Mar 12 2010

The Motorists Guide to an Overheating Engine

Category: VehiclesEthan Melandri @ 3:28 pm

As your temperature gauge rises higher than normal, going closer to the red zone, you are given the first indicator that your engine is overheating. The second indication is the warning light your vehicle has to tell you the car is running hot. This light is typically found on the dashboard, and you may see steam rising from the bonnet. When any of these signs appear you need to stop driving the vehicle. To continue driving is asking for brutal and costly injury to the engine.

At any time that you see a warning light that your engine is running hot you should pull of the road and turn the car off. You should not continue to a service station or mechanics garage. The injury to your car will be a lot worse, especially to the cylinder head. The cylinder head can warp or crack under increased temperatures, and is very costly to swap out.

Once safely parked on the side of the road, switch on your hazard lights to warn any following drivers of your problem. Providing that there is no fire present you can open the bonnet, to give the engine a chance to cool down, however do not be tempted to touch any of the engine parts at this point, as it is very likely that you will be burnt.

Be prepared that it may take quite some time for the engine to cool down sufficiently so be ready for a long wait. If your vehicle has overheated when it is dark, switch on your sidelight bulbs to improve the visibility of your vehicle to other road users and consider turning on your headlight bulbs to help you see what your are doing.

Once the engine has cooled down you will probably need to top up the coolant level. In an emergency it is fine to use ordinary water but make sure it is not too cold or it could crack the plastic water reservoir. If you need to add a lot of water to your coolant it will significantly dilute the concentration of the antifreeze within it, and this will eventually need to be remedied by a qualified mechanic to prevent the coolant freezing during the winter.

Even if the engine has cooled down the coolant may still be hot and undoing the coolant filler cap can release scolding hot steam onto your hand. Therefore wait until the radiator is cool enough to touch before opening the coolant filler cap and cover your hand with a rag for added protection.

Reaching out at arms length to fill the container will help stop you from being hit with hot coolant. You will want to stop and check the levels of the reservoir to ensure you are not over filling it. There is a maximum and minimum line on the container. You will need to check that the temperature gauge is back to normal levels before driving again.

Remember that whilst your car is safe to drive again, there is an underlying problem that caused the overheating, so avoid a long journey and take it to a suitable garage to be checked out as soon as possible. However, if the engine overheats again, shortly after you have set off, you need to pull over and call a roadside recovery service as you have a serious problem that will require the services of a garage to fix it.

When packing for a motoring holiday it is also a good idea to pack some spare Car Bulbs as well, just in case a bulb does blow during the holiday, as finding a replacement abroad can prove difficult. It is also a good idea to install long life Headlight Bulbs before setting off, as this will reduce the possibility of a bulb failure even further.

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Nov 15 2009

How to Prepare for a Driving Holiday Abroad

Category: AutomotiveEthan Melandri @ 12:56 am

Driving abroad can be a great experience, giving you the ability to experience different countries and cultures whilst also having the personal freedom of still having your own car nearby. Taking your car abroad also allows you to unlock some of the finest driving roads in Europe. However before setting off you will need to make a few preparations to ensure you stay safe and legal throughout your journey.

There is certain paperwork you need to have along for the journey. This information includes your valid UK driver license, vehicle registration, insurance documents, and a MOT certification if the vehicle is over 3 years old.

The type of insurance you have on the vehicle will determine what is covered when taking your vehicle overseas. Most insurance policies have a specific amount of days that you can be in Europe with your car. By checking you can ensure you are within this time frame for your trip. If you are travelling outside the EU you must also have the green card insurance document.

You may elect to hire a car instead of bringing yours. You will need to ascertain which countries allow you to hire a car. You must also have the official document verifying your right to drive the automobile.

If you already have a new modern style Europlate numberplate then you will not need to fix any GB stickers to the rear of your car, however all vehicles must have their headlights adjusted for driving on the right. Normally this can be easily done by sticking some beam reflector stickers to your headlight lenses, however modern cars with HID xenon lights can have a switch at the back of the headlight unit which will switch the beam over.

Emergency kits should always be in your vehicle no matter where you travel; however, there are certain laws that may affect what you have in the kit. You should always have a first aid kit, reflective jacket, fire extinguisher, warning triangle and extra bulbs for the lamps. Road flares and other safety equipment may be warranted depending on the country you visit.

Driving overseas may speed up your excitement to drive faster and test your car on some of the roads. However, radar detection equipment is illegal to have in your car in many countries. France is usually most difficult in this, as they will remove the equipment from your car if they see it.

In most European countries the Police have the power to hand out on the spot fines so it’s a good idea to carry plenty of local currency, otherwise your car may be temporarily confiscated whilst you are taken off to the nearest cash point to get some money. Be aware that in many countries the maximum speed limit and maximum blood alcohol level is a lot lower than in the UK, so obey local speed signs at all times, which may be in kilometres per hour, and do not drink and drive.

Driving abroad is a fantastic way to explore other countries, however before setting off make sure you have properly prepared from your journey. One final point to remember is that on the continent they drive on the right. This may seem an obvious point but you can easily be caught out when pulling out of junctions or approaching a roundabout.

If you want to make sure that motoring abroad is not disrupted by the inconvenience of finding a replacement car bulb like the H7 Bulbs it can be a good idea to make sure you are prepared. By carrying a Spare Bulbs Kit in your boot or glovebox you can be motoring again in no time.

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Aug 08 2009

Upgrade Options for Osram Headlamp Bulbs

Category: AutomotiveEthan Melandri @ 2:10 am

Osram is one of the top companies for car headlight products. Their products are used as standard options at several of the top car manufacturers. There are more options than just the standard range, which includes a 12 volt headlamp bulb. Drivers who want to increase the light or style of their headlights can choose from Osram’s upgrade products.

There are three improved styles for the headlight bulbs. These are Osram Silver Star, Osram Cool Blue, and Osram Night Breaker. Each of these bulbs has been determined as legal for the road and has the European testing standards E1 branding. These lights are designed to replace the standard equipment, thus they fit directly into the connectors and holders without need for a tool or modification.

Before using any of the three: Silver Star, Cool Blue, or Night Breaker, you will need to find out which bulbs you have in your vehicle. This information can be found in the owner’s manual of your vehicle. You may also use Google to search for information by using “Car Bulbs Finders” in the search box. Many of the retailers of headlight bulbs list information online in an interactive site to help guide you.

The Osram Cool Blue series are designed for drivers who want to stand out from the crowd and give their headlights a really distinctive night time look. The Cool Blue bulbs have blue filtered glass, which emits a blue tinted light that is very similar to high intensity discharge xenon bulbs.

There are ECE rules which limit the degree of blue light your headlights are allowed to have. Osram Cool Blue bulbs are dark and street legal, and one of the only ones you can find.

Osram Silver Star lights help increase visibility for night time driving. They are also much better than halogen headlights that come standard in cars. The Osram Silver Star produces 50 percent more light on the road at the 50 to 75 metre range. This helps drivers react to dangers, obstacles, or road signs quicker.

The Osram Night Breaker is considered the flagship of bulbs due to the pressurised xenon gas construction. There is also a different filament construction to the bulb helping to emit more light. In fact the Night Breaker has 90 percent more light and 35 metres more distance than halogen for night driving. The light emitted is 10 percent clearer.

The keen driver who wants the best visibility and product will want the Osram Night Breaker bulbs.

Upgrading your standard headlight bulbs is a great way to improve night time safety and visibility and with the Osram Cool Blue, Osram Silverstar or Osram Nightbreaker series there should always be a bulb to suit your requirements.

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Aug 05 2009

Overheated Engines: Process to Follow When Driving

Category: AutomotiveEthan Melandri @ 6:57 pm

The first indication that you will get that you car engine is overheating will usually be when the water temperature gauge starts to rise above its normal level and towards the red zone. This will normally be followed by an overheat warning light illuminating on the dashboard and may even be accompanied by steam rising from under the bonnet. It is important to stop if you have any of these warning signs, as continuing to drive on could cause severe and expensive damage to the engine.

As soon as you get any indication that your engine is overheating you need to pull over and switch your engine off. Carrying on, even until you reach a service station or garage, could create a large amount of damage to the engine, especially the cylinder head, which is prone to warping under high temperatures and will be very expensive to replace.

As soon as you are off the street you need to turn your hazard lights on for the other drivers around you. If there is no fire coming from under the bonnet you can open it in order to get more air to the engine, helping it cool off. You should never touch the engine as it can burn you.

Be prepared that it may take quite some time for the engine to cool down sufficiently so be ready for a long wait. If your vehicle has overheated when it is dark, switch on your sidelight bulbs to improve the visibility of your vehicle to other road users and consider turning on your headlight bulbs to help you see what your are doing.

After the engine has cooled you will need to check the coolant. The coolant can be found in the radiator and the fluid reservoir. If there is a lower level of coolant in the container you can add water to it in an emergency. Adding water to the coolant will dilute it, which means it can freeze in the winter. This is because antifreeze properties exist in the coolant. You will need a professional mechanic to flush the system and repair the diluted fluid before winter.

The cap to the coolant filler can be very hot even after the car has cooled down. Steam tends to be trapped inside which will rise, burning your hand. It is best to wait until the outside of the radiator is cool to the touch before opening the cap. You can also use a rag to remove the cap.

Stand a way from the engine when you are filling it with water so that you will not be splashed by the warmer liquid. You will also need to stop frequently to check the fluid levels as there is a minimum and maximum line to fill to. Once you have filled the reservoir you can check the engine temperature gauge. If it is back to normal you may proceed on your drive.

Remember that whilst your car is safe to drive again, there is an underlying problem that caused the overheating, so avoid a long journey and take it to a suitable garage to be checked out as soon as possible. However, if the engine overheats again, shortly after you have set off, you need to pull over and call a roadside recovery service as you have a serious problem that will require the services of a garage to fix it.

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Jul 27 2009

Causes of Blown Headlight Bulbs and How to Correct It

Category: AutomotiveEthan Melandri @ 8:55 pm

Your vehicle may be burning through your headlights too quickly, and there are usually numerous reasons for why this is occurring. If you can discover the issue you will be able to save yourself from purchasing replacement bulbs, and thus the need to change them.

Are You Using Your Headlight Bulbs For Long Periods?

The life of an original halogen light bulb is typically 350 to 400 hours. If you do a lot of driving during the winter, at night, or have your headlights on during the day you could be using your lights up in two to three months.

When you update your headlights to new xenon bulbs they are meant to last for 200 hours, however their light projection is much more than the standard bulb. Drivers who use their headlights for long periods of time can reduce the need for changing out their bulbs by getting a longer life bulb.

Heavy duty components for headlights, which last longer than regular halogen bulbs, provide you the same performance as halogen bulbs.

Are You Touching The Glass Bulb When You Change Them?

If you touch the glass section of the headlight bulb with bare hands, the natural oils within your skin will leave a small residue of grease behind. Once the halogen bulb is illuminated this oil patch will create a hotspot within the bulb and lead to it failing early. Therefore it is a good idea to wear latex gloves when installing new halogen bulbs.

Moisture or Vibration Affects Light Bulbs

Whilst most of the major bulb manufacturers used toughened glass in the construction of their headlight bulbs, they are still vulnerable to the effects of thermal shock. This means that if they come into contact with water that has leaked into the headlight unit, then it is very likely that the bulb will be damaged. It is also important to ensure the bulb is securely installed as otherwise the extra jolts and bumps it will be subjected to can damage the filament

Do You Have Electrical Issues In Your Car?

When installing the bulbs make sure that the electrical connectors from the lights power lead are firmly joined to the metal connectors on the base of the headlight bulbs, otherwise it is easy to get a short circuit and blow the bulb.

You also want to check that the alternator is not providing too much power to the battery, which offers a higher voltage than the bulb can handle. Volts for a headlight bulb are 13.2 as a maximum.

Do You Have Quality Light Bulbs for Vehicles?

Whilst cheaper car bulbs may seem like a good idea, they normally lack the high quality and precision components used by the leading manufactures like Osram and Philips, and will not last as long. High quality bulbs will be marked with the E1 mark, which indicates they have undergone the most rigorous testing and quality standards.

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Jul 27 2009

How to Stop Blowing Headlight Bulbs

Category: AutomotiveEthan Melandri @ 8:47 pm

If you find your headlight bulbs are blowing on a regular basis, then there could be several reasons why it is happening and by identifying what the cause of the problem is, you will save yourself the cost off continually buying replacement bulbs, and the hassle of needing to constantly change them.

Are You Using Your Headlight Bulbs For Long Periods?

A halogen light bulb is set to work for 350 to 400 hours. If you have long drives during the winter or at night you may be over using your headlights. If you use your headlights during the day it is also possible that you are using your headlights with more frequency than is normally designed, thus they last two or three months.

You should know that upgraded xenon light bulbs will work for 200 hours because they are meant to produce a higher power of light for projection purposes. Drivers who use these lights for a long duration will find they need to replace them with longer living headlight bulbs to avoid the frequent changes.

Long lifespan bulbs are meant to be durable and high quality with the materials used to make them. This means they last up to three times longer than your regular halogen bulb. They still offer the same lighting capabilities as the original bulbs.

When You Changed the Bulbs Did You Touch the Glass?

Glass bulbs are very sensitive. If you touch the glass during the changing of the bulbs your skin’s oils are getting on the light, thus leaving a residue behind. Halogen bulbs have what are called hotspots when oil is left on the glass. This hotspot will burn quicker and thus the light will fail. You should always wear gloves, like latex, when changing out halogen lights.

Moisture or Vibration Affects Light Bulbs

Manufacturers of headlight bulbs use a reinforced glass in the construction process so they will be able to handle the demands of the road. However, a thermal shock can occur if water gets into the headlight connectors or into the bulb itself. It is important to check that your bulb is protected in the holder from bumps, jolts, or moisture that could harm the filament.

Do You Have Electrical Issues In Your Car?

When installing the bulbs make sure that the electrical connectors from the lights power lead are firmly joined to the metal connectors on the base of the headlight bulbs, otherwise it is easy to get a short circuit and blow the bulb.

You also want to check that the alternator is not providing too much power to the battery, which offers a higher voltage than the bulb can handle. Volts for a headlight bulb are 13.2 as a maximum.

Are You Buying Good Quality Headlight Bulbs?

Inexpensive is something you tend to look for because you want to save money, but it is not always better. Quality of the materials used to create the light bulbs has a direct effect on how long they will last. Osram and Philips are two top manufacturers of light bulbs. The highest rating for bulbs is called the E1 mark, which Osram and Philips have. It means testing and quality has been found to be the best.

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Jul 27 2009

Burning Headlight Bulbs Too Frequently: What You Should You Do

Category: AutomotiveEthan Melandri @ 6:44 pm

If you find your headlight bulbs are blowing on a regular basis, then there could be several reasons why it is happening and by identifying what the cause of the problem is, you will save yourself the cost off continually buying replacement bulbs, and the hassle of needing to constantly change them.

The Times You Use Your Headlights Affect their Usage

A halogen light bulb is set to work for 350 to 400 hours. If you have long drives during the winter or at night you may be over using your headlights. If you use your headlights during the day it is also possible that you are using your headlights with more frequency than is normally designed, thus they last two or three months.

You should know that upgraded xenon light bulbs will work for 200 hours because they are meant to produce a higher power of light for projection purposes. Drivers who use these lights for a long duration will find they need to replace them with longer living headlight bulbs to avoid the frequent changes.

Heavy duty components for headlights, which last longer than regular halogen bulbs, provide you the same performance as halogen bulbs.

Do You Wear Gloves to Change the Headlight Bulbs?

If you touch the glass section of the headlight bulb with bare hands, the natural oils within your skin will leave a small residue of grease behind. Once the halogen bulb is illuminated this oil patch will create a hotspot within the bulb and lead to it failing early. Therefore it is a good idea to wear latex gloves when installing new halogen bulbs.

Are The Bulbs Getting Wet Or Suffering Excess Vibration?

Light bulb creators for vehicles do use a heavier glass when they build headlight bulbs; however there are still some areas where the glass can be more vulnerable. For example thermal shock is when the bulbs meet water, which leaks into the headlight unit, thus ruining the bulb. You do need to make sure the bulb is correctly replaced, and ensuring it is secure and protected from jolts and bumps to avoid damaging the filament.

Do You Have Electrical Issues In Your Car?

In the headlights there are electrical connectors which supplies power to the bulb. You will need to make sure these metal connectors are in the right place and secure to avoid a short circuit or burning of the bulb.

It is also important to check that the alternator is not overcharging the battery and delivering more voltage than the bulb is designed for. Typically the maximum voltage of a bulb is around 13.2 volts.

Have You Purchased Quality Headlight Bulbs?

Inexpensive is something you tend to look for because you want to save money, but it is not always better. Quality of the materials used to create the light bulbs has a direct effect on how long they will last. Osram and Philips are two top manufacturers of light bulbs. The highest rating for bulbs is called the E1 mark, which Osram and Philips have. It means testing and quality has been found to be the best.

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Jul 25 2009

Overheated Engine Procedure: What to Do When Driving

Category: AutomotiveEthan Melandri @ 8:53 pm

As your temperature gauge rises higher than normal, going closer to the red zone, you are given the first indicator that your engine is overheating. The second indication is the warning light your vehicle has to tell you the car is running hot. This light is typically found on the dashboard, and you may see steam rising from the bonnet. When any of these signs appear you need to stop driving the vehicle. To continue driving is asking for brutal and costly injury to the engine.

At any time that you see a warning light that your engine is running hot you should pull of the road and turn the car off. You should not continue to a service station or mechanics garage. The injury to your car will be a lot worse, especially to the cylinder head. The cylinder head can warp or crack under increased temperatures, and is very costly to swap out.

Once safely parked on the side of the road, switch on your hazard lights to warn any following drivers of your problem. Providing that there is no fire present you can open the bonnet, to give the engine a chance to cool down, however do not be tempted to touch any of the engine parts at this point, as it is very likely that you will be burnt.

It can take several minutes or hours for the engine to cool. If you have an overheated engine during the night you will want to keep your sidelights running, to help other drivers see your car. You can also turn on the headlights to help you see what you are doing.

After the engine has decreased in temperature the first thing to check is the coolant. This is usually the first fluid to be low when your car overheats. By adding water to the radiator you are able to give it fluid. The water should not be too cold as it can crack the container the fluid is held in. Water is not the typical fluid to use, but in an emergency it works fine. The water will dilute the coolant called antifreeze. You will need to have the system flushed by a mechanic before winter to avoid freezing the coolant.

The filler cap on the coolant can still be extremely hot even after the engine has cooled down. Underneath the cap is pressure which will cause steam to rise when it is released. This could burn your hand. It is imperative to make sure the radiator is cool to the touch, as well as to use a rag to cover your hand when you open the filler cap.

Stand a way from the engine when you are filling it with water so that you will not be splashed by the warmer liquid. You will also need to stop frequently to check the fluid levels as there is a minimum and maximum line to fill to. Once you have filled the reservoir you can check the engine temperature gauge. If it is back to normal you may proceed on your drive.

Remember that whilst your car is safe to drive again, there is an underlying problem that caused the overheating, so avoid a long journey and take it to a suitable garage to be checked out as soon as possible. However, if the engine overheats again, shortly after you have set off, you need to pull over and call a roadside recovery service as you have a serious problem that will require the services of a garage to fix it.

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Jul 02 2009

ABS and Brake Safety When Stopping in an Emergency

Category: VehiclesEthan Melandri @ 6:15 pm

Drivers who are alert and critically watching the road are able to use their skills to determine what dangers may lay ahead as they move on. These drivers are even able to react to the dangers swiftly without braking too quickly. Unfortunately, there are times when dangers occur that are unforeseeable. In these situations it is imperative to know how to brake safely, have control of the car, and stop in the emergency.

One aspect of import when braking is to try to maintain a straight line. If you weave or corner during a braking situation the rear end of the car will be lighter than the front. This can make a situation of skidding or spinning. At the very least your tyres will have more demand on them, affecting their grip and your control of the situation.

If you are forced into braking heavy when cornering, you will need to gently and progressively apply the brake, this will reduce the sudden transfer of weight to the front and allow you to maintain control.

Most modern cars now have an anti lock braking system, know as ABS, fitted as standard and whilst it can greatly improve the control and stability of your car under heavy braking, especially when cornering, it does still have its limitations.

When you a brake heavily the ABS system can detect the point at which the wheels are starting to lock up, it then automatically releases the brakes for a fraction of second to prevent this happening. This process is repeated hundreds of times a second and occurs considerably quicker than the speed at which a normal driver could achieve.

With ABS ensuring the wheels are still turning, and not locked up, during heavy braking, steering control is still fully maintained, the tyres continue to grip effectively, and you can steer around and safely avoid any potential hazard.

The effect of ABS can normally be felt as a gentle pulsing through the brake pedal or by a distinct grinding sound. Its important that if you hear or feel these signs that you do not lift of the brake, but instead continual the heavy braking to ensure you stop in the shortest distance whilst making maximum use of the ABS.

There is no doubt about the effectiveness of ABS for making heavy or emergency braking as safe and as controlled as possible. However it cannot defy the laws of physics so if you are driving too fast on slippery roads it may not prevent an accident.

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Jun 28 2009

Highway Endangerment: Knowing How to Remain Protected Whilst Driving

Category: VehiclesEthan Melandri @ 11:25 am

Driving requires you to observe and focus, especially when you are driving at high speeds like a motorway would require. Sometimes spending several hours on the same road each day can begin to get boring, and you let your guard down. Bad behaviours begin to appear when you start to feel bored while driving. It is necessary for you to keep alert assessing situations because they can change quickly, even dangerously, which requires quick reaction from you.

The largest cause of accidents on a highway has been assigned to the wrong speed for the current road conditions. When driving 70 miles per hour it requires 20 metres for you to react, and another 50 metres for you to stop. This is in a high performance vehicle, when the brakes and tyres are in perfect condition. It takes approximately 70 metres for the car to stop in an emergency situation.

These increased stopping distances at motorway speeds demonstrate the need to maintain at least a two second gap between you and the vehicle in front. To gauge your distance, pick out a roadside marker and then count how long it takes your vehicle to reach it after the car in front has passed it by.

Sadly there will always be an inconsiderate driver who uses your two second safety gap to pull in, in front of you, and they may even undertake you to do this. However, whilst their foolhardy driving is no doubt annoying and frustrating you need to protect your own safety by maintaining the safety zone.

Tailgating by another driver is a potential hazard you want to avoid. Whenever possible you should pull off the road and let the tailgater pass. You should not allow them to draw you into the same behaviour. The chances are the reckless driver will eventually cause an accident, and you do not want to be in the mix when that happens.

Traffic can change in the blink of an eye. Before you realise what is happening you can be in a traffic jam. There are ways to protect yourself against dangers when this situation occurs. By looking as far ahead as you can you will be able to see the potential issues that may arise. You can then switch on your hazard warning lights to warn other drivers.

When driving for long periods of time your mind may begin to think of other things, leaving the driving task on autopilot. You will not have to shift gears often, or even have much input on steering. It is best to combat these feelings with a break every two hours. Service station breaks allow you to stop the fatigue and relax before continuing on.

If you still have some distance to go before you have the chance to pull off of the motorway and rest, then there are a few things you can do to help fight the fatigue. Consider turning the air conditioning down to cold or opening a window to get some fresh air onto your face. Turn up the radio or start a conversation with your passenger and switch off any driver aids, like cruise control, to sharpen up your concentration and awareness levels.

It is a cinch to relax, listen to music, and feel warm while driving. You are still required to maintain a high level of awareness and observation throughout your journey. You need to be ready for any dangers that could suddenly occur. Accidents on the motorway are often quick and fatal when a driver is reckless or they begin to have a wandering mind.

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