Car Parts Plus

Introduction To Car GPS Navigation

Years ago, millions of motorists experienced the misfortune of getting lost. They’d have to pull over and either ask somebody for directions or refer to their always-handy Thomas Guide. It was inconvenient, but a lot of drivers actually found a small bit of pleasure in solving the puzzle and getting back on the road. Those days are becoming increasingly rare, however. Car manufacturers are now outfitting a greater portion of their vehicle inventories with GPS navigation systems. Armed with these tools, drivers rarely, if ever, have to worry about getting lost.

Below, we’ll take a closer look at these units. I’ll explain how they work, how to find the right model for your needs, and offer a few reputable brands to get you started.

How They Work

GPS stands for Global Positioning System. During the 1970′s, the U.S. government developed the technology for the military. A few short decades later, the technology has been expanded to include cars, motorcycles, boats, and other vehicles in the public space.

The system uses a network of satellites (there are at least 24 of them) which rotate around the earth. The GPS unit in your car is merely a receiver for the signals sent by these satellites. Your vehicle’s position is identified by the amount of time it takes for the satellites’ signals to reach your receiver. One signal doesn’t help much. But, once 4 signals from 4 satellites have been received, your GPS unit can reliably calculate your car’s position. From that point, mapping directions is simple.

Shopping For The Right Model

If you’ve looked for them online, you’ll have noticed that there are a lot of options and brands, and prices can range from $100 to over $1,000. Which model should you choose? First, you should identify the type of driving you do, the amount of time you spend in unfamiliar territory, and your budget (or course). Also, consider that some models can be detached easily from your car’s dashboard. If it’s small enough, it can serve as a ideal navigational device to take with you while hiking.

Reputable Brands

There are dozens of companies that sell GPS devices; some are popular while others are relatively unknown. Notable brands include industry titans Garmin, Magellan, Tom Tom, and Sony. Each of these companies produces a wide inventory of models with varying flexibility to suit different budgets. For example, the Garmin Nuvi 200 sells for a budget-friendly $200 while their voice-activated Nuvi 880 retails for $800.

If you spend very little time driving to new destinations, buying a GPS device may not be necessary. But, for drivers who are weary of getting lost on the road, the investment is a small price to pay for peace of mind.

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Diagnosing Problems With Your Car’s Fuel Injectors
Your engine’s performance is dependent on the air-fuel mixture that fills each cylinder’s combustion chamber. An optimal blend helps to ensure peak efficiency. Gas is delivered through a set of fuel injectors (FIs); the amount is controlled by data sent to your vehicle’s computer (i.e. engine controller) by a number of sensors.

Assuming the sensors are working properly, the correct amount of gas is normally sprayed through the nozzles of the FIs. However, problems can occur that lead to a lean mixture (i.e. too little fuel). If the mixture leans out, you may experience misfiring and even detonation, which can eventually damage your engine.

Below, we’ll take a closer look at the reasons this problem occurs. I’ll explain why fuel injectors can become clogged over time and how you can keep them clean for better engine performance.

Deposits And Clogs

Clogging occurs due to the buildup of deposits within the nozzles of the FIs. It doesn’t take a large obstruction to have an impact on your vehicle’s performance. If one of the nozzles suffers a 10% blockage, it can cause a misfire.

The most common cause of clogging is the presence of hydrocarbons within gasoline. Hydrocarbons contain a waxy material called oilfins. During operation, heat is generated around your fuel injectors as the hydrocarbons burn. When you turn your car off, residual heat cooks the oilfins and hardens them. As the heat dissipates, the oilfins form deposits within the openings of the nozzles. These deposits block the passage of gas.

On most small 4-cylinder vehicles, the second and third FIs are exposed to the most heat. As a result, they are the most susceptible to clogging. In larger engines, the fuel injectors in the middle are likewise more vulnerable to clogging.

Gasoline typically contains detergents that are designed, in part, to wash the injectors and keep them free of obstructions. However, some gasoline companies cut corners to save costs and under price their competitors. They do so by reducing the level of detergents in their gas, or by using lower-quality detergents.

Keeping The Injectors Clean

It’s worth having the FIs checked every 30,000 miles to ensure that the nozzles have not become clogged with deposits. If they have become clogged, your mechanic should be able to connect them to a cleaning machine and run detergents through them. It’s a simple procedure and should take less than 30 minutes.

If you were experiencing misfires due to a lean air-fuel mixture, the cleaning procedure should be able to resolve them immediately. If the deposits are stubborn, your mechanic may need to perform multiple cleaning cycles.

There may be times when your fuel injectors are so badly clogged that the detergents are ineffective for removing the deposits. If that’s the case, your mechanic will need to remove the FIs and clean them using specialized equipment.

Keeping your fuel injectors clear of obstructions will improve the overall performance of your car’s engine. If you notice misfiring or signs of detonation, ask your mechanic to check for clogs within the nozzles.

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