Don't Let Your Car's Alternator Leave You Stranded

An alternator is one of the most commonly dysfunctional auto parts. Without a properly functioning alternator, your car will simply refuse to run. A faulty alternator can leave you stranded, but luckily, a low-performing alternator often shows warning signs that indicate its malfunction before it ceases to work. Being able to recognize these warning signs, and knowing what to do next, may prevent you from getting caught in an inconvenient or dangerous situation.

One sign that your alternator is going bad is that the battery of your car will frequently go dead. Though there can be other causes for a dead battery, an underperforming alternator is often the case-this lack of a power source will prevent your battery from recharging. Another warning sign may be a metallic clanging that changes with your engine speed. Often, this indicates that the shaft bearing on the alternator is about to break. This is a relatively common problem with alternators that have been in use for a long time.

The best way to prevent being stranded by a bad alternator is by having it tested on a regular basis. It is recommended that you do so every time a tune-up is performed on your car-about once every year. If you drive your car more than the average person, you may want to have a tune-up or maintenance service completed more frequently. A technician can easily test the output of your alternator. If you suspect that yours is going bad or not charging your car properly, you can have it tested free of charge at many automotive parts stores. In most instances, mechanics can even test the alternator while it is still installed in your vehicle.

With the advancement of technology, a car's alternator is more important than ever. Taking a look at the newest cars on the market, many feature a wide variety of electronics; all of these require battery power to operate. The computer in a newer car needs power operate spark plugs, fuel pumps, and the engine, among other things. To illustrate how much pressure an alternator must handle, let's take a look at all of the mechanisms it must provide power to: digital gauges, headlights, stereo systems, in-car DVD players and televisions, just to name a few. All of these rely on the vehicle's alternator for power.

Older cars, such as a classic Austin Healey, do not place as much stress on their alternators. An older Austin Healey relied more on mechanical systems than electrical systems to operate, and therefore did not require as much electrical power to run.

If you like to do your own auto repair, and you have some experience with working on cars, then replacing your car's alternator may be a feasible process. The hardest step in completing this task is being able to access the mounting bolts. The difficulty of this varies with the year, make, and model of the vehicle that you are working on. Older cars often have the alternator in the front of the engine, toward the top, making for a very easy replacement. Newer vehicles, especially those with front-wheel drive, may not have such an accessible alternator. Front-wheel drive cars usually have the engine installed sideways, meaning there is little room to access the mounting bolts.

Whether or not you should pay a professional to replace your alternator is purely a matter of confidence in your own mechanical abilities. Don't forget that you will have to remove the serpentine belt in newer models. This may be a good opportunity to replace your serpentine (alternator) belt.

If you are experiencing electrical problems with your car, or if you frequently find yourself with a dead battery, then it is time to have your alternator tested. A faulty alternator may be the source of your problems.

About the Author:
Quinton Becker writes about cars and trucks. To find some really attractive prices on a replacement alternator for a variety of automobiles, or when you are trying to find those hard-to-locate Saab parts for your model Saab, then please visit DriveWire.com auto parts for the best selection.
Article Source: http://www.articles411.com

Fall into a Great Routine for Car Maintenance

Fall is already here and in a short time, winter will be upon us. As you gear up for the colder temperatures, now is a good time to take preventive measures to care for your vehicle. Maintain Your Car's Value and Appearance According to the International Car Wash Association (ICA), regular professional washing and waxing will help maintain your car's appearance as well as its value. "Most car owners understand the value of changing motor oil regularly to protect the engine," explains Mark Thorsby, executive director of ICA. "But if they forget and instead choose to replace the engine, the car could still be as good as new. However, a car with oxidized paint and a rusted-out body can never be economically restored. The best prevention is regular washing and waxing at a professional car wash." With more than 22,000 professional car washes around the world offering a wide range of services to protect a car's finish from detoriating rusting, there's no excuse not to keep your vehicle in great shape. Car washes offer basic to extensive operations to suit all your car care needs. For starters, try an exterior tunnel wash to automatically provide protective waxes and undercarriage treatment. Also, consider detailing or custom polishing for more extensive protection. By applying and buffing a premium polish, you can restore the shine of your car. On the detail side, you can vacuum everything from the rugs in the trunk to the air conditioner vents. A Quick Fix If you are running short on time but need your car professionally cleaned, try a self-service car wash that provides a variety of effective, self-cleaning services to choose from. For best results, follow the step-by-step instructions posted in the self-serve bay that call for starting with a pre-soak to loosen road grime. Next comes the high-pressure soap wash. For gentle scrubbing, use the foaming brush next, followed by the fresh water rinse. Also, remember to take advantage of special tire and wheel cleaners. For maximum protection and shine, the wax application is a must. Finally, many self-serve washes offer a spot-free rinse. All the solutions are specially formulated to clean tough road dirt and protect you car's shine. Protect Your Car from Winter's Hazards To get a jumpstart on protecting your car from winter's effects, remember that the most damaging thing you can do to your car during this time is nothing! Don't worry about your car freezing -- washing salt, slush and mud off your car in cold weather is vital. The best thing you can do this winter is to wash your vehicle frequently at a professional car wash, even every few days if the temperature rises and falls from freezing and you've been driving on salted roads. Washing also should include an undercarriage rinse (available at most professional car washes) to remove salt from hard-to-reach areas that are likely to rust, such as the bumpers and in the wheel wells. Now is the time to get your car in gear for the winter season with the preventive maintenance measure of having your car professionally washed -- you and your wallet will be glad you did. To find the location of a car wash near you visit www.carwashes.com.

About The Author:
Courtesy ARA Content, www.ARAcontent.com; e-mail: info@ARAcontent.com
This article was posted on January 17, 2002
Article Source: The Articles Directory

When to Replace Brake Pads

Worn brake pads can adversely impact your ability to bring your car to a halt. This can be especially dangerous in an emergency situation when adequately working brakes are a must to help you stop your car promptly. There are some telltale signs of pending brake problems; do you know what they are? Awareness of a problem is the key to avoiding potential harmful consequences; let’s examine some well known warning signs.

Signs of pending brake trouble include the following:

- Squealing brakes
- Pulling of the car from one side to the other
- Wheel grabs
- Brake pedal pumping
- Sudden and hard brake pedal
- Spongy brake pedals
- Grinding of the brakes

While some of these problems may necessitate you replacing other brake components, an inspection of your brake pads should reveal that they are worn and are in need of immediate replacement.

Your next course of action depends on your expertise, your time, and on your wallet. Most garages offer a free brake inspection and this can be a wonderful opportunity to have someone else inspect your system to confirm your findings.

Ask your mechanic for a complete diagnosis of your brake system and an estimate on what parts and repairs will cost you. A good garage will give you a print out showing a fairly close estimate of what your costs will be. Throw in your local taxes and the price quoted should be within 95% of the final cost, barring an unforeseen additional problem being detected [for example, brake master cylinder failure].

If you feel reasonably confident that you can do the work yourself, you stand to save yourself plenty of money, at least in labor costs. You can save money with parts, too, by shopping around; the highest prices you pay will likely be through your dealer’s parts department. Prices at a national auto parts supply store should be lower, while prices through an online wholesaler should be about the lowest available as they purchase directly from the manufacturer.

If you decide to purchase online, only obtain parts from a reputable dealer selling parts from trusted manufacturers. Be careful of those sites selling generic parts from overseas merchants. Make sure that you can return what you purchase, if needed, to address in based in the U.S.

About the Author:
Matthew C. Keegan
Copyright 2005 -- Matt Keegan is a contributing writer for the Auto Parts Warehouse, a wholesaler of fine EBC brake pads and Brembo brakes.
Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com