Tuesday, October 31, 2017
Monday, October 30, 2017
Did you decide to replace your car’s battery yourself?? The first thing to do is to buy the right one !! Check this guide @PartsAvatar Canada.
With the number of
auto batteries available in the market, making choice can be confusing! Car
battery failures are the most frequent motoring problem, so how can you get the
right one? Here are some key factors you should consider! - Brought to you by PartsAvatar Auto Body Parts.
The colder the
weather, the harder car batteries have to work. If you live in countries like
Canada, America we don’t need to explain how harsh the winter is.
Battery problems
are frequent in colder and damper areas. If you are struggling to turn the
engine on, it means the time of replacement has arrived.
But the question is
how do you know which battery is right for your vehicle? Which one should you
pick? Don’t freak out, PartsAvatar is here to help you! Here we list some
important factors that play pivotal role in choosing a battery.
Brand
Brand is one of the
pivotal factors as it refers to the trademark given to a certain product. Some
battery manufacturer’s sell their product with the same name for example Exide
company produces Exide batteries.
It is best to go
with your owner manual’s choice for best results. But if your owner manual’s
battery choice is too expensive then don’t worry you can go for alternative
similar to its specifications.
Owner’s manual also
states specification requirements so you can follow it to buy battery of other
company.
Don’t go for cheap
brands or batteries. Your savings may be short lived because cheap batteries
may be loaded with defects and will also produce poor performance. You can
check the brand’s reviews and history on internet. Investing some money into
something reliable and long lasting won’t be a bad deal.
Some of the best
manufacturers of batteries in aftermarket world are:
1. Delphi
2. Bosch
3. Dorman
4.
Blue Streak
5.
AC Delco
PartsAvatar Canada ships auto
parts from these above stated manufacturers to its customer’s door. You won’t
be running out of option there!
So,
better buy a branded battery at a reputable dealership or auto parts store.
Size
Size
or group size refers to the height, width and length of the battery. The
battery council international (BCI) assigns numbers and letters for each group
size.
It
is very important for the battery to fit snugly and securely. You should
consult your car’s manual for proper specifications. It is important that you
use the appropriate size as stated by the manufacturer of your vehicle.
You
can also follow the reference guides that the retailers provide and find out
the appropriate battery size for your car.
The
size of battery depends on factors like terminal locations and physical
dimensions under the bonnet. Make sure the battery fits properly.
Wrong
will not only be a waste of money but will damage more parts of your car.
Cold Cranking Amps
Cranking
amps refer to the measure of battery’s starting power. Cold cranking amps is
the measure of cranking amps at 0°C or 32°F for 30 seconds. If you live in
colder climate like Canada, this is an important consideration.
Diesel
engines need more cranking amps than petrol ones.
You
should strictly consider CCA if you live in cold climate. During freezing
weather, your car’s engine will be hard to start because the engine oil
thickens and the chemical reactions slow down. Battery starting power damages
as the battery ages so a battery with high power will drive more smoothly.
You
won’t be bothered much if you live in warm region. So CCA ratings don’t matter
much there. But choosing a battery with higher CCA rating would be best
decision for your car provided you live in colder region. You car’s engine wont
stall even in snowy mornings if you select higher CCA battery.
Its
best to refer to your vehicle’s manual. Avoid choosing CCA ratings much higher
or much lower than the manual specified ratings. If by any chance, you can’t
find your desired brand and CCA rating, then don’t worry, you can choose a bit
higher rating. But that difference should be a bit not much. Lower CCA may
result in poor performance.
Age
The
Age of a product gives you an idea on how long it should be able to perform. A
battery is considered fresh if it is less than six months old.
You
don’t want to buy one that’s more than six months old or you won’t be
benefiting from a full lifetime’s wear. You can check the dates which are often
written on batteries.
Most
dates are stamped in the form of codes on labels.
Letters
indicate Months for instance A is January and B is February. Digits depict the
year for example 9-1999, 0-2000 and 1-2001 and so on.
Whatever
brand you buy, just don’t buy battery older than six months.
Battery Reserve Capacity
RC
or reserve capacity refers to battery’s standing power in case the alternator
fails. It identifies how many minutes the battery can deliver a constant
current of 25 Amp at 80°F without falling below the minimum voltage, 1.75V
needed to keep your vehicle running.
With
a high reserve capacity rating, your car can run even if your car’s alternator
or fan belt fails. RC rating is listed in minutes and is usually printed on the
label.
In
simple language, RC rating is your vehicle’s emergency kit. The longer the
operating time of the battery’s reserve capacity the better because this
quality can save you from stranding on road. In unexpected emergency situation,
you can still run safely instead of getting stuck.
But
this does not mean that you can choose the highest rating on your own. Always
follow your owner manual’s prescribed specifications. Owner’s manual will
suggest the best RC rating that your vehicle can tolerate.
Batteries
are priced by their life expectancy. Most are rated for five years. Buying poor
quality and malfunctioning battery will definitely leave your stranded on the
road.
But
in case you don’t plan to keep your vehicle longer than five years, then no
need to go for expensive long term battery.
You
can also take your old battery and compare it with the new one. It should be of
same size, shape and configuration.
Don’t
install used batteries as the results would be extremely dangerous.
And
for your battery to keep long running, you need to check them regularly.
The
bottom-line is you can just throw your money right? Get something good, unless
you have the habit to stand and call for help. For sure with this guide, at
least you will get a good deal.
If
you want to buy auto parts at your fingertips, then don’t roam here and there. PartsAvatar
ships auto parts at your doorsteps. Don’t forget free shipping for orders over
$99.
Saturday, October 28, 2017
Have a flat tire and need to change it ??There are some common ways to raise or lower your vehicle profile, Take a Look!!
So you need to
raise your car onto jack stands?? But for whatever reason it needs to go
higher, how can you safely raise the height of the car? Don’t worry! Here are
some common ways to raise your car. - Brought to you by PartsAvatar Tools & Equipments.
Whenever we get the
problem of flat tire, we freak out for sure! So, why not take some time out of
your busy schedule and learn various ways to lift your car up?? It won’t be weird
to say, that some folks don’t even know how to correctly use Jacks and axle.
At PartsAvatar’s Auto Repair Tools
section, you can easily find and order jacks
or lifting tools of your choice easily.
We have made this
concept that jacks are only used for changing tires. But this is totally wrong.
Jacks can convert any space into workshop, making it possible for you to
perform your repair works easily anywhere. Then we should start with jacks and
axles before moving on to other ways!
Jacks and Jack stands
Jack uses power of
hydraulics to lift a car. They come in different variety but it is very
important to use right kind of jack for the specific work for safety of
mechanic and vehicle. Be cautious while using them.
Scissor Jack
Scissor jacks are
great for emergency lifts like changing flat tire. Its advantage is it is
portable and small and can be found in most cars’ trunks.
While using scissor
jack, you can lower or raise your vehicle by turning the handle. Make sure to
properly place the jack the underneath the object to be lifted.
They aren’t
considered stable and if you want to use them for other car lifting applications,
make sure they have that lifting capacity needed by the vehicle. Make sure to
use them on ground level.
Bottle jack
Bottle jacks or
hydraulic bottle jacks can lift heavier vehicles using hydraulic pressure.
These jacks have high lifting capacity and should be used on a hard and level
surface.
This level surface
is also its downside as you need clearance to place bottle jacks under the
vehicle. They are stable enough to be used on the side of a road, making them
less than ideal for changing a tire. Before using them, it’s better to compare
the lifting capacities of both jack and vehicle. However they are more stable
than scissor jacks.
Jack stands/Axle stands
These are designed
to support your car’s weight so that you can lie underneath your car and do
repair job without the worry of it falling on top of you.
These are commonly
used by mechanics to do maintenance and repair jobs. You can easily move around
using creepers and position in the exact spot that needs to be lifted.
Hi-Lift Jack
This jack is mainly
used in off road vehicles or where rugged terrain limits the use of other
jacks. These jacks cannot be carried in a regular car because they weigh near
about 30 pounds and are 3 to 5 feet long.
They can lift high
capacity 7000 pounds car up to 5 feet. If you are an off-road enthusiast, you
should know the tips to have a safe off road
drive.
Now that we have
enough information about car jacks and axles, we can easily move on to other
ways to lift the car. Following are the other ways that you can use just in
case.
Lowering Kits
We all know how
attention grabbing, the custom lowered cars are. Lower rides have a race car
look that turns heads and makes other drivers wish their cars were just as
cool.
Lowering kits save
you both time and money by providing you all the right parts you need to lower
your ride. Just by lowering your vehicle’s centre of gravity, you can enhance
its driving precisions. This means that your car has a quicker response when it
comes to handling and steering. Its variants can also aid your suspension thus
reducing roughness and vibrations.
But lowered
vehicles are not ideal for driving on snowy or rough roads. So, make the
modifications according to your environment.
Air Suspension
Many low riders use
air suspension bags for slow or dramatic drops and rises and these setups can
cost thousands of dollars. By releasing or filling the air pressure in the
suspension system, the buoyancy creates a gentle lift and drop with the turns
in the road.
Heavy bags hold and
release the air in place of springs, lowering and lifting vehicle according to
road condition. It can cost in the range of $500 to $1500 excluding installation.
Torsion Tweak
Torsion bars help
absorb impact. Lifting a heavy vehicle with a few turns of torsion bar is
simple and quick, but getting the height balanced is the key to maintaining the
handling.
Body Lift
A body lift
raises your vehicle’s body higher while leaving suspension and wheels at their
original height. Providing up to six inches of additional space, body kits can
give you plenty of room to install larger tires.
Body lift is easier
to install and is quite cost effective.
Suspension Lift
Car Suspension lift kits
work as front only, rear only, whole body or one wheel well at a time as well
as in the combination rises. Since, the suspension lift
do increase your vehicle’s ground clearance, in addition to tire clearance,
they are a must have mod for tackling dusty rails.
They due to their
benefit of higher clearance and durability, they are prioritised among off road
drivers.
Levelling
The weight
distribution of car/truck changes, when it is lifted. Levelling kits serve to
keep the rear lifted higher than the front or vice versa.
Trucks may tend
down in the front when their cargo bed is empty and levelling kit will balance
the end, creating a levelled look.
This makes levelling
kits particularly useful on vehicles where weight distribution causes a vehicle
to have an uneven stance. Thus it is just what you need to even out your
stance.
Get Aftermarket
auto parts at your fingertips at PartsAvatar Auto Parts Canada!
Thursday, October 26, 2017
Painting your car for the first time?? Here are tips that will help you cleanly fog a new coat on your 4×4!
Painting your car
for the first time can be a fun experience or a complete nightmare! But if you
are a Pro, Paint Job could save you thousands of Dollars. Want to become a Pro?
Follow our Guide. - Brought to you by PartsAvatar Performance Auto Parts.
If you are
restoring a vehicle, a major milestone in the process is when you paint the
vehicle. Depending on your skills, you may wish to tackle the paint job
yourself.
If you have never
painted before, the idea of painting may seem fun. But a slight mistake can
turn your hard work into waste. So, before going on DIY Paint job, follow this
Paint job guide or tips, so that your car won’t turn into a disaster!
Pick a proper time and place
Strictly avoid
painting in wind, rain and snow. Some paints won’t cure properly in overly
cold, hot or humid conditions. It is not recommended for you to paint in spring
because the air is filled with pollens and bugs.
Anyone would go
crazy at the sight of bugs resting on your freshly painted car.
A car should be
painted indoors. Painting over a lawn or under a tree will guarantee you will
have a lot of insects or leaves embedded in your paint. A two car garage works
very well.
A clean workplace
or garage is also essential for a successful paint job. Make sure the garage or
area where you plan to paint your car is clean and free of dust. It would be
wise to mop the floor prior painting a car.
Properly ventilate
the area where the DIY is going to be performed. Make sure the workplace is
dry. Drying the area is very important otherwise corrosion would take place and
your efforts will be in vain.
If you live in
deserts, you can paint your car in summer, early in the morning before the sun
had a chance to increase the air temperature.
But, avoid painting
in direct sunlight. You can create a shaded temporary spray booth with easy up
or masking film.
Use recommended thinner
Use the recommended
thinner and follow the thinning directions. One quart paint cups make mixing
and pouring easier. You can find them at any paint store.
Use a new paint
strainer to pour paint into the car spray gun
or solid particles could clog the tip.
Treating Rust
Rust repair isn’t
hard but its time consuming. It is essential for the car to have all its rust
removed chemically before it is painted because rust causes paint to bubble.
You can also cut
the rusted metal and replace the panel entirely. This is because painting the
rust surface before removing it will just prolong its life.
You can easily
replace car front bumpers,
car doors, auto fenders
and hoods at PartsAvatar under economic prices.
Use Lustreless, Satin and Flat paints
The easiest paints
to lay down are lustreless, satin and flat paints. These also hide the
imperfections in the body and your prep work. Lighter colors hide imperfections
better than darker colors if that’s important to you.
Use high quality Body Filler
The smooth the
surface of your car and prepare it for painting, use high quality body filler.
Low quality body fillers do not last as long as high quality ones.
No one wishes to
get car’s paint job done again. They are also difficult to sand, which
increases amount of time and effort required to make the body panel smooth. Why
not use quality paint products in the first place?
Use quality Primer
Priming is
essential step in painting metal surfaces. You will need to prime before
applying any top coat or color to the car. Primers seal the surface and create
a protective barrier. They also create ideal surface for the color coat paint
to adhere to. Always choose high build primers and make sure the area you plan
to paint is thoroughly cleaned before you start.
Wear a respirator
When you are spray
painting in an enclosed space, you must use a respirator with disposable
cartridges. A good respirator will cost you about $50 if you by it any online
auto store like Partsavatar.ca.
Don’t forget to
take other proper safety precautions when spray painting such as wearing eye
protection.
Practice on a price of scrap material
Practice on a piece
of scrap material and play with airflow and paint adjustments on the gun to
find what works best for you.
Move the gun side
to side and keep practicing.
Hit the hard to reach the crevices first
Round spray pattern
works best for tight spots. You may want to increase paint flow to get better
finish on wheel wells, frames, suspension parts and axles.
Spray the backside of removed body parts
You can first spray
the backside of the removed panels or parts to avoid mess. It is always better
to hang the panels so that they can be painted at once.
Use a pressure regulator and water and oil separator
It is better to use
pressure regulator to ensure paint pressure is not too high or low. Use oil
separator to ensure that paint is not contaminated.
Painting
Whether you are
giving your car a fresh new paint colour, or matching the existing paint, you
will need a correct shade. Use recommended ratios to mix the paint with thinner
and primer.
Each coat will take
about 10 minutes to apply per panel and between 20 minutes to an hour between
recoating for the paint to cure.
Read paint can’s
instructions thoroughly and use the drying time accordingly. Apply three to
four coats.
Before applying
final coat, remove residue with sandpaper and wipe it down with a clean rag.
Repeat it until you get a clear coat lacquer.
You may want to
wait several days for the paint to fully cure before bolting things back
together.
If you follow these
tips, you should end up with a fine paint job. But a last tip for the first timers.
Let your professional handle the paint job and examine him carefully. And for
the second time, the arena is all yours!
Visit
Partsavatar.ca to get best deals in aftermarket auto parts and accessories.
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
Do you feel the need to revive your beloved car from a long sleep ?? Check the tips to start a car kept in storage and order auto parts at PartsAvatar.ca !
Did you come back
after months and are not able to drive your SUV anymore? Before you start
treating your car as stalled steel, here are some tips to revive it at last
minute! – Brought to you by PartsAvatar Performance Auto Parts.
Whether its winter
or your car has been sitting idle for ages, you can’t just dump it off if it won’t
start! There are still some means to revive it. PartsAvatar has suggested some
tips to wake your sleeping beauty!
In this article, we
will not only discuss the ways to revive the stored car but also will provide
some tips to properly store your car if you plan to leave your car unused for a
considerable period.
But let’s first
start with starting a stalled car!
Check the fluids and Engine oil
Car Engines and car
engine components are made to run and to be run regularly. The longer they sit
idle, the more they can develop problems for you! Old oil, antifreeze and
gasoline don’t hold up well when sitting in an engine for months or even years.
Engine will need lubrication
as oil hasn’t been running through it. If you notice any leakage from the
coolant system it could mean a bad gasket, a corroded radiator fitting, a
rotted hose or even broken water pump seals.
You can replace these auto
parts at PartsAvatar and can easily find your
desired product from our product catalogue easily.
Now talking about
fluids, experts advise a car sitting idle for years require all fluids to be drained,
bleed and flushed before refill.
For engine oil
lubrication you can find assistance in a friend or a trusted mechanic because
it requires disassembling of spark plugs etc. There might be chances of replacing car spark
plugs in this situation, so give it a good
visual check.
Inspect the Car Battery
If all the
mechanical parts are working properly but you still can’t start your car, there
might be issue with car’s electrical components. It is easiest to diagnose and
fix a car battery.
When the battery is
idle, the chemical reaction breaks down and causes it lose energy. If the
battery remains unused for a longer period, the engine won’t start. You can
still try recharging car
battery by adding distilled water if the
battery isn’t that old.
If it has been a
long time since you last used or checked the battery, then you may have to
spend money on a new one!
Also, bad or
corroded ignition coils may prevent the engine from firing up. Replace spark
plugs if they look corroded. You can turn on the engine until the oil you put
into the cylinders lubricate the cylinder walls and to prime the oil and fuel
pumps prior to ignition. Keep cranking the engine until the oil pressure reads
normal.
Check for Vacuum Leaks
Vacuum leaks in the
intake manifold can cause engine sensors to report incorrect readings to the ECU.
When this happens, even minors leaks could keep your engine from running.
Engine can develop
cracks if it sits idle for a long time. Too many cracks may cause severe
problem. So it’s better to timely inspect the leaks and replace the vacuum
hoses if needed. Better take advice of a professional.
Before you leave the garage
Once you start the
car, just let it warm up. Don’t rev it. Check the transmission fluid level and
leakage underneath the car, while it’s running.
You can turn off
the engine and try checking hoses and belts for cracks. Check the car’s
suspension system components like ball joints, bushings, leaks at shocks etc.
Give a thorough
inspection to the brakes before leaving. Rotate each wheel by hand while your
car is jacked up. Check the inflation of tires.
These are the basic
things that you need to service, but still it is advised to call your mechanic
if you can’t handle any major issue.
If you are planning
to leave your car idle for a long time, then check out the tips to store it
properly!
Park Indoors
It is said that
aging is accelerated when the car is parked outside thanks to UV exposure,
extremes of temperature and other environmental hazards. Modern paints are not
prone to sun fading but heating and cooling of the interior will age it,
leading to degradation of fabrics.
It is always safe
to park your car indoors and use a quality cover to keep it safer and cleaner.
Don’t engage handbrake when you leave
Use a brick or a
piece of wood to keep your car from rolling. Brake pads or drums can get stuck
if you engage the handbrakes for a long period.
Remove the Spark plugs
It would be nice to
remove the spark plugs before leaving your car idle. You can spray a little oil
onto plug sockets before putting the plugs back again. This will keep your
car’s spark plugs safe from rusting and moisture.
Fill the fuel tank
Fill the car with
high quality fuel to keep the car fuel tank
safe from moisture and rusting. Make sure to seal the tank properly before
leaving.
Maintaining the battery
Remove the car
battery before leaving. It would be good to fully charge it and top up the
water level. Also you can avoid rusting by applying grease on the terminals and
wires of battery. Store it in cool and dry place away from direct sunlight.
Change oil and oil filters
Old engine oil
contains moisture, metal and sludge. It would be good to fill up your car with
fresh oil and car oil filter
and let it circulate by driving the car for few kilometres.
Keep the tires inflated
Proper inflation of
tires prevents cracking of the sidewalls and flat spots. It’s better to
properly inflate your car tires and check the valve caps for leaks before leaving.
Also you can jack
up your car to avoid flat spots on tires. Use four jacks so that car doesn’t
rest on wheels.
Make sure to clean
the exterior thoroughly. This will help in keeping the moisture away.
So, in this way you
can easily store your car. Still got questions? Contact partsavatar.ca.
Want to shop for
aftermarket auto parts? Check out our product catalogue and get the best deal
in auto parts.
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