Staying on top of tire maintenance is an important part of car ownership. Poorly maintained tires can lead to tire blowouts, loss of control, and other serious problems that could hurt you as well as other drivers on the road. However when the time comes to replace your tires there are a few things that you are going to want to know, such as your tire size. The easiest way to find out your current tire size is by looking at your tires. On the sidewall you will find a set of three numbers. The f [...more]

One fact that many people may not be aware of, is that airplane tires and race car tires are not filled with air. They are filled with nitrogen. This is fast becoming a common practice in passenger cars and commercial vehicles for a couple of reasons. One of the aspects of maintaining optimum gas mileage is the maintenance of the air pressure of car tires. Tires leak air, this is normal. It is best to check the air pressure once a month, as this will not only ensure that your car is getting the [...more]

Building your own "hot rod" car is easier than it may seem. Many companies offer complete kits, all that you need to "do it yourself". Building a hot rod, especially out of an older model car, can be a rewarding and an extremely fun experience. One of the easiest packages to understand and to work on yourself, is the Easy Ford. The older Ford pick-ups used the Model A chassis through the 1950's. These are engines that are easy to understand, small, and easy to work on. The first decision to mak [...more]

Just a few months ago, a fire broke out at a tire manufacturing plant in downtown Phoenix. Anyone who has seen the cloud of black smoke that this produces, or who has tried to just simply breath even miles away from a tire fire, knows instinctively that this is not good for the environment nor for the people living in close proximity. Well, it is not only environmentally unsound, it is also an illegal way for the disposal of used tires. Years ago, it was common practice for some, to even use old [...more]

There is a shelf life to car and truck tires. Even when a tire is not being used, the rubber will weaken and crack over time due to environmental conditions, and just simply the age of the rubber materials. Over the years, many have experienced the unpleasant situations that arise when a car tire blows unexpectedly, either on the highway traveling at high speeds, or out in the middle of no where while taking a trip. Many tire experts have come forward to say, and one British tire company even i [...more]

A lot of men here in the United States have made it quite a hobby to refurbish old cars or maybe even build one from scratch like Tim the Tool man. To do so, you will probably need more than a few custom parts. Extreme hobbyists are not the only ones who keep the custom parts industry running. When you spend a lot of money on a new vehicle it is not unusual to want to add some custom parts. If you buy a powerful Chevy pickup, you may get it lifted or at least get larger wheels; which often requi [...more]

Tires are an every day part of our driving experience. They are what keep us driving smoothly down the road and provide traction at those particularly dangerous times. Even though we realize their important place in our daily lives and rely on them for our safety, when they wear out we would rather ignore it and hope everything will be okay. Tires are high on the list of most expensive car parts and even though they typically only need replacing every 70,000 miles or so they are not always some [...more]

There are several contributing factors that affect the life of your tires. While under ideal circumstances you should get 70-80,000 miles on your tires, tire type, driving style, maintenance, and driving conditions can force you to buy new tires much earlier than you anticipated. If you want to get the full life of your tires, there are a several things you can do to ease their wear. You can begin taking this into consideration when you first buy new tires. All-season tires have lasted consiste [...more]

There is nothing quite like driving down the road with some shiny chrome rims dressing up your vehicle. However, one minor accident or some excess rain is all it takes for those beautiful 20 inch rim to become the center of heartbreak and an empty wallet. Fortunately, if this has happened to you, there are a few things that you can do to hide the damage and prevent further damage If your rims are scratched or cracked the best thing to do is try and fill them in so that corrosion and rust does n [...more]

Recently I purchased a new vehicle. It's a nice sporty little Subaru Forester; it's not much but it is quite an upgrade from the Plymouth Voyager that got me through college. Having driven a beater for so long, I didn't immediately drive out of the dealership and straight to the custom parts store, but there is one addition I would like to make my new car. A nice new shiny set of rims. Not just any rims mind you ‚ pink rims. Needless to say, my husband is less than thrilled. As with any new part [...more]

With so many different types, styles, sizes, and prices of tires out there it is hard to know the right kind of tires for your vehicle. Knowing your environment, and the primary environment that you will be driving in, is the first step to choosing the right tires for your vehicle. If you live in an area that has nice, long winters it is probably best to get all weather tires or winter tires. If weather is not an issue, do not forget to consider the terrain. Tires are made differently for city [...more]

Purchasing tires for your truck is an important decision. The safety of both you and your truck rely on it. On top of choosing the right kind of tires--all terrain, all weather, off roading --you also need to make sure you get the right size. After all, the wrong size tire can result in damage to your front end components as well as the transmission and engine. It can also throw off your speedometer and gas mileage. To begin determining the correct size, take a look at the sidewall of your curr [...more]

There are many aspects to consider when deciding when it is time to buy new tires for your vehicle.  This may not mean that the tread is worn...which is definitely one way to know for certain that that time has come, as well as tires that have been damaged, or have driven for many miles.  You may have purchased new tires for a car, but then perhaps you did not drive the car for many years.  Arid and hot environments will damage the rubber of tires, even when they have not really been taken on th [...more]

So the time has finally come to buy tires for your vehicle, after weeks or perhaps months of holding your breathe, having taken note that you do in fact need them, also take note, that it need not be such a hassle as it may seem.  There is nothing more refreshing nor more poetic than hitting the open road and taking off on a road trip.  Long drives for many people relieve stress and give them time to think about life, about love, and about their place in the world.  Not so if you are doing that [...more]

Time to buy new tires for you vehicle, not usually considered a very fun task, in fact sometimes it is even a bit difficult to know exactly just where to begin.  If you have never replaced the tires on your vehicle, you may not be certain which ones are manufacturer recommended.  One very simple way to discover this is by searching online.  Searching the model, the make and the year of your car, together with 'recommend tires' will bring you to sites that will give you all the information you ne [...more]

Control arm bushing is the system of parts, the rubber bushing itself, an outer sleeve of metal and an inner sleeve also of metal.  This is a system that prevents metal from contacting with metal. and protects the front end suspension of your vehicle.  This system cushions the suspension of your vehicle, giving you not only a more quiet and comfortable ride, but it also ensures that the handling of your vehicle is in tip top form.  Most vehicle's have just one control arm, but most SUVs and pick [...more]

The Continental General Tire Corporation has a very long and respected history.  In 1909 two men partnered up and started the Western Rubber and Supply Company, William O'Neil and WinfredFouse began their company with the savings that they had, in the hopes of one day of doing more than just selling tires.  They opened their business of manufacturing the General tires as well, just few years later in Akron, Ohio. O'neil participated in his role of general manager through 1960.  Today the company [...more]

Deciding to buy a new set of car tires is a tough decision for many people.  Well, most people know when they do need new tires, but they may be confused about the best place to go, either to a retail tire store or to an online company, and which brand is the best for their vehicle.  One company that is well trusted and respected in the business is the Toyo Tire company.  Not only are they one of the leading manufacturers, for passenger vehicles as well as fleets of trucks and buses.  But they m [...more]

There are many things to consider when purchasing anything online.  Nowadays, people are finding that they are able to save a lot of money and a lot of time through shopping online.  One of those ways to save when looking for ways to update the look and the safety of your vehicle is through the wheel and tire packages that are to be found. Once you have the wheels and tires shipped to you, the installation process is relatively simple.  And be certain that the company your order from, will be t [...more]

If you are anything like me, the thought of buying new tires, is a bit of a daunting thought.  I did however, find a few tips that helped me the first time it was necessary for me to purchase all four, brand new auto tires.  By doing just a bit of research, I discovered that finding the right tires for your vehicle, is not that confusing.  While there is a world of options out there, be it online or at your local retail tire shop, those options are a good thing, not something to shy you away. T [...more]

What are directional tires and wheels? Well, they are tires and wheels that are specifically designed to increase traction, increase your level of safety when driving in extreme weather conditions.  With the tire this has to do with tread.  The pattern is more aggressive in order to give your vehicle more grip on wet or icy surfaces.  While they are louder than regular tires, they are not nearly as loud as chains or snow tires.  Most have a pattern that goes in one direction or the other, so car [...more]

Who makes Cooper tires?  Well, the Cooper Tire and Rubber Company, that's who.  This company is North America's fourth largest manufacturers of tires and among the world's top ten.  They manufacture and sell tires for light SUV's and trucks as well as passenger vehicles, race cars, motorcycles and 4-wheel drive vehicles.  The company works with more than forty distributors worldwide, and they have eight production and manufacturing plants.  Their customers are the wholesale warehouses, the deale [...more]

Fighting fires is a tradition that goes back to the beginning of time; however, fire trucks as we know them are a relatively new invention.  The first fire engines, developed around 1700, were hand pumped and, surprisingly, pulled by men.  It wasn’t until the mid 1800’s that America was able to use the first steam powered fire engine created by John Ericsson and horses began to pull the heavy engines.  Self-propelled, motorized fire engines did become commonplace until the 20th century. Even tho [...more]

You do not have to be an automobile enthusiast to realize the importance of maintaining good tires. Not only do tires affect the performance of your vehicle but they also maintain your safety. Every time you get into your car you are counting on your tires to stay on the road, regardless of the weather conditions, to stay inflated, and to get you where need to go. This also means choosing the right tires for your vehicle. Many of us drive smaller, light weight cars and trucks; therefore we need [...more]

Winter time is approaching fast and although thoughts of the holiday festivities attempt to take over,  truck owners with chrome wheels need to start planning ahead for the snow and salt that will soon be covering the roads.  Because salt eats away at the chrome and causes it to rust, the best way to protect your chrome wheels is take them off and store them for the winter.  They can easily be replaced with stock wheels for the winter.  However, if that is not option, there are several things yo [...more]