Automotive Accessories | Automotive Parts Suppliers

How Does the Self-Braking Safety Feature Work?

November 21, 2012 By

The self-braking features of some cars today like Lexus, BMW, and Audi brands are the latest innovation in automotive technology. Some of the less expensive brands have also started to apply this novelty to their vehicles. The new system makes use of special sensors that makes a car aware of its surroundings, which could come in the form of radars, lasers, cameras or GPS. Before, only a few can afford to buy these vehicles due to its higher price tag. But costs have now lessened thanks to the new camera-based systems.

Avoidance Technology, as it is called, uses an existing system that includes parking sensors and blind-spot warnings which detects people and objects all around the vehicle. When the vehicle comes dangerously close to an object, the device will stop the car automatically. This safety feature will be very helpful when it comes to avoiding car accidents. Those who live in urban areas, where running cars are overflowing, can really benefit from this innovation. Sleepy drivers will have peace of mind with the knowledge that the brakes will automatically stop the car when they fail to respond to certain traffic regulations and signs. It will also be very convenient for long drives in unfamiliar places at night.

Many vehicle brands continuously come up with more safety characteristics including the self-driving features and anti-lock brakes. Countries in Europe applaud this modernism because it can spontaneously alarm the driver, decelerate and break the car. For instance, if the driver is unaware of the sounding alarm, the car will automatically decelerate to effectively protect the driver, his passengers, fellow drivers, and venerable pedestrians. Its anti-collision function will surely be an advantage to all drivers, especially those with small children. Drivers can also adjust its settings and customize the alarm system. It’s almost as if it has a mind of its own as it demonstrates full-time anti-interference ability and reliability performance.

With close competition in the market nowadays, it is to the public’s advantage if manufacturers can make the prices cheaper of such modernized cars. Not only does it make the lives of the people safe but it will also signify their intention to make accessible to the general populace.

New Innovations on Technology Upgrades Available for Your Car

September 18, 2012 By

Tired of the common upgrades of HID headlights, mag wheels, or body kits? Want to stand out without riding the bandwagon of those usual customizations? High-tech upgrades can give you practical benefits and, at the same time, turn your ride into a head-turner! In this article, let us take a look at new innovative concepts that can upgrade your car’s technology!

Navigation and Communication Upgrades

An upgrade in navigation is a most useful upgrade as this is of the primary purpose of your vehicle. The popular GPS technology will always be a good thing to have installed in your car’s dashboard. There are lots of models and brands to choose from, so pick the one that has a great user interface that can be easily be installed. Remember to opt for the version with the latest updates.

Some GPS models are so modern that they are equipped with Google interface and several apps. It will not only provide you with maps, but also a variety of communication capabilities.

Proximity or parking sensors will benefit your safety, so acquire them if your budget allows you to. Their presence will alarm you with impending dangers and obstacles. If you are willing to sacrifice a little of the look of your car for safety’s sake, then don’t hesitate in installing these sensors.

Installing Bluetooth receivers will also be helpful in terms of convenience and safety. Imagine connecting and navigating around your gadgets with no wires at all! Music, video and other features are all accessible wirelessly.

Entertainment Upgrades

If you want to stay entertained as you go along your journeys on the road, those typical AM/FM radio tuners won’t always be enough. For added quality to your radio needs, get the satellite radio receivers for ensuring great signal even if you veer far away from a station’s home base. You may get LCD screens too and install them all over your vehicle; make sure that they are accompanied by the proper so you and your passengers can watch TV on the go. Having DVD and Bluray players can up the ante and give you Hi-Def experience.

Also, don’t forget to consider those high-fidelity sound system upgrades! Your ears will love the high frequency response of branded speakers, especially those with strong wattage speakers and subwoofers for that heart-tromping experience!

Future Technologies

As new as they can be, there are up-and-coming technologies that are in the works to be released for commercial use very soon! Besides the customary sensors, there are collision avoidance systems that warn of any sorts of terrain dangers that lie ahead on the road. Information such as speed and distance can be relayed to the driver; visual representations of impending dangerous curves are also made available.

A hot topic within the automotive industry is the soon-to-be-released Google Autonomous Car! Tests have shown promising results, and it will be just a matter of time until this technology upgrade will also be implemented to commercial vehicles. Just you wait.

How to Choose the Best Radiator in Town

May 10, 2012 By

Cruisin’ like a boss in your car does not seem too shabby at all! You’re there in your vehicle – your faithful steed, the reliable machine, transporting yourself to your destination in one the coolest ways possible – your own automobile. I’m sure you care so much about your automobile that you’d go far measures to ensure its maintenance and its constant quality. You’d never want your beloved car to be rendered utterly useless because of poor maintenance, right?

Allow me to inject a little logic. Do you take care of your car’s tires, checking their pressures regularly or at least relatively often? How about the oil, changing them when it’s due time? Hopefully, the answer is yes, and if it is, may I ask why? The obvious answer is because you do it to take care of your automobile, right? Well just as important to the over-all workings of your vehicle like the tires and the oil, is your car’s radiator. If, for some reason, you need to pick and choose a good radiator for your car, what should you look for?

But why should I bother?

You may be thinking, why should I bother with my radiator? As long as I actually HAVE a radiator, I’m good, right? Well, unfortunately if you have that thinking, your mentality cares very little for your vehicle. It’s not just only about having a radiator, but it’s also about the kind of radiator you ought to have. Is it a good one? Is it a beat-up one you picked up out of the junk shop for the equivalent price of a milkshake? It’s about quality. Remember, just like your body, your car has several “organs” which makes it function over-all. The radiator is a component that’s as important as any other, like the gas tank, the tires, or the engine itself. It has the major responsibility of cooling the engine. You don’t want to find yourself stuck on the road because your car overheated, right? That ought to be extremely frustrating. Therefore, the radiator’s condition and quality must never be overlooked. So what determines a good radiator? Let’s find out.

Starting from the basic and utterly obvious, a radiator cannot be called “good” for your car if it isn’t the right kind. Know the brand of your car and make sure either (one), it comes from the same manufacturer or, (two) it is made by a company for cars like yours. You can get the best radiator for a truck, but if you have a car, that would make no sense at all. So remember that it’s the best one that’s made FOR your vehicle.

What is it made of?

There’s quite a debate going on about whether the best radiators are made of brass or aluminum. They DO, of course, perform the same task, don’t get me wrong, but it’s about HOW they perform that task. It terms of how it cools, brass is better than aluminum because it conducts heat better than aluminum. However, if you go for brass radiators, that’s much more weight than you would have if you have an aluminum radiator. For efficiency of your car’s engine, we all know that lighter is better. Another thing: brass is more susceptible to cracks and leaks compared to aluminum. So if I were you, I’d go for aluminum which is more efficient over-all.

Other factors.

Remember these. The wider the tubes, the better it is in making contact with the fins, causing it to dissipate heat better. If it dissipates heat well, then that means it’s doing its job. Again, the thinner the fins and the wider it is means that more cool air will contact them, which will in turn, make contact with the tubes which will cool the engine. In a nutshell, this means that thin and wide fins are good.

Brand name matters.

It’s not enough knowing what makes a good radiator. The brand matters as much as a summation of all these characteristics. A good radiator brand that’s trusted, proven reliable, and consistently amazing is one that you should seek, just like Roberts’ ever-reliable Evercool Radiators, only to name one off-the-top-of-the-list. With EverCool radiators, there’s no overheating, therefore there are not headaches and frustrating moments for you! That’s what you should look for.

So as you can see. It’s false to think, meh, a radiator’s a radiator. What’s the difference? Obviously, the whole engine cooling task hinges entirely on your radiator. It’s not to be taken lightly. You must give careful thought in choosing your radiator. It’s an investment for the far future.

Truth or Myth: The Noisier the Muffler, the Faster the Car

October 14, 2011 By

“Vrooom! Vrooom!” – It would be so nice if the muffler of your car sounded like this, right? I bet you would also want your car to be as fast as the car in the video; Well, I do too! An incredibly fast car, when put into full use, is usually punctuated by a resounding muffler noise. But, have you ever wondered if the loudness of a car’s muffler is related to its speed? Is the speed of a car identified by the noise of its muffler?

Truth or Myth?

It’s a myth! The noise on your muffler could add a couple of horsepower, but it does not ensure a faster speed on your car. Also, cars in general don’t get noisier as they gain speed. It was suggested in findings that when your car reaches its maximum power in top gear, the noise input has also achieves its maximum, even if the car may continue gaining speed. It just seems that most of the good pipes are loud, and that’s because of the added noise, which is due to the less restriction of the exhaust gases. As it was also stated, most of the power-boosting pipes out there are louder than regular pipes. However, it must also be stated that not all loud pipes boost power. Just keep in mind that the faster cars are not always the noisiest.

So what can you do then?

Do you want a faster car? Well, making your muffler noisier is not the solution. There are several ways on how you can increase the speed of your car, and these are the following:

Change your mechanical fan to an aftermarket fan to free up some extra horsepower to reach the ground.

Change your fuel pump from a mechanical to an electrical one; this should draw extra power from your battery and alternator.

Increase the amount of cool dense air in your car to produce more power.

Purchase a pre-programmed chip (or a chip and a programmer) to allow you to modify the performance chips. This alteration will allow your car to achieve better fuel mileage, better towing capabilities, better horsepower, and better speed either off the starting line or in the top end.

Purchase a supercharger to add a huge amount of power to your engine.

Save up with Tiger Leafsprings

October 4, 2011 By

Your car is composed of various parts with various functions. Oftentimes, understanding the anatomy and function of the collective purposes of your car components may seem like rocket science. Finding the best possible solution to a broken car isn’t always easy. Like many other drivers, perhaps you’re having problems with the maintenance of the different parts of your car.

One such part, which is crucial when you’re driving on rough roads, is the suspension. The suspension is of great importance, especially when during times where you are required to carry heavy loads. Picking up relatives fresh from the airport is one example. Armed with their countless suitcases, you gotta make sure that your car won’t give in while you’re in the middle of the road. Also, those who have businesses that involve transporting toilsome payloads must take extra care of their vehicles.

It’s important to note that while most suspensions are designed for various loads, the process in which they are manufactured should come into knowledge as well. One such method is called shot peening. In this method, a little ball is fired at the metal (this is more complicated than firing a gas gun at a firing range), which results in several dimpled folds that strengthen the particular piece of metal, making them more durable in adverse situations.

Tiger Leafsprings are manufactured using this process, which is mandatorily followed by rigorous testing and numerous certifications in the manufacturing process. This ensures that this particular product by Roberts Automotive and Industrial Parts Manufacturing Corporation (Roberts AIPMC for short) are consistently produced at the highest quality.

Tiger Leafsprings are used by Mitsubishi, Nissan, Toyota, and are often exported to various OEM assemblers outside of the country. In addition to providing quality leaf springs to these assemblers, Tiger Leafsprings are also present in the aftermarket for customers requiring a higher performing automotive part.

Roberts AIPMC is the most reliable auto parts manufacturer, trusted for years by OEM assemblers in Philippines and also in overseas markets. They develop their products to be better than what is available in the market and ensure that the quality and durability is beyond comparison. Armed with ISO certifications, customers such as you will have peace of mind, knowing that every product manufactured by Roberts AIPMC is of consistently the highest quality.

If you’re looking for a new leaf spring for your car, I would suggest Tiger Leafsprings, Roberts AIPMC always provides quality in whatever parts they produce, and I’m sure you’d only use the best performing parts that would last for your car through the different environments you are subject to.

Why Do We Use Leaf Springs for Heavier Vehicles?

September 20, 2011 By

A leaf spring, or a carriage spring, is a simple type of spring usually utilized for wheeled vehicles. Also, it is one of the oldest sorts of springing in medieval times. One the advantages of a leaf spring over a regular spring, which is helical, is that the leaf spring’s end might be directed along a specific path. Leaf springs for heavier vehicles can be fixed to the frame, or it can be fixed at one end directly, with the frontage normally fixed through a bind, which is a small swinging arm. The bind takes up the inclination of the leaf spring to lengthen if compressed. This causes the supple springiness.

The suspension is the main feature which contributes to the suppleness of your car. As of this time, leaf springs are the commonly used in the suspension schemes of motor vehicles. In addition to this, it is recognized as a cart spring or semi elliptical spring, like an arc-figured length of a steel coil with a rectangle cross-section. As mentioned earlier, you can fix this leaf spring straightly to the both sides of the frames or straightly to the one side, the front end in particular as the other side is fixed with the shackle or bind, a small swinging arm.

Also, a leaf spring made out of many leaves in various layers piling at the peak of each other frequently began with progressively smaller leaves. These were eventually utilized to give comfort to passengers riding heavier cars. As of this time, leaf springs are detained to big commercial cars and some SUVs. The parabolic type is the latest design of the leaf spring, which is frequently utilized in buses for the reason that it gives a more amusing riding experience. Though it is known as a leaf spring, it doesn’t truly have much impression to a leaf. Basically, it is composed of a big portion of steel which has other smaller ones fixed to it. The sheets are centered on the piece to give a broad and uneven “V” shape.

Using leaf springs for heavier vehicles is ideal at dispensing weight well over a big place, and that is the reason why they are perfect on heavier vehicles. Leaf springs are also found in traditional vehicles because of the significant role they have in the suspension scheme can’t be overlooked. Some other advantages include: better fuel economy, cost efficient, improved load carrying capacity and decreased road break for an equal axle weight.

It is recommended to do some research on leaf springs for heavier vehicles to avoid unwanted damage on your vehicles, which would eventually lead to expensive repairs along the road. Your main concern must be general ride performance, stability and safety during deep towing. You have to be certain that you are purchasing an air ride suspension scheme if you are sincere about towing, which can do more than rank the ride; it must be suitable for deep towing. As several of many things in the industry of automotive, using a cheap aftermarket part frequently yields less than the finest results.

Why You Need High Performance and Affordable Mufflers

August 21, 2011 By

Your car is your baby and your darling. She is there for you wherever you go and will always be there through thick and thin. Your car will take care of you, but if you don’t treat her well in return, she may just change her mind. And let me tell you from experience, you do not want that to happen.

…”What in the hell is he talking about?”

Here is a question that might be running through your mind right now, and I don’t really blame you. But let me ask you another question, is safety important for you? If the answer is yes then, read on.

I’m sure by now that you are aware of the benefits of your car’s muffler. It functions basically to expel and keep unwanted fumes and emissions away from your car; this is important because we all know that car emissions are hazardous not only to your health, but also to the rest of your family. This is especially true when you have young children, who have systems that are more prone to its hazards.

While there are various kinds of mufflers out in the market, it’s important that your muffler ensures that all fumes and emissions are directed from the engine and out of your car without much sound or any leaks into the cabin. To have this kind of quality it is important to choose a supplier that undertakes rigorous testing in performance and durability.

By now, I’m pretty sure you want to know where you can get such a high performing muffler, and the answer is from Roberts Automotive and Industrial Parts Manufacturing Corporation. Roberts AIPMC manufactures mufflers for brands such as Toyota and Hino. In addition to this, they have a set of high performing mufflers called Soundex. Their mufflers go through rigorous testing and their facilities are ISO certified, so you can be sure that your muffler is of the highest quality.

If you’re unsure about your muffler, I suggest checking it with your neighborhood friendly mechanic. And, if he suggests that you need to get it changed, then go for Roberts AIPMC Soundex Mufflers. When it comes to quality, I’m sure you only go for the best and Roberts AIPMC ensures that they only deliver the best.

What is an Auxiliary Fan??

August 5, 2011 By

A man who does not know what an auxiliary fan is.

You’re driving your car and you notice that something is wrong… seriously wrong. The mechanic pops the hood up and looks around a mish mash of engineering parts. This is the part where you go, ‘Oooohhhh!’

The mechanic in his dirty gray jumper wipes his hands with a greasy rag tucked in his back pocket. He then turns to you and says, “Your auxiliary fan is not working. The fuse is blown.”

You’re not quite sure what the mechanic is talking about. Instincts lead you to a completely different idea, because the fan blower seemed to work fine when you switched on the air conditioner this morning. Afraid to sound stupid and end up being charged extra as a result of it, you nod your head and pull out a wad of cash hoping not to hear about the problem again.

As you drive home, you wonder, ‘What in the hell is an auxiliary fan?’

Bingo!

Worry not, my troubled driver, for that is exactly what I am here to explain. While car parts have their own unique purposes, one must realize that they function in a structural order. Each part relates to one another and therefore, there are a lot of supporting systems that makes your car run like a perfectly oiled machine.

The auxiliary fan serves a very important purpose in supporting other parts in your car. We have to know that, like all fans, the auxiliary fan works in various speeds, and each speed has its own function. At low speeds, it cools the condenser of your air conditioning unit when it is overworked or when it has reached a certain temperature. In the same manner of kicking in at certain temperatures, the auxiliary fan notches up to high speeds when the engine needs to be cooled down. This also helps in cooling down the radiator when idling or moving through slow traffic.

The main purpose of the auxiliary fan, as mentioned in the previous paragraph, is to control and cool down the different parts of your car so that it runs efficiently. So, if there comes a time again when your mechanic tells you that the auxiliary fan needs to be replaced, you can just smile as you sign the repair form, knowing full well its purpose in your beautiful car.

How Do I Maintain My Flat Fin Radiator?

June 4, 2011 By

Taking care of your Flat Fin Radiator is not a lot of work, but it will definitely make a huge difference and will prevent you from experiencing troublesome surprises on the road. Here are some tips for you to keep your Flat Fin radiator running in peak condition:

Regularly Perform a Radiator Flush

For your radiator to do its work effectively, it needs to be free from any dirt or blockage. You can make sure your radiator is clean by doing a radiator flush.

So here’s how you can do a Radiator Flush:

Step 1: Prepare all needed materials (radiator flush solution, coolant, funnel,
cloth, screwdriver/wrench, container for draining), and make sure your engine is cold before anything else.

Step 2: Place your used coolant container beneath your radiator’s drain, and
then open the radiator’s drain plug using a screwdriver or wrench and let the coolant pour out into the receptacle until it is empty. Close the drain plug.

Step 3: Remove the radiator fill cap and pour the radiator flush solution, then fill the remainder with water. Replace the radiator cap.

Step 4: Turn on your engine and warm it up for about 10-20 minutes.

Step 5: Turn off the engine and let it cool.

Do a Radiator Coolant Check

Your car’s coolant helps maintain optimal temperature. Thus, it prevents overheating and protects your radiator. It is a mixture of 50% water and 50% glycol, depending on your vehicle. Glycol is an antifreeze that has special properties; it guards the radiator from corrosion and rust.

To check your coolant level, you simply need to look at the white plastic overflow tank beside your radiator. These containers usually have high-low level labels on them which will help you determine if it’s time for you to replenish you coolant. If your coolant level is already low, just remove the cap on your coolant tank and add your mixture until it reaches its recommended level again. And then, place back the cap to close the receptacle.

It is also good to know that there are three types of anti-freeze.

Ethylene Glycol or Polyethylene Glycol – a standard coolant for most radiators
Non-Toxic Radiator Coolant – a coolant that doesn’t have ethylene or polyethylene glycol which are both toxic (if one is exposed to great quantities for long periods of time)
Extended-Life Anti-Freeze Ethylene Glycol Coolants – this is the one lasts longer than the others

Moreover, here are other additives you can use:

Nitrates – corrosion inhibitors, buffers
Silicates – corrosion inhibitors, especially for aluminum radiators
Carboxylates – buffers, corrosion inhibitors
Borates – buffers which help reduce corrosion and cavitation, extends the life of a coolant, raises the boiling point of a coolant, and protects from the acidity of an anti-freeze.

Do not mix different types of anti-freeze. This can decrease the effectiveness of your radiator. Always perform a radiator flush before changing types.

Additional Tips

-Always make sure your engine is cold before removing the radiator cap. Touching a hot engine can cause minor or serious burns if you’re not careful.

-Keep the coolant waste away from the reach of children and animals because it is toxic.

-Properly dispose waste coolants according to local hazardous waste regulations.

When Do I Change My Flat Fin Radiator

May 10, 2011 By

Unlike a milk carton which has a shelf life stamped on its label, a Flat Fin radiator does not have an expiration date indicated on its body. If that is so, how would you know when you have to change your Flat Fin radiator? This is significant especially if you are the type of person who wants to make sure his car is in perfect condition so as to prevent any mishaps, such as overheating, which can definitely damage other engine parts, cause delays, and decrease productivity. More so, if you are working with heavy machineries and large generators, you would want to avoid encountering such engine problems.

Unfortunately, it is hard to say the exact duration of your radiator because it depends on different factors such as the weather or the type of car you are using. However, most automotive mechanics suggest that a well maintained radiator can last for at least 8 to 10 years, or even throughout the lifetime of your car.

To be able to maximize the life of your radiator, make sure you observe maintenance routines such as keeping an adequate amount of coolant and regularly flushing out your coolant system.

It is also important that you get a high-quality, economical, and durable Flat Fin radiator. As you may know, radiators primarily work to maintain the optimal temperature of your engine by absorbing heat through its fins and diffusing it into the air. This is essential because without proper heat regulation, you can expect frequent overheating, and later on your engine may break down. Quality radiators definitely work better and last longer than ordinary ones.

Additionally, your radiator and the other parts of your car should be periodically checked to see if there are problems. Watch out for signs which may indicate that your Flat Fin radiator already needs to be replaced. Such signs include cracks or leakages. Leaks can be manifested by an unexpected drop in coolant levels. You can also inspect if your thermostat is working fine. Note any unexpected change in your vehicle’s temperature because this is a hint that your thermostat may be broken. Lastly, look for corrosions and rust build up. These are signs of deterioration.

Before you decide to change your radiator, you should assess if it really is damaged. Otherwise, there may be some other components that need to be examined. You may do some troubleshooting by checking other parts of your car such as the intake manifold gasket and the water pump. Take note that a broken water pump may have the same indications as with a worn out radiator. If you are not sure what to do, you can ask a mechanic to take a look at your car.

Your Flat Fin radiator can last a really long time if you take an excellent care of it. With proper maintenance, you may not even have to replace your radiator since it can last throughout the lifetime of your car. Preventive maintenance, which is changing your radiator before it completely fails, is also highly recommendable.