Archive for the ‘Cars’ Category
Tire Pressure Monitor System Appears To Be Working
The regulation that requires a dashboard tire pressure monitor system in passenger cars, light trucks and vans appears to be working. This is one government directive that offers benefits to automotive consumers without significant increases to manufacturing costs. However the same cannot be said for independent tire dealers who will see operational cost increases from obtaining the automotive technology and training their employee’s on it.
Also to be considered is the time involved in accommodating tire replacement on vehicles that have the tire pressure monitor system or tire warning lights installed. Tire dealers will have to make an initial investment of about $1500 per location in equipment such as electronic scanning resetting tools and then another $200-$400 yearly for software upgrades and new equipment. Most importantly tire dealers and technicians will have to spend more shop time on tire replacement and even rotation of tires.
The tire pressure monitor system components are vulnerable to breakage if handled incorrectly or too hastily. For example a particularly breakage prone area is the air pressure sensor mounted on the inside base of the valve stem. The sensor is connected to a tiny radio transmitter powered by a long life lithium ion battery, which transmits information to dashboard readouts that signal tire under inflation. The system is designed to warn the driver, by buzzer or flashing light, when a tire has deflated to 25% less than recommended inflation pressure.
When it comes to handling an assembly with a valve stem mounted sensor, speed is the last thing on the list. The tire pressure sensor is very vulnerable. The process of mounting any tire on a wheel with a valve stem mounted sensor is slow and cautious or breakage of the sensor is a likely scenario. It should be the tire dealers responsibility to repair any damage caused by their technicians.
Tire pressure monitoring systems began appearing on passenger cars and light trucks in the 2005 model year. Following a congressional mandate requiring them on all vehicles weighing less than 10,000 pounds, by the 2008 model year. Most pickups, light duty vans, and SUVs fit into this weight category. This is why most automobile manufacturers installed tire pressure monitors systems well ahead of the September 7, 2007 deadline for compliance.
Major vehicle manufacturers and tire dealers reported no negative affects to equipping vehicles with tire pressure sensors. The national Highway traffic safety administration proposed the system after a 2001 Hwy study. The study tested 11,000 vehicles and found that 29% of the light trucks and cars had at least one tire under inflated by 25% or more.
Under inflation can cause loss of control, hydro planing on wet pavement, longer stopping distances and outright tire failure. Properly inflated tires produced better fuel economy and longer tire life, all vehicle tire manufacturers agree with this fact.
On the 2009 Silverado and Sierra pickups made by General Motors, the tire pressure warning light is in the driver information Center, located just beneath the speedometer. This system also provides the actual pounds per square inch reading for each tire. If a tire were to go below the safe pressure, a warning message would appear in the driver information center.
The tire pressure monitor system has many benefits identified by the manufacturers of these vehicles. The key benefits include improved handling as well as fuel efficiency and the ability of the vehicle to carry loads up to its recommended limits. Properly inflated tires wear more evenly across the tread contact area. They also provide greater traction and are better able to resist road hazards like nails.
Tire dealers agree that the tire pressure sensing system will help customers enjoy the performance that manufacturers design into their tires, which is severely compromised by under inflation. If tire pressure monitors systems lead to better pressure maintenance, tire performance will benefit.
Need information on how to reset tire warning lights on your car?
What is the drivers responsibility? Skeptics have questioned whether drivers will heed the tire pressure monitors system dashboard warning message. But the national Highway traffic and safety administration predicts 90% will comply with the warning message.
The convenience of being able to instantly read tire pressure on the dashboard instead of individually checking tire pressure with the old-fashioned tire pressure gauge is a huge benefit. By maintaining proper tire pressure, drivers also will enjoy extended tire life. Though the tire pressure monitor system cannot force drivers to comply. The bright tire pressure warning light will push them toward at least checking tire inflation levels.
Any ideas?
Automotive Charging Systems
Electricity is the lifeline of the car. This has always been the case since almost all the gasoline ignited combustion using electricity to the fuel. Today, the entire automobile is controlled and operated the electricity and electronic devices. These include controlling fuel, emission controls, accessories, such as heating and air conditioning, steering, brakes, lights and much more. It is obvious that the charging scheme, that this current is supplied to a very important System.
The charging system usually include a method to generate electricity and store a battery for power. This sounds easy, but it is no longer a simple system. The typical system consists of a generator, which normally belt driven by the engine. The generator of this park must be regulated to control the voltage with in a given area. The usual is 12 volts to about 14.2 volts. If the voltage is too high or too low electronic and electrical components will not work or they can be damaged.
Each generator is a form of electronic controller that controls the output of the generator. In recent years, it was a regulator mounted in the vehicle regardless of the alternator. A few years ago the regulator was moved into the alternator and the system was known internally regulated. A few manufacturers decided that the electrical system should be using the computer network interface. Now most cars either the charging system is a computer or monitor and there are certain levels by the engine management computer. Many systems reduce the alternator load during periods of strong acceleration.
Can I test and diagnose problems with my generator? It depends on the equipment you have. A good multimeter will receive a fair overview of the state of a charging system. If all you have is a multi-meter to measure the voltage at the battery terminals before starting the engine. Then you measure the voltage with thethe engine is running on a fast idle. The resting tension was in the vicinity of 12.6 volts and the voltage typically ranges from 13.2 to 14.2 volts at the battery. You can also measure the output voltage of the alternator, and it should be the measure in the 0.1 volt battery voltage. After measuring the voltage at a fast idle, turn off all accessories and lights. The tension should be near the same as for a fast idle with about 3 or 4 tenths volts.
What do you think? Please comment below to tell me.
