Are Run Flat Tires Right For You?

One of the latest advances in car tire technology has been the advent of “run flat” tires. These are tires which are designed to run for 50 miles or more after receiving a puncture that otherwise would lead to a flat tire. They are constructed from very stiff materials in the sidewall, allowing them to support the weight of the car even with very little weight. Run flat tires now come standard on new car models such as the BMW 3 series, Toyota Sienna and Chevrolet Corvette.

There are some disadvantages to run flat tires. For one thing, the stiff construction that makes them be able to run with little or no air also makes the ride occasionally rough and bumpy. In addition, many car owners have complained that the tires have uneven tire wear, leading to them needing to be replaced more frequently. Some tires need to be replaced every 15,000 miles while typical all-weather tires can last for 40,000 miles or more.

However, the safety advantages of run flat tires easily outweigh the potential drawbacks. A tire blowout can put you and your family at danger, especially if it happens on a freeway or other high-speed roads. Run flat tires will reduce the risk of this along with saving you the hassle of being stuck on the side of the road trying to replace a flat tire.

Warning Signs to Change Your Spark Plug

If your car isn’t starting the way that it should be, one problem could be your spark plugs. Spark plugs create an electrical spark inside of internal combustion engines, which ignites the compressed fuels and get the engine moving. If spark plugs are old or not all of them are working, this can create rough starts or make it impossible to fire the engine at all.

Most spark plugs should be replaced every 30,000 to 45,000 miles. However, the more expensive platinum spark plugs can last up to 100,000 miles before they need to be replaced. A rough start is a sure sign of old spark plugs but there are other signs. A lack of a spark can create poor fuel efficiency or cause your car to vibrate or even stall while idling or accelerating.

Finding out if your spark plugs need to be changed is easy. Any mechanic can quickly hook your plugs up to an oscilloscope to check their secondary ignition pattern. Worn spark plugs will cause a sudden spike in voltage that is simple to detect. Replacing spark plugs is cheap, easy and can have a major impact on the quality of your ride.

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Three Tips for Improving Fuel Economy

With the high cost of gas today, people are always looking for ways to save money on their fuel costs. Buying a hybrid or electric car is a great way to save on gas but even if you have an SUV there are some basic steps that you can take to save money on gas:

Use lower-octane gas:
Using a higher-octane gasoline is only necessary if you drive a sports car, luxury vehicle or other car where a higher octane is specifically called for in the owner’s manual. For the vast majority of passenger vehicles, putting in the higher grade of gas is useless since there will be no increase in performance.

Park in the shade: Not only does parking your car in the sun during the summer months make your car uncomfortable but it also can cost you gas. Excess heat can cause your gas to evaporate from your tank. Parking in shaded areas can eliminate this problem (while also making your car cooler to drive).

Inflate your tires: Driving on underinflated tires makes your engine have to work harder in order to pull the car. Having your tires properly inflated can help improve your fuel efficiency by up to 15 percent.

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Great auto repair resource

Cars are a necessity of life which also frequently can be the bane of our existence.If they run properly, they are great.When they need service or quit unexpectedly, they can be nothing but frustration.This is usually compounded by the emotional toll taken in getting them serviced properly and at a reasonable cost.

With the expansion of the Web comes a site which offers all kinds of assistance.Find a reputable shop, get an estimate, track your service records, replace your owner’s manual, and even find shops while traveling.All these services are available at www.repairpal.com.Even better, they are all free just for joining.And the membership is also free.

When you join, you enter the data about your vehicle(s), such as a Acura TL .A list of repair shops which service your make and model are then made available.Many of the shops have ratings and reviews from previous/present customers.

Estimates of the cost of various services are readily accessible.There are even descriptions of problems and their solution services so you have an idea of what’s coming before you bring in the car.For instance, if your car is ready for an oil change , the description of the service to be performed and an estimated cost are both available.Or if the brakes are squeeking and your card needs a brake job, you can get an idea of the approximate cost, before you even call the shop.Imagine how much less stressful that visit will be!

The need for repairs while traveling can be another major headache.Once you are a member of repairpal.com, you have access to the same list of shops in most major markets such as Houston auto repair.This could easily be the difference between a wonderful vacation and one which taxes a relationship.

Rarely is there a free service that really lives up to its claims.Usually you get what you pay for.In the case of repairpal.com, you pay nothing and get exactly what you need to ease one of life’s major frustrations.

Pay Attention to Warning Lights

The warning lights on your dashboard are there for a reason – they serve to let you know about a potential problem with your car. However, many people choose to simply ignore the warning lights, even going as far as to put tape over their dashboard in order to avoid seeing the flashing lights. This is a terrible idea! Ignoring warning lights will only make a bad situation worse and could lead to major car troubles.

It’s important that you immediately take your car into a mechanic if you get a “check engine” light or other warning on your dashboard. A mechanic can run a diagnostic check to see exactly what the problem is with your car. In many cases, the problem will only get worse as time goes on. If not fixed, many minor issues which can trigger a warning light can turn into significant problems down the road.

For example, the oil light is a sign that your car does not have enough motor oil to function properly. This is not a sign that you need to drive home and then check the situation but a warning that your car is in serious danger. Driving without enough motor oil can cause your engine to seize up and create major damage. Pull your car off the road immediately and call a tow truck to take you to a service station immediately if you get this warning sign.

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