Car Maintenance Essay

Care and Maintenance Tips Keep Your Car Running in Top-Notch Condition We’ve compiled our best expert advice, surprising tricks, and car care tips to prolong the life of your automobile! 1. Be patient during the break-in period You’ve bought your dream car and now you want to make it last at long as possible in top condition. Here are some things to remember as you pull it out of the dealer’s lot: * During the break-in period, typically the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km), keep your speed under 55 mph (88 kpm) or to the speed recommended by your car’s manufacturer. * Avoid heavy loads on the drive train, such as towing trailers, and loading the roof rack or trunk with heavy construction materials. * Do not allow your new car to idle for long periods — this is good advice for the life of your car, but especially during breakin. The oil pressure generated by doing so may not be sending oil to every part of your engine. * Use only light to medium acceleration, keeping the engine rpms below 3,000 for the first few hours of driving. 2. Drive with care everyday Being car considerate shouldn’t stop after the break-in. Drive with care every day and your car will reward you with longer intervals without repair. * Do not race your car’s engine during start-up.This is a quick way to add years of wear to your engine, especially if it’s cold outside. * Accelerate slowly when you begin your drive.The most wear to the engine and drive train occurs in the first ten to twenty minutes of operation. * Warming the engine by letting it idle in the driveway is not a smart idea.The engine doesn’t operate at its peak temperature, resulting in incomplete fuel combustion, soot deposits on cylinder walls, oil contamination, and ultimately damaged components. * Put less strain on your engine and automatic transmission by shifting to neutral at red lights. Otherwise, the engine is still working to push the car even while it’s stopped. * Avoid driving at high speeds and accelerating quickly, especially when it’s very hot o r very cold outside. Such driving behavior will result in more frequent repairs. * Extend the life of your tires with careful driving. Observe posted speed limits. Avoid fast starts, stops, and turns. Avoid potholes and objects on the road. Don’t run over curbs or hit the tire against the curb when parking. And, of course, don’t burn  rubber. * When turning your steering wheel, don’t hold it in an extreme right or left position for more than a few seconds. Doing so can damage the power-steering pump. * Consolidate your short driving trips. Most of the wear and tear — as well as the pollution your car generates — takes place in the first few minutes of driving. Doing several errands at once, during low traffic hours if possible, will keep your engine happier longer. 3. Buy gas at reputable service stations Ask whether the gas you buy is filtered at the pump and if the station has a policy about changing the pump filters regularly. If you get a song and dance, find another gas station. Some stations don’t have pump filters, making you more vulnerable to dirty gasoline. Other stations may not mix alcohol and fuel properly — or worse, water down their product. Find a station you trust and stick to it. 4. Don’t fill up if you see the tanker If you happen to see a gasoline tanker filling the tanks at your local gas station, come back another day or go to a different station. As the station’s underground tanks are being filled, the turbulence can stir up sediment. Sediment in your gas can clog fuel filters and fuel injectors, causing poor performance and possibly necessitating repairs. 5. Go easy when you’re stuck When stuck in mud or snow, don’t make the problem worse by damaging an expensive component. Gently rocking in an attempt to free the car is fine. But if it looks as though you’re really stuck, don’t keep at it. Throwing your car from forward to reverse repeatedly, as well as spinning tires at high speeds, can generate lots of heat and spell trouble for transmissions, clutches, and differentials. It may be cheaper in the long run to call the tow truck rather than risk big repair bills down the road. It’s a good idea to carry a traction aid in the trunk, such as sand, gravel, or cat litter. 6. Lighten up your key chain Does your car key share a chain with a dozen or more other keys? That’s a pretty heavy load hanging off the car key when it’s in the ignition.The weight, combined with bouncing while you drive, can wear out the tumblers  inside the ignition and eventually lead to ignition switch failure.To add years of service to your ignition switch, purchase a lightweight key chain that allows you to separate your ignition key from the others. Drive with only the ignition key in your ignition. If your ignition key â€Å"sticks† when you try to turn on the car, it’s a warning that your ignition switch is about to fail. Replace it before you get stranded. 7. Choose a good car insurer Sometimes, no matter how careful you are, disaster inevitably strikes — typically in the form of an accident. Make sure that your car will be repaired to the best possible standard by finding an insurer that will pay for parts from the original manufacturer and guarantee the repairs it authorizes. 8. Keep an auto log Keep a pad and pencil in the glove compartment and use them to record your gas fill-ups and mileage. If you notice that your gas mileage worsens, mention it to your service man. It may be an early warning sign that something is wrong with your car. 9. Preserve your car during long-term storage If you are not going to use your car for more than a month, store it properly to prevent unnecessary damage and repairs upon your return. * Fill the gas tank to help prevent condensation from accumulating in the gas tank. Add a fuel stabilizer and drive the car around a bit to distribute the additive to engine parts. * Wash and wax the car thoroughly to protect the finish. * Place a vapor barrier on your garage floor. A 4-mil polyethylene drop cloth will do. * Disengage the parking brake to help avoid brake corrosion. * Put the car on jack stands to take the weight of the vehicle off the wheels and tires. * Disconnect and remove the battery to keep it from draining. Place the battery on a trickletype charger. Or periodically drain the battery, using a small light bulb, and then recharge it with a low-volt charger. * Plug the tailpipe with a rag to prevent moist air from infiltrating into it. Car Interior 10. Park in the shade Of course, a garage is always the ideal place to park your car. But if one isn’t available, minimize interior damage from UV sunlight and heat by always trying to park your car in the shade. If no shade is available or if you find parking under a tree results in bird droppings, use a car shade to minimize the sun’s impact. As a bonus, you’ll have a cooler car to step into on hot sunny days. Car shades come in two basic types: those that you unfold and place on the front windshield and rear window, or pleated types that attach to the windshield posts (with adhesive), window frames (with Velcro), or the windows themselves (with suction cups). 11. Clean the inside, too Vacuum and sponge your interior every time you wash your car. Dirt particles are abrasive, and spilled liquids, such as soda, can be corrosive.Vacuum your interior thoroughly with a powerful vacuum (small cordless models are generally too weak). Use the appropriate wand heads when vacuuming. The bare metal wand can mar and scratch surfaces. Sponge vinyl surfaces clean with a solution of mild detergent and water. 12. Clean dash gauges carefully Use a soft damp cloth to lightly wipe dust from the clear plastic lenses on your dashboard. Too much pressure will scratch them. Too many scratches can make it difficult to read your gauges under certain lighting conditions. 13. Let floor mats take winter’s beating Use floor mats to protect carpeting. The best type for controlling salt, slush, and mud in winter are rubber wafflestyle mats. They stay in place, don’t allow the water to seep through, and are easy to wash clean. Carpet-style mats are helpful, too. Shake, vacuum, or wash as needed; replace them as they wear through. 14. Blast mats with the hose When washing your car, drag out the rubber or carpet floor mats and blast them with the hose.This will dislodge dirt particles that, if allowed to build up, will grind holes in your mats. Let the mats dry thoroughly in the sun before reinstalling them. 15. For stubborn carpet or mat stains After vacuuming floor mats or interior carpeting, apply foam rug cleaner to resistant stains as directed by the maker. Work the foam into a few square feet at a time, using a wet sponge or brush. Vacuum when dry. 16. Preserve door and window seals Wipe a rubber protectant (such as Armor-All) or silicone on door and window weatherstripping to keep it in good condition. Don’t use an oilbased product, such as WD-40, because the oil will damage the rubber. Regular cleaning and treatment of your car’s weatherstripping will also lessen the likelihood of your door sticking to its rubber seal in cold weather, a common cause of damage to the rubber. 17. Fix bad weatherstripping immediately If your weatherstripping is letting rainwater leak into the interior of your car, take a look at it and decide if you can repair it or if it needs to be replaced. Small leaks can be handled with brush-on seam sealers. Resecure loose sections, not otherwise damaged, with trim adhesive. Torn sections may be repaired with special caulking available at auto parts stores. You may also be able to extend the life of worn-but-intact sections by inserting foam rods, available at automotive stores, into the hollow section of the weatherstripping. If you decide to replace entire sections of gasket, don’t simply buy generic stuff such as you’d use around the house. Buy a product that matches your car’s original weatherstripping — it’s available in a wide variety of profiles from dealerships and automotive mail-order catalogues. 18. Keep leather from drying out and cracking Leather cars seats are durable and don’t require a lot of maintenance. After a few years, however, the seats can become soiled. Use a leather cleaner to remove dirt and stains.Then apply a leather protectant formulated for pigmented or top-coated grain leather (the leather used for most leather car upholstery). Protectants will resist stains and make the upholstery easier to clean in the future. Choose a protectant that includes conditioners to keep your leather supple. 19. Use upholstery cleaners on soiled seats The same upholstery cleaners you use at home can be used on your car’s  upholstery. Use them sparingly, however, to avoid saturating the fabric. Use a clean cloth to wipe away the foam. On velour seats, brush the fibers gently to avoid matting them and to preserve the original texture of the fabric. 20. Renew fabric upholstery Spraying fabric car seats and carpets with a fabric protectant, such as Scotchgard, will make them resist dirt and stains, and make them easier to clean. Thoroughly clean the fabrics before using one of these products and then test the product on an inconspicuous place to be sure the treatment will not discolor the fabric. 21. Place a towel under baby seats All manner of food bits and liquids can accumulate under a baby seat, where they can permanently stain the upholstery. Place a sheet of heavy plastic and an absorbent towel under the seat to prevent damage, and re-secure the seat according to the manufacturer’s directions. 22. Protect car paint from the sun Paint does more than make your vehicle look great. It’s also the first line of defense against rusted body panels. Of course, the best way to protect the paint is to park the car in a garage. If that is not possible, park in the shade or purchase a car cover. The sun’s ultraviolet rays break down paint and cause it to fade. Some car covers protect your car from more than sun, moisture, bird droppings, and dust — they also have a thin layer of cushioning that will guard against light impact, such as from a tipped bicycle or small falling tree branch. 23. Touch up nicks sooner rather than later Touch-up paint won’t adhere well to rust. So be sure to keep some matching touch-up paint on hand so you can touch up any minor nicks, often found around door edges, before rust has a chance to form. 24. Tape saves light covers A cracked taillight or turn-signal cover, if left alone, may allow your light compartment to fill with water and cause some real damage. A good short-term fix is to tape over the crack. Use the red or orange tape that’s made for  this purpose.You can purchase it at many automotive parts stores. 25. Avoid light fixture problems When changing a bad bulb, clean dirty or corroded sockets with fine steel wool or a small wire brush.Wipe the socket clean of debris before installing the new light bulb. 26. Fix small windshield chips Got a rock chip, crack, or ding in your windshield? Bring your car to a windshield repair shop. For far less cost than replacing the windshield, they can fix chips and cracks, even quite long ones. The repairs not only keep the chips and cracks from spreading and restore structural integrity, they also improve clarity. 27. Fill with washer fluid only Don’t add water to the windshield washer reservoir. It won’t clean as well as washer fluid, and it may freeze in cold weather and damage the system. Don’t try to run your windshield washer system once you suspect there’s no more fluid in the tank, or you may damage the washer fluid pump. 28. Fix the washer fluid tank Cracked washer-deicer fluid tanks are fairly common once a car is of a certain age. A good remedy — until you can buy a new tank or find one at the junkyard — is to insert a plastic freezer bag into the tank and fill it with the washer fluid. 29. Don’t try to carry too much Never exceed your car’s roof load specifications or weight limits.You can find them in your vehicle owner’s manual. Check the weight limitation of your roof rack as well. Typically the range is from 150 to 200 pounds (68 to 90 kg). That’s the equivalent of eighteen 8-foot 2 x 4s (2.4-meter 38 x 89s) or three sheets of 3/4-inch (17-mm) plywood. If you have to deliver a heavy load from the home or garden center, consider having it delivered. It will save wear and tear on you as well as your car. 30. Keep an old blanket handy Protect your car’s roof from scratches with an old blanket before tying lumber, bicycles, or luggage to your roof rack. 31. Secure loads to avoid dents and scratches The beginning of the end for the finish on many cars and trucks — and for wagon and hatchback interiors for that matter — is an improperly stowed load. Invest in the appropriate racks for bicycles, cargo, and luggage. A good trick to keep tall objects from sliding around in a pick-up truck bed is to use a shower curtain rod (or two) as a brace. Just push the cargo against the front wall of the truck bed and install the rod behind it. Twist to secure. Cargo nets will also help keep objects from banging around and damaging a truck bed. 32. Inspect wheel-well splashguards These guards, however flimsy on many of today’s cars, help keep water and winter’s salty slush from splashing up into the engine compartment, where it can damage sensitive electrical components. Unfortunately, these guards tear off easily — sometimes without the driver knowing it. Check for damage to these guards when you wash your car. Re-secure with the appropriate fasteners or replace as needed. As added protection from splashed-up muck, slush, and debris, install mud flaps (also called splash guards) on your vehicle. 33. Wash in winter, too If you rarely wash your car during messy winter weather, you are not alone.The cars you see on the road make it obvious that lots of folks figure,†Why bother? The car is going to look awful the next time I drive it.† The problem with this thinking is that washing is more important in the winter than other times of the year. All that sand, slush, and ice mixed with road salt is exactly what makes your car rust.The fastest corrosion occurs when the temperature repeatedly rises above and then falls below freezing. Especially during the messy months, be sure to rinse the undercarriage and hard-to-reach areas that are susceptible to rust, such as the bumpers and inside the wheel wells. If the temperature outside is going to stay above freezing long enough for your car and driveway to dry, fill a bucket with warm water and tackle the job at home. If not, pay a visit to your local car wash and be sure they dry the car thoroughly. 34. Wax to protect your car’s paint job No way around it! Waxing your car is work. But it’s satisfying work that will help keep your car looking new. Car wax preserves paint by slowing oxidation  and forming a barrier against bird droppings, sap, and pollution. Plus driving a nice shiny car is just plain fun. Here’s what to do to ensure the maximum in protection: * Liquid and spray waxes are tempting to use — they make the car shiny with less work than rubbing in paste wax. But there’s still no beating paste wax for the hardest, longest-lasting finish. Look for paste with a high carnauba wax content. * Apply a thin, even coat of wax to the car’s surfaces with a damp sponge. Avoid applying too much, or it will be difficult to remove and some residue will inevitably mar your finish. * To avoid fine scratches, use a clean, soft cotton or microfiber cloth to remove wax once it has dried. * Apply an extra coat of wax to the nose and hood. The wax film in these areas wears away quickly. 35. Give your car a new skin New self-adhering urethane films have been developed to protect the most vulnerable painted areas on your car from stone chips and other minor abrasions.You can wash and wax these surfaces, just as you would the rest of the paint job. While it’s best to have these films professionally installed, you can peel them off yourself. One product is made by 3M, and you can learn more by going to 3m.com and searching for Scotchgard Paint Protection Film Solutions. 36. Don’t let tools mar your car’s finish If you plan to service and make repairs to your car, invest in a fender cover. It drapes over your fender, providing a safe place to rest your tools without causing scratches. It will also prevent your belt buckle from marring your paint as you lean into the engine compartment to work. Tires, Wheels, and Brakes 37. Keep the caps on You step out into driveway ready to start your morning commute only to discover a flat tire. How in the heck did that happen overnight? If the tire valve is missing its cap, the culprit might be a leaky valve. Those little caps keep out dirt and moisture that can cause leaks, so be sure to keep caps on all your tire valves. Another tip: When you replace tires, remind  the tire shop that you expect new valves with the tires. 38. Maintain proper inflation Under-inflated tires are a tire salesman’s best friend. They create excessive heat and stress that can lead to tire failure. If you want to get every last mile out of your tires, get yourself a tire pressure gauge and use it at least once a month (more in hot weather) to keep your tires inflated to the recommendation in the vehicle’s owner’s manual. Check tires when they are cold (driven for less than one mile) for an accurate reading. 39. Beware the wet thumb If you top off your tires at a service station, check to see if there’s moisture coming from the air pump. Simply depress the pin inside the inflator valve with your thumbnail. If your thumb gets wet, advise the station manager that his tanks need to be drained and go to a different station. Moisture, trapped inside a tire, can cause pressure variations and corrode rims. 40. Check for uneven wear Check tires for uneven wear. If you’ve maintained tire inflation properly, uneven wear may indicate the need for a wheel realignment. It can also mean improperly operating brakes or shocks, a bent wheel, internal tire damage, or worn bushings. 41. Check tread for safety Most states require tires to be replaced when they have worn down to 1/16-inch (1.5 mm) of remaining tire depth. Tires sold in North America are required to have â€Å"wear bars† molded into them to make it easy to see when tire replacement is legally required. However, if you’ll be driving in the rain, you should change your tires when there is 1/8-inch (3 mm) of tread left. Otherwise, water may not escape from under your tires fast enough and you risk hydroplaning — a dangerous situation in which your car loses traction and literally floats on the water. Stick an American quarter between the treads in several places. If part of Washington’s head is always covered, you have enough tread to drive in the rain. If you drive in snow, you’ll need at least 3/16-inch (5 mm) of tread to get adequate traction. Stick an American penny between the treads. If the top of the Lincoln  Memorial is always covered, you’re ready for winter driving. 42. Rota te your tires Rotating your tires helps to distribute tire wear evenly and ensures that you’ll get the maximum road life out of them. The first rotation is especially important.Your owner’s manual should specify both rotation period and pattern. If not, rotate your tires every 6,000 to 7,500 miles (9,700 to 12,000 km) — your tire dealer should know the correct pattern of tire rotation. 43. When temperatures affect tire inflation When outside temperatures drop or soar, tires tend to lose pressure. A drop of 10 degrees F (6 degrees C), in fact, will decrease a tire’s air pressure by 1 or 2 pounds.Tires can lose even more air in hot weather. Under-inflated tires can result in accelerated wear and poor driving performance. If you live in a place where temperatures vary a lot, check your tire pressure often and add air as needed. 44. Buy used tires If you own a car that you plan to drive only for another year, the last thing you want to do is to buy a new set of tires. If it’s time to replace those tires though, it’s really time. Rather than hesitate, buy a set of used tires. Call local tire dealers to see what’s available. You’ll be surprised by how much wear is left in tires that are turned in by image-conscious car owners. Have your tire size handy. 45. Use wheel cleaner Your car’s wheels are down there on the road, taking the brunt of road dirt. Add in the dust that wears off your brake pads and you’ve got a formula for stains that are tough to remove when you wash your vehicle. Car-washing liquid won’t do the job.You need a wheel cleaner specifically formulated to remove such stains. Be sure to buy the correct formulation. Some cleaners are designed for metal wheels, and others for painted or clear-coated wheels.The metal wheel cleaners come in various formulations as well, depending upon whether your metal wheel has a satin, aluminum, or chrome finish. Protect metal wheels with wheel polish, painted wheels with a coat of wax. 46. Lube your lug nuts Lug nuts, if not lubricated occasionally, can seize or â€Å"freeze† to the studs due to corrosion. Repairing them can be expensive. Having to call a tow truck for a flat you can’t remove is even more expensive.The next time you change or rotate your tires, pick up some anti-seize lubricant at your local auto supply store. Clean the stud threads with a wire brush and wipe them with the lubricant. It’s formulated to prevent the lug nuts (spark plugs, too) from seizing and won’t allow them to loosen as you drive, the way other lubricants might. If a lug nut does freeze to a stud, try spraying the nut and stud with WD-40 or Liquid Wrench. Allow it to penetrate for 10 or 20 minutes. Use a heat gun to apply heat.Then use a ratchet wrench to remove the lug. 47. Hang on to your hubcaps Clang, clang, clang! There goes your hubcap,rolling off to destination unknown. Hubcaps, wheel covers, and center caps can pop off your car’s wheels as you’re driving if they were not reinstalled correctly, have loosened over time, or if they were damaged by being jammed against a curb while parking. Here are some things you can do to keep these expensive parts on the car: * If your older metal hubcap has loosened, remove it and pry the metal clips outward slightly. This should fix the problem. * Newer plastic-type hubcaps and some wheel covers are usually held in place by a retaining wire ring that snaps into tabs on the wheel. When installing such a cap or cover, take care that you do not bend or break the tabs. * One way to make sure your expensive hubcaps aren’t damaged by a repair shop is to remove them yourself before taking your car in for a repair that requires wheel removal, such as a brake job or new tires. When reinstalling hubcaps, rest the hubcap in place and then tap it gently with a rubber mallet. Don’t hit the hubcap hard, or you might break the clips underneath. If you prefer to have your repair person remove the covers, check to make sure they were reinstalled properly.They should look even and flush. 48. Have wheel alignment checked Have your car’s wheel alignment checked every 30,000 miles (48,000 km), or as recommended in your owner’s manual. Also have it checked after buying new tires and when you replace a rack-and-pinion steering unit or other steering parts. Improper tire alignment will shorten the life of your tires as well  as cause poor handling. If your steering is stiffer than normal or the vehicle pulls to one side, you probably have an alignment problem. 49. Top off your brake fluid Check brake fluid monthly.Wipe dirt from the master cylinder lid before you open it. If you need fluid, add the type recommended by your car’s maker. Never substitute other fluids, such as transmission or power-steering fluid. And don’t use brake fluid from a previously opened container. Once exposed to air, brake fluid absorbs moisture and contaminates easily. 50. Care for anti-lock brakes An anti-lock brake system is sensitive to moisture, which can ruin the expensive ABS pump and rot the brake lines from the inside. Since brake fluid attracts moisture, it should be â€Å"bled† or purged at least every three years, or as specified in your owner’s manual. Car Engine and Other Systems 51. Check engine oil at every other fill-up For an accurate reading, follow this procedure: * Run or drive your car for about 15 minutes to warm the oil; then park the car in a level place.Turn off the engine and wait 15 minutes to allow the oil in the engine to drain back to the oil pan. * Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean with a paper towel or rag. Reinsert the dipstick, being sure to push it in all the way, then pull it out again to check the oil level. It should be somewhere between the hash marks on the dipstick. * Add the type and amount of oil as specified in your owner’s manual, if necessary. 52. Change oil frequently Your dad knew that frequent oil changes were key to keeping his Buick on the road another year. And while owner’s manuals for today’s cars recommend increasing long intervals between oil changes, the fact remains — frequent changes flush abrasive dirt and metal particles out of the engine, prolonging its life. Most owner’s manuals recommend a more frequent interval for â€Å"severe conditions.† To maximize the life of your engine, follow the severe intervals recommendations, especially if drive regularly in  stop-and-go traffic. 53. Avoid overfilling your crankcase with oil Don’t overfill your engine crankcase with oil. If you do, the oil can rise into the crankshaft, where air bubbles will get churned into the oil.Your oil pump can’t do a good job of circulating oil with air bubbles. The result can be overheating and stress on engine components. Overfilling can also foul your sparkplugs. In fact, overfilling is a bad idea with all automotive fluids. 54. Wipe oil pan plug clean If you do your own oil changes, clean the drain plug and washer with rags before reinstalling your oil pan. Some plugs are magnetized to trap metal particles. 55. Don’t forget the filters There are several filters (the main ones are oil, fuel, transmission, and air) important to preserving your car engine, and they should be changed according to the schedule in your owner’s manual or as follows: * Change the oil filter at least at every other oil change — every change is even better because the old filter contains nearly a quart of dirty oil that will remain with the new, clean oil. If you change your oil yourself, wipe the filter threads with an anti-seize lubricant, available at auto supply stores. * Check the air filter every two months and replace it when dirty or as part of a tune-up. Air filters are generally easier to get to than oil filters.You find them under the big metal lid in a carbureted engine or in a rectangular box in a fuelinjected engine — check your owner’s manual for the exact location. Extend the life of air filters by blowing them clean with compressed air. * Despite claims by makers and dealers that some newer fuel filters never need changing, it’s smart to have it done once a year. A clogged fuel filter will cause poor engine performance (hesitation and starting difficulties) and is an early warning that there may be corrosion in your gas tank. * Change your transmission fluid filter after the first 5,000 miles (8,000 km) of driving and every 25,000 miles (40,000 km) or two year thereafter. 56. Don’t forget the PCV valve The PCV (positive crankcase ventilation) valve is an emissions control device on older cars — check your service manual to see if your car has one.The valve recirculates partially burned gases from the engine’s crankcase to the  combustion chamber. Important to a properly functioning engine, the valve should be changed every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or as specified in your owner’s manual. In addition to helping you get the most from a tank of gasoline, it helps to prevent the buildup of harmful sludge and corrosion.When replacing your PCV valve, be sure you use the correct one or you may damage your engine. 57. Heavier is not always better Use the oil viscosity grade that’s recommended in your owner’s manual for the temperature range you expect for the coming season. Lighter grades (lower viscosity, such as SAE 5W-30), often specified for today’s smaller car engines, will deliver easier starts and better engine protection in winter and improved gas mileage throughout the year, thanks to less internal engine friction. Do not use a heavy grade of oil in cold winter climes or you will risk damage to your engine. 58. Maintain your transmission Change automatic transmission fluid and filter after the first 5,000 miles (8,000 km) and after every 25,000 miles (40,000 km) or two years thereafter, or as recommended in your owner’s manual. If you use your vehicle for towing, change the fluid and filter every year. For manual transmissions, change the lubricant (motor oil or gear oil, depending on the car) after the first 5,000 miles and after every 50,000 (80,000 km) thereafter. Use synthetic motor oil or gear lube for longer transmission life unless the manufacturer recommends otherwise. 59. Consider adding oil coolers If you plan to do a lot of towing and your vehicle is not already equipped with coolers, consider having them added. Aftermarket engine oil and transmission fluid coolers are simple, low-cost addons that operate on the same principle as your car’s radiator. The fluid flows through them, and many small fins absorb and dissipate heat. Cooler operating temperatures of engine oil and transmission fluid can add significantly to the life of your engine and transmission. 60. Spark plugs do need changing The advent of electronic ignition and on-board computers has eliminated the need for regular tune-ups, but you still need to change your spark plugs. Many manufacturers recommend changing plugs every 30,000 or 40,000 miles  (48,000 or 64,000 km) to ensure good fuel mileage and engine performance. Some new cars come with long-life plugs (sometimes called double platinum plugs) that can last for 100,000 miles (160,000 km). If your car isn’t so equipped, make the switch after 30,000 miles. The extra cost is only a few dollars per spark plug. While you’re at it, change your spark plug wires as well. Their typical life is 50,000 miles (80,000 km). Deteriorated wires can cause those high-tech new spark plugs to foul. 61. Avoid hose hassles Check the hoses under your hood every month or two to avoid the hassle of a broken hose while you’re on the road. With the car cool and off, squeeze the hoses. If they are hard or make a crunching sound, replace them. Ditto if they are extremely soft or sticky.With the car warm but off, examine hoses for bulges and collapsed sections. If you find any, the hose walls are weak, and it’s time to replace the hose. Never drive with a ruptured coolant hose, or you are liable to overheat the engine and damage it. Other hoses are crucial to operation of your power brakes and cruise-control systems. 62. Test drive-belt tension Check the tension and condition of your drive belt (or, with many cars, multiple belts) every month. Belts that are too tight can wear out the bearings in accessory components, such as AC compressor, water pump, and power-steering pump. Belts that are too loose will wear out faster and may fail prematurely. Perform your examination before you start the car to avoid injury due to a hot belt or moving engine part. Check for tension by pressing in the center of the belt’s longest exposed run while holding a ruler next to it. If you can depress the belt 1/ 2 to 1 inch (13 to 25 mm), but not more or less, the tension is good. If not, adjust the belt tension yourself according to your car’s service manual, or have your dealer or auto repair service do it. Also check for belt damage, such as glazing (often due to oil leakage), fraying, and cracks. If you spot damage, have the belt checked by a pro and replaced if necessary. 63. Don’t forget the timing belt On many cars, it’s the belt you can’t see that is the most critical. If your manual says, as many do, that you should replace the timing belt at 50,000 miiles, do it! A failed timing belt can, depending on engine type, cause  thousands of dollars worth of damage to your engine. 64. Clean your engine There are several reasons to wash your engine at least every year or two. A clean engine will run cooler than a dirty one. You’ll be more apt to tackle routine belt and hose checks and the like if you know you won’t get covered with grime every time you do so. A clean engine will also make it much easier to spot leaks and to service components. Remember to protect sensitive engine components — including the air intake, distributor, and electrical parts — with plastic bags before getting started. Use dishwashing liquid or other grease-cutting detergents and a bristle brush to scrub engine and components surfaces. Rinse thoroughly. Heavy-duty engine cleaning products are available at automotive parts stores. Follow the directions carefully. You may also have your engine professionally steam cleaned. AC, Car Battery and More 65. Run your AC in winter To keep your car’s air-conditioning system fit for the next warm season, run it a few times throughout the winter. This will prevent moving parts in the compressor from seizing. Also, circulating the refrigerant will help keep the seals soft and pliant. 66. Maintain your car’s battery Maybe the manufacturer says your battery is maintenancefree, but don’t you believe it! Check your battery regularly to extend its life and avoid the hassle of being stranded with a dead battery. * Begin with the simple: keeping your battery clean. A dirty case can actually cause current to drain. Wipe with a damp rag. Use a mild detergent if necessary. * Next, clean the battery posts or terminals. Loosen and remove the negative cable (black or minus sign) first, then the red positive cable. Use a brass wire battery brush dipped in a paste made from a few tablespoons of baking soda and a little water. * Inspect the battery case for damage, such as cracks or bulges — signs that a battery needs to be replaced. * Reinstall the cables, positive first, and coat the terminals and clamps with a thin coating of grease to prevent new corrosion. 67. Some batteries need water If your battery has vent caps, remove them to check the level of the  electrolyte. It should rise 1/2 inch (13 mm) above the battery’s top plates. If it doesn’t, use distilled water to raise the level to 1/4 or 3/8 inch (6 or 10 mm) below the bottom of the vent cap. Don’t use tap water, as it may contain minerals that can damage your battery. Mechanics should check your battery as a part of your regularly scheduled maintenance, but they often skip the procedure. Be sure to ask to have it done. 68. Be kind to your battery If you inadvertently leave your lights on and drain your battery, take the following precautions to prevent damage to the battery and the starter when jump-starting your car: * Don’t risk causing the battery to explode. With both cars off, connect a positive cable end to the positive battery terminal of the dead battery. * Connect the other positive cable end to the positive terminal of the source battery. * Connect a negative cable end to the negative terminal of the source battery. * Attach the remaining negative cable to unpainted metal on the car engine (as far from the dead battery as possible). * Wait a few minutes and try to start the disabled car. If it doesn’t start, start the source car and then try starting the dead one again. * When the car starts, be careful to disconnect the cables in the reverse order. * If the car still doesn’t start, don’t keep trying to charge it or you are liable to damage the starter. Bring the battery to an automotive shop to see if it can be recharged. * Even if you’re successful, ensure a full recharge by hooking up the battery to a charger overnight or by driving the car for 5 or 10 miles (8 to 16 km). 69. Seal a leaky radiator Save the high expense of a new radiator by trying to seal a leak with a radiator sealer, such as Alumaseal from Gold Eagle Co. Available in powder or liquid form, the product circulates in the radiator until it gets to the hole, where it sets up and fills the hole upon contact with the air. Alumaseal may be used to stop heater core leaks as well. 70. Dilute your coolant Your cooling system needs both coolant-antifreeze and water, so don’t pour undiluted coolant into your cooling system. Dilute it with water to the  commonly recommended 50-50 ratio. Similarly, don’t use straight water in your system either.The coolant protects against corrosion and freezing.The water ensures good heat transfer from the coolant to the radiator. 71. Keep your cool Check the coolant-antifreeze level weekly that shows on the translucent coolant-antifreeze overflow tank. If low, fill to the maximum fill mark on the tank with a 50-50 solution of coolant-antifreeze and water. Some coolant manufacturers now sell premixed coolant and water for the motorist who wants a quick and easy way to top off. 72. Don’t forget to flush Coolant-antifreeze eventually degrades and becomes contaminated. Flush it from your cooling system as recommended in your manual (typically every two years; every five years for newer coolants). Failing to do so can damage your radiator, clog your heater core, and cause the thermostat and water pump to fail. 73. Don’t mix coolants Avoid mixing coolants that are different in color. If your coolant is pink, don’t add a green formulation to it. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a thick solution that won’t do its job. Use only the coolant specified in your owner’s manual. 74. Check power-steering fluid Check the power-steering fluid once a month with the car warmed up. If the level is low, have the hoses and pump inspected for leaks. In addition to making your car difficult to steer, low power-steering fluid will damage the power-steering pump. Be sure to use the powersteering fluid recommended for you car.

buy custom Congenital Disorders essay

buy custom Congenital Disorders essay Mutation refers to the process whereby theres a sudden change in a given cell. This change happens spontaneously. It is the permanent change in the hereditary material of an organisms life. A genes DNA sequence determines the way an organism looks like, how it behaves and the organisms physiological make-up. Therefore, a change in the DNA sequence will result in the alteration of various aspects of an organisms life. Mutation causes an alteration in the amino acid sequence of the protein that undergoes genetic encoding. Very many different types of mutations are in existence, they range from chromosomal mutations to single base pair alteration of a DNA sequence. The occurrence of mutation in genes may prevent the synthesis of a particular protein or may cause a change in the proteins level of expression if found in gene promoter areas (Leitner, 2004). If within a gene mutation occurs close to the splice regions in introns, an incorrect protein will be produced and the process of splicing will be disrupted. Most changes however are repaired quickly by the use of the DNA repair system. In cases where this repair system fails to efficiently repair the mutation that has taken place, there have been some diverse outcomes; strong and fit organisms as well as a number of genetic disorders in some cases. Thalidomide It is a drug that was first introduced as a sedative that was sold to people over the counter. It is mostly used to treat myeloma. Later on pregnant women started using it to combat dizziness, insomnia, anxiety and morning sickness unaware of the effects it had on their fetuses. It is also used for the treatment of leprosy. Thalidomide intake would lead to a number of birth defects for pregnant women. The drug worked by altering new blood vessels process of growth and development in a developing baby, thus the birth defects. As a drug, thalidomide is being experimented by scientists for the treatment of various serious illnesses and disorders. So far there has been a good response as regards its use in the treatment of severe cases of ulcers of the throat and of the mouth, especially in people living with AIDS and for the treatment of ulcers of the genitals and mouth among Behcet patients. The drug was approved in the treatment of multiple myeloma and erythema nodosum leprosum. However, caution has been taken to ensure it is not made available or diagnosed to women who are expectant (Williams, 2011). Birth defects Thalidomide as a drug was associated with neuropathy and teratogenicity. During its development, the drug was not thought of being able to pass through the placental barrier between the mother and her developing fetus to cause harm to the fetus. However, the drug had several effects on the developing fetus making the babies to be born with several deformities that included phocomelia, aplasia, and genital malformation among others. For instance, a baby would be born with a normal head, a normal trunk and shortened limbs or at times lack limbs. Other problems that might result include kidney abnormalities, small eyes or absence of eyes altogether, heart defects, mental retardation, facial paralysis, malformation of the ears and of the digestive tract and even gastrointestinal abnormalities. Mechanism The working of thalidomide is a process that has not fully been understood by many people. It is thought of as being the mechanism that leads to the inhibition of TNF-alpha. By enhancing the process of TNF-alpha mRNA degradation Thalidomide reduces the production of TNF-alpha. The immune system too gets affected by Thalomides action such that the surface adhesion molecules on epidermal cells and endothelial cells are controlled. Down regulation of key histocompatibility antigens that are also found on these cells also takes place as a result. The end result of all this is therefore a reduction in the T-helper cells flowing, an increase in the T-suppressor cells in circulation and modification of the integrin receptors together with other receptors. Generally the mechanism of thalidomide is regarded as being linked to the properties of angiogenesis. People have therefore assumed that the drug works by reducing TNF-alpha production, modulating integrins, changing the ratio of T-cell derived cytokines, regulating the production of interleukin and angiogenesis inhibition. Teratogenic effects As earlier mentioned, Thalidomide causes birth defets when it is used by pregnant mothers. Phocomelia which is characterized by failure of the development of long bones in the limbs as well as other deformities such as eye defects, gastrointestinal disorders, external ear malformation and malformations of the digestive tract might also occur. Cyclopamine (Cyclops) Hedgehog signaling Cyclopamine is a chemical belonging to the alkaloids steroidal jerveratrum and is known to occur naturally. It is known to cause serious birth defects as a teratogen. It can cause holopresencephaly, a situation in which the fetal brain is prevented from undergoing division so that there are two lobes. It works by suppressing the hedgehog gene causing this and the development of only one eye. It influences the balance between the inactive and active types of the smoothened protein leading to the inhibition of the hedgehog signaling pathway. Birth defects, mechanism and teratogenic effects The resulting effects of cyclopamine include craniofacial malformations, malformation of an organisms skeletal structure and malformations of the tracheal system. Craniofacial defects are said to be as a result of the blockage of the sonic hedgehog signaling thus inhibiting normal movement of the cell in the developing embryo. Both veratrum californicum and cyclopamine-4-ene-3-one steroidal alkaloids affect the maturation of the oocyte and thus interfere with the subsequent development process of the embryo. Currently, scientists are investigating cyclopamine for any abilities to treat multiple myeloma, rhabdomyosarcoma, medulloblastoma and basal cell carcinoma. In its mechanism, cyclopamine inhibits the hedgehog signaling pathway within cells (US National Library of Medicine, 2011). This pathway is important to the cells in that it can be used by them to be able to respond to any chemical signs from outside. Incase this pathway is interfered with; the process of embryonic development will be affected thus leading to certain deformities. It has thus been established that cyclopamine can be used to turn around certain problems and provide a treatment for a number of diseases, for example cancer. Teratogens These refer to any agents that are capable of causing disturbance to the embryonic or fetal development thus leading to birth defects in the infant. It is also possible that a teratogen can out rightly halt a given pregnancy. Teratogens can be classified into drugs, maternal infections, radiation and chemicals. Pregnant women should be careful not to use unnecessary drugs or even alcohol as these might have teratogenic effects that will interfere with the development of the embryo in their wombs. In certain instances, the medication diagnosed to a pregnant mother to treat certain complications might also be a teratogen. Care should thus be taken especially by the health specialist to provide an alternative treatment where possible. Lactating mothers might also expose their children to the dangers of teratogens through breastfeeding since some of them can be passed through breast milk. The best solution in such a case is the use of formula feeding. Williams (2011) asserts that during gestation, teratogens are known to work with specificity by causing specific types of abnormalities during specific periods. A case in point is carbamazepine that causes neural tube defects whereas thalidomide leads to limb phocomelia in an infant. Certain drugs such as aspirin are not teratogenic when used by humans but have teratogenic effects on rats and mice. Thalidomide on the other hand has a different effect on the different species. It was found out that Thalidomide was not teratogenic in rats, no wonder its effect on humans was overlooked leading to tragic outcomes that involved human morbidity. Only when sufficient amounts of teratogenic substances are able to reach the developing conceptus that the teratogenic effects can be felt. Factors affecting the transfer of teratogens across the placenta to the embryonic-fetal bloodstream and subsequently cause teratogenic effects include the solubility of lipids, molecular weights of the substances, the availability of a given protein carrier and polarity (Leitner, 2004). The resultant effect of a teratogen is dependent upon the stage of development within which the embryo is exposed to the substance. Generally, in humans, teratogenicity is determined by the existence of the teratogen during organogenesis of the organ system in question, the presence of a recognizable sequence of anomalies, statistically higherr level of prevalence of a certain abnormality within those exposed to the teratogen than in the controls, prior to the teratogens introduction within a population theres a lower level of the anomalys occurrence and the facilitation of teratogenicity in experimental animals through the administration of the teratogen during organogenesis. Cancer Cancer falls under a large group of diseases marked by the growth and proliferation of abnormal cells as a result of uncontrolled cell division. Tumors are caused by the growth of these cells into masses of tissue. Normal tissues are destroyed after they have been invaded by cancer cells. Cancer is known to be a genetic sickness caused by mutations that take place in somatic cells due to mutagens that damage the DNA. Genetic Mutations usually cause conversion of a number of normal genes that are involved in the growth, development and differentiation of the cells into oncogenes that cause cancer. Cancer can also be caused by the knocking out of suppressor genes by genetic mutations. Cancer is caused by a multi-step process that is characterized by the interaction of genes and the environment they are exposed to. Cancer cells spread within an organisms body through local growth of the cancerous tumor and the detachment of a number of cells which then travel via the lymphatic system and the blood to other body parts to develop other tumors there. Metastasis which is the proliferation of cancer cells may be localized in one part of the body. However, the lack of treatment might cause the cancer cells to spread further to other body parts and thus affect the entire body and lead to death. For a cell to become cancerous, it must undergo the process of activation of five key pathways that include the growth stimulatory signals, growth inhibitory signals, apoptosis resistance, infinite proliferative capacity and angiogenic latent. Generally, cancer is an environmental disease caused by such factors as radiation, tobacco, environmental pollutants and diet accompanied by a genetic influence. These environmental factors are known to affect the genetic make up of the cells thus causing abnormalities. A given percentage of cancer is usually hereditarily inherited. The good thing however is that there is a number of treatments for this condition, for example chemotherapy, surgery and even radiotherapy. According to www.medicalnewstoday.com (2000) depending on the type of cell a given tumor resembles, cancer can be classified into sarcoma, blastoma, carcinoma, lymphoma and germ cell tumor. Blastoma is common in small children and occurs in immature embryonic tissue. Carcinoma is linked to epithelial cells and includes prostate cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer and colon cancer. Sarcoma cancer on the other hand is associated with mesenchymal cells whereas lymphoma cancer is derived from blood forming cells known as hematopoietic cells specifically starting from the immune system. The cancer found in the ovarian and testicle regions among adults is the germ cell tumor. It also occurs in small children and is usually derived from pluripotent cells. Hanahan (2000) explains that symptoms of this disease are dependent on the cancer type and its location in the human body. For example, in the case of colon cancer, the symptoms include blood in the stool, diarrhea and constipation. Certain kinds of cancer may completely lack symptoms while others may have symptoms that apparently can not be seen physically. Since the body energy is usurped by cancer cells to an extent that the normal hormonal function is interfered with, an individual would experience symptoms such as anemia, weight loss, fever and excessive sweating. When metastasis occurs certain newer symptoms can be observed in the region affected. Seizures, vertigo and headache might result if this cancer gets to the brain. Conclusion Though much information about genetic mutation is not yet out, basically it is known to involve the change in the genetic sequence of an organism. Various factors such as exposure to chemicals, viruses and radiations might cause genetic mutation during hyper mutation and meiosis processes. Teratogenic effects such as birth defects and other abnormalities can result due to the alteration of the DNA sequence in an individuals body. These might be due to chemicals such as drugs that one is exposed to, for example the effect Thalidomide has on individuals. Cyclopamine too is a chemical that affects the DNA sequence in an organism thus causing certain undesirable characteristics to occur. Buy custom Congenital Disorders essay

Free Essays on Social Conservative

Homosexuality has been a source of constant conflict among many organizations of today’s society. Perhaps the most prominent disputes of this issue exist within the disagreement of same sex relationships from the views of society, homosexuals, the Christian church, and scientist’s biological theories. Society’s view is that homosexuals influence others; therefore, it is a chosen lifestyle. Most homosexuals believe they were born with a homosexual gene and they did not choose this lifestyle for themselves. The Christian church teaches that â€Å"homosexuality† is not God’s design for people, but believes there are ways of changing. It is the Homosexual who don’t want to change themselves. Many Americans thinks that homosexual should not be parents, and they have many biases view about the homosexual couple, thinking that homosexual couple doesn’t make enough money for child to live happy and giving the child wants and needs. According to a survey carried out by Leger Marketing, the level of education and the financial situation of heterosexual and homosexual are practically the same. However, a big group of the population believes that homosexual relationships are unhappy. For example, one study established that heterosexual student from college expected gay and lesbian relationships to be less fulfilling and more frustrating and prone to discord than heterosexual relationships, and they believed homosexual couple making the child to be confused of their sex (Williams & Cohen 53). In a happy family the child should have opposite sex parent. Same-sex couples aren't the most favorable environments in which to raise children. If a child are being rai se up by a family of same sex parent then who will be the mother and who will be the father. There are no such thing that a family have two mom or two dad then the child will be confuse. As the child gets older and at the age of going to school and when the teacher as... Free Essays on Social Conservative Free Essays on Social Conservative Homosexuality has been a source of constant conflict among many organizations of today’s society. Perhaps the most prominent disputes of this issue exist within the disagreement of same sex relationships from the views of society, homosexuals, the Christian church, and scientist’s biological theories. Society’s view is that homosexuals influence others; therefore, it is a chosen lifestyle. Most homosexuals believe they were born with a homosexual gene and they did not choose this lifestyle for themselves. The Christian church teaches that â€Å"homosexuality† is not God’s design for people, but believes there are ways of changing. It is the Homosexual who don’t want to change themselves. Many Americans thinks that homosexual should not be parents, and they have many biases view about the homosexual couple, thinking that homosexual couple doesn’t make enough money for child to live happy and giving the child wants and needs. According to a survey carried out by Leger Marketing, the level of education and the financial situation of heterosexual and homosexual are practically the same. However, a big group of the population believes that homosexual relationships are unhappy. For example, one study established that heterosexual student from college expected gay and lesbian relationships to be less fulfilling and more frustrating and prone to discord than heterosexual relationships, and they believed homosexual couple making the child to be confused of their sex (Williams & Cohen 53). In a happy family the child should have opposite sex parent. Same-sex couples aren't the most favorable environments in which to raise children. If a child are being rai se up by a family of same sex parent then who will be the mother and who will be the father. There are no such thing that a family have two mom or two dad then the child will be confuse. As the child gets older and at the age of going to school and when the teacher as...

A Short History of the American Red Cross

A Short History of the American Red Cross Historical Importance of the American Red Cross The American Red Cross is the only congressionally mandated organization to provide aid to victims of disaster and is responsible for fulfilling the mandates of the Geneva Convention within the United States. It was founded May 21, 1881 It has historically been known under other names, such as ARC; American Association of the Red Cross (1881 - 1892) and American National Red Cross (1893 - 1978). Overview Clara Barton, born in 1821, had been a schoolteacher, a clerk in the U.S. Patent Office, and had earned the nickname Angel of the Battlefield during the Civil War before she founded the American Red Cross in 1881. Bartons experiences of collecting and distributing supplies to soldiers during the Civil War, as well as working as a nurse on battlefields, made her a champion for the rights of wounded soldiers. After the Civil War, Barton aggressively lobbied for the establishment of an American version of the International Red Cross (which had been founded in Switzerland in 1863) and for the United States to sign the Geneva Convention. She succeeded with both the American Red Cross was founded in 1881 and the U.S. ratified the Geneva Convention in 1882. Clara Barton became the first president of the American Red Cross and led the organization for the next 23 years. Just days after the first local chapter of the American Red Cross was established in Dansville, NY on August 22, 1881, the American Red Cross jumped into its first disaster relief operation when they responded to the devastation caused by major forest fires in Michigan. The American Red Cross continued to aid victims of fires, floods, and hurricanes over the next several years; however, their role grew during the 1889 Johnstown flood when the American Red Cross set up large shelters to temporarily house those dislocated by the disaster. Sheltering and feeding continue to this day to be the largest responsibilities of the Red Cross immediately following a disaster. On June 6, 1900, the American Red Cross was given a congressional charter that mandated the organization to fulfill the provisions of the Geneva Convention, by rendering aid to those wounded during the war, providing communication between family members and members of the U.S. military, and administering relief to those affected by disasters during peacetime. The charter also protects the Red Cross emblem (a red cross on a white background) for use only by the Red Cross. On January 5, 1905, the American Red Cross received a slightly revised congressional charter, under which the organization still operates today. Though the American Red Cross has been given this mandate by Congress, it is not a federally funded organization; it is a non-profit, charitable organization that receives its funding from public donations. Though congressionally chartered, internal struggles threatened to topple the organization in the early 1900s. Clara Bartons sloppy bookkeeping, as well as questions regarding Bartons ability to manage a large, national organization, led to a congressional investigation. Instead of testifying, Barton resigned from the American Red Cross on May 14, 1904. (Clara Barton passed away April 12, 1912, at the age of 91.) In the decade following the congressional charter, the American Red Cross responded to disasters such as the ​1906 San Francisco earthquake and added classes such as first aid, nursing, and water safety. In 1907, the American Red Cross began working to combat consumption (tuberculosis) by selling Christmas Seals to raise money for the National Tuberculosis Association. World War I exponentially expanded the American Red Cross by significantly increasing Red Cross chapters, volunteers, and funds. The American Red Cross sent thousands of nurses overseas, helped organize the home front, established veterans hospitals, delivered care packages, organized ambulances, and even trained dogs to search for wounded. In World War II, the American Red Cross played a similar role but also sent millions of packages of food to POWs, began a blood collection service to aid the wounded, and established clubs such as the famous Rainbow Corner to offer entertainment and food to servicemen. After World War II, the American Red Cross established a civilian blood collection service in 1948, has continued to offer aid to victims of disasters and wars, added classes for CPR, and in 1990 added a Holocaust War Victims Tracing and Information Center. The American Red Cross has continued to be an important organization, offering aid to millions affected by wars and disasters.

Vietnam War Escalation and Americanization

Vietnam War Escalation and Americanization The Vietnam war escalation began with the Gulf of Tonkin incident. On August 2, 1964, USS Maddox, an American destroyer, was attacked in the Gulf of Tonkin by three North Vietnamese torpedo boats while conducting an intelligence mission. A second attack seemed have occurred two days later, though the reports were sketchy (It now appears that there was no second attack). This second â€Å"attack† led to US air strikes against North Vietnam and the passage of the Southeast Asia (Gulf of Tonkin) Resolution by Congress. This resolution permitted the president to conduct military operations in the region without a formal declaration of war and became the legal justification for escalating the conflict. Bombing Begins In retribution for the incident in the Gulf of Tonkin, President Lyndon Johnson issued orders for the systematic bombing of North Vietnam, targeting its air defenses, industrial sites, and transportation infrastructure. Beginning on March 2, 1965, and known as Operation Rolling Thunder, the bombing campaign would last over three years and would drop an average of 800 tons of bombs a day on the north. To protect US air bases in South Vietnam, 3,500 Marines were deployed that same month, becoming the first ground forces committed to the conflict. Early Combat By April 1965, Johnson had sent the first 60,000 American troops to Vietnam. The number would escalate to 536,100 by the end of 1968. In the summer of 1965, under the command of General William Westmoreland, US forces executed their first major offensive operations against the Viet Cong and scored victories around Chu Lai (Operation Starlite) and in the Ia Drang Valley. This latter campaign was largely fought by the 1st Air Cavalry Division which pioneered the use of helicopters for high speed mobility on the battlefield. Learning from these defeats, the Viet Cong seldom again engaged American forces in conventional, pitched battles preferring instead to resort to hit and run attacks and ambushes. Over the next three years, American forces focused on searching and destroying Viet Cong and North Vietnamese units operating in the south. Frequently mounting large-scale sweeps such as Operations Attleboro, Cedar Falls, and Junction City, American and ARVN forces captured large amounts of weapons and supplies but rarely engaged large formations of the enemy. Political Situation in South Vietnam In Saigon, the political situation began to calm in 1967, with the rise of Nguyen Van Theiu to the head of the South Vietnamese government. Theiu’s ascent to the presidency stabilized the government and ended a long series of military juntas that had administered the country since Diem’s removal. Despite this, the Americanization of the war clearly showed that the South Vietnamese were incapable of defending the country on their own.

Automotive Industry in UK Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 10000 words

Automotive Industry in UK - Coursework Example It is here that the researcher has chosen the automotive industry because it has one of the most used product, automobiles. Automotive manufacturing companies such as the Ford Motor Company, Hyundai Car (UK) Ltd, Toyota Manufacturing UK Ltd, and Nissan Motor Manufacturing (UK) Ltd will be the research correspondent. The companies will be analyzed based on their reported facts and figures as to productivity, competence and profitability. This paper aims to be a useful tool for those who are interested in investing into the said industry by looking to the financial ratios to be presented as to its profitability. It aims to be valuable aid for investment decisions. It also aims to be a useful related study to those who would want to perform such a similar analysis in the future. A study conducted by Ernst and Young, a world -respected accounting and auditing firm, shows that the United Kingdom is Europe's favorite destination in terms of monetary investments. After learning of this new research, Trade and Industry Secretary Stephen Byers announced that this is a "ringing endorsement" for foreign companies to set up shop in the United Kingdom. This recognition is when many EUROPEAN countries were made alternative choices. In fact, the Ernst and Young company's Investment Monitor Report shows that the UK had an increase in foreign investments by as much as thirteen percent in 1999. This UK ratio is double the investment increase in the European investment. Also, the market share of the foreign investments has also risen. The accounting firm explained their by findings by stating that there were two thousand two hundred forty three that entered into the European arena which represents a five percent increase in 1999. However, there were five hundred seventy fi ve investments that specifically reached the United Kingdom. This represents a chunky thirteen percent increase for from the prior year investments of only five hundred eight investments in this land of the King Arthur fame in the same year -1999. Further, the United Kingdom companies also invested in the other European countries to the tune of twenty six percent. This is a two percent increase investments (Autoindustry, 2ndMay 2001).In the article Development and Dependency in Southeast Asia: the Case of the Automotive Industry, the year 1988 saw the Malaysian national car, Proton, gain a seventy -three percent share of the Malaysian automotive industry market. One good reason is that the company is the beneficiary of its governments' exemption from complying with the Malaysian government's forty percent ID. This fee is being paid by other automotive manufacturers inside Malaysia. Also, the foreign competitors of the company are being imposed very high import duties on their CBUs e ntering the Malaysian circuit. In the past, Proton had been the mocked by its critics when it just started operations because it had to overcome huge losses which would prod other less -brave and adventurous companies to fold up their operations in this Southeast Asian Country. Happily, Proton was able to survive its real world test and transform a losing automotive venture into a profit generating endeavor with a stroke of

Commercial case study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Commercial case study - Essay Example The client in these contracts has no long term liabilities to the independent project manager who can be dispensed with if he/she fails to meet the terms of the contract. Moreover, the independent project manager can be compensated using a variety of payment mechanisms, the details of which have been presented in the report. Dobson (2004) and Frame (2002) believe that one of the most basic rules of project management is to focus on the triple constraints which are Scope, Time, and Cost. Any relaxation in any of these results in a snowball effect on the scope, late and over-budget project delivery, resulting in unsuccessful categorization of the project. An independent project manager gets to have an impartial view of the situation without any preconceived notions and biased relationships (Walker, 2002, p. 10). Moreover, it is difficult to influence an independent project manager through the existing negotiation power that may rest with the other parties involved. An independent project manager provides a critical analysis of the scope of the project without any conflicts of interest. Scope setting by the owner of the project often results in over-commitment whereas if done by the contractors often results in under-commitment. An independent view on the other hand provides a more balanced assessment of the situation. According to Ibbs and Kwak (2000), and Peter Morris (1999) procurement is an important component of project management. An independent project manager is largely unaffected by the balance of power in existing vendor relationships. Moreover, he can make unbiased decisions for the good of the project without the burden of existing relationships hanging over him. An independent project manager brings in a fresh perspective, a broad list of vendor options and experience of dealing with them, and best practices from the industry regarding contractual relationships. He will also be