Seatbelt Maintenance

Seatbelts in its modern form have gone through a lot of initial development. Volvo was the first manufacturer to offer seatbelts as a part of standard equipment in all their cars in 1955 and were soon followed by other manufacturers globally. In India, a provision to fit seatbelts became compulsory in 1991 and factory fitted seatbelts for the front seats became compulsory in 1995. Today, seatbelts are a compulsory fitment for all front-facing seats in any car sold in India. A seatbelt’s maintenance though is something we take for granted, as they are not known to go wrong.

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Here are some tips that will help you keep your car’s seatbelts in top shape.

1. Cleaning seatbelts

If by chance you do spill something on your seatbelts and it leaves a stain, use mild soap and warm water when cleaning spills from the seatbelts. Do not use a strong detergent, bleach or dye, since these caustic fluids may weaken the belt's material and affect the seatbelts basic integrity. A dirty seatbelt apart from being weaker due to gradual disintegration of the seatbelt material also looks dirty especially if the seatbelt is a shade of beige or brown.

Advanced drivers can also use the light reflected off trees to be able to judge whether a vehicle is approaching. While navigating these turns, one should slow down and keep in their own lane. If another vehicle is approaching, and there isn't enough space, it is best to let the other vehicle pass and then continue.

2. Keep the buckle areas clear

Keep the buckle area clean and dry. Foreign particulates, dust and liquids can clog up the buckles and prevent them from doing their jobs properly. Also remember to squirt a dab of WD40 into your seatbelt buckles to keep them smooth and rust free. Older cars are prone to seatbelt holder failures due to fault springs inside the buckle assembly. If your car faces this issue, replace the buckles from an authorised service centre.

Find a place to put up and let the rain and snow stop or road ice to melt before going on. If you decide to move on, for whatever reason, wait for a larger vehicle to approach and ask them to help. Trucks plying on these roads have powerful engines and enough torque to tow you and cross the steep climb.

3. Replace your seatbelt if damaged or worn

Seatbelts are not something you would want to take a chance with. If you find the stitching on the seatbelt to be coming off or the seatbelt itself facing wear issues, it is best to replace them as soon as possible. By design, seatbelts cannot be repaired. If they are damaged, especially if bits that hold integral parts like the loops that hold the buckle (which also act as a force limiter) are showing signs of stretching, it is best to change them as soon as possible. Remember to get them replaced only by an authorised service centre as the bolt used to fasten a seatbelt assembly to the body of your car and the torque to be applied on that bolt are very specific and are best left to professionals.

Although it is advisable to use only company provided seatbelts, aftermarket race seatbelts and harnesses can also be used for specialty applications. For motorsport uses, a 4-point/5-point/7-point harness is usually compulsory. It is essential that the mounting points for these belts are on a separate bolt on the body structure or on a roll cage type structure. Remember to always use Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) approved seatbelts from manufacturers like Sparco, Recaro, Sabelt, Simpson, etc. for motor sport applications.

Also read: New Car Buying Tips

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10 Tips To Stay Safe On Foggy Roads This Winter

December, 2018

Fog can be one of the most dangerous conditions to drive in and the recent accidents in North India are a testimonial to this. Stay safe with these tips

On the morning of January 29, thick fog on the Jaipur-Agra highway caused a kilometer long, 30 vehicles pile-up, killing one and injuring 15. It is no secret that driving in the fog can be a complete road safety nightmare, even for the most experienced and confident drivers, and a single misstep can cause massive accidents. Every year, North India witnesses multiple accidents as a result of the dense fog that sets over the region in the months of December and January. “The density of fog is often quite unpredictable. In a dense fog, the driver cannot see beyond his own vehicle’s limits. In such conditions driving can prove to be quite challenging unless proper precautions are taken,” Delhi Traffic Police Inspector Manju Singh explains.

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Here are some tips to stay safe while driving through dense fog.

1. Set the headlights on low beam

It is imperative to see and be seen on a foggy day when the visibility is already very low. Setting the headlights on low beam can help with this. Using headlights on high-beam is inadvisable because the fog actually reflects this light back, hindering the driver’s vision. If the visibility drops below 100 meters, it is a good idea to turn on the car’s fog lamp (if your car is equipped with one).

2. Reduce your speed

Since visibility is so poor, it can get difficult to gauge your surroundings or react quickly enough to real-time road conditions if you are speeding. Driving at a reasonably slow pace better equips you to react to the road and traffic and stop in time, if necessary. Sometimes it may seem that there is no car ahead and that it okay to speed. However, it is impossible to truly ascertain whether there is someone beyond the limit of visibility and not considering this could lead to collisions.

3. Listen for the traffic that can’t be seen

One’s ears can be the greatest asset while driving in foggy conditions. While your visibility may be impaired during dense fog, the sounds of tyres and horns can help you estimate the distance from unseen vehicles. So, while driving through fog, keep your music off and listen to the sounds of the road.

4. Stick to your lane

With low visibility while driving through fog, it is very difficult to figure out when someone is switching lanes , which means that other drivers can often get startled and this could lead to collisions. It is better to concentrate on one part of the road and stick to a particular lane.

5. Use your indicator

Once again, it is important to be seen on a foggy road and indicate one’s intentions to the other drivers. When making a turn, it is advisable to give an indication for at least ten seconds to allow vehicles behind some time to slow down.

6. Try to keep your windows clear

Try and keep your vision as clear as possible. Clean your windscreen on the inside and the outside to ensure that there are no further impediments to your sight.

7. Turn on your heater

The fog outside often causes condensation to build up on the inside of the vehicle, hampering one’s vision even more. This can easily be cleared by turning the heater on.

8. Do not overtake

The key to driving during foggy conditions is patience and trying to overtake is highly discouraged. Your efforts to overtake can be distracting for the driver in front and can also catch them unaware, not allowing them to slow down on time, and can lead to a collision.

9. Maintain a good distance between vehicles

Keeping a sensible amount of space between you and the vehicle ahead is a very good idea. This gives one enough time to react, slow down and stop when required. Pile-ups are often caused when vehicles are following each other too closely and are unable to react when things start to go wrong.

10. Stay focused on the road

The most important thing while driving through fog is to stay vigilant and keep your eyes on the road. It takes a split second for something to go wrong which means that every driver has the responsibility to minimise all types of distractions and focus on the traffic and weather conditions.

Also read: How To Install Wiper Blades

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What Happens When Spark Plugs Go Bad

December, 2018

Spark plugs might be small but they play a huge part in starting your car. The spark of electricity they emit produces the ignition for the combustion required to start your car. But what happens when spark plugs go bad

Without a functional spark plug, you’ll have a hard time sustaining maximum power and you’ll experience either misfire during acceleration or problems with cold-starting. Now, you wouldn’t want those things to happen, right?

With that, you have to know how often you’ll need to replace your spark plugs.

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On Replacing Spark Plugs

Spark plugs, in general, don’t require frequent replacements. In fact, your car can go for years and several miles before you have to worry about getting a replacement.

For certain car manufacturers, however, it’s essential to have a new spark plug installed for every 30,000 miles. Take note, however, that it’s not a strict rule since the longevity of a spark plug depends on what type it is as well as its condition.

For example:

Copper plugs have the shortest life. With that, you can expect to replace them more often.

Why You Need to Replace Your Spark Plug

Spark plugs wear out as they age. After enduring abuse for hundreds or and thousands of miles, you really can’t expect them to stay intact and show excellent performance.

One good reason is the deposits that form on the spark plugs which results in pre-ignition of the fuel. This translates to an unreliable supply of energy for your vehicle.

Additionally, another reason why spark plugs can’t last for a really long time is its exposure to debris, extreme temperatures and the normal wear and tear process. These things increase the gap or space where the spark has to travel in order to create the right combustion at the right time.

The primary benefit you’ll get from replacing your spark plug is peace of mind. With a new one installed, you won’t have to worry about your car not starting.

Additionally, Getting New Spark Plugs Also Offers the Following Benefits:

Reduction in Harmful Emissions

Regular engine tune-ups, particularly when it comes to spark plugs, won’t only help you save on gas but it can also lower air pollution.

Ensures Smooth Starts

An old spark plug may cause your car to experience jerky starts. Changing it with a new one ensures smoother and more energetic starts.

Creates Optimal Combustion

Having a fully functional spark plug means having an efficient and fully functional combustion system.

Signs You Need to Replace Your Spark Plug

What happens when spark plugs go bad?

Well, a lot of things can happen and most of the time, you won’t have a hard time realizing the signs of spark plug replacements

Rattling and knock-like noises are the first things you’ll notice. This typically happens when the spark plug starts to misfire and the combustion is no longer working properly.

Another sign is trouble starting your car. You’ll feel that it’s jerky and disjointed as the spark plug shows an erratic performance.

Engine surging can also happen. After producing sudden jerks, the engine starts and then stops all of a sudden, preventing any vehicular movement.

Picking The Right Type Of Spark Plug

One of the most common problems car owners experience when it comes to changing spark plugs is knowing what spark plug fits their car best.

Well, if you have the same problem, the easiest and most reasonable answer is to check your car’s manual. Its manufacturer knows best what your car’s engine needs and what spark plug can meet those needs exactly.

In most cases, you’ll see a minimum of 4 different types of spark plugs. Below is a quick discussion of each type.

Copper Spark Plugs

This type of spark plug has a solid copper core. Its business end, however, is typically a 2.5mm-diameter nickel alloy. This is the largest diameter electrode among the four.

Now, consider this: when you have a smaller diameter, there’s less required voltage to create the spark

Copper spark plugs are the best choice for older vehicles that come with a low-voltage distributor-based ignition system. If your car has a DIS or Distributor-less Ignition System or COP (coil-on-plug) ignition system, you’ll find this type wearing out too fast.

Single Platinum Spark Plugs

A platinum spark plugs are great for newer vehicles with DIS. It’s typically designed based on the copper spark plug with a platinum disc installed at the tip of its center electrode. Its material is harder than nickel allow which means that it’s able to run hotter without fouling or deposit buildup.

Double Platinum Spark Plugs

This kind of spark plug has side electrodes that are not designed to handle reverse sparks. This means that if your car came with a double platinum spark plug, you can’t really downgrade to a single platinum spark plug or get a copper spark plug for your car.

You can, however, upgrade to a platinum combination plug or an iridium plug.

Iridium Spark Plugs

While Iridium is expensive, manufacturers of this kind of spark plug reduce the diameter of its center electrode to about .4mm. Apart from reducing the cost, the size of its center electrode also boosts its firing efficiency.

Conclusion

Knowing what happens when spark plugs go bad is essential to knowing when to get replacements. The signs are pretty obvious and you’ll recognize signs of a bad spark plug as soon as they appear. The tricky part, however, is in choosing what type of spark plug will meet your car’s demand. As there are a lot of options and factors to consider, you shouldn’t choose in a haste.

An obvious solution is to check your car’s manufacturer and see what type it recommends. Some manufacturers are specific about not downgrading your existing spark plug as it can cause problems to your car and its engine. Now, if you aren’t sure, you can always take your car to an experienced mechanic and get his opinion. This is the most ideal thing to do, particularly if you’re not sure how to install a spark plug, too.

Also read: What Is A Tune Up? The Most Important Things You Should Know

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