sensors throughout the system to determine how much fuel to deliver to the engine and of course, how frequently. [More…]

Understanding Ignition Coils

October 14, 2016 Roadkill Customs

Ignition coils, also known as spark coils are an induction coil in an automobile’s ignition system. It transforms a storage battery’s 12 volts to the thousands of volts needed to spark the spark plugs. [More…]

Understanding Tie Rods

September 30, 2016 Roadkill Customs

Tie rods are slender structural rods that are used as a tie and capable of carrying tensile loads only. A tie rod consists of an inner and an outer end. As the ratio of its length to the radius of its cross section is normally quite large, it would likely buckle under compression. [More…]

Understanding Automatic Transmissions

September 3, 2016 Roadkill Customs

Most vehicles sold in the United States since the 1950’s have had automatic transmissions. The vehicle’s gearbox is able to change the gear ratios automatically as the vehicle moves. This then allows the driver to be [More…]

Understanding Radiators

September 3, 2016 Roadkill Customs

A radiator is a common term for many different types of heat exchanges. The radiator can be located under the hood of the vehicle as it is mounted behind the vehicle’s grille. Radiators do not [More…]

Tire Size? How To Read A Tire Sidewall

July 30, 2016 Roadkill Customs

The side of your tire — known as the tire sidewall — contains all of the information you need to know about your tire size. Regardless of the manufacturer, all tires are required to show [More…]

Understanding Power Brakes

July 19, 2016 Roadkill Customs

To enhance the efficiency of the braking system a new system was designed called power brake system. It is also called ‘power assisted‘ brakes. This system uses the power of engine and also battery to increase the efficiency of braking system. Earlier power brakes were not required as most vehicles had drum brakes. [More…]

Understanding Distributors

July 14, 2016 Roadkill Customs

Distributors are an important part of the ignition system in an internal combustion engine. They are a device that routes the high voltage into the correct firing order to the spark plugs. Both magnetos and battery ignitions have distributors. [More…]

Understanding the Brake Master Cylinder

May 23, 2016 Roadkill Customs

Deep in the engine compartment, you find the heart of the brake system, the master cylinder. The master cylinder is a hydraulic pump that supplies hydraulic fluid under pressure to each of the wheels. Anything affecting the braking system of a vehicle is of utmost importance to the safety of the passengers. [More…]

Understanding the Benefits of Fuel Injection

May 4, 2016 Roadkill Customs

Fuel injection is an electronic system which injects fuel into an engine to burn. Nowadays, fuel injectors have become the primary fuel system in automotive engines. Earlier, carburetors were used in place of fuel injectors. In simple words, fuel injectors provide a way for fuel into an engine’s combustion chambers. [More…]

Understanding Power Brake Boosters

April 29, 2016 Roadkill Customs

To understand the principle behind a brake booster, it is important to understand how a basic brake system works. No one would disagree that brakes are essential to the vehicle and safety of the passengers. Most of us haven’t placed much thought behind how it is that our cars stop. [More…]