Üro Parts Window Regulators

Owners of European brands (BMW, Jaguar, Mini Cooper, Porsche...) have an opportunity to make one of their vehicle’s systems six times better! No, that incredible Porsche 911 will not go 6X faster, but new ball bearing design window regulators by Üro Parts will keep the windows cycling smoothly up and down for more than 6X as long as the OE cable window regulators.

Üro Parts uses high quality pulleys with ball bearings inside. This dramatically reduces friction within the cable regulator. The load on the power window motor is lowered by 45% or more. Less friction and less strain make the entire system work better and last longer. 

See Üro Parts Window Regulators for your specific European brand vehicle under the “Interior” section of the RockAuto catalog. During the month of March, receive an instant 10% instant rebate in the RockAuto shopping cart on all Üro Parts window regulators.

Ken Sean Motorcycle Mirrors

RockAuto now carries Ken Sean universal motorcycle mirrors and scooter mirrors! Ken Sean mirrors are legal for the road and provide improved visibility for any motorcycle or scooter. A huge selection of styles and finishes (stainless steel, chrome, composite, carbon fiber and more) enable a customized look. You can find Ken Sean mirrors under Tools & Universal Parts -> Body -> Outside Mirror -> Motorcycle Mirror or by clicking here.

Forum of the Month

Birtydastards.com, or Birty's as it is affectionately known, is a UK based Jeep club that celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2014. All makes are welcome in the club and the forum is likely the most active Jeep club in the UK. Over the years we have built up a wealth of knowledge for the most popular TJs and XJs and in more recent years, for the Grand Cherokee models as they have gained in popularity here. However, it is with the older CJs that the knowledge on Birty's is unparalleled in the UK.

We usually organize four events a year at various locations, but the main event is Cheapfest in September. Cheapfest was started as a cheaper alternative to more expensive get-togethers organized here in the UK and usually attracts over 60 Jeeps for a weekend of off roading & camping. A pretty good turnout of Jeeps in the home of Land Rover.

Birty's is free to join, just register on the forum and say hi. Whether a veteran owner of many Jeeps or your first one, all are welcome at Birty's.

Repair Mistakes & Blunders

Having just packed up from a four day camping trip in a remote corner of Arizona (we hadn't seen a soul the entire time), I turned the key, heard two clicks, and then nothing. Apparently a dome light had been left on and it drained the battery. The wife started to panic. I concocted this idea to calm her down, buy time and come up with a plan to get us out or walk the fifteen miles to a ranch. I pretended to know what I was doing by making sure everything electrical was shut off. Then, I connected my cordless drill battery to the now dead truck battery. Fat chance, I said to myself. To buy plenty of time, I confidently exclaimed, "This will take at least an hour to charge."

The hour passed quickly, as I studied the map for the shortest route to the ranch and hoped against all odds that someone would drive by so I could flag them down for help. As I started to pack a bag for my hike to the ranch, she called my bluff. Not willing to fess up, I went over and turned the key. VROOOM! The truck started right up. Just goes to show that even a silly idea can work, save your pride and avoid a long walk.

Freshly charged cordless batteries and a set of alligator clip jumpers are always in my tool box now.

Ken in Arizona

Tell us about your most infamous auto repair blunder or unconventional fix. Use your woe to help others avoid similar mistakes or share off-the-wall solutions that worked (at least for a while!). Please e-mail your story to flamur@rockauto.com. Include your mailing address and if you would like a RockAuto T-Shirt (please let us know your shirt size) or Hat if we publish your story. See the T-Shirts and Hats under Tools & Universal Parts in the catalog. The story will be credited using only your first name and your vague geographic location (state, province, country, continent, etc.) so you can remain semi-anonymous!

Automotive Trivia

How do most of the newest passive keyless entry systems know a hand is at the door handle ready to open the car door?

A. Signals from a motion sensor hidden behind the door handle indicate the movement of fingers.

B. A heat sensor embedded in the handle detects the presence of fingers that are warmer or cooler than the ambient surface temperature of the door handle.

C. The car door handle acts as a capacitor with one electrode embedded in the door handle behind dielectric material (insulator that is polarized by an electric field) and the other electrode being the human fingers. Small changes in this capacitor's capacitance (ability to maintain an electrical charge) tells the system the fingers have arrived.


Answer below

Don't Knock the Knock Sensor

I read a recent car magazine article that asked Ford to reveal the horsepower for the 2015 4-cylinder Mustang if it was burning regular instead of premium gas. Asking for distinct premium and regular gas performance numbers will become increasingly reasonable for the newest engines. Things like computer controlled direct injection, multiple turbochargers and increasingly complex ignition systems make the latest engines much more adjustable. The engine in my old Chrysler has a big “FOUR BARREL” decal on the air cleaner lid to honor the sweet sounding, fuel-swilling carburetor underneath. The engine in my new Dodge should have a “SIXTEEN SPARK PLUGS” decal stuck on top as an indicator of just how tightly controlled its timing, emissions, fuel economy and power are!

Adjusting ignition timing to compensate for the grade of fuel, changes in altitude, etc. is nothing new. Knock sensors helped start it all. Beginning in the 1980s, knock sensors protected engines from the damaging ping/knock/detonation that happens when fuel ignites at the wrong time during the piston stroke. Most higher compression engines built in the last 25 years can retard their ignition timing and avoid damage if run on regular gas.

The newest engines have much more control over how and when the gasoline burns in the cylinders. They might be able to generate good power on regular gas and great power on premium while also maintaining ideal emissions, fuel economy and other measures of performance. But, even the fanciest new engines typically still rely on the knock sensor for feedback and as a last line of defense against unforeseen problems.

Knock sensors are like an engine computer’s stethoscope. The long wire pigtails attached to some knock sensors make them even look like stethoscopes. Piezoelectric material in a knock sensor converts engine vibrations into electrical signals. The engine computer translates and monitors those electrical signals. When the computer “hears” the sound of a knock frequency coming from the knock sensor, then it knows to adjust the timing and/or other parameters.

Typical Standard Motor Products and Airtex/Wells Knock Sensors

An illuminated check engine light will likely be the first sign that a knock sensor has failed. The engine computer knows immediately if there is no signal or an out-of-bounds signal from the sensor. Knock sensors can fail if the brittle piezoelectric crystal or ceramic material inside crumbles over the years and miles. (Over tightening a new knock sensor can also break the piezoelectric crystal or ceramic.) Water or oil seepage can damage a sensor too. Corrosion built up between the sensor and its mounting point on the engine or intake manifold can keep engine vibrations from making it into the sensor.

Replacing a knock sensor typically just requires removing a bolt and electrical connector, but on some engines there may be other parts that need to come off to gain access. Find new knock sensors by Airtex, Beck/Arnley, Bosch, Standard Motor Products and other manufacturers under the Emission category for specific vehicles in the RockAuto catalog.

Tom Taylor,
RockAuto.com

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