Better Ways to Clean Your Car

Cleaning your car’s interior is not just a cosmetic advantage it also improves your health. Dirt and grime get into the fibers, wreaking havoc on your respiratory system. It’s also a breeding ground for germs. Every time you are in your car you drop hair, dead skin, and make-up. If you eat in your car, you’re dropping crumbs or spilling liquids. Here are some tips for cleaning your car’s upholstery and stains. To make it fun and quick, grab someone to help and bribe them with pizza after your cleaning session.


Dirt and grease can be removed by rubbing on paint thinner with a cotton cloth. Cover the stain with salt until all the grease is absorbed, and then vacuum. Coffee spills should be immediately diluted with cool water and blotted with a paper towel or clean rag. If a stain remains after drying, spray glass cleaner and allow it to soak for 5 minutes and then blot. Wet stains can usually be removed with a salt-water solution. However, if this doesn’t work, try hairspray or paint thinner. You should test an area first to make sure the fabric isn’t stained further.

When cleaning the carpet, make sure the floorboard doesn’t get too wet. There are electronic parts underneath and could be damaged if they become wet. It’s best to remove floor mats from the car when cleaning. Some cars allow you to remove the seats which make for easier cleaning and reduce the amount of moisture inside. Dry powder or dry foam carpet shampoos are best for cleaning this area. Make sure to vacuum first. This includes the floor, under the seats, between the pedals and between the seats. Along with carpet shampoos, upholstery shampoo is also a good investment. All you have to do is spray the cleaner and rub vigorously. When the stain is gone, wipe it with a dry, cotton cloth.

For stains from vomit, dilute and neutralize them with baking soda and water or club soda. Make sure to dry the area thoroughly so it doesn’t corrode, stain or create mold. To remove blood stains use a paste made of dry starch and cold water. For beer and alcohol, dilute with cold water immediately.

For non-cloth interiors like vinyl, wipe with baking soda and a damp rag. Use dishwasher detergent and water to rinse. For leather interiors, use leather cleaner with a soft, clean, cotton towel. Wipe gently, making sure to get all the edges and crevices. Also, when using leather care products, make sure the steering wheel is completely dry before you drive.

Importance of Anti-freeze In Cars

Antifreeze prevents a automobile's cooling system from succumbing to the physical stresses and deformation caused by expansion that occurs when water turns into ice.  Most antifreezes are made up of chemical compounds that are added to water, therefore reducing the freezing point of the mixture to below the lowest temperature the system is likely to encounter.

The traditional antifreeze formulas used for aluminum radiators, cylinder heads or blocks contains high levels of silicates.  This is not intended for use in cast iron engines with copper or brass radiators.  Silicates form protective barriers on aluminum.  In European and Asian OEM antifreezes, the additives contain less silicate, instead relying on borates to prevent corrosion.  There are also no phosphates in European antifreezes because hard water can react with phosphates and form calcium and magnesium sediments.

Ethylene glycol is the most widely used antifreeze for automotive cooling systems.  However, Methanol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, and propylene glycol are used as well.  These are all substances that prohibit corrosion in the engine. 

Should the engine coolant get too hot, it might boil inside the engine.  This can cause voids or pockets of steam which can lead to catastrophic engine failure.  By using a proper engine coolant and a pressurized coolant system, both problems can be alleviated.  Certain antifreezes will prevent freezing until -87 degrees Celsius.

Saturn and some European car makers also use green dye for their extended life coolants.  Dex-Cool extended life coolant, now used in new GM vehicles, is dyed orange to differentiate it from regular antifreeze.  If mixed with other antifreeze, the color may or may not change, depending on the amount used.  GM gives a warning that mixing other types of antifreeze with Dex-Cool can reduce the life of the coolant to ordinary antifreeze.  Along with keeping the car at its ideal temperature, many antifreeze products, like PEAK Long Life Antifreeze and Coolant, have extra additives that help prevent corrosion which lead to costly engine breakdowns.

To keep a car running smoothly, add coolant to the radiator as well, if the reservoir is empty.  Make sure that the radiator has cooled completely before removing the cap.  Check the condition of the coolant being added.  One of the leading causes of radiator failure is corrosion caused by not maintaining the cooling system.  The inhibitors in traditional antifreeze gradually deplete over time.  It's recommended that the coolant be changed every two years or every 24,000 to 30,000 miles.

Make sure to keep the radiator clean.  As you drive, the cooling system takes in air, bugs, dirt, leaves and other debris.  It's important to keep it clean so that air can easily pass through.  Inspect your pressure cap and hoses.  The cap on the radiator keeps the correct pressure for the coolant.  If the cap becomes rusted or dried, replace it.  Check the hoses for leaks, cracks or soft places.  If you find any of these problems, replace the hose.

There are antifreeze formulas that offer extended service, going 5 years or 150,000 miles between changes.  This can reduce the need for cooling system maintenance and the risk of early radiator failure.  Still, most vehicles still have conventional antifreeze additives in their cooling systems.  Therefore, do not neglect regular coolant checks and changes, as the risk of corrosion will increase each year.

Car Battery Maintenance

It's important that every car owner knows that the battery in their car should be changed every four years.  Consider it to be a rule of thumb, as the battery performs at a diminished rate after this period and will have to be replaced.  A load test should be performed every month by an auto mechanic.  This will ensure that the battery will hold charge at very low temperatures.  It's also important to keep the battery terminals clean.  Simply wipe them with a mixture of baking soda and water then scrub clean with a wire brush. 
Each battery cell provides 2.1 volts which gives the battery a total of 12.6 volts when fully charged.  Lead-acid batteries are comprised of plates of lead and plates of lead dioxide.  The lead dioxide plates are submerged in an electrolyte solution made of 35% sulfuric acid and 65% water.  There are some problems presented with these types of batteries.  Cells shorting due to a failure of the separator between the positive and negative plates can occur.  Cells can short out because of build-up of shed plate material below the cell's plates.  Corrosion can cause the internal connections to be broken and also cause the plates to break.  Vibration can also cause this issue.  Low electrolytes cause problems along with a cracked or broken case.  Terminals can break and sulfating can occur after long periods of disuse in a low or no charged state.
 It's also important to know that if the battery is severely overcharged or the ventilation is inadequate or the battery itself is faulty, a flammable concentration of hydrogen can remain in the cell or battery enclosure.  A spark can cause an explosion that damages the battery, its surroundings and will disperse acid onto surrounding structures.  It's very common to overcharge a battery.  This should be avoided because it can lead to complete destruction of the battery and other components as well. 

Here are some ideas to ensure your battery performs at its best.  Make sure that the battery cables are tied tightly enough so that they do not move around.  The battery also needs to be kept safely in a tray so that there is minimal damage to the hood.  They tend to under perform when exposed to severe cold.  If you live in an area that reaches very cold temperatures you might want to install an engine or battery heater.  Not only will the car start easily, no excess power is used to do so.  The water level should be maintained adequately.  Ideally it should be level with the filter necks.  When adding water, be careful not to get it on your body or clothing because it can cause damage.
Learning a little about car battery maintenance will allow you to easily identify the early signs of a low or failing battery.  For example, the headlights dim when the car is idling, the starter turns slow or there is a problem in the ignition can be signals.  A loose or cracked fan belt, dim dash lights, ineffective cooling of the car's cabin are signs.  Also, short circuiting in the electric wiring or improper functioning of electrical devices signifies a diminished battery.
Some battery weakening and failure is due in part to the driver's actions.  Rash driving habits can cause a battery to malfunction.  Using electrical power excessively for car electronics such as the air-conditioner, music systems or lights in the cabin can drain power. The power will be drained if the cabin lights are left on for a long period of time also using the air-conditioner when the engine is in idle.  Factory defects can also cause issues with the ability of the battery to maintain charge.
Maintenance-free batteries are similar in design to a conventional battery it's just a heavier-duty version.  The components usually have thicker construction and uses different, more durable materials.  The plate grids often contain calcium, cadmium or strontium, which reduce gassing that leads to water loss and self-discharge.  They call this design a lead-calcium battery.  Fluid loss is kept under control with the heavier duty parts and the components carry a longer life, creating a closed system.  If using one of these batteries, pay attention to the black color light on the battery.  When this illuminates, the battery requires servicing.
Proper safety is important when working with your battery.  Make sure there are no open flames around the battery while checking it.  Chemicals within are highly combustible, so care should be taken while working around them.  If by chance electrolyte gets on your clothes or skin, neutralize it immediately with a mixture of baking soda and water. Always wear goggles or protect your face with a shield.  Use lead-lined or nonmetallic containers to hold the electrolytes.  Always pour the acid slowly into water, not the other way around and stir it in small amounts.  Never lean over the battery when charging, testing or jump-starting your engine.  Disconnect the negative cable first and reconnect it last.  Only charge a battery in a well-ventilated area and never charge or jump a frozen battery.  It should be warmed up to at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Changing Your Car’s Oil

Changing your oil on your own can save you money.  Lube stations and service stations are charging around $10 to $22 for the typical oil change.  This includes the lubrication, oil change, five quarts of new oil and a new filter.  Dealerships may know the best oil and filter for the car but they tend to be slower than the fast lube facilities.  Dealers do a variety of repairs and they are not often in a hurry to get vehicles out quickly.  They will, however, give you the correct weight and API rated oil.  Their prices are normally competitive with other places and other repairs under warranty can be done along with the oil change.  You can also be assured that the oil change will meet the manufacturer's guidelines for warranty requirements.  They will also perform a comprehensive inspection and keep up with vehicle history as well as any recall information
 
If you're interested in changing the oil in your car on your own, there are a list of tools and equipment you'll need.  A 3/8 drive socket set, a combination wrench set that is closed and open-ended and metric, and an oil filter wrench are necessary.  You will also need something to catch the old oil, an oil pan, a used kitchen basin or a kid's bucket.  One gallon milk containers with screw-on lids are useful for putting the used oil in.  You will also need a funnel and a one quart Ziploc baggie as well as dirty rags and old newspapers.   
Wearing work clothes that you don't mind getting dirty would be a good idea and pulling back your hair if it's long is recommended.  Gloves are optional but you may want to consider wearing them.  You will need a new oil filter.  Your owner's manual will let you know what the car's requirements are for a filter.  Of course, you will also need enough oil to refill the engine.  Again, the owner's manual will have the need grade and number of quarts.  Some good brands are Valvoline, Castrol, Pennzoil, Quaker State and Mobil. 
The valve is normally built into the oil pump and needed in both full flow and by-pass oil systems.  It controls the operating pressure of the lubrication system.  The manufacturer sets the regulating valve so that the correct pressure is maintained.  It's usually between 40 and 60 psi.  A ball or plunger and spring mechanism is used by the valve.  When the pressure gets below the preset level, the spring holds the ball in the closed position so oil flows to the bearings under pressure.  When the desired pressure level is reached, the valve opens enough to maintain that level. 
There are new products on the market that will help with maintaining your vehicle's oil.  The new PuriFarr model 400 HE filter is specifically designed to work in electronic fuel-injected diesels.  It has application in both fuel and lube oil systems for marine systems, diesel-powered generators and locomotives.  It's also expected to be used in diesel fueling stations for marine, rail, transfer truck and off-highway diesel fleets. 
The Spin Clean centrifuge is a bypass unit that is installed to complement standard filter parts.  Excess engine oil pressure produced by the lube pump is what drives it.  The pressure moves the unit's internal turbine assembly with acceptable speed, generating a centrifugal force of nearly 1000 times the force of gravity.  This results in compaction of oil solid contaminates along the inside of the turbine bowl.  This unit can be cleaned while the engine running when the oil supply is cut off.  By doing this downtime is reduced as is loss of production.
There are many benefits to oil bypass filtration.  Drain intervals can be dramatically extended, oil cooling is improved, filtration capacity and life increases, fluid system capacity is increased, and it removes small particles and soot more efficiently.  It can also significantly increase engine life, allow constant clean oil to run through the equipment, increases the efficency of the engine, and it removes particles that are less than the size of one micron.
.