Auto Repair: How Can They Screw Up An Oil Change?

“It’s all about beating the clock.” This quote comes from a wise old service manager, advising me on how to maximize my income as a flat-rate technician. If you have ever wondered why your car doesn’t get fixed correctly, or all your concerns weren’t addressed, you can blame, in part, the flat-rate pay structure.

Flat-rate simply means that your mechanic is paid a flat fee for a particular repair, regardless of how long the repair actually takes. In other words, if your car needs a water pump, which pays two hours of labor, and the mechanic completes the job in one hour, he gets paid for two.

In theory, this can work to your advantage. If the job takes longer, you still only pay the “predetermined” labor amount. In THEORY, not reality!

The flat-rate pay structure is designed to drive productivity. It’s very effective. The flat-rate pay system encourages technicians to work hard and fast, but it does not promote quality.

In terms of getting your car fixed correctly, the flat-rate pay structure has disastrous effects. Flat-rate technicians are constantly looking for shortcuts to beat the clock in order to maximize the number of hours they bill. Experienced flat-rate technicians can bill anywhere from 16 to 50 hours in an 8 hour day.

It’s these shortcuts and the breakneck speed at which flat rate technicians work that result in some of the most idiotic mistakes. In the rapid-fire pace of a shop I’ve witnessed technicians start engines with no oil. I’ve seen transmissions dropped, smashing into little pieces onto the shop floor. And I’ve seen cars driven right through bay doors—all in the name of “beating the clock.”

Flat-rate technicians can get quite elaborate with shortcuts. My favorite was the implementation of an 6-foot-long 2-by-4, which was placed under the engine for support while a motor mount was removed. It made a job predetermined to take 1.5 hours achievable in twenty minutes. A win-win, right? The technician makes extra money; you get your car back faster.

Actually, in many cases the placement of this 2-by-4 damaged the oil pan. Moreover, it caused the car, your car, to balance precariously 6 feet in the air, while the technician manipulated the car lift to access your engine mount.

This tactic was abruptly discontinued when a technician’s 2-by-4 snapped causing the car to crash nose down onto the concrete floor.

Sometimes the shortcuts create very subtle disturbances, which create problems overtime. A quick example: a vehicle had its transmission serviced with a new filter, gasket, and fluid. During the procedure, the technician was able to save time by bending the transmission dipstick tube slightly, in order to get the transmission pan out faster. The vehicle was reassembled, and the technician re-bent the tube back into place and off it went—no worries….

Six months later, the vehicle returned with an intermittent misfire. The engine wasn’t running on all cylinders. After extensive diagnostics, it was discovered that the transmission dipstick tube had chaffed through the engine harness, intermittently grounding out an injector. Hmm, that’s strange. Don’t usually see that.

The high-speed environment and the subsequent shortcuts illustrate the devastating effects of the flat-rate, sales-driven pay structure on the quality of car repairs.

No wonder even an oil change gets screwed up!

The poor quality of work encouraged by the flat rate pay structure is disconcerting enough. Unfortunately, it doesn’t stop here. The negative effects of flat-rate get exponentially worse, as it opens "wide" the door to rip you off!

About the Author:
-Theodore Olson RepairTrust Making Sense of http://www.repairtrust.com/ Ted Olson holds extensive certifications from Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, GM, and ASE. He is the author of eight books and numerous articles on the automotive service industry.
This article was posted on November 20, 2006
Article Source: articlecity

How to change a tire without help

Learning how to change a tire can be one of the most useful things you could learn

regarding your car. Having a flat tire in the middle of a route or on your way to an appointment can be a big problem if you do not know how to change it and have to wait for help, and therefore, it would be great if you can do it without having to wait for someone else.

In order to change a tire you should make sure you have parked your car at the side of the road and following all the safety rules that correspond to the case. You must apply the parking brake and place the shift in first gear. Then, you should look for the spare tire, the lug wrench and the jack. If you do not know where the spare tire is, you can look for it in the car owner's manual.

Once you have found all you need, you should start by taking off the hubcap of the tire you wish to remove. You should do this with the help of a screwdriver or the end of the lug wrench. Then you should loosen the lug nuts with only one turn, do not completely loosen them until you have lifted the car.

Next you should lift the car with the jack. If you do not know how to do this, you can find instructions in your car owner's manual on where to place the jack as well as the jack itself might bring some directions too. You should lift the car until the tire you wish to change is some inches away from the ground. Then finish removing the lug nuts and remove the tire.

Once you have removed the old tire, you should place the spare one in the correct place aligning the holes. Then, you should place the lug nuts and tighten them until they feel secure. Once you have done this, you must lower the car back to the ground and take the jack away from it. Then, you should have the flat tire repaired and change it back as soon as you can.

About the author:
Jakob Jelling is the founder of http://www.autorized.com Please visit his website to learn about auto maintenance, auto insurance, auto safety and much more!
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How Do You Measure Car's Power?

There are 2 ways of improving the engine power of a car without increasing its size – turbocharging and supercharging. Both ways utilize compressors to force more air into the cylinders. When the air and fuel ignite, said process will result to a more powerful explosion.

The difference between turbocharging and supercharging lies on the manner of giving power. The turbocharger of a car uses the engine's exhaust gas to turn the fan that compresses air. Said fan is directly controlled by the engine. This is done using the belt linked to the accessory drive. The components are identical to those of water pump. In the case of Ford Shelby GT 500, it uses a supercharger to help produce 500 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque.

Compared to superchargers, turbochargers are more common these days. Cars with turbochargers include the Volvo S40, Saab 9-3, Acura RDX, Mazdaspeed 6 and almost all models with diesel engines. On the other hand, cars with superchargers include Jaguar XKR, S-type R, Cadillac STS-V and XLR-V, and Land Rover Range Rover Sport.

Jaguar XKR is the replacement for XJS. It is known as the supercharged variant of the XK series. Jaguar XKR parts include standard 18-inch alloy wheels, navigation system and self-leveling xenon headlamps. Earlier, Jaguar has produced a concept car dubbed as the XKR-R which is very similar to the S-Type R special edition. S-Type R joined the automaker's lineup in 2003. Jaguar S-Type car parts used in said version include the supercharged V8. The engine is capable of producing 390 horsepower (291 kW). The car is made sportier by using unique fascia with built-in fog lamps, rear spoiler, aluminium bonnet, rear subframe and the peculiar 'R' badging. So far, S-Type R is the most expensive S-Type. It has a base price of $58,995.

In choosing which way to use in improving the car engine's power, the deciding factor is the engine size. As a fact, superchargers drain a little more power because they are always in action. Turbochargers, conversely, do not take power directly from the engine. It is the exhaust gas that compels them.

The primary disadvantage of using a turbocharger is that it is time-consuming. It has turbo lag. Said lag is not a problem with a supercharger because it driven directly by the engine. However, with the advancement of technology, turbo lag seems to wane from many engines. Additionally, sophisticated superchargers can now be disconnected if they are not needed.

About the Author:
Michelle Crimson holds a degree in business administration. She is currently working as an editor in New Orleans, Louisiana. This 32 year old mother of two is also a car racing fanatic.
Added: 23 Nov 2006
Article Source: http://articles.simplysearch4it.com/article/43774.html

How to Beat the High Cost of Gasoline!

Stop dreaming about hydrogen. Ethanol (E85) is the answer to the energy dilemma. It's clean and green and runs in today's cars.

You probably don't know it, but the answer to World's gasoline addiction could be under the hood of your car. More than five million Tauruses, Explorers, Stratuses, Suburbans, and other vehicles are already equipped with engines that can run on an energy source that costs less than gasoline, produces almost none of the emissions that cause global warming.

Filling up on ethanol isn't new. Henry Ford's Model T ran on it. What's changing is the cost of distilling ethanol and the advantages it brings over rival fuels. Energy visionaries like to dream about hydrogen as the ultimate replacement for fossil fuels, but switching to it would mean a trillion-dollar upheaval--for new production and distribution systems, new fuel stations, and new cars. Not so with ethanol--today's gas stations can handle the most common mixture of E85, with minimal retrofitting. It takes about 20% more ethanol than gasoline to drive a mile. Ethanol has already transformed one major economy: In Brazil nearly 50% of new cars can burn either ethanol or gasoline, whichever happens to be cheaper at the pump, and the nation has weaned itself off imported oil.

And have you heard about AutoFFV? Abcesso Technology has launched for the first time outside Brazil their latest Flex Fuel converter system for most injection vehicles. When installed it makes the normal gasoline car behave and perform as a Flex Fuel Vehicle. The system is totally AUTOMATIC, there is no fuel selection switch, and the management system recognizes the "lambda probe" signal and automatically adjusts to whichever fuel is being used in any proportion.

What is E85?

E85 is the term for motor fuel blends of 85 percent ethanol and just 15 percent gasoline. E85 is an alternative fuel as defined by the U.S. Department of Energy. Besides its superior performance characteristics, ethanol burns cleaner than gasoline; it is a completely renewable, domestic, environmentally friendly fuel that enhances the nation's economy and energy independence.

Today, the U. S. imports more than half of its oil and overall consumption continues to increase. By supporting ethanol production and use, U.S. drivers can help reverse that trend. 85% ethanol can reduce pollution. Government tests have shown that E85 vehicles reduce harmful hydrocarbon and benzene emissions when compared to vehicles running on gasoline. E85 can also reduce carbon dioxide (CO2), a harmful greenhouse gas and a major contributor to global warming.

Although CO2 is released during ethanol production and combustion, it is recaptured as a nutrient to the crops that are used in its production. Unlike fossil fuel combustion, which unlocks carbon that has been stored for millions of years, use of ethanol results in low increases to the carbon cycle.

Ethanol also degrades quickly in water and, therefore, poses much less risk to the environment than an oil or gasoline spill.

About the Author:
Vidar Lura write articles about to operate with ethanol-based fuels, which reduces our dependency as a nation on foreign oil, improves our environment. How to Beat the High Cost of Gasoline!, website http://www.abcesso.com
Submitted on 2006-11-12
Article Source: http://www.articlesarea.com/

Air Compressors - Helpful Attachments For Air Compressors

Let’s say you finally go to the store and invest in an air compressor. You’ve heard how great air compressors are and how helpful for home improvement they are, and you have decided that, with all the home repairs on your “To Do” list, a compressor will come in handy. Once you bring it home, however, do you know what to do with it? How exactly do you plan to utilize your tank of pressurized air? Perhaps one of a variety of handy attachments will be just what you need to begin your home repairs.

First, invest in quick connect couplers and an inflation kit. Any tools you buy will require the couplers in order to be connected to the air hose, and if your kid’s bicycle tire goes flat or he’s dying to have his brand new pool toy inflated, you’ll be glad you bought the inflation kits.

Have you ever struggled to scrub away stubborn dirt from the wheel well of your car, or laboriously tried to wipe away all the dust and cobwebs from a piece of stored furniture? If so, a blo-gun is what you need to invest in. You’ll be surprised with all the uses you find for your blo-gun. Just be sure never to point it at exposed flesh.

A nail gun is another attachment never to point at exposed flesh; however, if you’re tired of wasting energy banging away with a hammer, let your air compressor do the work for you and invest in a nail gun. You could also use an air hammer or an air drill to do jobs around the house faster and easier.

An air stapler is an energy saving attachment much like the nail gun, and you’ll be surprised at what you can find to staple. Perhaps your roof needs re-shingling? A heavy duty air stapler may be the time-saving convenience that you’re looking for.

If you like to work on cars, an air ratchet wrench or impact wrench can make your job a whole lot easier.

Even if you don’t do body work on automobiles, an air sander and a sandblaster are attachments that can come in handy. Rather than laboriously scraping away old paint chips when you repaint your house, you could save time and the strength in your arm with an air sander or a sandblaster.

Once you start to actually paint your house, a paint gun may be just what you need to cut your labor time in half and improve the quality of your workmanship.

As you can tell by the aforementioned examples, air compressors start to look a lot less daunting and a lot more promising when you realize the time and energy they can save you if you invest in a few handy attachments.

There are adhesive dispensers that are perfect for scrap booking. These adhesive dispensers dispense adhesive squares, lines or dots. You can find an adhesive dispenser for any type of scrapbook need.

Vellum is a type of paper that is rather tricky when it comes to adhesives. Because vellum can be seen through you need to be careful when you glue it to something. If you do not use the proper adhesive you will be able to see the adhesive through the vellum and this is not attractive. Look for an adhesive made just for use with vellum and you will be able to use this specialty paper with ease and the final product will look lovely, too.

If you want to add dimension to a page you can use pop-dots or tape. This adhesive comes in various sizes and shapes and is thicker than regular adhesives. When you use pop-dots you can add buttons or other embellishments and they will stand out on your page. This is a great way to add interest to your scrapbooks.

There are also liquid adhesives and pastes that work for specific scrapbooks needs. When you are gluing paper to paper you will want a different adhesive than when you are adhering metal to paper.

At times you may need a hot glue type of adhesive. This kind of adhesive is usually in stick form and fits into a glue gun. Hot glue is good when you want to add ribbon or other fibers to your scrapbook.

As you can see there are many adhesives that you may need when you are interested in scrap booking.

About the Author:
John Francis
How to decide between the variety of Air Compressors available.
Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com

Comparison of Diesel and Gasoline Engines

In the transportation industry there are two major types of engines. These are the diesel engine and the gasoline engine. The diesel engine can be found more commonly in the larger vehicles such as buses and trucks but the gasoline engine has remained the most popular engine in cars. There reason for this may not be clearly apparent at a first glance as it seems that the only difference in the engines is the fuel type. This is however a large misconception as the inner workings of the engines also differs.

There are however some overlapping areas. These include areas that can be used by manufacturers to produce the best vehicle engine in terms of efficiency and power. The two types of engines are similar in terms of the fact that they both contain cylinders. The number of cylinders however may vary from engine to engine and is largely determined by the make of the vehicle they are designed for.

There are three main configurations that the cylinders are arranged in. These are the inline, the V or the flat. The inline design has the cylinders arranged in a line in one bank. The V design sets the cylinders at opposing angles and they form the V shape to one another. The flat design also called the boxer or horizontal design sets the cylinders horizontally opposed. The configuration chosen is dependent on the car as the advantages and disadvantages can vary.

Another similarity is the combustion cycle. There are four stroke combustion cycles that are very much similar in the two engine designs. These strokes are the intake, compression, combustion and the exhaust strokes. These strokes are almost identical in the two engine types and can be seen to be the cycle by which the engines operate to produce power. The two engines also have a crankshaft that is used to open and close the valves in the combustion cycle.

While the fuel type remains the largest difference between the diesel and gasoline engines it is not the only difference. The fuel differences however are based on the combustion ratios at which the fuels will combust or explode. The gasoline will not self-ignite as there is not enough heat generated for combustion to occur. This is why there is the need for a spark plug that causes the explosion that is necessary. The diesel however requires no spark plug and will ignite when compressed.

Diesel engines therefore have much higher compression pressures than the gasoline engines. This difference is due to the fact that air alone is compressed in the diesel engine and therefore the fuel goes directly into the cylinder and allows the compression ratio to be much higher.

It is seen that the fuels also differ in the amount of carbon and hydrogen atoms. The diesel fuel has more carbon and hydrogen atoms than the gasoline making it more energy dense than the gasoline and therefore providing more energy per gallon when compared to gasoline.

In terms of efficiency it can be seen that the two engine types vary significantly from one another. It can be argued that the diesel engine is the more efficient of the two engine types. There are however some drawbacks to the diesel engine in terms of environmental issues as well as noise.

About the Author:
John Stafford is the webmaster for http://www.diesel-generator-central.com
Visit http://www.diesel-generator-central.com to research your next diesel engine or diesel generator then purchase from one of our wide range. http://www.diesel-generator-central.com offers experienced and professional advice to assist you in your next diesel decison.
This article was posted on November 20, 2006
Article Source: articlecity

Understanding The Provisions Of Your Extended Auto Warranty

An extended auto warranty can be a confusing document for many people. Indeed, there are very few people who actually completely understand the terms and conditions -- and the requirements placed on the consumer -- associated with an extended auto warranty. In this article, the reader is provided with a general overview of the standard terms and conditions associated with an extended auto warranty.

By understanding the terms, conditions and provisions of an extended auto warranty, you can determine if the added protection is right for you. Do keep in mind that when you purchase a new automobile, the manufacturer provides you with a relatively comprehensive warranty at no additional charge. As a general rule, an extended auto warranty expands the term that the manufacturer’s warranty will remain in place. For example, there are warranties available that will expand the length of coverage from a standard three year term to five or even ten years. (In some instances the extended warranty will also broaden the items that are covered by at least some degree.)

When considering the purchase of an extended auto warranty, you need to closely examine what precisely you will gain by paying additional money for the added protection. As mentioned, the primary benefit that can be had by purchasing most extended warranties is a lengthening of the amount of time the automobile will be protected by the warranty coverage. Extending the warranty may not make practical sense in some situations. For example, if you have purchased a new automobile that comes with a standard three year warranty coverage, you will not want to obtain extended protection if you will not own the car much beyond the three year term.

Some extended auto warranty plans also expand the breadth of coverage. If you tend to be “hard” on a car, if you tend to incur a significant number of bills for auto maintenance, repair and the like, an extended and expanded warranty program that will provide broader coverage may be a perfect idea for you.

There are a number of oftentimes overlooked elements associated with an extended auto warranty that are extremely important. First of all, many extended auto warranty plans require you to obtain service work on your vehicle at a specific location. Many such plans require you to obtain service work at the dealership or at another specifically authorized service center. If you obtain service work elsewhere, you may void or cancel the warranty all together.

Another common provision on most extended auto warranty plans oblige you to obtain regular service on your vehicle within specifically delineated timeframes. A failure to obtain such service will result in the voiding or cancellation of the warranty.

In the final analysis, before you spend additional money on an extended auto warranty, you need to take the time to weigh and balance the costs and benefits, the obligations and recompenses that are associated with the proposed warranty plan. By doing your homework in advance of enrolling in any extended auto warranty plan you will make certain that you elect the coverage that best meets your particular needs.

About the author:
Colin P
For more information, please visit http://www.carautowarranty.info
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Long Beach Suspension Systems

Long Beach shock absorbers play an integral role in your car's Long Beach suspension system. You need to replace the Long Beach shock absorbers when evident signs of wear become apparent, otherwise your safety and comfort in your car could become compromised.

Long Beach shock absorbers work by easing the compression and extension of the car's Long Beach suspension springs to prevent ongoing bouncing. Long Beach shocks work to absorb road impact, prevent excessive rebound, limit sway and improve overall road handling. When your Long Beach shocks are working properly, your car holds on to the road whether you are braking, negotiating a bend in the road, driving on bumpy roads or experiencing strong side winds. If worn out, your Long Beach shocks can cause you to lose control of your car and put you, your passengers and riders in other cars in danger.

The most well know name in Long Beach shock absorbers is Monroe. Monroe invented the first shock absorber in 1916 when cars were still riding on carriage springs, and the company has been innovating ever since.

Manufacturers suggest that you replace your Long Beach shock absorbers every 50,000 miles. However, you might have to replace them earlier if you regularly drive on rough roads. One way to determine whether your Long Beach shocks need replacing is to do the following:

1. Grab a hold of the corner of your car's bumper.
2. Push down on it as hard as you can.
3. Observe: the bumper should drop down, jump back up and go down again once. If it continually moves, then that Long Beach shock is no longer effective. Repeat the test on the remaining three corners of your car.

Other signs that you need new Long Beach shocks are if wear can be observed through leakage and by observing tire wear patterns. If you experience motion sickness every time you go for a ride, that can be the best indicator that your Long Beach shocks or struts need replacing.

About the Author:
Groshan Fabiola
So if you want to find more about ACA Automotive or about Advanced Computer Auto or even about Long Beach auto repair please click these links.
Added: 30 Nov 2006
Article Source: http://articles.simplysearch4it.com/article/44642.html

Correct Diesel Tuning, all you need to know to get improved power and economy from your diesel.

Diesel tuning is more important than we think. Lets get down to the basics.

Diesel is distilled crude oil (Distillate). Unlike what most ‘Hollywood’ movies promote of a diesel truck hitting a wall and exploding like a small nuclear bomb, oil does not readily ignite, particularly a liquid form. If we atomise it though, it will burn readily. The diesel principle relies on air being compressed to approx. 500PSI. This in turn heats the air, turning it into the igniter (diesels don't have igniters such as spark plugs). Heard of a glow plug? Glow plug only glow on cold start-up to help warm up the air in the combustion chamber. A bit like when you are pumping up a push bike tyre, the pump gets warm.

Ok, so you now have very hot air and you inject diesel in through an atomising injector. As soon as the diesel leaves the injector and enters the extremely hot air the diesel ignites and combustion begins. Put a poor atomising injector in the picture and you have a different story. Because it is not atomising the diesel enough, the fuel volume burns erratically and slowly as the flame burns through the large droplets of oily fuel. If you were to light up a drum of oil, you would see a similar effect of slow burning and smoke. You can imagine that by now the timing of the combustion process is also upset. Add lower injector pressure than normal, due to age, and you have the timing of the fuel ignition point changing even more (injector opening too early). The injectors doing this alone can make a diesel smoky and sluggish. On a cold morning, the combustion is even further retarded due to cold cylinders and cool combustion and you also get hard starting.

This scenario changes completely with correctly set up injectors. Remember the drum of oil? Well, if you could fill the drum with a misty vapour of oil and light it up, you would not only get a large bang but it would be over within a flash. A good injector sprays fuel out as a mist and the fuel burns rapidly and relatively clean as the droplets are so small that they burn with a puff! A correctly set injector pressure also means the fuel is being injected at the correct time.

Now, the injectors are perfect but the injection pump could be slightly out of tune. Timing has to be set. If it is too early the vehicle can smoke and become quite ‘diesel noisy’ and if it is too late, the vehicle can feel sluggish. Imagine the spray of fuel as a fist about to hit the piston. If it is hit too far before top dead centre it would not only hurt your fist and the piston but it would make a louder than normal bang as the two things hit head on. If the piston had gone past top dead centre and was hit, the force of the hit would be going down with the piston so you would have too little impact on it. So you can see why timing is critical for maximum hit effect! Other things need to be checked like the fuel volume delivered by the pump. Too much is power but with smoke, too little is low power with absolutely NO smoke and just right is in the middle of smoke and no smoke! There are a few more complex settings on the pump that are checked and adjusted but these are the main ones.

Well, there are 6 injectors supplying fuel to the engine (Imagining it being a 6 cylinder diesel). Looks like it has no problems getting fuel, but what about the important part that we forgot about, AIR? Well...it has to draw the air through a maze. Filter, pipes, inlet manifold and a tiny inlet valve. This has to happen in a split second and the piston going down has to do all the sucking. That’s the governing part of a diesel engines performance. Remember more fuel for more power is just more smoke! So we have to do something about the air to keep things clean. This is where a Turbo system comes into its’ own with Diesel engines. With a huge amount of air now available due to the turbo supplying air right to the inlet valve, the piston only has to suck air from there. Lets not forget that 1 cylinder has a suction stroke many times a second, so these fallacies of air being forced into the engine and blowing heads off with a turbo are only that! Now that we have more air, the fuel system can be set up according for more power. [WARNING- This is where the whole equation can come adrift with overheating etc. Things have to be set up by a professional and a professional that knows his JOB!]

One last note; the diesel system that is on all 4WD diesels was designed to run on a fuel with certain burning characteristics. We don't seem to be getting fuel in Australia meeting all these requirements. We have new vehicles smoking that obviously are not designed to smoke when running on real diesel. So when setting up a fuel injection system for tuning we have to take the burning characteristics of this poor diesel into consideration. Try to get your fuel from a reputable and 'known brand' garage and keep your receipts. If you have problems, you then have as much 'come-back' on the fuel garage as you have with a faulty product from a shop.

Safe 4WDriving,
The Diesel Experts
http://www.thedieselexperts.com

Footnote: The modern diesel has come a long way from its beginnings!! Well…so we are all lead to believe!! That’s where it all stops. In fact about the only thing that could compare is reinventing the round wheel!! That’s right. Nothing has really changed. A diesel still needs fuel and air. Even though we now have trendy things like ‘Common-rail High Pressure Injection and Electronics controlling everything, it is still the same old principle. The only major change appears to be the repair costs… as usual. Most ‘high tech’ injectors now cost over $2000 each and are ‘throw away’. Most Injector pumps are becoming ‘throw away’ at around $6500. Where will it end??

About the Author:
Byron Moore is a freelance journalist who has put together a number of articles on diesel automotive matters through interview and discussion with The Diesel Experts ( see www.thedieselexperts.com ) He has had a number of articles published in various automotive magazines and also via the web.
Article Source: http://www.articles411.com

Blurry Windshield? Change Windshield Wiper Blades.

Some things could only live for so long. And just like everything else, windshield wiper blades also do wear down and completely stop performing. You may not need your windshield wipers everyday however it is still important that you do make sure that they are in good condition so that come the time that you need them, they would serve your purposes perfectly.

Imagine if you would be driving during a torrential downpour or through a foggy day or through a snowy afternoon with windshield wipers whose blades have already broken down or are already hanging halfway across the whole wiper arm. Sure enough, your chances of meeting accidents would be much greater for your view is greatly diminished.

To start off, you should first purchase a complete set of windshield wiper blades that are according to your car’s specifics. If you do not know where to purchase such blades, you can try looking through the Internet for stores that offer such. Or if you are concerned about your private information’s security, you can try purchasing at your trusted local auto parts store instead.

Most people have a hard time figuring out how to put in new windshield wiper blades. After all, if you do would notice, the whole package of windshield wipers come with an instruction manual in a couple of languages along with a whole set of complicated instructions. However, automobile experts inform owners like you that the whole process is really an easy deal as long as you do get familiar with the whole windshield wiper contraption.

Pull the wiper arm and make sure that it is not resting on your car’s windshield anymore. Then, you can start removing the old wiper blade from the arm. Some windshield wipers need you to simply push on a tab and pull the blade off. However, there are some wipers that ask you to lift a tab with a small screwdriver to take the blade loose.

When you have removed the old blade, you can now put in the new blade on the arm. Make sure that you put it in correctly. You would know because the blade is already secure on the arm. If not, you would notice that it seems like it would fly off once you are cruising down the streets. If you are satisfied that the blade has been successfully replaced, you can now put the windshield wiper arm back to its old position.

Same Day Car Parts
Toyota parts

About the Author:
Tom Bailey is a consultant for one of the country’s leading auto parts stores. He is also an editor of a reputable publishing company in his area. He is currently based in Atlantic City, New Jersey with his wife and 3 children.
Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com

Protect Your Belongings By Investing In A Quality Truck Canopy

Truck canopies can serve as a great way to get protection from the elements. Stay dry from the rain or cool off in the shade by using your canopy as an awning, anchored to the side of a dwelling or hung above a porch to provide refuge the way an umbrella would.

While a truck canopy is primarily used to cover the cargo that you're hauling from place to place, you might be surprised to learn how versatile it can be. Untie it from where it's attached to your truck, remove it from the vehicle, and you now have a durable cover that can serve a variety of different purposes. With it's tough construction, waterproof and weather resistant fabric options, and variety of colors, styles and sizes to choose from, your truck canopy can be an invaluable accessory to both your on and off road habits.

Truck canopies can serve as a great way to get protection from the elements. Stay dry from the rain or cool off in the shade by using your canopy as an awning, anchored to the side of a dwelling or hung above a porch to provide refuge the way an umbrella would. You can feel assured that since canopies are designed to be tough, sturdy enough to transport rugged materials like rocks, sharp pebbles or gravel, they won't blow over or collapse the way other, more flimsy coverings could.

Another lesser known use for a canopy is as a swimming pool cover. Mesh canopies are ideal for this, as they are light, buoyant and can resist the harsh rays of from the sun. Canopies made of this material also allow water, like the rain or melted snow, to pass through the surface, not accumulate and weight it down.

Ready to find the truck canopy that's right for you and your lifestyle? There are many to choose from, but a few recommended canopies include the following:

TUK-IT Retractable Canopies (Range Rider Truck Canopy Specialists) A perfect choice for your pick up truck, this canopy includes a customizable fiberglass cab spoiler that can be painted to match the color of your truck. Made of waterproof fabric and convenient to store, this canopy is also retractable, which means you won't need extra hands, or time, to use it. Manage it yourself in just a few seconds time.

EZEE Truck Canopies are ideal for the outdoors, plus this canopy is tough enough to handle the extremes, both in terms of what you're transporting and conditions like the weather. It's made of tough, ultraviolet resistant material, an aluminum frame, top of the line fittings and a sound base. With more than a dozen different colors to select from, this canopy is perfect for storage, hauling needs, camping, and travel adventures.

Beltex Truck Canopies, constructed of less expensive P.V.C or canvas, with or without windows, and optional side access doors, depending on your preference, Beltex Truck Canopies are assembled to your specifications. Choose the type of material for structure and the blueprint for your design and Beltex will deliver, and install, a canopy built to please. Beltex also can complete metal works at your discretion.

About the Author:
Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as truck parts and accessories at http://www.truckaccessoriesetc.com
Submitted on 2006-11-03
Article Source: http://www.articlesarea.com/

The 2 Types Of Hybrid Cars

Many automobile companies have spend millions of dollars each year in research and development of more efficient fuel consumption for cars. Each year more and more cars are rolled out the production plants and there is an urgent call by consumers and environmental groups to reduce the fuel consumption of automobiles.

With the increasing cost of fuel and the environmental concerns regarding harmful emissions of toxic gases into our atmosphere, automobile companies are forced to developed radically different types of cars. One of which is the hybrid car

A hybrid is powered by conventional fuel as well as uses electric energy. Hybrid cars have lower fuel consumption and are more environmentally friendly.

All hybrid cars are powered by two engines : a gasoline engine and a electric engine. Typically, they work in tandem with each other. The gasoline engine is used during starting and stopping the car. Once the car is travelling at a certain speed, the electric engine will take over automatically.

In the current market, there are 2 types of hybrid car. The first type is the series. Typically, the gasoline engine is used to start and stop the car. Once the hybrid car has attained a certain speed, the electric engine will take over. The gasoline engine is also used to charge the electric engine’s batteries. As you can see, both engines are used in tandem with each other but never together.

The second type is called the parallels. It has the same physical configuration of the series hybrid however the operation is quite different. Both the electric engine and the gasoline engine can be used to start and stop the car. The electric engine is used to boost the power of the car when required. Parallel hybrid cars are more suited for long distance travelling.

Usually, hybrid cars are built using very lightweight materials in order to reduce the load on the hybrid car when travelling. This help to save fuel by requiring less energy to move the vehicle. The tires are made more rigid than conventional vehicles with higher tire pressure to increase fuel efficiency.

In on whole, a hybrid car consumes 50 to 60 percent less fuel than a conventional car. The only obstacle is the high cost at the present moment but I am sure as consumers start to recognize the benefits of hybrid car, the prices will start falling and become more affordable.

About the Author:
Ricky Lim operates a hybrid cars site at http://www.all-hybrid-cars.info Visit his site for more information on hybrid car battery and hybrid car tax and other hybrid cars information.
This article was posted on November 27, 2006
Article Source: articlecity

Support Group for Performance-Challenged Engines

The heart of the circulatory system in vehicles is the engine. Your engine could be performance-challenged if it exhibits one or more of these symptoms:

· Chronic Fatigue
· Listlessness or Sluggishness
· Difficulty Maintaining Former Miles Per Gallon
· Hemophiliac Emissions
· Irritability
· Octane Deprivation

As the primary caregiver of your engine, you’ve accepted the responsibility for maintenance, e.g., purchasing fuel, changing spark plugs, lubricating valves, changing oil, etc., but in spite of meticulous nurturing, your engine continues to be unreceptive.

According to the Fuel Doctor, the problematic symptoms are indicative of a common eating disorder known only to vehicles, e.g., automobiles, trucks, boats, RVs, motorcycles, etc. The eating disorder is a direct result of gasoline or diesel fuel feedings. This vehicle food produces sulfuric acid reflux in the engine.

Sulfuric acid (created from the union of fuel and water – which is present in all fuel), never completely burns off during engine combustion, and the end result is grotesque carbon deposits clinging to spark plugs, valves, etc., choking away its life. When these toxic carbon deposits fester in the engine, its performance noticeably diminishes, even after nourishing with higher octane fuel.

As your engine becomes more irritable, it develops an easily identifiable repugnant smell, while it increasingly spews into the environment hemophiliac emissions known as toxic exhaust fumes.

Before your engine needs a fuel tracheotomy or becomes suicidal, promptly seek emotional support.

The Fuel Doctor is a compassionate friend, always available for consultation.

Ask the Fuel Doctor to prescribe a nutritious pill to pop in your tank before each feeding – a pill that will immediately place your beloved engine on the road to recovery and prevent future performance-challenged behavior.

Experience your engine’s vitality spring back to life. Watch how your engine performs better with increased miles per gallon, even on less octane requirements. Encounter the thrill of a healthier aroma with drastically reduced emissions.

Why not give your engine the emotional reinforcement it needs? Join the support group for performance-challenged engines right now and share your own success story.

**Attn Ezine editors / Site owners **
Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine or on your site so long as you leave all links in place, do not modify the content and include the resource box as listed above.

About the author:
Dee Scrip is a well known and respected published expert author of numerous articles on Home Business, Business Opportunities, Fundraising, VoIP, VoIP Security, and other related VoIP issues.
http://www.ubpill.com
http://www.free-pc-phone.com
Circulated by Article Emporium

Car Repair Prices: Five Money-Saving Tips You Must Know Before Having Your Vehicle Serviced Anywhere

1. Never accept Ball Park Estimates. Be on alert when you’re told: “About $800 and your car will be perfect.” Or, “It should run around $200 bucks.” If you went to a hotel and asked how much a room was for the night and the clerk said “Oh…I’d say around $200 bucks.” Would you accept that? Of course not!
2. When service centers suggest additional work, ask them to prioritize the suggestions in terms of immediacy and safety. Have them fax or e-mail an itemized estimate for your review.
3. When in doubt—WAIT! If you are feeling pressured by a service representative to authorize work or charges of which you are unsure, wait until you have all the information you need. Get a second opinion if necessary. Service representatives are great at phrasing automotive concerns in a very ominous light.
4. Get all estimates in writing, and itemized. This will allow you to scrutinize the charges. It will also let your service representative know that you mean business—fair business. Just asking for the break down will cause service representatives to think twice about price-gouging you. If a service center can’t provide a complete and professional estimate quickly, go somewhere else.
5. Be nice, sincere, and shrewd. Seriously, service representatives will go to bat for you if you treat them with courtesy and respect...

Here's an example:

When I was a flat rate technician, I found a “note to the technician” in the client’s car I was servicing. It stated (paraphrased):

“Dear Technician, you folks have always done an incredible job on all my cars. I am sorry to be so picky, but my car is brand new and it has an irritating rattle at 65mph from inside the dash.”

Dash rattles on new cars are every technician’s nightmare. They’re time consuming, and they don’t pay. These types of concerns frequently get written off as “No Problem Found,” or “Could not Duplicate.” However, in this case, I spent 2 hours diagnosing and repairing this client’s rattle. I was only paid .3 hours for the repair, which amounted to $4.33 in my paycheck, but I didn’t mind.

The point is: when you treat your service representatives with respect, you’re less likely to get price-gouged, and more likely to get your car fixed correctly the first time.

IMPORTANT: Having said this, being nice does not mean agreeing with everything your representative tells you. If you’re always agreeing to your service representative’s recommendations, he’ll keep making them—that’s how he’s paid.

Even if he seems like a friend, it saves to be shrewd and to ask questions. In terms of being nice, though—everybody likes to help the nice guy whenever possible.

About the Author:
-Theodore P. Olson (Ted)
Resetting Check Engine Light
Ted holds extensive certifications from Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, General Motors, ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) and more. Over a twenty-year period in the automotive service industry, he has served as a technician, shop foreman, shop manager, shop owner, service advisor, service manager, and service industry consultant.
Other Works by Ted Olson Include:

• ARREST the Automotive Service Industry!
• Maintenance Myths: A Step-by-Step Guide to STOP Getting Ripped Off!
• Auto Repair: The Shocking Truth About Who's Ripping You Off and Why!
• Automotive Service Pricing Strategies—a fair pricing guide for service centers
• Being the Best—a comprehensive customer service handbook for service advisors
• Service Center Personnel—an auto repair informational for general service staff
• Service Mission Statement—a philosophical proposal to improve customer service

Article Submitted On: September 16, 2006
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

How Changing Your Tire Size Could be Dangerous

When it comes time to replace your vehicle's tires, tire size is very important. If you ever switch to a different sized tire, you could damage your vehicle. Before switching tire sizes, do some research to ensure that it can be done safely.

Most drivers will not need to change their vehicle's tire size. Stock tire size is what your vehicle was designed to use. These are some vehicle components affected by changing a tire size:

•Both the speedometer and odometer are calibrated based on the height of your tires. Taller tires would make the speedometer read slower than actual speed. Shorter tires would show a higher speedometer reading.
•Newer vehicles have internal computers that base calculations on the tire's height. Components, such as Anti-lock Braking Systems, could fail with a different tire size.
•Stock suspension could have additional stress with a taller tire, resulting in faster wear and/or failure. For substantial increases in tire height, you should upgrade from stock suspension.

Despite these concerns, some circumstances do require a tire size change. For someone looking to modify their vehicle, the wheels are often the first place to start. Stock wheels are often plain and don't attract much attention. When people switch their vehicle's wheels, they upgrade to a larger diameter stock wheel. These people get a lower profile tire that is close to stock tire height. Most tire industry professionals recommend no more than a 3% height difference from stock. Of course closer is better.

Sometimes there is poor selection in a vehicle's stock tire size. With common tire sizes, each major tire manufacturer offers at least several choices. Some rare tire sizes are only manufactured by a few companies. If those few tire choices don't match your climate and driving style, you might need to change tire sizes. You can often find a similar tire size with more choices.

If you insist on switching tire sizes, double check with some tire industry professionals. Your car dealer will likely try to persuade you from altering any stock specifications, but ask anyway. Check with some tire shops, but beware they might put the sale as the first priority. Another good place to ask advice is in automotive forums. Find a good forum specific to your vehicle type and ask their opinion. You'd be surprised how easy is it to find someone else who has already tried a tire size. Be aware that people on forums aren't necessarily industry professionals.

You can do your own research and try using a tire size calculator featured on various automotive websites. These tire calculators allow you to compare specifications of different tire sizes. They display the tire height, width, RPMs, speedometer difference and more. These tools aren't exact as a tire size can slightly vary from one tire model to another, but they are very good tools. So use a tire size calculator as a general guide. Then confirm your calculations with a tire industry professional. You can also find the exact measured height of each tire model if you visit the tire manufacturer's website.

When possible you should use your vehicle's stock tire size. Don't switch just because you find a good price in a different size. A lot of things in your vehicle were designed for the stock tire size. If you do have to switch tire sizes, make sure the size is safe for your vehicle.

About the Author:
Jeremy Biberdorf
Visit www.1010tires.com to buy tires & wheels online with features like tire reviews, technical articles and more. To compare tire sizes now, try our tire size calculator.
Added: 26 Oct 2006
Article Source: http://articles.simplysearch4it.com/article/40572.html

Air Intake Systems allow for more engine power: quick tips for performance

Want to squeeze every bit of power out of your vehicle's engine? Grabbing a high-performance air intake is the quick and easy route to several benefits, including:

• An instant increase in horsepower

• A noticeable boost to your throttle response

• Improved fuel economy

• A long-life, washable performance air filter

• Specialized engineering that's fine-tuned to your specific vehicle

• Straightforward, simple installation virtually anyone can complete

Horsepower increase from a performance air intake

As your new performance intake draws in a higher volume of air which may be much cooler, your engine can breathe easier than with a limiting stock system. With your combustion chamber filled by cooler, oxygen-rich air, fuel burns at a more efficient mixture. You get more power out of every drop of fuel when it's combined with the right amount of air.

With more air in the chamber, you can also burn more fuel than before. That's how a performance intake puts power at the pedal for you: reducing air temperatures, balancing fuel mixtures and providing more air for combustion.

Performance air intakes and boosted throttle response

With more air and cooler air ready and waiting for combustion, your engine's response at stoplights and freeway onramps quickens. Stock intakes often deliver warmer, fuel-rich combustion mixtures that cause your engine to lose power and responsiveness while running hotter and more sluggishly.

The difference in responsiveness isn't just noticeable; you can literally feel it in the seat of your pants. With a free-breathing intake system attached to your throttle body, your engine is literally inviting you to punch it.

Fuel economy with a performance air intake

You're probably guessing that extra power, cooler temperatures and improved gas mileage can't all come from the same product. Guess again! Performance air intakes can help your fuel economy in this wallet-gouging, price-per-gallon era by helping your air to fuel ratio get in line. Because you're getting more power from every drop by burning more efficiently, your engine uses less fuel at all times - city or highway. On average, drivers will see a 1-2mpg improvement.

There's a catch, though. Many drivers trade their limiting air intake for a performance air intake and can't resist using every bit of the horsepower and throttle gains. They'll drive like mad to the grocery store. They might peel-out at stoplights. Or even race the cops. It's called hard driving, and it's the fastest way to burn-up the gas mileage improvements provided by a performance air intake. Your best bet is to keep your driving habits relatively unchanged, enjoy the extra power at the pedal, and collect on the gas mileage savings.

Expert engineering of an air intake system

This isn't a piece of drainage pipe with a filter on the end. Air intake systems employ specially-shaped intake tubes designed to straighten airflow as much as possible while looking great in your engine compartment. These pipes are typically mandrel-bent, a process that doesn't crimp the pipe diameter at the bend.

Special care is given to locating the intake tube, air box and filter in the position that best fosters maximum performance. The materials used are also selected with optimum engine conditions in mind.

The fundamentals of installing a performance air intake on your vehicle

Not only is a performance air intake one of the most essential upgrades to your vehicle, it happens to be one of the easiest additions to install. With little more than a common socket set, a couple of screwdrivers and half an hour's time, you can have your new air intake in place and ready to roar.

Detailed instructions are included with every intake kit. These instructions go through the simple process of removing your stock intake system (including the tube and air box), and installing the new air intake in just a few minutes to stock mounting positions. No cutting, drilling or other modifications are required. What you do with your limiting stock intake next is, well, up to you.

About the Author:
Chris Andretti researches performance products and writes copy for AutoAnything.com. Visit their site for air intakes and various brands like K&N air intakes and AEM air intakes.
Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com

Why Proper Camper Tie Downs Are Essential If You Have A Camper That Attaches To Your Truck

If you have a camper that attaches to your truck it is essential that you use camper tie downs to keep your camper secure. Camper tie downs are an inexpensive way that you can protect your camper from sliding or grinding against your truck while you are traveling.

The number one advantage to these tie downs is basically that they limit how far your camper is going to slide or move before it is caught. This will offer you the security you need to drive without worrying about what is happening to your camper. So buy some tie downs and stop thinking of the camper falling off during your next road trip.

One of the major brand names in camper tie downs is the Torklift camper tie down. This system offers four points for the tie down to work from. There is no belly and there is no crossbar, so these tie downs can really offer one of the tightest grips possible. You don’t have to worry about the make or model of your vehicle when you go buy these tie downs because they are universal and will fit almost all trucks and campers.

Some of the other brands that produce camper tie downs include: Hijacker, Happijac, and Putco Push Up Tie Downs. These companies all pride themselves on offering the highest quality tie-downs that are currently available.

Some of the tie downs will offer a better aesthetic appearance, like having chrome on the anchors or a cool design on the belly. But in the end most of the tie downs are going to work just about the same, no matter how much you pay for them. So you might as well choose your tie down based on what extra features are best for your truck and your style.

If you own a camper it is extremely important that you get a set of tie downs to help secure your camper to your truck. Even campers that come equipped with basic ties could use some extra help in securing your extremely heavy camper to your truck.

If you are looking for a great deal on camper accessories the Internet is a good place to start your search. You can find out all the information you need to know before you buy, plus you will be able to easily compare different products to see which ones will work best for you. Just remember that cheaper is not always better, so take your time in comparing all the different camper tie downs that are available. After you have narrowed your search then you might even consider stopping into your local parts store and seeing what they recommend as the best available model.

About the Author:
Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as an rv accessory store at http://www.rvaccessoriesplus.com
Submitted on 2006-10-30
Article Source: http://www.articlesarea.com/

The Emergence of Hybrid Car: The Alternative of Future Vehicle

Almost all people from all level of life are troubled and worried about the rapid hikes in oil prices. Therefore, the purpose of driving cars is forcefully narrowed into plain necessity. Otherwise, it would be totally impractical.

Due to this rapid increase of gasoline prices, giant car manufacturers had heralded great news about the development of modern cars, which called as “hybrid cars” that would significantly cut oil consumption.

The Japanese car makers Toyota and Honda were the pioneers in this particular endeavor, followed by their United States and German counterparts.

So, what exactly are hybrid vehicles? Literally, the word ‘hybrid,’ means a crossover. When it is apply to the term hybrid vehicles, the word can be define as an integration of two types of cars, the gasoline powered cars and the electric powered cars.

Hybrid vehicles generally refer to those types of automotives or cars that run on the joint power brought about by gasoline and electricity stored in high-capacity electric batteries.

Hybrid vehicles save on fuel because there are certain times when the vehicles rely on the electric power produced by the batteries. Therefore, the consumption of gasoline is significantly lowered, leading to reduced oil or gasoline bills by the owner.

The technology for the manufacture of hybrid cars is continuously and consistently evolving over the years, marking significant changes, modifications and improvements time after time.

Since hybrid vehicles have reduced gasoline consumption, it follows that smoke and greenhouse gas emissions are also significantly reduced. Therefore, the emergence of hybrid vehicles is like hitting two birds in just one stone. You would practically save on gasoline and oil costs and at the same time help save the environment by reducing the rate of green house gas emissions.

About the Author:
Fakhrul Anuar is a Webmaster and publisher of Hybrid-Cars.CosmoMatrix.com. He provides wide information about hybrid cars at http://Hybrid-Cars.CosmoMatrix.com.
Copyright © Hybrid-Cars.CosmoMatrix.com All Rights Reserved.
This article was posted on November 23, 2006
Article Source: articlecity

Car Repair Prices: Fuel Injection Services, Are They Worth It?

Fuel injection services are growing in popularity for the following reasons in the order of motive.

• Increases service center's profit
• It's an easy sell with today’s gas prices
• Offsets manufacturers' maintenance reductions, and extended life systems
• Poor gas quality
• Poor adherence to vehicle maintenance

Notice that "It's required" did not make the list. That's because fuel injection services are not required the majority of the time. In short, if your fuel efficiency is fine don’t bother with a fuel injection service—Save Your Money!

However, injector services are at times beneficial, even necessary. See the following frequently asked question and answers…

What do they do? Depending on the product, injection services clean naturally forming carbon deposits from the fuel injectors and fuel rails—some will even clean the fuel tank, and valve carbon deposits.

Do they work? In short, yes. Provided it’s a premium product (such as BG), and the service is performed correctly. Fuel injection services can do amazing things. They can improve fuel efficiency, increase horse power, and repair some performance concerns, although this last benefit is rare.

Whether or not fuel injection services will do all the above "every time" is another story.

I have even seen fuel injection services quiet horrendous carbon knocks--a knocking noise from the engine due to excessive carbon build-up coming in contact with internal engine components.

Are they worth it? Maybe. It really depends on the condition of the vehicle. If the service achieves any of the advertised claims, it may be worth it. In truth, most cars don’t need it. The consistent use of quality fuel, and proper vehicle maintenance should be all that is necessary to keep a car running properly.

However, consistent use of cheap gas and poor adherence to an auto maintenance schedule, as well as certain driving styles can significantly increase the accumulation of carbon deposits. Thus the possibility of poor fuel efficiency, decreased horsepower, and performance issues increases--all of which could be helped by injector maintenance.

The other factor to consider is the expense. How much fuel savings justifies the cost of the fuel injection service, and how long is the pay off. BG claims that their product will pay for itself in a year's time. However, remember that the condition of the vehicle is a big variable!

How often should it be done? It depends on the product, but generally between 15,000 to 30,000-miles is the average.

Are they necessary? It depends: See the discussion under Are they worth it?

Can a fuel injection service do any damage to my engine or car? Not if done correctly. Done incorrectly, anything goes. A technician could conceivably hydro-lock your engine, or blow a hole in the piston—although both scenarios are rare.

If anything does go wrong, there is usually an underlying problem, which gets exacerbated by the fuel injector auto maintenance.

Why doesn’t my manufacturer recommend fuel injector cleaning auto maintenance? No manufacturer recommends fuel injector cleaning auto maintenance under normal operating conditions. From a manufacturer’s viewpoint: take care of your car right (i.e., as the manufacturer dictates) and you’ll be fine.

However, depending on the problem, some manufacturers will recommend fuel injector cleaning auto maintenance as the cure—especially carbon knock. With the variety of fuel qualities available, manufacturers may reconsider fuel injector cleaning auto maintenance.

How much does fuel injector cleaning auto maintenance cost? Prices vary depending on the service center and the actual procedure performed, and product used. The procedure you want should clean the entire fuel system including the tank and should not cost more than $150.

Finally, make sure the service is actually performed as fuel injector maintenance is a common scam across the industry.

Fuel injection maintenance is also presented in such a way as if it is the magical cure for all your car's quirks--it not!

When in doubt, don't do it.

About the Author:

-Theodore P. Olson (Ted)
http://repairtrust.com/
Making sense of Car Repair Prices

Ted holds extensive certifications from Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, General Motors, ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) and more. Over a twenty-year period in the automotive service industry, he has served as a technician, shop foreman, shop manager, shop owner, service advisor, service manager, and service industry consultant.

Other Works by Ted Olson Include:

• ARREST the Automotive Service Industry!
• Maintenance Myths: A Step-by-Step Guide to STOP Getting Ripped Off!
• Auto Repair: The Shocking Truth About Who's Ripping You Off and Why!
• Automotive Service Pricing Strategies—a fair pricing guide for service centers
• Being the Best—a comprehensive customer service handbook for service advisors
• Service Center Personnel—an auto repair informational for general service staff
• Service Mission Statement—a philosophical proposal to improve customer service

Article Submitted On: September 16, 2006
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com