StaceyWilson's Xanga

Essential Recommendations about Wheels and Tires

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 01:56:55 GMT

Wheels and tires are essential parts of an automobile. It enables the movement of a car from a point across another point. Without the wheels, a car wouldn’t be a car.

Wheels and tires also does need little maintenance and care. Good tires and wheels are very important for safety. A sudden blowout may cause a dangerous rollover. It usually takes only minutes to install tires and wheels on your vehicle but it will provide more than 3,000 miles of service. So better be sure that your vehicle has a safe and not worn out tires.

Mounting a tire can be a hard process. It is important to have the tires professionally mounted and balanced in order to ensure that the tires will wear evenly. Mounting and balancing should be done by professional, using equipments designed for the job. Balancing wheels requires expensive equipment, and cannot be done at home. Some cars may be very sensitive to an out of balance tires. It usually causes vibration while the car is in motion or even shortens the life of your tires, bearings, shocks and other suspension components.

Wheel alignment is essential for maximum tire life and for a vehicle that head straight forward with no slight turning tendencies. This process is done by adjusting the angles of the wheels so that they are perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other.

When bolting the wheels on to the vehicle, care must be taken not to over-tighten the lug nuts, as this may cause damage to the wheels.

Following these vital instructions will enhance the safety and suitable driving capacity of your car.

The Alternator and How It Works

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 05:45:07 GMT

Alternator is one of the auto parts which an automobile cannot work without. It is electromechanical device that converts mechanical energy to alternating current electrical energy. It is the device which carries electrical power to essential car parts such as the headlights, the engine cooling fans, the radio, the ignition coil and many more.

It is true that batteries have the capability to run the machine and other electrical parts but its capacity cannot last long in a certain range of travel. This is the reason why the alternator is essential on all automotive vehicles. It can power up complex and more energy consuming auto parts that a battery cannot sustain. Thus the alternator cannot directly provide power without the battery and the fuel. It takes mechanical power from the crankshaft, transmits it via a serpentine belt and turns the alternator. It then converts the gasoline engine to electrical energy.

In cases when an alternator goes bad, the effect is not noted for a period because the battery does the job of providing power for the auto. It is then advised that some unnecessary power consuming parts should be shut down in this condition. Such parts are the blower motor, the stereo and headlights, the window defogger and specially the air conditioner. This step can save you from the use of a tow truck by using the battery power alone. As long as the energy is conserved, it can surely make it for some distance.

Here are some steps in diagnosing possible alternator problems. http://www.ehow.com/how_2210342_diagnose-car-alternator-problem.html

All about Brake Pads

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 02:46:36 GMT

Brake pads are an important part of braking systems for all types of vehicles that uses disc brakes. It is a steel plate with friction material which causes the friction and therefore causes the stop.

As defined by physics, brake pads convert the kinetic energy of the car to thermal energy by friction.

It is important to change your brake pads to maintain the maximum performance of the cars breaking system. It is easy to check the brake pads and anyone can do it by themselves. All you need to do is to look through the outside of the wheel rims where the pads are very visible. Then check if it’s worn. (On some vehicles, it may be necessary to remove the wheel to be able to see the pads)

Worn brake pads can badly affect the ability to bring your car to a stop. So awareness to the problem is certainly necessary.

Some signs of a bad braking pads are, squealing sounds, pulling force of the car from side to side, spongy brake pedals and grinding of the brakes. The occurrence of these symptoms must necessitate you to replace with new brake pads.

When replacing brake pads, most technicians rather go with OEM brake pads or premium grade aftermarket linings because most of these brake pads often meet all the standards of a good braking system.

Replacing worn out brake pads may take few easy steps which any inexperienced person can do. http://www.edmunds.com/ownership/howto/articles/43787/article.html - the steps are provided here.

Savana: The Major Transporter

Sat, 24 May 2008 05:49:13 GMT

GMC Savana, are full-size vans from General Motors. It was first unveiled in 1996 as General Motors' line of full size commercial and passenger vans.

The 2008 Savana Passenger Van is a 3- or 4-door, up to 15-passenger full size van, available in 8 trims, ranging from the LS G1500 Regular Wheelbase RWD to the LT G3500 Extended Wheelbase RWD. For 2008, the GMC Savana offers different standard engines.

“The LS G1500 Regular Wheelbase RWD is equipped with a standard 5.3-liter, V8, 301-horsepower engine that achieves 12-mpg in the city and 16-mpg on the highway. The LT G3500 Extended Wheelbase RWD is equipped with a standard 6.0-liter, V8, 323-horsepower engine. A 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard on both trims.” The 2008 GMC Savana has an excellent choice of engines and decent handling for a van.

The 2008 GMC Savana has a clean, functional look although a little bit old fashioned. The exterior features enhanced-technology details. It has a chrome grille with dual composite halogen headlamps. The structure was designed to improve the available space for occupants.

The interior of the 2008 GMC Savana is designed for utility, not style. It has the capacity for 8 to 15 occupants with comfortable seats and huge space. There are a number of optional features when it comes to entertainment and comfort; features include AM/FM radio with an in-dash six-CD changer, MP3 playback; remote power door locks; and rear air conditioning with heater.

These great big boxes on wheels were perfect for transporting most number of people with the luxury feeling.

Details of 2008 Honda Accord Coupe

Mon, 19 May 2008 08:03:33 GMT

As a 2009 model Honda offered a diesel version of the Accord. The Accord diesel for the US market was confirmed at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, and has been unveiled at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. The new Accord is one of the bigger coupes available on the market. Same as its sedan counterpart, the Accord coupe is also available with several trims and engines for different demands.

“The base motor is a 2.4 liter 190-horsepower four-cylinder with 16 valves and Honda’s i-VTEC variable-valve technology. It also offers a 3.5 liter 268-horsepower V6 and a Variable Cylinder Management, which shuts off three of the cylinders under light-load conditions. It is standard on the EX-L automatic but not available on the EX L with six-speed manual shifter. The V6 car is heavier than the four-cylinder, it weighs around 3,500 pounds.”

Honda says it focused on making the interior of the coupe a more luxurious place than in the previous generation of the car. Their looks have become more aggressive than the old sedan and other coupes in the same category. It has a large grille opening and of course with a famous H logo in the center. It also has its halogen projector-beam headlamps

Although I'm not a Honda fan, this Accord coupe is noticeably ahead of the Altima. Its styling is much better than any other sedan's. And I think that the engine is capable of not getting stressed at any regular driving speeds.

Kia Soul Concept at Auto Show

Thu, 15 May 2008 07:13:48 GMT

The Kia Soul was originally unveiled as a concept car during the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. They have unveiled three new concept versions of its upcoming Soul hatchback namely the Soul Diva, the Soul Burner and the Soul Searcher for the 2008 Geneva Auto Show. The Soul Diva is aimed at young, style-conscious females. The Soul Burner is strictly a youth-mobile, finished in black satin with dragon tattoos. The Soul Searcher aims to exude an air of Korean culture. These vehicles were designed at Kia's design center in California.

“The front-drive Soul is powered by a 2.0-liter, inline four-cylinder gasoline engine. The power plant is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission with manual shift capability and adaptive cruise control for active driver control and convenience.”

It features headlight designs with previous touches from the Kia Mesa concept. The brush guard with fog lamps is very functional and it helps show the concepts toughness. It also has side vents to help cool the engine compartment.

The Soul's interior was installed with high-quality audio equipment. This concepts’ audio system will truly be enjoyed by music lovers. Much more with the multimedia entertainment system is a notebook computer with a multi-purpose video game monitor housed in the glove compartment area.

For me, soul burner is really burning my eyes into fascination. The Koreans are proving their splendor with these interesting car models. I am sensing that somehow Koreans will surpass Japanese quality soon if only people will give them a chance.

Mazda Furai Concept Revealed

Wed, 14 May 2008 06:50:29 GMT

The Mazda Furai is a concept car that was revealed last December 27, 2007 at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The Furai, literally means the “Sound of the Wind”.

The car had already been shown on an issue of Automobile magazine. The article talks about Mazda's unique and futuristic design language. The Furai still develops Mazda's new design language as introduced last year by the Nagare concept car. Different from the traditional F1-style snorkel, the Furai breathes through a shallow, leaf like cup known informally as an "air fang."

“Furai is based on the Courage Competition C65 Le Mans Prototype that Mazda last used to compete in the American Le Mans Series, two seasons previously and is designed to use E100 ethanol fuel.”. Power for the Furai is sourced from a three-rotor engine that runs on E100 Ethanol and develops 450 horsepower. “The Furai is a runner”, it’s a point that Mazda has been keen to emphasize.

I like the lines, but the only problem I have with it is the headlamps, they just seem, odd.

The Mazda Furai has so many curves like a woman's body. Although I think that some designs are similar from other recent Mazda concepts. But it’s still one of the most amazing sports car designs I have seen. It’s very modern, futuristic and sporty. I like to hope that the above racing vehicle will be realized, and that there will be a production version of that exact car.

Rent A Car Without Overspending

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 09:41:19 GMT

Goin’ elsewhere? You may plan to rent a car instead of driving your own. Long destinations make us feel terribly exhausted. So if you want a peace of mind while traveling on a distant land, renting a car could be a nice antidote.

MSNBC shares the following car rental tips:

1. Shop around online first. Check multiple travel Web sites — such as Travelocity.com, Expedia.com, Priceline.com and Hotwire.com — and get a sense of what’s available. Then check the rental car companies’ Web sites directly to see whether you can snag an even cheaper rate there.

2. Do the math. A rate that sounds unbelievably low might not be so low when everything is said and done. Clarify which taxes, surcharges and other fees you’ll be expected to pay and be on the lookout for charges for “extras” you really need.

3. Hunt for deals. Always check for weekend discounts or special weekly rates. When shopping online, be alert for little areas where you can enter a “promotional code” or “discount code.”

4. Opt for a smaller car. Do you really need a larger car? If not, go compact. Here’s a little secret: Rental car companies often run out of economy models because they’re the most popular, so you’ll often be steered toward an upgrade in the hopes that you’ll cave in and pay for it. Just say no. You stand to get the upgrade anyway for the economy price.

5. Check for restrictions on where you can take the car. Planning to drive across state lines? Make sure that’s going to be OK before you lock in your rental deal.

6. You rarely need that extra insurance. Rental agencies often urge renters to spend additional money per day on collision damage waivers and other insurance coverage. Review your auto insurance policy and credit-card agreements; you’re almost certainly covered already.

7. Gas up. Don’t prepay for gasoline – and then don’t forget to fill the tank back up before you return the car.

8. Be on time. If you return your car late, the rental agency may charge you as much as a full day’s rental, sometimes at a rate higher than before.

9. Avoid airport fees. If you rent a car from the airport, you’re likely to pay extra fees such as airport surcharges, drop-off fees or taxes levied by local governments. Consider renting from a suburban location if at all possible.

10. Supply your own car seat. If you’ll be traveling with children, you can save up to $10 a day by providing your own child safety seat rather than renting one from the car company. You may not need to worry about this if you’re renting a minivan that has built-in safety seats.

Car rental companies are everywhere. But the query is: Do you get the best deal? The analogy goes like this: If you want to purchase high-quality Nology Coolwires ignition wire set, would you settle for so-so dealer?

Toyota Vs. Teen Crashes

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 00:36:23 GMT

It is no secret that teenage drivers are more prone to car crashes than any other age group in the driving world. It is also no secret that car crashes have become the main cause of death for teenagers. And Toyota is aiming at a campaign that would help battle this.

According to Toyota, they are having a new campaign known as “Toyota Driving Expectations” and this program would be started this year. The Asian car maker believes that with their new program, they would be able to help lessen the numbers by teaching parents and teenagers advanced skills in driving. It would not just be a case of teaching them how to keep their vehicles safe with the proper spark plug wires or brakes or bumpers or whatever parts.

The whole nation is going to benefit from this campaign. Aside from the usual driving lessons, Toyota’s program would also be putting their students right behind the wheel and let them drive through the various types of situations that one could encounter in the real roads. Of course, these students would be accompanied and supervised by Toyota’s chosen professional drivers.

Michael Rouse is Toyota’s corporate manager for their national philanthropy and community affairs arm and on the program, Rouse shared, “Toyota is committed to safe driving and equipping teens with the tools and confidence they need to become better drivers. Since the program's debut in 2004, Toyota Driving Expectations has touched the lives of more than 7,500 teens and parents, creating an open dialogue within families to develop and maintain safe driving habits.”

Cars Are More Affordable Now

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 12:54:07 GMT

Since 1991, cars are most affordable now. Lower your brows, I am not kidding. Reports say prices of vehicles dropped over 2% in Canada last year. This fact drove affordability to levels not experienced since 1991.

DesRosiers Automotive Consultants Inc. recently reported that it took the equivalent of 18.9 weeks of pretax income to buy a new passenger car in Canada last year, the lowest measure for that reading since 18.5 weeks in 1991. Prices over all dipped to an average of $31,875 - including medium and heavy-duty trucks - from $32,609 in 2006.

“Quality, performance, content and design have all improved since 1991. The consumer is winning and winning big," DesRosiers noted.

"So relative to before-tax income, Canadians paid almost the same for a new vehicle in 2007 as they did in 1991," president of the consulting firm, said in a note to clients. "Not a bad deal, especially since vehicles are vastly superior today from virtually all perspectives."

Vehicle discounts came arrive in the middle of an outbreak of cross-border shopping in 2007 along with the Canadian dollar increase and U.S. drop. According to the Globe and Mail report, the said rise exposed a price gap between U.S. and Canadian vehicles that automakers in Canada began addressing with rebates, subsidized leases and price cuts. The discounts have been made more formal in Canada last year with price cuts by Toyota and Volkswagen.

The lower prices mean the vehicle market is likely to be fairly steady in Canada this year, DesRosiers said, unlike the deterioration expected in the United States.

I’m sure you silently wish NHT Calipers premium brake caliper would introduce price cuts as well. But having affordable cars is enough reason to yell with glee.