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Proper lubrication is defined as the proper amount of the proper lubricant at the proper place.  If oil levels are low, or the lubricant delivery system is inadequate, a proper oil film cannot be maintained at the friction surface. This results in metal to metal contact and accelerated wear. Sufficient lubrication can only be achieved when oil levels are correct, and the appropriate lube is in place and functioning properly.Another problem that can sometimes lead to lubricant related machine failures is lubricant degradation. Nature takes its toll on all of us, and lubricants are no exception. Oxidation breaks down the base oil of a lubricant, additives are depleted, and physical properties change over time. This process is accelerated by high temperatures, heavy loading, and contamination. When a lubricant reaches the end of its useful life, it is no longer capable of protecting equipment components. Steps must be taken to ensure a healthy lubricant is in use at all times.A third problem that can lead to premature failure is contamination. Contaminated lubricants account for nearly half of all lubricant related failures. Lubricants can become contaminated with either solid or liquid contaminants. Solid contaminants can act as abrasives causing severe damage to components. Oil will hold contaminants in suspension as it flows through the machine. The contaminants are carried away from the friction surface to settle out in the reservoir or be filtered out. Solids can also clog filters and orifices restricting oil flow and resulting in lubricant starvation. Filters need to be checked and maintained on a scheduled routine basis.Fluid contaminants such as water will alter the load handling ability of oil, and act as a catalyst for lubricant degradation. Many fluids also cause internal corrosion and rust. The proper oil additives will enhance the rust and oxidation inhibiting properties of the oil. When the oil starts to show a high level of degradation, it is time to change the oil removing all the contaminants from the system. The scheduled oil analysis tests will assess the oil condition and degradation. Proper filtration must be maintained, and sources of potential contamination should be identified and controlled to ensure the cleanest lubricant possible.Lubricant related failures may also include incorrect lubricant selection. When selecting a lubricant for a given application, both equipment specifications and operating parameters should be taken into account. A higher oil viscosity will be required for equipment running at a higher load. There are many types of oil to choose from. Most importantly, the proper grade (viscosity) lubricant must be chosen.Oil absorbs the heat generated by the friction surface. The oil carries the heat away to the reservoir where it can disperse, cooling before circulating through the equipment again. Oil can be passed through a cooler to disperse the heat more rapidly. The viscosity will determine the amount of heat the oil is meant to withstand. Low viscosity subjected to higher heat temperatures will cause the oil to break down prematurely. Testing the viscosity will assist in confirming that the proper oil is being used for the application at hand.Secondly the lubricant should have the proper additive package. Lubricating oils are composed of 70% to 95% base oil and the balance is additives. Engine oil has the most additives due to the engines high running temperatures and rough environments. The second highest amount of additives is in gear oil, AW hydraulic oil, and transmission fluid. The least amount of additives is found in turbine oil. Additives enhance rust and oxidation inhibiting properties in turbine oil creating a longer lasting, more durable product. Some oils use alkaline additives to neutralize acid as it is formed.Other considerations in selecting a lubricant include demulsibility properties and extreme temperature characteristics. Running a base line oil analysis test before the oil is used, confirms the cleanliness of the new oil. This gives a point of comparison for future oil testing as the oil breaks down with age and use. This can be an important part of an efficient Predictive Maintenance Program.Lubricant related failures are sometimes caused by the use of grease when oil is required. The lubricant functions to reduce friction and wear by physically separating opposing friction surfaces with an oil film. This also reduces the amount of energy needed to complete the task.Once the proper lube is selected, procedures should be put in place to ensure the selected lubricant is applied at the proper intervals. Always monitor the oil with scheduled oil analysis testing to spot lubricant problems before they turn into costly machine failures.

The 2008 Arizona International Auto Show is one of the most anticipated auto shows for car enthusiasts, but it’s also a big gold star on the calendars of car dealers all over

One question that’s asked by nearly everyone eventually is “should I get a life insurance policy?”.Life insurance pays out a benefit when the person insured dies during the time that the policy is in force. It can provide the cash needed to pay for burial, pay off mortgages and loans and give your family a financial cushion while they get back on their feet. When you’re young or have little discretionary income, it’s easy to tell yourself that life insurance is just for the well-off, but the truth is that life insurance is far more necessary for those who have no monetary cushion against life’s rougher times.You should consider life insurance if:- you have dependentsThe moment you are responsible for another person in your life, you need life insurance. Whether it’s your children, a spouse or employees, if someone counts on your ability to earn an income, then life insurance is a necessity.- you have a mortgage or other detbsIf you have a mortgage, you need life insurance to pay off the remainder of the mortgage if you should die before the mortgage is paid off. If you don’t have some sort of insurance to pay off your mortgage when you die, your heirs will have to deal with the debt.- you own a business or are a key employee in a businessIf you own a business, are partners in a business or are a key employee in a business, a life insurance policy can keep your business afloat while your employees or partners make arrangements to replace you or dissolve the business according to your wishes. If this is your reason for investing in life insurance, it could possibly be charged off as a business expense.There are several types of life insurance available to you, and the type that’s best for you will depend on a number of factors. If your main concern is to ensure that your family is not saddled with a capital and interest mortgage in case of your death, then decreasing term life may be your most economical option. With decreasing term life, you pay for just the amount of coverage that you need. For example, if you take out a £150,000 capital and interest mortgage on your home, you can protect it with a decreasing term life policy that starts out with a payout of £150,000. That payout will decrease over the years as you pay off the mortgage loan.Level term life insurance is the next tier of life insurance policy. Like decreasing term life, it pays out a benefit if you die under the terms of the policy - but rather than decreasing as your mortgage is paid off, it remains level. Generally, term life insurance is available in terms from one to forty years, and often comes with a range of options which can extend the policy at an additional cost.Whichever type of life cover you need, it’s important to know exactly what’s right for your needs and what the various different companies and policies provide. If you are in any doubt about this you should consult an independent financial adviser who can look at your circumstances and match the best policy to your needs.

Many people want to read the consumer reports auto insurance review to help them find the best rate and policy for them. Quite simply, there are so many auto insurance companies out there today, it can be a challenge to find the right one for you. Whether you want info on Progressive Auto Insurance, Geiko, Saga, AIG, etc, you can find a review of them with consumer reports. Here are some tips to help you find the best company available without breaking the bank.First of all, the most important thing you could ever do is to shop around for your auto insurance. Just because a particular company is popular, and even if they have a good reputation, this doesn’t necessarily make them the best option for you.Remember, everybody’s situation is different; therefore, you could actually end up paying more with one company than you would another, while one of your friends may have saved money with the other firm.Your individual situation will go a long way towards determining how much money you will pay for your auto insurance rate. There are many different factors that can affect the bottom line price. Here are some tips to help you spot the best offerings available for you.(1) When first looking at a particular auto insurance company, first discover if your current insurance firm gives out multifamily and/or multi-policy discounts. Also, focus on firms that offer insurance to a group or association with which you are involved.(2) Driving as little as necessary will also help you to save cash, because you are at less risk of an accident and therefore expensive car repair. The car insurance accident statistics are one of the biggest things that any company will consider before insuring you, so the less you drive, the less you will pay.(3) Your driving record is very important to the final rate you will pay. The less accidents or traffic tickets you’ve received, the better. Obviously, there isn’t anything you can do about the past, but shoring up your current driving habits will certainly help you now and in the future.(4) If you own a common or inexpensive car with a low crime rate, and also by dwelling in a safe area, will dramatically lower the price you are forced to pay. Obviously, the less risk your car is at for being stolen, the better insurance rate you will receive.If, however, you own a higher profile car (one that’s more likely to be stolen) and can’t do anything about your living situation, then you might think about purchasing safety appliances for your auto, such as alarms, air bags, automatic seatbelts, etc. these will help you pay a reduced rate.(5) Refraining from using your car for business purposes will help you save money on your car insurance price.While there are certainly other factors that will make a difference in your auto insurance rate, these are the most essential. The better you rate with each of these categories will go a long way to determining the final amount you will pay for your insurance.Remember, price certainly isn’t the only option, although it can be important. Do your research, check the consumer reports auto insurance reviews, and find the best company for you based on how you measure up with these variables.

Over the past couple of years, the cost of installing a GPS auto navigation system has fallen considerably, and as an inevitable result of this, more and more people are taking advantage of it in order to make it easier to find out where they are going, plan their journeys, and keep track of where they are.The principles behind SatNav were first tested back in 1967, but it took nearly 30 years before the NavStar GPS System first began operation as a military application in the mid 1990s. Civilian use of GPS navigation was made available soon after the military launch, but the initial costs of using the system were very high, and required ongoing subscriptions to be paid. The first people who took advantage of GPS were pilots, and surveyors, who needed to be able to measure distances with pinpoint accuracy. In the early days , an affordable GPS auto navigation system was out of reach for the average car owner.Over time, the costs of GPS auto navigation system has fallen considerably, and there are increasing numbers of applications for them and the data that they provide in our daily lives. Manufacturers such as Garmin and TomTom have combined GPS signals Data with existing map information and complex mathematical algorithms to create systems that can be used for navigation on the roads and highways.These GPS auto navigation systems can be installed into any car in a matter of minutes, and then be used to plan journeys, and keep track of where you are to stop you getting lost on the roads. By being combined with other data, such as traffic news feeds, GPS auto navigation systems can warn drivers about road congestion, and provide alternative routes in real time to ensure that no-one who has such a GPS needs get stuck in a queue again.There are a number of different styles of GPS auto navigation systems available to suit the needs of the individual, from basic models through to expensive and highly accurate systems able to manage large amounts of data and provide information to the users in order to give feedback about where they have been.The simplest kind of auto navigation GPS system is a removable gadget that stores the map data internally, and uses a satellite signal to pinpoint the position of the unit. By combining the map data and the satellite signal, routes can be planned, and the user can find their way, while seeing a graphical representation of their route on a small screen. These GPS auto navigation systems can be either removable, or fixed into the car. Many new models actually integrate the GPS into the dashboard, while non fixed systems can either be mounted on the dash, or attached to the windshield using a suction cup.As well as dedicated auto GPS devices, it is also possible to buy a large number of other gadgets with GPS as a built in feature. Some GPS PDAs can have a GPS module plugged in to them, and used in cars, and an increasing number of cell phones have GPS as a standard feature. On the whole, although these devices have GPS built in, it is not of the same standard as a dedicated system, and wile it may help you know where you are, it will not provide such accurate data or be able to plan routes on the go as well as one of the custom systems from Garmin or Magellan.At the top end of the list of auto navigation GPS systems, there are a number of fantastic options available. Many of the high end GPS auto navigation systems include a range of features to make getting around as simple and convenient as possible.Aside from the standard information about maps and positions, these GPS systems can also provide information about local amenities such as gas stations, motels, and even speed control cameras in certain countries. More expensive GPS auto navigation systems come with the ability to upload additional map systems so they can be used in different countries, and through the use of local radio services, provide comprehensive traffic information to the driver wherever in the world he is.Whether you want a simple auto navigation GPS system to help you avoid the traffic problems in your home town, or are a cross country driver who needs the long distance planning flexibility for getting from a-to-b as efficiently as possible, there is a GPS system available that will suit your needs.

Underinflation of tires, according to studies by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, is the leading cause of tire failure and, therefore, tire-related automotive accidents. In short, keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure is integral for the safety or yourself, your passengers, and other drivers on the road.There are several reasons tires lose pressure. Tears in the tire wall or punctures are obvious causes of “slow leaks,” but ambient temperature can also cause changes in tire pressure as well. For example, if you live in

If you live in a state where snow and ice covers the ground each winter, you’re probably well aware of just how necessary it is to de-ice the roads. Since the 1930s, when salt was originally realized to work for this purpose, agencies have been using this tried and true method to keep roads safe for driving. Salt works because of its natural ability to melt ice without adding too many harsh chemicals to the environment. But salt is, as we’ve all seen evidence of, quite corrosive and over time, it can cause vehicles to rust, shortening their life spans.Beginning in 1976, NACE International (formerly the National Association of Corrosion Engineers), based in

Scraping off your windshield in the winter can be a royal pain in the butt. If you don’t have a garage, you probably dread getting out in the morning and scraping off the ice until you can see through the windshield properly. If you have a garage, well then this article isn’t meant for you! Below are some techniques you should consider when you want to prevent ice from getting on your windshield.Use a special mixtureI did some research online and found that there are some great techniques you can use with common household items. One of the common recipes I’ve come across was using 3 parts of vinegar to 1 part of water and simply place it in a spray bottle. Every night before you go in for the night, make sure that you spray all of the windshields with this mixture.Vinegar will prevent the ice from forming on your windshield. Also remember that you should spray your side passenger windows as well.
If you don’t have access to vinegar, you can also use rubbing alcohol as well. All of these items generally run a few dollars at your local grocery store.Provide a barrierIf you don’t like the idea of spraying vinegar and water on your windshield, you can grab an item such as cardboard and spread it across your windshield. The key to this is to make sure that the cardboard is tucked in both the passenger and driver side doors.In the morning when the ice and snow is on top of your car windshield, simply pull the cardboard off and use your defroster to take away any frost that you have on your windshield. The best place to find cardboard is to either go to a local grocery store to grab some empty boxes they’ve used or grab some at a local storage place for a small fee.The two tips are the ones you’ll find all over the place when you do research on the net. The best thing to do when researching is to stay away from scummy items that say that it’ll prevent ice on your windshield. Most of the times, this spray will be somewhat similar to the vinegar and water. The best thing to do to not only save money and your time is to simply create it yourself.If the ways above are ways you are uncomfortable with, there really aren’t that many more ideas out there that can prevent ice itself. Some auto companies have tried to come out with windshields that were heated along with windshield wipers. This concept hasn’t taken off as of late but you can look up patents online to see exactly what it’s all about.
If you hate the ice, you can simply move or build a garage if you’re that upset about it or you can simply live with it or take actions with the methods above. Who knows, you may have an idea that can save millions the hassle of scraping off ice on their windshield.

For quite some time now, car owners are allocating significant amount of budget to grooming and enhancing the exterior of their vehicles through thorough cleansing.  Of course, it matters if cleanliness of the car is observed inside and out. But if you want to make your car look brand new in an instant, at least exteriorly, it would be a big plus if you would subject your vehicle into auto detailing.Basically, there are three highly popular auto detailing techniques. These three are commonly practiced and offered at almost all car detailing establishments in the

How often do you go to the gas pump and groan because the gas prices are just putting a huge dent in your budget? If you’re shaking your head to this question, you’re definitely not alone. Over the past couple of years, you’ve probably realized that gas prices have gone up and are always changing on a consistent basis.The easiest solution is gas rebate credit cards. If you’re sort of familiar with them or you’ve never heard of them before, I’m going to explain to you how they can save you a ton of cash in the long run. The only steps it takes from you is for you to fill out a simple application and hit the send button. It will cost you nothing and there’s no gimmick or scam involved.Gas rebate credit cards are very similar to any credit card on the market. They work just like one but they benefit you in the gas sector. All gas credit cards are different because some may only be used on gas while others can be used on any other type of purchases. Once again, this will all depend on the credit card company. When you’re applying, it’s your duty to read the fine print to know exactly where they’ll be accepted. Your best bet to sign up for a card that gives you cash back at a particular gas station, seeing these usually give you the best cash back percentages.Choosing the right gas rebate credit card can be tough at times. The best way to choose the right credit card is to decide whether you want a card that focuses on one gas station or a credit card that focuses on any. Like I mentioned in the above paragraph, you’re going to want to probably focus on the percentage you’re going to get back. You’ll find that most cards that focus on one gas station will usually give you the best introductory and long term rate. This will be all up to you.Once you find that perfect credit card, simply fill out the information noted on the application and wait for the status of your application to come either via email or regular mail. You’ll find that every card is different in their approval process. Some cards will approve you on the spot while others may take a few days. If you don’t hear from the credit card company within a week or so, it’s always best to call them up and ask them for a status, most of the time you’ll find that they’ll have an answer for you.If you’ve read this and you’re motivated to save on gas, start your search today. Once the card arrives, start using it and you’ll see all the benefits start to roll in the long run!