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HOME IMPROVEMENT & CAR CARE
HERMISTONHERALD.COM
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2018
Your Heating
System
Is Your Smart
Car Secure?
or many locations around
the country, fall means crisp
temperatures and cool drives
to work. Make sure your heating
system is working before enduring
a
teeth-chattering
commute.
Schedule a visit to your local auto
repair shop to test the integrity
of your car’s heater before the
temperatures drop.
ybersecurity has been long
associated with computers
and other internet-connected
devices. Today, there is a new
threat and the results can come
with serious consequences. This
autumn, take the advice from the
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration and protect your
vehicle from cyber threats.
In 2015, the first-ever recall
due to automotive cybersecurity
was made. Fiat Chrysler recalled
1.4 million vehicles in the United
States to include software which
prevented hackers from controlling
the engine, steering and other set-
tings. The flaw was discovered
when researches hacked into a
Jeep Cherokee, shutting down its
engine as it drove. The issue led the
NHTSA to act and encourage the
automotive industry to take cues
from the National Institute of Stan-
dards and Technology Cybersecu-
rity Framework.
C
F
Check Your
Washer
Fluid
Heater Core
What it does: This crucial part
of your heater resembles a com-
pact radiator. Instead of acting to
cool the engine, it is responsible for
the defrost and heating capabilities
of your vehicle. It directs hot cool-
ant through brass or aluminum tub-
ing, allowing the air you feel inside
to be maintained at comfortable
levels.
When it fails: If your coolant
levels are adequate but the air is
still cool, it’s likely the heater core
is clogged or failing. Some signs
you may notice include fog inside
your car, an overheating engine or
an unusually sweet smell.
Blower Motor
What it does: This electric
motor is responsible for pushing
air through the vents in your cabin.
For air conditioning, it pulls cool
air from the vehicle’s evaporator.
Heated air is taken from the heater
core.
You may think you are con-
trolling the motors speed when you
change the dial. However, the inte-
rior climate control is actually oper-
ating a resistor. This part distrib-
utes different voltage levels to the
motor when you adjust the knob or
auto-climate control changes tem-
peratures. A popular style of resis-
tor uses coils to produce resistance
and fluctuate speeds to accommo-
date your comfort.
When it fails: A breakdown of
this part can lead to an uncomfort-
able drive home. A professional can
test the motor, resistor and relay,
which all play a role in a properly
functioning blower motor.
I
t’s easy to take your vehicle’s washer fluid system for granted. You probably don’t
think of it with the same importance as engine oil or transmission fluid.
While it isn’t crucial for your car to run properly, using the correct type of
washer fluid during the cold season can help keep you safe.
Different Types
Like many other automotive fluids,
you have several options when it comes
to choosing the washer fluid which works
best for you. Here are a few different
types and when they are most beneficial.
• Cold weather: If you experience
frigid temperatures during the autumn,
consider switching to a mixture that is
resistant to freezing. Most bottles will
advertise their freeze threshold clearly
on the bottle.
• De-icing: Another popular colder
weather type of fluid is mixed with de-ic-
ing properties. Not only is it resistant
to freezing, it will help clear icy wind-
shields while you sit comfortably in the
warm car.
• Bug cleaning: More popular in
warmer climates, this solution applies a
chemical to clear bug residue collected
on your windshield.
How the System Works
Understanding how a washer fluid
system works is easy. Once you know its
process, you will know how to diagnose
problems when they occur. The wind-
shield washer is activated by a switch
in your car, near the steering column
in most vehicles. Once it is engaged, a
pump goes to work to push washer fluid
from your reservoir into a series of tubes
that are connected to nozzles located on
the front or back of your window.
What Goes Wrong
If nothing happens when you activate
your switch, there are a few things that
can be blamed. The first thing you should
do is ensure your reservoir has enough
fluid. If that’s the case, it’s likely that
pump has failed, or a hose has collapsed.
Safety
Washer fluid is largely made up of
methanol; without it, regular water
would freeze in the reservoir. It’s import-
ant to keep your extra bottles away from
children as its bright color can easily be
mistaken for a sweet drink. When main-
taining your vehicle’s system, be care-
ful to avoid contact and clean any spill,
because it’s harmful to pets, too. Accord-
ing to the National Capital Poison Con-
trol, the methanol in washer fluid can
cause kidney failure, blindness and even
death if swallowed.
Keeping to the Rules
Innovations in driver assist
functions such as collision warn-
ing, emergency braking and safety
communications are incredible
features. While the advantages
are beneficial to drivers, they all
require a vehicle to be connected to
a network, meaning there is a level
of vulnerability.
The efforts to make smart cars
secure is not only the responsibility
of the manufacturers. While OEM
providers are doing their due dili-
gence in protecting the software
included, there are many other
agencies like e regulatory bod-
ies, insurance companies, technol-
ogy giants and telecommunication
providers are working to keep you
safe.
As new risks are becoming
prevalent, important bills like the
Spy Car Act, Security and Privacy
in Your Car Study Act and SELF
DRIVE Act have been instilled by
national governments to ensure the
safety of the passengers inside con-
nected vehicles.
HELP STOP ENERGY WASTE
with a HEAT
PUMP WATER HEATER
Heat Pump Water Heaters are the
most efficient way to heat the
water in your home and can lower
hot water costs by up to 50%.
Umatilla Electric offers a
rebate to help lower your
out-of-pocket cost.
For more information about available rebates
for energy efficiency upgrades to your home
go to:
www.UmatillaElectric.com or
call 541-567-6414.