1. Electrical Systems Batteries Purpose/Operation
Maintenance/Cleaning Safety Common causes of failure Replacing a
battery Charging system Purpose Charge Indicator Ignition System
How it works Spark Plugs Other electrical systems Changing bulbs
Changing wipers Fuses 2. Fuel Systems o How the fuel system works o
Selecting a fuel for your vehicle o Refueling tips o Emissions
systems o Check Engine light o Alternate Fuels
Slide 3
Slide 4
Most of us do not realize how dependant we are on electricity.
We use it from the first moment we wake up in the morningwhen our
alarm clocks ringuntil the time we turn off the lights to go back
to bed at night. Electricity not only powers our homes, but also
energizes our phones, watches, computers, music players and, of
course, our automobiles. It is difficult to imagine how people
lived without the luxury of electricity just a few generations ago.
For the sake of understanding, imagine that we took a box and
packed half of it with electrons (-) and half of it with positive
ions ( + ). There would be an attraction between particles in each
side of the box and basically, what we have is a battery! To
harness this electricity, we create a path for the electrons to
travel on by placing a wire across the terminals of our battery.
Next, we will cut the wire and add a light bulb. Now, the electrons
must travel through the light bulb in order to get to the other
side of the battery. The energy used in getting through the light
bulb causes the filament in the bulb to glow and turns into light
and heat. For the sake of understanding, imagine that we took a box
and packed half of it with electrons (-) and half of it with
positive ions ( + ). There would be an attraction between particles
in each side of the box and basically, what we have is a battery!
To harness this electricity, we create a path for the electrons to
travel on by placing a wire across the terminals of our battery.
Next, we will cut the wire and add a light bulb. Now, the electrons
must travel through the light bulb in order to get to the other
side of the battery. The energy used in getting through the light
bulb causes the filament in the bulb to glow and turns into light
and heat. Electricity is simply defined as the flow of electrons.
You may remember from science class that electrons have a negative
charge. Because opposites attract, electrons are attracted to
positively charged ions. As electrons are allowed to flow to those
positive ions, we harness their energy and use it to light our
light bulbs, turn motors, and power all kinds of devices.
Slide 5
Some of the electrically operated parts and accessories in the
car include: Power windows Windshield wipers and washers Fuel pump
Power seats Radio Heater & A/C system Fuel Injectors All lights
Transmission shift solenoids Much, much more! The battery in a car
stores electricity. The primary purpose for storing this
electricity is to start the engine. In a previous lesson we learned
that in order to start an engine, an electric motor turns the
crankshaft, which gets the pistons and valves moving until it can
run on its own. Once the engine is running, the cars generator
(also called an alternator) begins spinning and generating
electricity. The generator charges the battery back up for the next
start and provides electricity to run all of the accessories in the
car. Did you know? Virtually every part of the modern automobile
is, in some way, controlled by electricity. In fact, a typical car
today has between 5 and 20 computers on board that help control
everything from head lights to fuel injection. Each of these
computers probably has more computing power than the first space
shuttle. If you enjoy listening to the radio, using your cruise
control, getting more than 10 miles per gallon, or the fact that
your car starts right up no matter how warm or cold it is outside,
you can thank a computer! Generator Battery Battery cables
Slide 6
The battery in your car should typically last 5-6 years, or
more. However, batteries commonly fail sooner than this. Here are
the primary reasons for premature battery failure: Corrosion occurs
because of the chemicals that are in and o Vibration o
Vibrationcaused when the battery clamp or hold-down is missing or
installed incorrectly o Cycling o Cyclingevery time the battery is
allowed to get low and is then jump-started or recharged, it is
permanently damaged; after about six of these cycles, it will have
to be replaced o Corrosion o Corrosionwhen corrosion forms on the
battery, it can cause a poor electrical connection that prevents
the battery from ever being fully charged o Freezing o Freezinga
fully charged battery will not freeze, but a low or undercharged
battery will; do not allow a low battery to stay lowespecially on a
cold nightor you will be buying a new battery in the morning! o Low
Water o Low Watermost batteries require that you occasionally add
water to them; allowing this water to get too low could permanently
reduce your batterys power o Vibration o Vibrationcaused when the
battery clamp or hold-down is missing or installed incorrectly o
Cycling o Cyclingevery time the battery is allowed to get low and
is then jump-started or recharged, it is permanently damaged; after
about six of these cycles, it will have to be replaced o Corrosion
o Corrosionwhen corrosion forms on the battery, it can cause a poor
electrical connection that prevents the battery from ever being
fully charged o Freezing o Freezinga fully charged battery will not
freeze, but a low or undercharged battery will; do not allow a low
battery to stay lowespecially on a cold nightor you will be buying
a new battery in the morning! o Low Water o Low Watermost batteries
require that you occasionally add water to them; allowing this
water to get too low could permanently reduce your batterys
power
Slide 7
Have you ever opened your hood to find your battery looking
like this? Corrosion occurs because of the chemicals that are in
the battery. If it is allowed to go unchecked, corrosion damages
the battery cables and connectors, allows the battery to drain even
when the car is off, and is likely to leave you stranded someday.
Even if your battery doesnt look like this, it may have corrosion
between the battery post and the terminal. Corrosion in this
location may prevent the electricity from flowing to the starter
and the rest of the car. Battery post Terminal If you ever find
yourself in a situation where your car wont start, determine if the
battery or cables could be the problem. If the engine cranks over
fine but just will not start, the problem is not in the battery or
the cables. If, when you try to start your car, you hear a click or
even no sound at all, the problem may be a dead battery or a
corroded cable connection. Many people mistakenly replace their
battery when the problem was really just a corroded connection. To
avoid this and other costly mistakes, whenever you experience these
symptoms, you should first clean your battery posts and terminals
before spending money on expensive parts or repairs. If you ever
find yourself in a situation where your car wont start, determine
if the battery or cables could be the problem. If the engine cranks
over fine but just will not start, the problem is not in the
battery or the cables. If, when you try to start your car, you hear
a click or even no sound at all, the problem may be a dead battery
or a corroded cable connection. Many people mistakenly replace
their battery when the problem was really just a corroded
connection. To avoid this and other costly mistakes, whenever you
experience these symptoms, you should first clean your battery
posts and terminals before spending money on expensive parts or
repairs.
Slide 8
To clean your battery, remove the battery cables (remove the
negative cable first), use a wire brush (or battery post cleaner)
to clean the posts and terminals, then pour a mixture of warm water
and baking soda over the battery. Use a soft brush to clean the top
of the battery. Soak the terminals in this mixture as well. Doing
this neutralizes the acids that caused the corrosion in the first
place. When the mixture no longer fizzes and bubbles, rinse the
battery and terminals off with warm water. For best results, apply
some type of corrosion inhibitor, and then reconnect the cables
(negative last). If you have a good battery and use corrosion
inhibitor, you shouldnt have to clean your battery more than once a
year. However, keep an eye on it because corrosion sometimes
returns quickly. Return to I-learn now and watch the videos
entitled How to Clean a Battery and Cleaning a Battery With Baking
Soda To clean your battery, remove the battery cables (remove the
negative cable first), use a wire brush (or battery post cleaner)
to clean the posts and terminals, then pour a mixture of warm water
and baking soda over the battery. Use a soft brush to clean the top
of the battery. Soak the terminals in this mixture as well. Doing
this neutralizes the acids that caused the corrosion in the first
place. When the mixture no longer fizzes and bubbles, rinse the
battery and terminals off with warm water. For best results, apply
some type of corrosion inhibitor, and then reconnect the cables
(negative last). If you have a good battery and use corrosion
inhibitor, you shouldnt have to clean your battery more than once a
year. However, keep an eye on it because corrosion sometimes
returns quickly. Return to I-learn now and watch the videos
entitled How to Clean a Battery and Cleaning a Battery With Baking
Soda
Slide 9
There are two types of batteries: There are two types of
batteries: Maintenance-free Maintenance-free Conventional
Conventional Maintenance-free batteries do not require the addition
of water. This type of battery is easy to identify. It will either
have no cell caps at all or a statement that warns you not to pry
on or open the cell caps. They also frequently have a battery
inspection window on the top of the battery. How do you use a
battery inspection window? How do you use a battery inspection
window? This window does not tell you if your battery is good or
bad; it just tells you if your battery is charged or not. Simply
look down into the window. If you see green, it indicates that the
battery is satisfactorily charged. If all you see is black, the
battery needs to be charged. Conventional batteries are most common
and do have removable cell caps. Over time, the water in these
batteries evaporates and gets low. If the water gets too low, the
capacity of the battery may be permanently reduced. About once a
year you should check the water level in your battery by removing
the cell caps and looking inside. If the water level in any of the
six cells is low, add some distilled water. Be very careful not to
get dirt or baking soda down inside the battery, and make sure you
dont overfill any of the cells! Cell Caps
Slide 10
When you add water to a battery, the water should cover the
plates completely, but should not be any higher than the bottom of
the vent well. Return to I-learn now and watch the video entitled,
Adding Water to a Battery. Plates Battery Cell Cap
Slide 11
When working around your battery, remember: Always wear safety
glasses Avoid sparks Disconnect the negative cable firstand
reconnect it last Avoid getting acid on your clothing or skin (if
you get it on your skin, wash with warm water) Dont wear jewelry
like watches or rings (they are very good conductors of electricity
and can get hot quickly) When working around your battery,
remember: Always wear safety glasses Avoid sparks Disconnect the
negative cable firstand reconnect it last Avoid getting acid on
your clothing or skin (if you get it on your skin, wash with warm
water) Dont wear jewelry like watches or rings (they are very good
conductors of electricity and can get hot quickly) If you charge a
battery using a battery charger, make sure you have the charger
turned off and unplugged when you hook it up to the battery. This
way you will not create sparks near the battery. Remember that it
is a charging battery that gives off explosive hydrogen gasses.
This battery exploded! Did you know? Did you know? Many battery
chargers have settings for high and low charge rates. Charging on
the lowest setting will help your battery last longer and prevent
damage to your car if the battery is charged while in the still
installed in the car.
Slide 12
Eventually, despite all of the care and maintenance you have
provided for your battery, it will wear out. Sometimes batteries
fail very quickly while other times they gradually get weaker. If
you notice that your engine is cranking slower than it used to when
you try to start it, it may be time to buy a new battery. It is
much harder for a battery to supply the energy needed to start your
car when it is cold outside. A weak battery will manifest itself on
very cold days. For this reason, it is a good idea to have your
battery checked by a professional just before the winter months
begin. If you choose to replace your own battery, remember the
following: Make sure you get the correct battery for your car
(there are many different types and sizes of batteries; the people
at the auto parts store should be able to look up the right
battery) Turn the key off before beginning Avoid holding the
battery against your clothing; the acid may burn holes in them When
you are finished, make sure the hold-down is installed correctly;
it should be snug but not over-tightened to the point that it warps
the battery case Make sure the cables are clean and tight Use the
correct wrenchnever Vise Grips or a Crescent wrenchso that you dont
damage the fasteners
Slide 13
As mentioned earlier, the batterys purpose it to start the car.
Once the engine is running, a belt connected to the crankshaft
turns a generator. The generator is the heart of the charging
system, supplying all of the vehicles electricity and keeping the
battery fully charged. The generator (also called an alternator) If
the charging system ever did fail, the car may continue to run for
a short period of time until the battery is dead. However, there is
an indicator light on your dash that should alert you to this
problem. This charging indicator light should come on when you
first turn your key on and then go off once the charging system is
running. If it ever comes on while you are driving, pull over as
soon as it is safebefore your car dies! Return to I-learn now and
watch the video entitled Charging System Check.
Slide 14
When you hear the term ignition system, what comes to mind?
Many people think first of the key they use to start the car.
However, the key has little to do with the ignition system. The
ignition system actually refers to the components responsible for
igniting the air/fuel mixture inside the engine. It works like
this: Basically, the ignition system forces electricity to arc
across the small gap in the spark pluglike lightning. Because the
end of the spark plug is inside the engine near the intake and
exhaust valves, the spark that occurs ignites the fuel and causes
combustion to take place. An ignition coil turns the low voltage
electricity provided by the generator into high voltage
electricity. This electricity travels through a spark plug wire to
the spark plug. Ensuring that this spark occurs in the right engine
cylinder at exactly the right time is crucial for good engine
performance, low emissions, and optimal fuel economy. For this
reason, the timing of the spark is controlled precisely by one of
your cars on-board computers. Click on this link: IgnitionIgnition
This is a great animation. This engine has two spark plugs per
cylinder, but yours likely only has one.
Slide 15
Good news! The ignition system doesnt require very much
maintenance. However, there is one thing you must be aware of. Over
time, the spark plugs wear out and become less effective at burning
the fuel in your engine. This means fuel economy and power will
decrease. To prevent this from happening, the spark plugs in your
engine need to be changed at specified intervals. This interval
usually ranges from between every 24,000 miles to every 100,000
miles depending on your car and the type of plugs that are in it.
Changing spark plugs can be simple or extremely difficult,
contingent on the car you drive. You will likely want to have this
service performed by a professional. Check your owners manual to
see how often this is required on your car. You dont need to do it
any more often than your owners manual specifies, but you dont want
to go beyond this, either. Optional link: to learn more about
ignition systems, click here.here Did you know? Did you know? When
you take your vehicle in for a tune-up, among other things, this
usually means that your spark plugs are changed! Old, worn spark
plug New spark plug
Slide 16
Just like the light bulbs in your house, the light bulbs in
your car occasionally burn out. Your safety depends on all of these
bulbs working correctly, but from drivers seat, you probably cannot
tell if they are working. So, at least once a year, check all of
your exterior lights, including: If one or more of your bulbs does
not work, the bulb should be replaced. This is usually a simple
task that can be performed by a car owner. Just remember the
following tips: 1.Each bulb has a number. You should only replace a
bulb with one that has the exact same number, otherwise the
lighting system may not work correctly. Just because the bulb fits
does not mean that it is right! 2.You should not touch the glass on
a headlight bulb. If you touch the glass, the oils from your skin
will cause the bulb to fail prematurely. 3.If a bulb is difficult
to remove, use a rag to pull on it so that if it breaks it will not
cut your hand. If one or more of your bulbs does not work, the bulb
should be replaced. This is usually a simple task that can be
performed by a car owner. Just remember the following tips: 1.Each
bulb has a number. You should only replace a bulb with one that has
the exact same number, otherwise the lighting system may not work
correctly. Just because the bulb fits does not mean that it is
right! 2.You should not touch the glass on a headlight bulb. If you
touch the glass, the oils from your skin will cause the bulb to
fail prematurely. 3.If a bulb is difficult to remove, use a rag to
pull on it so that if it breaks it will not cut your hand. Return
to I-learn now and watch the video entitled, Changing Light Bulbs.
Headlights (both high and low beams) Park and tail lights (lights
in each corner of the car that turn on when you click the headlight
switch to the first position) Brake lights (red lights that come on
in the back of your car when you press your brake pedalthis
includes one light in the middle of the back window or truck lid
Turn signals (key must be onif signals flash faster or slower than
normal, you likely have a burned out bulb somewhere) Reverse lights
(key must be on and transmission must be in reverse)
Slide 17
The circuits and wires in your car are designed to carry only a
certain amount of electricity at a time. If too much electrical
current passes through a wire, the wire will melt and may start a
fire. To prevent this, fuses are used. A fuse is placed in the
circuit and acts as the weak link. If too much current flows, the
fuse will blow and stop all current from flowing before any damage
is done to the rest of the circuit. There are only two reasons that
too much current may flow in a circuit: 1.Something is plugged in
that uses more current than the circuit is designed for (like a
cell phone charger or a trailer) 2.There is a short-circuit
(electrical problem in the car) The fuse didnt blow for no reason
at all; if you dont fix the root problem, it will blow again. Never
replace a fuse with any other fuse than the one that is called for!
Never by-pass a fuse. If a fuse continues to blow, get the problem
fixeddont create a fire hazard! Most cars today have some fuses in
a box under the hood and some fuses under the dash somewhere. Your
owners manual will help you locate them.
Slide 18
Have you ever driven around a corner to be blinded by the sun
glaring off of a dirty windshield? If so, you realize that your
windshield wiper/washer system is both a convenience and a safety
item that cannot be ignored. The majority of auto-pedestrian
accidents that happen each yearas well as many other accidentsare
attributed to windows that are not clean and clear. To maintain
this system you should : Keep the washer fluid reservoir filled.
Use washer fluid only. If you live in a climate that has freezing
temperatures, make sure your washer fluid has a low freezing point.
Change your windshield wiper blades as soon as you notice that they
no longer wipe the window clean (usually once or twice a year)
Return to I-learn now and watch the video entitled Wiper
Blades.
Slide 19
Slide 20
Fuel Tank Fuel Filler Fuel Pump Fuel Filter Fuel Injectors
Computer Fuel Return Line The fuel system carries the fuel from the
tank to the injectors, where it is precisely metered and then
burned in the engine. An electric fuel pump sits in the fuel tank
and pumps the fuel up the lines, through the fuel filter, and to
the fuel injectors. Once the fuel is at the injectors, a computer
turns on each injector at precisely the right time in order to
inject the correct amount of fuel into the engine. The computer
determines how much fuel to inject based on information it receives
from various sensors in the car. fuel return line Any extra fuel
continues back to the tank through the fuel return line. The amount
of fuel needed by the engine varies, depending on factors such as
temperature, gas pedal position, atmospheric pressure, and vehicle
speed. For example, when the engine is cold or when you are
accelerating quickly, more fuel is required.
Slide 21
If youve paid attention at the gas pump, you know that there
are usually at least three choices of fuel to purchase. Which fuel
should you buy? Most of us have probably heard statements like
this: Youll get better fuel economy with premium gas Premium gas
burns cleaner If you care about your car, you should use premium
gas These statements are false! Basically, the difference between
the different grades of fuel is the octane rating of the gasoline.
Octane refers to how easily the fuel burns. The lower the number
(87,89, 93, etc.), the more easily the fuel burns. Remember, when
the pistons in your engine travel upward on the compression stroke,
heat is generated. On some high-performance engines, larger amounts
of heat are generated because the air-fuel mixture is compressed
even more than in typical engines. All of this heat could cause the
fuel to ignite before the spark plug sparks. This results in
pinging, or a rattling sound in the engine. Prolonged pinging can
damage the engine. To prevent this from happening, a higher octane
fuel is required. Click here to read more Click here to read more
However, most cars do not have high-performance engines and will
run just as well (if not slightly better) on lower octane (regular)
gasoline. To know for sure, look in your owners manual and see what
octane rating your car calls for. Unless you notice pinging in your
engine, paying for a higher octane gasoline than your car requires
is just wasting money! Click here to read moreClick here to read
more Click here to read more Click here to read more However, most
cars do not have high-performance engines and will run just as well
(if not slightly better) on lower octane (regular) gasoline. To
know for sure, look in your owners manual and see what octane
rating your car calls for. Unless you notice pinging in your
engine, paying for a higher octane gasoline than your car requires
is just wasting money! Click here to read moreClick here to read
more
Slide 22
Most gasoline sold in the United States now has ethanol blended
with it. This was done in an attempt to reduce the countrys
dependence on foreign oil, and to reduce emissions. Whether it has
accomplished these purposes or not is debatable, but we still must
deal with the ethanol in our gasoline. Typically, the percentage of
ethanol in the gasoline is 10% or less, and works without problems
in almost all cars. Blends with a higher percentage of ethanol are
also available, but will be labeled and should not be used in cars
that are not made for them. An example of this is E85, which is a
blend of up to 85% ethanol. While having a low percentage of
ethanol in your fuel will not likely cause any issues, it does
reduce your fuel economy. To increase your fuel economy by about
15% (from 30 to 35 mpg, for example), look for gas stations that
sell ethanol-free gasoline. Depending on the price of this
gasoline, you could save yourself quite a bit of money and go
substantially farther on each tank of fuel!
Slide 23
The answer to this question is, generally, no. Most fuel sold
in the U.S. originates from the same place. However, many petroleum
companies use various fuel additives in an attempt to differentiate
their fuel from their competitors product. Here are some consumer
tips: Avoid filling up at gas stations that dont sell much fuel.
High volume gas stations always have fresh fuel because their
underground tanks are filled frequently. Avoid filling up when a
tanker truck is delivering fuel to the gas station. This
temporarily stirs up sediment in the underground tank; this
sediment may end up in your tank. When you are filling up and the
gas pump clicks off, indicating that your tank is full, dont
continue to add fuel. This could cause damage to some of the
critical emissions components of your car. Avoid filling up at gas
stations that dont sell much fuel. High volume gas stations always
have fresh fuel because their underground tanks are filled
frequently. Avoid filling up when a tanker truck is delivering fuel
to the gas station. This temporarily stirs up sediment in the
underground tank; this sediment may end up in your tank. When you
are filling up and the gas pump clicks off, indicating that your
tank is full, dont continue to add fuel. This could cause damage to
some of the critical emissions components of your car.
Slide 24
Again, fuel systems require very little maintenance, but there
are some things you can do to keep this system performing at its
best: You will likely want to have your fuel filter changed by a
professional. Change your fuel filter as recommended in your owners
manualthis is normally not required very often. Many newer cars do
not have changeable fuel filters. Change your spark plugs at the
intervals recommended in your owners manual. Make sure that your
spark plugs are replaced by the EXACT SAME BRAND AND PART NUMBER as
recommended in your owners manual. Dont just install any spark plug
that the parts store recommends! During cold winter months, keep
your gas tank at least half full. This reduces the amount of
condensation and moisture that will form in your tank. This
moisture builds up and can eventually freeze in your fuel lines.
Winter time is also a bad time to run out of gas! If you are not
going to drive your car for sixty days or more, add a fuel
stabilizer to your gas tank and run the engine for a few minutes.
This will keep the gas in your fuel system from breaking down and
damaging your fuel system. Change your fuel filter as recommended
in your owners manualthis is normally not required very often. Many
newer cars do not have changeable fuel filters. Change your spark
plugs at the intervals recommended in your owners manual. Make sure
that your spark plugs are replaced by the EXACT SAME BRAND AND PART
NUMBER as recommended in your owners manual. Dont just install any
spark plug that the parts store recommends! During cold winter
months, keep your gas tank at least half full. This reduces the
amount of condensation and moisture that will form in your tank.
This moisture builds up and can eventually freeze in your fuel
lines. Winter time is also a bad time to run out of gas! If you are
not going to drive your car for sixty days or more, add a fuel
stabilizer to your gas tank and run the engine for a few minutes.
This will keep the gas in your fuel system from breaking down and
damaging your fuel system.
Slide 25
This may sound like strange advice, but it is true. On older
cars (1980s or older), a dirty fuel filter would cause fuel
consumption to increase. However, todays cars are fuel injected,
which means that the computer automatically compensates the amount
of fuel to match the incoming air. *Recent studies have shown the
following: Dirty air filters have no effect on fuel economy The
dirtier an air filter is, the better it protects your engine from
contamination Checking your air filter frequently or trying to
clean it often damages the filter element, allowing more dirt to
enter your engine. So what should you do? If you would like to make
your engine last as long as possible and not spend more than you
have to, you should put a high quality air filter in your car and
leave it alone! Unless you drive in really dusty conditions it will
likely last you for 5-10 years or more. You only need to change
your air filter if you begin to notice a lack of power from your
engine. If you are uncomfortable with not checking your filter at
all, it is a good idea to at least visually inspect it on occasion
to make sure that a mouse hasnt eaten it (this has really happened
before)! Never attempt to clean the filter; damage to the element
will occur. *For more information, click here.click here
Slide 26
With high gas prices comes the search for new ways to improve
fuel economy. Unfortunately, many unscrupulous marketers have also
seen this as an opportunity to make money. For decades people have
sold devices or additives that claim to improve fuel economy. Many
of the companies who market these products have been halted by the
federal trade commission. However, others have just adapted their
approach to get around the law. Some of these products not only do
not work, but can cause damage to your car. Beware of anything
people try to sell youeven if a trusted friend swears that it
works! As a rule of thumb, remember that if the product really
worked, it would come on the car from the factory! Click here to
learn more.Click here to learn more As a rule of thumb, remember
that if the product really worked, it would come on the car from
the factory! Click here to learn more.Click here to learn more If
you want to improve your fuel economy, there are some ways that
really work: Get tune-ups when recommended Keep your tires inflated
to the specification on the tire placard Lower your top speed to
55-60 mph Accelerate gently and slow down long before you stop
Slide 27
When something goes wrong with the fuel or emissions systems of
your car, a malfunction indicator lamp (check engine light) turns
on. This light indicates that a trouble code has been stored in the
cars computer and that something needs to be repaired. If the check
engine light on your dash suddenly comes on, dont panic. If, other
than the light, your car still seems to be operating normally,
schedule an appointment at a repair facility as soon as you can
conveniently do so. If the car is not running right, having it
diagnosed and repaired quickly may prevent other expensive damage
to your vehicle. Either way, you should not just ignore the light;
it represents a problem in your fuel or emissions system that is
likely causing poor fuel economy and high emissionsand it may get
worse! Did you know? Did you know? When you first turn your key on,
all of the warning lights on your dash should light up momentarily
for a bulb check.
Slide 28
If the light comes on shortly after a fill-up, check your gas
cap. If it is loose, tighten the cap. It may take a few days for
the check engine light to turn back off.
Slide 29
Most people are aware that it costs money to have your car
diagnosed and repaired. Some uninformed people have been heard to
say things like, I cant believe they are going to charge me sixty
-five dollars just to hook my car up to their computer and tell me
whats wrong with it. Others have learned that some discount auto
parts stores have code readers and will read your codes for free.
Lets understand why one option costs so much and why the other is
free: The first option: The computer (called a scan tool) that a
technician uses to diagnose your car costs between $3000 and $8000
and is absolutely essential to an accurate diagnosis of your
vehicle. This computer doesnt just tell the technician what is
wrong with the car. It does read your cars trouble codes, but it
also supplies data from sensors and allows the technician to
interface with the computer and all of the electronic components on
the car. A good technician will use this tool, along with many
other tools, to aid him or her in properly repairing your car. The
money you pay helps to pay for the tool and helps the technician to
make a living. The second option: At the discount auto parts store,
an employee with little or no knowledge of automotive repair
connects a $30 code reader to your car and tells you what might be
wrong. They then proceed to sell you some parts for your car that
may or may not fix it! A large number of these customers eventually
end up at the professional repair facility anyway! The cheap option
often ends up being the most expensive option!
Slide 30
In this lesson you have learned how two very important parts of
your car work and how you can, with very little effort, maintain
the optimum performance of your cars electrical and fuel
systems.