Car Owners: It is Important To Rotate Your Tires Regularly

After I bought my first car, I have to admit that I never knew the importance of tire rotation. I learned my lesson the hard way when the tread of my front tires wore down very quickly, while my back tires were still in great shape. I thought that the traction of the back two would make up for the front two. I learned I was very wrong one day when I slammed on my breaks while driving in the rain. I rear-ended the vehicle in front of me. Thankfully, no one was injured. However, I learned that if I had rotated my tires regularly, I could have avoided that accident. I know there are many new car owners who don't know much about cars, which have since became a passion of mine, so I decided to create a blog to share all my tips to help others!

Diesel Engine Issues 101: Smoke Problems Explained

Automotive Blog

If you are going for a motor that will provide you with longevity and power, there is no question that diesel engines are the way to go. With higher horsepower capabilities, higher fuel efficiency ratings, and an overall higher performance rating, a vehicle with a diesel engine is a logical choice for drivers who want a little more. Even though your vehicle with a diesel engine is bound to be a satisfying choice, after many years of use, you may occasionally start to see signs of problems. Sometimes, these problems will initially show up as smoke. Here is a detailed breakdown of the different smoke types that could become an issue with your dated diesel engine. 

Black smoke is radiating from the exhaust. 

Black smoke is more common than other types of smoke when it comes to diesel exhaust; however, black smoke should still be taken seriously because it is not normal. Black or even deep grey smoke can mean that your engine is not getting enough air in the fuel mixture. This can compromise fuel efficiency of your vehicle and is usually caused by something simple, like a clogged air filter or a bad EGR valve. 

Your vehicle's exhaust is emitting what looks like blue smoke. 

Of all of the diesel smoke issues that can come up, blue smoke will likely be the one that causes the most alarm--or at least it should. If you have bluish-grey smoke in your exhaust emissions, it is highly likely that your diesel engine is burning far too much oil when in operation. Blue smoke can be cause by a host of problems, from leaky valve seals to faulty lifters. Therefore, blue smoke should always be an indication that you need professional attention and you need it immediately. 

Billowy clouds of white smoke are becoming an issue with your exhaust. 

Some people make the wrong assumption that having a diesel engine is just naturally going to come along with extra smoke. However, this is actually not the truth unless the engine is not running as it should. White smoke signifies that the fuel in your vehicle's injection chambers is being improperly burned. In some cases, this will be due to a delay in the amount of time it takes for the fuel to reach the injectors, which means that the fuel is not igniting at the appropriate time. Therefore, if you are experiencing a large amount of white smoke, it is always best to get in touch with a diesel mechanic for advice. Contact an auto repair shop, such as Bethel Automotive, for more information.   

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15 February 2016