Tightening bolts and nuts
Prepare the tool, put the car on the viewing hole. Get down under the body, make an external inspection and make sure that:
- all connections of the brake hydraulic system are dry,
- no smudges on the back of the wheels,
- brake hoses are not twisted,
- all castellated nuts of the steering rod joints are cottered,
- rubber boots for constant velocity joints (there are four) are not torn and the clamps securely fasten them,
- the rubber covers of the ball bearings of the suspension are not torn,
- hole plugs available.
Tighten all bolts:
- rear suspension,
- exhaust systems,
- neutralizer protective screen, if any,
- gearboxes,
- front suspension,
- remove the engine mudguard and tighten the crankcase bolts carefully.
At the top you need to do the following:
- raise the car on a jack, check if there is any play in the wheel bearings,
- remove the front wheels and check the brake mechanisms, tighten the bolts,
- remove the rear wheels and check the rear brakes.
In the engine compartment:
- check the level of all fluids and oils and top up if necessary,
- check the tightness of the steering column and engine bolts,
- check the tightening of the clamps of the cooling system and it is better to replace them with worm gears,
- lubricate door hinges and locks.
After all these operations, you can safely drive until the first maintenance.
Security alarm to sleep peacefully
To find the car where you left it, security alarms will help you.
Guards can be classified as follows:
- locks blocking the controls and opening the engine hood,
- devices that prevent starting the engine,
- electronic devices that include sound alarms,
- devices that make it difficult to remove its individual units from the car.
Consider the purpose of each of them.
The lock on the pedal, on the gearbox, on the steering wheel shaft or on the steering wheel itself virtually eliminates theft, but only when the car is in sight.
To do this, the following mechanical means of protection against theft are installed:
- gearbox lock DEFEND-LOCK. This American metal lock above the console type is installed on the gear lever, and the under console, almost imperceptible, is installed on the gear rod, and provides reliable protection for your car;
- steering shaft locks «Guarantee». Domestic anti-theft lock «Guarantee» blocks the steering «dozens», it is installed on the bottom of the steering shaft, in the area between the brake pedal and the steering bracket. The inserted stopper with a cone-shaped part rests against the steering bracket on one side and on the brake pedal on the other. Reliability of protection is ensured by several points incorporated in the design at once, tests have confirmed its great resistance to burglary.
They have reliable protection and high secrecy.
On «top ten» the hood opens quite easily, and more reliable protection of your «friend» it will be if you install engine hood protection along with electronic protection. The American electromechanical device blocking the engine hood HOOD LOCK excludes the possibility of access to the engine compartment and thus makes it difficult to steal a car.
It makes sense to put a lock on the hood even if there is an electronic alarm. Trying to turn off the siren under a closed hood will already be much more difficult.
Currently, there are a lot of different electronic security devices from not very expensive to very expensive. Typically, such alarms are equipped with both a volumetric sensor and an impact sensor. Many more service functions are added to the alarm.
One of the reliable and not very expensive systems is the ALLIGATOR LX-440 electronic car security system with remote control. The standard features of the system are as follows:
- 2 two-button programmable transmitters and the possibility of installing 4 such transmitters;
- two-channel receiver;
- dynamic code using the Keeloq microprocessor;
- programmable personal code for shutting down the system;
- pushbutton switch Valet with the following functions:
A) turns the service mode on and off,
b) turns off the system in case of loss or inoperability of the radio transmitter,
V) disables the Anti-Hijack mode;
- LED indicator with 7 modes;
- 6-tone siren;
- built-in relay control marker lights;
- remote control door locks (additional relays required);
- starter lock (additional relay required);
- 2-level shock sensor with detachable connection;
- warning mode;
- output of the second channel for controlling the trunk lock or additional devices;
- negative and positive door trigger inputs;
- hood/trunk negative trigger input;
- remote mode «Panic»;
- limited operating time of the alarm mode;
- disabling the alarm mode in 2 stages;
- advanced Anti-Hijack mode;
- powering the system through alternative networks when the main power is turned off;
- sound and light confirmation signals when arming/disarming the system;
- warning about previous system trips;
- memory for the last 2 triggers of the system with indication of the zone/trigger;
- quick deactivation of the passive arming function;
- automatic re-arming of the system;
- silent arming and disarming of the system;
- arming the system with the sensor turned off;
- instant activation of the siren when the system is triggered;
- the inability to turn on the security mode when the ignition is on.
The programmable functions of the system are as follows:
- passive arming;
- passive arming with door locking;
- long-term shutdown of siren confirmation signals;
- system shutdown mode (using the Valet switch or using a personal code);
- temporary deactivation of the warning zone of the sensor after 5 operations;
- automatic door locking when the ignition is switched on;
- automatic unlocking of doors when the ignition is turned off;
- function of operation at voltage drop;
- activation of the Anti-Hijack mode using the 3rd channel of the transmitter;
- door lock control pulse duration: 1 or 3.5 seconds.
A number of system functions described above are subject to change (reprogrammed) when installing the system at the request of the owner. Such functions are programmed only by qualified installers, as they are used depending on the type of vehicle; these functions must not be changed later, as this may cause a failure of the entire system.
The device that makes it difficult to remove composite wheels from the car includes a wheel lock and secret bolts for fastening the wheels.
There are many ways to protect your car: there is an opportunity - install all four varieties, no - install at least one so that your soul does not really hurt when you leave your car «friend».
We protect the body and wings
It is desirable to protect the body when buying, we have already said about this. Often many people have a question - is it necessary to carry out anti-corrosion protection or not? The plant guarantees bottom protection for 5 years, «ten» has more than 50% galvanized parts. But experience tells me that this must be done. For those who are going to travel for a long time - you need to do it for yourself, and those who are going to sell their «friend» after a couple of years, a protected body is always valued more. Almost any body has places where, when assembled on a conveyor, they are not processed and must be protected. The action of dirt, moisture, snow and especially salt, and just time, unprotected metal ages.
There are two types of protection - passive and active. Passive isolates the metal surface from atmospheric action. Passive ones include mastics that protect the bottom, fenders and shock absorber niches. Mastic is applied to the cleaned dry surface in a thick layer. This must be done before the start of active driving. It is not necessary to apply on a dirty surface and even harmful.
Mastics retain their properties at low temperatures, have high abrasion resistance and provide long-term protection; ease of application is achieved by optimal physical parameters of the material. Currently, there is a very large selection of domestically produced mastics in stores, developed on the basis of the latest scientific discoveries of Russian and foreign scientists in the field of corrosion control *
Domestic mastics include:
- «NOVA Grif» — wax-based preparation with bituminous components, corrosion inhibitors to protect the bottom of the car from the effects of sand, water, gravel and salt;
- «NOVA-Gold» - a new generation drug with a metallized filler. Due to the introduction of the filler, the water resistance of the film is significantly increased, the internal stress of the coating is reduced, and the mastic does not crack over time. This leads to an increase in the reliability of the anti-corrosion protection of the bottom;
- «NOVA-Plus A» - also a mastic of a new generation. It is a mixture of modified paraffinic polymers in a non-toxic solvent. It provides more durable protection of metal surfaces with traces of corrosion. Neutral corrosion modifiers prevent the development of corrosion processes;
- «NOVA-Bizink» - supernova domestic mastic. It is a combined action zinc-rich anti-corrosion mastic that provides durable underbody protection with traces of rust and completely rusty. It contains zinc-containing ingredients - 3rd generation inhibitors, neutral corrosion modifiers and the latest technology products.
Mastics made according to Dutch technology and from Dutch materials have also proven themselves well. This «Tectyl standard», «Tectyl-antigravel».
Active protection transforms the metal surface, making it resistant to oxygen, moisture and dissolved salt. The active preparations for protecting the body from corrosion include the preparation «Movil-Antikor». It got its name from two cities, Moscow and Vilnius, which housed the enterprises that took part in the development of this drug.
«Movil-Antikor» - the ideal means checked by time for protection of the following internal cavities:
- trunk lid;
- inner surfaces of the rear wing;
- engine compartment;
- door flanges;
- door tin strips;
- door sills;
- hidden cavities on the bottom.
This preparation has good penetrating power between spot welding and other metal surfaces. Remember: «Movil-Antikor» not applied to rubber and synthetic surfaces, it destroys them.
Other active protection products developed using new technologies include the following domestic materials:
- «NOVA-Real» - composition for the treatment of hidden cavities of the car. The basis of the drug is modified paraffin with corrosion inhibitors. Specially designed for Russian operating conditions. It has excellent moisture-displacing properties, excellent adhesion, is not subject to aging and remains plastic even at low temperatures. Application technology provides high quality processing without drilling additional holes in the car body. The composition does not have a pungent odor, it is practically colorless and does not pollute the car;
- «NOVA-Fly» - the basis of the mastic is made up of special components based on petroleum products in a non-toxic solvent. It has a high penetrating power;
- «NOVA-Plus ML» - the basis of the mastic is a mixture of modified paraffin polymers in a non-toxic solvent. Contains highly effective corrosion modifiers and crevice corrosion inhibitors;
- «NOVA-Bizink» - combined action mastic, provides durable protection of both the bottom and other metal surfaces with traces of rust.
The preparations for active protection of the hidden cavities of the car include materials such as «Tectyl-bronze» and «Tectyl-zinc», made by Dutch technology.
Foreign medicines include:
- WAXOL - from Switzerland,
- SOUDAL - from Belgium,
- DINITROL is from Sweden.
Self-treatment of the body is usually resorted to by those who work to protect their «friend» - a private matter, who does not trust it to others. But of no small importance to many is that it will cost them five times less, or even more. But when there is money, but there is no time, there are many companies that will put the body in order.
If you process the bottom of the wings and the body in the area of the wheels only with mastic, then it can last about 2-3 years. Under the influence of sand, gravel, salt, it collapses. Therefore, after processing the body and wings, it is imperative to install bowl-shaped fenders made of fiberglass or other materials. Highly polyurethane composite is considered the best material for fender liner. In addition to resistance to salt and sand, it also has impact strength. It repeats the configuration of the wing and protects the car body very well. Some companies produce fender liners with a mudguard, this is very good, but if you bought without a mudguard, then make it yourself. The rules prohibit the operation of a car without mudguards.
If your car will have fenders, then such a car will be valued more. Each brand of car has its own wheel arch liners, and of course, they are not interchangeable. At present, the production of such wheel arch liners has begun and for «dozen». There are a lot of companies that produce fender liner, both imported and domestic. Of the domestic firms that produce fender liner, St. Petersburg firms and NOVA protective fender liner are considered quite good «NOVA-Plast». They have the perfect geometry for «dozens», elastic and wear-resistant.
Due to the unfavorable environmental situation, especially in the industrial regions of the country, there are cases of aggressive effects of individual components from the environment on the protective decorative coating of the car. These effects are manifested in the form of a red rash, local discoloration of the outer paintwork, local destruction of the enamel coating of the body. The reason for the appearance of a rash is the deposition on the surface of the body of the smallest particles of metal dust, which is glued to the body by corrosion products, especially when moistened with dew.
You can also protect the paintwork with mastics. They form an invisible wear-resistant film that protects the paint from these adverse environmental factors. These mastics also prevent paint discoloration.
The choice of mastics is large, you can offer domestic mastic «NOVA-Profi».
Dimming windows and rear lights
The glazing of the car interior is very important for safe driving. Its technical purpose is to protect passengers and the driver from the effects of precipitation, cold or heat. In addition, glazing is an element of the active safety of the car and an element of passive safety.
Active safety is the properties of vehicle components that reduce the occurrence of an accident. Vehicle glazing refers to the operational properties of active safety. It is important that the glazing and associated wipers provide you with a view in the vertical and horizontal planes and have sufficient transparency.
Under passive safety understand the ability of the car to reduce the consequences of an accident. In this case, glazing as a safety element can contribute to injuries in an accident.
Recently, it has become fashionable to dim not only glasses, but also headlights. Let's look at how this affects car safety and how to choose the right dimming methods.
The international and domestic standard for the light transmission of glasses defines: for the windshield at least 75%, and for the side and rear 70%, there are standards for both visibility and passive safety.
Glass dimming can be done in two ways: tinting with a film and replacing regular glass with colored glass.
The advantage of the first method: the ability to quickly install and replace, as well as the creation of a large range of colors. The disadvantages of this method include: it is easily subjected to mechanical stress, the light transmission changes depending on exposure to sunlight. Both the first and second drawbacks lead to a decrease in the transmission of the light flux.
When glass is tinted with the American Sfolar Card film, the glass acquires the properties of a triplex, i.e. it becomes shatterproof. Glass tinting in accordance with the requirements of the standard improves the appearance of the car. The film protects the upholstery of the seats and the interior from fading, while maintaining virtually visibility from the inside, creates the effect of one-way visibility, not allowing you to distinguish the interior of the car from the outside. The film has a special coating that makes it resistant to scratches and does not transmit ultraviolet rays.
The advantages of installing tinted glass: resistance to mechanical and atmospheric influences, low light loss coefficient and reduced transmission of ultraviolet radiation. Disadvantages: installation complexity, a very small range of colors and a rather high cost. You have to pay for comfort and quality.
One common disadvantage of darkening windows is not yet subject to scientific examination, but it is quite obvious. The vehicle following a car with tinted windows loses information content, there is no information about the situation ahead through the tinted windows of this car.
Dimming the car's rear lights also impairs the car's active safety. The external light signaling system is designed to transmit information about the position of the car to other road users, about the maneuvers of this car and its condition. Information is transmitted by external light signals, contributes to the correct prediction of subsequent maneuvers by traffic participants. To external light signaling (i.e. rear lights) the following requirements apply:
- ensuring reliable perception of transmitted information;
- ensuring safe perception of signals with a minimum perception time, especially in the traffic stream;
- the condition for the visibility of the signal is to ensure the value of the contrast of the signal with the background surrounding it, i.e. a black background and a red light do not provide contrast;
- the possibility of visibility of the signal in the absence of voltage in the network at any time of the day, i.e. normal lights have reflective elements and at night - when they are illuminated, they provide information about the presence of the vehicle.
Naturally, darkened lamps do not fulfill any of the requirements for light signaling. This significantly impairs the active safety of the car, especially at night. Therefore, do not adopt bad fashion, do not dim the rear lights.
The desire to improve your car, equip it with additional equipment, increase efficiency and comfort, and so on is a natural human desire.