For those interested in seeing Europe without the constant, hectic bustle of tourism, relaxing cruises on the Rhine River have proven to be a hit. In addition to a never-ending opportunity to learn to speak German, here is a list of several fun activities to partake in during a Rhine River cruise: Allstate: This town includes a medieval castle, a parish church dating to 1794, a historical museum, and numerous delicious restaurants. Glattfelden: Situated on the River Glatt just above its junction with the Rhine, this town is the hometown of Swiss writer Gottfried Keller and is frequently referred to in his novel “Der grüne Heinrich.” Over an old stone bridge is the nearby old town of Eglisau. Rheinfelden: A little town of 7,000 inhabitants situated on the left bank of the river, Rheinfelden is home to a popular salt-water spa, ancient walls and towers, the Fricktaler Museum, and St. Martin’s Church, which dates back to the 15th century. German Beer: Germans produce the best beer in th...
One celebrated rite of passage into adulthood is getting a license to drive. Operating and maintaining a personal car seems understandably glamorous and mature to teenagers, who have not yet dealt with the mundane details of keeping a vehicle running properly. Even the most powerful, formidable looking car will suffer if maintenance is neglected, and engine sludge symptoms are an indicator of potential trouble.
One of the rare consistencies of modern life is the often-repeated admonition to change vehicle oil every three months, regardless. While that practice cannot hurt, both engines and lubricants are vastly different from those existing when such advice was sensible. Most new vehicles today easily travel 7,500 miles between changes, and ten thousand when synthetic lubricants are used. Even so, that mileage number should not be taken at face value.
When normal vehicle operations include jackrabbit starts and stops, extended idle times, consistently poor road conditions, trips under one mile, and predominantly cold weather conditions, lubricants begin lose their consistency faster. This means that the frequency of oil changes should be based on personal driving habits and geographical location, not an arbitrary number. Longer intervals encourage sludge buildup.
Lubricants begin to break down as soon as they are installed. The addition of synthetics can delay that process significantly, but even they must be filtered periodically. Oxidation is the main culprit, and it increases along with operating temperature or difficult driving conditions. The chemical changes involved in oxidation create a thick goo made of liquids, gases and solids containing carbon residue and metal particles.
If harsh conditions or neglect continue unabated, the gel-like substance eventually coats most moving parts. Similar to cholesterol-clogged human arteries, certain areas begin to function poorly. The baked-on materials continue to accumulate over time, eventually strangling or closing close passages and tolerances, causing performance to degrade noticeably. Rather than helping lubricate, the oil is actually causing damage.
Few people enjoy seeing the red dashboard warning light. Regular oil changes and consistent routine maintenance are still the best way to forestall disaster, both literally and financially. Replacing the engine is costly and time-consuming. But in some cases, diligent attention to maintenance and lubrication schedules has little effect, and some new cars are prone to develop sludge even under the best driving conditions.
This perplexing problem has plagued many auto makers, and has resulted in publicized legal action. The resulting investigations revealed no smoking industry gun, but instead pointed to individual design issues that affect only certain makes and models. Although this problem pales in comparison to recent safety issues that have sparked massive recalls, it can create real problems for people in the market for a used vehicle.
Before buying a used vehicle, have it checked by a mechanic for signs of previous engine flushing. Be sure to check the maintenance records closely, and avoid vehicles that have been neglected. When considering a new car or truck, using synthetic lubricant blends may prevent buildup, especially when daily use includes cold weather or stop-and-go driving. Sludge buildup is not inevitable, and need not ruin a car.
One of the rare consistencies of modern life is the often-repeated admonition to change vehicle oil every three months, regardless. While that practice cannot hurt, both engines and lubricants are vastly different from those existing when such advice was sensible. Most new vehicles today easily travel 7,500 miles between changes, and ten thousand when synthetic lubricants are used. Even so, that mileage number should not be taken at face value.
When normal vehicle operations include jackrabbit starts and stops, extended idle times, consistently poor road conditions, trips under one mile, and predominantly cold weather conditions, lubricants begin lose their consistency faster. This means that the frequency of oil changes should be based on personal driving habits and geographical location, not an arbitrary number. Longer intervals encourage sludge buildup.
Lubricants begin to break down as soon as they are installed. The addition of synthetics can delay that process significantly, but even they must be filtered periodically. Oxidation is the main culprit, and it increases along with operating temperature or difficult driving conditions. The chemical changes involved in oxidation create a thick goo made of liquids, gases and solids containing carbon residue and metal particles.
If harsh conditions or neglect continue unabated, the gel-like substance eventually coats most moving parts. Similar to cholesterol-clogged human arteries, certain areas begin to function poorly. The baked-on materials continue to accumulate over time, eventually strangling or closing close passages and tolerances, causing performance to degrade noticeably. Rather than helping lubricate, the oil is actually causing damage.
Few people enjoy seeing the red dashboard warning light. Regular oil changes and consistent routine maintenance are still the best way to forestall disaster, both literally and financially. Replacing the engine is costly and time-consuming. But in some cases, diligent attention to maintenance and lubrication schedules has little effect, and some new cars are prone to develop sludge even under the best driving conditions.
This perplexing problem has plagued many auto makers, and has resulted in publicized legal action. The resulting investigations revealed no smoking industry gun, but instead pointed to individual design issues that affect only certain makes and models. Although this problem pales in comparison to recent safety issues that have sparked massive recalls, it can create real problems for people in the market for a used vehicle.
Before buying a used vehicle, have it checked by a mechanic for signs of previous engine flushing. Be sure to check the maintenance records closely, and avoid vehicles that have been neglected. When considering a new car or truck, using synthetic lubricant blends may prevent buildup, especially when daily use includes cold weather or stop-and-go driving. Sludge buildup is not inevitable, and need not ruin a car.
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