Transmissions are one of the most complex systems your car has. In fact, that’s the reason many auto repair garages will refuse to work on them. Some might perform minor repairs, but will refer you to a transmission shop for anything more extensive. There are a lot of parts involved in the system, and mechanics hate to cause bigger problems.

This level of complexity often makes transmissions one of the least understood components to drivers. Adding to the confusion, they’re designed differently. Some are designed for front wheel drive while others are designed for rear wheel drive. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the differences. I’ll describe your transmission’s job and help you decipher the pros and cons of a RWD and FWD.

Understanding Its Job

Your car’s engine generates power through its 4-stroke combustion process. That power must be delivered to your drive wheels in order to turn them. Also, it’s worth noting that your engine has a range of RPMs in which it operates at maximum efficiency. Your transmission has two jobs. First, it needs to deliver the power generated by the engine to the drive wheels. Second, it needs to perform this task while keeping your engine operating within its optimal range of RPMs.

This is accomplished through several gears. In low gears, the engine must turn more quickly in order to power the wheels. In higher gears, it doesn’t have to work as hard. The transmission helps the engine advance from first gear to higher gears while keeping your car moving at higher speeds.

RWD Versus FWD

If your car has rear wheel drive, the transmmission will be located on the back part of your engine. A drive shaft will connect it to the rear axle. Your engine generates power and turns the crankshaft, then that power is transferred through the transmission, then to the drive shaft, and then ultimately to the rear axle. The rear axle spins, which causes your tires to rotate.

While the concept behind the power flow is similar, a front wheel drive car works a little differently. The transmission is still located near the engine. With the final drive, it forms a transaxle. A front axle connects to the transaxle, which in turn delivers power to rotate the front tires.

To keep the explanation simple, I’ve ignored the torque converter. In reality, power travels from the engine through the torque converter into the transmission. The other components work as described.

Is One Better Than The Other?

Most modern vehicles are designed with front wheel drive. An FWD weighs less, costs less to manufacture, and usually delivers higher fuel efficiency. On the other hand, an RWD distributes the weight more evenly across a car’s frame, which improves braking ability. Plus, because the design is less crowded than an FWD, it’s easier to service without taking everything apart. In the end, when choosing between RWD and FWD, consider your driving needs and the factors on which you place a high priority.

Money is presently tight with a lot of people, but people in this day and age still need cars if they want to get around anyplace. But what will be more effective to purchase, would it be a heap of junk or a brand new vehicle? Let’s have a look at the plus and minus sides of both.

New Cars

First of all new cars incline to be much more dependable than older versions. As well as this they are much more comforting then the old model of cars. You are in all likelihood going to end up saving a huge amount of money on petrol costs merely because new cars are a lot more efficient than your old models. You are going to save yourself money on things such as break down costs. The downsides of obtaining a new vehicle is that you are going to end up paying a lot more to assure yourself on the vehicle no matter what age you are. Also if the automobile does happen to break down then you are going to end up paying more for parts.

Used Cars

Well used vehicles are precisley that, they are simply used cars that have been around for numerous years. You are not genuinely going to find any current or up to date technology in these cars, the vehicles have also in all likelihood got to a stage where they are going to tardily begin breaking down, therefore ending up costing you a lot throughout the year in repairs. But the benefits that you can get from buying a used car, is simply the fact that they are a lot cheaper to buy, the insurance is going to cost you a lot less and you are probably going to end up saving money in the long run.

When your old car has had it, why not look at buying or taking a look at used cars, there are so many different models of Audi or Ford

Over quite a few of the last years the used cars for sale market has seen a decline in the amount of revenue and sales that are made. Secondhand automobile turnover for dealers was fundamentally down approximately £24 billion in 2008 as almost half a million less cars were sold then the former year.

We all know that this was due down to the credit crisis that struck the whole world late in 2008. People began to panic and control their money and one thing in life that people could afford to cut down on was buying a automobile and we all know that the vast bulk of people chose to drive a used automobile because they can get more value for their money.

Therefore what happened in 2009? And why is the secondhand automobile market still suffering? Well I think that this all boils down to the vehicle scrappage scheme. Although it has been good in boosting the new car market, it has left the used car market trailing behind, the reason for this is as follows.

When people want to buy a new car they usually put their old one for sale, this then gets sold to a newbie driver who then passes it on and does the same thing. But simply because of the scrappage scheme people are instead choosing to hand in their old cars in exchange for a new.

I do anticipate the secondhand automobile marketplace to get back up on its feet in 2010, as the scrappage scheme will not last forever I mean in the end its the authorities who are backing it and it has probably already costs millions of pounds to save the modern automobile market, but on the other hand it has hurt another market even worse.

Do you want to Buy a New Alfa Romeo or Buy a New Mercedes

Cash flow this year has been every so tight, the credit crunch has literally hit everyones pockets. But a lot of people still have to get around and make their way to work. A huge amount of people do this with their own method of transportation. But we all know that your vehicle can end up breaking down on you at the worst possible time. Then when you go out to purchase some other secondhand automobile it ends up breaking down on you after you have spent thousands.

So let’s take a brief look at some of the better ways to in reality get a good secondhand automobile and things you should do to check.

Take a Mechanic

When you go out to purchase a new vehicle, try to take some one that knows about cars along with you, preferably a mechanic will be able to check over the whole vehicle for you.

Finance Check

You should always perform a HPI check on the vehicle to make sure that there is no existing finance on the vehicle, because if there is existing finance then you could be liable to return the vehicle back to the finance company if the person fails to keep up with their payments.

Police Check

I would also look at getting a police check for used cars for sale to make sure that the vehicle is all right and it has not been reported stolen. I would also double check and make sure that the vehicle has not been in any kind of accident.Police checks are an absolute must for any one looking for a vehicle they give you the full history of the life of any vehicle.

Do you want to Buy an Audi or Buy a Toyota

Making a decision to buy a car is only half the battle; you then need to think about new or used cars. Some people may feel that the cost of a new car is rather prohibitive and not in the budget they had planned for the auto purchase. Buying a second hand car offers the opportunity to obtain a great car that may only be a year or so old. There are a few things that should be remembered though before purchasing a second hand car.

At any particular time there will be many used cars on the market that have depreciated considerably in their value. Although these autos are as good as they were a couple of years ago, for example, people are just not buying in large numbers due to the present economic climate. It is therefore an ideal time to pick up a really good deal and one that probably would not have been available a few years back. Even though the cars are offered at better prices, this shouldnt detract you from checking it out thoroughly before you buy.

If you are unsure how to go about this, take somebody with you who does. There are many things to check and a look in the bonnet and a quick test drive will not answer all the questions. A mechanic or someone who is knowledgeable about cars will be able to help you determine if the car is a good value for the money. They may also recognize sounds that the car is making when you take it on a test drive that you may not be aware of.

When you take the car on a test drive, make sure it is not a short one. Try and spend as much time as you possibly can in the car during your test drive. This is because short test drives will not let you appreciate the comfort, etc. Youll also be unable to fathom how the car handles on longer drives.

Do you want to Buy a new BMW or Buy a Nissan

In this current day and age you must own a car to get anything done. But over recent years people have become a lot more obsessed in getting the perfect car. There are a vast amount of reasons as to why people love getting new cars so lets have a look at a few.

Initially it could just simply be because a person’s old car has broken down, so they basically want to get themselves a much more stable version.

Secondly it could be simply down to peer pressure, this is especially high in people that have just passed their test and got themselves a licence. Because their so called friends are driving great cars, they also want to get one too, otherwise they will feel like they are being looked down upon.

The third reason could be that they are trying to get a partner, what’s more impressive then turning up to impress the opposite sex in a brand new and snazzy car. You will have people falling at your feet.

Finally some folk choose to get new vehicles, even though they do not have the money to buy it because they want to try and impress folk, impress friends and most importantly impress anyone that is close to them, they want to look like they have made something of their life by splashing out on an expensive vehicle, when really all they are doing is getting themselves into huge debt that they cannot really afford to pay off.

There are also so many more reasons as to why people are wanting to purchase new cars such as impressing the boss. What ever the reason there are so many great deals on buying new cars, Buy a Honda or Buy a Nissan

Cars that are equipped with a manual transmission require the driver to maneuver a knob that controls gear switches. If this is your first experience driving a stick shift, you are sure to have many questions. As an Example, one wonders how just moving the knob on the stick actually change the gears? And what makes the grinding noise when the driver doesn’t move it correctly? In this article, I’ll describe how manual transmissions work, answering those questions and others along the way.

Transmission Basics

First, let’s talk about why your transmission needs to switch gears while you’re driving. Car engines are limited by something called a “redline.” The redline is the highest number of RPMs that the engine can endure without failing (or bursting from the stress). When your car accelerates, it requires horsepower. The engine horsepower has a top level efficiency at any given point of RPMs. By shifting gears, your transmission keeps the RPMs below your engine’s redline while leveraging the existing horsepower.

Your transmission and engine are bridged by a clutch. In essence, the clutch is the connection between you, the transmission, and the engine. Also, keep in mind that the gear ratios shared by your engine and the drive wheels can vary in different gears. A 5-speed transmission changes the gear ratios as the driver shifts from first through fifth. Doing so allows the engine to make the best use of the available RPM range as your car accelerates.

How To Shift Gears

If you’ve been driving a stick shift (or manual transmission) for awhile, you’ll be able to imagine the stick positions easily. From a top view, they looks like 2 capital “E’s” placed back-to-back. When the stick rests in the center, the transmission is in neutral. Shifting from neutral to first gear requires moving the stick to the top right. Second gear is located in the top left. Shifting through subsequent gears involves moving the stick to the middle right, middle left, and finally, lower right to shift into fifth.

As a point of interest (to some people, at least), it’s interesting to note that shifting the stick through the gears – specifically from left to right and back to left – uses different rods and forks, which engages different collars.

Learning To Love Manual

One of the reasons why many drivers enjoy manual transmissions is because they can better control the car’s power. They’re able to maximize the horsepower and torque available from the engine in a given range of RPMs, shifting to the next gear when it’s most efficient to do so. Not everyone though will enjoy driving a stick shift. But, understanding how manual transmissions work in order to power a car can be valuable for any driver.

Millions of people are fooled into accepting the myths by savvy marketing and untrustworthy mechanics. For example, the idea that your vehicle must have regular oil changes every 3,000 miles is an absolute falsehood. Similarly, your technician’s advice to have your radiator flushed once a year is more for his bottom line than for preserving your cooling system. Despite this, a lot of drivers spend unnecessary time and money following such advice.

Today, I’m going to describe 2 more common fallacies about car maintenance. These are myths that are perpetuated not only by your local mechanic, but by your dealership’s service technicians. Learn them and save your money.

#1 – Frequent Tune-Ups

Unless you’re driving a vehicle that was built when disco was still the rage, your car’s engine probably doesn’t need a tune-up. The service was performed in order to adjust the engine and moving car parts during a time when carburetors were installed in every model. With the standard of cars being built today, the only thing that a tune up requires are the spark plugs. And those just need to be replaced every 50,000 miles. Everything else – the ignition, fuel injection, and idling of the car engine – is controlled by computers.

Unfortunately, dealerships continue to tell their customers that they need to bring their vehicles in for a tune-up after 60,000 miles. That’s not surprising. After all, it increases their revenue.

#2 – New Air Filters

Think back to the last time you took your vehicle in for an oil change. Did the mechanic suggest a new air filter? Did he subtly imply that your car might sustain damage if you neglected to replace it? This is a common mistake. First, the air filter catches debris before it can enter the engine. Over time, the dirt and debris from the road will build up so that air can not properly flow through. At that point, it’s a good idea to replace it. But, it takes a long time for the air filter to reach that stage.

Of course, that doesn’t stop auto technicians from recommending the replacement every time you visit. From their perspective, you come to their shop ready to spend $20 on an oil change and end up spending $40. Cha Ching another higher bill?

Auto Maintenance Education Saves Money

Your vehicle requires ongoing preventative maintenance. This is what will help make it last longer. But, it’s too easy to waste valuable time and money following bad advice from mechanics and dealership technicians. Remember, their goal is to increase their sales; many of them are willing to do it at your expense.

Chances are, your vehicle doesn’t need regular tune-ups. Nor do you need to replace the air filter as often as your mechanic might suggest. As always, follow your owners manual. It’s the best way to keep your car in great condition.

Each of us has gone through the experience of discovering our vehicle won’t start. We climb behind the wheel, turn the key, and feel the creeping sensation of dread as the engine refuses to roar to life. Usually, it happens when we’re in a rush. Even more discouraging than losing your main means of transportation is not knowing what is causing the problem. Is it the battery? The starter? The ignition switch?

Plenty of things can go wrong under your car’s hood which will immobilize it. The trick is knowing how to narrow down the culprit so you can either fix the problem or have your mechanic do it for you. We examine several of the potential reasons your vehicle will not start.

When The Car Engine Doesn’t Crank

If you turn the key and your engine fails to turn over, the problem is usually located in the ignition system, starter, or the battery. If your battery is the source of the issue, it may be because of low voltage or a bad connection between the poles and terminals. A low voltage problem can usually be fixed by jump starting your car and driving it for twenty minutes.

First examine the wires if you think the problem is the vehicles starter. If they’re clean and tight, the relay or solenoid may be bad. Otherwise, you may need to replace the entire starter. If your battery and starter are fine (your mechanic can test them for you), the problem is likely in the ignition system.

When The Auto Engine Does Crank

If the engine turns over when you turn the key in the ignition, but it doesn’t actually fire, the cause is a lack of spark, a lack of gas, or lack of sufficient compression. The fact that your engine is turning means that your battery is delivering voltage and your starter is being triggered.

You can acquire a spark testing device from most auto supply stores. Assuming there’s fuel in your gas tank, check to see whether your fuel pump is working properly. The vehicles which are rolling off the automakers floors today come equipped with fuel injection systems. Because the are more exact, there are also more prone to pressure variations. The most likely cause of fuel pressure problems are located with the fuel pump.

In order to check the compression level, special testing device is required. Most mechanics have them readily available (for their use, not yours), so this test may best be left to your local repair garage. The mechanic will probably remove the spark plugs in order to check all of the cylinders.

As noted above, some issues are easily solved. Others will require help from your auto technician. The next time you’re stranded because your car won’t start, you’ll be better prepared to identify the cause.

More and more, especially now that the credit crunch is looming on us, we begin to see garage owners try to make money. They do not actually care how they go about doing it, they would much rather make a quick buck for themselves. This is hurting the working class people as what is happening is that people are spending quite a big sum of money on buying a vehicle which then ends up breaking and costing them a fortune. But there are a couple of things you may be able to do to get out of this situation.

1) If your car has broken down within 6 months of your purchase date you may be allowed to send it back to the dealer because of your rights.
2) If it goes pass the six months things begin to get that more difficult, what I really mean to say is that you have to actually prove that the vehicle was broken within the six month period, so I recommend either trying to get a letter from the garage of when you first visited them with the problem and remember to keep all documents.

I actually think there should be a law when people decide to buy a car that it should be illegal to mis advise people about the vehicle in question and if it does become faulty then it should be repaired automatically by the garage that you purchased it from or they should actually be man enough to accept the responsibility of a broken vehicle and take it back for at least a gap of the first year, because if you are paying thousands for a car you do not expect it to break down constantly.

Do you want to Buy a Honda or Buy a Toyota