article from www.Fueleconomy.gov
Drive Sensibly
Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town. Sensible driving is also safer for you and others, so you may save more than gas money.
Observe the Speed Limit
While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed (or range of speeds), gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph.
You can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.31 per gallon for gas. Observing the speed limit is also safer.
Remove Excess Weight
Avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle, especially heavy ones. An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce your MPG by up to 2 percent. The reduction is based on the percentage of extra weight relative to the vehicle's weight and affects smaller vehicles more than larger ones.
Avoid Excessive Idling
Idling can use a quarter to a half gallon of fuel per hour, depending on engine size and air conditioner (AC) use. Turn off your engine when your vehicle is parked. It only takes a few seconds worth of fuel to restart your vehicle. Turning your engine on and off excessively, however, may increase starter wear.
Use Cruise Control
Using cruise control on the highway helps you maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, will save gas.
Use Overdrive Gears
When you use overdrive gearing, your car's engine speed goes down. This saves gas and reduces engine wear.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
OEM parts vs. Aftermarket parts
When you take your car to the dealership's service department for repairs, you know you're getting Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) car parts. However, if you take your car to an independent shop, you'll most likely get aftermarket car parts. Is there anything wrong with that? Does a less expensive part mean a poorer-quality part? And in what situations should you use only OEM parts?
To answer these questions, we've created a list of pros and cons to help you make a more informed decision when choosing what parts go into your car. In this way, you can strike a balance between cost and quality.
Aftermarket PartsAn aftermarket part is any part for a vehicle that is not sourced from the car's maker. A number of companies make parts designed to function the same, or in some cases even better than the original.
PROS
Less expensive:
Quality can be equal to or greater than OEM:
More variety:
Better availability: You can walk into any gas station, auto parts store or local mechanic, and they're bound to have a part that fits your car. This gives you more options on where to take your car for service. There are hundreds of companies that make aftermarket parts. Some specialize in specific parts, and other companies, like In some cases, you may end up with a better part than you started with. For example, when an automaker designs its brake pads, it has to strike a balance between cost, durability, noise levels and performance. If you want better performance and don't mind some extra brake noise (some brake pads squeak even though they are stopping the car effectively), an aftermarket pad may be your best choice. Aftermarket parts are usually less expensive than OEM parts; how much you save varies by brand.
Quality varies greatly:
Overwhelming selection: If you're not familiar with aftermarket brands, the selection could be overwhelming, and there's some chance you may get a bad quality part. Even a part as simple as a spark plug can be made by dozens of different companies and comes in numerous variations. Consult your mechanic for advice or simply stick with the OEM part when the price difference isn't significant. The saying "you get what you pay for" rings true here. Some aftermarket parts are inferior because of the use of lower-quality materials. Stick with aftermarket brands you're familiar with or are recommended by a mechanic you trust, even if these parts cost a bit more.
PROS
Easier to choose your part:
Greater assurance of quality: The OEM part should work exactly as the one you are replacing. It is what the vehicle was manufactured with and provides a peace of mind in its familiarity and performance. If you go to the parts counter at a dealership and ask for any part, you'll usually get one type. You don't have to worry about assessing the quality of different brands and prices.
More expensive:
Need to be bought at the dealership: Even though there are other ways of buying OEM parts (eBay, online wholesalers), most people will go to a dealership to buy their car parts. You can request OEM parts from your local mechanic, but it may take longer to get your vehicle repaired since the parts must be ordered. OEM parts will usually cost more than an aftermarket part.
edmunds.com
To answer these questions, we've created a list of pros and cons to help you make a more informed decision when choosing what parts go into your car. In this way, you can strike a balance between cost and quality.
Aftermarket PartsAn aftermarket part is any part for a vehicle that is not sourced from the car's maker. A number of companies make parts designed to function the same, or in some cases even better than the original.
PROS
Quality can be equal to or greater than OEM:
More variety:
Better availability: You can walk into any gas station, auto parts store or local mechanic, and they're bound to have a part that fits your car. This gives you more options on where to take your car for service. There are hundreds of companies that make aftermarket parts. Some specialize in specific parts, and other companies, like In some cases, you may end up with a better part than you started with. For example, when an automaker designs its brake pads, it has to strike a balance between cost, durability, noise levels and performance. If you want better performance and don't mind some extra brake noise (some brake pads squeak even though they are stopping the car effectively), an aftermarket pad may be your best choice. Aftermarket parts are usually less expensive than OEM parts; how much you save varies by brand.
Overwhelming selection: If you're not familiar with aftermarket brands, the selection could be overwhelming, and there's some chance you may get a bad quality part. Even a part as simple as a spark plug can be made by dozens of different companies and comes in numerous variations. Consult your mechanic for advice or simply stick with the OEM part when the price difference isn't significant. The saying "you get what you pay for" rings true here. Some aftermarket parts are inferior because of the use of lower-quality materials. Stick with aftermarket brands you're familiar with or are recommended by a mechanic you trust, even if these parts cost a bit more.
PROS
Greater assurance of quality: The OEM part should work exactly as the one you are replacing. It is what the vehicle was manufactured with and provides a peace of mind in its familiarity and performance. If you go to the parts counter at a dealership and ask for any part, you'll usually get one type. You don't have to worry about assessing the quality of different brands and prices.
Need to be bought at the dealership: Even though there are other ways of buying OEM parts (eBay, online wholesalers), most people will go to a dealership to buy their car parts. You can request OEM parts from your local mechanic, but it may take longer to get your vehicle repaired since the parts must be ordered. OEM parts will usually cost more than an aftermarket part.
edmunds.com
Friday, January 6, 2012
Fuel Gauge reading empty when full
Happy New Year!
To start off this year's blogging I've chosen an issue we have dealt with a number of times...faulty fuel gauges. It has to be annoying to constantly gauge how much gas you have left in the tank...worrying that you might run out of gas at any moment. You finally get around to getting the issue looked at. Well it's not as simple as running the codes and telling you what failed. The technician has to drain the gas (you'll get it back), bring down the tank and test both fuel level sending units. That will cost you 2 hours diagnosis. One of the sensors can be replaced. That'll run you an additional few hundred dollars installed. The other cannot. You would have to purchase a new gas tank. I don't mean to end off in such a somber note but an informed customer is a happier customer.
To start off this year's blogging I've chosen an issue we have dealt with a number of times...faulty fuel gauges. It has to be annoying to constantly gauge how much gas you have left in the tank...worrying that you might run out of gas at any moment. You finally get around to getting the issue looked at. Well it's not as simple as running the codes and telling you what failed. The technician has to drain the gas (you'll get it back), bring down the tank and test both fuel level sending units. That will cost you 2 hours diagnosis. One of the sensors can be replaced. That'll run you an additional few hundred dollars installed. The other cannot. You would have to purchase a new gas tank. I don't mean to end off in such a somber note but an informed customer is a happier customer.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Brake System Maintenance
Brake fluid is usually neglected. It should be changed every two to three years. Brake fluid is hygroscopic and absorbs moisture over time. After two years it can become badly contaminated. Hence lowering its boiling point and causing internal corrosion that can damage calipers, wheel cylinders, and ABS components. Following the manufacturer's preventative maintenance shedule can greatly prolong the life of the hydraulic components in the brake system and improve safety. Call today and make an appointment for your next brake flush. At $40, its a great investment in your car. 770-640-0070
Sunday, December 4, 2011
How Your Radiator Works
Your car radiator keeps your engine cool. When a car's engine is switched on and running, it generates a great amount of heat, most of which is expelled through the exhaust system. The rest of it sits stagnant in the engine area, and although engines need heat to operate at an optimum level, too much heat will destroy the inner mechanics of your engine. Once those pistons and cylinders start melting together, it'll mean the end of your engine; indefinitely.
The radiator is the main part of the car's cooling system, and its primary function is to ensure exactly the right temperature for the car's engine to operate at maximum potential. In other words, the engine needs to be just hot enough, but not too hot. The quicker fuel is converted to a vapor in the combustion chamber, the more efficient the whole combustion process and the fewer harmful emissions are released into the atmosphere.
An engine running at the right temperature also means that the oil lubricating the engine is of the perfect consistency to keep the parts turning over smoothly, ensuring a longer lifespan.
Usually fashioned from aluminum, a car radiator is comprised of an arrangement of tubes which pass through the engine. The tubes carry a liquid coolant throughout the engine bay to provide relief to the car parts that heat up. The engine's overall temperature is monitored by a thermostat which opens up once the normal operating temperature is surpassed.
A water pump, along with a series of belts and hoses, helps the coolant circulate the engine while fan belt keeps the fan spinning. A radiator's job is to facilitate the transfer of heat from the cooling liquid to the air blown in from the radiator fan, or exchanger.
Older cars are cooled by means of an air cooling system that directs hot air away from the engine's cylinder and cool air towards the engine bay via a strong fan.
One of most common radiator-related problems is the overheating that occurs when the thermostat malfunctions. This will seriously compromise your vehicle's performance and emission levels, so if you're stuck with an overheated engine plus clouds emanating from the exhaust pipe, the thermostat probably needs attention. Overheating can also be caused
by leaking coolant.
It's best to check the whole cooling system, including all the hoses, the radiator itself, as well as the radiator cap and all the plugs. Besides overheating, the radiator can also become blocked or clogged with dirt particles and severely restrict its ability to dispel heat in the engine bay.
The cooling process itself might also be hampered by a clogged exhaust system or constant aggressive driving. Pushing your car unnecessarily hard will begin to take its toll on the whole car and render the engine prone to overheating and lackluster performance.
No matter the year or the make of your car, it's still a giant hunk of machinery that needs to be maintained. All cars generate heat, and all cars have cooling systems that work hard to keep the inner mechanics cool. Of course the radiator doesn't work alone, but it's best kept in good working order if you like driving a car that starts first time every time.courtesy of Tuffy Auto Service Centers
At NP IMPORTS, our radiators are backed by a 12month/12000 mile warranty. Call us today for a quote. 770-640-0070
The radiator is the main part of the car's cooling system, and its primary function is to ensure exactly the right temperature for the car's engine to operate at maximum potential. In other words, the engine needs to be just hot enough, but not too hot. The quicker fuel is converted to a vapor in the combustion chamber, the more efficient the whole combustion process and the fewer harmful emissions are released into the atmosphere.
An engine running at the right temperature also means that the oil lubricating the engine is of the perfect consistency to keep the parts turning over smoothly, ensuring a longer lifespan.
Usually fashioned from aluminum, a car radiator is comprised of an arrangement of tubes which pass through the engine. The tubes carry a liquid coolant throughout the engine bay to provide relief to the car parts that heat up. The engine's overall temperature is monitored by a thermostat which opens up once the normal operating temperature is surpassed.
A water pump, along with a series of belts and hoses, helps the coolant circulate the engine while fan belt keeps the fan spinning. A radiator's job is to facilitate the transfer of heat from the cooling liquid to the air blown in from the radiator fan, or exchanger.
Older cars are cooled by means of an air cooling system that directs hot air away from the engine's cylinder and cool air towards the engine bay via a strong fan.
One of most common radiator-related problems is the overheating that occurs when the thermostat malfunctions. This will seriously compromise your vehicle's performance and emission levels, so if you're stuck with an overheated engine plus clouds emanating from the exhaust pipe, the thermostat probably needs attention. Overheating can also be caused
by leaking coolant.
It's best to check the whole cooling system, including all the hoses, the radiator itself, as well as the radiator cap and all the plugs. Besides overheating, the radiator can also become blocked or clogged with dirt particles and severely restrict its ability to dispel heat in the engine bay.
The cooling process itself might also be hampered by a clogged exhaust system or constant aggressive driving. Pushing your car unnecessarily hard will begin to take its toll on the whole car and render the engine prone to overheating and lackluster performance.
No matter the year or the make of your car, it's still a giant hunk of machinery that needs to be maintained. All cars generate heat, and all cars have cooling systems that work hard to keep the inner mechanics cool. Of course the radiator doesn't work alone, but it's best kept in good working order if you like driving a car that starts first time every time.courtesy of Tuffy Auto Service Centers
At NP IMPORTS, our radiators are backed by a 12month/12000 mile warranty. Call us today for a quote. 770-640-0070
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Range Rover Air Strut/Shock
Air suspension issues? It might be an air stut. We offer a remanufactured, OE front air shock for the 2003-2009 Range Rover. The price at the dealer is $1200 just for the part. We are offering it to you at $700 installed with a one year warranty. Call us today!
Friday, November 4, 2011
Emergency Preparedness Kit
Prepare an emergency kit. Store this stuff in your trunk during the winter months, especially if a road trip is in your future:
- a blanket
- extra boots and gloves
- an extra set of warm clothes
- extra water and food, including hard candies
- an ice scraper
- a small shovel
- a flashlight
- windshield washer fluid
- windshield wipers
- flares
- jumper cables
- a tool kit
- tire chains
- a tire gauge
- a spare tire with air in it
- tire-changing equipment
- a first-aid kit
- paper towels
- a bag of abrasive material such as sand, salt or non-clumping kitty litter, which can provide additional traction if a tire gets stuck in snow.
- Also, keep the gas tank as full as you can to prevent the gas lines from freezing.
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