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Original equipment manufacturer car parts are identical to the parts installed in cars at the time theyre built. OEM is a term used when erring to these types of car parts.

Description

Most automobile makers do not manufacture the car parts used in the production of the vehicles they build. Hired manufacturing companies are used for this purpose.

Process

The OEM company builds the parts and puts them in boxes with the car manufacturers name on them. Customers may theore believe they are buying a part directly built by the car manufacturer.

Features

After a specified period of time, varying by manufacturer, the car parts manufactured by OEMs no longer are placed in boxes with the car manufacturers name. At this time, the parts are placed in boxes with only the OEM companys name on it. The parts are identical, but cost less because the brand name is no longer on the package.

MAP is an acronym for manifold absolute pressure. A MAP sensor is an electronic control that works in conjunction with the intake manifold, a system of tubes and chambers that carry a mixture of air and fuel to the intake valves.

Function

A MAP sensor measures the pressure of the air channeled to the carburetor before it passes through the intake manifold. The signal that the MAP sensor emits changes in accordance to the pressure it detects.

Signals and Changes

The MAP sensors signals helps the engine control module determine what changes need to be made in the fuel mixture. these changes include how much fuel is injected and when cylinders are ignited.

Importance of Readings

Without accurate readings from the MAP sensor the proper air-fuel mixture is not maintained. This has a direct effect on the performance of the engine.

Faulty MAP Sensors

If the MAP sensor malfunctions, the "Check Engine" light should come on, although it may not stay lit. Engine performance will be drastically reduced. One common performance issue is hesitation when attempting to accelerate. This is a result of the loss of horsepower that is characteristic of a vehicle has a bad MAP sensor.

Bad MAP sensors also contribute to an increase of auto emissions.

The catalytic converter is part of an automobiles exhaust system. Its function is to convert carbon monoxide and other organic compounds into less environmentally harmful emissions, such as carbon dioxide and water. The catalytic converter helps reduce automotive pollutants and toxic emissions.

History

In the late 1960s, California and other states began requiring the automotive industry to reduce the level of emissions released by cars and trucks. By 1975, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and federal government established stringent regulations for the reduction of emissions. As a result, automotive engineers designed and developed an external converter through which gases would pass and be altered to less harmful products. Today nearly all internal combustion engine vehicles use catalytic converters.

Defining a Catalyst

A catalyst is a substance that allows a chemical reaction to occur at a faster rate or different temperature than it would under normal conditions. In a cars catalytic converter, the surface of the converter (part of the exhaust system) is coated with platinum or rhodium which serves as the catalyst in combination with high heat.

What Happens

Automotive exhaust, which is produced by the internal combustion engine, is a combination of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, organic compounds and water vapor. As the exhaust passes through the catalytic converter, it undergoes a chemical reaction when it comes into contact with the catalyst. The catalyst separates the nitrogen atoms from the oxygen and alters the other organic compounds. The gases are modified into less harmful byproducts and released into the environment.

Location

While the exact location varies by make and model of vehicle, the catalytic converter is mounted with the exhaust system. Typically, it is placed near the vehicles engine between the exhaust manifold and the exhaust pipes where fumes can pass through it before being released into the environment. Heat plates separate the catalytic converter from the exhaust manifold, protecting the vehicles engine from high heat.

Struts are designed to maintain a cars balance on the road, especially when driving over rough or uneven surfaces. A car typically has front and rear struts.

Current Prices of Rear Struts

As of 2010, the price of rear struts for most vehicles ranges between $100 to $700. For luxury cars, prices can even exceed $1,000. Price ultimately depends on the make and model of your vehicle.

Extra Costs

In addition to the price of the struts, you will probably pay labor costs for their installation. Those charges vary.

Price Stability

The price of rear struts has remained stable over the last few years.

"Transmission slip" is a term used to describe a transmission that is not operating properly. A slipping transmission adds stress to the transmission and other drive-train components and if not promptly repaired can cause serious problems.

Definition

A slipping transmission is a transmission that is slow to respond when put into gear or when shifting gears. When the transmission slips, the engine often revs quickly as if the car had been put into neutral, but the car does not accelerate.

Causes

The most common cause of a slipping transmission is low transmission fluid due to a leak. As the fluid level falls, there is not enough transmission fluid to properly operate the transmission. Transmission fluid breakdown and wear of the transmission gears may also cause the transmission to slip.

Repair

When a transmission slip is noticed, a car owner should check the transmission fluid level and add fluid if the level is low. If the transmission fluid is not low and the car is due for a transmission fluid change, the car owner should change the fluid. If the transmission continues to slip, the car owner should consult with a trusted transmission repair shop.

Engines transform air/fuel mixtures into combustion, creating horsepower. Engine combustion creates exhaust gasses that must be expelled from the combustion chamber in order to keep the air/fuel mixture clean. Intake systems improve combustion, while exhaust systems relieve an engine of waste gasses.

Air Intake Components & Function

Combustion is a mixture of fuel and air. While engines inject fuel drawn from a fuel tank, the air is pulled from outside through the intake system. Air is drawn through an intake tube and into a filter-protected air box. From there the air is driven into the combustion chamber.

Exhaust System Components & Function

Exhaust gasses exit the combustion chamber through an exhaust manifold that is secured to the engines cylinder heads. Exhaust then travels through a front pipe and into a catalytic converter, which filters harmful chemicals such as carbon monoxide. The cleaner exhaust finally travels through the muffler and out the tailpipe.

Performance Benefits

Upgrading intake and the exhaust system benefits engine-based performance. Aftermarket exhaust systems are designed to optimize exhaust flow and velocity while reducing back-pressure. This is accomplished through a change in piping diameter. An upgraded intake pulls increased air more directly through the filter. Both upgrades improve horsepower and fuel efficiency while increasing engine sound.

A mechanical relay is actually only half mechanical, with the second half being electrical. A relay is a switch that uses a low-current power supply to control a high-current power supply. Relays are often used in automotive applications to control headlights, fuel pumps, starters and electric cooling fans, as these devices require a much higher current than a normal switch would be able to sustain under long term use without failing. Your relays will often be located within the engine or passenger compartment fuse box and occasionally behind the dash or center console.

Relay Design

Most relays have either four or five terminals, depending on their design and purpose. Four terminal relays control a single circuit and five terminal relays can control two circuits; In this scenario, one circuit is always closed and one circuit is always open. Relays will vary in color, but commonly resemble a small cube or rectangle depending on application and use. If a relay looks similar, they are likely interchangeable, but you must verify the terminal numbers on the backside of the replacement relay, using the diagram on the side of the relay, match that of the original relay.

The Need for Relays

The need for relays rose when normal switches could no longer sustain the high amperage required by a vehicles headlights and electric starters. In order for a switch to withstand high amperage feeds, it has to be built a certain way which normally leads to the switch being too big and unstylish. When the amperage of a circuit, or the draw of the components attached to the circuit exceed the rating of a switch, it creates heat that normally leads to a melt down and failure of the switch.

How They Work

Your relay houses an electromagnet connected to the low current or control, circuit. A high current circuit runs through the opposite end of the relay. This circuit is normally open, meaning that the circuit is not complete, until the relay is activated. When the electromagnet is energized, an arm is pulled down to close the connection between the high current circuit. However, five-prong relays will always have power going to one circuit (the fifth terminal), until you complete the control circuit which will transfer the same current to the normally open circuit.

Relay failure

Relays, like all other mechanical and electric components, will fail from time to time and need replacement. Common belief is that something without many moving parts is less likely to fail; however, relays can easily fail if the electromagnet -- the relays weakest point -- overheats and melts. Overheating is normally kept under control through a fuse placed in-line before the relay. The fuse will blow and prevent as much damage as possible if too high of a current draw travels to the relay. Replacing the recommended fuse with a fuse with a higher amperage fuse, can result in overheating the relay. Relays also fail as they wear and dirt collects on the high-current contact inside the relay. After excessive use or long periods of high current travel, the contact on the end of the high-current arm can wear down and cause an intermittent connection. Intermittent connections can also occur, if the relay casing has become damaged, allowing dirt to build up on the contact.

Gauges on the instrument panel of your vehicle serve as safety indicators for speed, fuel and engine malfunction. The first padded instrument panel was introduced in 1956 as part of a safety campaign by Robert McNamara. Fast forward to the 2000s and all symbols on the instrument panel flash briefly upon starting, but a light that is constantly on or flashing needs immediate attention.

Electronic Throttle Control Warning Light

According to the Dodge Charger owners manual, the lightning bolt symbol on a Dodge Charger is the indicator for the electronic throttle control. The electronic throttle control regulates engine idle speed, traction control and cruise.

Warning Indicator Solid Light

If the lightning bolt on the instrument panel lights up and stays lit when the engine is running, stop the vehicle as soon as possible. The vehicle will be drivable, but see an authorized dealer without delay.

Warning Indicator Flashing Light

If the electronic throttle control light is on solid, completely stop the vehicle and put it in park. The warning light should turn off by cycling the ignition key. If the light comes on again and flashes when the engine is running, the car should be immediately serviced. The engine could stall or have a very rough idle and may need to be towed.

Vehicle sensors communicate engine performance information to a cars on board computer. This information can take the form of a diagnostic trouble code, or DTC, like the code described as "Lack of HO2S21 Switch-Adaptive Fuel at Limit."

Identification

The HO2S21 code, also referred to as P1130, is specific to Ford Motor Companys computer codes. It references the failure of heated oxygen sensors, numbered one and two, within the vehicles emissions system.

Meaning of Failure Code

The P1130 trouble code occurs once the heated oxygen sensor, or sensors, fails to switch between reports of a rich or lean oxygen amount vented from the engines combustion chamber. This code points to either a problem with the sensors themselves or a malfunction within the emissions system.

Considerations

The sensors electrical supply may be compromised by water damage to the sensors harness, or a failure of the entire sensor.

A Ford factory warranty guarantees repair and/or replacement of specific systems and components of a vehicle, within the limitations outlined in the warranty plan. To receive the full benefit of the coverage, owners must have all scheduled maintenance performed on their vehicle. Failure to adhere to the maintenance schedule may result in voiding the warranty coverage.

Function

Only an authorized Ford dealership may make the repairs. The dealership may use Ford or Motorcraft parts. In addition, Ford technicians may install remanufactured components or other parts as instructed by Ford or the dealership management. According to the warranty language, the vehicle owner must allow the dealership a "reasonable" period to make necessary repairs.

Considerations

Keep invoices for receipts for parts and repairs, and make sure to record work performed on the vehicle in the Scheduled Maintenance Guide. Vehicle owners do not have to pay for repairs covered under the factory warranty over the life of the warranty period unless specifically stated in writing. Some states have regulations that may override certain provisions of the warranty, such as the coverage period or the payment of taxes, which becomes the owners responsibility.

Types

The Ford factory warranty covers bumper to bumper, powertrain, safety restraints, corrosion and powerstroke diesel engines. The components covered include engine components and the transmission. The warranty replaces tires on a "prorated basis up to 36,000 miles.

Time Frame

The factory warranty covers warranted repairs based on the number of years or the number of miles on the vehicle, whichever comes first. For instance, the bumper-to-bumper coverage has a three-year/36,000 miles warranty. The powertrain and safety restraints have coverage for five years/60,000 miles, depending on what is reached first. Some vehicle corrosion has five years/unlimited miles and the powerstroke diesel engine (6.0 or 6.4-liter) has five years/100,000 miles.