Car Battery (AKB) - everything you need to know.
Knowledge is power when it comes to your vehicle's battery and electrical system. In fact, it is the heart and soul of your trip. The last thing you want is to be left with a dead battery. The more you know about your battery and electrical system, the less likely you are to get stuck. At Firestone Complete Auto Care, we're here to help you understand what's going on with your vehicle's battery and electrical system. The average battery life is 3 to 5 years, but driving habits and exposure to extreme weather can shorten the life of your car battery. At Firestone Complete Auto Care, we offer a free battery check every time you visit our store. This is a quick diagnostic test to evaluate temperature when…
How often are spark plugs changed?
A spark plug is a part that ignites the mixture of air and fuel in the engine cylinders. It creates an electrical spark discharge, which starts the combustion process of the fuel. There are many sizes of candles that match the design of the car. They differ in thread length and diameter, hardening amount, spark gap size, material and number of electrodes. Two types of spark plugs are used in modern engines: conventional (copper or nickel) and advanced (platinum or iridium). What is the function of spark plugs? The normal operation of the engine depends on the spark plugs. They are designed to provide: trouble-free start of the motor; stable operation of the unit; high engine performance; optimal fuel consumption. Moreover, all candles, regardless of the number provided for by the engine design, must be the same, and even better - ...
Which battery to choose for a car?
The battery (AKB - storage battery) is the electric heart of our cars. Now with the computerization of cars, its role is becoming more and more significant. However, if you remember the main functions, then there are only three of them: When turned off, it powers the electrical circuits needed for the car, for example, the on-board computer, alarm, clock, settings (both the dashboard and even the seats, because they are regulated by electricity on many foreign cars). Starting the engine. The main task is that without a battery you will not start the engine. Under heavy loads, when the generator cannot cope, the battery is connected and gives off the energy accumulated in it (but this happens extremely rarely), unless the generator is already on its last breath. Which battery to choose for a car? When choosing a battery, you should pay attention to ...
How to choose a car battery charger?
Choosing a charger for a car battery can sometimes be a headache due to the variety of batteries and their production technologies, as well as chargers. A mistake in choosing can lead to a significant reduction in the battery's service life. Therefore, in order to make the most appropriate decision, and just for fun, it is useful to know how a battery charger works. We will consider simplified diagrams, trying to abstract from specific terminology. How does a battery charger work? The essence of a battery charger is that it converts voltage from a standard 220 V AC network into DC voltage corresponding to the parameters of a car battery. A classic car battery charger consists of two main elements - a transformer...
TOP of the best car battery chargers
The power sources in the car are the generator and the battery. When the engine is not running, the battery powers various electrical equipment, from lighting to the on-board computer. Under normal operating conditions, the battery is periodically recharged by the alternator. With a dead battery, you will not be able to start the engine. In this case, the charger will help solve the problem. In addition, in winter it is recommended to remove the battery from time to time and, after waiting until it warms up to a positive temperature, charge it with a charger. And of course, after buying a new battery, it must first be charged with a charger and only then installed in the car. Obviously, memory is far from a minor thing in the arsenal of a motorist. Battery Type Matters Most vehicles use lead-acid…
How to charge a car battery?
During the operation of the engine, the battery (battery), regardless of the type (serviced or unattended), is recharged from the car generator. To control the battery charge on the generator, a device called a relay-regulator is installed. It allows you to supply the battery with such a voltage that is necessary to recharge the battery and is 14.1V. At the same time, a full charge of the battery assumes a voltage of 14.5 V. It is quite obvious that the charge from the generator is able to maintain the battery's performance, but this solution is not able to provide the maximum full charge of the battery. For this reason, it is necessary to charge the battery from time to time using a charger (charger). *It is also possible to charge the battery using a special starting charger. But such solutions often provide only recharging a dead battery without the ability to fully charge the car battery.…
Vehicle maintenance: change spark plugs and air filter, change oil and pay attention to warning signs
Buying a cheap car can be expensive if you don't respect an old treasure. Conversely, providing a low-budget car with the necessary car service will bring you gratitude. Read everything you need to know about buying a used car in this article. A £500 car adventure A £500 car is a class of its own: while other cars cost tens of thousands of pounds, low-budget fans drive around for the price of a set of wheel covers. Once these ultra-cheap cars have been pre-tested, they can often be made fit for years with a few simple steps. Car Maintenance: Measures for a New Starting Point There's a reason cars are offered cheaply: they're no longer loved. Sometimes…
Automotive start-stop system - how does it affect fuel consumption and can it be turned off?
In the past, when the car suddenly stalled at idle, it was probably a precursor to a problem with the stepper motor. Now, a sudden stop of the engine at a traffic light does not shock anyone, because the start-stop system is responsible for this on board. Although it is primarily designed to reduce fuel consumption, it was not designed solely for this purpose. Do you need such a system in your car? How does it work and can it be turned off? To learn more! Start-stop - a system that affects CO2 emissions The system, which switches off the engine when it stops, was created with the environment in mind. Manufacturers have noticed that fuel in cars is wasted, especially in city traffic jams and waiting for traffic lights to change. At the same time, a lot of harmful gases are emitted into the atmosphere.…
Ignition coil - malfunctions. What are the symptoms of a damaged coil and is it possible to replace it with a new element only? Check out how to diagnose a failure!
What is the ignition coil responsible for in a car? The ignition coil is an important, if not the most important component of the ignition system in a gasoline engine. It is responsible for creating an electric charge, converting low-voltage current into a current of 25-30 thousand. volts! gramgenerates electricity from the battery and provides the spark needed to start the combustion process! This is a very important element, so you should definitely take care of the service life of the ignition coil, and if necessary, do not delay replacing it! Ignition coil - design The ignition coil works on the principle of electromagnetism. Each of them actually has two coils, that is, turns of wire, called the primary and secondary windings. The first - the primary consists of a wire of greater thickness and, at the same time, smaller ...
Misfires - what is it and when does this engine problem occur?
Engine malfunction is a common problem for people who have internal combustion engines, both petrol and diesel. Problems with the ignition system require specialized diagnostics at an authorized service center, especially when the car does not work as usual. When the combustion process of the fuel-air mixture in the cylinders does not occur, it may turn out that there were misfires. Do not underestimate the main symptoms and indicators that indicate a problem. Otherwise, you will lead to a complete breakdown of the engine, and this will be very expensive. Misfire - what is it? Do you often have problems starting your car after a long period of parking? Or maybe while driving, the engine makes unpleasant sounds and stops working on one of several cylinders? A common…
How to connect the charger to the battery? Quick Guide to Battery Charging
It's safe to say that one of the most difficult activities for car users is to connect the charger to charge the battery. When you turn on the ignition but can't start the engine and your car's headlights dim significantly, your car battery is probably too low. There can be many reasons for such situations. When you need to start a car with a weak battery as soon as possible, be sure to call for help and connect the charger clamps to the battery. In the following post you will find a quick guide on how to connect the charger to the battery. How to connect the charger to the battery? Step by Step Have you noticed that your car's battery is running low and you're having trouble starting your car? Then you need…
How much electricity do you need to charge an electric car? Introducing the calculations
How to charge an electric car at home? The answer to this question is simple. You can charge an electric car from any household outlet connected to a 230 V mains that is widespread not only in our country. This phrase alone dispels one of the loudest myths associated with electromobility. We are talking about the assertion that electric cars have nowhere to charge. You can charge them almost anywhere. Of course, in a conventional electrical installation, there are quite significant limitations in terms of use, primarily related to the maximum power that an electric vehicle can draw from ordinary household outlets. However, it is worth remembering that there is a huge difference between "it can't be done" and "it will take a long time." In addition, people who are interested in an electric car have a really wide range of options in terms of…
How to choose a diesel car battery?
A diesel battery works a little differently than a gasoline engine. If we have a diesel car, especially for the first time, it is worth figuring out which battery is better to choose. The increase in the number of electronic devices in modern cars affects the faster battery drain. The role of the power source in cars with internal combustion engines takes on a car battery. Which one to choose for a model with a gasoline engine, and which one for a diesel one? What brand of battery should I buy? This is very important, especially if you have an extensive audio system. What role does the battery play? With the exception of electric vehicles, the rest of the models available on the market have a battery. It feeds the car's ignition system and generates the energy needed to warm up the glow plugs, later this function is taken over by the rectifier. Battery…
Ignition device - design and common faults
As a driver, you should know that some components, such as spark plugs, need to be replaced regularly. However, they are part of a larger system. One of its parts is the igniter. It is thanks to it that the engine can start and set the car in motion. Therefore, you need to know how to check the igniter if something bad starts to happen to it. In this article, we describe how this element is designed and, of course, we indicate the most common malfunctions and their causes. Read on and learn more about the part of the car that allows it to start! Ignition device - what does it look like from the inside? The igniter is actually a single system of several different elements that guarantee its efficient operation. However, its design can…
Car battery not charging
If the battery, which is more than 5-7 years old, does not charge, then the answer to the question: - "why?" lies most likely on the surface. After all, any battery has its own service life and over time loses some of its basic performance characteristics. But what if the battery has served no more than 2 or 3 years, or even less? Where then to look for the reasons why the battery does not want to charge? Moreover, such a situation occurs not only when recharging from the generator in the car, but even when replenished by a charger. Answers must be sought depending on the situation by performing a series of checks with subsequent procedures aimed at eliminating the problem. Most often, you can expect 5 main reasons that appear in eight different situations: Situation What to do ...
How long does the electronic ignition sensor last?
Your car depends on electricity to move, and this electricity can be traced back to spark plugs that create a spark to ignite the fuel. It's a whole process where each step depends on the work of the next... Your car depends on electricity to move, and that electricity can be traced back to the spark plugs that create the spark to ignite the fuel. It is a whole process in which each step depends on the excellent work of the other. If even one part is faulty or damaged, the whole system suffers. The spark that ignites knows which spark plug it belongs to thanks to the distributor's electronic ignition sensor. This data is then used by the engine control module to determine which of the ignition coils should send an electrical impulse. Although there is no set time, within…