The Best Engine Tune

Firstly, lets understand that this article is written about EFI (Electronic Fuel Injection) and Engine Management. And more accurately, it's about programmable or performance fuel injection. This is not so relevant to factory fuel injection, where the word "tuneup" may mean to check the sparkplugs and airfilter.
This article is about programmable fuel injection and engine management systems that allow the engine to be tuned for both maximum power, but also great drivability and fuel economy.
There are some obvious things like, how much power does the engine make, how much torque does the engine make. They are the easy ones. But often, there are less important than many people realize.

We are involved in tuning cars almost every day. And although engine power and torque are obviously important, there is one thing that almost all customers want from their engine and vehicle.
Drivability.
That's it.
While power and torque are very important, in the end most people are most impressed when a car drives well.
For most customers there is nothing more disappointing, or frustrating than a car that doesn't start well, doesn't idle and doesn't drive well for the 90 of the time, many cars are driven in traffic, or at least driven below 90% throttle.
That is why, when we are doing a tune on a car, we generally ask to have the car for 5 days.
On the first day, the car arrives and the engine bay is checked over to ensure there is nothing that looks like a potential hazard later on, both in terms of incorrectly fitted hoses, lines, throttles, etc. But also in terms of safety. Since, if anything falls off an engine while it is running flat out on the dyno, there is always the potential for disaster.
We also make sure the person doing the tuning has a good understanding of what the customer wants to achieve in this tuning session. If the car is a daily driver, fuel economy may be of high importance. But if the car is a 1/ 4 mile stomer, then there are other factors to consider. This is discussed at some length with the owner of the car before the engine is tuned.
Once the pre-dyno checks are completed on day 1, day 2 is dyno day. Depending on the original state of tune, what modifications have been done to the vehicle, and how highly modified the engine is, the amount of time required on the dyno can vary greatly from 1-2 hours, up to several hours. Your dyno operator will probably be able to give you some indication of the number of hours your tune should take, so long as everything on your engine is working together properly.
If, for example, you have modified your turbo, but not increased the amount of fuel your fuel system can deliver. In this case there may be a point at which the fuel delivery is maxed out, and no matter what the tuner does, he/ she can not get any more fuel delivered into the engine.
At this point, the tuner should stop the dyno tune, and report the situation to you, with one or two suggestions on the course of action required to get past this problem. The solution may be larger injectors, or an adjustable fuel pressure regulator. Experience will allow the tuner make the most appropriate suggestions.
Day 3, is cold start day. Once the engine is tuned for maximum power and torque, it is time to start tuning the starting fuel and transient fuelling. We want to start the engine cold and see how it reacts to throttle movement. This can be a tricky time, as the fuel and ignition maps work in conjunction with the temperature compensations, and the acceleration enrichment adjustable values.
Day 4, cold start and hot start day. Once again, cold starts in the morning followed by warm and hot starts, as well as some cold and hot driving. EFI systems should be checked for correct tune at all operating conditions.
Since everyone drives differently, it is a good idea (if possible) for someone beside the tuner to take the car for a drive with the tuner in the passenger seat. Everyone drives differently to everyone else, so try to have the car driven by at least 1 person other than the tuner before delivering it to the customer.
If the tuner is happy with the car at this point, he usually calls the customer to let the customer know that his car should be ready to be picked up the following afternoon.
Day 5, is final cold start day. One more cold start and immediate cold driving to make sure everything is optimized for the first couple of minutes of driving.

Common Car Problems

You have to do more than just fill up your car with petrol and occasionally clean the windows. The American Automobile Association conducted nationwide clinics at 25 different AAA clubs that included inspecting 6,082 vehicles to find out the five most common car problems--all of which are easy to fix with just a little time and not too much money.1. Tyre pressureDrivers should check tyre pressure at least once a month to ensure tyres are not under- or over-inflated. Low pressure in the tyres can increase wear and fuel consumption, while having too much pressure may reduce traction. Keeping tyres properly aligned will also help assure longer tyre life and improve fuel economy. One should always take care of his car and get the regular car repairs done.2. A clogged air filterMaintain and replace air filters as often as is recommended in your owner's manual to ensure better air flow through the engine. This, in turn, will improve engine efficiency and result in more power and better fuel usage.3. Insufficient tire tread depthFor sufficient traction, tires should have a minimum of 5mm tread depth. Use a depth gauge to check. Most tires also have built-in tread wear indicators that let you know when tire replacement is necessary.4. Engine oil that is low or needs to be changedDirty oil will increase engine wear, while low oil levels can lead to overheating. If the oil level drops too low, lubrication will be lost and severe engine damage can result. Regular oil changes will add longevity to the engine.5. Worn-out windshield wiper bladesRigid, cracked or torn wiper blades can greatly reduce visibility when driving in rain and snow, which could increase your chance of having a crash. Examine and replace your windshield wiper blades once a year or sooner if streaking begins.Your vehicle should be well taken care of. Whenever there is a need of the auto repairs one should contact the best auto repair mechanic in the town.

Tips To Check a Drive Belt

A drive belt is a seamless belt that is used to transmit torque and power from one wheel or shaft to another in a machine or any mechanical system, in this instance a vehicle. A belt drive system typically involves more than two fixed pulleys working together and is very important in the transmission of motion in a machine. In vehicles, it powers the water pump, the air conditioning, power steering, brakes and alternator among other components. It is therefore very important for vehicle owners to regularly check on the drive belt each time they change the oil. This is to ensure that it is in proper condition and will not negatively affect the system. It is not advisable as it is risky to drive a vehicle with a worn out drive belt.



The first thing to look out for is the tension and general condition of the belt to ensure that the vehicle is always ready to perform. An over stretched belt will easily wear. There are several things to look out for when inspecting the drive belt. These are cracks, the presence of frays, missing ribs or the presence of any logged foreign material. If one observes tiny cracks in grooves, that is normal but deep fissures, splits as well as frayed edges or cracks that run parallel to the ribs should be a cause for alarm. Other warning signs include a belt that exhibits a glossy appearance or one that has some of its rib sections, half an inch or longer, missing. Additionally, one should ensure that they inspect the entire length of the belt surface. If any of the above mentioned elements are observed then it is time to change the drive belt. Sometimes, the vehicle may produce a squealing sound. This typically points out to a loose or worn out drive belt. This is because a loose belt may slip and subsequently produce a squealing sound, causing the alternator to vibrate rapidly, thereby wearing it out more easily. If the squeal emanates from underneath the hood, then it is highly probable that the drive belt is either loose or damaged and it will need to be replaced. Belts are in essence supposed to run for up to 50, 000 miles but if signs of wear are observed then it is advisable to replace it.
Even though it is important to have the car checked by a certified repair shop, it is also important to be proactive and inspect the drive belt personally. Thus, if the drive belt is to be replaced one could either replace the belt personally or hire mechanic to replace it. This is very important as goes a long way in preventing problems related to the drive belt and acts to maintain the vehicle. However, as a safety precaution, always turn off the engine before belt inspection and do not work around an electric fan if the engine has not cooled off completely. To ensure that the fan does not engage during check up, it is important to disconnect it.

Tip Top Car Care Tips

It’s true what they say – if you treat your car well, it will never give you problems. Car breakdowns happen only to people who are neglectful. If you know how to keep you car in top shape, you can expect it to never let you down.
Aside from a regular oil change, battery maintenance, and regular fluid check up, there are also other important car-care routines to keep in mind:
Use only the best quality fuel. Remember that fuel acts as your car’s food – if you feed your car well, it will perform better. Use only clean-burning gasoline that not only accelerates your car’s performance, but also helps clean out engine deposits and is safe to the environment.
Maintain your tires. Make it a habit to check your tires’ air pressure at least once a month. Proper tire inflation not only prevents flats, but also saves you fuel and keeps your car and engine stable. Don’t wait for your tires to get all worn out before you replace them. Experts recommend that you switch tires every two to three years, depending in your usage.
Clean your air filters. Filters act to inhibit harmful particles (such as dirt and dust) from entering the engine. If you neglect cleaning your filters, bad air may pass through and cause expensive, even irreversible, damages.
Change your wiper blades regularly. Remember that wiper blades perform the very important function of keeping debris out of your view, and they are especially helpful when you’re driving in low light or bad weather conditions. Don’t wait for your wiper blades to leave streaks or make noise before replacing them because by then, it may already be too late. Bad wipers can scratch your windshield and leave unsightly and annoying marks. If you can, try to change your wipers as the seasons change.

Car Air Filter - Clean It

Gas and fuel for your vehicle are expensive enough without throwing your hard earned cash after tax out the windows.
A dirty air filter wastes a fair of gas and fuel unnecessarily. Yet an air filter is something few drivers and automobile owners think of. Yet an air filter draws a tremendous amount of air – up to 10,000 gallons of air for each gallon of gasoline that your car uses for you to drive around – whether it be in town, the freeway or on long automobile trip on your vacation. A dirty air filter is like a choked air filter in a vacuum cleaner – it obstructs air flow. Hence less air can get through. More fuel than need be is pulled into your engine resulting in excessive gasoline use and much lower miles per gallon (m.p.g.) for each expensive galloon (or liter) of gasoline fuels that you buy when you fill up your tank.



Not only that but your air filter “filters’ and cleans that vast amount of air that enters into your automotive engine. Less dust and grit in the cleaner air flow will result in not only less gasoline fuel fcsts for you but also smooth running, fewer repairs and ultimately a longer life span for your vehicle, as opposed to running with dirty – not clean air filters.
Just like any home furnace filter, the air filter of our vehicle – be it truck, SUV, car or van – must be replaced with a new clean one when it’s dirty. Preventive maintenance – that is replacing the air filter before it even gets to that point is even better,
The air filter may have a cost to it but overall you will be far ahead of the game with saving in fuel and vehicle running and maintenance as well as potential replacement costs. Some motorists even replace expendable routine items on a planned basis – just like is done in maintaining aircraft. They use their owner’s manual as a general guide as when its time to replace automotive parts figuring that its better to do it this way and after all they are going to have to replace those auto and car parts at some point anyways.
Generally most cars need a new air filter once a year or every 15, 00 miles (24,000 km). It’s always best to refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual as your best reference. Of course if you are driving in very dusty areas or areas with a lot of grime, chemicals or grit in the air you should change the air filter more often. Ditto that for certain seasons if you are involved in a given industry where more dust may be seasonal. For example during fall harvest time those in the farming communities may encounter more dust in the air than the rest of the year. The recommendations listed in the owner’s manual have been derived with a great amount of expertise and experience by technical staff that is most qualified to know the vehicle and recommend with great experience. It may be said that the manufacturer of the vehicle is there to sell parts to their motorists and err on the side of caution. That is true. Yet it never hurts to be conservative and play it safe. In the case of replacing an air filter or an oil change these are generally not costly repair costs.
All in all it can be said that a dirty air filter costs you money in fuel costs and maintenance costs for your vehicle. Make it a point to change your air filter of your vehicle early and often.

Tips on Servicing a Car

Car servicing is something that every auto owner has to indulge in at least some time of the year. The best method to service your car is to go to your car service station and have the servicing done methodically; according to your car maker. Consider this. You car is up and running smoothly but the mileage figures show that you need to have it serviced. Certainly, this is the right thing to do but have you wondered what actually goes in to make you pay that servicing bill every 6 months?
Servicing your car is a simple DIY job that you can learn quickly and easily save some good money.
If you have never serviced your car before personally, here's your resource- Servicing Basics
Car servicing essentially means inspecting the car thoroughly for any damaged components, and replacing some parts periodically that wear out over time. The parts that require inspection are the tire pressures, the brake fluid levels, air filters, oil filters, spark plugs, wheel balancing and alignment, battery fluid levels, etc.
If you review carefully it is certainly possible to do all this by yourself, as below-
You will need a complete car tool kit as provided by your car maker when you purchased the vehicle. This will usually consist of all the spanners that you might need.
The correct grade engine oil. Engine oil needs to be replaced every 5000 miles (This figure will change as per the car type and make. Check your car manual for your car.) The type and grade of oil required for your car can be found in your car manual.
To get started, a typical car servicing will involve the following steps-
• Hosting your car up to check the underbody. This can be done on a ramp or using a jack. A quick inspection of the underbody will let you know if there is any damage.
• When you are done with this, you will now need to replace the engine oil. Always remember that the engine oil should never be checked or replaced while the engine is running. To proceed, you will need to unscrew a bolt that is just below the engine oil chamber and drain the oil in to a pan. When all the oil has been drained you will need to screw the nut back in tightly. You can also change the oil filter and it is usually just adjacent to the oil chamber. Use the correct type and size as specified for your car.
• You can lower the car now and fill the new engine oil. Be sure that you do not pour excess oil over the dipstick mark as this is going to be very difficult to drain off. Wait patiently for the oil levels to settle.
• The other things you will need to check include the spark plugs. Spark plugs need to be cleaned periodically. Unscrew the spark plugs from the engine and clean them with a soft cloth. You will need to shine the plug contact points using sandpaper. Fit them back in, and now check out the air filter. Cleaning the air filter is easy and you can use your vacuum cleaner to do the job.
• You will also need to check out the suspension. Bump the car and observe how long it takes to settle. Ideally this will take no more than 3 bumps. Also check out for any spills, or leaks coming out of the shock absorbers.
• Now you will need to check out levels of brake fluids and top them up if necessary. Also, inspect the brake shoe condition by removing the wheel and inspecting the braking unit. If worn out, you can easily change them on your own.
With this done you are completed with the major servicing part of the car. The remaining things include oiling your doors and the hinges, checking if your lights are working, testing if your seat belts are working, and measuring the tire pressures (front and rear).
This might seem a long list to do but if you observe a typical car servicing process you will understand the nuances within no time. An easy way to proceed is by creating a check list for the different things will need to do. This way you can be sure of not missing out on any parts that need to be serviced.
Completely servicing your car will need a few hours but you will end up saving a lot of money. Besides, it's fun too and a lot of learning.

Free Car Maintenance Advice

When it comes to car maintenance you can spend hours poring over manuals to assist you. However, there are plenty of places online which offer simple and easy steps to follow that allow you to be able to carry out the more basic kinds of maintenance tasks that will keep your vehicle in tip top condition. But there is not only advice available for carrying out general maintenance of your car there are some sites which offer advice about washing, cleaning and doing detailing or pin striping on the vehicle also. However in this article we are going to be taking a look at some of the more essential car maintenance jobs that one should be learning about and trying to do for oneself.

Certainly by doing these jobs yourself you could end up saving yourself money each year because no longer will you need to pay a mechanic to do them for you.Every 5,000 miles it is a good idea to rotate the tires on your car as well, which means swapping those on the left for those on the right. Plus when taking off the tires remove any dust that has accumulated on the brakes. This is crucial because the dust contains all sorts of objects which if left on can actually prevent them from working as effectively as they should. To clean the brakes all you need is a damp sponge which has been dipped into clean cold water.When it comes to checking the pressure in the tires this should be done once a week. Low tire pressure can have an effect on the fuel economy of your car and it will prove difficult to handle and the ride won’t be as comfortable.

Checking tire pressure is very simple to do and certainly you have no excuse for not doing it. Whilst checking the tire pressure it is also a good idea to check the depth of the tread on the tire. Once it falls below a certain level then this is time to arrange to get the tires replaced.Today actually checking the depth of the tread on a tire has become even simpler as most come with wear bars built into them. As soon as you notice the first part of the wear bar beginning to show through on the tire then you know it is time to get it replaced. It is far better if you replace all tires at the same time although it may be expensive it could end up saving you money in the long term.Another task which you can learn how to do for yourself is to check the various belts which run around certain pulleys in the engine.

Unfortunately these belts are likely to perish as they are placed under very extreme pressure and if not replaced and break can lead to serious engine problems which may cost considerable more than the few pounds the belt cost to be repaired. It is best if you can’t check the belts yourself you arrange a mechanic to do so every 25,000 miles and then get them replaced every 50,000 miles. Another task which you yourself can carry out when it comes to car maintenance is to check the oil level. Again this should be done regularly ideally every week or month would be ideal. If there is too much or too little oil in the engine this can lead to problems later on. When you are checking the level of the oil in the engine it is best that you do so when the car is parked on a level surface. Also never do the check when the engine is hot after just being driven but do it either when the engine has cooled down or is cold.

Finding the oil dipstick shouldn’t be a problem the manual for the vehicle should show you exactly where it is located in relation to the engine. Take it out and then wipe with a dry clean cloth and then put back in making sure that it has been pushed all the way in. The reason you need to wipe the stick after pulling it out initially is because the whole stick will be covered in oil. Now pull it out and check the level of oil by looking at the marks on stick. The high and low oil level marks will either be denoted by dots or dashes on the stick or by the letters H and L. Another thing you should be regularly checking in your car when it comes to maintenance of it is how much coolant there is.

Again you will need to look in the car manual to discover where the coolant reservoir is actually situated in the engine bay of your car. Generally it is bolted on a side of the engine bay and the bottle is normally semi-transparent. As with checking the oil level when doing this particular car maintenance task you need to allow the engine to be cooled before you check it. On the outside there will be markings showing the low and high levels and ideally there should be enough coolant in the reservoir that sits between the two of these. The reason why you don’t check the levels of coolant in your vehicle whilst the engine is still hot is the one in the radiator is going to be hot and if you take off the cap to check it then steam will be released which can end up burning you.

Free Tips on Why Engine Light is Warning

The check engine light can be very sensitive warning device. In this quick article I will discuss why the check engine light comes on. I'll also discuss a few ways to diagnose codes and in turn extinguish the check engine light.The check engine light is turned on directly by the vehicle computer. Most manufacturers call this the ECM. This stands for Electronic control module. You may find other names for this thing but basically it is considered the vehicles primary computer.The ECM watches many different automotive engine sensors. It divides these sensors into multiple channels and monitors each channel and compares the range of data to the specifications that are burned in memory. The computer is monitoring both inputs like coolant temperature and oxygen sensors but also out put controls like idle air control motor steps and egr pulse width.

So the check engine light is turned on when the computer notices a parameter out of range. Keep in mind that output control parameters like the EGR and IAC mentioned above are usually measured with a resistance value or reference voltage to assure proper component operation.When the check engine light is turned on the computer is notifying the driver that one of the channels that it is monitoring is out of the specific range. When this light comes on the car may have set a single code or many codes.
This is where diagnosing the check engine light properly will save you money and time in replacing unnecessary parts. Using an automotive scan tool, you can view the data stream for the particular sensors that set the code.Another good rule of thumb when diagnosing sensor codes is to diagnose the failures that are set with lower numbers, prior to diagnosing the other sensor codes. This is because the higher number codes could be set by the lower number failures. You can also apply some common sense to this as in a misfire code should be addressed before repairing a rich exhaust code.
Since the UN burnt fuel from a cylinder is detected as a rich condition.To review your computer is watching multiple channels and multiple sensors and simply comparing the data with the parameters that have been programmed into the unit. Above or below these data settings commands the ECM to notify the driver they are polluting the atmosphere by turning on the check engine light.In some cases these out of range readings can be either temporary or intermittent. This is again where the scan tool comes in handy for figuring out why the check engine lamp is illuminated. You can clear the codes and run the vehicle and see if the check engine light comes back on. If it does, then you have a path of diagnosis related to the diagnostic codes that have returned.