SPARK PLUGS AS A CONSUMABLE MAINTENANCE PART

Spark plug is ignition system component threaded into the cylinder head that contains centre and ground electrode extending into the cylinder head of an engine that form a gap across which high voltage arcs to ignite the compressed air fuel mixture In the combustion  chamber.
The spark plugs are produce with different design and heat ranges to be able obtain optimum engine performance. Starting from materials used to produce spark plugs have changed, steel and tungsten have fully been replaced by platinum and iridium for spark plug gaps and washer type seals on the plug bases are more usually conical seat today.
Presently spark plug gaps have also become much larger and are no longer adjustable on many spark plug types.  For instance the gap on iridium plugs should be checked and compare to your vehicle manufacturer’s specification, but never adjusted.  If the gap is improper, the spark plug should be replaced.
Spark plugs changes in design and countless other engine improvement have resulted in spark plugs that can lasts up to 100,000 – 150,000km and save you more cost compare to the rounded edge of centre electrode spark plugs.  The platinum and iridium spark plugs can be identify with a sharp pin edge centre electrode.
WHEN TO REPLACE YOUR SPARK PLUGS:
                          

 WORN OUT SPARK PLUG:

Spark plug is to be replaced when it wear out during period maintenance service checks if the gap between the center and the ground electrode becomes wider

                                  To manage and prevent other much more expensive problems, spark plugs must be replaced when they wear out.  The best guide is the manufacturer’s specification base on mileage recommendation. Not replacing spark plugs in time can result in poor engine performance(engine hesitation), high fuel consumption, damaging ignition coils and other components.

CARBON TRACKING:
The spark fires between the top of the plug and the base, across the ceramic shell.  This leaves a characteristic carbon track on the insulator.  It also causes the plug to misfire.
                        
A spark plug causing misfiring can extremely damage an engine. If spark plug fails to fire, the air- fuel mixture in the cylinder is not burned.  This unburned gases enters the catalytic converter, where it can rapidly increases the temperature. A misfiring spark plug can severely destroy an expensive catalytic converter in the exhaust system in a matter of minutes.

COMPRESSION LEAKAGE:
Spark plugs can leak compression around their bases appearing in yellowish colour.  When this occurs, excessively hot compression-gas may destroy coil-on-plug type of ignition coils. Compression leakage at the ceramic base results from age and can result to engine pinging and detonation.

Ping: A mild noise the engine.

Detonation: An occurrence in the internal combustion of an engine, where the compress air-fuel mixture explodes violently instead of burning smoothly.

Always have spark plugs inspected, when mileage approaches the recommended interval as guided by manufacturer’s specification. For instance if the recommended replacement interval is 100,000km, two or more plugs might be removed for inspection around 80,000km. It remains good advice to check spark plugs between 10,000 – 20,000 kilometres because they can stop functioning properly at any time. They may last much longer than expected but it is best to avoid any unpleasant surprises on the road by checking them regularly.
Subscribing to the right design and heat range spark plug maximizes your engine performance at peak and your vehicle usage from off road.



    

AIR FILTER AS CONSUMABLE MAINTENANCE PART

                             PURPOSE OF CONSUMABLE MAINTENANCE PART
Air filter: as important consumable maintenance part for automotive engine that also need periodic replacement base on inspection to determine the air filter condition.
The fuel system mix air and fuel to produce a combustible mixture. Air always contains a lot of of floating dust and grift. The grift and dust can cause serious damage if they entered the engine. To prevent this, air filter is mounted on the entrance of the fuel injection system or carburetor.
Air filter must not be compromise in quality when performing scheduled preventive maintenance, because all air entering the engine through the fuel injection system or carburetor must pass through the air filter

The above picture shows difference in air filter condition (bad and good)
Secondly, aside from trapping dust and grit from air. The air filter also muffles the noise of the intake of air through the fuel injection system and manifold. This noise would be noticeable if it were not for the air filter. In addition, the air filter act as frame arrester in case the engine backfire through the intake manifold.
With genuine air filter, air is allowed to flow freely into the engine, while dust and grit are harmful an most separated from the air. When this is effective done your done your vehicle benefits efficient combustion of air fuel mixture resulting in high fuel economy and wear and tear is reduce from the engine.
Air filter base on scheduled inspection is to be clean or replace according to manufacturer specification.
WARNING: Air filter should be inspect for cleaning or replacement, more often if the car is driven in dusty and sandy area.
Trust us to serve your vehicle with genuine parts, accessories and complimentary services.

SUBSTANDARD AUTOMOTIVE PARTS

                                              SUBSTANDARD AUTOMOTIVE PARTS
It's glaring in our market today that there are so many adulterated or inferior parts been produced and used by end user. The production of this inferior parts is due to selfish reason to make more money, dubious mechanic will also patronise to with the same selfish intension and customers who choose to buy the there parts them self make mistakes of buying inferior parts due to the reason of trying to save cost and ignorance to determine what is quality, reliable and durable.

Genuine parts are to keep your vehicle systems fit from off road or in best operating condition. Substandard (inferior) part fix on vehicle can further damage other vehicle system components and this will result to vehicle poor or under performance, even compromise your safety and that of your passengers.
Genuine part are build from highest level of quality materials, tested and approved by manufacturer, for this reasons we are committed to serve automobile owners with quality replacement parts, accessories & complementary services and any warrantable part sold or fit by Swift AutoCare will be ensure the validity of part manufacturer's warranty.
Genuine parts are design, developed, tested, and approved to fit in were necessary to ensure quality performance reducing downtime or breakdown.
So let give up to substandard parts and enjoy years of trouble free driving.

PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE (PM) AND GENUINE PARTS

                PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE (PM) AND GENUINE PARTS
PM is refer to schedule maintenance or service put together to prevent  our vehicles for breaking down with the use of a genuine parts to keep vehicles system fit and in good condition. Which is more efficient than repairing or replacing components after it fails.
To maximize the availability of vehicle usage, genuine parts must be use when PM
service is performed or carried out on scheduled basis to enhance vehicle life span.

   Some vehicles may be prone to excessive breakdowns requiring expensive repairs, causing a vehicle to be out off road when least expected and possibly when needed most. Vehicles may become unsafe due to lack of genuine parts and PM. Proper maintenance with the use of genuine parts will help prevent your going off road when needed
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Give up to substandard parts and enjoy years of trouble free driving or ride. So call us today to serve you with quality replacement parts, accessories & complementary services.

OIL FILTER AS A CONSUMABLE MAINTENANCE PART

                  

                   PURPOSE OF CONSUMABLE MAINTENANCE PARTS: OIL FILTER

OIL FILTER: Oil filter as important consumable maintenance part for automotive engine that needs periodic replacement.
All automotive engine lubricating systems have an oil filter. Some or all of the oil from the oil pump circulates through the oil filter.
In the oil filter, an element of filtering material traps particles of foreign matters, therefore keeping the oil clean and to prevent impurities from entering the engine.

There are two major oil filter components to determine a genuine oil filter:

* The Element: The element is a paper filter inside. This must be a quality filtering material with capability to remove particles of matters in the oil.

* Drain Back Valve: this must be high efficient valve to prevent oil pumped through the oil filter from draining back to the oil pan, protecting engine against oil starvation within 24hours after the the engine is shutdown. Compare to substandard that allow the engine oil to drain back within 2-3hours after the engine is shut down.

Using genuine oil filter gives your engine efficient lubrication, long life engine performance and protection. Subscribing to substandard oil filter can cause oil leaks and, noise from engine when starting and in worst scenario deterioration of the engine.
Warning: Never manage to drive your vehicle with "oil warning light" displaying or blinking on your instrument cluster.

PURPOSE OR FUNCTION OF CONSUMABLE MAINTENANCE PARTS OR FLUID

  PURPOSE OR FUNCTION OF CONSUMABLE MAINTENANCE PARTS OR FLUID

 In details we will see the important of consumable maintenance parts starting with Engine oil
Engine oil is been considered as the life blood  of automotive engine to lubricate and reduce wear on moving parts, for cooling by taken away heat from moving or frictional parts, for cleaning by restraining corrosion of the internal combustion engine.
In order to keep the engine system run and fit, we must pay detail attention  to the type of oil we use and also watch out for dubious mechanic who tries to use refilled oil or cheap oil that are less recommended by vehicle manufacturer due to selfish reasons.
The brand and specification of oil recommended to be use can be found in owner vehicle instruction manual or boldly writing on the engine oil cap. Failure in getting the right kind of engine oil reduces the  life span of your engine.

 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN USING OR BUYING ENGINE OIL FOR YOUR VEHICLE:

* API SERVICE RATING: can be found on the ticker of the oil bottle. It is a two letter rating informing you the type of engine the oil is meant for( Gasoline / Diesel) and quality level. The service rating is shown in the API "Service Symbol Donut" on the product label. As shown in the illustration below, engine oils with an API SA Service Classification were formulated for use in cars built prior to 1930, and are now obsolete. Yet, there are still not hard to find in retail outlets. The diagram below guides you on what oil to buy base on your model year.

 * EXPIRING DATE: the expiring date can be found printed or pasted on the oil bottle showing manufacturing and expired date (Applicable to a few engine oils)

* THE VISCOSITY GRADE: the oil grade or viscosity can be found in owner vehicle instruction manual, on a label within the engine compartment or written on the engine oil cap.(sample of what you  see: 5W-30)

VISCOSITY: Is fluid resistance to flow. Viscosity in an engine important because its determine how easy oil is pump to the needed component for lubrication with the help of the oil pump in the oil pan and supply through the oil filter and drain back to the engine oil pan.
Please end user follow your vehicle manufacturer's specification on SAE oil viscosity grade for adequate performance.
Subscribing to the right type of oil makes your engine smile and you are happy too.

CONSUMABLE MAINTENANCE PARTS

                                  CONSUMABLE MAINTENANCE PARTS

 In order for us to keep our vehicle in good drivable condition consumable maintenance part must not be compromise in quality when performing preventive maintenance.
Consumable maintenance parts are primarily preventive maintenance parts that prevent your vehicle from breaking down, put your vehicle in good drivable condition and tends to  deplete or depreciate in size or quality over time and usage.
To mention a few of most important consumable maintenance parts when performing PM are:
Engine oil
Oil filter
Air filter
Micro filter (cabin filter)
Fuel filter
Spark plugs
Coolant
Engine & accessory belts
Brake parts
Wiper blades etc
In our subsequent post I will discuss the purpose of consumable maintenance parts in details and you will see reasons why you should not subscribe to inferior parts for your vehicle.

IMPORTANCE OF COOLANT

Its has been an observation that most vehicle runs without a coolant or with the right proportion of coolant.
A coolant is a fluid which flows through or around... a device to prevent its overheating and rust. An ideal coolant has high thermal capacity, low viscosity, is low-cost, non-toxic, and chemically inert, neither causing nor promoting corrosion of the cooling system.
Flush the cooling system and change coolant once a year. A 50/50 mix of coolant and distilled water will keep the cooling system in good shape and prevent corrosion and deposits from building up inside the cooling system.
Do have check on your vehicle cooling system at every periodic maintenance service to determine your coolant.
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