There are many difficult maintenance and repair chores associated with your automobile, but tire rotation isn’t one of them… and it’s a service that clearly adds to your bottom line. If you know how to change a flat tire, then you have all the necessary skills to perform your own rotation.
The concept of tire rotation is simple- you swap the front set on your car or truck with the back set at regular intervals. By rotating your tires you increase the life of all four. If you never rotated them it’s likely you would experience irregular wear in one or two tires, but by rotating at regular intervals you allow all four to wear out at about the same time so they can be replaced with a matching set.
Naturally, if you brought tire professionals from ten reputable tire discounters into a room and asked their opinion, you’d get ten different ideas on tire rotation. There is the opinion one should never rotate your rear tires with your front tires. Or that you should swap the front and rear left-side together, or the crossover opinion of left front to right rear and right front to left rear. Each of these opinions has its pros and cons.
There is one concept that all can agree upon. If you own a front-wheel drive vehicle the tires on the front wear twice as fast as the tires on the rear. There are several reasons for this: the drive train’s power goes though the front tires, the front tires shoulder the brunt of the cornering, and the front tires do the lion’s share of the braking.
All of this friction results in the gradual loss of tread, at a greater rate of wear on the front tires than the rear ones. For this reason, if you never rotated your tires your rear tires would only be about half worn when your front tires needed replacing. This plays into the opinion that you should never swap your front and rear tires when rotating…
simply replace the front tires. However, this plan has its drawbacks. You might not be able to match to your rear tires, which will introduce different handling and traction characteristics.
Most experts agree that rotating all four tires together makes the most sense. Tire manufacturers, vehicle manufacturers and mechanics all recommend one of several rotation patterns, but the truth is it makes virtually no difference which way you rotate your tires as long as each tire divides its time equally on the front and rear of the car.
The goal is to have all the tires wear equally so that all four are ready for replacement at the same time.
How often you rotate your tires is another area of wide ranging opinion, but the general consensus is to schedule a tire rotation somewhere in the range of every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. If you’re getting your brakes serviced it’s always a good idea to ask the mechanic to rotate the tires since they’re already off the car. And don’t forget to check your service contract because some tire stores include basic tire rotation as one of their benefits.
By regularly rotating your tires you promote even tread wear and reduce the chances of uneven wear and bald spots. A recent survey of 7,000 vehicles conducted by the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) uncovered the disturbing statistic that more than 11% of vehicles were riding on at least one bald tire, a dangerous driving situation for both the vehicle’s owner and the others sharing that road. Scheduled tire rotation will lessen the chance of this situation occurring on your vehicle, and at the very least provides you, or a trained technician from a reputable tire discounter, an opportunity to get a close visual inspection of your tires and identify a potential hazardous situation before it becomes a road hazard.…
You will be able to find Xenon headlights for just about any type of vehicle that you may have. Understanding what these are and what they do is important knowledge. There is no point in spending money on these if you don’t need them. Using Xenon headlights without knowing what they are or their features can end up being something that you regret, either because you do not get the full effect of the headlights or because you did not get what you expected.
Xenon Gas
Basically, what a xenon headlight is is a headlight that is completely filled up with xenon gas. Xenon gas is is an odorless and a colorless gas that is found in the earth’s atmosphere in small amounts. These types of headlights are very easy to tell apart from others because it has a specific type of sheen to it that is very neon like. It was not until 1898 that this gas was actually discovered. Since its discovery, this gas has been used in many different ways.
Xenon Headlight Creations
It is a complex process that xenon headlights are created. It is basically done through the separation of the air. The air is split into oxygen as well as nitrogen. It is the oxygen that is turned completely into a liquid. This liquid oxygen will have small amounts of krypton and xenon in it. It is through even further process that the xenon will then be contained so that it can be used to create just one entire xenon headlight.
Benefits
It is common for these types of headlights to be used more frequently than other headlights for several different reasons. One of the bigger reasons is the fact that they help to light up the darker roads better than the regular types of headlights. These types of headlights can be found in several different locations. Whether it is online or in auto parts stores, they are not difficult to come by. You do not have to have a professional install them for you as they are not difficult to install. You will simply need to make sure that you do so carefully so that you do not have any leaks.
Considerations
These types of lights can be very dangerous if they happen to shatter. If you breathe in any xenon gas, then this can cause you to go into an anesthetic state. This type of gas cannot be contained inside of any container that is plastic. This will cause the gas to leak out slowly. This is why these headlights are most often made from glass. Something else that you should consider is the price. Because it takes up so much time for just one xenon light to be made, then they tend to cost more than a regular headlight. While they are not typically a lot more expensive, you should still expect to pay more than you normally would.…
The best auto insurance quote is usually the lowest one that you get. When you shop for coverage, it is important to save money. Here are seven tips for getting a lower premium payment.
1. Drop some of the coverage from your policy. If your car is getting older, you may not need expensive collision coverage. However, it is still a good idea to opt for comprehensive coverage. It will pay for things like fire and theft losses. It will also pay for accidents like a tree falling on your car. If you receive hail damage, comprehensive will pay for it. It is not an expensive option on your policy.
2. Check into extras like free auto club benefits. Some companies will give you free roadside assistance with your coverage. Others may offer it for a reduced rate. A good auto club can cost you in excess of $100 per year.
3. The type of car you drive, matters a great deal. Some cars are at higher risk for being stolen. Others are involved in more accidents than most cars. Check into the rates for different types of vehicles, before you buy one.
4. You can lower your annual driving mileage. You might consider car pooling with others, as this can save you money. Most companies offer lower rates for low mileage drivers.
5. Consider an alarm system for your car. Anti-theft devices can qualify for lower rates. Cars with alarms are less likely to be stolen. Any type of safety device like anti-lock brakes will also qualify.
6. Check into group discounts that are available. Certain companies and organizations may receive special rates. It may be your local credit union, or it might be your place of employment.
7. Make sure all of your cars are insured with the same company. You might have student drivers or adult children at home. This may earn you a multiple car discount, on your policy.…
Mitsubishi is a large group of autonomous Japanese companies that have merged to use one brand name as a trademark. It is known in the automotive industry as the fourth largest manufacturer in Japan. Mitsubishi cars have been introduced in the United States since the early years of the ?70s. However, the brand did not gained popularity at once because it started marketing vehicles bearing the name Mitsubishi not until 1982.
Way back in 1917, the company first introduce a line up of automobiles known as the Mitsubishi Model A. The next two decades after, these autos were launched in the same period when Mitsubishi had proved their excellence in discovering new innovation in the automotive industry. The company was the one who developed the first diesel engine ever known in Japan. Aside from that, the company was the first one to create large-sized bus, the first four-wheel drive passenger car prototype, as well as the first diesel-powered truck. To sustain these innovations, Mitsubishi parts are further improved to meet the expectation of its consumers.
Mitsubishi become remarkable because it has established a name in making efficient, reliable, and tough products. Mitsubishi vehicles have the capacity to take every car owner miles and miles away, making long distances shorter with every model launched in the auto world. With the great innovations the company offers in their autos, one can never deny the convenience it gives. From the Mitsubishi Raider for off-road challenges up to Mitsubishi Lancer for stylish ride, all of these amazing vehicles showcase the key features that brought the company to success. Behind all these outstanding vehicles are the Mitsubishi parts that are crafted with the use of Japanese technology which is known of its world class quality.
Aside from Mitsubishi?s road-breaking developments, it is involved in shipping, coal mining, shipbuilding, banking, insurance, warehousing, and trade. Mitsubishi does not focus in autos alone, several products that bear its name spanned from paper to steel, electrical equipments, and aircrafts as well. In fact, in the world history, Mitsubishi is a well-known name of company and brand. It became famous in manufacturing the high end Zero aircraft that are used in attacking the Pearl Harbor during the World War II.…
Aside from a home, an automobile is one of the most costly items that people will purchase in their lifetime. This is a necessity with a hefty a price tag, and keeping your car properly maintained can not only extend the life of your automobile, but save you time and money as well. Taking a proactive approach to car maintenance rather than a reactive one can prevent damage to your automobile and decrease the cost of ownership. A busy schedule can often get in the way of taking the appropriate measures to ensure your vehicle stays in good condition, but finding the time to perform these simple tasks will protect your investment and reduce the risk of encountering a problem with your automobile.
According to the consumer watchdog group Car Care Counsel, the cost of auto accidents stemming from poor upkeep exceeds $2 billion each year. While you may be able to avoid an actual collision, neglecting to perform regular maintenance on your vehicle can shorten its life-cycle. When you do the math, performing routine scheduled maintenance will actually save you money in the long run, as well as keep your car running longer. Considering all of the things that can go wrong with an automobile such as brake, transmission, or radiator problems, failed smog tests, and perhaps even engine failure, regular maintenance fees are a fraction of the cost of repair bills.
So what are the most important things you need to remember for properly maintaining your vehicle? First and foremost, performing routine oil changes at about every 3,000 miles will keep your engine running clean. Oil lubricates the engine and helps to reduce friction within the engine. Driving a car that has run out of oil can cause severe damage to the engine and even fire. If you own a car that does not alert you when you are low on oil, take note of the date and mileage on your car after every oil change. This will help you to remember when you are due for another oil change and mitigate the risk of you running out of oil and your engine burning up. Changing your oil filter at the same time of your oil change will help to maximize engine life by removing the debris and particles that have built up in the oil filter.
Your tires should be next on your car maintenance checklist. Somewhere in the area of every 6,000 miles, your tires should be rotated to equalize the wear on each tire. Although tire air pressure should be checked on a more frequent basis, checking your tires to ensure that they are inflated at the appropriate pressure at the time of your tire rotation will help you remember to do so. If you aren’t sure what your tire pressure is supposed to be, refer to your owners manual, check online, or ask your mechanic. In addition to keeping your car running smoothly, keeping your tire pressure at the manufacturer suggested levels will give you better gas mileage, saving you even more money in this time of skyrocketing fuel costs.
Next on the list should be your yearly brake system inspection. Regardless of how many miles you have put on your car, brake fluid should be changed at least once every 2 years. Brake disc pads and shoes should be checked annually for wear. When they are worn down, they need to be replaced to avoid damage to the drum or rotor. By replacing your brake disc pads and shoes when necessary, you will avoid additional expenses such as brake drum or rotor replacements which will cost you roughly twice as much as pads and/or shoes.
A commonly overlooked but vital maintenance step is replacing your cars timing belt at the time suggested by your automobile manufacturer. This is one of the more costly maintenance procedures costing between $500 and $700 for a replacement belt, however a failed timing belt can damage your cars engine and repair costs for valves and other parts could run you up to $2,000 depending on the type of car you own. Parts for a domestic car will obviously be less costly than those for a foreign car.
Finally, to avoid failing emission tests that are required by the DMV, change your engine filters and spark plugs. Not only will this help keep your engine clean, but will significantly boost your chances of passing your mandatory smog tests.
Although following these automobile maintenance suggestions will require you to spend some money throughout the period of ownership, you will end up saving yourself from having to spend much more to get these parts repaired when they inevitably encounter a problem. A properly maintained automobile can last for 50,000 miles more than one that is neglected. Keeping to this list of …
I’m sure we have all been there. You have paid all the bills, there is no more money left in the checking account, and right on cue, the car breaks down. Now not everybody is independently wealthy, and has the cash to be throwing at costly repairs for our vehicles. Luckily though, you always have the option of car repair loans.
A car repair loan is essentially just like any other loan. You apply for the cost of your repair bill, and when you’re approved, you simply use the money to pay the bill. Then, just like any other loan, you must pay that money back in a timely manner. Car repair loans aren’t known to everybody, and actually very few people take advantage of them.
Car repair loans can come in a couple different ways. There are the traditional loans like you would get from your bank, but there are also credit card options as well. The way these work usually is that a no interest offer is applied for a certain number of months. If the balance is paid in full by that date, you owe no more than the principle. This is commonly referred to as something like “90 Days same as cash”.
The benefits of car repair loans are quite obvious. Imagine the feeling of not having to worry about whether or not you’ll have the money available when your car breaks down (and lets face it, they all do eventually). When it does, you will have a resource that you can fall back on. Believe me, it is much easier to work in a few hundred dollars a month to the budget, as opposed to $1,500 dollars all at once.
Just like any loan, when you are preparing to apply for a car repair loan, always do your homework. There are plenty of people out there that will gladly take your money while promising things they can’t deliver. Always go with a reputable company or bank and this will save you headaches down the road. If you have a bank that normally handles all of your loans, call them and ask for information on personal loans. These are difficult to get from a bank, but always worth a try. It is especially beneficial to be financed with an institution you are familiar with, as there is already that element of trust built into the relationship.…