Category: Car Electronics
-
Lies, Damn Lies, and Tire Pressure Gauges
Whilst on the subject of checking your tires, you really ought to check the pressures once every couple of weeks too. Doing this does rather rely on you having, or having access to a working, accurate tire pressure gauge. If you’ve got one of those free pencil-type gauges that car dealerships give away free, then…
-
Car Fuel Gauges
A fuel gauge, also called gas gauge, is an instrument used to indicate the level of fuel contained in a tank i.e. measure the amount of fuel still in the vehicle. Typically, a car fuel gauge consists of two parts-a sensing or sending unit and an indicator. The sensing unit measures the amount of fuel…
-
Car Audio Crossovers
Music is composed of frequencies that run the entire gamut of human hearing, and crossovers are designed to split out those frequencies into smaller chunks. The main purpose of doing that is to make sure that only the right frequencies reach the right speakers. That can help reduce distortion and help improve the overall sound…
-
Car Audio Basics: Head Units, Amplifiers, and Speakers
Car audio has been around for almost as long as the automobile itself, and there have been a lot of changes throughout the years. Modern systems are typically optimized for both cost and space, which often means that sacrifices are made in the area of sound quality. Some vehicles do ship with premium sound packages,…
-
Car Audio – System Design
Before you purchase any component, plan your system very carefully. You need to consider if you are going to buy the whole system all at once or piece by piece, how much you want to spend and what quality and quantity of sound you want. Are you doing a flashy or stealth installation? Are you…
-
Can I Upgrade My Stereo?
Whether you want to wake up your neighborhood with pounding bass, or just plug your iPod into a dedicated stereo input, the thought of upgrading the sound system in your vehicle has probably crossed your mind at some point. Many cars and trucks ship with relatively anemic sound systems, but that problem is relatively easy…
-
Brake Warning Light
What does it mean if your Brake Warning Light is on? If the light is on all the time, it could mean you simply forgot to release the parking (emergency) brake. The brake warning light remains on when the brake is set as a reminder. If the brake warning light remains on when the parking…
-
Back to Basics: Car Audio Systems
When you’re in the market for a new car, you end up weighing together a whole lot of different features and options. Everything from cost, to safety ratings, and even future insurance rates can come into play. Some essential features, like anti-lock brakes, are pretty much standard these days, while other live-saving innovations, like smart…
-
Auto Service Reminder Light
If you drive a new vehicle, the old days of putting a small sticker on the inside of your windshield as a reminder of when your vehicle is due for an oil change are over. Many newer automobiles have a system to track the “oil life” and notify the owner when it is time for…
-
Amplifiers, Receivers and Other Car Audio Equipment
Upgrading the car stereo receiver is a good way to get more audio options, like a better equalizer, clearer radio signals and even CD or MP3 player capability. But for dramatic improvements in sound quality, you’ll need more than just a new car stereo. Amplifiers are used to supply extra power to your car audio…