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FACTS ABOUT TUNE UPS |
- Tune up can improve your fuel economy by 4 to 12%.
- A too rich fuel to air mixture will lower fuel efficiency.
- A too lean fuel to air mixture can cause misfiring of engine damage
- Spark plug timing must be set to specifications.
- Clean and properly adjusted points will produce fuel efficient firing.
- One spark plug misfiring half of the time reduces fuel economy by 7% and two can reduce it by 20%.
- Too high an idle speed wastes petrol.
- Revving the engine Just before switching off the ignition consumes extra fuel and may cause engine damage.
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PETROL AND OIL SELECTION |
- Always use a multi viscosity motor oil New modified or slippery oils are designed to improve mileage by as much as 3 to 8%.
- Dirty oil causes added friction and engine wear.
- Petrol grading (octane number) Is dependent on anti Knocking additives in the fuel.
- Select regular, super, hi octane or make blends by mixing super and hi octane to suit your
vehicle
- .Use fuel octane level just high enough to prevent engine knocking.
- A higher than necessary octane rating does not improve a car's mileage Octane number is a measure of petrol blends to resist knocking
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Vehicle Maintenance |
| Proper maintenance will optimise the fuel efficiency of a vehicle It will also prevent breakdowns and costly repairs and improve vehicle safety. Most procedures that ensure operational efficiency and maximum fuel economy are simple to perform and need no special tools but awareness and initiative Other procedures require a good mechanic |
HOW TO FIND OUT IF YOUR CAR NEEDS A TUNEUP? |
| Keep fuel consumption record
(km/litre. When this average drops by 10-15% your car needs a tune up |
WHAT IS AN AUTO TUNEUP? |
| An auto tune up consists of checking engine's performance by monitoring all systems contributing to the efficient combustion of fuel. |
WHAT ARE COMMON ENGINE PROBLEMS? |
- Idles fast when warm
- Stalling
- Low power
- Idles rough
- Knocking
- Hard starting
- Misfiring
- Rough running
- Engine runs on with key off
- Black exhaust smoke
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WHAT SYSTEMS ARE CHECKED DURING A TUNE UP? |
- Starting system
- Fuel system
- Charging system
- Exhaust system
- Ignition system
- Engine block
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WHAT IS CHECKED IN THE STARTING SYSTEM? |
| Cranking revolutions per minute (rpm) and battery condition.
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WHAT IS CHECKED IN THE CHARGING SYSTEM? |
| The alternator or generator, the diodes and the voltage regulator (cut-out) must be checked. Improper charging will destroy the battery. |
WHAT IS THE IGNITION SYSTEM? |
| The ignition system comprises of the coil, condenser, distributor, CB points, high tension cables and the spark plugs
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WHAT IS THE EXHAUST SYSTEM? |
| It is the system through which the exhaust gases ere emitted into the environment They consist of Carbon Monoxide (CO), Hydro Carbons (NC) Oxides of Nitrogen (NOX) and Lead (pb).
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WHAT IS THE PERMISSIBLE LEVEL OF CO & HC? |
| In a properly adjusted carburetor, CO will vary from 1 to 2.5% and HC value will vary from
150-450 porn (parts per million)
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WHAT DO HIGH EXHAUST EMISSIONS INDICATE? |
| Improper adjustment of the carburetor and corroded parts of the ignition system.
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HOW CAN CO & HC BE MONITORED? |
| An exhaust gas analyser or an engine analyser will detect exhaust emissions.
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HOW LONG SHOULD IT TAKE TO WARM UP THE CAR IN THE MORNING? |
| After 30 seconds warm up the car should pull away without stalling If it doesn’t pass this simple test, your car needs some tune up adjustments Allow a longer warm up period in cold weather. |
