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  • Slide 1
  • Electrical/Fuel Systems
  • Slide 2
  • 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.