How the braking system works

An automotive braking system is a group of mechanical, electronic and hydraulically activated components which use friction / heat to stop a moving vehicle.

When the brake pedal is depressed, the pressure on the brake pedal moves a piston in the master cylinder, forcing the brake fluid from the master cylinder through the brake lines and flexible hoses to the calipers and wheel cylinders. The force applied to the brake pedal produces a proportional force on each of the pistons.

The calipers and wheel cylinders contain pistons, which are connected to a disc brake pad or brake shoe. Each output piston pushes the attached f... Read more

How a car engine works

The simplest and most common type of engine comprises four vertical cylinders close together in a row. This is known as an in-line engine. Cars with capacities exceeding 2,000cc often have six cylinders in line.

The engine is the heart of your car. It is a complex machine built to convert heat from burning gas into the force that turns the road wheels.

The chain of reactions which achieve that objective is set in motion by a spark, which ignites a mixture of petrol vapour and compressed air inside a momentarily sealed cylinder and causes it to burn rapidly. That is why the machine is called an internal combustion engine.... Read more

Long Block vs. Short Block Engines: What’s the Difference?

Depending on the damage to your engine, replace it with a short block or long block engine if it’s less than the resell value of your car.

It’s never a positive experience learning that your car’s engine has suffered catastrophic engine failure. Whether it was due to a blown head gasket, a manufacturer defect, or simple wear and tear, replacing an engine is a costly and time-consuming process. In fact, in most cases, car owners choose to sell the vehicle as is and move on to another. However, if you’re thinking about buying a replacement engine, you may have heard the terms “short block” and &... Read more

Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Control Arm Assembly

Common signs include a vibrating steering wheel, steering pulling to the left or right, and clunking noises.

A control arm, commonly referred to as an A-arm, is a suspension component found on virtually all road-going passenger vehicles. It is a suspension link that connects the wheel hub and steering knuckles to the chassis — meaning the underside of the car. They are equipped with bushings and ball joints that allow it to flex and move according to road conditions and steering input from the driver. Over time, the bushings or ball joints on the control arm can wear out and cause all sorts of problems. Usually, a problema... Read more

Headlamp

A headlamp is a lamp attached to the front of a vehicle to illuminate the road ahead. Headlamps are also often called headlights, but in the most precise usage, headlamp is the term for the device itself and headlight is the term for the beam of lightRead more

5 Car Parts Potholes Can Damage

Car damage from potholes is common during the spring season. Check for tire bulges, suspension problems, and body damage if you drive over a pothole.

Tires: Tires are meant to be the only part of your car that touches the road, so it isn’t a surprise that they’re susceptible to pothole damage like sidewall bulges, tread separation, or flats. These can happen because potholes often have a hard edge that compresses the tire against the wheel on impact, slicing the rubber or snapping the belts that hold a tire together. Driving on a blown out tire isn’t safe, but you may be able to repair it. However, a tire... Read more

How do you know if its the alternator or the battery?

If jump starting gets your engine started and running, but the car will not start again once you turn it off, the battery is probably the problem. In this case, the alternator is doing its job of keeping the battery going once it has been jumped, but the battery can't hold a charge when the alternator is shuts off.

 When the engine starter does not turn the engine on or the lights are dim, that means you have low battery. Difficult starting the engine because of slow cranking is also an indication of a flat battery.

If the battery is low, it needs to be recharged to restore full power and to prevent possible damage ... Read more

3 Reasons Your Car Smells like Rotten Eggs

A sulfuric or rotten eggs smell indicates an excess of byproducts left over from failed combustion. Removing the smell requires part replacement.

No one likes the lingering presence of an unpleasant or particularly potent smell. When driving, smelling a strong scent like that of sulfur — or “rotten eggs” — is often an indicator of a serious issue.

The smell comes from the small amount hydrogen sulfide, or sulfur, within the fuel. Hydrogen sulfide is usually converted into odorless sulfur dioxide. However, when something breaks within the vehicle’s fuel or exhaust system, it can inhibit this ... Read more

Top 5 Reasons Automobile Handling is Important

The car, truck or SUV you drive on a daily basis is comprised of multiple mechanical systems that must all work together seamlessly to function correctly. Arguably one of the most important systems is the suspension, which assists in the safe, efficient, and good handling of your vehicle. Depending on the type of vehicle you own, the mechanical suspension can be assisted with advanced computer systems that tune the suspension for optimal performance.

Nevertheless, while many automotive enthusiasts place an emphasis on installing power adders to increase their engine’s output, without improvements to the suspension system t... Read more

5 Car Maintenance Myths that are Actually False

Every car owner hears about best practices for keeping his or her vehicle in good shape. Whether the advice comes from friends, family, or the car manufacturer, many maintenance suggestions for fuel efficiency, engine power, and overall vehicle longevity trickle down the exhaust pipe. Some tips suggest money-saving options or performance-enhancing practices. Yet, not everything passed along to car owners is necessarily true. Read on to find out 5 car maintenance myths that are actually false:

1. You need to change your oil every 3,000 miles
Once upon a time, this was the case, and many oil companies and lube shops still pus... Read more