These little parts pack a big punch in your vehicle. For gasoline-fueled cars and trucks, spark plugs provide the catalyst for igniting the air and fuel mixture in the combustion chamber. Anatomy of a Spark Plug Spark plugs cost about $10 each, but they contain components that provide invaluable contributions to the function of your vehicle. Copper Electrode The spark plug contains a copper electrode in the center. Nickel Alloy or Precious Metals The [...]
Sometimes you get what you pay for. Inexpensive doesn’t always mean lower quality. Some tire brands have less expensive options that carry the same rigorous safety ratings as the more expensive parent company. Typically, a well-known brand has a mid-range priced tire that is suitable quality and offers the necessary performance for the average driver. The Difference Between Cheap and Quality Tires A recent Consumer Reports study found that an unauthorized, Chinese-produced Pegasus Advanta [...]
It’s never fun walking through the parking lot after an errand, stepping inside the vehicle, and turning the key only to realize the engine isn’t going to turn over. Most of us have experienced this at some point or another and have been left with no choice but to ask for assistance from a friendly stranger to help us jump the vehicle. It’s no secret that many have also experienced the panic of not [...]
Car enthusiasts love putting the key into the ignition and hearing the engine start up and roar. After a couple of quick revs, they’re off to the races. But in that split second that elapses as the key is turned, a lot is happening under the hood. The vehicle system tasked with efficient operation during this split second of time is the ignition system, and it has a lot of important duties and responsibilities. [...]
Summer is just a week away which means many Utah drivers are readying their bikes and preparing their camping equipment for weekend getaways outside of their city limits. It is no surprise that summer is the season where roads are most driven. Lakes, mountains, and trails all over are calling our names as the warm sun shines more consistently. However, before you head out on a trip that requires you to rack up mileage [...]
It’s difficult to pin down what might be the most influential innovation to come out of America. While there are numerous contenders, the advent of the Ford Motor Company, the Model T, and the assembly line have led to a manufacturing institution that would go on to change the world. While the first automobile﹘a steam-powered, self-perpetuating vehicle﹘was first built in China, the identity of the modern car as we know it today came into [...]
We’ve all been there— stepping into our car and turning the key only to realize we won’t be reaching our desired destination inconvenience-free. We may try to start the car a time or two or three before realizing the car is going nowhere without a jump. Frozen in place, we are left to come up with a plan to either ask a random individual for assistance or make a burdensome phone call to someone [...]
There are nearly 6 million driving accidents each year in the United States. While most would be comforted to know that these accidents are caused purely by weather conditions or unavoidable circumstances, the majority of them are caused by driver negligence. Of course, we all have moments where we are not 100 percent focused on the road in front of us, but the real problem lies in poor driving practices that become daily habits. [...]
