Things to do to Keep Your Car in Top Running Condition

Top 10 Most Important Things to do to Keep Your Car in Top Running Condition :

1. Battery - fully charged and no corrosion 2. Fluid Levels - oil, coolant, brake, power steering, washer fluid 3. Tires - Tread depth, wear pattern, inflation 4. Brakes - pad life, rotors, noise 5. Fuel - filters, injectors, proper octane 6. Belts and Hoses - soft, worn, cracked, rotten 7. Spark Plugs - engine tune up, how often 8. Alternator - checking and testing 9. Lubrication - Grease fitting, wheel bearings, ball joints 10. Maintenance - intervals and schedules

Top 5 Automotive Related Myths:

1. Vegetable Oil vs. Diesel Fuel 2. High Octane Fuel Is Better 3. Tire Pressure Affects Your Fuel Mileage 4. Arrow Dynamics 5. Hybrid - Cost Effective

2003 suzuki xl7, O2senser problem, service engine soon

Question: I have a 2003 Suzuki xl7, O2senser problem, service engine soon light came on, it read #1, o2sensor circuit, no activity, bank 1 sensor 1 po#134 mod$0i #2 po134 o2 sensor no activity, bank 1 sensor 1, able to clear, but it comes back on in about 30 to 40 miles Answer: Not much diagnosing can be done without having a scan tool that can read the data from the oxygen sensor but, the oxygen sensor is more than likely not responding to the oxygen content in the exhaust and the only repair is to replace it but first make sure all fuses and the oxygen sensor relay is good, you can just swap the relay with another on, also unplug the sensor and make sure you have 12v and ground going to it, if so replace the sensor. the number 1 oxygen sensor is the one before the catalytic converter.

2007 SATURN OUTLOOK - Air bag Recall

Recall ID # 07V062000 - AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE - Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE Potential Units Affected: 13032 Recall Date: FEB 21, 2007 Model Affected: 2007 SATURN OUTLOOK Summary: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE (SDM), WHICH CONTROLS THE FUNCTION OF FRONT AIR BAGS, MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT AIR BAGS MAY FAIL TO DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL CRASH. ALSO, THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL MAY FAIL TO PROVIDE WARNING THAT THE SYSTEM IS INOPERATIVE. Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THIS CONDITION COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO OCCUPANTS IN THE FRONT SEAT. Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE SDM COMPUTER MODULE. THIS RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 22, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GMC AT 1-866-966-9463 OR SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876. Notes: GENERAL MOTORS CORP. 07043

The A/C blower motor remains on after the climate controller Off button is pressed

Question: I have a 1994 Buick Park Avenue Ultra. The A/C blower motor remains on after the climate controller Off button is pressed. It also remains on after the ignition switch is turned off. Please advise as to what the problem is. Answer: Your problem is very common and is either a faulty blower relay or a blower fan control module. I would replace the relay first as it would be the easiest and most cost effective diagnosis. If my memory serves me correct the relay is near the firewall under the hood it should be marked on the cover. Check that first. You could switch it out with another relay under the hood and see if it fixes it.

Been in a car accident? - Advocate Auto Claims helps car accident victims

Have you been in a car accident that wasn't your fault. You can re-coup the diminished value of your vehicle up to four years from when the accident happened. If your vehicle has been wrecked and repaired, it has lost value. This loss in value is called Diminished Value. Why should you have to do without when the car accident wasn't your fault in the first place. That's right, you shouldn't and now with the help of Advocate Auto Claims you can get a FREE diminished value estimate. For example: Lets say a car is worth $24,000 and carries no accident history, then lets take the same car after a well done repair job, then car is now worth $20,000. This would mean you are owed to $4,000! Advocate Auto Claims has been processing automotive insurance claims for over 10 years through its affiliate company. We successfully handle thousands of Diminished Value claims each and every year. Our licensed staff and management team have extensive experience in the insurance claims adjusting industry. Even if you've been paid to repair your car, Diminished Value can still be claimed.

98 Escort and drives great except when coming to a stop

Question: I have a 98 Escort and drives great except when coming to a stop and it will just about shake the fillings out of your teeth. My only remedy so far is to put it in neutral when i have to come to a stop. Does anyone know what could be the problem? Doesn't miss-fire and no other problems other than the shaking. Already Tried: Replaced spark plugs, oil, oil filter, air filter, had the front rotors turned, balanced and rotated the tires. Answer: It could be that the exhaust system is in a bind, and it is vibrating because it is not able to move freely. To remedy this would require loosening all points of the exhaust mounting and the connection to the exhaust manifold, then while loose the engine is rocked back and forth and allowed to settle (it works better if the engine mounts are also loosened to allow the engine to settle into a natural position where it is not bound up either). This process is called "neutralizing" the engine and exhaust. If the shaking is still present, it may help to replace the motor mounts. But there will always be some amount of vibration at idle on a four cylinder. Some cars are more prone to vibration than others, because the body of the car can sometimes resonate in tune with the frequency of the normal engine vibration. Compare the feel to another Escort with the same body style and engine to get an idea what is normal.

Hybrid Tiger Trucks - Dallas, Texas

While other manufacturers are outsourcing to China, Tiger Truck LLC in Dallas is going the other way. The company has acquired a 250,000 square foot facility in Jasper, Texas to assemble off-road trucks based on designs from China’s Changan Automobile Group.

Currently, Tiger Truck imports gasoline and electric trucks from China and modifies them into hybrid and FFV versions at its Dallas facility. The first actual "made in USA" Tiger Truck units will be delivered in early 2008.

The company’s series hybrids feature a 1.0-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine producing 58 horsepower. This Changan-built engine’s sole job is to keep the truck’s batteries charged via a generator. The Tiger Truck’s electric motor is powered by six 12-volt lead-acid batteries. The FFV version is the first in its class to receive EPA approval for its E85-compliant engine. Hybrid and FFV power plants are available in several models. These include two- and five-passenger crew cab pickups plus passenger, cargo, and high-volume vans.

Car Rentals - Always Low Prices

Advantage car rental can be your number one choice when looking to rent a car for your next vacation or day trip. Their web site is extremely easy to understand and navigate. You will find the vehicle selections, the pick up locations and drop off locations in an easy 1, 2, 3 step procedure. Need a convertible? No problem, in fact you can receive a 50% discount if you choose a Luxury or Convertible rental car. Car rental start at just $20.99 per day. Take Advantage and Save Money with These Great Deals! The summer is heating up and Advantage is now offering the hottest cars in the coolest locations. From Las Vegas to Chicago you'll always find a car to rent for less than you'd expect. For this week Advantage offers these "Got to Drive" specials in the following cities. At these rates you can't afford not to Take Advantage.

Water collects on the interior floor when the air conditioner is used

1. Air conditioner evaporator drain hose is blocked. Clear the drain hose where it exits the passenger compartment.
2. Air conditioner evaporator drain hose is disconnected. Secure the drain hose to the evaporator drainage tray under the dashboard.

Troubleshooting your Air Conditioning System

Hybrid-Only Repair Shop - San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO -- The nation's first auto repair shop specializing in hybrids has opened in the city's trendy SOMA district. Luscious Garage, owned by mechanic Carolyn Coquillette, is part of a small but growing movement. A number of independent mechanics nationwide are now servicing hybrids, but Coquillette's shop is the first aiming to build its core business around hybrids.

"There's a critical mass of hybrids in the Bay Area, enough to support a shop like this," she said. "You could have opened it three years ago but there wouldn't have been enough cars, and I don't think enough public interest to really have fueled it."