Automotive Basics
Understanding Car Starters
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…]
Automotive Basics
Automotive Basics
Understanding Fuel Filters
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…]
Automotive Basics
Understanding Exhaust Systems
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…]
Automotive Basics
Understanding Suspension Lift Kits
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…]
Automotive Basics
Understanding Cold Engine Starts
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…]
Automotive Basics
Understanding Cooling Systems
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…]
Automotive Basics
Understanding Oxygen Sensors
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…]
Automotive Basics
Understanding Ignition Coils
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…]
Automotive Basics
Understanding Tie Rods
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…]
Automotive Basics
Understanding Automatic Transmissions
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…]
Automotive Basics
Understanding Radiators
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…]
Automotive Basics
Tire Size? How To Read A Tire Sidewall
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…]
Automotive Basics
Understanding Power Brakes
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…]
Automotive Basics
Understanding Distributors
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…]
Automotive Basics
Understanding the Brake Master Cylinder
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…]
Automotive Basics
Understanding the Benefits of Fuel Injection
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…]
Automotive Basics
Understanding Power Brake Boosters
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…]
Automotive Basics
Understanding Transmission Mounts
In the pursuit of improving the way cars are built, the automotive industry introduced several applications that are out of plain sight but have proven to be quite effective given their respective purpose. One such of example of often ignored parts is the transmission mount. [More…]