Every little bit helps when it comes to saving money on fuel. Not only does it help your pocketbook but it also helps the Planet.

Doing things like checking tire pressure, keeping your car tuned up and traveling light can all help make your car more eco-friendly and lower your carbon footprint on this Earth.

If you don’t have the money to go out and buy the latest hybrid but still want to “Go Green”, there are a few things you can do today to help lower the fuel consumption of your car.

And then of course there is always recycling used car parts… a great way to save money and the environment.

Most people attribute skidding to reckless driving. They imagine young drivers swinging around sharp corners or traveling at unsafe speeds. While these factors can play a role, there are other contributing influences that place millions of motorists at risk.

In this article, I’ll explain the most common reasons vehicles skid. They include road conditions, the health of your tires, and a few additional factors that may surprise you. I’ll also provide a few tips for maintaining control of your car, providing better safety for you and your passengers.

Where The Rubber Meets The Road

The likelihood of skidding is a direct result of the friction between the road and your tires. The surface on which you’re driving influences the amount of friction that exists. For example, a given street may offer more coarseness and thereby, more friction than other streets. On the other hand, smooth concrete will offer far less friction.

Aside from the road’s surface, weather conditions can also influence the amount of friction. For instance, a road that is normally coarse will offer less friction if it is covered in water. It will offer even less if it is covered in snow or ice. Less friction translates into a higher likelihood of a skid.

Your Tires

It won’t surprise you that the treads on your tires influence their grip on the roadway. Heavier treads will always provide more friction than worn treads. This is the reason safety experts recommend buying new tires when your treads wear down.

The pressure within your tires and their temperature can also influence their ability to grip the road. Both underinflation and overinflation tend to reduce the amount of available friction. Moreover, if your tires are too hot, they will soften. If this occurs, they will be less able to maintain their grip.

Other Contributing Factors

The speed and trajectory of your car both play roles in your ability to prevent skidding. In effect, a quicker pace in a direction that is inconsistent with the roadway makes a skid more likely.

Related to your vehicle’s trajectory, the manner in which you steer during a skid will either alleviate or exacerbate the situation. A lot of inexperienced motorists will turn their steering wheels too far in order to compensate, making the skid worse.

Tips For Maintaining Control

If you’re caught in a skid, the most important thing you can do is to focus on where you want to go. Ignore objects you suspect you’ll hit (i.e trees, curbs, other vehicles, etc.). Instead, look toward the space at which you would like to end up. Doing so will help you make the counterintuitive move that most drivers neglect: to steer in the direction you’re skidding.

You should also apply acceleration during the skid. This too, will seem counterintuitive, but it helps your tires regain their grip on the roadway. You’ll then notice a small pause as your vehicle regains its balance. Continue to point your tires in the direction of the space at which you would like to arrive.

The takeaway is that skidding is a direct result of a loss of friction between your tires and the road. If your treads are worn, replace them. If you find yourself in a skid, follow the instructions above to right your vehicle and remain safe.

Been hearing a lot about this whole convert your car to water power thing…

Let me just ask you…. “Would you trust the guy in this video with your car?”

Think People!   Sometimes you just need to step away from the idea that is too good to be true..

In today’s cars, the introduction of the oxygen sensor has paved the way for a host of technological advancements, such as emission control and electronic fuel injection. By feeding data directly to the electronic control unit, the car is able to make numerous adjustments to maximize fuel efficiency and minimize pollution. In today’s article, I’ll quickly describe the operation of your vehicle’s oxygen sensor.

Basics Of Operation

This part consists of a ceramic cylinder plated with platinum electrodes, contained in metal gauze. It works by measuring the oxygen difference between the external atmosphere and exhaust fumes depending on resistance or voltage changes. Due to the fact that the sensor is most effective at 1,500 °F, newer models contain heating elements within the ceramic.

The most common type is known as a zirconia sensor. Constructed from a zirconium dioxide ceramic, dual electrodes produce a specific voltage corresponding to the difference between atmospheric oxygen content and exhaust. If the voltage is approximately 0.2V, then the engine is burning a lean mixture, where there is an excess. If the voltage is at 0.8V, then the engine is burning a rich mixture, where fuel is left unburned. Ideally, the voltage should be at 0.45V, signaling that the fuel-to-air ratio is correct.

Besides ceramic units, other technologies are employed, such as electrochemical, ultrasonic, infrared, and laser. Each has their own unique set of pros and cons, such as accuracy, price, and operating range.

The Role Of Fuel Mixtures

This particular part is able to improve car performance by monitoring oxygen content in real-time, feeding data to the electronic control unit and subsequently adjusting fuel injection to compensate.

In an internal combustion engine, gasoline is burned in the presence of oxygen. In order to maximize efficiency and provide the maximum amount of power, the engine needs to achieve the correct air-fuel ratio, known as the stoichiometric point. The stoichiometric point varies depending on the substance being burned, but it is the point at which the amounts of oxygen and fuel are in perfect balance. In gasoline, this is defined as 14.7:1. If the ratio is higher, then a rich burn results, while a lower ratio results in a lean burn (as I described above).

Besides being able to detect oxygen content, the part is also able to adjust in light of a wide range of variables, including altitude, barometric pressure, and engine load. In the event of a sensor failure, the engine will keep running, but suffer a fuel efficiency drop and overall performance decrease.

I realize that a lot of what I’ve explained above is more than most drivers will ever need (or want) to know. But, regular readers will know that I have a long-held passion for cars and all of the parts and systems that contribute toward its operation. As I’ve said in the past, they more you know about how your vehicle works, the better prepared you’ll be when it’s time to visit the repair shop.