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THE TUNE UP |
DIYautoparts.com has a new redesigned website!
In our May, 2006 newsletter we told you that the Diyautoparts.com site would be going through a complete redesign. Well, we are proud to announce that this redesign is now complete!
We have added domestic automobile parts listings to our online catalog to give you a complete domestic and import parts catalog. This is just one of the many new features that have been added to the new site. We built this site for our current and future members so please enjoy. Visit the new site today at www.diyautoparts.com and tell us what you think. You can forward any comments on the site to mark@diyautoparts.com
At Diyautoparts.com we are committed to providing our members with the best professional parts and repair advice. Although the site has been redesigned, we are not finished. We will continue to improve the site by adding new products and features on a regular basis. It is our goal to provide our members with the best Automotive Resource Center on the World Wide Web.
I would like to thank Dana, Judith, Mike B., Matt, Mike F., Libby, Cathy and Bruce for all the hard work on building the new site. It was truly a team effort. A special thanks to Bruce and Cathy for making the new site possible.
Mark Ellsworth
Manager
DIYautoparts.com
DIY Auto Parts
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Holiday travel checkup
With the holiday season quickly approaching, many of us will travel by car to spend the holidays with family and friends. But before packing the car, Diyautoparts.com recommends a thorough pre-trip vehicle inspection.
Taking the time to perform vehicle maintenance prior to setting out on a trip or vacation is extremely important because it can help prevent breakdowns, which can put an abrupt end to the vacation and add unexpected expenses. While even an inspection can't guarantee a car's performance, it’s comforting to know proper precautions have been taken.
Whether you do the inspection yourself or visit a professional automotive technician, a comprehensive pre-trip checkup should be completed. The cooling system should be checked for leaks and proper fluid capacity. Belts and hoses should be checked and changed if any evidence of cracking or wear is present. Hoses should be firm and if they have a spongy feel, they should be changed. The brake system should be checked for proper fluid amount and any fluid leaks. Also check for worn or cracked brake pads and shoe linings. Check tire inflation and inspect the tread for uneven wear, indicating the need for wheel alignment. Also look for bulges and bald spots on tires. There are several fluids, in addition to antifreeze and brake fluid that require attention, including engine oil, power steering, transmission fluids and windshield washer solvent. Windshield wipers, lights, horn and mirrors should also be checked and replaced if necessary. If your vehicle’s check engine light is on, your car’s on board computer is telling you there is a problem. A professional repair facility will have the proper diagnostic equipment to tell you why the light is on and what needs to be repaired. Never attempt to take your car on an out of town trip, with a check engine light on. If you do not feel comfortable doing these inspections yourself, most professional repair facilities do pre-trip vehicle inspections at a reasonable cost.
Even if your Holiday Season doesn’t include a long car trip, it’s still a good time to get into the habit of performing annual vehicle maintenance in preparation for the fall and upcoming winter months. Happy driving and remember...Have some fun and Do It Yourself.
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Have you changed your timing belt?
With today’s modern automotive engines, timing is critical. Vehicle timing belts are often overlooked when it comes to routine maintenance. If your timing belt fails, your engine will stop and the car will coast to a stop.
If you’re lucky you will only have the inconvenience of being stranded on the side of the road until the car can be towed to a repair facility to have the timing belt replaced. On the other hand, your engine could suffer severe, if not catastrophic, damage to its internal components.
This potential disaster can be avoided easily and relatively inexpensively by replacing your automobiles timing belt within the required replacement interval.
Timing belts resemble a regular serpentine belt in appearance. They usually are constructed of rubber reinforced with nylon. The timing belt transfers the rotation of the crankshaft to the camshaft. The rotating camshaft activates the valves, which provide air and fuel to the cylinders and expel combustion gases to the exhaust system.
The valves and pistons are constantly moving up and down at very high speeds. When the pistons are down, the valves are open; when the piston is at the top of its travel, the valves are closed. Some engines don’t allow clearance between a valve at its lowest point and a piston at its highest. The timing belt, therefore, is the critical link to ensure that these components don’t collide. If collision occurs, damage to the valves, pistons, cylinder head and cylinder walls can result. This can be an expensive repair.
Timing belts usually are protected from foreign objects by a cover, making visual inspection impossible.
Many domestic vehicles built within the last several years and the majority of imports are equipped with a timing belt. Other engines rely on a timing chain rather than a belt. If you are unsure if your car has a timing belt, contact Diyautoparts by either phone or email and we can look it up for you. The owner’s manual maintenance schedule is a source of timing belt replacement intervals, typically every 60,000 to 90,000 miles.
Timing belt replacement usually requires removal of the engine drive belt that operates the alternator, water pump, power steering pump and air conditioner. Consider replacing this belt, or multiple belts, when having a new timing belt installed.
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Copyright 2006 All Rights Reserved. DIYAutoParts.com, Inc. For Comments or Questions please send us an or call us
Toll Free: 800-593-1443 8am-5pm EST. Outside the U.S. 315-437-7696. Fax: 315-463-5990
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