How A Car Is Made

Posted on March 24, 2011 by Admin-Eric

By Author: Art Gib
Article: We rely on our vehicles to get us where we need to go. But how often do we think about the process that is involved in making one of these machines? One car is an assemblage of thousands of different automobile parts from all over the world. By the time these parts reach the car manufacturing plant to be assembled, you car is finally in the last stage of its manufacturing process.

Once all the various parts arrive at the manufacturing plant, they can be assembled on an assembly line. It all begins with the chassis. The chassis is the framework of your car that supports its most essential components like the engine, transmission, driveshaft, differential, and suspension. Much of the work of the installation of these essential components is done by industrial robot arms that can assist workers in assembling heavy parts.

Once the chassis is assembled, the next step is the body. The body is usually built separately from the chassis. First comes the floor pan, which is the largest body component. A variety of panels and braces will be welded and bolted to the floor pan. Next the left and right quarter panels are robotically attached to the vehicle, and then the front and rear, roof, and body side panels are attached. After the body has been assembled and carefully inspected, the next step is painting. First, the car is immersed and cleaned of all dirt, oil, and residue. Then it is dried and dipped in a bath of undercoat paint that covers the entire body of the shell with primer. Next, it is dried and painted with a base coat of the chosen color of paint by specialized robots and then sprayed with a clear topcoat. The car is then transferred to an oven where the paint is cured at about 275 degrees.

Once the vehicle has been painted, workers assemble the interior of the vehicle, including seats, trim, wiring, dash, lights, etc. A robot installs the windshield. The shell is then tested for water-proofing. It is finally at this point, the body is then mated to the chassis and the car receives its final components like tires, battery, gasoline, etc. The car is now finished and sent for final inspection where everything is carefully audited for any defects. Once it passes inspection, it is transferred to a car shipping company. These companies specialize in shipping vehicles across the country and will ensure that the vehicle arrives at its destination in pristine condition. Through this careful process, the car finally arrives at a dealership to be sold to its new owner. Syndication Source: ThoughtSearch.com Lone Star Car Transportation (http://www.lsctransport.com/) is a car shipping. Art Gib is a freelance writer.

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Volkswagen Beetles: A Long History

Posted on March 24, 2011 by Admin-Eric

By Author: Art Gib
Article: Volkswagen Beetles have long been one of the most popular cars and most recognizable symbols of the auto industry. The Beetle has a long history, one that begins before World War Two, and stretches all the way to modern day automobile manufacturing. Let’s take a look bag through the history of the Beetle, so that we can understand why is has become such a symbol of popular culture today, and check out the new options for Volkswagen cars at your local VW dealers NJ today.

The Beetle was first introduced in Germany, as an alternative to more expensive cars. It was meant to be a mass produced, affordable automobile for the average German. Adolf Hitler was one of the first supporters of the Beetle, thinking that it would be a great alternative and meant to be a “people’s car”. Hitler helped to design the car that could carry two adults and three children and go the speed of 60 mph. The original price was 1000 Reichmarks. It was originally though that the car could not be built, but there were prototypes unveiled by 1935. Hitler himself laid the cornerstone for the new factory that would continue to roll out these revolutionary family cars. Unfortunately, with the start of the war in 1939, the thousands of people who had hoped to buy the car were turned away. The factory was retooled to make military vehicles instead.

Finally, as the war ended the production of the Beetle could start again, using the same factories that had originally been built for that purpose. As the Beetle slowly made its way to America, in 1972 it became the most popular car ever made, a position that was previously held by Ford’s Model “T”. The last Beetle to be made in Germany was in 1978, but production was moved to Mexico, where the cars still sold as a symbol of peace, happiness and freedom.

After a short falling out, the new version of the Beetle was rolled out in 1997, and were an immediate hit for not only Americans looking for a nostalgic link to their past, but a generation of new drivers who loved its innovative design and features. The Volkswagen Beetle has been a pinnacle of American automotive history, as the “Little Big That Could.”

Today, you can still see Volkswagen Beetles of each variety, both new and old, still on the streets. Check out your local VW dealers NJ for a better look at one of these classic German-American cars. Syndication Source: ThoughtSearch.com Bernardsville Volkswagen (http://www.bernardsvillevw.com/) is one of several VW dealers in NJ. Art Gib is a freelance writer.

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Everything You Need To Know About Paintless Dent Removal

Posted on March 24, 2011 by Admin-Eric

By Author: Art Gib
Article: It seems hard to believe that dings, dents, and other damage to a vehicle’s body could be repaired without having to use touch-up paint, but it’s true! Here is everything you need to know about paintless dent removal (PDR).

– How does it work?

The process requires the use of special paintless dent removal tools that enable a technician to access the area behind the damage and work on it from that angle. Because all work is performed from the back and not the front, there is no need for touch-up paint. The metal behind the ding or dent is gently pushed back into position through a series of taps and pushes using the paintless dent removal tools. When the procedure is finished, the damage will have been repaired without affecting either the exterior finish or the integrity of the body. In nearly all cases, the paintless dent removal tools coupled with easy access points in most automobiles make the removal of a door or other part unnecessary.

– Does PDR fix all types of dents?

The simple answer is no. If you have been in a collision involving another car, the chances are extremely high that your vehicle’s surface will have some of the other car’s paint left on it. In that case, touch-up paint will be necessary. The best types of damage that can easily be fixed with PDR are dents or dings caused by a door being opened and weather-related problems.

When your car gets dinged in a parking lot, for example, the dent created is generally shallow, and hail stones also leave shallow marks. This type of damage is easily reparable with no residual signs of auto body work using PDR. Due to the versatility of paintless dent removal tools, all panels of a car are candidates for this type of repair: doors, trunk, roof, pillars, and hood.

– What are the advantages of using PDR?

If your car has suffered hail damage, you can be back on the road again in as little as 1 to 2 hours! In addition to the fantastic turnaround time, the cost of this type of repair is a mere fraction of the price of other methods. Although most insurance companies will cover the cost of PDR repair, unless you have already met your yearly deductible it is probably advisable to pay for the repair yourself. Because it’s so inexpensive, the cost of PDR will probably not meet your deductible anyway and you can have your car look great again affordably without risking an increase in premiums. Syndication Source: ThoughtSearch.com PDQ Tools (http://www.pdqtools.com/) sell paintless dent removal tools. Art Gib is a frealance writer.

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How Your Car Senses Oxygen Content

Posted on March 24, 2011 by Admin-Eric

By Author: Everette Jamison
Article: In today’s cars, the introduction of the oxygen sensor has paved the way for a host of technological advancements, such as emission control and electronic fuel injection. By feeding data directly to the electronic control unit, the car is able to make numerous adjustments to maximize fuel efficiency and minimize pollution. In today’s article, I’ll quickly describe the operation of your vehicle’s oxygen sensor.

Basics Of Operation

This part consists of a ceramic cylinder plated with platinum electrodes, contained in metal gauze. It works by measuring the oxygen difference between the external atmosphere and exhaust fumes depending on resistance or voltage changes. Due to the fact that the sensor is most effective at 1,500 degrees, newer models contain heating elements within the ceramic.

The most common type is known as a zirconia sensor. Constructed from a zirconium dioxide ceramic, dual electrodes produce a specific voltage corresponding to the difference between atmospheric oxygen content and exhaust. If the voltage is approximately 0.2V, then the engine is burning a lean mixture, where there is an excess. If the voltage is at 0.8V, then the engine is burning a rich mixture, where fuel is left unburned. Ideally, the voltage should be at 0.45V, signaling that the fuel-to-air ratio is correct.

Besides ceramic units, other technologies are employed, such as electrochemical, ultrasonic, infrared, and laser. Each has their own unique set of pros and cons, such as accuracy, price, and operating range.

The Role Of Fuel Mixtures

This particular part is able to improve car performance by monitoring oxygen content in real-time, feeding data to the electronic control unit and subsequently adjusting fuel injection to compensate.

In an internal combustion engine, gasoline is burned in the presence of oxygen. In order to maximize efficiency and provide the maximum amount of power, the engine needs to achieve the correct air-fuel ratio, known as the stoichiometric point. The stoichiometric point varies depending on the substance being burned, but it is the point at which the amounts of oxygen and fuel are in perfect balance. In gasoline, this is defined as 14.7:1. If the ratio is higher, then a rich burn results, while a lower ratio results in a lean burn (as I described above).

Besides being able to detect oxygen content, the part is also able to adjust in light of a wide range of variables, including altitude, barometric pressure, and engine load. In the event of a sensor failure, the engine will keep running, but suffer a fuel efficiency drop and overall performance decrease.

I realize that a lot of what I’ve explained above is more than most drivers will ever need (or want) to know. But, regular readers will know that I have a long-held passion for cars and all of the parts and systems that contribute toward its operation. As I’ve said in the past, they more you know about how your vehicle works, the better prepared you’ll be when it’s time to visit the repair shop. Syndication Source: ThoughtSearch.com Need a car repair, consider the used Chevrolet parts and used Oldsmobile parts from http://www.everdrive.com

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Water Damaged Cars And Why You Do Not Want One

Posted on March 24, 2011 by Admin-Eric

By Author: Jim Corkern
Article: Looking around for a used vehicle to buy either as your first car or as a replacement for your last one can be a hassle enough by itself without having to worry about whether you’re going to end up buying a lemon.

You have to worry about financing, what kind of vehicle is best, and if it’s going to break down on you as soon as you get it home, but one thing that a lot of people don’t tend to think about when shopping for a new vehicle is if it has ever been completely submerged in water.

These vehicles aren’t always readily noticeable as having been submerged before. Dishonest car dealers and individuals looking to cheat you aren’t likely to tell you that a vehicle has been flooded, so you have to watch out for yourself.

One of the most dangerous things about vehicles that have been flooded can be is the possibility of mold growth in the interior of the car. It’s just as dangerous as the mold that can grow inside your home, but you’re less likely to notice it because most people don’t think about mold growing in their cars.

Sometimes bad car dealers will try to cover the odor of mold in the car with air or carpet fresheners. You never know if the mold has been completely removed from the car unless the carpet has been replaced and the interior cleaned by a professional.

Even the engine isn’t safe. Any flood waters the car has been exposed to contain sand, dirt, silt, or any number of debris that can work its way into the engine and cause it to malfunction. Even sewage can be found in some flood waters.

There are also electrical problems abound in vehicles that have been flooded before. Many things on a vehicle today are monitored not by manual gauges, but by electronics and trying to use these by powering on the car before it’s completely dried out will probably ruin them.

Look for rust in the trunk of the car, particularly around the headlights and smell the interior closely. If there’s a musty odor or you can detect a scented air or carpet freshener has been used, it’s probably a good idea to go somewhere else to find a vehicle.

Even if you purchase a vehicle history report off of a website, you might not get all the information on a vehicle. You’ll get any information that was reported to the insurance company and a claim was done on, but if the car was submerged and the person or dealer chooses to sell it without reporting the incident, they can. Syndication Source: ThoughtSearch.com Jim Corkern is a writer and promoter of quality
flood and water damage cleanup and
water damage restoration> companies across the united states.

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How To Keep A Drunk Driver From Damaging Your Life

Posted on March 24, 2011 by Admin-Eric

By Author: Aydan Corkern
Article: There are a lot of people that drive when they are drunk. We call those people drunk drivers. They think they can drive while intoxicated but that’s not true at all. They cause car crashes, and they damage their lives and other people lives. They think that they will not get caught by the cops, and they think nothing will happen. They are oh-so-wrong when they think like that. Anything is possible when there is a drunk driver. They can hit someone walking, hit another car or cars and cause accidents, or drive into someone’s house and hurt orarticle the people in them. They think they are having a good time, but when they hit someone or something, their nightmare begins.

There are thousands of drunk drivers out there so you need to be careful and watch out of them. This people are caught on camera and put on the news to show people what they did. They can cause a high-speed chase and cause severe body counts of dead or injured people. They can cause a car pile up that can be very big, damage properties, and can even cause someone’s car to fly off the bridge and it hit thr ground or fall into the water. When they drive like this, cars can flip over and over, causing injury to so many people and even their kids that are in the cars.

They don’t necessarily have to be in a car. They can be in a truck, motorcycle, tracker, four wheeler, etc. We see this everyday. You would think that people would get the hint to not drive when they are drunk, but they don’t and they still do it. These people know what can happen when they’re sober, but when they drink it goes right out of the window and the carelessness begins. We have so many people in jail because of this and what they have done. We have so many people buried in the ground because of drunk drivers that it is scary to let your kids get behind the wheel anymore. For the people that were drink and driving, they now have to live with the fact that theyarticleed or hurt. It will be hard to find a job for them because of this wrongdoing. Think before you go out and drink. Make sure you have someone that is sober that can drive you home so this will not happen to you or to someone else. Syndication Source: ThoughtSearch.com Aydan Corkern is a writer of many topics, visit some of her sites, like
plumbing florida and water damage help.

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What You Need To Know About The Proper Tires For Winter Driving

Posted on March 24, 2011 by Admin-Eric

By Author: Gregg Hall
Article: Winter driving can be much more difficult and even dangerous than driving on roads where the conditions are normal. This is why it is important that you choose a set of tires that will do well even in the worst winter conditions, including blizzards, freezing ran, snow and situations where both ice and snow are on the road. If you do not know where you can begin for finding the right set of winter-based tires, read on as this article will provide a step-by-step guide on how you can best go about doing such things.

First, you will need to find your vehicle’s owner manual. Why is this important when finding an appropriate set of winter tires? It is because it will offer specific advice from your car’s manufacturer on which tire design and size will work best for your vehicle. Once you have determined what you need, go to a tire shop and give the clerk your specifications. They will provide further assistance in picking out the right winter tires. If you do not know how to put the tires on the car yourself, consider getting them put on professionally. This is a service that is offered through most top-notch tire shops.

When you do go about buying your snow tires, make sure they use metal studs, as these type work well when there are icy conditions on the road. However, do not use metal stud tires during times in which you are not experiencing wintry weather. Otherwise, there could be damage caused to the roads. Additionally, you could risk getting in legal trouble, since metal studs are only allowed during the winter season. Some states have even banned their use altogether. So, save your existing tires so you can put them back on your vehicle when the winter season ends.

Additionally, you will want to make sure your snow tires are all the same when it comes to their design, their size and their tread. You need to especially be on alert for such things if you have a vehicle using front wheel drive. This is because with front wheel drive vehicles, if you use rear wheels that are mismatched, you could risk losing traction ability when you are trying to brake during wintry conditions.

If you want even more protection when driving in wintry weather, consider getting tire chains. These are special chains that can help increase the traction ability of your car up to 200 percent. This is provided that the tire chains are the appropriate size for your tires. If the tire chains are too large or too small for your tires, they will not do their job very well, if at all.

In conclusion, getting the right set of winter tires could help prevent you from getting in a serious accident during the winter. Yet, keep in mind that winter tires aren’t a cure-all, despite being a good back-up if you do happen to get caught in bad weather. If you have an option to stay at home during extreme weather conditions, this will provide you the most protection against a snow-related accident. Don’t take the risk if you don’t have to. Syndication Source: ThoughtSearch.com Gregg Hall is an author living with his 18 year old son in Jensen Beach, Florida. Find more about car accessories as well as car tires at http://www.nsearch.com

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Flashing Light Bars Means Move, So Why Don’t We?

Posted on March 24, 2011 by Admin-Eric

By Author: Anna Stenning
Article: Over the years people have strived to make innovations that aid or assist safety in a way. One of those innovations has been the creation of light bars on emergency vehicles.

There are a number of vehicles that use lighting as a way of attracting attention to themselves, these include fire engines, police cars, ambulances, highway patrol vehicles and doctors cars. These lights are generally located on the roof of the vehicle, although a number of these cars or vans now also carry lights in the rear window or on the door mirrors.

It has become common place that if you see one of these vehicles approaching at speed with their light bars flashing that they are responding to an emergency call and it is our duty to move out of their way. There have been several instances where people have been unaware about vehicles behind them with the light bars flashing which is why most emergency vehicles these days seem to be fitted with powerful sirens.

Unfortunately even with these light bars and sirens there are still a number of incidents a year where accidents between emergency vehicle and members of the general public occur. There are several reasons why this can happen. Firstly it could be down to the crew members in the emergency vehicle, several times I have seen emergency vehicles blast across junctions or traffic lights without the slightest alteration in speed as the assumption had been made that people had heard them coming.

The second occurrence is down to ignorance on the general public side. I have lost count of the times when I have seen the light bars or heard the siren of an emergency vehicle careful manoeuvred my vehicle to the side of the road only to be overtaken by the car behind who hadn’t heard or seen the vehicle. The Highway Code informs people to regularly check your rear view mirror when changing speed or direction, if not you may pull out causing an accident.

The third problem I have seen has been related to music. People spend large sums of money on in car stereo and entertainment system these days and they make the most of them often with the volume up so loud that the music can be heard outside of the vehicle. The chances are if you can’t hear the engine noise of your own vehicle then you won’t hear the siren and hence see the light bar of the emergency vehicle approaching endangering the lives of you and other road users.

Maybe if we all took some time out we could all make the roads a safer place to be, but if we continue with this ignorant attitude that it is not our responsibility and it is merely other road users that are unsafe then accidents will continue to happen. Syndication Source: ThoughtSearch.com Anna Stenning is a safety advisor with many years of experience in the safety industry. Find out more about light bars at http://www.dun-bri.com/

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