Automotive Battery Chargers - Auto Parts

Automotive Battery chargers range from 1-amp-output promotional models to commercial units with amp ratings in excess of 100. For normal home auto use, a 3- to 10- amp rating is sufficient for slow charges and 60 to 100 amps for fast charges. The amp rating is the output of the charger and controls the length of time required for the battery to charge. Most car batteries are rated around 50 to 70 amp/hours. A constant amp output multiplied by the number of hours would indicate the charge in the battery.

Battery Jumper or Booster Cabels - Auto Parts

Booster cables are insulated conductors with alligator clamps at each end to provide a temporary booster charge from a live battery to a low battery.

Automotive Battery - Auto Parts

An automobile battery produces electricity through chemical reaction. Two plates, made of different metals, are immersed in sulfuric acid (an electrolyte) which creates a flow of electrons to produce electrical power. Automobile batteries have several cells, each of which produces 2 volts of power. Most automobiles require 12V batteries consisting of six cells. Each cell has its own plates and electrolyte to produce a portion of the total output of the battery. These are wired in series to the positive and negative posts of the battery.

Carburetor Cleaner - Automotive Chemicals

If a customer is having engine performance problems that he thinks are linked to a carburetor, suggest that he try a carburetor cleaner before he invests in a new or rebuilt carburetor. These cleaners can be applied several ways such as a fuel-tank additive or poured into the carburetor throat. Another cleaner connects the contents to the fuel inlet after disconnecting the fuel line.

Windshield Cleaners - Automotive Chemicals

Windshield washer solvents are usually made of methanol and other solvents to keep the water from freezing as well as clean the windshield. Available in concentrated form to be added to water or in diluted form that is ready to pour into the washer reservoir jar.

Waxes and Cleaners - Automotive Chemicals

Cleaners include solvents and other chemicals that remove road tar, dead pigment and other materials without damaging the car’s finish. Many car waxes include cleaning elements to clean and wax in a single application. Long-lasting liquid and paste waxes usually cost more. A stock of two or three varieties of liquid and paste wax and cleaners will usually satisfy most customers.

Crankcase Cleaners - Automotive Chemicals

Unlike oil additives, crankcase cleaners or flush cannot be left in the crankcase. Instructions are indicated on the container, but normally the chemical is added to the crankcase and the engine is run for a specific period of time to allow the chemical to circulate and break loose accumulations in the oil pan.

Engine oil Additives - Automotive Chemicals

Oil additives are combinations of oil distillates and other chemicals that make engines operate more efficiently by freeing sticky valves, sealing piston rings, retarding oil breakdown, etc. They are usually a form of extremely heavy oil more resistant to change under high temperature so that viscosity (thickness) is maintained at high speeds.

Transmission Sealants - Automotive Chemicals

Transmission sealers and conditioners are added to the transmission fluid and used under normal driving conditions to improve operation and to seal minor leaks. Usually, they include chemicals that retard oil decomposition and improve stability.

Automotive Chemicals - Transmission Fluid

Automatic transmission fluid functions as a power-transfer fluid, hydraulic fluid and a gear lubricant. The fluid must perform these functions in a wide range of temperatures; it has an SAE grade rating of 5W-20. Automatic transmission fluid must be high quality and fortified against oxidation caused by high operating temperatures in an automatic transmission.

Automotive Chemicals - Radiator Additives

Cooling system additives include sealants, rust inhibitors, lubricants and flush. Sealants, rust inhibitors and water pump lubricants are added to the radiator and used under normal driving conditions. Sealing ability is restricted to minor holes. Radiator flush requires that the radiator be drained after allowing the chemical to circulate through the cooling system.

Automotive Chemicals - Antifreeze

Almost all antifreezes are called “permanent” and are made primarily from ethylene glycol. Nonpermanent antifreeze is made primarily of methyl alcohol, which evaporates. The ethylene glycol, while preventing water from freezing, also serves as a coolant because of its high heat transfer qualities. As an example, one major brand of antifreeze mixed with equal parts of water will lower the freezing point to -34°F and raise the boiling point to 260°F.

Automotive Car Ignition System

With the exception of very old model cars, most cars have electronic ignition systems. In general, the wire sets on electronic ignitions need to be replaced every 30,000 miles due to the high voltage (14,000 to 30,000 volts), which breaks down the wire sets internally. Also, the higher under-hood temperatures of new cars deteriorate the wire sets externally.

Automotive Car Lighting - Tune-Up Accessories

In addition to headlights, taillights, turn signals and license-plate lights, there are numerous lights in the car interior that must be replaced periodically. Also, fuses occasionally need replacing.

Maintenance Equipment - Car Engine Belts

A system of belts and pulleys driven by a main pulley connected to the motor’s crankshaft harnesses engine power to operate the power steering pump, water pumps, fan, etc. The most commonly used belt is the Vbelt, although there is another belt style that utilizes grooves corresponding to grooves in the pulley. Manufacturer programs offer a selection of common belts and pulleys to fit most of the cars on the road and target your inventory investment to the most frequently used items.

Maintenance Equipment - Car Hoses

Hoses in a car’s cooling system should be checked at least twice a year for cracks or other deterioration that can lead to leaks and overheating. When selling radiator and heater hoses, make sure the customer purchases the size and shape required for his

Maintenance Equipment - Shock Absorbers

Shock absorbers utilize a system that combines a piston with hydraulic fluid to cushion an automobile’s ride, providing degrees of stiffness and load-hauling capabilities. Several varieties are available depending on how the vehicle is used, such as driving conditions, hauling and pulling requirements. Changing shock absorbers is another task that d-i-yers can handle without special tools.

Maintenance Equipment - Car Air Filter

Paying the labor bill on installing an air filter is a waste of money, since this is one of the simplest tasks for a d-i-yer. Air filters are contained in the air-cleaning system which may or may not be mounted on top of the carburetor. If not there, it is connected to the carburetor by a duct. The filter requires inspection at least every 12,000 miles and

Maintenance Equipment - Spark-Plug Wire Sets

Spark-plug wires transmit the electrical charge from the distributor to the spark plug. They are available in sets of four, six or eight, depending on the number of cylinders. Length of the wires varies to reach the separate spark plugs.They should be inspected annually and replaced as needed.

Maintenance Equipment - Spark Plug Wrenches

Most socket wrench sets contain a deep well socket designed for use on spark plugs. However, on many cars the plugs are extremely difficult to reach. A special long handled, T-shaped wrench with a socket