Posts Tagged ‘DIY car servicing’

Battery is the life of the car, when it dies, so does your car

Thursday, November 25th, 2010

You get up in the morning prepare for your office and you find your car wont start. It’s just one of the signs that winter is in full effect, and every year it amazingly takes people by surprise. Batteries drain more quickly in winter.

Make sure your posts and connections are no corrosion. Most experts suggest you have your battery checked at least once a year. While many batteries are labeled “maintenance free,” most are serviceable. One simple way to keep your battery in proper working order is to keep the battery case clean. You can clean dirt and residue by wiping it with moist paper towels and mild detergent.

Check car manual for instructions for battery. If your battery has a removable vent cap, you should check electrolyte levels at least once a month. If levels don’t rise above the top plates of the battery, you can add distilled water. If you are checking your battery instead of car mechanic, make sure you follow the safety precautions listed in your owner’s manual. Most batteries have a life span of up to three years. If your battery is older, it should be replaced.

Other possible reasons for a battery runs down are:

• You accidentally left the lights on or some other accessory that pulls power from the battery even when the ignition key is off.
• The battery is not being recharged while the vehicle is being driven (you have a charging problem)
• There is a key off parasitic electrical drain on the battery because a relay is sticking, a module is not shutting down, or there is a shorted diode in the alternator.
• Your battery is old and will not hold a charge anymore. The battery needs to be replaced.

To send enquiry with discounted offers, you can check with Nishant Batteries, Click here

Source:
Articles
More detail of Diagnosing A Car Battery That Runs Down read at aa1car.com

Do-it-yourself can make you out-smart your car mechanic

Saturday, August 14th, 2010

I met somebody at AutoExpo 2010, he made comments while talking about car servicing trends in India. He said “next 10 years dog may know how to maintain cars”. I try to understand what he was saying that India still need lots of awareness about do-it-yourself car maintenance and knowledge will grow at level that car mechanics would not be able to make them fool and everybody would know basics. I am talking about basics services which you can perform at your home garage.

Do-It-Yourself (DIY) exists in all other countries but people do not know how to open bonnet in India. Calling emergency helpline for basic things which were not checked and on-road assistance company charges heavily to tow vehicles. Driving habits are still to improve.

Recession has taught many in the world. Last year according to survey, majority of car owners missed their car servicing to avoid heavy charges in UK. Do-It-yourself is good for knowing if your car need major checkup and save you from heavy expenses occurred while things go road on the way.

Here is a list of the most common Do-it-yourself (DIY) tasks which you can do with little practice. It will save a big chunk of money.

1. Changing Oil
2. Change Air Filter
3. Replacing Fuel Filter
4. Replacing Spark Plugs
5. Change Battery
6. Replacing Your Disc Brake Pads
7. Replacing Your Drum Brakes
8. Replacing Your Ignition Coils
9. Jump-Start a Car
10. Replace Your Electric Fuel Pump

In your leisure time read manual which comes along with your new car, that would great help for your to understand few basics. It is not only save money but also increase your car value when you want to sell it. Happy DIY!

Imagine doing car servicing at home in India? Do-It-Yourself Car Servicing!

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010

No car owner can think of doing car servicing at home in India when recent survey shows do-it-yourself (DIY) car servicing has increased in UK. Recent Kwik-Fit’s survey of 2,000 people showed that 2.5 million fewer cars were serviced at a garage in the past year to save money. (Source:Telegraph UK)

Do-it-yourself does not work here in India when you can find road side car workshops to do car servicing at cheaper. With increase in inflation, petrol prices, sophistication in car technology, servicing at road side car workshop may not work. How would car owner save money on car servicing? The knowledge is the key. Car owners need to be aware about basics about car servicing. Checking car bonnet at home may be routine at home during weekend in India. Use of car maintenance software can help doing minor checks at home.

As per the report, proper service will highlight issues which could cause a future breakdown and also cover areas too complicated for most DIY mechanics, such as timing belt replacement. (Source: Telegraph UK)