BOOSTER BATTTERY (JUMP) STARTING.

With the rains here we are sure going to be seeing a lot of broken down vehicles either due to worn out or broken parts or even dead batteries.

Observe these precautions when using a booster battery to start a vehicle:

a) Before connecting the booster battery make sure the ignition switch is in Off position.
b) Turn off the lights, A/C, heater and other electrical loads.
c) Your eyes should be shielded . Safety goggles are a good idea.
d) Make sure the booster battery is the same voltage as the weak/dead one in the vehicle.
e) The two vehicle MUST NOT TOUCH each other!
f) Make sure the transaxle/transmission is in Neutral (manual) or park (automatic).
g) If the booster battery is not a maintenance-free type, remove the vent caps and lay clothes over the vent holes.

Ways to tell your car is overheating

The first thing to check in a car that is overheating is to perform a visual check. First, look underneath the car for any visible sign of a coolant leak. A light green, yellow, or orange fluid on the floor is a sign of a leak. A leak can occur anywhere around the engine bay. Check the radiator reservoir and make sure that there is enough fluid. Is there is not enough fluid, add fluid until it reach the full mark.

The quickest way to check for coolant is to perform a pressure test. Hook-up the equipment to the radiator and apply pressure. This will help you determine where the leak is coming from. Set pressure to around 16 pound and if the gauge start dropping, the pressure is not holding then there is a leak somewhere. Now here are seven reasons to look for in an overheating car.

1. A bad radiator cap can cause the engine to overheat. A radiator cap should hold pressure according to the cap specification. If the cap is rusty or looks like it is worn, you will have to replace the cap.

2. A failed cooling fan will not help the radiator to dissipate the heat. Coolant flows from the engine water jacket passage to the radiator. The radiator fan helps remove heat from the radiator. If the cooling fan fails to do its job the car will overheat.

What to know before buying a used car

Used cars or 'Tokunbos,' as they are usually called, often come with associated risks. In this report, Okechukwu Nnodim outlines some important tips, which a buyer should look out for in a used car before spending his hard earned money on it.
Buying a used car is more risky than buying a new one, automobile dealers say. A used vehicle may have some hidden faults, may have been poorly maintained by its previous owner or may have been involved in an accident in the past. Automobile engineers therefore, advice the buyer to be careful or seek the assistance of an automobile professional before making a purchase.
Below are some things which you should know before buying a used car, according to experts:

How to change car battery

Automotive batteries don't last forever. If you notice your headlights dimming, or if it's been three to seven years since you got a new battery, or the car needs a jump-start, it might be time for a change. You can take your vehicle to an experienced and trusted auto mechanic, or get the job done yourself. Changing a battery is quick and easy. It can be done with minimal tools.