Author: chemtooler

An auto tune-up and car repair service may sound similar, and some car owners use these terms interchangeably. However, there are differences between these two services when you bring your vehicle in for a checkup. An auto tune-up tends to be more thorough than a regular car service, usually requiring repairs or replacement of essential car components and using specialized tools and supplies.

Berryman Products is a trusted supplier of essential supplies for routine maintenance and specialized car repair services. Through the years, we have provided products that benefit many car owners, such as our specialty carburetor cleaner solutions, the Berryman B12 Chemtool, and eco-friendly gas tank cleaner products.

In this guide, we’ll cover the differences between a regular car repair service and an auto tune-up. We will also review symptoms that require immediate attention and determine which type of service is necessary for them.

 

What is a Regular Car Service?

Also known as routine maintenance, a regular car service is a comprehensive maintenance procedure performed on a vehicle at specified intervals or according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. It typically includes checking and changing various fluids, inspecting and replacing filters, and examining the condition of essential components.

This car checkup procedure ensures the vehicle is in proper working order as per the manufacturer’s design. The primary goal of a regular car service is to keep the vehicle running smoothly, extend its lifespan, and prevent unexpected breakdowns.

With this process, a vehicle’s general maintenance needs are addressed. For instance, if you’re trying to determine the meaning of the ABS light flashing, mechanics will check wheel speed sensors, fluid levels, and ABS modules.

 

What is an Auto Tune-Up?

An auto tune-up is a specialized maintenance procedure compared to regular car service. It focuses on optimizing the performance and efficiency of a vehicle’s engine and related parts. During an auto tune-up, a mechanic or technician performs a series of inspections and adjustments to the engine and its components.

Given its nature, auto tune-ups are typically performed less frequently than a car repair service. Your car usually needs a tune-up when the engine requires fine-tuning or improvement.

Berryman Products provides essential supplies tailored for regular car service and auto tune-ups. The Berryman B12 Chemtool effectively cleans the intake valves, carburetors, and fuel injectors. Besides carburetor cleaner solutions, our products include gas tank cleaner systems and other essential solutions to keep your vehicle in tip-top shape.

 

When Do You Need a Regular Car Service?

Here are some of the standard maintenance checks performed during a regular car service:

• Fluid Checks and Changes: Regular service includes checking and changing essential fluids such as engine oil, transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid, and power steering fluid.
• Filter Replacements: Air, oil, and fuel filters are inspected and replaced as needed.
• Brake Inspection: Brake pads, rotors, calipers, and fluid are inspected or replaced.
• Tire Inspection: Mechanics will check tire tread depth and wear.
• Suspension and Steering Checks: The suspension and steering components are inspected to ensure proper alignment and handling.

You will need regular service when figuring out the meaning of a lit ABS light. After running a certain number of miles, manufacturers will recommend car service. However, you’ll need an auto tune-up for engine-related and performance issues.

 

When Do You Need an Auto Tune-Up?

Here are some of the maintenance checks performed during an auto tune-up:

• Hard Starts: This can be related to the ignition or fuel system.
• Bad Fuel Mileage: This issue can result from engine problems, fuel system issues, or incorrect tire pressure.
• Stalling: Stalling can be caused by engine, fuel system, or transmission issues.
• Difficulty Shifting Gears: This may be related to problems in the transmission or clutch system.
• Slow Acceleration: This issue can be caused by fuel system problems or engine wear and tear.

An auto tune-up will be necessary if you notice any of the engine-related issues mentioned above. It is crucial that you get a mechanic to check your vehicle as soon as possible to prevent issues from getting worse.

 

Proven Solutions for Car Service and Auto Tune-Ups

Berryman Products is your trusted provider of effective solutions for auto tune-ups and routine car service. If you want to learn how these products can boost your car’s performance, contact our specialists, and we will happily answer your questions.

The modern car is a technological marvel that has become our primary mode of transportation for our everyday commute. Its internal combustion engine powered by fossil fuels gets us where we need to go.

However, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates the world’s fossil fuel reserves will be depleted by 2050. As a result, the automotive industry is pushing for more technological innovations that preserve fuel economy or eliminate fossil fuel reliance altogether.

This is where hybrid cars become a suitable solution. But what is a hybrid car, and are they really fuel-efficient? Let’s find out.

 

What is a Hybrid Car?

Hybrid cars are vehicles that have multiple sources of power: an internal combustion engine that runs on gasoline, an electric engine that supplies electric power, and a hybrid battery. Depending on the driving situation, these vehicles can shift their usage between the combustion engine and the electric motor or even use both simultaneously.

Unlike fully electric vehicles, hybrid cars do not actually have to be plugged in to charge their electric motors. Instead, they are charged automatically through regenerative charging as well as through the combustion engine. However, this isn’t always the case. 

As the technology behind hybrid cars continues to advance, it gets even harder to answer the question: “What is a hybrid car?” This is due to the existence of different types of hybrid cars that alter their previous definition:

• Parallel Hybrid: This is the most common design among hybrid cars, which blends its two sources of power. Two of the best hybrid cars in the market, the Toyota Hybrid Prius and the Chevrolet Volt, fall under this category.
• Series Hybrid: In this type of hybrid, the car’s primary power source is its electric motor, with the gasoline engine only serving to recharge the battery. What results is a driving experience similar to that of a fully electric car. This type is present in some of the best hybrid cars today, including the BMW i3. 
• Plug-In Hybrid: This comes with a larger battery pack that must be recharged using an external power source. This allows for an extended fully-electric driving experience, which reverts to the conventional type once the battery pack is depleted. Cars that belong to this type can also either be a series or a parallel hybrid. 

All of the above types are considered fully hybrid. Another category is called the mild hybrid, which means the electric motor cannot move the car by itself and is only there to assist the gasoline engine.

 

Should You Make the Switch?

According to the 2022 Automotive Trends Report by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average fuel economy for 2021 light-duty vehicles was 25.4 miles per gallon (MPG) — an all-time high. For context, the average fuel consumption for similar light-duty vehicles in 1975 was a little over 13 miles per gallon.

This means cars today are already more fuel efficient than they were 48 years ago. However, since the advent of hybrid cars through the mass production of the ever-popular Toyota hybrid in 1997, fuel efficiency has improved dramatically. 

Through hybrid technology, the average mileage for an SUV can get as high as 35 MPG, while hybrid sedans can go even higher at 45 MPG. With gas prices as they are today, hybrid cars are looking like the best choice for most consumers.

 

Berryman Products, Your Partner in Fuel Efficiency

For over 100 years, Berryman Products has been a go-to partner for motorists and car enthusiasts worldwide. From fuel additives to other maintenance products, we provide high-quality products that keep your vehicle in tip-top shape. 

Keep your car running smoothly and ensure a pleasant driving experience with Berryman Products. If you would like to know more about how we can help you maintain your vehicle’s pristine condition, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

The carburetor is a crucial component of your car’s engine that supplies fuel and air. Essentially, your car’s carburetor is in charge of mixing an appropriate amount of air and fuel to regulate its speed and ensure efficient performance. Any interference with this process can alter the ratio of air and fuel it supplies, which causes your car to become sluggish while becoming less fuel efficient.

Some common signs of a bad carburetor include the following:

• Black exhaust smoke
• Idling when you take pressure off the gas pedal
• Difficulty starting your car
• Noticeable drop in gas mileage

If you notice any of the signs above, you may be dealing with issues related to your carburetor. Below, we cover valuable tips on how to clean a carburetor to keep it in top shape — and avoid the need for replacing your carburetor. You’ll only need a carburetor cleaner and some other tools to start.

Below, we show you how to use carburetor cleaner to clean your carburetor and share actionable steps that can guide you through the cleaning process.

 

Everything You Need to Prepare Beforehand

Before you get started on cleaning your car’s carburetor, there are a few things you need to prepare beforehand, namely:

Tools and Materials

Staying organized is right next to efficiency. Prepare the following tools and materials beforehand to ensure a straightforward cleaning process:

• Flat screwdriver
• Phillips screwdriver
• Needle-nose pliers
• Wire brush
• Wrench or socket set
• Carburetor cleaner
• Throttle body cleaner

The Work Site

Throttle body cleaner and other chemicals can give off harmful fumes that can leave you lightheaded. Ensure you’re working in a well-ventilated space to clear away the fumes in the area. If you’re working inside your garage, ensure the garage door and windows are open to allow sufficient air to flow.

Safety Equipment

To promote a safe environment, wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent injuries or incidents. Wear gloves and goggles to keep your hands and eyes from getting in contact with cleaners. 

 

How to Clean a Carburetor

Follow these steps below to learn the carburetor cleaning process and how to use carburetor cleaner to simplify this process:

• Remove the carburetor from the manifold.

You can clean the carburetor while it’s still attached to the engine. However, if you want a deeper clean, then you have to detach it from the manifold. But before you start disassembling anything, take a picture of it with all its attachments so you have something to refer to when putting everything back together.

To remove the carburetor, start by turning off the fuel valve and then disconnecting the hose. Loosen the clamps securing the carburetor to the manifold and pay close attention to any hoses, wires or linkages. Once all of these are detached, carefully remove the carburetor. Drain all the excess fuel that remains.

• Disassemble the carburetor in proper order.

Taking apart your carburetor must be done in the proper order, starting from the bottom with the carburetor float then followed by the jets. The mix and idle screws are removed last. The steps on how to disassemble each component are shown below:

• Carburetor Float

Unscrew the four screws on the bottom of the carburetor, slowly removing them as they strip quite easily. Pull off the float bowl while taking special care not to remove the gasket (if you’re not replacing it). Then, remove the float pin using a pair of needle nose pliers to pull it out. 

• Jets

Remove the wider jet using a flathead screwdriver, then the needle jet underneath it. Hold both jets up to the light to see if there are clogs. If they have any clogs, set them aside for cleaning. 

• Mix and Idle Screws

Before removing the mix screw, make sure to tighten it first while taking special note of how many turns it takes to fully tighten. This will make it easier to reattach it later on. After doing so, you can unscrew it. Be aware of the spring, O-ring and washer that may also accompany these screws. Lastly, carefully remove the idle screw.

• Clean the carburetor’s exterior and interior surfaces and components

To begin cleaning all the detached parts, spray carburetor cleaner on the carburetor’s exterior surfaces. Wipe away grime or debris using a clean rag. Then, use a wire brush to clean the individual parts. Meanwhile, the throttle body cleaner is used for the throttle plates and other related components.

• Soak the disassembled parts in the carburetor cleaner

It may also be beneficial to soak the disassembled parts in carburetor cleaner to remove debris on heavily soiled or clogged components. While soaking in a single batch is more efficient, it can be confusing later, especially if you’re unfamiliar with all the parts.  Make sure each piece soaks for at least 20-30 minutes in the cleaner.

• Reassemble the carburetor

Once all the parts are clean, it’s time to put everything back together. But put everything back in the opposite order by which they were disassembled. Start with the screws. But when replacing the mix screw, tighten it until it becomes completely tight. At that point, loosen it by turning it by the number of turns it took to tighten earlier.

• Reinstall the carburetor

Finally, it’s time to reinstall the carburetor. If you can’t recall where the hoses go, you can refer to the picture you took before you began disconnecting everything.

 

Protect Your Engine with Berryman Products

The engine is your car’s most crucial part. Therefore, you must take special care of your car’s engine to ensure that it can run smoothly and efficiently, giving you a more comfortable driving experience. By taking the time to maintain your engine regularly, you can keep your carburetor and its other components protected and avoid problems that might hinder its performance.

For over 100 years, Berryman Products has supplied motorists and car enthusiasts with quality, innovative cleaning and maintenance products that keep your engine in tip-top shape. If you want to learn more about our products, message us or check out our product catalog here.

Finding and buying one of the top 10 rarest cars can be challenging, even for the serious, experienced automobile enthusiast. However, before you can venture into purchasing one, you should know which rare vintage models to look for. We have put together a list of the rarest cars in the world, along with some interesting details about them.

 

What Makes a Car Rare?

Rare car brands have produced some of the best classic cars, but not all are rare. Sometimes the value of a vehicle can be a subjective matter. Nevertheless, the collectability of a car can be based on certain features, which would dictate the selection of the top ten most expensive cars in the world:

• Limited production numbers
• Age of the car
• A car’s popularity
• Historical significance
• Current condition
• Unique features
• Exclusivity
• Special modifications

The longevity and service life of rare cars is made possible through their owners’ patience and meticulous care and the use of top-notch maintenance products. For decades, Berryman Products has proudly supplied car enthusiasts with effective car maintenance solutions.

 

Top 10 Rarest Cars in the World

Here is our list of the top ten most expensive cars in the market. They often carry a very high price tag since they were never mass-produced and rarely sold to the general public. For these reasons, these vehicles are often highly sought after by enthusiasts and collectors alike.

1. Ferrari 250 GTO

It is said that this car was cared for by Enzo Ferrari himself, and it became the most expensive car in June 2018. It was sold for $70 million, making it one of the world’s top ten most expensive cars.

2. Ferrari 290 MM

Only four of these sports racing cars were produced from 1956 to 1957. These automobiles were exclusively designed for professional sports drivers and had an estimated value of $22 million.

3. Bugatti Royale Kellner Coupe

There were only six Royale Kellner Coupes produced from 1927 to 1933. Not only was it considered one of the rare car brands, but each coup was customized upon the buyers’ request. Each one of these vehicles would cost over $500,000 today.

4. Aston Martin DBR1

This car would cost around $22.5 million today, making it one of the top ten most expensive cars. Only five of these vehicles were produced, and none were sold to the public.

5. Porsche 917

This car made its name and fame by participating in the Le Mans 24 Hours races. In a 2017 auction, a Porsche 917 was sold for $14 million.

6. Lamborghini Veneno

This high-performance vehicle is considered ultra-rare, with only five coupes ever built. Each of these cars was sold for $4 million.

7. Jaguar XK120-C

Only 53 Jaguar XK120-C ever built, considered the rarest Jaguar model in history. Each XK120-C will sell for $13.2 million.

8. Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita

It is believed that only three of these car models were produced, but the production of the third one still needs to be completed. It is estimated that this Swedish limited edition sports car can sell for $4.8 if ever it was put into an auction.

9. Maybach Exelero

There is only one Maybach Exelero ever built in the world. It was manufactured in 2005 and was sold to Birdman, a rapper, in 2011. Its estimated value is $8 million.

10. McLaren F1 LM

Only five of these rare car models were produced from 1995 to 1997. The F1 LM was sold for $19.8 million in one California auction.

 

Caring for Rare Cars with High-End Maintenance Solutions

Caring for vehicles, including rare cars, requires top-tier car maintenance solutions. Berryman Products has proudly supplied car lovers with upscale cleaning and repair products since 1918. We have partnered with world-class distributors making our products very accessible. Contact our specialists today to learn more about our superior car maintenance offerings.