Hip Young Things

Unveiled earlier this year, the Nissan Leaf is the first electric vehicle that is family and budget friendly.  Retailed at approximately $32,000, the Leaf is also eligible for the $7,600 tax credit.  But if you want to run out and get one for yourself, you’ll have to head to Hawaii.  Hawaii was chosen as a test market for the Leaf because of their efforts to lower emissions and cut back on fossil fuel dependence.  Even if you don’t live in Hawaii you can reserve one of these cars for yourself starting May 15.  All it requires is a $99 refundable deposit.   Visit reliableplanet.com for more information.

Whether or not you maintain your vehicles tires, there will come a time when they simply need to be replaced. One thing that many people may not be aware of, is that tires that are not even being used, will need to be replaced if they have been stored for too long. Just because the vintage wheels of your Grandfather’s Model “T” may not have hit the road for a number of years, does not mean that the tires may not need to be changed. If a tire is stored for a long time, the rubber and the other components just begin to break down.

Environmental conditions play a huge role, as tires stored in dry, hot climates will break down at an even faster rate. Nitto tires are some of the highest rated tires in the industry as far as quality is concerned, but if they are not used within ten years of the date of manufacture–if any tire is not used within that time period, they will most likely not be safe to use. Now, for tires that are used on a regular basis, it is a great idea to inspect them regularly.

Even if you have them regularly rotated and balanced, be sure to take the time to look over the tread and to check for miscellaneous damage. The tread should not get below 1/16th of an inch. You can either measure this with a ruler or use the simple “penny test” to get a good idea if your tread is still in fine shape. Once the tread is worn, they must be replaced. Some tires have “wear indicators” built into. These are great as you simply look at them, they will be the smoother strips of rubber running perpendicular to the tire face. When they are gone…time to buy new tires.

Tire tread will wear based on how much you drive your vehicle, the kind of terrain you are driving on regularly and the environmental conditions in which you live. Obviously, you will not get as many miles out of the tires if you are constantly driving on rough or rocky terrain. And tires that are exposed to extreme temperature differences will wear and need to be replaced more often as well. When it is time to buy new tires, find a discount tire company or check online for deals, because this is one car “fix it” that should never be put off until later.

Ten years ago a friend of mine and I moved from Phoenix, Arizona to Los Angeles, California.  We rented a large moving truck, and towed one car behind.  He drove the truck, and I followed up behind in his vehicle.  We had been on the road for only about four hours, when suddenly I was encountering flying bits of tire rubber.  I pulled up aside the moving truck and noticed that one of the tires was in the process of shredding as we drove down I10.  These were not tires from the Cooper tire company, but the rest of the tires looked to be of good quality, such as Toyo tires.  My friend hadn’t even noticed as there may have been up to sixteen wheels on the truck, but it was still a problem none the less.

Amazingly enough, we were close to a truck stop that also had a tire shop and a mechanic.  We got the tire replaced, and the trucking company did pay for it, but it was an inconvenience as we had to wait for about three hours in the Arizona desert.  Had one of the front tires, or one of the back tires been the one to go, it could have created a very serious situation.  It is important for anyone taking a long road trip, to maintain the proper tire pressure and to keep a constant watch on the condition of their car’s tires, and for trucking companies it is extremely important, as often times they are carrying very heavy loads, for long distances.

This is something that one trucking company, Ryder, has been doing for many years.  They have a program in fact, wherein all of the tires on their fleets, are checked on a regular basis.  Even just a simple program such as the consistent checking of the tire pressure only, will have wonderful results, as by checking the pressure, the managers have constant knowledge about the condition, and will know immediately when it is time to invest in new wheel and tire packages.  This has saved many people from the inconvennience of a road side break down, and has ensured that the safety of their vehicles that the rent to the public, remain in top shape.

There are many ways to keep watch of the state of wear on your car tires.  This is one of the most important considerations as the tires not only get you and your car where to need to go, but they are one of the most important safety elements.  Tires are made from a variety of materials, steel, and rubber components and all of those elements must be in proper working order to ensure the most optimum performance and safety levels.

The different materials evolve differently over time, have differing rates of wear depending on factors such as the conditions in which they are stored, the conditions in which they are used, such as environmental conditions and the habits of the driving, the loads that they are constantly supporting, the proper maintenance of the tire pressure…all of these combine and affect the life of the tires of your car.  This makes it sometimes virtually impossible for the consumer to know exactly when it is time for them to buy new tires.  So it is wise to inspect them yourself but to also take them into to an experienced technician as well.  Qualified specialists are easy to find, at most mechanic shops or tire retailers.  They will be able to test the tires and let you know if they are still safe and functioning properly.

No matter how many miles you drive, if you have your tires for five or more years you should have them professionally inspected at once a year.  Even without the mileage, the environmental conditions will have an effect on the rubber components of those tires.  And it is never wise to continue the use of tires that are more than ten years old, from the date of their manufacture, not years in use.  So do check your tires regulary, ensuring that there is no visible sign of damage or wear and do the “penny test”, but know when it is time to have them professionally inspected as well.

When one learns the basics about “do it yourself” auto repair, one gains a bit of freedom and will save money in the long run.  Many annual maintenance procedures such as oil changes and tune-ups can be done at home.  Both of these actions will do much to save the life of your large or small engine.  Repair manuals will serve to guide you along your way, and many garages or community colleges offer classes in auto repairs and the workings of car and motor cycle engines.

Gas prices have been so unpredictable over the last few years, and making certain that your car is properly tuned will ensure that it is running most efficiently and that you are getting the most miles to the gallon from your car or motor cycle.  Manuals from the dealer or the manufacturer of your vehicle can be found online or in most book stores, and many are written for the lay person, easy to understand.  Tune ups should be performed after thirty five thousand miles, and some people choose to head to the dealer for their tune ups, however this usually will cost an arm and a leg.  Smaller garages will often times charge less, but it is well worth it to just learn how to do this for yourself, and for your pocket book.

Fuel injectors do not need to be cleaned regularly.  If they become clogged, that is when it is time to clean them out.  The fuel filter however, should be changed regularly, in fact each time you tune up your vehicle you should change the filter.  The same is also true for spark plugs, they should be switched out each 35,000 miles.  New cars may have spark plugs that are made of platinum, which will increase that mileage to every 65,000.  Take a look at the wires of the spark plugs for wear, and if you should replace them, make certain to do so with those that are of high quality.  Distributor caps as well, should be replaced with each tune up.  Regular tune ups may not prevent the major things from happening over time, as cars will just break down from time to time.  But they will ensure that your car is running at maximum performance and will take care of many of those small problems that do turn into larger ones if left unattended.

It is not that complicated to set out doing simple automotive repair at home.  I was filled with trepidation at the thought for a long time.  I am a painter not a mechanic, I get my hands dirty with oils, and not the oils from a car engine.  On top of that, I was always concerned that I would mess something up under the hood of my car.  And while I am not saying I have done anything so complicated as changing a fuel pump or giving my car a valve job, I have learned out to change a spark plug.

How to change a tire and my oil and my windshield wipers.  Do I like to do it?  Not necessarily, but it is good to know certain aspects about one’s own car to ensure that for one, you do not get stuck in the middle of no where, with car or motorcycle manuals, and without a mechanic.  And secondly, I know enough now, for the most part, to know if a shady mechanic is trying to take advantage of a situation.  Learning about the simple stuff is not as hard as it seems.  One thing I learned to do recently is to change my own battery.  Luckily in my glove compartment I did have one of the small engine repair manuals at my disposal.

The heat of the Phoenix desert is very hard on car batteries.  If the water evaporates, which happens quickly, the battery will simply pop when you turn the key, and then the car will not start.  Again.  Until you get a new battery.  The first thing I read was to disconnect the old battery’s terminals.  First to remove the black cable and then the red.  I don’t know why, but that is what it said.  Then it is best to clean the terminals with a toothbrush and baking soda.  In a pinch, Coca Cola works as well.  I had the proper battery for my car already.  So I installed it as per instructions in the manual.  I reconnected the cables and started my car.  It worked and I could not believe it.  The final step was to take my old battery to Pep Boys so it could be properly disposed of and I was on my way.

Many people have a bit of fear when setting out to buy new car tires. This is justified, as many people are not really sure of just what they should be looking for in a tire.  And they may not know which tire is the best for their needs, for their own personal driving habits or for the weather that they will be spending the most time driving in.

Tires are one of the most important features on a car with regards to safety, so it is important to read up and to know what you will be getting, which really does not take much time at all.  The first aspect to know is when you should replace the old tires.  Many people use the simple test with a penny.  When you insert the penny into the tread of the old tires, the top of the head of Lincoln should be covered by the tread.  If this does not happen, the tread is worn out and the tires should be replaced.  If there appears to be any uneven worn spots, the car tires are in need of replacement as well.

The timing of the purchase of new tires is important as well, and it is best to make those new purchases prior to the change in the weather, either before the fall rains begin, or in some climates, before the summer monsoons.  This will give the tread a bit of time to increase the surface area through a bit of driving, which will provide better traction in the future for those types of driving and climate conditions.

When purchasing the tires, note that it is always important to get the tires with the appropriate carrying capacity for your vehicle.  They must fit the wheel size and the make and model of your vehicle as well.  Knowing your own personal driving style will help as well, when choosing a tire that will best suit your needs.  Most popular are the all-weather tires.  They are durable and will suit most weather conditions perfectly, allowing you the handling abilities that will keep you safe and on the road for years to come.

BMW unveiled its latest design philosophy last year — via a radical concept car — that will sure to raise some eyebrows in the automotive industry. It’s called the Light Visionary Model.

There are four main pieces of skin that make up the Visionary’s body: The largest component starts at the front of the car and extends all the way to the base of the windscreen, then down and across the two doors, ending at the rear edge. The next two fabric-like skins begin at the front lower rocker panels, then run across the rear wheel and tire package arches to the back. The last piece of skin makes up the rear deck. The roadster’s scissor-type doors open with its outer skin wrinkled in a very clearly defined pattern, but they are stretched back into a silky-smooth surface when the doors close.

The fabric that covers the Visionary’s body is constructed from a waterproof and temperature-resistant mesh netting on the outer layer, supported by a flexible metal-wire structure underneath to maintain the skin’s tension and smoothness. Around a few areas where curvatures of the skin are called for, carbon struts are added to allow for higher flexibility while keeping the rounded contours.

The Light Visionary Model is striking not only because of its fabric outer skin, but also its utility in form following function. Because of the flexible skin, the headlights can be hidden or exposed when necessary. The side markers to signal lane changes are not visible on the outside until they are turned on during use — their light shines though the translucent (but not transparent) cover. Airflow around the car can be managed actively as the skin can be closed, opened or stretched based on need; the rocker-panel shape at the front and around the auto tires can be adjusted for better aerodynamics. And because the rear deck is covered by one single piece of fabric, the spoiler can be completely hidden when it is not in use.

Chris Bangle, Head of BMW Group Design, says, “Personal customer requirements will broaden the context of our products and change the core values that define our industry along the way.” That’s why BMW is focused on breaking new ground and finding innovative design solutions.