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Choosing Front Wheel Drive or Rear Wheel Drive

December 25th, 2009
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Transmissions are one of the most complex systems under the hood. In fact, that’s the reason many auto repair garages will refuse to work on them. Some might perform minor repairs, but will refer you to a transmission shop for anything more extensive. There are a lot of parts involved in making sure that the system runs smoothly and mechanics are loathe to cause bigger problems.

This level of complexity often makes transmissions one of the least understood components to drivers. Adding to the confusion, they’re designed differently. Some are designed for front wheel drive while others are designed for rear wheel drive. In this article we will look at some of the differences. I’ll describe your transmission’s job and help you decipher the pros and cons of a RWD and FWD.

Understanding Its Job

Your car’s engine generates power through its 4-stroke combustion process. That power must be delivered to your drive wheels in order to turn them. Also, it’s worth noting that your engine has a range of RPMs in which it operates at maximum efficiency. Your transmission has two jobs. First, it needs to deliver the power generated by the engine to the drive wheels. Second, it needs to perform this task while keeping your engine operating within its optimal range of RPMs.

It accomplishes this through several gears. In low gears, the engine must turn more quickly in order to power the wheels. In higher gears, it doesn’t have to work as hard. The transmission helps the engine advance from first gear to higher gears while keeping your car moving at higher speeds.

RWD Versus FWD

If your vehicle operates on a rear wheel drive configuration, the transmission will be positioned on the back portion of your engine. A drive shaft will connect it to the rear axle. Your engine generates power and turns the crankshaft, then that power is transferred through the transmission, then to the drive shaft, and then ultimately to the rear axle. The rear axle spins, which causes your tires to rotate.

A front wheel drive car works a little differently, though the concept behind the power flow is similar. The transmission is still located near the engine. With the final drive, it forms a transaxle. A front axle connects to the transaxle, which in turn delivers power to rotate the front tires.

To keep the explanation simple, I’ve ignored the torque converter. What really happens is that power travels from the engine, through the torque converter, and then into the transmission. The other components work as described.

Is One Better Than The Other?

Most modern vehicles are designed with front wheel drive. An FWD weighs less, costs less to manufacture, and usually delivers higher fuel efficiency. On the other hand, an RWD distributes the weight more evenly across a car’s frame, which improves braking ability. Plus, because the design is less crowded than an FWD, it’s easier to service without taking everything apart. In the end, when choosing between RWD and FWD, consider your driving needs and the factors on which you place a high priority.

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Benefits of Original Equipment Manufacturer Car Parts

December 21st, 2009
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Your car’s alternator isn’t indestructible - it won’t last forever. Neither will your catalytic converter. In fact, your fuel injectors, ignition switch, and muffler can also fail. Every auto part under your vehicle’s hood can unexpectedly expire and need to be replaced.

When you take your car to the dealership they use OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts. Conversely, the mechanic at your local garage is most likely going to use aftermarket alternatives. Which is better?

Claiming one choice is always better than the other is overly-simplistic; it ignores subtle pros and cons of each. Below, we’ll compare the advantages of investing in OEM parts versus buying their aftermarket equivalents.

The Advantages Of Aftermarket

Aftermarket components and systems are less expensive than their OEM counterparts. However, the percentage you’ll save will vary by the item your vehicle needs. Be cautious. A lot of aftermarket units seem low-priced, but hide defects that can leave you stranded at the side of the road.

Another advantage is that the quality can be just as high as Original Equipment Manufacturer systems. The reason is because the automaker is often forced to offset the performance of the component with other factors. For example, consider anti-lock braking systems. The manufacturer has to make sure the pads don’t squeal; otherwise, customers will complain. The problem is, ensuring the brake pads are silent requires accepting a mild loss in performance (to that end, high-performance brakes are often noisy).

Yet another advantage of buying after-market components is that they’re widely available. Mechanics can easily obtain any replacement part your vehicle needs. In fact, they’ll often have them in stock.

The Advantages Of OEM

OEM parts also offer significant advantages. First, you’ll always know what to expect from them. They are nearly identical to the systems that were installed within your vehicle at the time it rolled off the factory floor.

Second, you won’t need to examine a given component in order to spot defects. Original Equipment Manufacturer parts provide a consistent level of quality and are designed as seamless replacements. That means there is no reason to be concerned with compatibility and performance issues.

Third, they are usually supported by a one-year warranty. For example, if you have your alternator replaced and it malfunctions within the first year, the automaker will replace it with another OEM alternator without cost. You might not have the same experience if the alternator were an aftermarket unit.

Which Is The Most Appropriate Choice?

There are a few reliable rules of thumb to follow. First, if you’re replacing anything on your car’s frame (for example, a body panel), you should opt for Original Equipment Manufacturer replacements. Second, if you’re leasing your vehicle, you should also choose OEM parts. Otherwise, you’re likely to lose your deposit when you return the car. Third, for something like an alternator or a fuel pump (a key component), OEM is always the better choice.

On the other hand, if you’re willing to take a risk (and the risk can be substantial) in order to save a few dollars, aftermarket parts may be a good investment.

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Auto Body Repair in Chicago

November 19th, 2009
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As one shocker, my neighbors daughter got into her first vehicle collision.The front end fender had a little damage but other than that mostly body damage.To be thrifty, the neighbors took the car to a crappy shop.Every time i look out the window, there sits the Camaro with 2 different body paint colors.There was no one who did a more horrible job of paint matching than the body shop.  If my neighbor would have taken his ride to the Chicago Insurance Repair Shop at Shirey Cadillac, I wouldn’t have to look at that pitiful attempt at collision repair.

The auto repair body shop at Shirey Cadillac has the most and current technology in the collision repair industrynized.Nearly everything is digital.Automated insurance repair estimates are given for free.We use computers to allign your body into factory specs.Paint colors are perfectly matched electonically.When all is done, everything is checked for perfection.Usually body repair shops use refurbished, aftermarket, or used parts.  Shirey will only used new factory Cadillac Auto Parts.

Workers are a reflection of thier employer.All together, the Shirey staff have over 200 years combined experience in the repair industry.All Shirey.  Other certifications include I-CANN, ASE, I CAR, and PPG.You can rely on the same mecahinc that started the job, to see things through till the end.

The Classy restoration shop guarentees the best work done anywhere.Shirey Cadillac can handle any repair job, from a scratch to a full body repair.   Remember if you are in an accident, get Collision Repair in Chicago at a dealership since the insurance company will be footing the bill! They also present a lifetime limited warranty.

Chicago is one of the largest cities in the United States and there are many auto reapair shops around the greater Chicagoland metro.  By getting your vehicle repaired at a dealership you get piece of mind that the technicians are factory trained and certified.  Also a dealership will alway use brand new OEM car parts.

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