Safe Driving Vacations
With the invention of cars, for the first time, people could travel and see previously inaccessible parts of the Country. The driving-vacation is still a great part of most people’s lives, and these tips may make it a bit safer.
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Selecting Jacks & Stands
Lifting a vehicle is often necessary when doing repairs or maintenance. It is also one of the most dangerous tasks an enthusiast will do. Professionals have lifts that make the job safe and easy. This is usually not feasible for the enthusiast, but a few simple tools and a bit of care can prevent a catastrophe.
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Buying and Using a Dial Indicator
Good technicians learn early, to find problems often requires a closer look than the senses provide. Tools and equipment provide this insight. They reveal things we cannot know without their use. One tool, every serious technician will need in their arsenal, is a good dial indicator.
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Automotive Myths Busted
Many persistent myths about vehicles continue to circulate. Some are harmless though without merit. Other falsehoods continue to cause harm even decades after they were first introduced.
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A Guide to Automotive Bolts and Tightening, Pt.2
Today’s automotive bolts are deceptively complex, and mistakes can be costly. Why do we have fine and coarse thread bolts? What is a torque-to-yield fastener? Knowing these answers may help prevent a disaster.
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A Guide to Automotive Bolts and Tightening, Pt.1
With so many demands on today’s technician, the fundamentals of bolts and tightening can get neglected. Everyone knows about torque and specifications, but this is only the beginning. They scatter information and sometimes finding it is difficult. This guide may answer some basic questions about bolts and proper tightening techniques.
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Finding the Cause of Automotive Vibration, Pt.2
To solve a vibration, we must know what causes it. With so many possible causes, people often waste a great deal of money on trial and error. Using a few simple methods eliminates unnecessary expenses and leads us to the problem quickly.
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Stripping Phillips Screws
The cross-headed type screw is everywhere. They replaced slotted screws, in all automotive applications. Many people are frustrated trying to tighten or loosen them. Stripped heads, and gouged work and sore fingers abound. The key is in knowing, that a Phillips screw driver may be the wrong tool.
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Why Suspension Joints Break
Automotive suspension component attachment is a critical safety issue. When failure occurs, the result is catastrophic. Problems normally result from incorrect service procedures. Understanding the design is crucial when repairing the suspension.
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Miles Per Tank Full
Filling my vehicles with fuel, is something I really dislike. Not only is it expensive, I also find it inconvenient. This creates a temptation to make either of two major mistakes. I like to get the most miles per tankful that I can. This requires care, because there is damage when we run a fuel tank too low or when we overfill it.
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Buying A Vehicle - Used
The best value in a used vehicle, is three to a five-years-old. Maximum depreciation has reduced the cost and even with minimum maintenance, these vehicles are still in very good shape. More years mean a lower price, but also more potential problems, if maintenance is not current.
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Buying A Vehicle - New
Buying a vehicle is a big decision and a gamble. New or used, risks are still a part of the equation. Many current vehicles have inherent problems, from poor design, excessive complexity and low-quality components. Often, a well inspected, used-vehicle is far less problematic.
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Some Early Motorcar History II
Battery powered, hybrid taxicabs are a common sight in Manhattan today. This may seem high-tech, but in the late 1890's gasoline-powered vehicles were the exception. Battery-powered electric vehicles outnumbered gasoline engines, by a considerable margin.
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Some Early Motorcar History I
Today cars are a part of life. Imagining a time before them is hard. In the late 1890s, things were different. Names like Chevrolet, Chrysler and even Ford, mean nothing concerning motorcars. This is a brief glimpse into that time.
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Portable Generator Safety Tips
The portable generator prevents a great deal of hardship during power outages. Many households, in the hurricane prone regions, use these devices. As handy as they are, generators can also turn deadly if misused.
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