TPMS and Custom Wheels
A nice set of wheels can rejuvenate the look of a vehicle. Increasing the diameter of the wheel, tire width and load ratings can boost the potential of a car or truck. But, what about the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) sensors?
Wheel Weight Update: Test the Waters for the Best Fit
Stocking wheel weights at your tire dealership is a no-brainer, but as the most inexpensive item installed on a new tire purchase, a dealer often overlooks his or her wheel weights options.
Cartridge Wheel Bearing Service
Wheel bearing service on import front-wheel-drive cars with cartridge-style wheel bearings can be a challenge if you don’t have the proper tools. The wheel bearings are pressed into the knuckle making them impossible to remove unless you have a hydraulic press or a puller designed to push the wheel bearings out of the hub. Import
Loaded Calipers
Caliper replacement is often the best course of action to ensure that a braking system will perform at an optimal level in terms of safety, performance and maximizing brake pad life.
Winter Tires and TPMS
The time to change to and from summer to winter tires is both a regional and personal decision. Whenever it takes place, a changeover brings with it a need for consumers to make some decisions. The decision to purchase or not purchase a second set of wheels needs to be followed with questions about TPMS
5 Things to Look for When Making Large Equipment Purchases
That shiny new piece of equipment may seem like a great investment, but you need to be smart with your spending. Consider these “Top 5 Tips” when purchasing each of the following tire shop essentials. Alignment Machines 1. Think Long Term: Long term does not mean finding the lowest price, but finding the best “value
Understanding Sway Bar Technology
Sway, stabilizer or anti-roll bars never get the credit they deserve. If sway bars were never invented, the ride and handling of vehicles would be a lot harsher than it is today. These bars act as a third spring, controlling rolls and stiffness of a vehicle. A sway bar has no effect if both sides
Catch a Cooling System Leak Before It Gets Worse
According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the third most common cause of roadside breakdowns is loss of coolant. When an engine loses coolant because of a leak, it doesn’t take long for the engine to overheat. If the motorist doesn’t stop driving almost immediately and shut off the engine, they risk severely overheating their
Why Oil Filters Matter to Extended Oil Change Intervals
With oil life indicators pushing the average oil change past the 6,000-mile mark, it is not just the quality of the oil that’s improved, it is the quality of the filter, as well.
Understanding the Differences Between A/C Compressor Oils
The push for more eco-friendly materials and more stringent vehicle engineering standards has led to a number of changes to manufacturer requirements for A/C compressor oils over the past two decades. Mineral oil was the de facto oil used up until the early 1990s thanks to its ability to mix with the R-12 refrigerant, but
Bad Advice for Lug Nuts
I am a sucker for helping stranded motorists, and this pothole season is no exception. So far I have seen two lower ball joint failures, one u-joint pole vault and a separated tie rod. I think people are at their best when others are at their worst. I recently stopped to help a Subaru at
Step by Step: How a Brake Pad is Made
Even with zero moving parts, the common replacement brake pad is one of the most difficult components on a vehicle to engineer and manufacture. From the initial design to the final packaging, here’s a look at what it takes to make a brake pad. 1. The birth of a brake pad starts here in the