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	<title>Check Out Cars &#187; tires</title>
	<atom:link href="http://www.checkoutcar.com/tag/tires/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://www.checkoutcar.com</link>
	<description>Information about cars.</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:57:55 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en</language>
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		<title>Care for Your Car With Window Tinting and Insulation</title>
		<link>http://www.checkoutcar.com/2012/02/03/care-for-your-car-with-window-tinting-and-insulation/</link>
		<comments>http://www.checkoutcar.com/2012/02/03/care-for-your-car-with-window-tinting-and-insulation/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:11:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Voula Sidrovs</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Auto]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[air pressure]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[brake fluid]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[car care]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[car fluids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[car protection]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mirror cleaning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[protective glass]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[safe driving]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[security glass]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tinted glass]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tires]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[window cleaning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[window insulation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[window tinting]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.checkoutcar.com/2012/02/03/care-for-your-car-with-window-tinting-and-insulation/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It is very important to take care of your automobile to make certain that it operates properly, particularly when you are using it for transportation purposes. This is also to avoid you from any automobile situations that might happen to you along the roads.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>It is very important to take care of your automobile to make certain that it operates properly, particularly when you are using it for transportation purposes. This is also to avoid you from any automobile situations that might happen to you along the roads.</p>
<p> It&#8217;s not enough that your automobile goes through periodic maintenance because it&#8217;s still vital on your part to check due to uncertain auto damages. </p>
<p>No person knows just when your auto parts will be wrecked or lose their normal function; that&#8217;s why it is recommended to take regular car protection actions. </p>
<p> Here are car care tips that could help you in taking great care of your vehicle to maintain its proper utility: </p>
<p> &#8211; Check the car fluids each and every day. Additional to depending on the gages and indicator lights that you see on the dashboard, it is also good to examine it on your own to grasp if the car demands more water, oil, and brake fluid. It will only take you couple of minutes to examine your liquid levels and if they are correct or are working in their right function. If you believe your car does not have appropriate liquid levels, send it to the repair shop for a fix. The fluid level, in particular the one reserved for the brakes, is extremely important as it ensures your car&#8217;s power to stop and move safely.<br />
 &#8211; Window cleaning and mirror cleaning are critical to see other automobiles travelling on the road. This is for the security of all people in the vehicle. A visible window in particular on the rear view and exterior rear view could secure a safe driving experience. You can change your window glass to a protective glass or security glass. Window tinting and insulation is also endorsed. Window tinting minimizes glare to make sure you have a safe car trip.<br />
 &#8211; Finally, check the tire regularly to determine if the air pressure is right.</p>
<p> You can care for your car on your own with these tips.</p>
<p>To find local <a target='_blank' href="http://www.dlook.com.au/window-tinting-and-insulation">window tinting and insulation</a> take a look at your <a target='_blank' href="http://www.dlook.com.au/">Australian online business directory</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
		<title>The Hot New Thing In The Auto Industry &#8211; Low Profile Tires</title>
		<link>http://www.checkoutcar.com/2012/01/31/the-hot-new-thing-in-the-auto-industry-low-profile-tires/</link>
		<comments>http://www.checkoutcar.com/2012/01/31/the-hot-new-thing-in-the-auto-industry-low-profile-tires/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:02:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>John Molroton</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cars]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[car tires]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[low profile tires]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tires]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tyres]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.checkoutcar.com/2012/01/31/the-hot-new-thing-in-the-auto-industry-low-profile-tires/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Low profile wheels are one of the hottest new fads within the automobile industry. The tires aren't limited to simply race cars these days. Low profile tyres are even being fit on everything from sports coupes to family sedans. Along with the new car tires there are plenty of concerns needed to be cleared.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Low profile wheels are one of the hottest new fads within the automobile industry. The tires aren&#8217;t limited to simply race cars these days. Low profile tyres are even being fit on everything from sports coupes to family sedans. Along with the new car tires there are plenty of concerns needed to be cleared.</p>
<p><b>What is the feel like?</b> A big benefit of such auto tires is the feeling of the road these wheels provide for the car owner. This is certainly one of the main distinctions that stands apart from the ordinary options that almost all automotive companies fit their cars with. Also the actual vehicle will function much better even in dry or wet conditions.</p>
<p><b>Consider what type of traffic you&#8217;re driving in.</b> This is probably the most significant questions to be answered. If you drive in traffic jams a lot, you shouldn&#8217;t go for the high mile tires. They&#8217;re created from much harder rubber and also the valuable thing is that they do endure longer, but which means if you break you will definitely slide much longer.</p>
<p><b>Pay attention to tread pattern.</b> Tread pattern has just about everything to do with how well you are able to handle your automobile in many different road conditions. Very slick tires provide the very best traction in race tracks, but that&#8217;s simply on a very clean and try path. In any other case they aren&#8217;t great. The tread pattern is responsible for how water, dirt and mud is treated by the tyre.</p>
<p><b>What are the advantages and drawbacks?</b> The biggest overall advantages are advanced handling and grip. They are really a lot better than on a usual tire. An additional main edge is a lot more traction which means more substantial braking power. But that comes with a cost &#8211; amplified roadnoise and that is a major con. At the same time the drive could be harsher. You&#8217;ll have to pay a lot more attention to tire pressure, because there is far less of the actual tyre the pressure must be accurate. That might also be a major plus, due to the fact since the tyre is smaller there is certainly more room for even bigger breaks.</p>
<p><b>How about gas mileage?</b> Given that they rotate more quickly more than normal tires in addition, it effects the fuel economy of the drive negatively. In addition considering that the tires are much broader than regular tires that means a larger contact patch and this indicates the friction is additionally much larger. And so the motor has got to burn much more gas to maintain the auto moving.</p>
<p><b>Will low profile wheels wear out more quickly when compared to a regular tire?</b> Generally these auto tires are installed on sports vehicles and so are made as high- performance tires. Those sort of tires use softer materials to fabricate the tires, mainly because softer tires offer a lot more friction. However if the tires aren&#8217;t created for sports they&#8217;re just manufactured from harder materials and have a regular lifetime.</p>
<p>Everything you need to know about <a target='_blank' href="http://www.lowprofiletireshq.com">low profile tires</A> you can learn from www.lowprofiletireshq.com and see much more information about the tires. If you want something special to go with your wheels <a target='_blank' href="http://www.purpleheels.us">click here</A></p>
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		<title>Rims &#8211; They&#8217;re Less Expensive Online</title>
		<link>http://www.checkoutcar.com/2012/01/30/rims-theyre-less-expensive-online/</link>
		<comments>http://www.checkoutcar.com/2012/01/30/rims-theyre-less-expensive-online/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:46:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jason West</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Auto]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[automobile]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[car]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chevrolet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ford]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[honda]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[parts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rims]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tires]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[toyota]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wheels]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.checkoutcar.com/2012/01/30/rims-theyre-less-expensive-online/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Current technology can make it a breeze for someone with a credit card or a PayPal account to buy car parts online. Not merely is the Internet the most widespread mode of communications, but also the cheapest and fastest. Hopefully, just as with so many other aspects regarding rims, you will need to pay more consideration to some things than others. What is more critical for you may be less so for others, so you have to consider your unique circumstances. We really are just getting started here, and hopefully you will be excited about what more is in store. We are saving the best for last, and you will be pleased at what you will find out. It is all about offering information that develops on itself, and we believe you will value that. People everywhere use it to place orders for pretty much anything, including computer accessories, digital cameras, to car accessories and car parts. With new <a href="http://www.usarim.com">rims and tires</a> your car will look modern and fashionable.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Current technology can make it a breeze for someone with a credit card or a PayPal account to buy car parts online. Not merely is the Internet the most widespread mode of communications, but also the cheapest and fastest. Hopefully, just as with so many other aspects regarding rims, you will need to pay more consideration to some things than others. What is more critical for you may be less so for others, so you have to consider your unique circumstances. We really are just getting started here, and hopefully you will be excited about what more is in store. We are saving the best for last, and you will be pleased at what you will find out. It is all about offering information that develops on itself, and we believe you will value that. People everywhere use it to place orders for pretty much anything, including computer accessories, digital cameras, to car accessories and car parts. With new <a target='_blank' href="http://www.usarim.com">rims and tires</a> your car will look modern and fashionable.</p>
<p>On this page, we&#8217;re going to talk about how you can use the Internet to purchase automobile parts. A lot of car dealers elect to sell parts straight from their own websites online. You are able to make your decision from a wide variety of car parts from manufacturers such as Honda, Toyota, Ford, Chevrolet, and more. These internet auto dealers are given a substantial boost in their business due to the ease of ordering online and the lower prices. The online auto dealers profit from their direct access to car parts warehouses and offer much better prices because of their own increased savings.</p>
<p>The location where the customer is located does not matter, because the online dealers supply the car parts from a nation-wide network. The buyer can live anywhere and will have their order sent right away to their current location for a modest shipping fee. The vehicle parts set you back significantly less because the dealers have done away with the need for a middleman. Most of these auto parts for sale by the dealers usually are genuine and in most cases come with a full warranty. Broken parts are usually replaced without any difficulties. Considering that the car parts are ordered directly from the factory of the manufacturer, they are durable and reliable. Right after you place your order, the parts are packed and routed straight to your location.</p>
<p>Trying to find car parts online is very simple because the websites have easily searchable categories. A lot of the dealers have used parts and also renovated parts, so you can find any part you need for your vehicle, all in the same place. Customer loyalty is something the best dealers depend on, and to excel in their operations, they want their customers to get quality parts, on time. You need to use careful attention when buying online, by locating only reputable dealers, who are members of the Better Business Bureau. It isn&#8217;t a bad plan to use a charge card so you can get the charges reversed if something goes wrong during the purchasing process.</p>
<p>For your personal protection, demand warranties for the parts you purchase, and remember to ask for discounts. Check to see that all of the parts are there, once the delivery comes, and they are all in good shape. Be sure to hold on tight to the warranty paperwork until the expiration date has passed.</p>
<p>Get the latest <a target='_blank' href="http://www.usarim.com">aftermarket rims</a> at www.usarim.com.</p>
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		<title>The Anatomy of a Tire</title>
		<link>http://www.checkoutcar.com/2011/06/13/the-anatomy-of-a-tire/</link>
		<comments>http://www.checkoutcar.com/2011/06/13/the-anatomy-of-a-tire/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 13 Jun 2011 08:47:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Terry Dean</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Auto]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[automobile]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[autos]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cars]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tires]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[vehicles]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.checkoutcar.com/2011/06/13/the-anatomy-of-a-tire/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Tires are an aspect of transportation that many people take for granted - until they need to be replaced, that is.  While tires may seem basic, the development and construction of these vital auto parts is well thought-out and heavily researched.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Tires are an aspect of transportation that many people take for granted &#8211; until they need to be replaced, that is.  While tires may seem basic, the development and construction of these vital auto parts is well thought-out and heavily researched.</p>
<p>The simplistic appearance of most tires belies their complex construction.  There are several components involved in the building of a tire, and understanding those components can help consumers understand how tires work the way we need them to.</p>
<p>The Parts:</p>
<p>The bead &#8211; This is a ring of strong steel coated with rubber and serves to give the tire strength, as well as a resistance to wear.  The bead also allows a tire to stand up to the force exerted by mounting machines when a tire is installed on a wheel rim.</p>
<p>The body &#8211; The body of a tire isn&#8217;t truly a solid piece of rubber, but actually made up of layers known as plies.  These plies are made generally made of polyester cord, running perpendicular to the tread of the tire.  The strength of a tire can often be described using the number of plies used in its construction. For example, a regular automobile tire may be made with only two plies, while a commercial jet can include thirty or more.</p>
<p>The sidewall &#8211; The sidewall of a tire is designed to provide stability and support to the body of a tire.  It also serves to allow for flexibility to prevent rough rides on challenging terrain.<br />
The tread &#8211; Perhaps one of the most important parts of a tire, the tread is created from a blend of various rubbers and serves to provide the needed traction to keep a vehicle rooted firmly to the road.  It is standard practice for tires to be replaced once the tread has worn smooth.</p>
<p>Depending on the type of tire in use, there may be additional parts involved in the construction.   For instance, steel-belted tires include a (who&#8217;d have guessed?) belt of steel that lay just under the tread of the tire.  This steel belt helps prevent puncture and ensures that the tire maintains steady contact with the surface of the road.  Similarly, tires rated for higher speeds (such as race cars) require a little extra help combat the wear and tear inherent in their intended use.  To this end, high-speed speed tires will often include cap plies &#8211; extra layers of material that help hold everything together.</p>
<p>Once all of the necessary parts are in place, manufacturers have what is called a &#8220;green tire&#8221;.  The components are only loosely combined and roughly round with a smooth surface.  Tires will not take on their more traditional appearance until they are run through a curling machine.  This machine works like a heated mold &#8211; bonding all of the materials together into a solid piece and impressing the ridged shaped of the treads into each tire.  This process is known as vulcanizing, and its primary purpose is to generate a solid, dependable tire with all the parts necessary to keep drivers safe.</p>
<p>Find the best deals from <a target='_blank' href="http://www.tireteam.com">Tire Team</a> on <a target='_blank' href="http://www.tireteam.com/brands/Firestone-Tires">Discount Firestone Tires</a> at Tireteam.com</p>
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		<title>Cheap Tractor Tires: Affordable Tires That Do The Job</title>
		<link>http://www.checkoutcar.com/2009/12/11/cheap-tractor-tires-affordable-tires-that-do-the-job/</link>
		<comments>http://www.checkoutcar.com/2009/12/11/cheap-tractor-tires-affordable-tires-that-do-the-job/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 11 Dec 2009 11:56:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mateo Lochi</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Auto]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[affordable tractor tire]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[affordable tractor tires]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cheap tractor tire]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cheap tractor tires]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[farm tractor tire]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[farm tractor tires]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tires]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tractor tire]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tractor tires]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[used tractor tire]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[used tractor tires]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.checkoutcar.com/2009/12/11/cheap-tractor-tires-affordable-tires-that-do-the-job/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Cheap tractor tires are the perfect choice for people worrying about messing up expensive tires or looking good. If you know about something about tires, you know there aren't a lot of quality cheap tractor tires on the market. If you really need a cheap tire, you may want to look for a used tractor tire.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Cheap tractor tires are the perfect choice for people worrying about messing up expensive tires or looking good. If you know about something about tires, you know there aren&#8217;t a lot of quality cheap tractor tires on the market. If you really need a cheap tire, you may want to look for a used tractor tire.</p>
<p>The market is filled with tires; if you go to your nearest tire retailer you will see racks and racks of different tires to choose from. There are different brands, and some are significantly more expensive than others. However, if you simply need a tire to help you do the job, go with the cheaper tire. Just make sure to rotate the tire and keep the right amount of air pressure in the tire.</p>
<p>Before you head down to the tire store or start searching online, you are going to need to know a thing or two about tires. Most tires look exactly the same, so sometimes it&#8217;s hard to tell the difference between a quality tire and a bad tire that will fall apart quickly. If you don&#8217;t exactly know what you&#8217;re looking, ask an employee at the tire store to find a durable one that will fit your tractor.</p>
<p>The main difference between a cheap tire and a more expensive tire is durability. The more expensive tires tend to last longer, even though they look the same. The low quality of the material and construction is what separates a cheap tire from the more expensive ones.</p>
<p>Some people claim that more expensive tires can increase the tractors fuel economy. Well, this hasn&#8217;t been proven. We all know that tractors use a lot of gas, so it doesn&#8217;t really matter whether a more expensive tire adds a small amount of gas efficiency.</p>
<p>If you absolutely need a tractor tire immediately, you might want to consider retread tires. Many tire shops sell these tires at a very deep discount, but they don&#8217;t last very long. So if you need some tires to hold you over for a week or two, going with a brand name retread tire is probably right for you.</p>
<p>Now that the treads are worn out, the tires are usually sold back to the tire shop. The tire shop will fit new treads on the tire, and sell them at a deep discount compared to brand new tires. If you&#8217;re not worried about the tread and need a tire immediately to hold you over for a little while, you should definitely pick up a retread tire.</p>
<p>Used tires are the tires that are discarded after an owner upgrades to brand new tires. Then the old tires are sold as-is to the general public. You don&#8217;t really have to worry about the quality of the tire, since the tire shop will not sell you an unsafe tire. So you have two choices when you are looking for cheap tractor tires; you can go with used tires or used retread tires.</p>
<p>The author: Mateo Lochi can you help you understand <a href="http://discounttiredirectguide.com/used-tractor-tires-are-cheaper/">cheap tractor tires</a>. For more used tire information, visit his <a href="http://hubpages.com/hub/Cheap-Tractor-Tires">used tractor tire</a>.</p>
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		<title>Cheap Truck Tires For That Long Haul</title>
		<link>http://www.checkoutcar.com/2009/11/17/cheap-truck-tires-for-that-long-haul/</link>
		<comments>http://www.checkoutcar.com/2009/11/17/cheap-truck-tires-for-that-long-haul/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:10:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mateo Lochi</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Auto]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cheap truck tire]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cheap truck tires]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tire]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tires]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[truck tire]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[truck tires]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[used truck tire]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[used truck tires]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.checkoutcar.com/2009/11/17/cheap-truck-tires-for-that-long-haul/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[If you are looking to start a business that involves the use of trucks (of any kind) then you will need to get all of the things you need before you open your doors. There is a lot involved in starting a business like this, and there is a lot of money involved too, which is why you may want to look for cheap truck tires, while you are trying to cut costs.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>If you are looking to start a business that involves the use of trucks (of any kind) then you will need to get all of the things you need before you open your doors. There is a lot involved in starting a business like this, and there is a lot of money involved too, which is why you may want to look for cheap truck tires, while you are trying to cut costs.</p>
<p>You may not think that you have to cuts costs now, but once you get started in the setting up phase of your business, you will find that there is a need to cut costs. Most business men and women will tell you that there is always a need to cuts costs, as there is always something happening that you did not plan for.</p>
<p>Most of the time, you will think that you are planning way ahead, or that you have everything down. Yes, we all know that it makes it easier to write things down on a piece of paper, but you are human, and you will forget something. Even if you did not forget something, there is always something else that will pop up that you will decide you need.</p>
<p>This is the way a business work, there is always something new to deal with, no matter what business or industry you are in. This is why you want to start saving money from the word go. This means that you will have to find cheap everything, like cheap truck tires and make use of used or second hand things like second hand trucks.</p>
<p>One misconception to get rid of immediately is the idea that buying second hand equipment is wrong. It&#8217;s actually the opposite. Purchasing gently used equipment is a smart choice that will allow you to save money and have quality equipment that will last you for a while. And if your business is really dependent on trucks, you have to find dependable people to operate them and service them when they break down. So it&#8217;s a smart choice to cut down on equipment costs and make sure you have best people operate and service the trucks.</p>
<p>If you think that you will just take your truck to the nearest service station, you are not thinking of cutting costs. If you really want to cut costs in that department, it would be wise for you to hire a diesel mechanic (or two of them) so that they can work on the trucks at your depot.</p>
<p>Paying a mechanic a monthly salary is also a great way to drastically cut down on costs. You will no longer have to spend thousands of dollars every time your trucks break down &#8211; hiring a person in-house is much cheaper in the long run. And the good thing is that most diesel mechanics know where to find affordable equipment like cheap truck tires, so you definitely want to ask them to start using their connections.</p>
<p>If you are going to buy bulk cheap truck tires and store them at your depot, you will want to find a person to fit them for you, so you may want to hire a fitter that will fit your tires, exhausts and shocks. This too will help you cut costs in the long run.</p>
<p>Mateo Lochi is passionate about <a href="http://cheaptrucktiresguide.blogspot.com/2009/10/how-planning-can-cut-your-costs.html">cheap truck tire</a> and <a href="http://discounttiredirectguide.com/cheap-truck-tires-for-that-long-haul/">used truck tires</a>.</p>
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		<title>How to Maintain a New Car</title>
		<link>http://www.checkoutcar.com/2009/11/08/how-to-maintain-a-new-car/</link>
		<comments>http://www.checkoutcar.com/2009/11/08/how-to-maintain-a-new-car/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 08 Nov 2009 10:51:48 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Derek Green</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Auto]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tire]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tire dealer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tires]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[vehicles]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[In this article we will look at some general service hints that apply to any car whether you buy it new or used. In most cases, these maintenance costs are not covered by your factory and extended warranty, but are important considerations in getting the best and most reliable service from your car.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In this article we will look at some general service hints that apply to any car whether you buy it new or used. In most cases, these maintenance costs are not covered by your factory and extended warranty, but are important considerations in getting the best and most reliable service from your car.</p>
<p>The first consideration is where you take it for service. Many people simply take it back to the dealer where they bought it. The advantage there is that if they discover anything that needs fixing under the warranty, they will fix it for you when you take it in for service. But be aware that you pay a premium for dealer service in most things, and you can often cut the cost of that routine maintenance by 30% or more by using a good independent repair shop. And the independent shop may be a bit more observant in pointing out other problems with your car that you can have fixed under warranty back at the dealership.</p>
<p>Check with friends or business associates to see where they get their car serviced. Many shops offer free shuttle transportation when you drop off or pick up your car. If you have a more exotic car, be sure they specialize in that kind of car. Since the cost of parts can often be more than the cost of labor, you should realize that OEM parts from a dealer usually cost 50% more than the same parts from a good after market supplier, when available. But your dealer always uses OEM factory parts. And items like tires, brakes, filters and routine maintenance parts are inevitably a good bit more expensive from the dealership.</p>
<p>Once you decide where you want to have your car serviced, stick with them if they do a good job for you. There&#8217;s no substitute for a good relationship with a repair shop when it comes time for major work or diagnostics. And many a shop will take a one time customer for a &#8220;ride&#8221;, and take the easy route to fixing your problem rather than the most cost effective one. A little story&#8230;</p>
<p>I had a girlfriend once with an old Ford Mustang. Her turn signals were not working and she took it into the Ford dealership for repair. They wanted to charge her $220 to replace the whole turn sign mechanism and wiring harness, a big job as it involves dismantling the whole steering column. She couldn&#8217;t afford it and came to me asking what she should do.</p>
<p>I had a hunch and picked up a new blinker relay from the auto parts store for $3. I reached under the dash, popped out the old one and stuck the new one in there.</p>
<p>Presto&#8230; the problem was fixed. I was outraged that the dealer was going to charge her $220 when a simple $3 part fixed the problem. I went down there and complained bitterly and they refunded her diagnostic charges anyhow.</p>
<p>In general, car repair shops are notorious for fixing things that don&#8217;t need fixing, and not always because they are completely dishonest&#8230; but because it&#8217;s faster than trying to figure out where the exact cause of the problem really lies. It&#8217;s the old analogy of fixing a loose nail with a sledgehammer. So finding a good reliable service shop can save you a lot of money over the years.</p>
<p>I recommend you keep a log of your maintenance. It will help you do it regularly and that will prolong the life of your car. And it also looks good when it comes time to sell the car.</p>
<p>Here are some service issues that are critical and some hints that not everyone is aware of.</p>
<p>Oil Changes</p>
<p>The average new car recommends an oil change every 7500 miles. I like to change mine twice during that period. Motor oil is cheap and nothing wears an engine out faster than dirty motor oil. The simple process of combustion produces a lot of by-products, acid, carbon, and contamination from the air. And that contaminates your motor oil pretty quickly. I change it at 4000 but not the oil filter, and then again at 7500 and change the oil filter at that time. I maintain the same schedule through 7500, 15,000, 22,500, 30,000 and so on.</p>
<p>I use a high grade of motor oil&#8230; I have always liked Valvoline. But Quaker State, Pennzoil and other top brands are probably equally good. Stay away from the bargain brands. Quality lubrication is essential to your engine&#8217;s longevity. In general you want it to look clear and green on the oil dipstick&#8230; when it starts getting dark, it&#8217;s time to change it, and when it gets black it&#8217;s way overdue.</p>
<p>The exception to this rule is that some synthetic oils which are black in appearance when new. And unlike foods, where &#8220;synthetic&#8221; is a dirty word, in motor oils, the synthetic variety offers better lubrication than the petroleum based &#8220;natural&#8221; oils and costs a good bit more as well. If you have an expensive car, it&#8217;s probably well worth the extra cost for the higher quality motor oil.</p>
<p>People who ignore things like routine oil changes because they are too busy are very foolish. Dirty motor oil wears out an engine very quickly and failure to keep it clean may very likely void your warranty.</p>
<p>Transmission oil is another item. Factory service often doesn&#8217;t require it be changed more than every 30,000 miles. But depending on how and where you drive it can get dirty and worn a lot quicker than than that. In general you want the fluid to appear cherry red and have almost no smell when you pull the transmission oil dipstick. When it is reddish brown and has a burnt smell, then your transmission is suffering. Many cars do not allow an easy change of the transmission fluid. It is often necessary to drop the pan of transmission to drain it, and then that usually holds 3-4 quarts and does not change the majority of the fluid which is in the torque converter.</p>
<p>Some cars like my Mercury Mountaineer, have a separate drain plug for the torque converter and allow a change of fluid to be relatively complete. But many others do not. My old Ford Explorer was that way. Changing the fluid by dropping the pan only changed 1/3 the transmission fluid, so if I waited til it was brown and burnt, one change did not do it. I installed a drain plug in my transmission pan, and changed it 5 times running it a few miles after each change, until I figured I had diluted the old burnt fluid adequately enough. So keep an eye on that fluid and change it often.</p>
<p>Manual transmissions don&#8217;t use transmission fluid&#8230; they use a 90W gear oil which generally doesn&#8217;t need to be changed very often. But keep your clutch adjusted properly with a little bit of freeplay at the top, and don&#8217;t &#8220;ride the clutch&#8221;. Be very careful about resting your foot on the clutch pedal as the weight of the foot can partially depress the pedal, and start to reach the edge of engagement, and this will wear out your clutch&#8217;s throw-out bearing very quickly.</p>
<p>Older cars all used carburetors to mix gas and air and squirt it into the engine for combustion. Newer cars mostly use fuel injection, and while this often works really well and controls emissions, you need to keep those fuel injectors clean. Your local auto parts shop sells a number of brands of fuel injector cleaner and I recommend adding it to a full tank of gas at least with every oil change. It&#8217;s a lot cheaper than having your fuel injection system overhauled. And change that air filter regularly or whenever it starts to appear dirty. Nothing slows performance more quickly and gunks up your carburetor or fuel injectors than a dirty air filter.</p>
<p>Tires, Brakes and Shock Absorbers</p>
<p>Other items like tires, brakes and shock absorbers are generally not covered by warranties&#8230; they are considered routine maintenance items. Choose your tires carefully&#8230; there are a wide range of tire grades, priced accordingly. Invariably those bargain prices you see advertised are junk tires and not worth your time unless you are just fixing the car up to sell. Many tires will offer long mileage warranties, but read the fine print&#8230; often that&#8217;s &#8220;pro-rated&#8221; and applied to the &#8220;list&#8221; price of a new one, not the highly discounted price you bought them for. This is an old scam. Put 20,000 miles on those 50,000 mile tires and you may find the adjusted price of a new pair under warranty is higher than what you can buy them or a comparable set for outright.</p>
<p>In general, always buy tires at least in pairs. Never put one new tire on one wheel when the other has considerable wear. Generally, it&#8217;s best to put your new tires on the front to take advantage of better steering and handling with a new tire. But if your car is rear wheel drive, be aware that badly worn tires in the back will cause your car to skid and lose control quickly in wet or slippery conditions. If you rotate your tires regularly, say every 7500 or 10,000 miles at least, then your tires should all wear out around the same time and it&#8217;s best to replace all four as a set.</p>
<p>When putting on new tires, you should have them balanced and the front end aligned. Bad alignment or balance will wear out new tires much more quickly and can severely impact the handling and ride quality. Often, balancing tries when they are new, does not mean they will still be in balance after 5-10,000 miles. I like to buy my tires from a tire dealer that offers free rotation and rebalancing for the life of the tire. I look for tires which handle well in wet conditions and avoid aquaplaning. Those are usually high end steel belted all-weather radials which also work pretty well in snow as well.</p>
<p>Remember you life and that of your family is riding on your tires. Invest in good quality tires&#8230; it&#8217;s a sound investment. And one more thing, these new &#8220;low profile&#8221; tires that look so cool on these sport sedans. The low profile means a short sidewall, which means little give and flex there which, while it can contribute to better handling, also means a stiffer less comfortable ride, and more wear on your suspension, since the tires are not absorbing the road irregularities as well, leaving it all up to the more expensive suspension parts.</p>
<p>Shock absorbers are another important and often overlooked component. Worn shocks mean faster tire and suspension wear, particularly the ball joints in the front end. It&#8217;s relatively easy to check a shock&#8217;s performance. Push down swiftly on the fender of your car over each of the four wheels. New shocks should be pretty stiff and recover from a hard shove with only a single rebound. If the car bounces up and down several times above the wheel, the shocks are worn and should be replaced. These are not expensive and a good tire dealer can stick in a quality set like Monroe Shocks for little more than $100 for all four on many models of cars.</p>
<p>Also not covered by most warranties, the brakes should be checked regularly (whenever you rotate your tires and replaced when they get low. Driving with worn brakes (typically they squeal badly when you come to a stop) will quickly score your brake rotors or drums and make replacing them essential as well as brake pads or brake shoes. Front brakes usually wear out first, and again depending on how you drive, you can probably expect to replace them every 30,000 miles or so. A good brake shop will turn the rotors or drums, replace the pads or brake shoes, and rebuilt the calipers or wheel cylinders as needed. If you replace them often and the rotors/drums look good, sometimes you can get away with just a new pair of shoes or pads.</p>
<p>Also keep an eye on your brake fluid under the hood. As the brakes pads or shoes wear, the fluid level will drop. That is normal, and you will need to add a bit of brake fluid from time to time. Be casrely not to spill any on the car&#8217;s paint as it is highly corrosive and will eat through the paint in a matter of moments.</p>
<p>Car Paint and Interior</p>
<p>In order to preserve the value of your investment, you also want to maintain your car&#8217;s finish and interior. Keep the car washed and clean. Be careful about automatic car washes. Many news ones do a fine job, but some of the older ones with stiff brushes can scratch your paint badly. If you can keep your car in a garage or under cover, do it. That old junk you have piled up in the garage while your $35,000 car sits out in weather is a poor investment decision. Remove bird droppings and tree</p>
<p>sap as quickly as you possibly can. I keep a plastic bottle with water and a soft rag in my trunk and wipe off bird droppings as soon as I notice them. The acid in there will eat into your paint very quickly and cause a blemish to that paint job. But blot don&#8217;t rub. Bird droppings typically have sand in them and that can easily scratch your paint.</p>
<p>You can remove tree sap and road tar with turpentine or paint thinner from your hardware store. It won&#8217;t hurt the paint and will quickly dissolve the sap or tar. But is also removes car wax so use it sparingly, and if you do it often, treat your car to a fresh turtle wax a few times a year. A freshly waxed car will cause water to bead up in little round beads on the surface. When those beads start to disappear it&#8217;s time for another coat of wax. Wax will protect your car&#8217;s paint, keep it from becoming porous and weathered and making the removal of things like bird droppings and sap much easier.</p>
<p>Remember factory paints are baked on and are in general much more durable than repaints. So it pays to keep up that factory paint job.</p>
<p>I like to use Armorall on the car&#8217;s interior vinyl&#8230; it keeps it soft and pliable and prevents cracking and it looks sharp. I also highly recommend using some kind of a windshield protection screen in hot weather if you park out in the sun all day. It will keep the car&#8217;s interior cooler and also protect the car&#8217;s dash from cracking. And if your car has leather seats, treat them to a quality leather preservative on a regular basis. Nothing makes a car harder to sell than cracked worn leather seats.</p>
<p>Find a Michelin <a href="http://www.tire-dealer.org">tire dealer</a> near you!</p>
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		<title>Snow Tires or All Season Radials</title>
		<link>http://www.checkoutcar.com/2009/10/31/snow-tires-or-all-season-radials/</link>
		<comments>http://www.checkoutcar.com/2009/10/31/snow-tires-or-all-season-radials/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 31 Oct 2009 09:08:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Brian Stevens</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Auto]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[automobile]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SUV]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[suv tires]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tires]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wheels]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Driving through snow is not on anyone's list of fun things to do. It becomes even less enjoyable when you feel your tires quit on a particularly slippery patch.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Driving through snow is not on anyone&#8217;s list of fun things to do. It becomes even less enjoyable when you feel your tires quit on a particularly slippery patch.</p>
<p>When it comes to ensuring safe winter driving, you have two choices. Either you buy snow tires, or you go with all-season radials. Which one is the correct option depends entirely on the environment you drive in.</p>
<p>The difference between snow tires and all-season radials seems small at first glance, but it is crucial. The treads on a snow tire have treads that are widely spaced. Snow tires are specifically designed so these larger spaces allow the tire to dig into and grip the snow better than a regular tire or an all-season radial would. This is a good choice to go with if you live in an area that experiences regular heavy snowfall.</p>
<p>Since 2001, true snow tires have been manufactured with a special symbol. If you see a stylized picture of a mountain within a snowflake inside it, then you can rest easy knowing that the tire was designed to cope with harsh winter conditions. Snow tires also carry a mud and snow designation, abbreviated to M/S, M+S, or M&amp;S. All-season radials also carry this designation.</p>
<p>The treads on all-season radials are spaced closer together than the ones on snow tires. Although they can&#8217;t possibly match the snow traction of a tire specifically designed for winter conditions, they do provide a quieter ride.</p>
<p>It should be noted that heavier cars (and cars with front-wheel or all-wheel drive) usually handle snow better than lighter cars. If this description matches your vehicle and you live in an area that doesn&#8217;t get a whole of snow, then all-season radials may be the way to go.</p>
<p>No matter what kind of tire you choose, two things are vitally important. First, make sure all four tires are of the same type. This will provide optimum traction and vehicle handling. Second, exercise caution when driving. This will help you stay safe regardless of the weather.</p>
<p>The Goodyear Guy is the friendly face of Goodyear Canada And now he blogs, not just any old blog mind you, nope &#8211; this one&#8217;s a doozy. So if the &#8216;behind-the-scenes&#8217; secrets of Goodyear Canada and their favorite spoke person appeal to your curiosity check it out! Save $100 on your next set of Goodyear tires? Grab your digital rebate coupon today</p>
<p>Should you fill your <a href="http://www.suvtires.info">SUV tires</a> with Nitrogen</p>
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