The number one key to great gas efficiency is proper car maintenance. From tires to batteries, transmission fluids to air filters, every part of your vehicle play a vital role in how much gas you use. By taking a little time, and perhaps a little money, for the inspection and maintenance of your car, truck, or SUV, you can save as much as 50% on your gasoline expenses!

A good way to make sure that you have checked everything is to start at the front of the vehicle and work your way back. Some areas may need to be checked by an automotive service in Austin, while others may be easy to check on your own. You may wish to enlist the help of a friend, relative, or older child to help you as well.

Some of these vehicle maintenance may seem too minor to make any noticeable changes in your gas bill. However, as the old saying goes, every little bit counts! Together, these minor differences add up to big savings!

Beginning with the exterior lighting, be sure that all headlights and blinkers are working properly. This may not seem like a way to save gas, but if you have to slam on your breaks because someone did not see you, you will lose gas efficiency.

Next, inspect the body of the vehicle. Is there anything hanging down or busted off that could cause wind drag? If so, it is wise to replace the part through a reputable dealer.  Read more...

When it comes to the security and protection of your car, sometimes there is no such thing as too much. There are various types of automotive security systems out there, each of them possessing their own good qualities and features. Finding the right one for your vehicle protection needs will take some time and research but like buying any product, it is worth it. Never buy the first security system that a salesperson throws at you. It’s a major investment that has to be perfect otherwise it’s just pointless.

The first thing that you must do is establish what type of security you need. A car that is older and has little value may not need the same kind of protection that a fancy new car will need. There is simply no sense paying for something that you don’t want or need. Look into the various types of alarm systems to see what fits for you. Price will play a big part in this too since a higher end system will have more features but will also cost more.

A basic alarm system is the audible type that sets off a loud alarm when the vehicle is tampered with. Sometimes that is all that it takes to scare off a would be thief. This type of system is great for those that just want a little extra protection without all of the additional features available. There are other systems that don’t make any noise at all. Instead they send you a quiet alert like a page or text message. Then you know something is up with your car. If you can’t get to it fast though this may not be a good choice. There are other systems that will immobilize your ignition so that the car itself cannot be stolen. This is quickly becoming a popular choice.  Read more...

Most modern cars are now fitted with a low maintenance battery and these either require little electrolyte topping up and in some cases, none at all. This is a result of advances in automotive technology where alternators ensure that the battery is not subjected to an abnormal voltage charge.

The battery charger that you use in your workshop needs to be as versatile as your vehicle’s charging system to ensure that your battery’s life if not cut short by a defective process.

The big problem encountered with maintenance-free or sealed batteries is gassing, this is where electrolyte is lost as a result of too high a charge. Battery chargers designed to deal with these maintenance-free batteries are referred to as automatic and they cut off the voltage between around 13.8v and 14.5v to prevent gassing taking place. Some of these automatic chargers allow the battery to be permanently connected, topping up the charge when necessary. This float charge is very useful when you have a motor caravan or a car that is laid up for a length of time. CTEK and some of the Gunsons range of chargers are designed with this function. These chargers also have reverse-polarity protection with a built in cut-out feature and are supplied with a decent length of cable and obviously, a decent pair of clips. CTEK produce a lead where the charger can be fitted to the engine compartment of a vehicle and plugged into the mains when required.  Read more...

With the current sky high fuel prices, many people are searching for alternative automotive fuel. Some experts have claimed that you can run your car on hydrogen. Is hydrogen car technology a scam? Hydrogen or also known as water car technology utilizes water as a key source of fuel. Top scientists have already discovered that energy can be extracted from water and can be used as alternative fuel for automobiles. It is said that this technology was kept from the public due to political reasons. What exactly is water car technology? This article will share 3 points on the subject.

1. The Wonders of Water
The key component of this technology is water. From elementary science, water is made up of hydrogen and oxygen molecules in a 2:1 ratio. The gas that is needed as an alternative automotive fuel is called Oxyhydrogen and it is made up of HHO. Unfortunately, it exists as a gas at room temperature and its chemical combination is different from that of water. Therefore, when water is broken down, Oxyhydrogen can then be extracted and used as a fuel source. To extract the gas, a special device would have to be installed in automobiles.

2. The Wonders Of Oxyhydrogen
Oxyhydrogen gas can be extracted from water with a simple electrolysis process. This process is already being heavily utilized by industries for melding metal and glass. When oxyhydrogen is used on cars, it has a potential to provide more energy and increase gas mileage when mixed and used with normal gasoline. Unfortunately, running cars on purely water alone is not possible yet. Gasoline is still needed as part of the mixture.  Read more...

Choosing appropriate auto parts for your car is as important as buying the car itself. A wrong decision can lead to a more expensive product or even worst, accidents can happen when faulty auto parts are purchased. But a good decision will definitely give best results. Let us examine some essential things that a buyer or car owner should consider when purchasing automotive parts either new or slightly used.

When purchasing these products, it is strongly recommended to seek professional help prior to taking any action. Similar to what we do when we are not experts or unsure of some things that need accurate decisions, seeking help from professionals is always on the brighter side. Professionals can provide you with concrete ideas on the necessity and best alternative for an auto part you are trying to purchase. They sometimes would recommend stores that they have proven to be the best source for that car part.

Choose only genuine auto parts if necessary. With genuine auto parts, a car owner is guaranteed of the same quality as the original part fitted on the car. Parts like brakes, rocket arm, crankshaft, and other vital parts of a car should only be replaced with genuine auto parts. If possible, only purchase auto parts from car manufacturers and their recognize dealers. Replacements should be the last alternative in case finding genuine auto parts is impossible. But these days, genuine auto parts are easily found.  Read more...