Things That Can Go Wrong With Your Vehicle’s Clutch

It may surprise you to know that your car has at least one clutch, even if your transmission is an automatic. In fact, your vehicle might have several of them. A clutch is a relatively simple component that connects two rotating shafts and allows them to spin at the same rate. It can also disconnect the two shafts, allowing them to spin at different rates.

For example, consider the tires on your car. They’re connected to the engine and rely upon it for propulsion. The engine is constantly spinning, even if you’re sitting at a red traffic light. Because your tires are not spinning constantly, a clutch is needed to reconnect the tires and engine when the traffic light turns green.

Unfortunately, clutches are like all auto parts: they can fail from normal wear and tear. Below, I’ll describe a few problems that you might eventually experience with your car’s clutch.

The Slip

When your vehicle’s clutch is engaged, it is supposed to slip in order to prevent jerking. This is the case whether you’re starting from a dead stop or changing gears. Normally, when you remove your foot from the clutch pedal, the component should establish a smooth connection between the engine and the transmission. If you notice excess slippage, there’s a problem. A little leads to a lot because the heat generated from the friction makes it even more difficult for the clutch to grip its position. So, it slips even more.

The Jerk

Technically, this problem is called “chatter.” It’s characterized by a lurching or jerking motion when you engage the clutch. The most common cause is oil on the linings. However, there are several factors that can contribute, including a warped flywheel, misaligned chassis, and even a damaged CV joint.

Grinding Or Growling

When the bearings are severely worn, vibrations inside the clutch actuator can produce squealing, grinding, or growling noises. Like chatter, a lot of factors might be involved. For example, the bearing retainer might be damaged, the release bearing may have failed, or the disc may have been installed poorly. Different causes lead to different noises. A squeal may be caused by a malfunctioning pilot bearing while a growl can be caused by a transmission bearing.

The Stubborn Link

If you press down on the clutch pedal, but the clutch refuses to disconnect, you’ll be unable to shift into gear. You’ll probably hear a loud grinding noise and your engine might stall. This can happen if the release cable breaks, if the hydraulic line has air in it, or the clutch disc has become warped or bent. It can also be caused by a leaking master clutch cylinder.

If your car’s clutch fails, you should have a mechanic replace it as opposed to doing the work yourself; the job is usually labor-intensive. Make sure the replacement that he installs meets OEM specs. Your clutch is one of those systems with which you do not want to take chances.

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5 Tips When Buying A Certified Pre-Owned Car

Buying a certified pre-owned car (CPO) can be an attractive alternative to buying a used car. They’re typically in near-perfect condition, have been tested rigorously by trained mechanics, and come with a limited warranty. That said, prospective buyers should still perform their due diligence before purchasing. Below, I’ll provide 5 quick tips to make sure that you get a great deal when buying a CPO.

Tip #1: Read The Warranty

Not all car warranties are equal. And limited warranties deserve a thorough reading. Take the time to understand what the warranty covers and what it doesn’t. It’s possible that the warranty will cover the cost of a part that malfunctions, but not the labor required to install it. For example, the warranty may cover the powertrain, but replacing the transmission will require a mechanic. Also, if there’s a deductible, find out what it is.

Tip #2: Know Who’s Certifying

A CPO will always be advertised as “certified,” but you’ll need to know who is certifying the car. If it is being certified by the dealer, consider looking elsewhere. Ultimately, you want a car that has been certified by the manufacturer. Remember, one of the main advantages of buying a CPO is that it meets the specifications established by the manufacturer.

Tip #3: Haggle

Oddly, a lot of people think that prices for CPOs are set in stone. They’re not. Feel free to negotiate just like you would for a new or used car. To do that, you’ll need to know its value…

Tip #4: Research The Car’s Value

If you’re going to negotiate (and you should), you’ll need to know the approximate value of the car. You can use the Kelly Blue Book or check ConsumerReports.org. Keep in mind that the price charged by the dealer will include the limited warranty. So, it’s likely that those two resources will show values that are slightly less.

Tip #5: Clarify Repair Locations

If your car experiences an electrical or mechanical problem, you’ll need to know where you can take it to have the problem fixed. Check the warranty and ask for clarification. Can you have the work performed by independent shops? Will you be forced to bring your car back to that specific dealer? Ask so that you won’t be surprised later.

Your new certified pre-owned car will likely be a dependable vehicle that won’t let you down. Use the 5 tips above to get a great deal, understand the warranty, and know who is certifying it. If there’s a problem in the future, you’ll be glad you did.

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Guide To Your Vehicle’s Fuel Injection System

In 1990, the last model to roll out of the factory with a carburetor installed was the Subaru Justy. Since then, all cars have been designed with fuel injection systems (FIS). While carburetors were an impressive piece of machinery, they could not keep pace with the rapid evolution of automotive engines. Moreover, as emission standards rose, catalytic converters were installed into vehicles to reduce the harmful gases present in the exhaust. Because catalytic converters require a precise air-fuel mixture in order to do their job, the carburetor’s days were numbered.

Today, fuel injection systems carefully control the amount of gasoline that enters the combustion chamber of each cylinder. Below, you’ll learn how your vehicle’s FIS works and the process by which fuel is metered and controlled.

Basics Behind The System’s Operation

When you press down on your accelerator, a throttle valve opens and allows air to flow in toward the cylinders. Your vehicle’s computer (called the engine control unit, or ECU) takes note of the open throttle valve and sends fuel toward the injectors. This happens almost instantly to ensure the right air-fuel blend ends up inside the combustion chambers.

Each injector is a valve that opens to allow gasoline to shoot directly through the intake valve into its corresponding combustion chamber. It opens and closes quickly based on instructions received from the ECU. When the fuel flows through the injector, it comes out as a mist in order to burn more cleanly. The amount of fuel sent into the chamber is regulated by the amount of time the valve remains open. This period is called the pulse width.

How The Amount Of Gasoline Is Metered

Because the ECU is responsible for sending pulse width directions to the injectors, it must have a way to monitor the amount of fuel needed for specific driving conditions. It uses data from several sensors.

Oxygen sensors monitor the level of oxygen present in the exhaust coming from the combustion chambers. This data helps the engine control unit to identify a too-lean or too-rich mix and make the appropriate adjustments. An engine speed sensor is used by the ECU to regulate the injectors’ pulse width. A mass airflow sensor sends data to the ECU regarding the amount of air coming into the engine.

Other sensors monitor the throttle position, voltage level, operating temperature, and how much pressure exists in the intake manifold. All of this data is used to carefully meter the amount of fuel that flows through the injectors.

Your fuel injection system can develop a number of problems that will affect your engine’s performance. For example, your injectors can clog. Or, one or more sensors might fail, leading to a too-lean or too-rich air-fuel mix. These issues (and others) can cause a hard start, misfire, hesitation, or stall. If you notice any of these problems, visit a repair shop to have your car’s fuel injection system tested. Otherwise, you might eventually find yourself stranded at the side of the road.

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