Sunday, January 7, 2007

How Changing Your Tire Size Could be Dangerous

When it comes time to replace your vehicle’s tires, tire size is very important. If you ever switch to a different sized tire, you could damage your vehicle. Before switching tire sizes, do some research to ensure that it can be done safely.

When it comes time to replace your vehicle’s tires, tire size is very important. If you ever switch to a different sized tire, you could damage your vehicle. Before switching tire sizes, do some research to ensure that it can be done safely. Most drivers will not need to change their vehicle’s tire size. Stock tire size is what your vehicle was designed to use. These are some vehicle components affected by changing a tire size:
•Both the speedometer and odometer are calibrated based on the height of your tires. Taller tires would make the speedometer read slower than actual speed. Shorter tires would show a higher speedometer reading.

•Newer vehicles have internal computers that base calculations on the tire’s height. Components, such as Anti-lock Braking Systems, could fail with a different tire size.

•Stock suspension could have additional stress with a taller tire, resulting in faster wear and/or failure.

For substantial increases in tire height, you should upgrade from stock suspension. Despite these concerns, some circumstances do require a tire size change. For someone looking to modify their vehicle, the wheels are often the first place to start. Stock wheels are often plain and don’t attract much attention. When people switch their vehicle’s wheels, they upgrade to a larger diameter stock wheel. These people get a lower profile tire that is close to stock tire height. Most tire industry professionals recommend no more than a 3% height difference from stock. Of course closer is better. Sometimes there is poor selection in a vehicle’s stock tire size. With common tire sizes, each major tire manufacturer offers at least several choices. Some rare tire sizes are only manufactured by a few companies. If those few tire choices don’t match your climate and driving style, you might need to change tire sizes. You can often find a similar tire size with more choices. If you insist on switching tire sizes, double check with some tire industry professionals. Your car dealer will likely try to persuade you from altering any stock specifications, but ask anyway. Check with some tire shops, but beware they might put the sale as the first priority. Another good place to ask advice is in automotive forums. Find a good forum specific to your vehicle type and ask their opinion. You’d be surprised how easy is it to find someone else who has already tried a tire size. Be aware that people on forums aren’t necessarily industry professionals.

You can do your own research and try using a tire size calculator featured on various automotive websites. These tire calculators allow you to compare specifications of different tire sizes. They display the tire height, width, RPMs, speedometer difference and more. These tools aren’t exact as a tire size can slightly vary from one tire model to another, but they are very good tools. So use a tire size calculator as a general guide. Then confirm your calculations with a tire industry professional. You can also find the exact measured height of each tire model if you visit the tire manufacturer’s website. When possible you should use your vehicle’s stock tire size. Don’t switch just because you find a good price in a different size. A lot of things in your vehicle were designed for the stock tire size. If you do have to switch tire sizes, make sure the size is safe for your vehicle.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Visit www.1010tires.com to buy tires and wheels with features like tire reviews, technical articles and more. To compare tire sizes now, try this tire size converter. Also click here for tire review information.

The Importance of a Cars Gas Mileage

This article is for people who don’t know a lot about cars. Car gas mileage seems to be a rather strange and insignificant concept, one that at least causes some confusion. Many people don't fully comprehend how truly important gas mileage truly is.

They feel as though car gas mileage has nothing to do with them, it has no real meaning, other than some formualic calculation that some like to conjure up. But this is not the case and I soon came to discover that when I decided to buy a used car. Measuring the cars gas mileage is very important for owners of new cars, as well as for those having bought a used one. The mileage shows how many miles the car has actually traveled. Every car has a certain degree of durability on the roads.
You have to strictly measure the mileage so that you know exactly how to drive it, when it is appropriate to sell and at what price. The exact condition of the car is shown on its mileage, so you have to strictly calculate it so that you know where are you standing. No-one can be sure that their car won’t break up in the middle of a deserted road at two o’clock in the morning. If it happens, there should be posed the question WHY you haven’t calculated this at time.

Calculating cars gas mileage is not a matter of technical or mechanical ability. It is a matter of sheer rationality. You have to know how many kilometers your car has run, so that you are prepared if the worst comes to the worst. Perhaps it is best to keep a strict note of every time you go to a gas pump. You have to know and write down the date, the car’s mileage, and the amount of gas you have pumped up into the tank. The proportion between the mileage and the amount of gas shows you how much gas your car uses for one kilometer.

This is important, and you always have to know it before buying a used car. Perhaps you will come upon a “greedy” car, which takes a lot of gas to make a certain track. This is sure to wear your budget thin. There are reports for all kinds of cars on such sites as epa.gov, which show you precisely the cars gas mileage. You should definitely consult them and calculate the exact figures before attempting to buy either a new car or a used one.

Another important thing is that cars gas mileage can be important indicator if there are gas price increases. For example, if you are travelling from Texas to Washington, and you see that prices for gas are different, you may well calculate what sum shall you need to get there. If the prices are higher, and you car consumes a lot of gas, perhaps you will be deep in the red before you get to your destination.

Measuring the cars gas mileage gives you another advantage, which is hard to acquire elsewhere. It helps you bring your confidence that you can control all the money that you sepnd on your car. Being a driver doesn’t only mean that you go into your car and drive to where you wanna go. It means a totally changed attitude towards the world. You browse the whole vehicle industry before you buy a car.

You understand the car parts and learn to dismount them. You start calculating the money you will need for your car. Measuring cars gas mileage is escpecially useful for careless teenagers, who have just procured a license. It teaches the young drivers some very important things about the global economic cell we are all put to live into.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning cars. Learn more at Cars Gas Mileage

How To Avoid Auto Repair and Service Scams

There’s a reason why auto service stations have one of the largest numbers of complaints with state attorney generals in every state. Some uphold good business practices and ethics, but most, unfortunately are all about profit and don’t care if they have to lie and cheat to get it.

To prove this all one has to do is go to several dealers with the same problem or question. You will get many different answers, price ranges and estimates all for the same problem(s) and almost all recommending unnecessary and unneeded services or repairs.
Just ask the dealer the question of routine maintenance and what is recommended at each service. If you open your owners manual it will tell you what is recommended for normal driving habits and some may give you recommendations for harsh conditions. Regardless of your climate and weather most service advisors will tell you that the area of your country qualifies for harsh and extreme weather – they are trained to do this as it requires more services and makes them more money. Its not whether your car needs it – most people will qualify as normal conditions and require a lot less servicing per the National Highway Traffic Safety Association and AAA. The manufacturer made those owners manuals after millions of dollars were spent on design, research, and testing – I think I would listen to the manual.

On calling several dealers as to recommended mileage intervals between oil changes we got a range of 3,000 – 3,500. It didn’t matter what area of the country we called. The answer was the same. Upon reading the owners manual of several cars it says 4,000 – 5,000 for normal driving habits. We then called asking about the correct mileage to change a timing belt 60,000 to 70,000 was the answer range we got. The owners manuals gave a range of 90,000 -100,000. This is proof positive that profit hungry dealers are pushing up more expensive services, requiring additional and unnecessary services, and basically scamming and ripping off customers. We could not find an honest new car dealer in the bunch, but we did find one service and repair shop that did not require anything over the manufactures recommendations.

Our recommendations:

1) Read your owners manual and take it with you for servicing. Let the service advisor try and argue with you over when an actual service is really recommended. Don’t pay attention to his fancy charts and recommendations. 2) Check and see if your warranty covers the item and if it is really necessary. 3) Oil changes are only $14.

95 at Walmart – why pay more at your dealer (dealer average is $26). The oil is the same and you can get synthetic, the best, for the price the dealer charges for regular. As an added bonus, Walmart won’t push unnecessary repairs or services on you. Walmart is also much cheaper for tires – so is BJ’s, and Discount Tire. 4) Do minor items your self. Windshield wipers cost only $4 for a set of two of the same original equipment quality. Just guess what dealers charge. We only asked a few as we could quickly see, just like with oil changes, that the dealer wants to make a lot of money - $54 including installation for the same $4 wipers. Buy then at most Auto parts stores and they will install them for free. 5) If you must use a dealer for repair, always call around. Don’t just take their word for it. Before you go to the dealer, check them out with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Find out what their customers are saying.

The most important thing to remember here is to not get scammed. Some services are needed, just check it out and make sure the dealer isn’t just trying to get a high priced and unnecessary service out of you. Get your owners manual and read the section on required services – it will save you money nest time you visit your dealer. Remember their service advisors are constantly trained just like car salespeople to get you to buy regardless of whether you may need it.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR


David Maillie is an alumni of Cornell University and specializes in automotive safety products and information. He holds numerous patents and awards for his patented headlight cleaner and restorer. For more information please visit: http://www.mdwholesale.com

Basic Guide to Spark Plugs - Video - 1 of 15

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Auto Repair

This article provides useful, detailed information about Auto Repair.

Modern-day automobiles are complex, as most auto manufacturers are using high technology to make the cars more durable. However, being machines, automobiles also encounter the usual problems related to breakdowns as well as normal wear and tear. Repairing automobiles can be very confusing and finding someone qualified to make the correct repairs is becoming even more difficult.



It\'s a common proverb that \"prevention is better than cure.\" Similarly, the best way to avoid auto repair expenses is to be prepared and to amass knowledge about how your vehicle works and how to identify common car problems. It\'s also important to know a good technician, the kinds of questions to ask, and your consumer rights. Choosing the right repair shop is the most difficult part, and the best way to solve this problem is by asking for recommendations from friends, family, and other people you trust.


One can make telephone enquiries for the best deal, and compare warranty policies on repairs. While choosing an auto technician, look for shops that display various certifications, like an Automotive Service Excellence seal. Certification ensures that the technicians are acquainted with the basic standards of knowledge and capabilities in desired technical segment.


Auto-repair charges can be expensive; therefore, it is imperative that the consumer be updated about the prevailing repair charges. Mostly, these charges vary from one repair shop to another, as some shops charge flat labor charges, while others charge on the basis of the actual time the technician worked on the repair. Many repair shops also charge for diagnostic time. However, if the technician recommends expensive or complicated repairs, it is advisable to get a second opinion. Although repair shops do not offer any \"standard warranty\" on repairs, it is important to understand what is covered under your warranty and get it in writing. Furthermore, check with the Federal Trade Commission or your state or local consumer protection agency for information about your warranty rights.


It is advisable to prevent common troubles like leaks and smoke, overheating problems, flat tires and the like with proper maintenance and care of your vehicle.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Auto Glass Repair provides detailed information on Auto Repair, Auto Glass Repair, Online Auto Repair, Auto Body Repair and more. Auto Glass Repair is affiliated with Discount Auto Parts.6F";