Archive for August 3rd, 2008
BMW Wheels: Be in Control
It’s sleek. It’s trusted. It’s got style. Just when you think your faithful BMW is working perfectly, your wheels start to look as if they are wobbling a little now and then, and it seems like they might throw you off the road anytime soon. You certainly are sure it was not something you did because you surely have been taking the best kind of care for your good buddy. You decide that maybe this has happened because of frequent use. You surely would want to show off this sleek little thing as much as possible. And with the great comfortable ride it gives you, you just cannot help but use it anytime you need to or anytime you just feel you want to strut this little guy’s stuff. This may be hard to accept but it seems like you may have to say goodbye to your BMW wheels and replace them. Soon.
You certainly have realized what these BMW had been doing for you all this time. Without your BMW wheels, you may not have reached any destination your heart chose. BMW wheels work and act as mediator between your car and the road. This happens because they transport your engine’s energy into a forward motion. And BMW wheels withstand an enormous amount forces in all directions so as to keep your vehicle in control, always.
Your BMW wheels is made up of a circular frame with spokes or a solid disc that can rotate on a shaft or axle. You have a choice of wheels with a natural, a clear coating or a powder-coated finish. There are also various designs available like a split-spoke mesh design which is enhanced by a polished stainless steel lip, and has bolts to have the look of a two-piece wheel. However, if you choose to customize your BMW to something a little different and something personalized as according to your taste, you also do have that option for BMW wheels also could be customized as per your request. Although, you have to be sure that before installing your new BMW wheels, you have to make sure that they are not too loose or too tight for this could actually affect your car’s performance.
Now, if you need new BMW wheels, here at Auto Parts Online, they have a vast array of BMW wheels to choose from. Your new BMW wheels would surely make you be in control.
Jenny McLane is a 36 year old native of Iowa and has a knack for research on cars and anything and everything about it. She works full time as a Market Analyst for one of the leading car parts suppliers in the country today.
A Woman's Guide to Basic Tire Care
Women certainly are not helpless. But sometimes we are a little overwhelmed working a 40-hour week, taking care of the children, cooking, cleaning, and doing laundry. The car is just another added burden when there isn’t a man around to tinker with it.
For the woman who finds herself in this situation, this is a short primer on routine tire care that will extend the life of your tires and hopefully make your life a little bit easier.
Check Tire Pressure Regularly:
Tire pressure should be checked whenever you suspect a problem or at a minimum, seasonally.
Symptoms of improper tire pressure include excess wear and squeeling when going around a corner (for under-inflated tires) and reduced traction (for over-inflated tires).
Even the temperature can affect your tire pressure. Check your owner’s manual to find where they’ve posted the proper tire pressure (usually on one of the doors) and be sure to keep it at that level. An improperly inflated tire not only wears quicker, it can also be dangerous when stopping and can cause tread separation.
You can purchase a tire-pressure gauge at your local auto parts store, use a gauge at the gas station or ask your tire dealer to check it for you.
Have Your Tires Rotated:
Tires should be rotated every 5000 - 6000 miles. For various reasons, all four tires on a car do not wear the same. The purpose of the tire rotation is to allow for even wear and an extended life for your tires.
Some manufacturers recommend “cross-rotation” (moving the right-front tire to the left-rear, etc.). Check your owner’s manual for it’s recommendations. Have your tire dealer rotate your tires regularly.
Check Your Wheel Alignment:
If you’ve hit a pothole or scraped your tire on a curb, your wheels may have been thrown out of alignment. Symptoms of wheels that are out of alignment are excessive wear (one tire may wear more than the others) and steering problems. You may notice that your car veers to the side when you’re on a straight road or the car doesn’t steer properly in a turn.
Unless you notice any of these symptons, you should have your alignment checked annually.
Have Your Wheels Balanced at the Same Time They’re Rotated:
An improperly balanced wheel will cause a vibration at higher speeds (50-70 MPH) which is noticable in the steering wheel (if a front tire is out of balance) or in the seat (if a rear tire is out of balance). It will also increase wear of shock absorbers, struts and suspensions.
If you notice any of these symptoms, you should have your tire dealer take a look. He will need to locate the heavier part of the tire and attach a lead weight opposite it to counter-balance it.
Unless you notice any of these symptoms, you should have your wheels balanced every time you have them rotated (every 5000 - 6000 miles).
Debbie Pettitt
Everything Tires
http://everythingtires.com
Debbie Pettitt is webmaster for Everything Tires. For additional articles and information regarding tires, visit http://everythingtires.com.
Top Ten Ways To Improve Gas Mileage - Simple Tips To Get More MPG For Your Car Posted By : Mike Legg
I have done some research and come up with ten ways to improve gas mileage using tips that most experts agree actually work.These are just 10 simple ways to improve gas mileage and get more MPG for your car. There are many more and most of them are just common sense, so even if you dont invest in one of the new gas mileage devices on sale you can still make some savings and get more MPG for your car.
How to get Gas Mileage Improvements by using the right Tire Posted By : Mike Legg
So you see there are a few little gas mileage secrets that you can use to increase your fuel economy without going to the extremes of the hypermiler, just by using the right tires and keeping them in good running order you can achieve surprisingly good gas mileage improvements.
Cleaning Tires for Appearance and Protection
You invest a lot of time and energy in keeping your car looking good. You wash it, polish it, and wax it. If anything gets on your vehicle, you ensure that it’s removed immediately. So, why let your tires go? Maybe the days of shiny rims and hubcaps are gone, but you can still keep your tires looking fresh without a lot of hassle. Why would you want to do this, you ask? (Or maybe your wife asks.) It’s along the lines of creating a complete package. It’s like wearing a brand new suit with scuffed shoes. Cleaning tires on a regular basis when you clean your tires has additional benefits other than simply making your car look good. It gives you a chance to keep an eye on your tires. After all, as the ad says, “a lot is riding on them.” Should you get a bolt embedded in your tires or an excessive amount of gravel become ground in, you’ll be able to address the problem before it becomes serious. Keeping a regular check on your tires can keep you from a dangerous situation when driving 70 miles per hour on the freeway during four-lane rush hour traffic. A clean tire product can also add additional protection to your tires by protecting them from the elements. Think of it as a wax for your tires. Just as you protect your car’s finish with a good wax, a cleaning tire product can keep your tires in better shape that they otherwise would be. To keep your tires looking fresh, use a product specifically designed for this purpose. These products will keep a shine on your tires longer than an ordinary cleaning product. Prior to using a tire shine product, consider cleaning tires with a specific tire sidewall-cleaning product. When combined, the products can create a classy looking, fresh off the lot look. Prior to using a cleaning tire product designed to add shine and protection, give your tires a good clean. A high-powered sprayer can be used on the tires, wheel wells, and hubcaps to remove any built up dirt and grime. If necessary, a scrub brush can be used to remove mud build up. Look for a stiff-bristled brush made of plastic rather than metal. Even though tires are very rugged, there’s no point in scratching them with a wire brush. A screwdriver or other such tool can be used to pry out pieces of gravel; however, for large debris that is deeply embedded, take the tire to a specialist to have it reviewed for punctures and repaired if necessary. Be sure to check the wheel well thoroughly as well. Embedded debris can stay put and leave room for the elements to enter and lead to rust. When cleaning tires, be sure to follow the directions on the product label, as not all are used the same way. Most are available in the form of an aerosol can and are extremely easy to use . The result is a clean tire with an added shine. In general, most should be applied to the tires and then allowed to sit for 12 to 24 hours. After sitting for this time, use a soft terry cloth rag to wipe the tires, which will remove any excess product (you don’t want it sprayed up onto your car’s finish when you drive). Keep in mind that some products do not require that you wipe them later. Some cleaning tire products give tires a wet look shine, which can really add some pizzazz to your car’s appearance. Your tires will have a brilliant wet shine look that can give your car the appearance of being much newer than it actually is. In addition to properly caring for your cars tires, you can increase the life of your tires by choosing quality tires to begin with and having them rotated on a regular basis. Make sure you purchase the appropriate tires for your size of vehicle and that you use the right kind of tire during the winter and summer months. Your location will determine whether you need snow or rain tires. Ensure that the air pressure is maintained at the manufacturer’s recommendation for the tire and your vehicle. When you have the proper tires for your vehicle and your needs, you’ll have additional peace of mind. Then, of course, keep them clean with a cleaning tire product so that they’ll keep that “new tire look” for as long as possible. Visit http://www.fuller-brush-products.com
Author Vincent Platania represents the Fuller Brush Company. Fuller Brush has been in business since 1906, and offers safe, environmentally friendly products for keeping your home and your body clean. Visit <a href="http://www.fuller-brush-products.com">http://www.fuller-brush-products.com</a>
Gas Savers vs. Gas Hustlers: The New Cold War Posted By : Bobby Bentley
I should warn you now, this article is going to ruffle quite a few feathers. If you have a weak stomach, please do not read what is in front of you… it just might scare you. There is a new war brewing, and it’s NOT in Iraq. I don’t even think there’s really a war going on in Iraq now, but that’s besides the point.
Hubcaps Or Wheel Covers, What’s In A Name?
Cars and trucks built before about 1935 came on wire spoke wheels with small metal caps installed to seal the wheel hub on the axle. Those early “HUBcaps” were smaller than 3″ in diameter, made of heavy gauge plated steel hammered onto the hub of the wheel. Their main function was to keep dirt out of the spindle nut and the wheel bearings.
In the 1930s, automobiles transitioned from mere modes of transportation to statements of status and style. Hubcaps became more decorative than functional. The dog dish’ style was born, chrome hemispheres 9 inches in diameter, covering the lug nuts and the center of the wheel. About the same time, wheel technology advanced and spoke wheels were replaced by wheels formed from stamped steel.
In the 40s, Cadillac lead the pack in adding sparkling chrome by the acre: bumpers, grills, trim lines, window borders, hood ornaments, hood vents, headlights, running boards, etc. Increasing the size of the chrome hubcaps added reflective surface.
By the 50s, hubcap diameters increased to the point they covered the entire steel wheel with chrome. Many of this period were flat rounds looking like chrome Frisbees, with little design differentiation. It was during this time the term wheel cover’ came into use.
Over the last 50 years, the terms hubcaps’ and wheel covers’ have become synonymous as the lightweight, full-diameter decorative coverings of standard steel wheels.
One of the hallmarks of modern hubcaps is their interchangeability. Nearly any hubcap of the correct size will fit any standard steel wheel that will take a hubcap. This means that changing styles is very easy. We are not limited to those styles designed by our particular auto manufacturer.
If you would like to read this article with pictures of classic cars that illustrate the examples given, go to http://www.autoamenity.com/FAQ/Hubcap-Wheelcover.htm
Phil Sollecito is the webmaster for AutoAmenity, Seattle retailer of hubcaps, wheelskins, wheel simulators, grill inserts, and other automotive trim products. <a href="http://www.autoamenity.com" target="_blank">http://www.autoamenity.com</a>
Should I Buy My Car Or Lease It? Posted By : Chad Bordeaux
Should you buy your car or lease it? This is a question that we hear often and as usual, the answer is that it depends. It is also an answer that I could compose an entire book about. First of all, let me start with the most practical advice from a personal finance perspective which is that you should do either if they involve a new car. A car loses 15 per cent to 20 per cent of its value the first year. This is a big hit that is better left for someone else to take.