Shedding Some Light on Your Headlights

The oldest headlights were fueled by acetylene or oil and were introduced in the late 1880s. Acetylene lamps were popular because the flame was resistant to wind and rain.  The first electric headlights were introduced in 1898 and were optional. Two factors limited the widespread use of electric headlights: the short life of filaments in the harsh environment, and the difficulty of producing parts small and powerful enough to produce sufficient current to fuel the new headlights.  By 1904, acetylene lamps were the standard.  When Cadillac integrated their new electrical system in 1912, it changed the new standard to electric headlights.  This headlight system remained until the 1940s when the sealed beam headlight was introduced.  Now the new technology is LED headlights.  These provide the brightest and clearest view while driving at night and claim to last the longest.  

Headlights Lifespan

When headlights malfunction it is not fun.  The time they malfunction is when you need them most, especially if it is dark.  Headlights rarely indicate if they are about to quit working.  This is why it’s good to know the estimated life of your headlights.  You may not know their exact life span because there are so many factors that affect it.  Manufacturers usually have some type of estimate for this.  This lifespan estimate is developed using a complex formula involving voltage, watts, lumens and a few other factors. Each contributing factor, as well as real world testing, is crunched together and an approximate number is determined.  If you are getting near the end of this estimated life then it is a good idea to purchase an extra set of bulbs to keep until needed.

Headlight Maintenance

Headlight systems require periodic maintenance. Sealed beam headlights are modular so when the filament burns out, the entire unit is replaced. Most vehicles in North America made since the late 1980s use headlight lens-reflector assemblies that are considered a part of the car, and just the bulb is replaced when it fails.  Be sure not to touch the glass bulb with bare hands.  The oil or moisture from human skin can cause the bulb to overheat and burn out prematurely.  Headlight aim must be properly checked and adjusted frequently.  Misaimed lamps can harm other driver’s vision and stop you from seeing effectively at night.  Over time the headlight lens can deteriorate.  Sand and gravel can cause it to become pitted.  This will not allow light to pass through easily and could crack to let water into the headlamp.  Water on the bulb can cause it to burn out.  Water can also cause the headlight to short out.  Plastic lenses can often become cloudy or discolored.  This is due to the oxidation of the hard coat on the lens surface.  If this damage is minor it can be polished out.  You should use a good brand of car polish that is intended to restore the shine to chalked paint.  Major damage will require the entire lens to be replaced.  

Smart Headlights

Drive through a pounding thunderstorm or heavy snowfall at night and you’ll notice that your headlights glare off the precipitation more than the road ahead.  Scientists are developing a way to concentrate the light in between the drops or flakes to increase visibility.  The headlight is actually an array of bulbs. The system uses a digital camera to track the motion of individual raindrops or snowflakes and then uses a computer to predict where they will be.  Then it deactivates the bulbs that will glare off of the precipitation.  There are also headlights that turn in the same direction as the steering wheel to help see around corners.  There are many concepts that will help to make driving at night much safer.  

Which Transmission Type Best Suits You?

The automobile has transformed greatly from the very first Model T Ford to the latest and greatest models that are on the road today. Over the years, technology has allowed the consumer more than one way to propel their cars.  At first, the only method of transforming the power from the engine into movement was manual transmission. Now, there are three major types of transmissions available and these types are continuously being evolved into better and more advanced mechanisms that require the assistance of a knowledgeable and skilled mechanic to service them. You should make sure that your transmission, regardless of type, is operating in the safest capacity possible. 

The Automatic Transmission

The automatic transmission was invented to make it easier for more people to drive a car. This system uses a set of gears called the planetary gear-set to achieve different gear ratios while using those same gears. The name comes from the makeup of the part: a set of gears and rings that encircle and rotate around each other in the same manner as planets circle each other. The main part of the automatic transmission is the torque converter. This part serves the same function as a clutch in a manual transmission in that it multiplies the turning power of the engine, which is the torque. Several components inside the converter, the impeller and the turbine, face each other inside a metal round casing. Both parts have blades that propel transmission fluid along with a stator, causing a continuous flow of fluid that causes the power to multiply. Cars equipped with this transmission tend to be more expensive, are more expensive to maintain, and are not as controlled on slippery surfaces. 

The Manual Transmission

The manual transmission was the first available transmission on the first cars produced. This transmission requires you to use a clutch to shift between gears yourself. Therefore, you will have to become skilled in order to know when to shift gears and how to do it. Cars equipped with this system are less expensive to purchase and to maintain. A manual transmission car does not need to have the transmission fluid replaced as often as an automatic, and some do not require changing the fluid at all. Driving a manual transmission car requires practice, as you would have to get accustomed to using both feet for the brake pedal and the clutch, but such attention to these motions would mean that you would be less apt to become distracted by cellphones or other devices. 

The Best of Both in One System

A system that combines both automatic and manual attributes is called the continuously variable transmission, or CVT. This transmission system allows you to drive your car as an automatic but gives you the flexibility to be able to manually change gears on the fly. This gives the driver more control over the car and it combines the ease of driving an automatic with the precision of a manual gearbox. It would allow you to manually shift when traversing ravaged roads so that you will have better control and steering. This system is the most expensive and it is not widely available as standard equipment.  

Import Vehicles versus Domestic Vehicles

The battle between import vehicles and domestic vehicles has been raging since there have been imports and domestics. Some people believe that imports are better and others believe that domestics are better. People who live in areas that experience severe winter weather are most concerned about getting a car that will survive the winters and provide reliable, safe service. Each one has their benefits and drawbacks, and the key to deciding which one to buy is to determine which drawbacks are the most tolerable for you. It is always best to do your research on the cars that you like and make your decision.

Benefits and Drawbacks for Import Vehicles

Imports have been touted extensively for their dependability, safety, and reliability for many years. These cars have occupied the top ten lists in various automotive magazines, websites, and trade publications. These lists have been publicized as much as the reputation of the foreign car manufacturers. Asian car models have secured a well-deserved reputation for providing cars that are not only mechanically sound but also aesthetically pleasing with classic designs. European car models have the same reputation. They boast excellent fuel efficiency, which is very desirable in this weak economy. The main drawback to imports is that they are more expensive to purchase and to repair. Simple tasks such as brake repair or more complex repairs such as engine work can become very expensive because parts often times have to be ordered. Tariffs and other taxes add to the cost of purchase.   

Benefits and Drawbacks for Domestic Vehicles

Domestic cars had experienced a slump in quality towards the end of the twentieth century. People complained about the lack of quality cars coming from the American carmakers, which caused many people to start purchasing imports. In recent years, the quality has improved greatly and technology has improved to allow carmakers to be able to include safety features such as antilock brakes, navigation, and parking assist. One benefit is that they are less costly to purchase and it is easier to find the parts that you would need for repairs. They have also made improvements in fuel efficiency, making them less expensive to operate than they once were. Domestic cars tend to be larger than imports, which appeals to the American palate while the imports tend to be smaller with less interior room. 

How to Decide

In recent years, car manufacturers have begun to blur the line between import and domestic and the trend is steadily increasing. More cars are being produced with parts that do not originate from the original manufacturer. Due to the global economy, may be a moot point to discuss import versus domestic because many manufacturers are using parts that are not produced in the country of the car’s origin. Some Asian car models are made with American-made parts and some American car models are made with European-made car parts. Some cars are made with parts that are both foreign and domestic. You should research various cars to determine which cars would best suit you and your driving habits. You should consider the area in which you live and choose a car that would be dependable and reliable.