How to Avoid Leaks in Your Honda's Radiator

For every vehicle that uses combustion engines, this component plays a vital role in keeping the automobile running smoothly. The coolant absorbs the heat from the hot engine, which is passed to this component that uses an electrical or belt driven fan to cool it down. The cooled off coolant is then returned to the engine block. Therefore, a radiator is the heat exchanging system and comprises several folds and various chambers to increase the surface to benefit the effective cooling of the complete system.
The most important cause of leakages from this automobile component is aging and therefore, requires to be repaired immediately. Some of the obvious indications of leakages are lower levels of the coolant and overheating of the engine. If you do not repair the leaking, you will eventually smell burnt coolant from under the vehicle's hood. Moreover, you will find the anti-freezing coolant dripping in to a small puddle beneath your car.
In case you are not able to find the leakages with a simple inspection, you will need to remove the radiator. A pressure test kit is used to fill the specified quantity of air into the part depending on the amount specified near the cap. You must then submerge the component in a tank of water to find the areas from where air bubbles escape. Commonly, bubbles arise from those parts that are leaking and need to be repaired immediately.
To repair smaller leakages, you can pour the leaks additive inside this automotive part by following the instructions provided by the product manufacturer. However, if the vehicle is old, the radiator may be produced with brass and copper and will require a soldering iron to close the leakage. For newer vehicles that use aluminum radiators, it is recommended to use an epoxy gun to seal the leaking areas. After you have repaired the leaks, it is advisable to refill the cooling system with a high quality coolant.
An excellent method to stop the leaking temporarily is to use one or two eggs. The eggs become cooked due to the heated water contained inside the radiator. The pressure will generally result in forcing the cooked eggs inside this vehicle component and curtail the leakage. Many people use black pepper to temporarily fix the leaking. The pepper flows inside the pinhole and will become as hard as a rock and stop the leaking. In case, you are unable to find black pepper, you can use alternatives, such as cornmeal, paprika, and mustard powder. In the event that only one of the hoses is ruptured, you can use duct tape to seal the leaking temporarily until you are able to find a replacement for the defective hose.
When repairing such kinds of leakages in this important automotive component, it is recommended you let the car cool down completely. Overheated parts are known to be very dangerous and there are several instances where people have been seriously injured or have died while opening the caps of a hot radiator. When repairing the leakages in this automobile part, experts advise to keep a close watch on the water level.
Most experts advise vehicle owners to have a basic knowledge on the location and functions of these important vehicle components. This intelligence is very important to enable you to fix up the leakages in a short period of time. Many people are not aware of the above-mentioned temporary techniques to seal the leakages. However, the best method to stop this problem is to use a high quality sealant that is specially manufactured to enable vehicle owners to overcome such problems. The type of sealant used will depend on the model of your vehicle and on the material used to manufacture this automobile part.
All the above-mentioned tips and tricks are beneficial in overcoming leakages in the vehicle's radiator. However, experts advise vehicle owners to take care of their vehicles to increase their useful life and reduce the repair costs. Therefore, getting your vehicle inspected regularly is advisable to prevent leaks in your car's radiator and to avoid any other major problems associated with other components of the vehicles. Checking the coolant level at periodic intervals is advisable because insufficient amount of coolant increase the probability of damaging the automobile components.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7167963

Civic Named Among Best Cars for Teens by AAA

According to John Nielsen, director of Automotive Engineering for AAA: “Teen drivers see their first vehicle as a step toward independence; parents and teens seeing eye-to-eye on the best vehicle can be tough. Safety behind the wheel should be a priority. Finding a reliable vehicle that has top safety features and fits into the budget will make you and your teen’s vehicle ownership more enjoyable.”And that’s especially the case if said vehicle is a Honda Civic, recently chosen by AAA as one of this year’s best cars for teens. The Civic was called a “perennial and parental favorite” by AAA and also was lauded for its handling, maneuverability, fuel efficiency—the Civic HF can attain 41 mpg on the highway—and a robust body structure developed according to Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) guidelines. As is the case with most Honda models, the Civic relies on an ACE design that leverages a network of interconnected structural components to help distribute crash forces away from the cabin.
The Civic also boasts standard passenger-protection features like Honda’s Advanced Vehicle Stability Assist technology with traction control, electronic brake-force distribution and dual-stage airbags, all of which helped the car achieve Top Safety Pick status from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Teen drivers can choose a Civic in both sedan and coupe body styles, with three different powertrains on tap: A standard 140-hp 1.8-liter I4 engine, a hybrid setup that delivers 44 mpg in all EPA testing procedures, and an I4 that’s been tuned to run on clean-burning compressed natural gas.
Take care with the Civic Si, though, since its high-performance engine “may be too powerful for younger drivers.”
The 2012 Honda Civic family is on sale now starting at $15,755.

Honda Reveals Lease Terms for Honda Fit EV

A new era in the U.S. auto industry will kick off on July 20, 2012, when Honda begins leasing the 2013 Fit EV—an all-electric version of the popular Honda Fit subcompact. Honda is taking it slow with the launch, however, and will initially offer the Fit EV only in California and Oregon markets. There, drivers will be able to get a three-year lease on the vehicle for $389 a month, which is equivalent to an MSRP of $36,625 according to Honda.That price of admission will deliver a car that’s capable of 132 MPGe city/105 MPGe highway/118 MPG combined, representing the highest city and combined ratings ever awarded by the EPA. The Fit EV also provides a driving range of about 82 miles while running on electricity alone, and is quick to recharge, too. Drivers can “refuel” the car in under three hours when using a 240-volt charging unit.
“No other automaker on the planet is more deeply committed to produce and deliver more energy-efficient and sustainable transportation solutions than Honda,” said Steven Center, vice president of the American Honda Environmental Business Development Office. “The 2013 Honda Fit EV is the latest example of this commitment.”
However, it’s far from the only one. Other high-efficiency choices from Honda include:
Honda FCX Clarity, relying solely on hydrogen fuel cells for motivation
Honda Civic Natural Gas, the only mass-produced passenger car in America to run on compressed natural gas
Honda CR-Z, delivering an athletic driving experience and hybrid-enhanced EPA marks of up to 35 mpg city/39 mpg highway/37 mpg combined
Honda Insight, an affordable hybrid solution that starts at $18,500 while attaining 41 mpg city/44 mpg highway/42 mpg combined
Honda Civic HF, squeezing 29 mpg city/41 mpg highway/33 mpg combined out of its traditional I4 powertrain
And remember, the redesigned 2013 Honda Accord will debut later this year with a plug-in hybrid version projected to offer an all-electric driving range of 10-15 miles on a single charge, as well as typically hybrid-like fuel-economy ratings beyond that point.