My Perfect Automobile » wheels & Tires

Get Car Tires Ready for Summer Heat

Larry Bell — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:52:31 +0000

Tires make the car (pictured: a hybrid race car)

Car care experts recommend testing the tread depth of car tires before hot summer weather hits. Fall and winter give even the best car tires a hearty workout, having to negotiate frigid temperatures, slick roads and quick stops. Safety gurus say many car owners are lulled into a false sense of security when nice weather approaches, which is why now is the best time to check tread depth. For those who don’t know how to do the simple test, see the video clip below. When tires show too much wear or any defect whatsoever, replace them immediately.

Car Tires: Video

The above clip focuses on essential things car owners need to know for keeping tires in tiptop shape. Worn or defective tires can turn an otherwise perfect drive into a dangerous journey. The simple steps in the video demonstrate not only how to care for tires year round, but also how to inspect a set of tires on a car before purchase. Used tires are a billion dollar business so it is good to learn the basics of tire health and long-term care. Some of the newer, low-rolling-resistance tires can help increase fuel efficiency by as much as 8 percent. As the narrator points out, owners should think of car tires as an investment in both safety and fuel economy.

Car Tires

Besides keeping an eye on the tread, be certain to maintain the correct amount of air pressure in each tire, and rotate all four at regular intervals. When in doubt, ask your mechanic about rotation schedules and air pressure levels.

For tires and all other automotive-related products, see the MyPerfectAutomobile online shopping mall. After that, visit the classifieds and scroll through hundreds of thousands of car listings. Using the selection tools, anyone can quickly find their “perfect automobile.” The direct link to the shopping mall is:
http://myperfectautomobile.com/online-shopping-mall.html

Larry Bell

Larry Bell + is My Perfect Automobile’s Genius Author, but we call him ‘The Expert‘. Here is his full Blog: My Perfect Automobile. Larry lives in San Jose, CA and is also the Expert Author. Larry is a lover of the Automobile as well and shares a passion for Concept, Hybrid and Electric Cars…

Used Cars: Regular Maintenance Means Good MPG, Experts Say

Larry Bell — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 23:12:36 +0000

Used Cars: Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

Auto insurance giant USAA has some expert advice for sellers and buyers of used cars. The San Antonio, Texas-based company points out that routine car service not only prevents major problems but also adds significantly to a car’s gas mileage. Well-maintained used cars stay on the road longer, many reaching beyond the 100,000-mile threshold. USAA says the most important tasks to put on your to-do list are oil changes and tire pressure checks every 3,000 miles. It is a good idea to test all lights on the car at the same interval as oil and tire inspections.

Used Cars: Video

For those who are looking to buy or sell a used car, it is smart to learn about the basics of auto maintenance. Whether you want to spruce up your own car prior to selling it or are aiming to fix up a used car you have just acquired, car maintenance skills are worth their weight in gold. The video clip above walks through some of the most common types of routine car care, explaining each step in easy to understand terms. People who buy, sell and drive used cars tend to do at least of bit of their own maintenance, especially low-tech chores like oil changes and the occasional belt or hose replacement. The video is one of a series, so be sure to check out the other installments for a good grasp of proper car maintenance skills.

Used Cars and Mileage

Tires, brakes, hoses and belts need checking every six months, or about every 6,000 miles. It is also wise to check the battery and all fluids about every six months as well. Each year, USAA says, make sure to have major interval servicing done on your car and take a look at wiper blades for signs of wear.

For more about USAA and for a wealth of information about seasonal car maintenance, visit the company’s official website:
http://www.usaa.com

Larry Bell

Airless Car Tires for Sale: Trend of the Decade?

Larry Bell — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 19:14:48 +0000

Car Tires for Sale (Pictured: Michelin’s ‘Tweel’ airless tire)

It is difficult to drive more than a mile through a large city without seeing at least a dozen signs advertising car tires for sale. Now, in what is shaping up to be one of this decade’s surprising scientific developments, several companies are selling airless tires. The latest offering comes from Polaris, an off-road vehicle specialist, who will begin selling an airless tire in early 2014. Using a plastic developed by Polaris engineers and chemists, the non-pneumatic tire contains a webbing system for support. The bottom line is that the new Polaris tire will not be susceptible to punctures or blowouts.

Car Tires for Sale: Video

For an up-close look at airless tires in action, see the short video clip above. Some non-pneumatic tires are filled with polymers while others use a non-filled honeycomb arrangement to absorb shock and release heat to the open air. Tests have shown non-pneumatic tires to be exceptionally strong, puncture-resistant, and agile. One challenge for designers and engineers is to find a way for airless tires to absorb as much road shock as traditional units. Research has progressed a lot in the past ten years. Experts say that airless tires could become commonplace in the retail auto market within this decade. The next time you see a ‘car tires for sale’ sign, airless units might be part of the inventory.

Car Tires for Sale

Large companies that offer car tires for sale are working hard to create non-pneumatic, also called airless, tires. Already used on small vehicles like lawnmowers and golf carts, airless tires never go flat, do not burst, and offer a longer life than conventional tires. Michelin, Polaris (see above) and Bridgestone are three corporations at the forefront of this new technology. Some airless systems use polymers to fill the inside of the unit. This allows the tire to dissipate heat that builds up during usage.

For more about Michelin and Polaris, see their corporate websites:
http://www.michelinman.com
http://www.polaris.com

Larry Bell

Fuel-Efficient Tires On a Roll

Larry Bell — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 13:03:59 +0000

Fuel-Efficient Tires (Pictured: Ford Fusion Energi, a plug-in hybrid)

As low-rolling-resistance tires become more popular on energy-efficient cars, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is working on new tire labeling rules that will make product selection and replacement simpler. By the middle of this year, the updated standards will take effect, though Europe has already instituted fuel-efficiency grades for tires.

Fuel-Efficient Tires: Video

Spend five minutes with the video clip below, from Michelin, which shows how tires are made. The process is quite complex, but the narration just hits the key points in the production process. From raw materials to finished product, you might be surprised at all the substances and processes that are employed to create a simple car tire. Though this footage was produced by a major tire manufacturer, the process is virtually the same throughout the industry. Rolling friction is a vital factor in vehicle mileage, which is why automotive designers spend so much time deciding which type of tire will work best for a specific model.

Fuel-Efficient Tires

Automakers now look to tire technology as an important tool for improving overall vehicle efficiency. Optimal tire fit and condition can add one or two mpg, but new research breakthroughs promise an even bigger boost to fuel economy. Because engine design and improvement is exceedingly expensive, automakers are happy to invest time and money into tire technology, which not only has a faster payback, but does not require decades of costly research. Recent breakthroughs in tire design, for example, have improved traction and service life of low-rolling-resistance tires, two factors that were elusive only a few years ago.

For an extremely informative and interesting discussion about how tires work, see the link below. From HowStuffWorks.com, the short tutorial delves into such topics as the difference between ordinary car tires and truck tires, why under-inflated tires hurt fuel economy, and the definition of “the coefficient of rolling friction.”
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/tire4.htm

Larry Bell

Self-inflating Tires: Coming Soon

Larry Bell — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 22:33:22 +0000

Self-inflating tire diagram

Attending to tire pressure may soon become a chore of yesteryear when self-inflating tires roll into the marketplace. Goodyear has come up with a unique system that maintains the pressure in tires on commercial trucks, and the technology is getting plenty of attention from all parts of the industry. Tire pressure is serious business, not only because the correct pressure helps prevent accidents but also because of pressure’s effect on fuel economy. In addition, keeping tires at their ideal pressure cuts down on tread wear and results in tires that last much longer.

Self-inflating Tires: Video

The informative video link below demonstrates exactly how the Goodyear self-inflating tire system works. According to the company, the average driver only checks tire pressure once per year, and even then only when a tire appears to be nearly flat. Regular tire maintenance is not a common habit like it used to be. Improper pressure leads to all kinds of problems, the most serious of which are unexpected blowouts. Having a blowout at high speed can cause a severe accident, so self-inflating tires are viewed by experts as a valuable safety device.

Self-inflating Tires

Goodyear has labeled its technique Air Maintenance Technology. AMT does away with the necessity for pumps, gauges, and warning lights. The ingenious system works via a small air tube that is embedded into each tire and which senses whether the tire needs air at any given moment, much the way the human body regulates blood pressure under ideal conditions. The U.S. Energy Department awarded Goodyear with a grant to continue study of the systems, in hopes that they can be brought to market as soon as possible. Properly inflated tires can save a car owner about 3 percent on fuel costs.

For more information about Goodyear, see the company’s official website:
http://www.goodyear.com

Larry Bell

In-Wheel Motors: The Secret Revolution

Larry Bell — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 18:21:54 +0000

In-wheel motor by Protean Electric

The story behind the story of the electric car is something that many people have not ever heard of, the electric wheel. More specifically, it is called either an in-wheel motor or a hub-motor system. Make no mistake, after Michigan’s Protean Electric starts mass-producing in-wheel electric motors early next year, the world of automotive technology will never be the same. Some industry analysts actually think that in-wheel science is the future for cars, but that it will take some time to catch on.

This is no garage-based, pie-in-the-sky technology by any means. With almost $100 million of capital behind them, Protean’s first assembly plant will be able to produce 50,000 electric motors per year. The entire program will be underway in about six months, at which time Protean’s Liyang, China facility will move into full swing.

In-Wheel Motor: Video

The video clip below takes you on a brief tour of Protean’s display at the most recent Frankfurt Motor Show.

In-Wheel Motor Technology

Turning automotive engineering on its head, Protean’s design places motors within each wheel of a vehicle. The typical in-wheel motor measures between 18 and 24 inches in diameter, weighs about 70 pounds, and can deliver 110 horsepower and almost 600 lb-ft of torque, each! Keep in mind, however, that not all vehicles use four in-wheel motors. Some just need two.

The company’s CEO, Bob Purcell, came from the proving ground of a much larger entity, General Motors, where he was the leader of the auto giant’s Advanced Technology Vehicles Group. Purcell is quick to point out that the truly revolutionary thing about in-wheel motors, no pun intended, has to do with adaptability. Because the units are so small, and inside the wheels, auto designers can create just about any style of car they want, from the ground up.

For more about the company behind the leading-edge innovation of in-wheel motor technology, see Protean Electric’s official corporate website:
http://www.proteanelectric.com

Larry Bell

Hot Trend: Tire and Rim Protection Plans

Larry Bell — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 06:55:35 +0000

Nice wheels: Rolls Royce Phantom

Tire and wheel protection policies are one of the biggest growth areas of the automotive field. Due to the high cost of certain custom rims and tires, dealers who offer plans have seen a doubling of business in the past five years. This year will be the third straight time that annual expenditures on road repairs have declined, which is bad news for drivers who want to keep their tires and wheels in top shape.

The most popular type of plan that U.S. dealers offer is the five-year tire and wheel plan. For a low price, which can either be paid all at once or on a monthly basis, typical plans cover repair and replacement, as well as balancing, labor, and mounting.

If you take the time to choose the perfect tires and rims for your car, it is important to know how to properly clean them. You can take the easy way, soap them up with a sponge, and then use the garden hose to rinse. But for a professional look, do it the way the pro shops do, using the right types of brushes, cleansers, and dryers. The following video link will walk you through the process. It’s easy to have a bright, shining set of rims if you wash them correctly. Here’s how:

If you would like to know a bit more about tires, rims, and wheel covers, see the following information page:
http://www.ehow.com/about_4588522_wheel-rims.html

Probably the lowest cost way that you can add to your car’s look is with a set of new rims, or even a new set of tires. Some of the factory-issued tires and wheel covers that come with new cars are mediocre at best, thus leave a lot of room for improvement. To get a better idea about the different types of tires and rims available, see:
http://shop.myperfectautomobile.com/

Larry Bell

USAA Reveals Mileage, Safety Secrets

Larry Bell — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 10:03:07 +0000

Ford Fusion hybrid, safety award winner

San Antonio, Texas, insurance giant USAA has just released its annual list of mileage and driving safety tips, and the bottom line is this: It’s all about seat belts, tune-ups, and tires. In fact, keeping your tires in top shape works wonders for safety and fuel efficiency both. As for seat belts, even with all the high tech wonders of modern times, buckling up is still the single best way to increase your chance of surviving an accident. Maintaining your engine will help you get the most out of every gallon of gasoline.

A few updates: Seat belt laws in a majority of states now require even backseat passengers to buckle up. New data shows that about 85 percent of car occupants use seat belts, which is the highest that number has ever been. Planning your trips, getting regular tune-ups, and driving the speed limit are smart ways to get the best possible fuel efficiency.

USAA is a Fortune 500 financial services entity with almost 9 million members. The organization offers insurance, banking, and investment services to individuals and families who have served, or are serving, in the U.S. military.

At its founding in 1922, the United States Army Automobile Association, as it was then called, was essentially a self-insurance network of two dozen Army officers who were unable to obtain auto coverage elsewhere. In those days, service members were considered high risk and often could not get auto or life insurance from traditional sources.

Honda's Insight hybrid

Now called the United Services Automobile Association, the company’s most recent financial statement shows $2.1 billion of income on $19 billion of revenue, with total assets of $104 billion and 23,400 employees. USAA has won many prestigious, national customer service awards and enjoys top-20 rankings in several annual “Best Places to Work” surveys.

For more about USAA, see the company’s official website at:
http://www.usaa.com

Larry Bell