by: Matthew C. Keegan
Bella Miller skillfully navigated her BMW 735i onto the expressway, dodging a semi that was quickly barreling down on her. Darting over to the left lane she eased up on the accelerator just enough to give herself a little bit of extra room between her car and the Blazer she was now following. Traffic was fairly heavy at this hour of the afternoon, but one kilometer down the road Bella would be able to take the left fork and follow the outer beltway for seven kilometers. Within moments she would be out of rush hour traffic and on her way home.
With the fork fast approaching, Bella turned on her left turn signal and eased her car off of the expressway and onto the ramp leading to the outer beltway. Seeing that traffic was now light, she pressed on the accelerator and immediately felt a bit of hesitation followed by two loud knocks. Perplexed, Bella eased up on the accelerator and moved over to the right hand lane, reduced her speed, before pressing down on the accelerator again. This time, her BMW responded but she could still feel some sense of hesitancy, so she decided to lower her speed the rest of the way home.
Upon entering her driveway, Bella stopped her car and turned off the ignition. Immediately, the engine began to shudder, knock, ping, and shudder again, before making a noise that sounded almost like a sigh, followed by silence. Promptly, Bella grabbed her purse and cell phone and exited the car and ran into her house thinking that it might explode.
What Bella was experiencing was an engine that was in distress. Her BMW?s knock sensor, designed to permit her V8 to run efficiently on lower grade 87 octane gasoline, had failed. This, in turn, was causing her engine to vibrate as the lower grade fuel was not enough power for her car.
Before 1990, many cars did not come equipped with knock sensors. Thus, in order to prevent vibrating, high octane gas would always be a necessity in order for a car to run knock free. Eventually, knock sensors were created that allowed cars -- including Bella?s 735i -- to run on cheaper, low grade gasoline. In addition, the knock sensor had the all important benefit of stopping engine shudder which can ultimately damage a vehicle.
If you are experiencing engine vibration of any type, it could be that your knock sensor has failed. Don?t delay; have your car checked immediately to prevent possible damage. A knock sensor is a fairly cheap to replace part compared to an engine repair which can cost you thousands of dollars.
About The Author
Matthew C. Keegan Copyright 2005 -- Matt Keegan is a contributing writer for Auto Parts Canada: [http://www.autopartsonlinecanada.com], a wholesaler of fine BMW parts and BMW accessories: [http://www.autopartsonlinecanada.com/make/bmw.html] for your BMW car or SUV.
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Dogs And Kids In Hot Cars
Dogs And Kids In Hot Cars
by: jessica mercier
On a 78-degree day, the temperature inside a shaded car is 90 degrees, while the inside of a car parked in the sun can reach 160 degrees in minutes.
Heatstroke can kill your pet or your child in a very short time!
Please, please do not ever leave your dog or child in a parked car in the summertime or when the temperatures are warm.
If you see a dog or child in a hot car, take down the plate number, make and model of the car and see if the owner can be paged.
Call local authorities such as the police to see if they will free the dog or child by opening the car door.
In many jurisdictions, this is regarded as cruelty to animals and is punishable by law.
In the case of a child it is certainly neglect and is punishable.
Please think, it only takes but a minute to go in a store but worse, it only takes but a few minutes for your best pal or your son...
Car > Dogs And Kids In Hot Cars
Renault Eyes Purchasing Saab
Renault Eyes Purchasing Saab
by: Matthew C. Keegan
With the misfortunes of America?s two largest automakers being trumpeted frequently on the news, it seems as if little attention is being paid to some of the other automakers out there. France?s Renault, once in poor shape itself, has rebounded nicely and is prospering with its relationship with Nissan, a company it has controlling interest in. Speculation is that Renault wants a greater piece of the luxury car market, even beyond Nissan?s luxury division, Infiniti. Would General Motors consider selling Saab to Renault or would the French automaker be better off looking elsewhere? Let?s take a look at some options for Renault.
Make a bid for Saab. It is no secret that the Swedish automaker hasn?t been much of a hit for General Motors. Unlike the other Swedish automaker Volvo, itself owned by Ford, Saab has produced little benefit for GM since being brought into the fold in 1990. A clash in management...
Renault Eyes Purchasing Saab
Car > Renault Eyes Purchasing Saab
Dogs And Kids In Hot Cars
Dogs And Kids In Hot Cars
by: jessica mercier
On a 78-degree day, the temperature inside a shaded car is 90 degrees, while the inside of a car parked in the sun can reach 160 degrees in minutes.
Heatstroke can kill your pet or your child in a very short time!
Please, please do not ever leave your dog or child in a parked car in the summertime or when the temperatures are warm.
If you see a dog or child in a hot car, take down the plate number, make and model of the car and see if the owner can be paged.
Call local authorities such as the police to see if they will free the dog or child by opening the car door.
In many jurisdictions, this is regarded as cruelty to animals and is punishable by law.
In the case of a child it is certainly neglect and is punishable.
Please think, it only takes but a minute to go in a store but worse, it only takes but a few minutes for your best pal or your son...
Car > Dogs And Kids In Hot Cars
How To Get An Auto Loan With Bad Credit?
How To Get An Auto Loan With Bad Credit?
by: Dean Shainin
You have found the car of your dreams, but you know your credit is not the greatest. You ask yourself, ?How can I get an auto loan with bad credit??
You are not alone. Thousands of people ask the same question everyday. Just because you have bad credit, does not mean you can not buy that car of your dreams. When considering bad credit auto loans, you can save yourself thousands of dollars when you know about the options available to you.
You can get all the resources you need to compare auto loans with competitors trying to earn your business online. Now you can shop online from the comfort of your home. An auto loan online can save you the hassle of many long hours waiting at a car dealership for an approval.
5 Ideas To Help Get A Bad Credit Auto Loan
1. The first step is to find out what your credit situation really looks like. With a credit score, also known as a ...
How To Get An Auto Loan With Bad Credit?
Car > How To Get An Auto Loan With Bad Credit?
You Can Protect Your Car From Mother Nature
You Can Protect Your Car From Mother Nature
by: Matthew C. Keegan
Mother Nature has it out for you?your car, that is. The moment you bring your vehicle home from the dealership, the assault has begun. Sun, rain, snow, hail, dust, birds, debris, pollution, and a host of other elements and items can doom your ?new car? look in no time. What can you do? Fight back, that?s how. Let?s take a look at some smart ways you can protect your vehicle?s finish and keep it from looking old before its time.
Wash and wax. Okay, so you don?t have a hose handy. If you go to the car wash, make sure that it is brushless, otherwise the circular marks on your finish will certainly do a number on your car?s appearance in no time. As far as waxing your vehicle, polishes made by popular brands including Turtle Wax
should do the trick. Yes, I know, a friend recommended a particular brand that can give your car a look that is better than new. Go ahead and use...
Car > You Can Protect Your Car From Mother Nature
Ten Tips On How To Get The Best Deal On Car Insurance
Ten Tips On How To Get The Best Deal On Car Insurance
by: Joseph Ducat
With the high cost of gasoline nowadays, most new drivers think twice of getting car insurance.
Driving without any car insurance is a very big risk. Most drivers might think that car insurance is way too expensive, but in the long run it may save you a lot of money.
Take for instance this example, if you are in a car accident it may cost you thrice the amount you might have paid for a car insurance to cover for hospitalization and for buying yet another car. Plus without car insurance you will be paying police fines as well as paying for suspended licenses.
A total of 47 states require some kind of insurance for your car. It would be wise to know the basic law covering car insurance. Here are ten tips you can refer to on how you can get the best deal on car insurance.
1. Know the different types of car insurance policy
The first thing...
Ten Tips On How To Get The Best Deal On Car Insurance
Car > Ten Tips On How To Get The Best Deal On Car Insurance
Chemically Improving Your Gas Mileage In Your Car
Chemically Improving Your Gas Mileage In Your Car
by: David Maillie
What if you could actually improve your gas mileage significantly (5-20%)? Not have to alter your driving habits? Not have to install any extra questionable parts on your car? What if it were as easy to do as 1-2-3?
Well, it is.
For years Big Oil has offered three or so different grades of gas octane 87 regular, 89-90 premium and 91-94 super.These grades are actually based upon a 100 octane scale where the cleanest burning, most ideal fuel was propane (clean burn fuel). But the scale never took into account arromatic petrol compounds and derivatives which can actually surpass the 100 octane mark, some as high as 115-130 octane.
So the object here is to get the engine running the cleanest burning fuel possible, leave less soot and deposits in the combustion chamber and on the valves, clean the injection system, or in older cars the carburetor, not hurt emmisions systems,...
Chemically Improving Your Gas Mileage In Your Car
Car > Chemically Improving Your Gas Mileage In Your Car
How To Get An Auto Loan With Bad Credit?
How To Get An Auto Loan With Bad Credit?
by: Dean Shainin
You have found the car of your dreams, but you know your credit is not the greatest. You ask yourself, ?How can I get an auto loan with bad credit??
You are not alone. Thousands of people ask the same question everyday. Just because you have bad credit, does not mean you can not buy that car of your dreams. When considering bad credit auto loans, you can save yourself thousands of dollars when you know about the options available to you.
You can get all the resources you need to compare auto loans with competitors trying to earn your business online. Now you can shop online from the comfort of your home. An auto loan online can save you the hassle of many long hours waiting at a car dealership for an approval.
5 Ideas To Help Get A Bad Credit Auto Loan
1. The first step is to find out what your credit situation really looks like. With a credit score, also known as a ...
How To Get An Auto Loan With Bad Credit?
Car > How To Get An Auto Loan With Bad Credit?