Module 8 Topic 2

__________________________ supplies electrical energy to the motor and starts the engine?

Battery

Checking belts and hoses

Belts run the electrical system as well as the engine. Look for cracks and fringing. Squeeze hoses to see if they are hard or mushy, bubble or leak. Check owner's manual. Check hoses and belts at every oil change. Watch the video and learn how to change hoses and belts.

Filter Maintenance

Every car has four main filters: the cabin filter, oil filter, fuel filter and air filter. The function of all these filters is to enable air flow and catch impurities: the dust and contaminants in the air, the impurities in the fuel or the dirt in the motor oil. If your car filters are not replaced in time, they won't work properly and in the end, it could cause an impact on the mechanics. By replacing your filters, your car will be more efficient.

Oil Filter:

The oil filter maintains continuous oil flow and removes particles (dirt, oxidized oil, metallic particles) that may appear in the motor oil due to engine wear. It purifies the motor oil so that it can do its job efficiently. An oil filter has enough contaminant-holding capacity to remain fully functional until the next oil change.

Engine Light

When the check engine light is on but not blinking. it means there is a minor problem. When the check engine is blinking, there is a more serious problem. Flashing indicates that the vehicle's engine is misfiring, which could severely damage the catalytic converter. Repairing the condition immediately is important to save money and keep the vehicle running longer. The longer the vehicle is misfiring, the more damage will occur.

Dashboard Lights

When the headlights are turned on, the dashboard lights illuminate and can be adjusted from dim to bright. Use the owner's manual to locate the position of the dimmer switch on your vehicle. To reduce glare and fatigue, the light should be adjusted to as dim as possible. If too bright, the inside light will reduce what a driver can see outside the vehicle. It is similar to looking out a window at night with the room lights on verses to the lights turned off.

Checking Under the Hood

1.Engine Coolant Reservoir is a container that holds the excess or overflowing cooling agent which is used in the system. It is usually a clear plastic bottle located near the radiator. 2.Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir is a container that hold windshield washer fluid used for cleaning the windows. 3.Engine Oil Filler Cap is usually found on the top of the engine and is about 2½ inches in diameter. It is where oil is added to the engine. 4.Transmission Fluid Dipstick (Automatic Transmission) is near where the transmission or transaxle meets rear of the engine and 6.Brake Fluid Reservoir contains brake fluid with a cap for refilling the fluid.looks similar to the oil dipstick. 5.Engine Oil Dipstick is a long metal, flat curved rod that usually has a rounded top that extends into the oil pan to measure oil level. 6.Brake Fluid Reservoir contains brake fluid with a cap for refilling the fluid. 7.Clutch Fluid Reservoir (Manual Transmission) contains the clutch fluid with a cap for refilling the fluid. 8.Battery electrical energy to a motor and starts the engine. Once running, the power for the electrical systems is supplied by the alternator. 9.Power Steering Fluid Reservoir contains power steering fluid with a cap for refilling the fluid. 10.Drive Belts: Vehicles have several belts that operate parts such as an alternator, power steering pump, water pump, air conditioning compressor, air pump, etc. 11. Air Filter Assembly is the housing on top of everything, round with an extension. The top comes off and inside is the air filter.

When changing the oil in a vehicle, stop _______________ quart short of the required "with filter" amount?

1/2 to 1

Factors affecting the emission system include:

Driving and atmospheric conditions; Mileage; Vehicle age; Type of spark plug electrode material; Poor vehicle maintenance; Poor quality fuel; Damaged or worn sensors; and Dry-rotted or cracked vacuum hoses.

Maintain a safe car with regular exhaust system checks. Factors that affect replacement requirements include:

Driving habits (short trips take their toll on exhaust system life); Road conditions (salt, road spray, bumps); Vehicle type; and Age of exhaust system parts. Symptoms of a problem: Loud noise; Rattling noise when starting, accelerating or braking; Drowsiness while driving; or Rotten eggs smell.

Reasons the check engine light symbol comes on:

Faulty Gas Cap (allows gas vapor to escape). Faulty oxygen sensor (reduced gas mileage, rough idle). Faulty air fuel ration sensor, resulting in possible reduced gas mileage, drop in power, delayed response when accelerating, or rough idle. Faulty mass air flow sensor (reduction in gas mileage, engine hesitation during acceleration). Faulty ignition coils (can cause the engine to misfire, idle roughly, reduction in power, not able to start engine). Faulty spark plug wires (causes reduced gas mileage, loss of power, engine misfiring or stalling). Faulty spark plugs (causes reduced gas mileage, loss of power, difficulty starting). Faulty thermostat (causes high temp reading, engine overheating). Faulty EGR Valve (causes reduced gas mileage, higher emission, rough idle, reduced power). Faulty Evaporative Emission Canister Purge Value (EVAP) (causes rough idle, hard starting). Faulty catalytic converter (causes reduced engine performance, may run at higher temp). An auto parts store can diagnose a problem with their diagnostic computer. If you cannot repair the problem yourself, take the vehicle to a mechanic. Watch the video and look for ways to fix your check engine light when it turns on, or blinks.

Symptoms of a faltering steering and Suspension system include

Hearing noise when driving over bumps; Feeling the vehicle bounce when driving over normal pavement; Feeling the steering wheel is hard to turn or feels loose; Noticing uneven tire wear when inspecting the tires; and The car wheels feel like they are wandering, not following a straight line.

The Internal Combustion System

In an Internal combustion engine, power is produced by the burning of a fuel in a confined space called a combustion chamber. This action is the action that causes movement (4 Strokes: intake, compression, power, and exhaust). Watch the video and look for how the internal combustion engine works.

Headlight Glare:

In dim light during reduced visibility, focus on the edges or outlines of objects. Your eyes can pick up images more sharply this way than by looking directly at the object.

__________________ lubricates, cleans and cools the engine?

Motor Oil

Introduction

In topic two, you will learn about the importance of the vehicle owner's manual and preventive maintenance requirements for the internal combustion engine, belts and hoses, lubrication system, brake system, emission system, exhaust system, engine cooling system, and fuel system. Preventive maintenance consists of scheduled servicing, inspections, and vehicle repairs to prevent potential problems and maximize vehicle performance. Preventive maintenance is used to proactively avoid or reduce vehicle breakdowns. The preventative maintenance is based on time, mileage, engine hours, or gallons of fuel used. Preventive maintenance actions include vehicle inspection, lubrication, adjustment, cleaning, testing, repair, and/or worn parts replacement. If preventive maintenance is not performed regularly, vehicle life span will be greatly reduced. Vehicle maintenance and repairs can be performed in one of two methods: Proactive: scheduled preventive maintenance. Reactive: unscheduled breakdown maintenance. The vehicle owner's manual provides information on scheduled servicing, inspections and vehicle repairs. It should be referenced often.

Air Filter:

Just as humans need oxygen to breathe, a car needs oxygen for the combustion process. The air filter prevents insects, dust, particles, sand or debris from reaching the engine and ensures a good mixture of air and fuel to support performance. The owner's manual indicates the type of filters your vehicle requires.

Reduce Glare at Night:

Make sure mirrors are properly adjusted (BGE position). Switch the inside rearview mirror to 'night' position by flipping the lever under the mirror toward the inside of the vehicle. Avert your eyes. Direct your central vision down toward the right side of the road to avoid being blinded by another driver's headlights. Use the edge of the lane or the painted edge line as your visual guide until the vehicle passes. Use your peripheral vision to watch traffic.

Lubrication System

Motor oil lubricates, cleans and cools the engine. Keeping fresh oil in the vehicle reduces repairs and increases the life of the engine. The oil light indicates low oil pressure or low oil level. Drivers should stop immediately and address the problem as soon as possible. Driving can permanently damage the vehicle's engine. Check the oil in weekly maintenance inspections, more often if the vehicle is (or will be) driven a lot of miles. Oil changes and oil filter replacement must be done as indicated by the vehicle owner's manual, usually every 1,500 to 7,000 miles. Also, the manual will recommend the grade of oil. Watch the video and learn how to do an easy oil change.

Headlight Lenses

Plastic headlight lenses get dull, cloudy, scratched or yellowed. This damage weakens the headlight beam resulting in less coverage in front of the vehicle. Watch the video and learn how to restore your headlights using toothpaste.

Check your car's fuel system regularly or immediately if you smell gas or suspect a problem. Symptoms include:

Poor fuel economy; Vehicle won't start; and "Check Engine" light is illuminated.

The minimum service the vehicle must have performed to keep the manufacturer's warranty is known as ___________________?

Required

Electrical System

The battery converts chemical energy to electrical energy necessary to power the vehicle, delivering voltage to the starter. On average, a battery will last 3 to 5 years, but driving habits and exposure to extreme elements can shorten the life of your car battery.

Signs of a Faulty Transmission Include:

Slipping—changes for no apparent reason to another gear, it is suddenly underpowered or is not accelerating like it should. Rough shifts - vehicle refusing to change gears as normal or shifts are not smooth. Delayed engagement - a delay before the car actually engages into drive and starts moving forward. Fluid leak - generally sealed but you see red fluid under vehicle. Check engine light - illuminates if there is a problem with the transmission. (But this could also mean a lot of other problems, so take the vehicle to a mechanic or auto parts store and have a diagnostic test to confirm the problem).

The alternator charges the battery so electrical energy provides voltage to the starter when the key turns to start the vehicle. Problems that indicate the battery may be bad or going bad:

Slow sluggish engine crank, takes longer than normal to start. Check engine light sometimes appears when battery power is weak. Low battery fluid level. Inspect by removing the red and black caps if not sealed. Most modern batteries are permanently sealed. Sulfur odor (rotten egg) smell around battery. Swelled battery case. Lights or warning lights, flicker, disappear and then reappear. A battery can be jump-started by connecting to another vehicle or portable jump starter.

Cabin Filter:

The cabin filter allows you to breathe clean air, by filtering bacteria, pollen and polluting substances. Having a clean cabin filter will maximize airflow and extend the life of the car's heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.

Emission System

The emission system keeps vehicle running cleanly and controls the emissions, exhaust and pollutants (including gasoline vapors escaping from the fuel tank), using an array of sensors, computerized engine controls and the exhaust components. The emission system substantially reduces harmful gases such as carbon monoxide (CO), unburned hydrocarbons (HC) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and, by law, must be maintained in operating condition.

Engine Cooling System

The engine cooling system affects your car's overall dependability and engine longevity by removing heat from the engine and automatic transmission and dissipating the heat to the air outside. The water pump circulates coolant through the engine. The coolant absorbs heat and returns it to the radiator where heat is dissipated. The thermostat regulates the coolant temperature to keep it consistent for efficient engine operation. Coolant, a mixture of water and antifreeze, must be checked and topped off from time to time. If the car is overheating do not drive, it can damage the engine. Typical Wear and Tear: Driving habits; Operating conditions; Type of vehicle; Type of coolant; or Frequency of regular maintenance such as coolant changes. Symptoms include: Overheating; Sweet smell; Leaks; or Repeatedly need to add fluid.

Exhaust System

The exhaust system routes: Dangerous exhaust gas from the engine out and away from the car to keep from affecting the occupants; and Reduces exhaust noise from the engine. The catalytic converter reduces the level of harmful pollutants in the exhaust. The oxygen sensors mounted in the exhaust system monitor the level of oxygen in the exhaust gases to maintain efficient engine operation and to monitor the converter's operation.

Fuel Filter:

The fuel filter removes impurities like dust, rust and grit contained in the fuel. By eliminating these contaminants, the fuel filter protects the fuel injectors and plays a key role in maintaining the performance and longevity of the engine.

Fuel System

The fuel system is made up of the fuel tank, pump, filter, and injectors or carburetor, and is responsible for delivering fuel to the engine as needed. The fuel system works with the rest of the engine control systems to deliver the best performance with the lowest emissions. The fuel system transfers fuel from the fuel tank and passes it through a fuel filter for straining before it arrives at the injectors. A pressure regulator controls fuel pressure to ensure good engine performance under a variety of speed and load conditions. Fuel injectors, when activated, spray a metered amount of fuel into the engine. Some vehicles use a return line system to return unused fuel back to the tank. Intervals for fuel system maintenance may be influenced by fuel quality, vehicle age, mileage/time, operating conditions, and/or maintenance history.

Transmission

The function of the transmission is transferring engine power to the driveshaft and rear wheels, or front wheels in a front-wheel-drive vehicle. Driver does minimal work with a standard transmission. The driver must physically shift into the proper gear by coordinating between the clutch, throttle (accelerator) and gears.

Reasons a Vehicle may not start

The key fob isn't communicating with the vehicle. The fob battery could be dead, or there's a malfunction in the vehicle's keyless receiver module. Low or dead car battery. The battery powers the starter motor, which must turn the crankshaft fast enough to initiate the start sequence. Most people replace their batteries only after they've failed, instead of when they're on their way downhill. Have your battery load-tested regularly, especially as it gets older. Poor battery connection. Excessive corrosion on the battery posts and cable ends can act like insulation between the two, preventing the electricity transfer from the battery to the starter. Starter failure. They only fire up for a few seconds each time you start. The enormous amount of power they draw and transfer means they can wear out sooner than many other vehicle components. Fuel flooding (Carburetor Engines). Gasoline only burns when it's mixed with air to form a vapor, and if too much liquid fuel gets into the cylinder, it can prevent combustion. Keep your foot completely off the accelerator until you actually start driving, to prevent flooding the engine. Bad spark plugs. If the spark plugs don't fire and combust the fuel at precisely the right moment, the engine will run poorly and may not start at all. Replace or perform maintenance on any worn, dirty, or improperly-gapped plugs.

Ignition System

The purpose of the ignition system (key or keyless) is to use the battery (12 volt source) and create a spark that will ignite the fuel-air mixture in the cylinder of an engine. It sends an extremely high voltage (20,000 - 50,000 volts) to the spark plug in each cylinder when the piston is at the top of its compression stroke. The tip of each spark plug contains a gap that the voltage must jump across in order to reach the ground. That is where the spark occurs and the engine starts. The system includes the ignition switch, battery, spark plugs, distributor, rotor, points, coil, resistor, condenser, and vacuum advance. Cars may need a key or if newer, may be keyless.

Tires

The recommended tire pressure is most commonly listed on a sticker inside the driver's door. If there's no sticker on the door, you can usually find the specs in the owner's manual. Tire tread includes wear/damage such as cuffing, (uneven wear on inside or outside tread areas), bald spots, visible belt, cuts, nails and punctures. This can be checked using the "Penny" test. Insert a penny "head first" into several grooves. If the tread covers part of Abe Lincoln's head, the tire has enough tread. Maintaining your tires will make your car ride smoother, increase fuel efficiency, enable maximum traction and vehicle control, and help avoid flat tires.

Steering and Suspension system

The steering and suspension systems are responsible for: Keeping the wheels firmly intact with the ground; and Preventing the car from veering to one side or off the road.

Standards of Learning

The student will identify and describe the legal aspects of and identify the financial responsibilities associated with purchasing, operating, maintaining, and insuring a motor vehicle. Key concepts include vehicle inspection; fuel, fluids, tires, and other maintenance costs

Windshield Wiper Blades:

The windshield wipers clear away rain, stormy weather, nasty road grime, damaging dust particles and snow from the windshield. Some vehicles have front and back wipers. Wipers should be checked every six months to make sure that the rubber compound on the blades is not damaged or deteriorated. Streaks on windows is an indication that a blade change is needed.

Scheduled Maintenance

There are two types of service: Required: The minimum service the vehicle must have performed to keep the manufacturer's warranty valid. Recommended: Dealer-suggested maintenance based on a professional technician's observations after personally inspecting a vehicle and looking at its service history. Local climate and driving conditions are always part of these recommendations, along with common sense. It is important to replace lights when one goes out and wipers when you see streaks on windshield after use, or if they are cracked or frayed after inspection. You do not have to be a mechanic to check and add fluids such as oil, transmission, brake, power steering, coolant, washer fluids. Keep a supply at home so you are never running low. If you do not know how, there are many videos online or you can seek the help of a friend or family member to teach you how to check or add fluids. Auto parts stores are a place to get a reliable referral for a mechanic. Shop for supplies and to seek advice on maintenance of your vehicle. You will need to know make and model of vehicle and type of engine to do some maintenance and to get a part if you plan to fix it yourself. This information is easy to find in the vehicle owner's manual. Auto parts store can test battery and alternators. When you buy a battery, many will also install your battery. Parts have warranties and may be returnable. Ask the parts store when you purchase the item. Doing your own repairs will not void vehicle warranty (protected by Federal Law: Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act). Parts store has accessories and equipment to personalize a vehicle. Many parts stores recycle fluids, tires, and batteries for the community. Watch the video and look for ways to prevent breakdowns and learn about a severe service schedule.

After changing a vehicles oil _____________________________?

Transport for Recycling

Maintaining Vehicle Lights

Vehicle lights should be checked frequently. Headlights light the road ahead in the dark and signal to other drivers that the car is present. Low beam headlights provide a light distribution to give adequate forward and lateral illumination without blinding other road users with excessive glare. Low beams should be used most of the time. High beam headlights provide an intense, center-weighted distribution of light with no particular control of glare. Never use high beams if another car is visible (coming or going) to avoid blinding them. When you drive with your lights on during the day, other drivers can see you at a distance of about 4,700 feet, compared to about 2,500 feet with no lights on. Fog lights on a vehicle are located in the front under the headlights, and to the rear under the taillights. They are mounted low in order to prevent the light from refracting on the fog and glaring back toward the driver. Daytime running lights (DRLs)are a safety feature intended to reduce crashes by increasing the contrast between vehicles and the background. They are dim and do not illuminate the road ahead. Vehicle parking lights illuminate when the ignition key is turned to the "accessory" mode. They can also be turned on by turning the headlight switch to the parking light setting (which is usually one setting below full headlights). Drivers should never drive with parking lights illuminated and parking lights are not a substitute for low beam headlights or hazard flashers. Signal lights (also known as turn signals) are a driver's voice on the road. They are located in the front and back of the vehicle, beside the head and taillights. When activated, they announce to other drivers that you will soon be turning (in the indicated direction of the signal) and will most likely be slowing down to do so. Taillights illuminate when the headlights are turned on and are slightly dimmer than brake lights. They help others behind a vehicle recognize that your vehicle is there and gives them a way to judge the distance between their vehicle and yours. Brake lights are red lights on both sides of the back of a vehicle that illuminate day or night automatically whenever the brakes are applied. They give drivers behind your vehicle a warning when your speed is about to change. Reverse lights are also called back-up lights. They are used to warn other vehicles and people around the car that the vehicle is about to move backwards. The reverse lights also provide illumination when the car is backing up.

When the hazard lights are engaged, all four turn signals flash simultaneously to signal approaching motorists of an existing hazard.

Virginia law allows use of hazard flashers on vehicles: Slowed or stopped at the scene of a traffic hazard; When traveling as part of a funeral procession (any speed); and When traveling at a speed of thirty miles per hour or less.

Signs of Brake problems

When braking, if you feel the brake vibrating or if the car pulls from one side or another while braking, take the vehicle to a mechanic. Pay attention to any noise when braking, especially if car pulls from one side to another. Stopping distance is reduced. Watch the video and learn how to diagnose problems with your brakes.

Engineering helps reduce glare by providing

Wider lanes, Physical barriers between the two directions of traffic, and Glare screens on barrier walls. Watch the video and learn about the tabs on rearview mirrors.