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Summer Mazda Car Care

2007-06-17T00:48-04:00

Your Mazda car is an investment you would not want to loose. And summer time gives you almost all the reasons why you should really take car of your precious investment.

Summer's high temperatures can damage any car part such as the batteries, cooling system and tires. Moreover, the heat of the sun can definitely damage your Mazda body kit, most especially if this is not well maintained. But generally speaking, your whole car must be periodically checked to avoid breakdowns as well as other car problems.

Your car battery's life is made short by excessive heat and overcharging. Battery fluid evaporates due to heat. And this causes the deterioration of the internal structure of the battery. Very high charging rate is caused by a component that is not working well which is usually the voltage regulator. As an aftermath, the battery is eventually destroyed.

Regularly check your car's electrical system so that you are sure that it is charging at an accurate rate as well as to prevent battery damage. Check the battery often, especially during warm weather, if it needs to be topped off. If necessary, add distilled water on the system.

Keeping the top of the battery always clean will also prevent damages. This is because dirt can become a conductor and exhausts the power of the battery. If battery terminals have accumulated chemical reactions, the corrosion eventually transforms into an insulator and constricts the flow of current.

The primary function of the cooling system is to rival with hot temperatures. So during summer, it works harder for the engine to avoid overheat. The coolant and distilled water mixture for your Mazda car's radiator should be 50:50 in order to maintain the effectiveness of the cooling system. When checking the coolant level in the reservoir, remember not to open the radiator cap when it is hot. Most vehicles need to change the coolant once a year. You have to check your owner's manual for the manufacturer's suggested period of replacement. A new coolant maintains a fresh and clean cooling system interior. It also helps to prevent chemical reactions and ensures that the coolant has the accurate boiling point as well as protection.

You should also have your Mazda car undergo a pressure test, thermostat test, a cooling fan test and a visual inspection to check if there are leaks and corrosion. These tests should be done annually. Also check the hoses and belts to see if there are cracks, bulges or worn out edges.

By using a garden hose and a soft brush, keep the radiator clean through carefully removing bugs, dirt and debris periodically.

Change your tires during summer because high temperatures put marginal damages on them. Check the tire condition and inflation pressure monthly to achieve longer tire life as well as safety. It is also important to have them rotated every 6,000 miles.

The heat of summer will surely cause tire pressure to rise. So it is necessary to check the pressure regularly. But make sure that the tires are cold if you are about to check it. To further guide you in your checking, consult you owner's manual recommended tire pressure for your Mazda car.

Your Mazda body kit is the first that immediately suffers the heat. It is therefore wise to put the appropriate protection on the exterior that will serve as your car's external shield against heat. It is also good to have it washed weekly and waxed every six months.

It will cost you a little time and money in maintaining your Mazda car for the summer season. But once you maintain it already, you are assured of comfort, economy, and best of all, safety. Plus, your precious investment will stay with you for a longer period of time.

It is also wise to read some articles that offer tips on summer car maintenance. There are a lot of auto websites and magazines that offer such tips. An example is the Car Care Council, which is also the source of information for the "Be Car Care Aware" consumer education campaign that promotes the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers.

About the Author

Kraig Johanssen is a native of Connecticut and holds a degree in Software Engineering. He now works at a software development firm in Alabama. His love for writing and great interest on cars makes him a proficient contributing author to various automotive magazines.

Common Sense With Bike Tires

2007-06-17T00:45-04:00

by Alastair Hamilton

Bike tires, unlike car tires, lose their pressure on a daily basis, so its necessary to check their pressure daily and reinflate when necessary.

A few days ago, I was driving happily along the highway, heading home from a run to a bookstore. A passing motorist honked at me and then pointed toward my car as if there were something wrong with it. I nodded and waved and slowed down, and they passed me. However, my car was behaving as it always had... there was no "pull" or rough riding to indicate that I had a flat tire. So, since I was only ten minutes from home I just kept on driving - albeit more slowly.

My mind being what it is, as soon as I pulled into the driveway I forgot all about the reason why I had been driving slowly for the last ten minutes, and just walked into the house.

The next day, I got into the car and had driven out of my apartment parking lot toward the access road for the main drag, before remembering that there was supposedly something wrong with one of the tires. So I returned to the parking lot, got out, and looked at my tires. The rear left was as flat as a pancake.

I couldn't have driven home with it like that - it surely would have effected the handling of the car. So yesterday the tire must simply have been low, and continued going flat over night.

My dad, who had witnessed my return, asked me if I didn't check the tires before I got behind the wheel every single time, and I confessed that I didn't. I've been driving for years and years and never had a flat tire before, so why bother?

But I learned my lesson from that little incident, and now I take a few seconds and check the tires before leaving.

And that little story brings me to the point of this essay, which is that before you get on your bike - there are various things you should check to make sure you'll have a safe ride. Indeed, in spite of my carelessness with my car tires, I always had and always will check my bicycle tire pressure before setting off on a ride. The more so because I have had a couple of flat tires with that bike over the five years that I've owned it.

Tire pressure is important for cars, because if a tire blows while the car is traveling at high speed that's a heavy piece of machinery that will go out of control. But it's just as important for bicyclists, because since you have to use your own power to muscle along the bike, flat tires will effect your ride from the very beginning. And if you're far away from home when the tire gives up the ghost, you could find yourself with a long walk home.

There's no difficulty in knowing how many pounds of pressure need to be put into your bike tires - the manufacturer puts those specifications on the side of each tire. Get yourself a tire gauge and always use it when you inflate your tires. However, although you won't want to exceed the pounds per square inch that they recommend, there are reasons why you'd sometimes want to use less.

With a tire inflated to the correct pressure, your ride will be as smooth as the quality of your frame will allow it. If your tires aren't inflated enough it increases the chance of getting a flat tire, but more importantly makes it harder to pedal. Too high of pressure will strain the tire itself, not to mention making the ride too bumpy to be comfortable.

Bike tires lose their pressure on a regular basis, so before starting out on your ride, always squeeze both front and back tires to ensure that they are hard. Mountain bikers do like their tires "mushier" than other bikers, and if that applies to you just become familiar with what the appropriate tire pressure for you looks and feels like.

About the Author

Alastair Hamilton is the author of many articles on subjects like cycling shoes and published at http://www.bikecyclingreviews.com . For additional information on bicycle accessories or mountain bike reviews subjects have a look at his web.

GE Launches Hybrid Road Locomotive

2007-05-28T12:43-04:00

by Lauren Woods

GE Transportation, a unit of the General Electric Company, earlier announced the launch of its cutting-edge hybrid road locomotive at its Ecomagination event in Los Angeles. GE's Evolution Hybrid locomotive will be unveiled today at LA's historic Union Station to show the progress of the company in developing a freight hybrid locomotive that is capable of recycling thermal energy as stored power in on-board batteries.

This demonstration hybrid unit will be one of the highlights at the Ecomagination event. The event will feature sophisticated technologies that are developed and used in the rail industry to cut smog-causing emissions, including Nitrous Oxide emissions, and particulate matter. Ecomagination is GE's initiative to bring to market new technologies that will help customers meet their most imperative environmental challenges. These technologies are manufactured to rival APC cold air intake, filters, engines and other prominent auto parts and equipment.

"This hybrid demonstration unit is another example of our commitment to invest in technology and bring new, innovative concepts to life," said John M. Dineen, the President and CEO of GE Transportation. "We will continue to support Ecomagination by engineering product offerings that help customers improve fuel efficiency, reduce emissions and sustain a long life of reliable service."

The Evolution Hybrid diesel-electric prototype features a bunch of innovative batteries that will capture and store energy dissipated during dynamic braking. The energy stored in the batteries will reduce fuel consumption and emissions by as much as 10 percent compared to most of the freight locomotives in use today. The 4,400 horsepower hybrid operates more proficiently in higher altitudes and up steep inclines.

BSNF, Union Pacific and other GE enthusiasts are helping the advisory board of the company to develop the striking hybrid. "BNSF is committed to helping develop new technologies that benefit our operations as well as the environment. We are proud to be partners with GE on the development of the hybrid locomotive, alternative fuel research and the testing of other technologies that optimize the performance of our locomotive fleets," said Matthew K. Rose, chairman, the president and chief executive officer, BNSF Railway Company.

"Union Pacific is developing and investing in new technologies that provide for cleaner air, including a locomotive fleet that's the greenest in the industry," said Jim Young, the Chairman and CEO, Union Pacific. "We congratulate GE on working toward developing a hybrid locomotive and applaud innovation from suppliers that can support our leadership in caring for the environment while delivering the goods that America needs."

Steve Gray, GE Transportation's Engineering Leader, has this to say: "This locomotive will reduce emissions while providing operating benefits to our customers that transport consumer goods and other raw materials by recapturing the energy wasted during train braking. As we work toward bringing the Evolution Hybrid locomotive to commercial production, our engineers will use this locomotive as a living lab working with our customers to test, study, and refine our hybrid locomotive technology."

About the Author

Given her background on cars as an auto insurance director, Lauren Woods finds the world of cars to be constantly changing.

Acura Opens Design Studio

2007-05-28T12:40-04:00

by Lauren Woods

In Torrance, California, Honda's luxury division Acura opened a new design studio recently. The said designing facility is an investment worth $15 million and will serve as the birthplace of future Acura car models. Concept vehicles will be designed at this studio which will carry the design cues and features that will be integrated to future Acura production cars. The studio has state-of-the-art design technologies at hand to facilitate the smooth transfer of Acura design architecture to a new era. The design studio is seen as the next big step for the Asian luxury car manufacturer in popularizing their cars in the United States auto market as well as globally.

Aside from being equipped with cutting-edge design laboratories, the design studio's building is designed to be environment-friendly. In fact, it is expected to be awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design distinction by the U.S. Green Building Council. This is in line with Honda's attempt to become the greenest car manufacturer in the world. The design studio is designed with grabbing the LEED certification in mind. This is to make sure that Honda and Acura vehicles will truly be green cars from designing to production to its everyday use and finally to the recycling of the ELV.

Toshihiko Nonaka, the President of the Honda R&D Americas (HRA), has this to say about the new studio: "This Acura Design Studio will help conceive and design the future of Acura. Our goal here is to create emotional designs that create a strong and distinct image for Acura products."

Among the Acura models that HRA has designed are the Acura MDX and the Acura TL. These vehicles are known for their high aesthetic value that is complemented with a high performance level especially if fitted with high quality aftermarket parts such as BBK cold air intake systems which boosts performance while reducing the vehicle's fuel consumption.

Dick Colliver, the Executive Vice President of American Honda Motor Company and the Acura Division, has this to say: "The effort to distinguish Acura in the marketplace begins with design. The Acura Design Studio will be critical in our efforts to deliver products at the right times and ahead of the competition."

The design studio's cutting edge technologies includes a computer generated virtual simulator which will allow designers to view virtual vehicles on a one-to-one ratio. This allows them to study very minute detail of the design. This means that greater emphasis can be given to future designs of Acura models. Currently, Acura has already three design studios in the United States including the newly opened Acura Design studio.

About the Author

Given her background on cars as an auto insurance director, Lauren Woods finds the world of cars to be constantly changing.

Car Routine Maintenance for Neophytes

2007-05-28T12:37-04:00

by Evander Klum

Your car is a very important investment that you would never want it to experience a breakdown especially if it is new and you are also new as a driver.

Aside from your parents' pieces of advice on road safety, it is also better to read some tips on the magazines or on the internet perhaps. Your parents may be experts on raising kids but they may not be when it comes to vehicular concerns. There are several write ups on car safety, repair and maintenance that you as a neophyte on the road should always keep in mind.

Examples of these tips are as follows:

Read your owner's manual first. Written there is everything about your car that you need to know and remember always. From the auto parts to the proper repair and maintenance, all are written there. It is also important to obey the manufacturer's recommended service schedule as written there.

To ensure excellent engine performance, at a good repair shop, have your engine drivability problems corrected. These problems include hard starts, rough idling, stalling, diminished power, etc. It is also much better to replace dirty air, fuel and PCV fuels to ensure a real quality engine performance.

In order to keep moisture from freezing in the fuel line, place a bottle of fuel de-icer in your fuel tank once a month. Remember that moisture formation is prevented in a gas tank that is always filled.

The oil and filter concerns are also specified in your owner's manual. Change them according to the stated schedule. Most often, they are changed at least every 3,000 miles. This is so if driving is mostly stop-and-go or consists of regular short trips.

Flush and refill the cooling system as recommended in the manual. Needed to be inspected periodically are the level, condition, and the concentration of the coolant. The usually recommended concentration is a 50/50 mix of anti-freeze and water. If you are checking this part by yourself, do not remove the radiator cap until the engine has thoroughly cooled. Let the tightness and condition of drive belts, clamps, and hoses be checked by a reliable auto technician.

To achieve further comfort, the heater and defroster should be in good working condition.

Old windshield blades must be replaced. Buying rubber-clad or winter blades so that ice will not build up is a must in a winter season.

The brakes should be regularly checked. Consult the manual if you can replace the original ones with other brands such as EBC brakes.

Inspect the battery through professional equipment. This is the only appropriate way to detect a weak one. Remove the corrosion from posts and cable connections. Clean the entire surface. Make sure all connections are tightened. These should be your routine. Also check the level of fluid monthly if battery caps are removable.

Removal of cables might damage or loose data or codes on some newer vehicles. For further guidance, it is always safe to check your manual. Contact to acids is dangerous. Avoid contact with corrosive deposits and battery acid by wearing an eye protection and rubber gloves.

Before going out with the car, check all lights and bulb. Burned out bulbs must be replaced immediately. All lenses should be free from road grime. For simple lights cleaning, a dry rag can be used.

Examine the exhaust system for leaks through putting your vehicle on a lift. See to it that the exhaust trunk and floorboards do not have small holes. And take note of this: any sweat in the exhaust is deadly. To avoid this, regularly check the system.

Worn tires are also dangerous. Regularly check them to avoid short tread life, uneven wearing, and cupping. The sidewall should also be checked. Tire pressure should be checked once a month, but be sure tires are in cool condition before checking them. The manufacturer's recommended rotation must be followed. And remember to always bring with you your spare that is in good condition. The jack, which should also be always present in your tools area, should also be in good condition.

And lastly, in case of emergency, you need to have some equipment to back you up. Always bring with you gloves, boots, blankets, flares, a small shovel, sand or kitty litter, tire chains, a flashlight, and a cell phone. This will further ensure your safety especially that you are a neophyte on the road.

Reading some materials on automotive can further add to your knowledge on cars.

About the Author

Evander Klum is a Business Administration graduate who hails from Alabama. He enjoys extreme sports and he is also a car racing fanatic. At present, he works as a marketing manager at an advertising agency in Cleveland.

New Car Protection

2007-05-28T12:35-04:00

by Danny Argent

There is nothing quite like the feeling of getting a new car, it would be really nice if your car could be new the whole time you own it, not least because a few years down the line when you come to sell it you will sell it quicker, easier and get more money for it.You are probably agreeing with me, yet so few people do anything much to keep the car in it's current condition. You will probably run it through a car wash once in a while, maybe get it detailed/valeted once a year but that's it... what else is there you can do?

The first thing you should always do is look at your old car with a critical eye, work out what is wrong with it. The chances are that unless you change your habits then your new car will end up looking much like your old one. For example, are there scratches down the sides? What caused this? Was it the kids trying to squeeze past with their bikes? Was it caused by overhanging bushes on your driveway?

What about scuffs and wear on the seats? Kerb marks on the wheels? Stone chips on the front? Now is your chance to play at CSI. If you can figure out the cause of the wear or damage, there is a fair chance you can change your ways and prevent it happening again to your new car.

Protective coatings

You can now get protective coatings for just about every part of a car. You wouldn't think about running your engine without oil because you know that the moving parts need the oil's protective qualities to prevent wear, so it makes sense to apply a protective sacrificial barrier to the parts of a car which make up its general appearance. These days cars are very reliable so when buying a used car the expectation is that it will be mechanically sound, this means that the value will be judged mainly on cosmetic appearance.

Wheels

I'll start off with the wheels (not bodywork) because no other singe factor can make or break a car's overall appearance. Tatty wheels add years to a car. There are now a number of wheel protectors on the market that are really effective. They are much like a car wax but especially designed to protect alloy, painted and chrome wheels which are closer to the road and take more punishment than any other part of the car. These wheel protection products will make your wheels easier to clean and prevent stains (but they aren't bullet proof, so don't bump your car up and down kerbs. Scuffs and kerb marks are to be avoided at all costs). Ensure that you clean your wheels often to prevent a build-up of brake dust which harbours corrosive contaminants, re-applying your wheel protector each time. One final word on wheels. If your dealership offers you an alternative to chrome wheels - take it! This 'bling' may look good on a new car but chrome wheels are murder to keep clean and free of stains. And should you kerb your wheels they are very expensive to refurbish.

Bodywork

Paint protection technology has come on leaps and bounds over the last few years. Not only does this mean that your paintwork can stay fresh looking, but you have to put in less work! You no longer have to wax and polish your car every couple of weeks, the 3, 5, and 7 year paint protection packages offered at the dealerships are very effective. The market leaders in the UK are Supagard and Diamondbrite and although they can be quite a lot of money, they are worth every penny -- not only will you gain this money back when you sell, but you will spend far less of your precious free time cleaning, waxing and polishing your car.

As good as they are, you still have to clean your car, and this is where most people hit problems. Don't use an automated car wash if you value your paintwork. The brushes used are far too harsh and scratch your paintwork, the touchless washes are not as bad but don't get your car very clean. All-in-all just stay clear of them.

The next option is the one most people seem to be going for these days, and that is the hand car wash. It seems the going rate is around £5. I can only tell you that there is a huge danger that you will get what you pay for... which is somebody who is over-worked-and-under-paid, scrubbing their car down with dirty water and a manky old sponge! They don't care about your car, they don't even care about getting it clean, they only care about getting it done and moving on to the next one. The results can be horrific and often I have seen paintwork damaged beyond repair.They aren't all bad but choose wisely, watch these people working before you buy. Stay well clear of the supermarket washes and only go to a proper company with a fixed location.

If you really want the job done properly, the only way is to clean the car yourself. I cannot recommend this enough, besides being good exercise (and lets face it, I need it!) it also allows you to thoroughly inspect your car meaning you can keep on top of any problems and get them fixed as soon as possible, which is the best way.

Stone Chips

Stone chips are almost impossible to avoid but there are two ways to reduce them. The first is to reduce your speed and keep your distance from the car in-front. The second is to have a stone-chip film fitted to your car. This is a thing rubbery clear film which absorbs the impact of flying objects (including bugs which can cause more damage than you might think!). The a good quality and properly fitted film is virtually invisible but will make a huge ifference.Depending on the size and style of your car it costs around £300 to £600 which may seem a lot, until you consider the cost of a respray and the effect this can have on your car's residual value.

upholstery

Many cars these days come with leather as an enticement to buy. keep in mind that if you are the kind of person who likes to wear blue jeans, your upholstery will end up stained blue and scored by rivets in no time at all. Leather just doesn't suit everybody, such as people with dogs! There are a number of companies producing seat covers including ones especially for protecting your car from pets. Leather wears less when it is supple so condition it twice a year and maybe 3 times a year for convertibles.

Fabric can be treated with chemicals which are a bit like Scotchgard which is provided on household carpets. It doesn't stop them getting dirty but it does prevent permanent stains and makes them much easier to clean. Maintain them by wiping them over with a damp microfibre cloth every couple of weeks.

Little and often

Dirt is abrasive, it is what causes much of the wear to your car. On the exterior it can also harbour corrosive contaminants which eat away at paintwork. So clean regularly, this will also make your life easier because it's easy to clean a car which is already fairly clean.

Resources -- http://www.valetshop.co.uk/ - Products to help you keep your car in tip-top condition. Carefully selected by the author of this article, all of the products listed are actually used in the day-to-day running of our auto detailing business. http://www.carcareadvice.co.uk/ - A website full of practical car care advice.

About the author -- Danny Argent director of training and business developmentfor a UK based car valeting and smart repair company.

About the Author

An article by Danny Argent

How To Give Your Car An Oil Change

2007-05-28T12:32-04:00

by Paul Archer

How long has it been since your last oil change? does you car run a little week, does your car seem like it eats up more gas then it did when you first bought it? It's time for an oil change.

You can do it yourself, there's nothing to it, no matter what kind of car it is because there all the same when it comes to adding and changing the motor oil. Your grandmother could do it. Or you can pay some loser that doesn't car about his job because he gets paid $5-bucks an hour down at the local jiffy lube. But doing it yourself seems more logical. And even if you don't have the time eventually you will, Changing you motor oil can be fun. Lets look at how you can get-r-done in three easy steps.

The first thing you want to do is find a nice flat level surface and get yourself a sturdy jack, after you've got your car off the ground with enough room to climb under it make sure you have some kind of block behind the rear wheels to make sure it doesn't roll on you.

The next thing you need to do is change the oil filter, this is the worst part about the job. Sometimes it's easy and sometimes its not. Grab your self a rag and a screw driver, if you got a strong muscle grip it's gonna come in handy. Squeeze you hand around the oil filter turning it with all you got intill its loose, if that doesn't work pop a whole in the side of it with your screwdriver and get it that way.

The next thing you want to do is get an oil pan or something you can drain the motor oil into, oil pans are pretty cheap at the car part store maybe $2-5 bucks. After you've got that all taken care of, you gotta find the bolt (Plug) that keeps the oil from draining out, you can locate it by finding your cars oil pan usually around the edges of it or in the center. Then get your self a wrench, some cars are the same when it comes to the size of the bolt and some are not, so it's best to have a selection of wrenches with you, The next thing you want to do is put on a pair of gloves your hands are going to get oily. (Make Sure You Give Your Car Plenty Of Time To Cool Down Before Changing Oil)

After you got all that nasty oil out it's time to put the bolt back in and filler up with some new stuff, Give that baby something new to drink "em em em" your car will love you for this. Now it varies depending on what kind of car you have when it comes to how much oil to ad, you will have to ask some one at the auto parts store, they would be more then happy to help you out.

And that's it your car will be running like a new again. Typically an oil change is recommended every 3,000 miles while sometimes its hard to matian that set schedule and the fact that some people do forget, a regular oil change can significantly increase your gas mileage and engine performance.

About the Author

If you would like to learn more about adding more performance to your car please visit the site. Reprint's are ok with links included Oil Change Peformance

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Manufacturers' Championship

2007-05-26T17:19-04:00

by Anthony Fontanelle

Racing events send nerve-racking action and excitement. This is why NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series manufacturers' championship is keeping racers and aficionados agitated at the same time excited. The emotions build up and it is expected to heighten in the afternoon of May 26 at the Mansfield Motorsports Park, where the momentous event will be held.

On the lead is Toyota with 48 points followed by Chevrolet and Ford, both with 33. On the fourth place is Dodge with 18 points. Last Saturday, Tundras led a total of 29 laps with lap leaders including Mike Skinner (21), Todd Bodine (one), and Allmendinger (seven). Allmendinger earned his career-best NCTS finished second, driving the No. 00 Aaron's Lucky Dog Tundra for Darrell Waltrip Racing.

Skinner retained the NCTS points lead with his eighth place finish. He leads fellow Tundra driver, Bodine, by 81 points. "Under the circumstances, it was a pretty good finish for our team. We hurt ourselves a little bit in the pits, but we were able to salvage a top-10 run. With about 40 laps to go, we came out of the pits with a bad vibration, and were lucky to catch another caution because those tires weren't going to make it the rest of the way," said Skinner, the driver of No. 5 Toyota Tundra, Bill Davis Racing.

Skinner added, "It's hard to points-race knowing we had a truck that could've competed for the win, but that's the breaks sometimes. We were on a roll early in the season and have showed a lot of speed throughout the year, so this finish isn't too bad. But, as a team, we're better than this. We know we have a chance to win every week."

"This is all a credit to the Darrell Waltrip Motorsports team because they had a lot of work to do after the spin in practice this morning. The truck was awesome tonight, but Ron (Hornaday) was just a tick better. If he would have made a mistake there at the end, I was going to be all over him. His truck was so good getting into the corners and mine was so good getting off the corners, basically he would stretch it out going into the corners and then I would match it coming off. I knew by ourselves, without him making any mistakes, it was going to be tough to get around him - but with two to go, you never know," said Allmendinger.

"I think that last green-white-checker was bad for us because with that last yellow, we had broken away from the other guys and I was going to use that cushion to try to work on him. But it took my truck a few laps to really get going and with that last restart, I was really concerned with Todd (Bodine) and the veteran, Mark Martin back there," Allmendinger added. "This gives me a lot of confidence for tomorrow night. After the year we've had, being close and making mistakes - this had shown probably a lot of people including myself that in a good truck, we can be competitive."

Todd Bodine, the driver for No. 30 Lumber Liquidators Toyota Tundra, who finished third, has this to say: "We had a good run. We were a little too aero-tight there at the end and we've been trying some different things on our set-up and trying to learn from those things. I think we'll be alright with them over time. The team gave me some great pit stops tonight and they've all had a long day, but to come out of here with a third place finish - we've had a good day. We had the white helmet on in the truck tonight and we got a good finish so we might have to try the white helmet again and see how things work out."

"The truck came around there toward the end, but the track position meant so much because when you're back in the pack with these hard tires it's really hard to pass. We tried to make the best of it and it kind of got down to desperate times there at the end. We got a top-five for Team ASE and we'll move on from here and learn from this one," intimated Musgrave, No. 9 Team ASE Toyota Tundra, Germain Racing.

After three years in the race, Toyota is ready to chase the crown. This is why the Japanese automaker is sending its powerful Tundra with high hopes to accomplish said milestone. The pickup may not have the Toyota Celica lowering kit to boost maximum street performance but Tundra is powered by its superb "race-truck" attitude to dominate the track.

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series transporters will participate in a parade through the city of Mansfield before parking at Mansfield Motorsports Park. The parade will begin at 3:45 p.m. on Thursday, May 24 at Sears at Richland Mall. The transporters will proceed to Park Avenue W in downtown Mansfield for the Street Festival from four to eight in the afternoon before heading to the race track.

About the Author

Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Get the best for your Chevy Pickup!

2007-05-26T17:16-04:00

by John Garett

Chevrolet offers only premium parts for the total performance and style of your Chevrolet Pickup. With a long standing as a maker of fine Pickup Trucks with optimized design and caliber, Chevrolet Pickup parts and accessories are tested and trusted by most pickup truck fans. The Chevrolet Pickup Hood Scoop allows outside air into the engine's intake ahead of the air cleaner and fuel injection manifold or carburetor. Since the internal combustion engine "breathes" under-hood air, this air is often warmer and less dense than the ambient temperature. The Chevrolet Pickup Hood Scoop provides the engine with cooler and denser outside air. Denser air is important for the vehicle since this increases power, resulting to a more efficient vehicle performance. Some engines with turbochargers or superchargers are also equipped with top mounted intercoolers to reduce the temperature and increase the density of the high-pressure air produced by the compressor. Channeling outside air to the intercooler (which is a heat exchanger similar to a radiator) increases its effectiveness, providing a slight improvement in power. However, in order for the Scoop to best serve its function, it must be placed at a high-pressure area on the hood, either near your vehicle's cowl or at the rear of the hood. Also, it should be mounted high enough to clear the boundary layer, which is the slow-moving air that clings to the moving object's surface. The Chevrolet Hood Scoop may be designed specifically to add a new dimension to your vehicle, and a visual impact as well. But aside from enhancing the looks, it is proven to serve important functions too. To give more miles to your front tires, hook them up with Chevrolet Pickup Hubs Service Kit-Lock Out. Its premium design and durability actually saves up on fuel economy, because there is less drag on your engine. It allows the tires to rotate more freely allowing you to turn freely on some curves. It gives your pickup a more comfortable ride because the steering is lighter, and there is less tendency to shimmy. Unnecessary noise and vibration is also reduced. The Chevrolet Pickup Hubs Service Kit-Lock Out promises you a better four-wheel-drive performance when the locks are locked. It even works efficiently in reverse and compression braking. There will be no slippage or partial engagement/disengagement problems. The name Chevrolet is under the company General Motors, and has long been an institution in the car industry. It was first started by Louis Chevrolet, a race car driver. The main competitions back then were Ford and Dodge, how surprising as we see these brands now all at par with each other. Chevrolet released innovative and unforgettable cars which made them ease into the market. These included the sports coupe, the Corvette, convertibles, trucks, and pickup trucks. They managed to remain at the top spot for pickup truck sales, because their Chevrolet Pickup trucks are durable, and it meets the total end product of quality and style combined. They are also known for long-lasting and durable parts and accessories, and the Chevrolet Pickup Hood Scoop and Chevrolet Pickup Hubs Service Kit-Lock Out are sure to give pickup truck owners the dream four-wheel-drive ride.

About the Author

John Garret is an automobile mechanic who knows every crook and cranny of his truck. He's also a vintage car enthusiast, and he's dedicated to fixing and restoring them. He is a motorist who believes in continuous research and improvement.

Newman Makes Top Dodge Performance

2007-05-26T17:13-04:00

by Evander Klum

The top Dodge performance in Saturday's NASCAR NEXTEL All-Star Challenge was produced by Ryan Newman who placed eighth. His team mate Kurt Busch ranked 19th. The latter had a crash with his younger brother at Lowe's Motor Speedway. This accident ended his victory.

Newman started eight on the 1.5-mile track in the four 20-lap segment race. He said his Alltel Dodge was way too tight in the first segment of the race and in the second one, it was too loose. But despite this, he finished as the 6th placer in the first 20-lap segment and as the 10th in the second one. He also managed to be the 7th-placer in the third 20-lap segment though he found his car too tight again.

The teams were obliged to make only one stop-and-go pit stop in their respective stalls during the end of the third segment. Crew Chief Mike Nelson, however, decided to give Newman's car a fuel and a wedge adjustment by freeing up the car. Unfortunately, a miscommunication occurred. That caused Trent Cherry, the rear-tire carrier, to complete only part of the wedge adjustment. And then Newman took off.

On the track were only two cars behind Newman. Seeing this, Nelson called him back onto pit road in order to complete the adjustment and get four tires. Newman was in the 16th place when the green flag was waved to start the fourth and final segment. Good thing, it only took him two laps to get back to the top 10.

In a slow manner, Newman started to climb toward the front. However, there were no enough laps to catch some of those which are ahead of him. He was struggling with his race cars' tight condition when the checkered flag waved on lap 80. This made him the eighth.

Newman commented that they had a good car which was fast. However, the strategy did not work for them. He added that they were pretty much too tight during the duration of the whole race. Despite this, he still thought they were very competitive. Meanwhile, the Busch accident happened because Kurt's Miller Lite Dodge was charging towards the front at the beginning of the final 20-lap segment. Unexpectedly, his brother Kyle dove to the inside as they headed into turn one. The two race cars clashed together twice before the car of the younger Busch turned sideways and slid up the track. Kurt's Dodge almost cleared the incident, but his brother's race car clipped the left rear of his gold-colored Dodge Charger. This sent the vehicle into the second-turn wall.

Dodge brand is the maker of quality Dodge Durango parts.

About the Author

Did You Consider These Factors When Buying Atv Tires?

2007-05-26T17:10-04:00

by M. Xavier

ATV tires are one of the most significant parts of the ATV. At the time of their discovery, they used to possess balloon tires, but today ATV tires are heavy possessing deep treads and low pressure, which is approximately less than 10 pounds per square inch. These features of a tire enable to have a clutch on the road which will further help in traveling across the terrains like forests and wetlands with an ease and comfort.

Composition of ATV Tires

The main components of an ATV tire are belts, a carcass, and the inner lining.

a - The belts are composed of a series of steel, polyester, nylon, or Kevlar coated with the layers of rubber.

b - The main part of the tire is carcass, which is composed of wire beads and body plies.

c - The inner lining of a tire is composed of compounded rubber, which forms the inner side of a tubeless tire.

The ATV tire construction possesses two different types: bias-ply and radial designs. In case of bias-ply tires, the tires are composed of textile cords such as nylon or Kevlar whereas the radial tires are composed of reinforced-steel cable belts that are coated with rubber.

These two different types of constructions possess their own features influencing their performance. For example, the sipes are present over the surface of the tires in such a manner, so that the ATV can easily navigate across muddy, snowy, or wet surfaces.

How To Buy ATV Tires

There are few things that should be kept in mind before buying the ATV tires. For example, you should look at the type of the tire, its width and the ratio of the tire in terms of its height to the weight. You should also look at its construction, wheel diameter, load index, and speed rating of the tire.

Drawback Of ATV Tires

The tires of the ATV are strong and can easily navigate through any type of land surfaces (icy, wet, rocky, etc.), but possess one major disadvantage of smashing out the things which come in their way.

For example, the tires of ATV because of their heaviness dig out the channels, which drain out the waterlogged areas in forests. They also destroy the flimsy plants which are necessary over the deserts and beaches in order to prevent the sand dunes from getting eroded. They also destroy the layers of snow on the snowy surface.

Choices Of ATV Tires

There are numerous options of ATV tires to meet your requirement. The main factor that helps in choosing your ATV tire is the way in which you want to use your ATV that is whether you will be navigating across the muddy land, rocky surface, etc. For e.g. to use your ATV in muddy area, you should opt for mudding tires.

There are different sizes, treads, and shapes of the tires. It is always suggested that you should not buy second hand tires for the daily use of your ATV because in the used tires, generally the rubber is worn out due to which the tires become no longer safe.

The replacement of your tires depends upon the usage of your ATV and the care of your tires which means you should get the tires replaced when the rubber on the tires get worn off.

In order to take proper care of your ATV tires, you should inflate the tires properly, but they should not be over inflated as this will result in the rupturing of the tires.

The ATV tires are available at local dealers or on the Internet. While purchasing tires, you should consider the material they are made of as this will help in judging its quality.

Hence, the best choice and proper care of your tires can really help you in enjoying your ATV for long period of time.

About the Author

For more ATV uses please visit http://www.atvexcitement.com a popular ATV website that provides tips, advice and ATV resources. Try visiting our latest information page on ATV tires.

What's New with the BMW E60 5 Series?

2007-05-21T00:07-04:00

by Evander Klum

BMW offers several new striking advances for its E60 5 Series.

The new E60 5 Series has more space in the interior, more efficacious and dynamic engines, and more refined features that depict BMW's commitment to quality driving, safety, and best of all, comfort.

Some of the striking innovations include the second-generation I-Drive technology, brake force display, adaptive headlights and other BMW lights, new six speed manual gearboxes, and all-aluminum suspension and body front section components to form an extremely steady yet lightweight platform that is very much lighter than its predecessor.

All these advancements result to quality performance, fuel efficiency, and an ideal front/rear weight distribution. The durable chassis and perfectly-tuned suspension are entirely made up of aluminum.

The 2.5-liter and 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engines and the 4.5-liter V-8 are among the several engine options. Other features which are optionally offered include dynamic drive control, active cruise control, and active steering.

As to the vehicle design, the German auto maker has developed Active Front Steering (AFS). This maintains a mechanical connection between the front wheels and the steering wheel. This makes the steering transmission ratio vary electronically in direct proportion to the style and speed of driving, and different road conditions.

The steering is more direct, obliging less steering effort and increasing the car's agility in city traffic or when parking under normal road conditions at low and moderate speeds. Steering becomes less direct offering improved directional stability at high speeds. When undertaking sudden movements or when cornering at high speeds, the steering stiffens up by detecting increases in the swerve rate.

Functioning hand-in-hand with Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), AFS detects the swerve rate and changes the steering angle appropriately. In effect, this minimizes the number of DSC interventions. It thus provides more control to the driver and further comfort for the passengers.

Filtering out bumps and virtually suppressing the entire body roll on cornering is the Dynamic Drive active suspension. This comes optional and works with the presence of two active anti-roll bars that are physically incorporated into the front and rear axles. The result is induced stability and speed. And that's not all. This also implies safety. The Dynamic Drive removes 80 percent of a car's normal body roll in sharp bends. Further directional stability is achieved when taking emergency slippery actions.

Another option for the new E60 5 Series is the Active Cruise Control. First launched on the new 7 series, it controls automatically the distance in the front of the car. Especially designed for driving along the highway, this detector helps to maintain a safe and comfortable distance from the car in front to avoid a crash.

The driver will select a snug distance to look behind other auto mobiles and the cruise control automatically put the car's power down if the car is already too close to the other car in front. However, Cruise control will still remain as soon as the selected distance is available again. Then the vehicle speeds up automatically to the desired cruising speed.

The new BMW E60 5 Series does not lack safety features to minimize accidents in the front and rear. The new vehicle has optional adaptive bi-xenon headlights. These turn up to 15 degrees left and right. The swiveling depends on the car's steering angle, swerve rate and speed. These adaptive headlights illuminate more of the road ahead when driving through a bend. Another safety feature is the Brake Force Display that makes the brake light area large enough whenever the driver brakes suddenly.

Another optional safety feature is the head-up display. This exudes on a wide screen in the driver's line of vision the essential information say the current speed of the vehicle or any instructions related to automobiles. Any wanted information can be seen without taking the driver's eyes off the road. This is indeed another break through from BMW.

Added to these advancements is a better air conditioning system that offsets normal drying effect of conventional air-conditioning systems. This will come standard on all E60 5 Series models.

The vehicle also has a refined dashboard that mixed the interior concepts of the 7 Series and Z4. And along with the dashboard is a second generation I-Drive system.

And to complete the lists of engine options that were mentioned earlier are: the 520i with a 170 horsepower 2.0-liter in-line six coupled with 175 lb-ft of torque; the 530d diesel that has a 218 horsepower engine and does 0-100 in 7.1 seconds and gets 40.9 mpg; and the 4.5 liter V-8 that uses double VANOS variable valve-timing, VALVETRONIC throttle-less engine control and infinitely variable intake manifold runner-length control, that produces 325 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque.

Standard on all three versions is a 6-speed manual transmission, while the fully-electronic STEPTRONIC six-speed automatic will be optional.

About the Author

Auto Show Season Brings BIG Auto Spices

2007-05-21T00:04-04:00

by Anthony Fontanelle

This year's auto season delivered exotic spices to produce a luscious feast in the automotive industry. The banquet is a replica of one strong message - TRANSITION.

Getting more powerful The Toyota Motor Corp.'s Scion brand unleashed more powerful product lines not by featuring the EBC Greenstuff but through more potent engines. The brand launched the second-generation xB at the Chicago Auto Show. The car is made to be boxy cool, compact and high-performing as compared to its ancestor. The secret spice? The 2.4-liter engine that replaced the previous 1.5-liter unit.

Would the alterations spoil Scion's success? Steve Haag, the Scion corporate manager, said no. "The all-new xB was designed with the help of our passionate owner body. No other automotive company listens to their customers like we do. Our xB owners wanted a larger vehicle with a more powerful engine," he declares.

The Japanese automaker also replaced the xA hatchback with the new xD, also slightly larger and more powerful than its predecessor with a 1.8-liter engine. All Scion models for 2008 received the new Scion family front design which has been described by Haag as a "menacing horizontal combination of headlights and grille."

Additionally, standard equipment and safety features have been expanded, and the list of available accessories is even longer than before. What does not change, said Haag, is "a strategy to keep our models surprising, versatile, exclusive and personalization-friendly."

Rear-wheel drive spice When Hyundai announced its plan to set forth a rear-wheel drive revolution, few took it seriously. But not until the Genesis Concept was introduced at the much-concluded New York International Auto Show (NYIAS). Genesis, the midsize, rear-wheel drive sedan, is a disguised prototype for an upcoming model. The vehicle is designed to compete with the Infiniti G-series, Lexus IS and even the GS models.

"Genesis will allow us to speak to driving enthusiasts and showcase our engineering," Johnson said. "Until Genesis, Hyundai had never had a car on the cover of Motor Trend," said Hyundai Motor America spokesman Miles Johnson.

Johnson added that the Genesis marketing strategy will give Hyundai something that Toyota and Honda franchises do not offer: a rear-wheel drive luxury/sport model. He pointed out, though, that the Genesis marks an expansion rather than sea change for the brand. "We're not walking away from Accent and Elantra," he said. The Genesis will showcase the automaker's new 300-plus horsepower V-8 and also offer a V-6 model priced under $30,000.

Kia and its Soul Kia, the Korean automaker, introduced its Soul Concept, a small crossover utility vehicle. Kia Motors America Marketing VP Ian Beavis described the Soul as a "halo model," a term not usually connected with low-priced vehicles. Halo, in this sense, means the Soul conveys the essence of the brand in a volume model.

Conceding the present product lines of the automaker have rather blend-in styling, Beavis said that the Soul kicks off a new era in expressive design for Kia while maintaining the brand's value story. The boxy Soul, powered by a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, enters the market dominated by the Scion xB, Chevrolet HHR and the Honda Element. The production version of the Soul is due for 2008.

Asked how the Soul fits the brand's "Exciting and Enabling" credo, Beavis said, "Exciting doesn't necessarily mean the biggest engine on the block." The value, he added, will enable buyers to enjoy their lifestyles with this vehicle.

All-new Mercedes C-Class Mirrors Dealers Whims Robert Allan, the product manager for the third-generation 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class which is due this summer, said that this car reflects far more input from Mercedes dealers than any of its predecessors did.

The all-new 2008 C-Class will offer a separate Sport model series, clearly delineated by design, feature content, and handling performance. The 2008 C-Class Sport models wear the brand's 'coupe' front end styling, which flaunts a simpler grille with big star emblem in place of the C-Class Luxury models' conventional Mercedes grille and hood ornament.

The differences from its predecessor are more than skin deep. Allan noted that the Sport models get special suspension tuning and wheels, AMG exterior styling and unique interiors. Meanwhile, dealers asked and received expanded standard equipment, simplified ordering and option packages, and the 4MATIC option on both the C300 Sport and Luxury models.

Audi's True Coupe Audi has not marketed a coupe in the United States since after the 1991 model year, so the A5 coming for 2008 etch a remarkable change in strategy for the brand. The company spokesman Chris Bokich said that the A5 coupe, while sharing mechanical elements with other Audi models, is a separate model series, not a variation on another body style as its previous coupes had been. The A5 also exudes the automaker's vehicle construction flexibility.

"The A5 is indicative of what is to come on future Audi models, both in terms of extroverted exterior and interior design, as well as technically regarding the modular-structure technology," said Bokich. "We have moved away from platforms and are now mixing and matching skeletal underbody components that can efficiently produce vehicles of differing length, width, and height."

Linking the Past to the Future Maserati gets back to its roots with the 2008 GranTurismo coupe. Though the previous Maserati coupe evoked a few classic brand design elements, the new GranTurismo pulls more attributes from the rich and varied heritage of the automaker for inspiration. The grille is pure 1950s-era Maserati racecar, and the long-hood proportions evoke the legendary Maserati front-engine GT coupes of the 1950s and 1960s.

"The GranTurismo is a true Maserati at first glance. It has already garnered global admiration and we are proud to now bring it to North America," said James Selwa, the President and CEO of Maserati North America. The new model also builds on a successful brand strategy. "Maserati has become a competitive, credible choice in the $100,000 plus range, no small feat given the strong field of competitors in our segment," Selwa added.

What the future brings Infiniti also flaunted a concept vehicle at the New York Auto Show - the EX. The company spokesman Kyle Bazemore said that the EX Concept is "about 85 percent" true to the production EX35 model due late this year.

Smaller than the current FX crossover utility vehicle, the EX does not replace it. Bazemore expects the EX's coupe-like styling to attract new customers to the brand. The EX35 rivals the BMW X3 and the Acura RDX. Cutting-edge technologies introduced include the Around View Monitor (AVM) camera system that reduces blind spots, and the Lane Departure Warning System. Infiniti will introduce another world technology first at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

About the Author

Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Performance Tyres

2007-05-20T23:59-04:00

by Jim Haskard

Tyres are one of the most important components on a car. They determine the grip and road holding of the vehicle. You shouldn't wait until a tire is completely worn out before changing it. It is the freshness and how much tread is on the tire that determines how well it will perform. So if you drive like Michael Schumacher you will need to change your tyres more frequently for optimum performance.

Performance tyres wear out more quickly than normal tires, this can be due to some having a softer compound and coming with less tread on. But if you want good looking tyres combined with amazing grip and performance you should consider buying a set.

Why tyres have grooves

Grooves or treads found on tyres are there to improve grip on wet road surfaces. Without these grooves water would be unable to escape from the sides of the wheel as it presses down on the road. This would cause a layer of water to remain between the tyre and the road causing loss of friction with the road surface. This is known as hydroplaning. No grip = big problems.

Letters, numbers and speed ratings

Lets look at a tyre with this combination of numbers a letters p215/35 r18 84w

1. P stands for passenger car

2. The first number "215" is the tyre width in millimetres.

3. The second number 35 is the aspect ratio, the ratio of the sidewall height (profile) to width. In this example the ratio is 35 so the sidewall height is 35% of the width.

4. The fourth part r18 stands for radial construction, and refers to the wheels diameter in inches that the tyre is mounted onto. So this tyre can be mounted onto an 18inch wheel.

5. And last but not least the speed ratings. The code refers to the maximum speed a tyre can travel safely. So the higher up the letter is in the alphabet the faster the wheel can go. In our example it is rated at w so it can travel at 168mph before it is unsafe to go any faster. The code is shown below.

M = Max speed 81 mph
N = Max speed 87 mph
P = Max speed 93 mph
Q = Max speed 99 mph
R = Max speed 106 mph
S = Max speed 112 mph
T = Max speed 118 mph
U = Max speed 124 mph
H = Max speed 130 mph
V = Max speed 149 mph
Z = Max speed 149+ mph
W = Max speed 168 mph
Y = Max speed 186 mph

About the Author

More auto articles can be found at www.cruisegb.com

Learn How to Change a Flat Tire in Half the Time with Half the Effort!

2007-05-06T23:23-04:00

by Chris Nicholas

Stop straining yourself using those old tire irons to loosen lug nuts and buy yourself an impact wrench that will finish the job in half the time with half the effort. Imagine using a cordless impact wrench that could loosen and tighten all of your lug nuts in seconds with a push of a button and stores neatly anywhere. You'll be back on the road with no time lost when using impact wrenches.

Have you ever got a flat tire on your way to work and the delay made you late? When you use impact wrenches and not tire irons you can, with practice, change a flat tire in as little as five minutes and be back on the road. Your boss will never even know you got a flat.

Flat tires are a common daily occurrence on the road and most of us have experienced what it is like to change a flat tire on the side of a road. It can be very dangerous and if the conditions are bad it could even be life threatening.

Everyone should be prepared for next time they get a flat. Hopefully it is not on your way to work or an important meeting but it will happen to you sooner or later so please be prepared.

A good idea to prepare yourself for your next flat tire is to carry some important supplies in every vehicle that you drive. I would recommend carrying the basics like safety markers, spare tire, car jack, gloves, fix-a-flat for those small holes, tow rope, etc. because you never know what will happen on the open road.

Most importantly I would recommend carrying either a Cordless Impact Wrench or a 12 Volt Impact Wrench that you can plug into your cigarette lighter socket of your vehicle. Carrying either one of these will enable you to loosen and tighten all of your lug nuts in seconds so you spend less time on the side of the road changing a flat tire and less time in the danger zone.

Everyone that owns their own vehicle knows what it is like to change a flat tire. Some of us have done it in the middle of a snow storm and know how dangerous the side of the road can be. Using the mechanical advantages of impact wrenches will help you finish the job in half the time with half the effort to help get you back on the road as quickly and safely as possible.

Written by Chris Nicholas- Owner and Webmaster of Handy Power Tools.com - Supplier of dependable, high quality Impact Wrenches from Cordless Impact Wrenches</b > to Electric Impact Wrenches with 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed!

About the Author

Written by Chris Nicholas- Owner and Webmaster of Handy Power Tools.com - Supplier of high quality Impact Wrenches from Cordless Impact Wrenches to Electric Impact

Replacing a Flat Tire

2007-05-06T23:16-04:00

by Greg Chapman

The experience of getting a flat tire seemingly happens to people at the worst possible time and place. While inconvenient, replacing a flat tire is one of the simplest responsibilities related to vehicle care. In fact, the need to change a tire is so common that all of the required equipment is conveniently included when you purchase a vehicle. Since most people experience a flat tire sometime in their driving career, the ability to change a tire is a valuable skill.

If a tire goes flat while you are driving, pull over immediately and park the car on level ground. Always engage the parking brake, and put the car into gear if it is a manual transmission. If you are close to moving traffic, turn on your vehicle's hazard lights to warn other drivers to be cautious. If you have wheel chocks, which are wedges intended to keep a car from rolling, place them behind or in front of the tires (depending on the direction of incline where the car is parked). Rocks are a good alternative to use if you do not have wedges.

Next, locate the spare tire, jack, and lug wrench. All three of these items are secured in the trunks of most vehicles. Remove the hubcap on the flat tire if it has one. Before jacking the car, you should loosen each lug nut holding the wheel in place. To loosen the lug nuts, place one end of the lug wrench over a nut and turn counterclockwise a little. It is recommended to follow a star pattern when loosening lug nuts, always loosening the lug nut across from the previous one. Continue until all lug nuts are loosened slightly.

Now it is time to elevate the vehicle. Refer to your vehicle owner's manual for the recommended location on the vehicle to apply the jack. Since the entire weight of the vehicle will be resting on a small mechanism, it is extremely important to use caution and to place the jack in the appropriate place. Raise the car slightly higher than required to remove the flat tire, leaving space for the full spare tire to be attached.

Once the vehicle is securely lifted, remove the lug nuts completely using the lug wrench. Make sure to set the lug nuts aside in a safe location where they will not roll or otherwise get lost. Remove the flat tire by it pulling straight out, and replace with the spare tire, ensuring that the valve is facing outward.

Finally, tighten the lug nuts using the same star pattern as you used to remove them, concentrating on the nut opposite the last. The technique here is not tightening two neighboring lug nuts all the way consecutively. Carefully lower the jack and return it to the trunk. Replace the hubcap if you can, and do not forget to remove the wheel chock or rock before driving away.

Spare tires typically have limitations on speed and distance, so be sure to check and adhere to these requirements. Have the original tire checked by a tire specialist, who can determine whether it can be repaired or requires replacement.

About the Author

About the Author: Greg Chapman, of Greg Chapman Motors, is a leading provider of used cars Austin can depend on. For more information please visit Chapman Motors.

Goodyear Shares Tire Care Tips

2007-05-06T23:13-04:00

by Jenny Mclane

In the auto industry, this week is being observed as the National Tire Safety Week. In connection with this, Goodyear, the third largest tire company in the world, shares their set of tire care tips to drivers and vehicle owners. Taking care of one's vehicle's tires is one good step to avoid accidents. Improperly inflated tires can lead to blowouts, and if such a thing happens while a driver is going very fast, there is a risk that he or she may lose control of the car which can result to accidents.
According to researchers in this field, motorists regard a car's tire as the second most important safety feature of their cars next only to the brakes. While that may be the case, the researchers also found out that only a third of the correspondents know how to properly check their tires.
To increase awareness among drivers on how to make their car safer by properly checking their tires, Goodyear has come up with different tips. Brett Ponton, the Vice-President for Goodyear Retail, has this to say: "Checking tires for proper inflation and tread condition is one of the most critical - and easiest - maintenance procedures for a consumer. It doesn't take much time or sophisticated equipment. Drivers can check their tires by themselves, or any of our retail outlets would be happy to provide the service."
Indeed, checking one's tires needs little or no help from auto mechanics or technicians. It is just a matter of knowing how to do it properly and Goodyear aims to provide that knowledge to motorists.
Experts from the tire company advise motorists to check on their tires periodically or before an extended road trip. One of the tips shared by Goodyear is that motorists should inflate their tires according to manufacture specifications. It is one of the most common faults of car owners to inflate their car's tires based on the maximum limit of a tire as specified in its sidewall. One reason for this is that, car manufacturers have gone to great lengths to find out how much a car's tire should be inflated in order for it to support a vehicle's weight properly without risk of abnormal wear and tear.
The problem by inflating a tire to its maximum limit is that it is prone to over inflation which can lead to blowouts. During extended trips, over inflated tires are subjected to a high degree of heat which can then damage the tire's structure badly. It would also be a good idea to increase the efficiency of one's tires by complementing it with high quality suspension parts such as {a href=" http://www.partstrain.com/ShopbyBrand/Bilstein" title="Bilstein Shocks"}Bilstein Shocks.
The tire company is also offering other tire care programs to consumers aside from their tips. One of these includes a consumer booklet loaded with information concerning proper tire care. The said booklet called "The Complete Tire Safety Guide" is published by Goodyear and is available to consumers from Goodyear retailers around the United States. Another booklet, the "Be Tire Smart, Play Your PART", will also be distributed by Goodyear retailers. The second booklet contains information about "the importance of inflation pressure, wheel alignment, tire rotation and visual checks of tire tread." The tire company also invites consumers to visit www.goodyeartires.com, their official web site, where they will have access to more information concerning tire care. Visitors of the said website can also ask for a copy of "A Guide to Tire Safety".
The world-famous Goodyear blimps will also be used by the tire company in the celebration of the National Tire Safety Week. The said blimps will flash messages urging consumers to check tire pressure and tread wear. Aside from this, Goodyear-owned outlets will provide free tire checkup for consumers.
"Through these efforts, if we could grab consumers' attention, and help them to understand that proper maintenance of vehicles and tires translates into increased automotive safety, optimum driving performance and significant cost savings, they would more likely take care of their tires," said Ponton in conclusion.
About the Author
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

The Importance Of Having The Right ATV Tires

2007-05-06T23:08-04:00

by J. Lloyd

There is nothing quite so much fun as owning an ATV. Still, many ATV owners don't realize the importance of the type of ATV tires that are on their fun toy, and that tires can enhance outdoor experiences or ruin them.

For example, where do you plan to take your ATV? Do you want to ride in the desert or the mud? There is a difference in ATV tires, which are made for many different types of off-roading, and believe it or not, they are not the same. Many popular tire companies make ATV tires, including Goodyear, Firestone and Bridgestone, among many others. Some are cheap while others can take a big chunk out of your entertainment budget. However, finding the right tires to suit your needs takes a little time and research.

Goodyear makes a good ATV tire called the Goodyear Tracker Mud Runner for ATV fun in the mud, while Maxxis tires produces iRazr tires for racing. For clearance space under your fun-mobile, especially if you're off-roading in rocky environments, High Lifter has a tire that's right up your alley, called the Outlaw.

Having fun with your ATV means equipping it for your needs, and while most ATV tires will hold up fairly well in most environments, if you're serious about off-roading, it will pay to purchase appropriate tires for different types of terrain.

Most ATV owners start converting their machines almost before they can park them in the garage after purchase, and while many people start revving up engine parts and components, the smart ATV owner will start with the tires. After all, if your tires aren't appropriate for the particular terrain you're going to be riding in, it won't matter how much horsepower you've got.

Safety is also an important issue when considering ATV tires, and it's vital to understand the type of surface you're intending to ride on, and who's going to be riding the machine. Will you be riding on soft dirt or in the mud or even snow? Will you be keeping to flat ground, or are you going to participate in hill climbing or competitions that require multi-terrain obstacles?

Make sure that no matter which type of tires, or set of ATV tires, that you purchase for your machine fit the rims properly. Make sure the width of the tire you're interested in will fit the rim, because if your tire is too narrow, it will come off the rim and prove dangerous for riders. Considering the type of ground clearance you need is also something to watch for, as is the tread pattern.

Riding your ATV can be fun, but it's also serious business and safety and protection for riders should be your first priority. If you're not familiar with your ATV, find someone who can offer pointers and tips that will help you purchase what you need. Before you start souping up the engine, make sure that the ATV tires on your machine are adequate for your needs.

About the Author

For more ATV uses please visit http://www.atvexcitement.com a popular ATV website that provides tips, advice and ATV resources. Try visiting our latest information page on ATV tires.

Right Tire Inflation = Saving On Fuel

2007-04-24T01:09-04:00

by Lauren Woods

It is not a secret that consumers have become more aware of what is happening around them. And it is not a secret that consumers have become more conscious when it comes to the prices of gas and fuel which seem to be starting up yet another upward trek.

This is why it is probably very important for experts like EnTire Solutions, LLC to keep reminding car owners and drivers about the tips and tricks of how they can save more at the pump. And one of the most basic things that a car owner or driver could do so as to save on fuel would be to keep the tires of their vehicles inflated just right.

So as part of the sixth National Tire Safety Week which has become reality thanks to the Rubber Manufacturer Association (RMA), EnTire Solutions would then be on the trail towards informing consumers about the proper inflation of tires and they would be doing this straight starting from the 22nd of April up until the 28th. The main thing that they would be sharing with consumers is the message that everybody could help and chip in so as to be able to save four million gallons of fuel per day by keeping their tires inflated as specified by the tire manufacturer.

This campaign could really be worth their efforts for most consumers would think never think of their tires as long as their rides are still comfortable. In fact, one could say that the GMC cold air intake is a car part that is given more attention as compared to tires. And that is sure one big mistake especially for consumers who are trying their very best to stretch their hard earned dollar.

Rich Wolfe is the CEO for Entire Solutions and he asserts, "Although EnTire's TPMS [tire pressure monitoring system] will alert drivers of low tire pressure, drivers should ensure proper inflation by checking their vehicle's tire pressure monthly. With the correct amount of tire pressure, the consumers' tires will wear longer, help them save on gas and improve vehicle handling."

This year's National Tire Safety Week would be working on the theme "Be tire Smart - Play Your Part".

About the Author

Given her background on cars as an auto insurance director, Lauren Woods finds the world of cars to be constantly changing.

Finding cheap used tires for your automobile

2007-04-15T13:24-04:00

by Jimmy Graham

Many people are looking for a deal these days and some of the best used tire deals can be by doing a little custom tire and wheel treasure hunting of your own.

Some of the best used tire bargains can be found at custom wheel shops. A lot of these stores take used tires and cheap rims as a trade in for their customers that want to improve their tire and rim sets. The custom wheel trade-ins they recieve will usually be in good condition and you will be able to get a great set of used tires at a low tire price!

Another great way of finding the right used tire is to look to an auto salvage yard. Many times you can find the right used tire that is perfect for your car or truck. Its always best to call the auto salvage yard first to see if they have the proper used tire for your car or truck in stock. If they don't, ask the manager if they can phone other auto yards to find the right used tire or cheap rim for you. Auto flea markets and swap meets are another great way to find the right used tire for your car or truck. Make sure you have cash on hand to make sure you can easily negotiate the price for your wheels from the seller. This will give you a better bargaining angle to get your new wheels at a used tire price. Phone custom body shops and auto repair shops and leave your name and phone number in case they run across a used tire deal. Automobiles get wrecked all the time, but thier wheels and tires may be still good condition. These shops may be able to hook you up with tires and wheels at a great used tire price.Always remember to have the shop guarantee the safety of your used tire purchase. Finally, read thru your local paper and resale ad classifieds. Great bargains can be discovered sometimes thru personal sales and yard sales to get the best used tires for your automobile.

About the Author

Jimmy Graham is a self confessed speedaholic and custom car junkie. His automotive words of wisdom and money saving auto tips can be found at http://www.shopfindadeal.com/cheap_rim/

Jeep Compass Chooses Goodyear Tires

2007-04-08T19:11-04:00

by Joe Ratzkin

Jeep has selected Goodyear Wrangler to be its tire provider for the upcoming lineup. Goodyear Wrangler SR-A tires in size P215/65R17 was incorporated to establish Jeep parts to produce more efficient vehicles. Said tire will serve as original equipment for the 2007 version of Jeep Compass. The latter is the new compact SUV from the automaker which is based on Dodge Caliber and GS platform. Said model is now available for dealership.

It can be recalled that Compass was introduced at the 2006 North American International Auto Show last January. Four months after, the first Compass was produced. The latest from Jeep along with Patriot (both based on the DaimlerChrysler/Mitsubishi GS platform), replaced Liberty as the automaker's entry level SUV. Compass is designed as a sporty hot hatch crossover while Patriot is intended to take the traditional wagon appeal.

Compass is the first crossover SUV from Jeep. It has a 172 hp (128 kW) 2.4 L GEMA I4 gasoline engine. Additionally, the car features an electronically-controlled all wheel drive system. The latter is capable of managing torque between speeds of 25 and 65 mph. In the Unite States, said vehicle model has a base price of $15,985.

Jeep Compass boasts its combined functionality, handling, packaging, fuel economy and powerful SUV performance. Compass is given a fully independent suspension for better handling and on-road performance. It is offered in both front- and four-wheel drive, in Sport and Limited models.

Goodyear Wrangler SR-A, on the other hand, is a tire that is designed to manage all-terrain traction. It is also ideal for a smooth and quiet on-road ride. Goodyear tires are original equipment of some vehicles from Acura, Audi, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Honda, Hummer, Infiniti, Isuzu, Jeep, Land Rover, Lexus, Mazda, Mercury, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Toyota.

Jeep, through its partnership with Goodyear, is expected to produce vehicles with cutting-edge performance and appearance. Goodyear tires are used by many vehicles in North America. Further, Goodyear is considered as one of the most in-demand tire manufacturer in said part of the globe.

About the Author

Joe Ratzkin is an avid fan of anything automotive. This 34-year old bachelor wanted to be a mechanic when he was a kid but changed his mind and became a freelance writer and researcher instead. He is currently based in Chicago, Illinois. Please visit Jeep parts for more information.

Tires Also Do Get Awards

2007-04-08T19:07-04:00

by Carol Mitchel

Popular Science magazine is set on giving out awards and recognition to those products in the market that has certainly been of great help and has been really outstanding in their own categories or segments. In fact, it also has given out awards to cars and vehicles that has surpassed their criteria.

However, Popular Science magazine is not giving out such awards and recognition to vehicles and cars. This magazine is also set out on sharing the joy and happiness to other products in the auto world. Too bad, it were not my favorite Land Rover mechanical parts which got the award. But to give you a clue, a brand of tires were recognized by the magazine.

Anyhow, as part of the magazine's "100 Most Innovative Products of the Year" for 2006, one very innovative tire from the Goodyear brand made it to the list. This type of tire has got real good tire elements like DuPont Kevlar and carbon fiber. It is the Goodyear Eagle featuring ResponsEdge Technology and this one is the top of the magazine's list for "Best of What's New" for the automotive technology category. If you are interested in knowing more about this product, you can go to the magazine's web site or you can wait for the December issue (which would be on sale this November) to get a closer look at the mentioned product.

Larry Mason is Goodyear's president for North America's consumer tires department. With this award, he says, "We are pleased to be honored by the editors of Popular Science for the innovation represented in the Eagle ResponsEdge tire. Our product development process follows a market back path - learning what consumers want and then designing tires that deliver the benefits." He even does add, "Goodyear scientists and engineers work with out marketing team to make sure the technology is relevant to the consumer's needs. Honors such as this, and the complementing strong consumer demand for our tires, confirm that direction."

"Best of What's New is the ultimate Popular Science accolade, representing a year's worth of work evaluating thousands of products," says Popular Science's editor, Mark Jannot.

About the Author

Carol Mitchel is an executive assistant in one of the leading automotive magazine in Los Angeles, California. She is a certified car lover and loves extreme sports.

Goodyear Announces New President for North American Tire Unit

2007-04-08T19:03-04:00

by Jenny McLane

The third largest tire manufacturer in the world, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, announced recently that they have selected a new president for their North American Tire unit. The announcement came after Jonathan D. Rich announced that he will be leaving the company to pursue other leadership options.

Goodyear announced that they have chosen Richard J. Kramer to be the resident of the outfit effective immediately. Kramer holds the position as the executive vice president and the Chief Financial Officer of North America Tire. Kramer will continue his duties as the unit's CFO until the company names a replacement for him.

Richard Kramer joined the company in March of 2002 and was elected as the Vice President for Corporate Finance of the company. In July of the same year, he was made the Vice President of Finance for the North American Tire unit. After these, he was promoted to Senior Vice President, Strategic Planning and Restructuring for the unit in August of 2003.

His rise to the top is once again made evident in May of 2004 when he became the Chief Financial Officer of the North American Tire business. Kramer came from Cleveland and he also holds a bachelor's degree in science and business administration which he received from John Carroll University in the year 1986. Before his stint in Goodyear, Kramer spent 13 years working for PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Robert J. Keegan, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, has this to say about the new president of the North American Tire unit of Goodyear: "Rich Kramer has demonstrated outstanding business leadership at every level in his career and has earned the respect of his peers, his associates and Wall Street. Rich became our chief financial officer under very challenging circumstances, made courageous value-creating decisions, recruited top talent, and built a strong finance team.

"At the same time, I want to thank Jon Rich for his outstanding service to the company and the significant contributions that he made in helping to create the foundation for the future success of the North American business. Jon assembled a strong, capable team that has earned the respect of our customers in a challenging environment," added Keegan.

Jon Rich became the president of Goodyear Chemical in August of 2001 and this is just a few months after he joined the company in September of 2000. In December of 2002, Rich became the president of the North American Tire unit of the company. Before he joined the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, Rich has served in many senior management roles at General Electric where he worked for 18 years.

The announcement of the new president of the North American Tire unit of Goodyear is akin to the engagement of a Centerforce clutch which will usher in a new era for the unit. Goodyear is the third largest tire manufacturer in the world, trailing only Bridgestone and Michelin. Aside from tires, the company also manufactures rubber hoses, shoe soles, and arts for electric printers.

About the Author

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.

The USA Tire Industry in the World Market Place

2007-04-07T19:58-04:00

by Olivia Hunt

Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company is one of the biggest tire producers in the world after Michelin's acquisition of Royal Goodrich. Goodyear competes in a global tire industry. It aims at keeping its leading position and thus, Goodyear invested more than $1 billion to build automated tire-making facilities, the best in the world. Goodyear expands its tire stores to keep its leadership as the biggest producer-retailer of tires in the USA. Besides, it has invested much money in the investigation and development of tires production. The tires are at the cutting edge of world-class performance and it is a well-known fact. Goodyear maintains its leading position as a high-performance segment of the tire market.

Goodyear is based on the innovative products of high quality and high advertising expenses. It won almost 90 per cent of the market for its high-performance tires for US auto. Besides, it is well-advertised on sporty imports. Owing to its location Goodyear and other USA tire manufacturers has got a great help in the USA market. Though, one should to be critical to point out that tires are far from being cheep to sell them in Europe.

Goodyear has created several barriers to entry in order to compete in the world tire market. Its size gives it a chance to get significant economies of scale, thus, making its costs rather low as compared with the products of its rivals. Production cost cutting is promoted by investment in progressive process of technology. Automated plant equipment also makes it to answer the modern world demands rather quickly to meet present and future market conditions. Goodyear has owned its own shops in order to safe proprietary access to a significant field of distribution. However, Goodyear has made product scale and a high quality model via its deposit in R&D and niche marketing - high-performance tires. New rivals would draw on vital costs to repeat a reputation once again.

Goodyear faces severe competition all the time. For example, last racing season it prevailed in a majority of the competitive series. The continually rising prices and tire rule modifications that do not permit to transfer racing technology to street tires have greatly reduced the return on the deposit in Formula 1 racing.

Diversity is a competitive advantage for global companies, such as Goodyear. It is spreading it all over the company. A varied workforce gives the benefit of well-conducted business in multi-cultural marketplaces all over the world. Goodyear's strategy has helped it to develop faster than its rivals to found new operations all over the world. Goodyear's financial power and mobility reached for the last seven years has helped to meet short-term necessities while working for the future success.

Goodyear has decided that it would be more profitable to settle production equipment near the final sale limits as tires are huge and not cheap to ship as compared with their profit limits. This decreases distribution prices and gives important barriers to entry. It also diminishes Goodyear's foreign exchange risk.

The tire industry is spreading worldwide. Goodyear realizes that one of its major rivals in the future is going to be Bridgestone Tire of Japan. If Goodyear settles its production equipment in Japan this will help Goodyear to cut the prices in critical home market of Bridgestone. This is because of that Bridgestone aims at gaining market share in the USA via aggressive price decreasing. Besides, Japanese car producers will have the opportunity to manufacture two million autos every year in the USA in 1992. If these vehicles will be selling, that will reach car sales by domestic vehicle organizations. Thus, all these processes would cut out the demand for Goodyear tires by Ford, Chrysler and G.M.

In this situation Goodyear most likely replaces some of this lost business with sales to Japanese producers who manufacture in the USA. If Goodyear builds a plant in Japan that will help it to organize a better supplier relationship with Japanese vehicle organizations, and thus, make easier sales to the USA plants. Goodyear is a great company with good positions in the USA and in the whole world. It supplies these Japanese companies since they have modernized their autos and thus, and they have the necessity of high-quality tires, such as of Goodyear.

Bridgestone's acquisition of Firestone will probably have a negative effect on Goodyear as it is a well-equipped and a well-financed rival who looks for the monopoly rents presently being gained by Goodyear. Nevertheless, having struggled the USA auto producers are presently working with Japanese companies. They may wish to take some of the business they are presently giving to Firestone and redistribute it to Goodyear. Goodyear can make the next step having attacked with cost reductions, product and process modernization, or bonuses. Goodyear directs its cost reduction answer to the Japanese market in order to become more effective and competitive.

About the Author

The article was produced by the writer of Essay-Paper.net. Olivia Hunt is a 4-years experienced freelance writer and a senior manager of Essay Writing Service. Contact her to get book report and custom term paper tips.

Run-Flat Tires: The Solution Or The Problem?

2007-04-07T19:54-04:00

by Jenny McLane

With the aim of wiping away tire blowouts and make them part of the past, run-flat tires have been unleashed. The tires are introduced to the auto industry to serve as an ideal solution to such a blowout problem. But after quite some time, criticisms started to pour in.

In a 2001 study conducted by J.D. Power and Associates, thousands of respondents were asked what they most wanted in a new vehicle. Eighty seven percent of respondents said run-flat tires. This made the feature the most desirable by far.

Run-flat tires, most often found on luxury cars, enhance the mobility of the vehicle. These zero-pressure tires can be driven at normal speeds minus any air pressure in case of a puncture or a deep cut. The original idea of the making of the tire is to give it an 'anti-puncture' formula.

The run-flat tire pioneer is the 1994 Chevrolet Corvette. The sports car combines power, simplicity and affordability to lure aficionados. If the Extang tonneau is for the protection of pickup's cargoes, the run-flat is for the tires itself.

Michelin, together with its major rivals Goodyear, Pirelli and Sumitomo, developed new tires which were showcased at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show. "Goodyear and Michelin are convinced, after an analysis of other tire/wheel combinations, that the PAX system is the best platform for incorporation of future tire concepts into new vehicle designs," said the tire manufacturing companies.

Run-flat tires come with a bunch of benefits. With them around, there is no need for a car jack or a spare wheel. As a result, the car is given more space to accommodate additional luggage. In addition, it lowers cost and it also increases the fuel-efficiency of the car. It also saves some weight.

Run-flat tires could also affect the ride, comfort, and durability of some components of the vehicle especially the suspension parts. The suspension components should be complemented by the vehicle structure, and vice versa.

However, after run-flat tires were offered as standard to some vehicles, complaints started to pour in. Jennifer Stockburger, a senior tire-test engineer for Consumer Reports magazine, said the tires offered a safety advantage, but the tire forum on its Web site (consumer.org) had many complaints from run-flat owners about higher-than-expected replacement costs, the difficulty of getting repairs and what some considered to be excessive wear.

Some owners have already initiated class action lawsuits. On Monday, a complaint was filed against Honda and Michelin in the United States District Court in Los Angeles. Mark F. Anderson of San Francisco, one of the lawyers who filed the complaint, said it was 'ridiculous' that repairing a PAX tire should be so complicated. Anderson also filed a class-action suit in 2005 against Toyota, Bridgestone and Dunlop over run-flats used on the 2004-6 Sienna with all-wheel drive.

The suit filed on Monday is over the Michelin Energy LX4 PAX run-flat which was used on the 2005-7 Honda Odyssey Touring and as an option on the 2006-7 Acura RL. The suit does not disagree that the tires offer a safety advantage however it alleges that purchasers were deceived about replacement costs and repairs.

Michelin stores or car dealers must have special tire-changing equipment that can cost $3,000 to $15,000 depending on what the dealer already has, Chris Naughton, a Honda spokesman, said in an interview before the suit was filed. He said some dealers did not have the equipment yet, but that about 90 percent of Honda's roughly 1,000 dealers would have it by the end of this month. He added the company had not seen the suit, but that the tire was a "great product that provides convenience, added safety and peace of mind for our customers."

Lynn Mann, a Michelin spokeswoman, said the suit had "many misstatements and errors."

Clarence M. Ditlow, the executive director of the Center for Auto Safety, said that the court statements from Dunlop and Bridgestone engineers showed "the first-generation run-flat tires for the Sienna were poorly designed and wore out prematurely." "Whether it is tires or cars, consumers are well advised to avoid new models because they are prone to bugs," he said.

About the Author

Hankook Tire Claims Seventh Spot in Tire Maker Ranking

2007-04-07T19:51-04:00

by Mike Bartley

The Modern Tire Dealer recently reported that the Hankook Tire which is based in South Korea became the seventh largest tire manufacturer in the world after it has posted $3 billion in sales in the United States in 2006. Last year's figures bested the $2.5 billion sales it posted in 2005 and this shows that Hankook is one of the fastest growing tire manufacturers in the world. Modern Tire Dealer also cited Hankook's focus on quality of the products that they create as well as the performance of the tires that they manufacture.

Tires coming from the South Korean contingent received much praise from experts in the field. In Germany, the AutoBild SportsCars magazine ranked one of Hankook's tires, the Ventus S1 evo, as the best performance tire among ten other tire models.

Another magazine recognizes Hankook's Optimo K715 tire as the most environment friendly tire. The accolade came from Stiftung Wartentest and was featured in its March edition. The magazine also gave the Ventus Prime from Hankook a "recommendable" rating.

Also in that country, both the Ventus Prime and the Optimo K715 are dubbed as the "best buys" by ZDF TV, the second largest television network in Germany. Gute Fahrt, a monthly magazine devoted to Volkswagen and Audi vehicles, also acknowledged Hankook by naming Hankook's Centrum H 270 as the third best all-weather tire after the publications tests.

These accolades and the increasing sales have definitely encouraged Hankook Tire to expand its operation as stated by its Chief Executive Officer Seung Hwa Suh who was noted saying: "Hankook Tire is a company with aggressive future growth plans. We are enhancing our global management structures, putting increased efforts into greater brand building and, in the summer, our first European production facility in Hungary will become operational. As the market increasingly recognizes the superior quality of our products, we are seeing more and more opportunities developing for us in Europe, in China and in the U.S., and this increasing demand is driving the company forward."

The company is now aiming to sell $3.6 billion worth of tires in the United States this year. Hankook has started their bid to further strengthen their hold on the U.S. tire market by appointing Hwi Joong Kim to the company's board of directors to provide good leadership. The company will be focusing their expertise and efforts to expand their brand name's popularity throughout the world. They have already taken steps to expand their reach by building their fifth European facility in Hungary.

The said facility will become operational later this year and will definitely boost the total production output of the Asian company.

Tire manufacturers ranked by Modern Tire Dealer showed Bridgestone at the top followed by Michelin. Goodyear sits at third and Continental is the fourth largest tire manufacture. Pirelli is at fifth and followed by Suitomo in sixth. Hankook is in seventh place, Yokohama eighth, Cooper ninth, Kumho tenth, and Toyo is the eleventh largest tire manufacturers. All these companies produce high performance tires as practical as a {a href=" http://www.shopnisparts.com/nissan-floor-mat/"}Nissan floor mat.

About the Author

Mike Bartley, 49, is a professional automotive journalist domiciled in Irvine, CA. He travels from one state to another to cover the hottest auto shows, racing events and automotive revelations. His penned compositions cover press releases, reviews, and suggestions. Where the auto action is, that's exactly where you can find Mike. mikebartley@yahoo.com Irvine, CA 92602 http://www.speedyperformanceparts.com

Goodyear: A Go For Lighter Load

2007-04-07T19:47-04:00

by Anthony Fontanelle

Goodyear Tire & Rubber (GT), a renowned tire manufacturing giant, signed an agreement to sell its engineered-products business for $1.475 billion to EPD, Inc. which is an entity sponsored by the private equity firm Carlyle Partners IV, L.P. The move is the latest effort of the Akron tire maker to recover from its heavy pecuniary losses after struggling to improve production. The investors acquired the Goodyear shares on March 26.

The tire and rubber company's engineered-products business consists of 32 facilities and 6,500 people who make products such as conveyor belts, hoses, and air springs for customers in the automotive, industrial, military, consumer and other related sectors. The company's tires are known for their compatibility with EBC brake pads and other car parts. Goodyear expects to record increase in sales and profits of this business to Carlyle, but the amount has not yet been divulged. The transaction remains subject to post-closing conditions and adjustments. Additionally, it is also subject to EPD's completion of a labor agreement with the United Steelworkers union.

"This transaction reinforces our focus on our core consumer and commercial tire businesses and on improving our balance sheet," said the company's CEO, Robert J. Keegan, in a press release dated March 23. Keegan is expecting to use the money for things like debt reduction and growing the tire business. Goodyear will announce the specific details later.

Goodyear had to pay roughly $451 million in debt interest expense during 2006. The amount is a little more than a third of its operating income. Analysts in the industry said that consummating a sale transaction to chip away debt make sense. "If the company used all the proceeds [from its agreement with Carlyle] for debt reduction, we think the transaction would be accretive to EPS," Standard & Poor's equity analyst Efraim Levy said in a research note.

Levy added that the deal could grow Goodyear's earnings per share by sparing the company from interest expense. Citing this as well as expected savings from recent changes in the company's pension plan, S&P upgraded Goodyear's stock to hold from sell. Levy is not the only one on that stand. On March 26, investors bid up the stock 5.3 percent to $31.88 in midday trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

Goodyear, which has became famous worldwide because of its blimp, has taken other steps to recover from its difficulties. In late December, the company managed to end a strike that had started Oct. 5, for example. Goodyear hammered out a three-year pact with the United Steelworkers, in which Goodyear will take steps like closing its Tyler, Texas, plant while moving responsibility for its union retirees' health care to a $1 billion trust.

The transaction is expected to save the company $70 million this year, $240 million in 2008 and $300 million in 2009. But the company lost $358 million during the three months ended Dec. 31, including items like the recently ended strike, compared to a net loss of $51 million during the same period of 2005.

In the interim, Goodyear continues to battle with challenges like improving its global production. CEO Keegan, who took over from Samir Gibara in early 2003, has been steering the company through a slump in the domestic auto industry. Only time can tell how long the road remains bumpy for the distressed company.

About the Author

Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.