To increase road safety, Volvo, a world-leading Swedish auto manufacturer, improves its braking functions for the European market. If customers choose a Volvo truck with electronically controlled Brake System (EBS) in base form, more functions are incorporated to it without the burden of paying extra cost.

Among the additional features now made available by the automaker are Hill Start Aid that prevents the truck from rolling backward when starting on an uphill gradient, and Wheel Brake Monitoring that alerts the driver if the Brake Drum force on the wheels abruptly falls.

The EBS system incorporated in Volvo trucks can be ordered in 3 program packages: Standard, Medium and High. The Standard package remains in the base version. Moreover, the Medium version is already equipped with the EBS system. Moreover, the base version has been upgraded with six new functions, available for both semi-trailers and rigids.

Power bleed Volvo brakes are now upgraded to boost safety in driving. “We are now providing our customers with an extremely high safety level as standard, no matter the type of truck they order,” said Lars-Göran Löwenadler, safety director at Volvo Trucks. “This is entirely in line with our constant determination to increase safety for drivers and other road-users alike.”

EBS system has a number of sensors and valves to monitor and regulate the Braking System of the vehicle. Additionally, it is possible now for the wheel and auxiliary brakes to interact with in just a short span of time to effectuate shortest viable braking distance in all sorts of driving situations. The braking force is also distributed optimally between the tractor and trailer. This is done to sustain stability even when braking.

The base range of Volvo trucks is now equipped with 6 functions. The first function is Hill Start Aid, which makes it easier to move off on an uphill gradient by automatically maintaining brake Pressure Sensor until the engine has built up sufficient torque to move the truck forward without slipping backward. This feature is significant when hauling a heavy load.

Another significant function is the Panic Brake Assistance, which is designed to boost brake pressure in a panic braking situation. The system registers when the driver presses the brake pedal quickly to help cut the stopping distance. Other functions include the Wheel Brake Monitoring, Lining Wear Analysis, and Differential Lock Control. These functions contribute significantly to improve road safety in driving.

Better airflow leads to better fuel combustion. Better fuel combustion results to more horsepower. More horsepower means a satisfying driving performance. A General Motor engine part that promotes more leverage for airflow in the engine’s combustion chamber is the GM Throttle Body Spacer, which also adds 20 percent in the horsepower of a GM vehicle, depending on the model.

A typical GM Throttle Body Spacer contains gaskets and precision brackets to maintain the proper positioning of the throttle and the cruise control geometry. Installation of a GM Throttle Body Spacer is simple, lasting for only 30 minutes and needs no drilling nor cutting. It is designed to improve the auto’s throttle response and is actually aimed at giving faster velocity to the airflow going through the Intake manifold. As a result, more air is supplied in the combustion chamber. Improved overall fuel efficiency is thus, possible.

Improved fuel efficiency, however, will come to naught if the brake system does not work properly. A sound Braking System consists of several vital components and crucial parts, like a disc brake, which is responsible for stopping or slowing up the rotation of the wheel. Disc brakes though, are broken though in several smaller parts—the Brake Caliper, brake pads, and brake rotor.

How does the disc brake work? In GM vehicles, for instance, as the brake pedal is hit, the GM brake caliper holds the GM Brake Rotor with the brake pedal to generate heat through friction. As a result, the vehicle’s movement comes to a halt. Excessive use of brake will eventually wear out the brake pads quicker and when it occurs, replacement of brake pads will require the GM brake rotor to undergone machine cut to restore its dexterity.

For the GM brake rotor to last, it must maintain the ideal thickness that could stand the intense heat produced whenever the brake pedal is hit. When the point comes that the rotor is not thick enough to handle the temperature, a replacement is needed immediately to avoid further damage on the disc brakes.

The modern car performs its function through a complex set of components in a reliable manner day in and day out. It is the result of pain staking research and diligent manufacturing. But a car has a lot of moving components that suffer wear and tear and it is up to you to be nice to your car and help it perform its function optimally by replacing components that have completed their life with quality replacement options. And when you are nice to your car it will immediately reciprocate and you will enjoy a better and safer drive.

You will probably be accustomed to the tires of your car wearing out and you make sure that you opt for quality new tires to replace the old tires with. And you either are sure about which tires are the best for your car and your style of driving or you do a careful study of the options available to you before deciding about the new tires. There is another component in your car that requires such attention but often gets ignored. And those are the Brake Pad.

Brake pads are another car component that gets rubbed against routinely as is the case with car tires. And brake pads have to generate a lot of friction as they bring to a halt a large object such as your car. And Brake Shoe by themselves are not very large nor do they have a lot of surface area. Therefore it is the same small area that is getting rubbed again and again. It should therefore be able to withstand the heat and the wear and tear even better than the tires. This requires some special materials and the quality brake pads are made of quality materials.

Safety and vehicle control are two major things that clients look for when buying vehicles. There are a lot of operating systems that comprise an automobile. Among these, it is the Braking System that facilitates safety and provides vehicle control. Not surprisingly, the braking system is one of those assemblies that motorists are particularly keen on. Having good brakes is simply a must. To have one, the components of the braking system must be in perfect condition. This also rings true for the Brake Master Cylinder, which is considered to be the heart of the braking system. Motorists compare this braking component to a heart because, like the heart, it pumps. Unlike the heart though, it does not pump blood but brake fluid.

Its task is to build-up pressure to set the other braking components to work. To amplify the force applied to the brake pedal by the driver, the brake master cylinder puts on some pressure to the brake fluid. Hence, the brake fluid gets delivered to the brake booster that magnifies the pressure applied to the brake pedal and considerably slows down and stops the vehicle even if the brake pedal is only stepped on lightly.

When the driver steps on the brake pedal, the pistons move and generates pressure in the brake master cylinder. This generated pressure allows for the fluid to compress evenly through each brake line and into the brake calipers. Normally, the vacuum of the engine is the one used to apply pressure to the braking system. When a problem occurs in any of the brake lines, this will not be the case. As a fallback, the brake master cylinder redirects the hydraulic pressure to the remaining functioning brake hose. In so doing, brake failure is prevented.

As the brake master cylinder is designed to be a hydraulic pump that keeps most of the braking components functioning, it is best to check on its condition regularly. A spongy brake pedal indicates a problem with the master cylinder. Once this happens or when a puddle of brake fluid is found under the vehicle, it is best to have the master cylinder replaced with a new one. Replacing a worn out master cylinder is essential in having a safe and well-controlled vehicle.

A little extra care here and there when it comes to your car, and you’ll find yourself saving loads of money – not just on repairs, but on fuel as well!

Keep your engine tuned up. A misfiring Spark Plug can reduce fuel efficiency as much as 30 percent. This means less money in your wallet. Follow the service schedules listed in your owner’s manual. Replace filters and fluids as recommended.

I know it doesn’t always fit into your schedule. You just have to make yourself do it. If the dealer is charging an arm and a leg for a tune-up, get a second opinion at a local reputable car repair shop. They can do the same service schedule, usually at a greater savings to you.

These tune-ups not only keep your car running smoothly, but they’ll help when you’re ready for a newer vehicle. A smooth running car means a better trade in value for you.

Check your tires for proper inflation. Under-inflation actually wastes fuel. It causes your engine to work harder to push the vehicle. Wheels that are out-of-line (as evidenced by uneven tread wear or vehicle pulling) make the engine work harder, too. Keep those tires inflated properly, and you will save when you fill up.

Drive gently. Avoid sudden accelerations and the jerky stop-and-go routine. (Pass the barf bag, please!) Use cruise-control on open highways to keep your speed as steady as possible.

Avoid excessive idling. Shut off the engine while waiting for friends and family. Today’s vehicles are designed to “warm up” fast, so there’s no need to warm your car up for half an hour on cold winter mornings.

Keep your Air Conditioner in top condition.

Remove extra items from the vehicle. Less weight means better mileage. Storing luggage in the trunk rather than on the roof reduces air drag. All these little things add up.

Plan your daily errands to eliminate unnecessary driving. Try to travel when traffic is light to avoid stop-and-go conditions.

Join a car pool. At least, ask if someone wants to share a ride if you’re just headed one place and then back.

Remember, how you drive your car, and how its fluids, old parts, and tires are disposed of all affect the environment. So take good care of your baby! Go the extra mile for it, and it will run the extra miles for you!