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Problems regarding Active Fuel Management aren’t very uncommon regardless of it being designed to be helpful. This technology was made to increase mileage but has gone to show cons that may outweigh the pros in many cases. 

This leads to today’s main concern: is active fuel management bad? The answer may vary from case to case, but let’s look at everything you need to know about it to conclude whether you should get it installed. So, without any further ado, let’s jump right into our discussion.

What is Active Fuel Management?

Commonly known as AFM, Active Fuel Management is a technology that was made to increase the fuel mileage of engines. When installed in your vehicle, this piece of tech will turn off half the cylinders of your engine. So, your V8 engine will turn into V4 when the AFM is installed and activated. In this way, you will get better fuel mileage but with less power. 

The mechanism of AFM is a bit complex, and it’s not our primary concern today. So, let’s head on to discussing whether it is good or bad.

Is Active Fuel Management Bad?

As we have said before, issues with AFM are very commonly seen, which is why a lot of people often deactivate AFM with the help of a range active fuel management disable device. Regardless of the promise of improved fuel mileage that the AFM makes, it doesn’t seem to be that effective in practical usage. 

Read more: How to Disable Active Fuel Management System: A Complete Discussion!

If you’re one of those people whose AFM works without any complications, then you will be saving a good amount of money by reducing the amount of fuel usage and can get up to 7% increased mileage. However, keep in mind that this isn’t always the case, so tread at your own risk.

Common Problems with AFM 

There are quite a few issues that people face when they have AFM activated. We have written out some of the most common ones below:

1. Excessive Consumption of Oil

Although AFM is supposed to improve fuel mileage, it can result in the excessive consumption of fuel. As you may know, when too much oil is being consumed, there are many problems you may face. The parts of your engine may start to wear and tear, which will ultimately damage your engine, and the repair cost will certainly be harsh on your wallet. 

In some extreme cases, you may even be left with a complete engine failure if your AFM is consuming way too much oil. 

2. Reduces Power

When AFM is activated, half of the engine cylinders will be shut off, so obviously, the power you will be getting will be much lower. Suppose you have a V8 engine. Once the AFM system is activated, the engine will work like a smaller V4 engine. This may not bother regular drivers much, but car enthusiasts will certainly have a problem with it. 

3. Increased Chances of Lifter Failure 

The AFM system functions by turning on and off the valve lifter oil manifold (VLOM). While you’re driving, the AFM may cause the VLOM to be activated and deactivated thousands of times. Because of oil pressure or control problems due to the AFM, the lifter may fail, which is likely to do a great deal of damage. 

Due to a lifter failure, many parts such as the rocker arms and valves may be broken, and overall your engine will be damaged. It is also very risky to drive with a failed lifter. Your vehicle may jerk when accelerating and may even suddenly stall in the middle of the road. 

Can You Delete or Disable AFM?

Luckily, for those of you who have cars that come equipped with AFM, it can be deleted or disabled. You can do either of the two things, but disabling it is much easier. You can use an AFM disabler to disable it. Just plug it into the OBD-II port, and you don’t have to worry about the rest.

It is also possible to disable AFM with the help of a tuning device which may be more effective, but it is also more complicated to use than an AFM disabler.

Wrapping up

From reading this article, the answer to the question is Active Fuel Management is bad is quite evident. The answer is yes, it is bad. The improved fuel mileage that the AFM system may provide you with is not worth risking your whole engine and lifters.

Moreover, the AFM may cause complications that can put your safety at stake, which is bigger than any reason why you may want to buy it!

Buying auto spare parts online should never be done in haste. As car sales soar, so does the demand for genuine spare parts with optimum performance. If you receive a fake product with minor flaws or lacks essential features, your money and time spent on this investment are all in vain. 

You can trust a genuine online vehicle parts supplier like Rolan to provide quality goods at affordable rates and fast delivery. It thus becomes critical to make an online purchase after devoting considerable effort to relevant research. However, for additional quality reassurance, check the following considerations.

Online Buying Considerations

When you are an informed consumer, you eliminate the risk of being duped online. Dealing with a reputed entity provides you with a fitment guarantee and puts your mind at ease. Suggested here are five essential aspects to assess before finalizing your spare part online purchase: 

Conduct a Due Diligence on the Potential Seller

Verifying the potential seller’s credentials is a must to sift out entities primarily interested in looting you. Entering into an online association with a company of repute that has a commendable track record and user-friendly website is in your interest. 

Genuine distributors only seek your minimal address details needed to complete your delivery after placing the online order. They even direct you to a secure gateway to process your payment after confirming your purchase. You can refer to customer reviews posted online for further input on the seller in question.

Undertake a Comparative Price Evaluation 

Surfing through several vendor sites offering the exact part you need helps you compare online prices instead of falling for the first tempting deal. An online auto spare part marketplace provides a welcome opportunity to compare prices and assess your final purchase expenses.

Even the delivery cost of spare parts is considerable given that auto parts are massive and their volumetric weight is significant. Vendors invest in quality protective packaging to ensure the parts reach you intact, thus, retaining their functionality. This packaging cost also adds to your overall spare part investment. 

Verify the Part’s Genuineness

Closely examining the product details enumerated online and cross-checking with the corresponding inputs on the original equipment manufacturer’s website helps you assess the part’s genuineness. 

You can gauge the part’s compatibility with your automobile from the product description. Stay clear of heavily discounted parts as that could imply the distributor is palming off existing and worthless stock.

Confirm Warranty Cover and Return Policy Terms

A genuine spare part invariably has a warranty provision that entitles you to return and exchange a faulty product within the stipulated time frame. Preferably invest only in a part that offers a guarantee and read through the seller’s return policy to familiarize yourself with the terms and conditions therein.

Check for Tracking Mechanism and Installation Services

Once the vendor dispatches the part you buy, a user-friendly tracking system helps you track the progress of your awaited package. At the outset, seek details on their shipping procedure and if the seller also assists with installing the spare part. This helps establish reasonable expectations from the start.  

Trust the largest online supplier of vehicular parts who assures you of a simple return policy, excellent shipping costs, and purchase conveniences.

Installing a new intake manifold gasket is a great way to improve the performance of your Chevy 350. However, at the same time, installing a new intake manifold gasket can be a daunting task. In this article, we will show you how to remove and install the intake manifold gasket on a Chevy 350 engine.

Step-by-Step: How To Remove And Install Intake Manifold Gasket Chevy 350

Step 1: Remove the Air Cleaner

If your Chevy 350 has an air cleaner, it will need to be removed in order to replace the intake manifold gasket. To do this, first, remove the screws that secure the air cleaner to the intake manifold. Once the air cleaner is removed, use a screwdriver to pry off the intake manifold from the engine block. Be careful not to damage the engine block while removing the manifold.

Step 2: Disconnect the Fuel Lines

There are a few ways to disconnect the fuel lines. The most common is to use a fuel line disconnect tool. This is a small, hand-held device that has a claw-like grip on one end and a cut-off wheel on the other. You use the wheel to slice through the fuel line, then use the grip to pull it out of the fuel pump.

Another way to disconnect the fuel lines is to use a fuel line wrench. This is a tool with a ratchet handle and a long, thin bolt that you use to twist the fuel line off of the fuel pump.

Step 3: Disconnect the Vacuum Lines

If you have a 4.3L or 5.3L engine, you will need to remove the intake manifold gasket. To do this, you will need to disconnect the vacuum lines.

Step 4: Disconnect the Spark Plugs

If you have a Chevy 350, you’ll need to remove the intake manifold gasket in order to replace the spark plugs. To do this, you’ll first need to disconnect the spark plugs. Here’s how:

Step 5: Remove the Intake Manifold

Removing the intake manifold gasket is the last step in repairing or replacing your Chevy 350’s air intake system. To do so, you’ll need to remove the four bolts that secure the manifold to the engine block. Once it’s free, you can remove the gasket and replace it with a new one.

Step 6: Install the New Intake Manifold Gasket

The sixth step of the DIY Chevy 350 intake manifold removal and installation is to install the new intake manifold gasket. Make sure that the old gasket is completely removed before installing the new one. Once the new gasket is in place, torque it to the specified value and then reinstall the intake manifold.

Step 7: Reinstall the Intake Manifold

If you have replaced the intake manifold on your Chevy 350, you will now need to reinstall it. The first step is to remove the old manifold. This is done by removing the four screws that hold it in place and then pulling it out. Once it is out, you can start reinstalling the new one.

Video Review: How To Remove And Install Intake Manifold Gasket Chevy 350

Wrapping up

Installing a new intake manifold gasket can be a challenging task, but we have delved deeper to come up with this guide so that it can be done in a few simple steps. By following this guide, you will be able to complete the task with ease.

Thanks a lot for reading out. If you come up with any query, let us know on the comment box. Take Care!

Since the headlights remain so close to the road during a drive, they stay really vulnerable to all types of hazards. Debris and liquids from the road, harmful particles from the air, harsh weather conditions, UV-rays- all of them work together to ruin the showroom look from the headlights.

But it is not just about the shininess. Having a dirty headlight means you will get dimmer light output. That is not only heavily dangerous on the road but also illegal in almost every state. We will cover the headlight cleaning process below. Note that there are several ways you can approach this. We tried to go over as many of them as possible.

Should You DIY or Get Expert Help?

If we are talking about headlight cleaning, you can go for one of two options. Either go to a mechanic for professional cleaning or do it at home. Both have their own merits. So, it is up to you.

Factors	Professional Help	DIY
Cost	Can cost up to a lot	Doesn’t cost much except the price of necessary materials.
Time	May take up to 12 days to finish	Depending on your method, you can finish it within 10-60 minutes.
Quality	Results in a high-quality professional cleaning	It depends on your skill and method. But it won’t be as good as experts.
Place	You need to take your vehicle to the mechanical shop.	You can do it in your garage.

Cleaning Yellowish Headlight at Home

Wondering how to clean yellow headlights at home? You can remove the yellowish hue from your headlight using nothing but denatured alcohol. It is a product that many of us already have at home. If not, get it from any roadside paint store.

What you will need-

• Denatured alcohol
• Dish soap
• Two soft rags

Process-

• At first, wash your headlights thoroughly with dish soap and water. Dry them by wiping them with a soft rag.
• Pour a bit of denatured alcohol into a mug. Dip a corner of a soft rag into it.
• Rub it on the entire surface of the headlights.
• Finally, rinse with water and dry it.

Optional- Apply a coat of polishing compound and wax on the headlights.

Cleaning Headlights with Vinegar

This method utilizes a combination of white vinegar and cooking spray. Honestly, this is probably the best way to DIY clean your headlights, and it takes a long time too. The acidity in vinegar works its way through rough build-ups.

Necessary Items-

• White vinegar
• Cooking spray
• Warm water
• A sponge
• Soft cloth

The procedure-

• Get the lenses out of the headlights and dip totally into vinegar. Leave it for an hour. The vinegar will weaken the messes on the lenses.
• Use a sponge to rub the lenses gently to remove the grimes.

If your headlight lenses have scratches, then follow the steps below-

• Instead of using the sponge to rub them, rinse the lenses and dry with a soft cloth.
• Apply some cooking spray over them.
• Gently buff with a soft cloth on them to make them smoother again.

Once the process is over, your headlights should regain their original beauty.

Cleaning Headlights with Baking Soda

Have some extra baking soda from your kitchen to spare? Yes, they are one of the best items for headlight restoration. Baking soda dissolves the oxidization on your headlights and thus, removes their yellowness. They also remove any paint job.

Necessary Materials-

• Baking soda
• Bowl
• Painter’s tape
• Warm water
• Sponge and clean cloth

The Procedure-

• Cover the pain area around the headlight with painter’s tape since baking soda can wash the paint away as well.
• Make a paste that contains five tablespoons of baking soda and enough water.
• Apply it to the corner of your sponge. Use the sponge to put the paste on the headlight surfaces.
• Rub using a soft, clean cloth in tiny rotary motion.
• Keep rubbing gently until the plastic or glass lose their messy looks.
• Rinse with water. Rewash the surfaces with dish soap and warm water. Let them dry.

Caution- Make sure not to drip any baking soda solution when washing the headlights.

Using Turtle Wax Headlight Lens Restorer

You can go for Turtle Wax Headlight Lens Restorer by sparing some time and money. It will provide an even better result than your household items. Below are the materials that this kit includes-

• Clarifying compounds.
• Sealing wipes and base coating
• Spray lubricant
• Precision green pads for polishing

Here is how to clean headlights using Turtle Wax Restorer-

• Give your headlight a wash with dish soap and water.
• Notice how much build-up there is.
• Take a soft cloth and apply the lens clarifying compound to it. Rub it on the headlight lenses in up-and-down or side-by-side motion.
• Do it for around 2-3 minutes throughout both headlight surfaces. Then let them dry.
• Use a microfiber towel to wipe the compound from it.

If your headlights are still not clear enough, know that there is oxidization.

• In that case, spray some lubricant on a green pad and on the headlight. Rub it up and down on the headlight. Keep both pad and headlight lubricated as you move to different sections.
• Flip the green pad to the tan side and buff for a minute in the opposing direction. Don’t forget to lubricate.
• Use the teal side of the second pad to rub the headlight up and down for a minute, then use its purple side for the next minute.
• Wipe the headlights thoroughly using a microfiber towel.
• Use to compound kit again to compound the entire surface.
• Buff it off using a cotton towel.

Your headlight will achieve a restoration equal to professional cleaning.

Final Note

There are many other options to restore the former color of their headlights. We have mentioned some of the best ones. You can also use toothpaste, bug spray, or Coca-Cola. But all of them are for short-term cleaning.

Make sure to apply the base coat or any polishing compound after cleaning your headlights. Doing so will ensure a long-lasting lifespan for them. It will also save you from having to clean them occasionally.