Drivers Ed 8

fan belts

*Check the condition of the fan belt before taking longer trips and keep a spare fan belt in your vehicle.

Brakes

Brake linings should be checked twice a year and replaced as indicated by inspection. Also, inspection must be done on rubber hoses, lines, fittings, and hydraulic cylinders for leaks. If the brakes squeak, fade, or pull unevenly, they should be checked right away.

Some common symptoms indicating the need for an alignment include

uneven tire tread wear, pulling to one side, wandering, and an off-center steering wheel.

If you smell gas

immediately stop the car, turn off the engine, and determine the problem. The fuel system should be checked for leaks as part of regular maintenance.

"ABS"

A panel indicator showing "ABS" means that a vehicle is equipped with an antilock braking system. If you have an antilock braking system, you should keep constant pressure on the brake pedal while making an emergency stop.

Steering

A vehicle's steering wheel is attached to a steering column or shaft that terminates in the steering box. Inside the steering box, the column's turning motion is translated into a lateral motion and passed to the wheels through a series of components that include the ball joints, steering arm, and steering knuckle. In power steering systems, turning the steering wheel triggers a hydraulic system that amplifies the forces necessary to rotate and move the linkages leading to the wheels. When you turn the steering wheel in a power steering system, hydraulic fluid is compressed inside a hydraulic cylinder and transmitted to a piston. This amplifies the force, making it easier to turn the wheels. For the hydraulic system to operate, the engine must be running.

EXHAUST

After gas is exploded in the cylinders of the engine, it's released into one or more exhaust manifolds. The manifolds collect spent gases from all the cylinders into one stream. The gases are passed through a catalytic converter that chemically reduces the quantity of harmful pollutants. The exhaust pipes then pass the gases through a muffler and resonator, which reduce the noise from the explosion of gas in the engine. From here, the tailpipe vents the hot gases away from the vehicle so they don't collect underneath it.

INSTRUMENT PANEL

Certain gauges and lights are more important than others. An easy way to remember the most important gauges and lights is "boil, oil, coil." The most important is the temperature, or "boil." When this warning light is on or the gauge moves into the red, it means the temperature of the engine coolant is too high and the engine will soon overheat. The proper response to this situation is to pull over and turn the engine off, allowing it to cool down. "Oil" refers to the oil gauge or warning light that signifies when the oil level in the crank case is low. Oil is a lubricant that reduces friction between the metal parts inside the engine. Without it, the metal parts would create so much friction that eventually the parts would expand and be unable to move freely. This would cause permanent damage to the engine. "Coil" relates to the battery or alternator light or voltage gauge. If trouble is indicated, it means that the battery isn't charging. This is the least urgent of the three warnings. The problem will eventually bring things to a stop, but it doesn't require immediate or emergency attention.

check exhaust system when

Changes in noise level, smelling an abnormal amount of fumes, and rattling underneath your vehicle indicate problems with the exhaust system. The exhaust system should be inspected for leaks and secure attachment along with other regular maintenance.

The second thing you can do to save money is to drive slower

Faster driving requires more fuel to get you the same distance. Obey speed limits and you'll save fuel and reduce the risk to others.

It's important to keep the following in your vehicle:

Flares. First-aid kit. Fire extinguisher. Basic tools. Flashlight. Tire chains.

fuel system

Fuel and air are delivered to the engine through several components. The fuel pump acts to pump gas from the tank through a fuel line and filter to a carburetor or fuel injection system. The carburetor or fuel injection system delivers the proper mix of air and gas to the cylinders in the engine. Air is delivered by an intake manifold after it passes through an air cleaner.

electrical system maintenance

If the electrolyte in your battery can be refilled, it should be checked and refilled with distilled water as part of regular maintenance on your vehicle to keep the battery functioning. Electrolyte fluid is corrosive and can severely injure your eyes. Batteries generate hydrogen gas, which can explode when the battery caps are removed. If your alternator belt is slipping or breaks, the battery will discharge, lights and other accessories may not work, and the vehicle will eventually stall. The belt tension should be maintained according to manufacturer specifications for the alternator to perform correctly and to prolong the life of the belt. Cracked belts should be replaced. Exterior lights should be regularly checked for burned-out bulbs that may not be obvious from inside the vehicle. Interior lights are necessary to see displays both at night and during the day, are essential in case of an emergency at night, and must be maintained in proper working order. It's illegal to drive with headlights that aren't properly adjusted. Be sure that your windshield wiper motor is working and that the linkages to the wipers are functioning. Don't wait until you're in a storm to discover that your wipers don't work. You should change wipers blades annually.

tune-ups

Periodic tune-ups and transmission servicing according to manufacturer's specifications extend the life of your vehicle, prevent the need for costly repairs, and prevent dangerous breakdowns. During a tune-up, you should have your spark plugs, spark distributor, distributor cap, and air filter changed. The timing of your vehicle should be check and adjusted, and your points should be changed (if your vehicle has them).

SHOCK ABSORBERS/STRUTS

Shocks absorbers and strut assemblies are important components of the vehicle's steering and suspension system. They help keep the tires in contact with the road for a smooth, safe ride. Shock absorbers limit the rebounding effect of the springs in the suspension. Struts are components that combine a spring and shock absorber into a single unit. Check for fluid leaks around the shock. Some shocks are filled with oil and a visible fluid leak can be detected. Excessive bumpy ride, leaning, or swaying in one direction more than normal on brake application or around turns can also indicate worn or damaged shocks.

battery

The battery is the vehicle's primary source of electrical power. When you turn the ignition to start the car, electricity closes another switch called a solenoid. The solenoid transmits the large amount of current needed to turn the starter motor. Once the engine is running, power is generated by the alternator, keeping the battery charged. The voltage regulator controls the amount of electricity generated. The distributor and coil generate and deliver the electricity needed by the spark plugs. Electricity is distributed throughout the vehicle by various electrical circuits used for the lighting system; operating the electrical motors, computers, and the radio; and for interior cooling, heating, and ventilation systems. Fuses disable circuits that are drawing too much current, preventing fires and protecting the components that the circuit serves.

power train

The engine generates force. The transmission gears adjust the engine's RPM to control the force being transmitted. The clutch (automatic or manual) disengages the transmission from the engine and allows you to change gears. The drive shaft transmits forces from the transmission to the components at the rear of the vehicle. The differential allows the back wheels to turn at different speeds to maintain traction. The axle transmits the force from the differential to the rear wheels.

TIRES

The minimum legal tread depth for tires is: 1/32 of an inch for most passenger vehicles. 4/32 of an inch for buses and most trucks and trailers. 6/32 of an inch for snow tires. To avoid skidding, blowouts, and unsafe handling, follow the manufacturer's recommendations for your vehicle when selecting tires.

suspension

The suspension system keeps the movement of the wheels from being transmitted fully to the body, allowing the driver to maintain control of the car during turns, through potholes, and over rough roads. It also makes riding in the car more comfortable. The up and down movement of the wheels is absorbed by the springs in the suspension system. The shock absorbers keep the springs from continuing to bounce. Suspension systems come in different designs involving a variety of linkages, struts, joints, torsion bars, etc.

steering warning signs

To avoid breakdowns, accidents, and costly repairs, take care of your steering system. There should be no play in your steering wheel if you have power steering, and no more than 2 inches of play in your steering wheel if you don't have power steering. If this isn't the case, have your vehicle checked by a technician. Vibrations, unusual noises from the wheels, and pulling or swerving when you stop or turn all indicate possible problems in the suspension system, steering system, brake system, and/or wheels and tires. These problems can be avoided through regular inspections and repairs.

braking

Vehicles have two independent braking systems: the service brakes and the parking brake (also referred to as the emergency brake). The service brakes are used to slow the vehicle while you're driving. The parking brake can also be used to slow a vehicle in an emergency, but is mainly used to hold a vehicle in place when the vehicle is parked. When you press the brake pedal of your vehicle, a piston in the master cylinder forces the brake fluid through the hydraulic lines. The fluid is forced to pistons in the wheel cylinders at the wheels, where additional pistons provide the force to apply your brakes. Hydraulic fluid is stored in a brake fluid reservoir normally located in the engine compartment. There are two types of service brakes: drum brakes and disk brakes. Drum brakes slow your car down by the friction created when the brake shoe pushes against the drum that is rotating with the wheel. Disc brakes (below) slow your car down by the friction of the caliper being pressed against a disc that is rotating with the wheel. Both drum and disk brakes convert friction force to heat. If the brakes get too hot, they stop working because they can't dissipate enough heat. For both types of brakes, stopping distance time is roughly proportional to the square of your speed. Therefore, if you double your speed, you quadruple the distance required to stop your car. When you're stopped and apply your brakes, they lock. It is the friction force between the tires and the road that keeps you from moving. Your parking brake uses a cable rather than a hydraulic system to engage your brakes or clamp down on your drive shaft and will therefore function even if your service brakes have failed. Brakes only slow the car down while there is friction between the moving parts of the brakes. If the wheels are locked, as in a skid, the drums or discs don't move and there will be no friction. The purpose of antilock brake systems is to prevent the brakes from becoming locked by sensing if they are locked and then automatically releasing them and applying pressure. If you don't have antilock brakes, you can avoid your brakes locking up by manually and rapidly releasing and reapplying pressure to your brake pedal ("pumping the brakes").

Engine

When you start your vehicle, power from the battery triggers a small electric motor called the starter motor. The starter motor turns the flywheel and crank shaft of the engine so that the engine can attain sufficient momentum and speed to start and run on its own. The crankshaft is inside the engine and supplies power to the remainder of the power train. The crankshaft is connected by connecting rods to pistons inside cylinders. Exploding gas inside the cylinders drives the pistons up and down and turns the crankshaft through the connecting rods. Inside the cylinders, a mixture of gas and air is compressed. The spark plug ignites this mixture, causing it to explode. The mixture of air and gas is delivered to the cylinders by either a carburetor and intake manifold, or a fuel injection system. The moving parts of your engine must be lubricated. The oil that accumulates in the engine's oil pan is pumped by the oil pump through an oil filter and tubes to reach the moving parts that need lubrication.

cooling

Your vehicle's cooling system is composed of a radiator, fan, water pump, thermostat, an overflow tank, water, and coolant, as well as a series of belts, clamps, and hoses that connect it all together and make it run.The system directs fluid past the hottest parts of the engine (the cylinder heads and valves), then redirects the fluid to the radiator, where the heat collected from the cylinder heads gets dissipated into the cooler atmosphere. Then the whole process begins again. The fluid within your car's cooling system contains both water and coolant. The coolant consists of a green fluid containing ethylene glycol, also known as antifreeze. This chemical extends the freezing and boiling points of water, making it ideal for use in automotive radiators. It also inhibits rust, an added bonus. For most climates, a minimum 50-50 mix of coolant to water is recommended. If the cooling system holds two gallons of fluid, for example, it should include at least one gallon of coolant. For more severe climates, you can increase this percentage to about 70 percent, at which point the benefit stops. Heat is absorbed by coolant flowing through passages inside the engine. The coolant is stored in the radiator, which transfers the heat from the coolant to the outside environment (air) while it is being circulated by the water pump. The radiator is cooled by air flowing through it as you drive as well as by the radiator fan. Most radiators have a recovery tank that captures coolant as it expands due to being heated and returns it to the radiator once it cools. This allows the engine to quickly heat up to proper running temperature. The flow of coolant is controlled by heat-sensing valve called a thermostat.