Oxygen Sensor

Every new car, and most cars produced after 1980, have an oxygen sensor. The sensor is part of the emissions control system and feeds data to the engine management computer. The goal of the sensor is to help the engine run as efficiently as possible and also to produce as few emissions as possible.

Rob Bouwman/Getty Images The amount of oxygen the engine can pull in depends on factors such as the altitude and the temperature of the air and engine.

A gasoline engine burns gasoline in the presence of oxygen (see How Car Engines Work for complete details). It turns out that there is a particular ratio of air and gasoline that is "perfect," and that ratio is 14.7:1 (different fuels have different perfect ratios -- the ratio depends on the amount of hydrogen and carbon found in a given amount of fuel). If there is less air than this perfect ratio, then there will be fuel left over after combustion. This is called a rich mixture. Rich mixtures are bad because the unburned fuel creates pollution. If there is more air than this perfect ratio, then there is excess oxygen. This is called a lean mixture. A lean mixture tends to produce more nitrogen-oxide pollutants, and, in some cases, it can cause poor performance and even engine damage.

The oxygen sensor is positioned in the exhaust pipe and can detect rich and lean mixtures. The mechanism in most sensors involves a chemical reaction that generates a voltage (see the patents below for details). The engine's computer looks at the voltage to determine if the mixture is rich or lean, and adjusts the amount of fuel entering the engine accordingly.

The reason why the engine needs the oxygen sensor is because the amount of oxygen that the engine can pull in depends on all sorts of things, such as the altitude, the temperature of the air, the temperature of the engine, the barometric pressure, the load on the engine, etc.

When the oxygen sensor fails, the computer can no longer sense the air/fuel ratio, so it ends up guessing. Your car performs poorly and uses more fuel than it needs to.

reference from howstuffworks.com

Tips Menjaga Keselamatan Tayar, memanjangkan j/hayat tayar anda

SELAIN enjin dan brek, tayar adalah antara komponen terpenting dalam sesebuah kenderaan. Kedegilan dan kecuaian menjaga dan menukar tayar yang tidak berbunga boleh mengundang masalah di jalan raya.

Tayar memainkan peranan penting ketika membrek dan mesti tahan lasak untuk menangani tekanan itu serta permukaan jalan yang ada kalanya tidak rata. Tayar juga mesti memberi keselesaan ketika mengambil selekoh dan kawalan stereng dalam apa juga keadaan.

Lazimnya, pengeluar tayar utama di negara ini sentiasa menyediakan tips keselamatan tayar kepada pemandu.

Berikut adalah antara beberapa panduan berguna:

# Segera tukar tayar jika bunganya sudah haus. Tayar begini mudah tergelincir, terjejas akibat kesan membrek dan kurang sensitif dari segi cengkaman. Dalam keadaan jalan basah, kenderaan mungkin terbabas dan menyukarkan kawalan pemandu.

# Pemilihan tayar memang penting untuk keselamatan, keselesaan, kawalan dan ekonomi.

Membrek dengan mengejut boleh menyebabkan tayar tergelincir. Periksa tekanan tayar sekurang-kurangnya dua kali sebulan, ketika tayar dalam keadaan sejuk. Pengeluar juga menekankan keutamaan mengekalkan tekanan tayar.

# Jangan memandu dalam keadaan tayar rosak. Tukar atau perbaikinya secepat mungkin.

# Segera baiki tayar tidak normal. Biasakan memeriksa tekanan, penjajaran dan pusingan tayar. Elakkan tabiat buruk ketika memandu seperti memandu terlalu laju, membrek secara mengejut dan mengambil selekoh secara berbahaya.

# Pastikan tayar gantian sentiasa dalam keadaan baik dan boleh digunakan serta memiliki tekanan angin mencukupi.

# Jangan gabungkan tayar dengan jejari dan tayar tanpa jejari. Pada kelajuan tinggi, keadaan itu menyebabkan gangguan kestabilan kenderaan yang mengakibatkan hilang kawalan serta kecederaan serius.

# Sentiasa pastikan skru tayar dipasang dengan betul dan tidak terlalu ketat. Mustahil dapat membuka skru tayar dengan pembuka tayar biasa sekiranya ia terlalu diketatkan dengan mesin pembuka tayar udara.

# Jangan biarkan tayar lebih muatan. Carta berat dan tekanan angin biasanya terpapar di tempat mengisi angin di mana-mana stesen minyak. Tayar hanya mampu menampung muatan maksimum jika ia memiliki tekanan angin maksimum.

# Jangan pasang tayar yang sudah digunakan sesuka hati melainkan anda tahu sejarahnya. Ia bermakna, anda bertuah sekiranya kakak anda menghadiahkan satu set tayar kerana beliau ingin membeli tayar baru.

What is natural gas

What is natural gas?
Natural gas is a mixture of hydrocarbons found in the ground independently or together with crude oil. Its composition varies (depending on where it is found), but its main component is "Methane"(CH4}. The rest of the gas is made up of varying amounts of other gases like ethane, propane, butane, and heavier hydrocarbons, plus Carbon Dioxide, Nitrogen, water and traces of other substances. Natural gas is a by-product of decaying vegetable matter in underground strata. Natural gas is the cleanest burning fossil fuel; it can help improve the quality of air and water,especially when used in highly polluted places.

Malaysia is blessed with abundant natural gas reserves. At 82.5 trillion cubic feet, these reserves are two times the amount of oil, thus there is opportunity to promote and diversify the use of the natural gas not just as a power source in the industrial and utilities sector; but also as an alternative fuel for vehicles. PETRONAS, through its wholly, owned subsidiary, PETRONAS NGV Sdn Bhd , have been making NGV available to Malaysian motorists through its expanding chain of NGV outlets in the Klang Valley and other major urban areas in the country.

FAQ's at bottom of this page. For more info on NGV visit: IANGV or Green Car Congress

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What is NGV ?
NGV stands for Natural Gas Vehicle. They operate similarly to traditional vehicles, but they use natural gas as fuel. Natural gas can power existing cars and trucks by converting the engines to a bi-fuel capability. To convert vehicles to natural gas requires installing a tank, fuel pressure regulators, and fuel lines. Most systems incorporate an electronic module which adjusts the engine to maintain comparable performance levels with either fuel. Limited production of dedicated natural gas engines and vehicles is under way at motor vehicle manufacturers. Refueling stations use the same natural gas as commercial facilities and residences. These stations now provide compressed natural gas for quick-fill.

FAQ's at bottom of this page

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How a Natural Gas Vehicle Work ?
1. Natural gas is compressed and enters the vehicle through the natural gas fill valve (receptacle).
2. It flows into high-pressure cylinders located in or under the vehicle.
3. In a bi-fuel NGV, a fuel selector on the dashboard permits selection of natural gas or gasoline to act as the fuel for the vehicle. A dedicated NGV operates solely on natural gas.
4. When natural gas is needed by the engine, it leaves the cylinders and passes through the master manual shut-off valve.
5. The gas goes through the high-pressure fuel line and enters the engine compartment.
6. Gas enters the regulator, which reduces pressure from up to 3,600 psi to near atmospheric pressure.
7. The natural gas solenoid valve allows natural gas to pass from the regulator into the gas mixer or natural gas fuel injectors. (Or, it shuts off the natural gas when the engine is not running or when, in the case of a bi-fuel vehicle, gasoline is selected).
8. In a bi-fuel NGV, natural gas mixed with air flows down through the gasoline carburetor or fuel injection system and enters the engine's combustion chambers. In a dedicated NGV, natural gas is injected into the engine's combustion chamber via specially designed natural gas fuel injectors.
9. In a bi-fuel NGV, when the driver selects gasoline, the conventional gasoline system is activated and the natural gas system is automatically shut off.

FAQ's at bottom of this page

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Why NGV?
Presented below is an outline of the benefits that CNG offers:

Green fuel - Commonly referred to as the green fuel because of its lead and sulphur free character, CNG reduces harmful emissions. Being non-corrosive, it enhances the longevity of spark plugs. Due to the absence of any lead or benzene content in CNG, the lead fouling of spark plugs, and lead or benzene pollution are eliminated.

Increased life of oils - Another practical advantage observed is the increased life of lubricating oils, as CNG does not contaminate and dilute the crankcase oil.

Mixes evenly in air - Being a gaseous fuel CNG mixes in the air easily and evenly.

Safety - CNG is less likely to auto-ignite on hot surfaces, since it has a high auto-ignition temperature (540 degrees entigrade) and a narrow range (5%-15%) of inflammability. It means that if CNG concentration in the air is below 5% or above 15%, it will not burn. This high ignition temperature and limited flammability range makes accidental ignition or combustion very unlikely.
Properties

Low operational cost - The operational cost of vehicles running on CNG, as compared to those running on other fuels, is significantly low.At the prevailing price of fuel ,operational cost of CNG vehicles is 68% lower than petrol and 36% lower than diesel.

FAQ's at bottom of this page

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Government Incentives & Legislations To Encourage Use of NGV

NGV is supported by the government of Malaysia with incentives and legislation to encourage vehicles owner to use NGV. NGV price is only 68 cent/litre equivalent of petrol, is cheaper than other fuels. NGV conversion kits are exempted from import duty and sales tax.
Reduction of road tax from existing levels:

* Monogas vehicle (NGV only) - 50% off
* Bi-fuel vehicle (Petrol & NGV) - 25% off
* Dual-fuel vehicle (Diesel & NGV) - 25% off

All these are major factors for potential owners to consider when making their vehicle fuel choices. However, what many owners may not be aware of is the safety record of NGV vehicles. NGV vehicles safety record compares favourably to other traditional fuels or alternative fuels available today. This is due to the superior (and still improving) technology, higher safety standards and the physical properties of NGV itself which makes it as safe or safer to use than petroleum-based fuels.

Cleaning and Repairing Radiator Fins

A radiator-fin comb is a specialized tool designed to straighten out bent radiator fins. Individual comb segments have different widths between teeth, since spacing between fins can vary among different radiators.



It's important to keep the radiator fins and AC condenser free of dust buildup, insects and other debris that can restrict airflow and thus diminish the overall effectiveness of the cooling system.

Figure A

A brush is one fairly effective means of cleaning debris from the intricate network of aluminum fins (figure A). Gently brush in one direction and dislodge any debris that's stuck between the fins. An easier and more effective technique is to use a burst of air from an air compressor.

Figure B

In order to prevent insects from clogging the fins in the first place, you may want to install a bug net (figure B). These mount on your front grill and are particularly beneficial in the spring and summer or if you live in a region of the country that's especially "buggy."

Figure C

Another condition that can impede airflow is bent radiator fins. Fins can become damaged by being struck by rocks during highway driving or by careless handling of the radiator during engine repairs. You can straighten out bent fins with a fine, sharp object such as an icepick (figure C), or you can use a specialized tool designed specifically for the job -- a radiator comb (figure D).

Figure D

Careful use of a radiator comb will help return bent fins to their proper shape and position. Be careful when using the comb, as the thin walls of the fins are delicate. This is a tedious job, so take your time and be patient.

RESOURCES :

Auto Repair for Dummies
Author: Deanna Sclar
ISBN: 0764550896

Safety Tips in the Car Park

Car parks are often regarded as high crime areas, with car thefts, window break-ins, and even abductions.

People usually blame a crime on the lack of security at the car park but there are times when such a case happens because of the people’s own carelessness.

Here are a few tips to be safe in the car park.

1. Be aware of suspicious characters loitering around before you enter your car.

2. If you sense something wrong while you are inside your car, sound the horn to grab attention.

3. Always make sure your car is locked and the windows are wound up.

4. Do not leave the ticket or coin chip in your car.

5. Never leave your valuable belongings in your car.

6. Do not park at an empty car park.

7. Take a picture of the pillar number where you park, in case you forget the location later.

8. Alternatively, store the pillar number as SMS in your cell phone.

9. You can always ask a security guard to accompany you to your car.