maintenance - Blogs - Black Business Women Online

Staying Above the Yellow Line

Posted by Carol Dunlop on May 1, 2009 at 9:34pm

If you are a client of mine, read my blog or receive my newsletters, you know that I am a fan of “The Biggest Loser,” NBC’s reality TV show about weight loss. So what you’re about to read is no secret, but if you’ve not been around me for very long, I wanted to enlighten you on the ups and downs of weight loss.

Since January of this year, the media has reported on a number of celebrities falling below the yellow line by gaining back pounds and pounds of previously lost weight.

Synthetic OIls

Posted by Towanda D. Cooper on February 11, 2009 at 5:06pm

As a part of the oil change series, I want to include synthetic oils. I am asked for my opinion, all the time. Do I recommend using synthetic over traditional oils? There is nothing wrong with traditional oils. In my last note, I explained how traditional oils work. When using synthetic oils, there are advantages and disadvantages. Before using any type of oil or chemcial in your vehicle, check your owner's manual for guidance.Synthetic oil came into the picture during WWII. It was used in airplanes. In the mid 1960s, it was marketed and produced for automobiles. The oil was a substitute for the traditional oils that lacked the necessary ingredients found in traditional oils. Today, traditional oils have caught up to its counterpart. But, the war over traditional and synthetic oil continues.The technical advantages of synthetic motor oils include:Better low and high temperature viscosity performanceBetter chemical and shear abilityDecreased evaporative lossResistance to oxidation, thermal breakdown, and oil sludge problemsExtended oil change intervals with the environment benefitting through oil wasteImproved fuel economy for certain vehiclesBetter lubrication on cold startsThe disadvantages of synthetic motor oils include:Today's cost of synthetic motor oilPotential decomposition problems in certain chemical environmentsPotentially not a benefit for older model vehiclesIt's not recommended to switch back and forth between using synthetic and traditional motor oils. As stated in the advantages, your vehicle will become accustomed to operating at a slightly higher temperature. No matter what type of motor oil your vehicle uses, it still will need changing. Schedule your appointment today, your vehicle will thank you.

Alternators-How There Hard-Working Components Fail

Posted by Towanda D. Cooper on February 16, 2009 at 8:42pm

Do you know what an alternator does for your vehicle? Do you know where the alternator is located on your vehicle? I would like to cover one of the five overlooked parts of the car. Most people don't know there is an alternator on their car. When they hear the name for the first time, it's when their vehicle won't start. This is known as the charging system. The charging system consist of the alternator, battery, wiring, and drive belt. Your alternator can come with an internal or external voltage regulator. This will depend on your year, make, and model of your vehicle.The alternators responsibility is to generate electricity to recharge the battery, run the fuel pump, injectors, ignition system, power the vehicle's lights, and other electrical powered accessories. The alternator is under a substantial load that creates a lot of internal heat. This heat can burn a diode out. The diode helps to convert alternating current to direct current. Also, the heat can damage the rotor and stator windings, brush connections, and wiring leads. These are the inner working or parts of the alternator. Most alternators fail electronically before they wear out the inner parts. Alternators can fail when they are subjected to road splash that contains salt water or debris. It's important to keep your splash guards in place, on your vehicles.If the charging system fails for any reason or does not produce enough power to meet all of the vehicle's electrical demands, the battery will run down. Once the battery voltage drops below a certain threshold, certain system in your vehicle may stop working. Charging system problems can be caused by electrical faults in the alternator or voltage regulator, poor wiring connections at the battery or alternator, or a slipping drive belt.To help your alternator, check the battey for corrosion. If corrosion is present, pour a can of coke on the battey terminals. During your oil change service, have the alternator, battery, and belt checked. Remember, keep your under-car splash guard in place. There isn't a specific failure rate on an alternator. It can go out at anytime. Watch your add-on accessories. The more the alternator has to work, the more strain on the battery and alternator.Until next time, happy motoring

How Does My Motor Oil Help Keep the Engine Running Clean?

Posted by Towanda D. Cooper on February 7, 2009 at 2:18am

In my travels, people ask about different motor oils, and adding additives. Everyone has their preference on name-brand oils. I don’t get into the brand-name battle. As for additives, there isn’t a need to add an additive to your motor oil. As we all know, regular oil changes are one of the most important things that can be done to extend the life of an engine. Premium-quality motor oil will maintain its effectiveness over the life of the oil drain, allowing it to help keep the engine clean. In every bottle of oil there are certain additives that play a key role. Unfortunately, the petroleum industry isn’t required to put the motor ingredients on the bottle. But, the additives are in there. Anti-wear additives help lay down the protective film between moving parts, and stops oxidation of the motor oil. Dispersants grab the dirt and sludge before they build up during engine operation. Detergents help keep high-temperatures surfaces clean (pistons). Changing the oil at proper intervals will help to prevent ring sticking and piston deposits. The viscosity index improvers are additives that are added to ensure proper oil viscosity at extreme cold and hot operating conditions. Make sure your vehicle has its proper oil weight. If not, you’re making your vehicle work harder. Friction modifiers help to reduce friction in critical areas of the engine, thus enhancing the vehicle’s fuel economy. In order for the motor oil to complete its job, follow the recommended oil change intervals, and motor oil specifications found in the owner’s manual.

Are You Changing Your Oil On Time?

Posted by Towanda D. Cooper on January 19, 2009 at 10:16pm

Everyday, I receive information on how to do this or that. I receive information on car warranties or buying a vehicle. When was the last time someone ask, how is your vehicle maintenance going? Did you change your oil today? Did you check your oil today? Did you schedule your oil change?If you answered no, I'm here to help you make a wise decision about the maintenane of your vehicle. Changing the oil in your vehicle is just as important to you eating. Your vehicle needs fresh oil. Your current oil can't wait until you have the time, for a change. Your owner's manual instructs the owner when to change the oil. Some vehicle's oil needs changing at every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. Going over the recommended mileage isn't good for your vehicle. Also, changing the oil too soon isn't good either. There were ads that encouraged oil changes at 3,000 miles. As I stated earlier, vehicles can travel further on their oil. The 3,000 were for oils that were singled weighted. What is single-weighted? Single-weighted oil are 30, 40, or 50 weighted oils. These oils are still around. They come in detergent and non-detergent. But, they aren't used by vehicles. Today's vehicles use two-weighted oils. These oils consist of two-parted oils. Most vehicles use 5w20 or 5w30. There are more special type oils. We will discuss those oils, at another time. Plus, I don't want to make this post too boring for my readers.Locate your owner's manual. This will tell you the weight your vehicle uses. When getting your oil changed, ask the garage what type of oil they're using. Using the proper weighted oil in your vehicle is very imporant. We'll discuss that subject, at a later date too. At this point, I want you to check and change your oil, on time.Happy motoing

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Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.