Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Parker Auto Repair

If you are looking for a Parker auto repair shop, you need to drive west a few miles to Autoworks Colorado. They are better than any other Parker auto repair shop and have been in business over 25 years. They specialize in Audi repair, BMW repair, Mercedes repair, Porsche repair, and Volkswagen repairs for all models.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Why and How does Oil Break Down

The biggest reason oil breaks down is because of HEAT. Although there are many other factors which lead to the breakdown of oil, heat is the most important. Each type of oil that you put in your car has a certain amount of heat tolerance. The temperature to which this oil first gives off vapors is known as the “Flash Point”. This flash point differs between different types and brands of oils. A lower flash point means that that certain type of oil will suffer vaporization loss sooner when exposed to high temperatures and this will lead to oil burn off by hot pistons and cylinders; therefore, reducing the amount of oil in your engine.

Today’s engines are smaller in size and fed less oil than the engines of the past, while they are still expected to put out the same amount of power. This makes the engines run a lot hotter and it puts an increased burden on the oil, causing it to burn up and break down quicker.

Heat breaks down the smaller, lighter molecules of oil first. This can lead to deposits and sludge being left behind and coating your engine that can cause damage. This also only leaves the larger, heavier oil molecules behind to protect your engine. These particles do not flow as well and they tend to blanket your engine’s components, which only increases the heat problem and leads to further oil burn off.

As oil breaks down chemically over time it loses its lubrication properties. Oil thins out over time as it’s certain elements are lost to HEAT and other chemical changes. Oil, therefore, lasts longer in a more moderate climate zone than a hot one.

Summer and Winter Oil Types…
By consulting your car’s owners manual you will see that there are different types of oil that are better in certain conditions. There should even be a climate zone map that would point you in the correct direction as to which oil to use.

There are two basic types of oil:
1) 5W30 (for winter conditions)
2) 10W30 (for summer conditions)

10W30 is intended for very hot conditions, as this is when oil burns up the fastest. 10W30 does not thin out as easily as the 5W30 and it provides ones engine with more lubrication in hot conditions.

For most of Canada it is ok to just use 5W30 all year round if you like. The reason behind this is the fact that you car would never really be exposed to extremely hot conditions that often, except for maybe the odd day in the summer.

It is also a good idea to use 10W30 on older vehicles as it will give them a little more lubrication, especially in the winter. But don’t be surprised if you feel a few more knocks in your engine if you do so in the winter months.

How Often Should I Change my Oil??


(Questions taken from msnbc.com)
I own a 1997 Camry with 54,000 miles on it. I have been changing the oil every 3 months or 3,000 miles. Now I drive less, about 3,000 miles in 5 or 6 months. Should I still change the oil at three months or wait till I reach 3,000 miles? Also, since I bought the car I have been using Valvoline oil. Is it OK to change to another brand?


I remember getting my first car (a hand-me-down) and how my father kept telling me how important it was to change the oil every 3,000 miles. A lot has changed since then. Today’s oil is much better and it can last a lot longer.

Here’s what to do: Check your owner’s manual and follow the manufacturer’s recommendation. If it says change the oil every three months or 3,000 miles and you haven’t traveled 3,000 miles in that time, change it anyway. But, I think you’ll find that the recommendations are much longer than that. For instance, Acura suggests that I change the oil in my car every 7,500 miles or one year.

Tom and Ray, the hosts of Car Talk on National Public Radio, recommend an oil change every 5,000 miles, although they admit knowing when to change the oil is not an exact science. “It may be too soon for many people and too late for a few,” they say, “but for the vast majority, 5,000-mile oil changes will help your engine last to a ripe, old age.”

Here are a few reminders:
You should always change the filter when you change the oil. You don’t want to contaminate the new oil with the gunk that’s in the old filter.

Check the oil level every few hundred miles. “If you add oil, don’t overfill,” cautions Phil Reed, Consumer Advice Editor for Edmunds, “because that can cause serious engine problems.”
And it’s not a problem If you want to switch from one brand of oil to another, says John Ibbotson, an automotive expert at Consumer Reports. “Just make sure to stick with the manufacturer’s recommendations for engine oil weight,” Ibbotson says. You should also use a product with the API Certification Seal for gasoline engines, which means the oil meets the American Petroleum Institute’s latest requirements and that it is energy conserving.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

How to Increase Fuel Efficiency

Part 1 - Save fuel in the Quick Lane

Proper vehicle maintenance doesn't just help extend the life of your vehicle - it can help relieve some of the financial pressure brought on by high gas prices. The following are a few key services our factory-trained auto service technicians can perform to help boost your mpg and fuel economy.
  • Check your oxygen sensor. An oxygen sensor is part of your vehicle's emission control system. Replacing a faulty one can improve gas mileage by as much as 40%
  • Replace a clogged air filter. All of the dirt, dust and grime have a negative impact on your engine's performance. This simple and often overlooked maintenance can increase fuel efficiency by about 10%
  • Get an engine tune-up. Making sure all your systems are operating at their best can save you 4% in fuel efficiency
  • Keep your tires inflated to the proper pressure. Making sure your tire pressure isn't too low - or too high - can improve your gas mileage by around 3%
  • Get the recommended grade of motor oil. Our experts offer a full line of high-quality oil and filter products from Motorcraft®. Using the one that's right for your vehicle can help improve fuel efficiency by up to 2%

Part 2 - Save fuel on the road

Saving fuel after a visit to your local Quick Lane is just the start. Here are a few things you can be conscious of when you're behind the wheel to help you squeeze a little more out of your gas dollars.

  • Avoid aggressive driving - Not only can it be dangerous, but constant speed changes and quick, uneven stops and starts waste a lot of fuel. Taking it easier behind the wheel can improve your gas mileage by as much as 33%
  • Remove excess weight - You can save about 2% in fuel efficiency for every 100 lbs. of extra clutter you can remove from your car or truck
  • Use your cruise control - It's almost always more fuel efficient to travel at a constant speed whenever possible
  • Avoid idling - It's more fuel efficient to turn off your engine when you're waiting in the car Combine trips. Your engine works most efficiently when warmed up
Source: fueleconomy.com

Sunday, November 2, 2008

The History of Mercedes Benz

Written by: Tony Gee

Two men who never met are responsible for the early developments that led to the formation of the Mercedes Benz company. Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz.

It was in 1886 that Carl Benz built a motorized tricycle, the world's first automobile. But it wasn't until 1893 that he built his first four-wheeler named the Victoria.

The first real production car, which took part in the first ever recorded car race, between Paris and Rouen, was produced in 1894. This car, which inspired many copies, was called the Benz Velo. 134 Identical models were built in 1895. To own one of these state-of-the-art automobiles in the UK would have cost you £125.

It was in 1886 that Gottlieb Daimler built a horseless carriage. He and his lifelong business partner, Wilhelm Maybach, had a dream to create small, high speed engines that could be used in any form of carriage. It was their engine attached to a regular horse-drawn carriage that formed this original horseless carriage.

In 1890 they formed the Daimler Motoren Gesellshaft (DMG) company and sold their first automobile in 1892. In 1900 Gottlieb Daimler died but in that same year DMG produced a car for Emil Jellinek who named the car after his ten year old daughter Mercedes.
The car manufactured for Emil Jellinek was lighter and smaller than other automobiles of the time. It used a 35 horse power engine which gave the car a top speed of 55mph, which was unheard of at the time.

In 1903 Carl Benz responded to the Mercedes with his new model, the Parsifil. This used a vertical, two cylinder engine to propel the vehicle at a top speed of 37mph.
Both companies, Daimler and Benz, were aware of the promotional advantages of motor racing but, until 1908, Daimler had consistently beaten Benz in various challenges. It was in the 1908 French Grand Prix at Dieppe that Benz took second and third place behind a Mercedes in a race that was attended by tens of thousands of spectators.

This land-mark race was held on a public road course that covered nearly 50 miles. Drivers were required to cover 10 laps with a total race distance of 478 miles. The winner, Christian Lautenschlager in the Mercedes, averaged a speed of 69.05mph, finishing nearly nine minutes ahead of the Benz driven by Victor Hemery. It was in this race that the first fatal crash took place when Henri Cissac crashed on the 8th lap. Both he and his mechanic were killed and this event led to people calling for motor racing to be stopped.

At the beginning of WWI both the Daimler and Benz factories were converted into war production plants. It was after the war, in 1919, that Karl Jahn, from the Benz board of directors, approached Daimler regarding a possible merger. This looked promising but was abandoned that same year.

The post war years were tough times in Germany with fuel scarcity and high taxes. It was in 1924 that Benz and Daimler signed an "Agreement of Mutual Interest". This enabled both companies to retain their respective identities and remained valid until 2000 although the two companies merged on June 28th 1926.

The emblem chosen for the new merged company was a three pointed star surrounded by a laurel wreath with the words 'Mercedes' at the top and 'Benz' at the bottom.
This merger was good for both companies. Automobile production increased to 7900 vehicles in 1927 and a new line of Mercedes Benz trucks went into production in 1927.

The Mercedes Benz Company has gone on to develop a host of prestigious, high performance automobiles. There are numerous notable models including the 770 Grosser launched in 1930 with its massive 8 cylinder, 7.6 litre engine and the fantastic W25 racer with a top speed of 200 mph.

Since their inception Mercedes-Benz have held a reputation for quality, performance and durability. They have been and continue to be forerunners in the development of innovative design features such as the safety cage, rear crumple zones and anti-lock brakes. The future of the Mercedes brand looks secure as they continue their active research and development into fuel-economy and alternative energy sources for automobiles.

Future of Mercedes Back to Autor Repair
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