The Chinese Tire Dragon

Posted by Ann on January 26, 2010

I got a friend with all sorts of superstitions about cars. She believes in the whole Saint Christopher thing and keeps a plastic stature of him on her dashboard glued with this uber version of super glue. She claimed it came from NASA where her father worked, but she claimed a lot of things. She was a storyteller about everything and never wasted a chance to entertain someone with a story. She was like Almost Browne expect her name was Cat Morgan. Cat Morgan had a story about her name too.

Cat had all sorts of stories about anything and everything that she could lay her hands on. Dishwashing fluid, mops, roofs, school parking lots, new tires . There are more things I could tell you she has stories about, but I cannot remember them all. Just those. The story about tires is an especially good tale. It stopped mattering to me whether or not this tall tales or big fish were real. I got to understanding that it wasn’t the tale and what was true in it or not true in it that mattered, but what she was trying to tell with the tale. There was where you could find the real, the authentic, the truth if you want it. But you had to look hard.

Here is her story about tires: she was driving on throughway and about two miles ahead of her was a gigantic and monstrous semi truck painted with a Chinese dragon on it that circled around the truck a couple of times with its curvy body. Anyway, she wanted to get a closer look at it because she loves dragons. Cat has stories about dragons too. So she tried to get closer and closer to the dragon, scything a path through the other automobiles on the road. Then she saw the body of the dragon split open, in the back where the door was to upload and unload things. Columns and columns of tires were back there, a whole army of them in the belly of the Chinese dragon semi truck. The tires spilled out and rolled around the road marble-style. A lot of people were mad and unhurt but she just laughed because got another good story to tell. I still don’t know what’s authentic in this story, which is why I like retelling it because I hope to never know.

26Jan

Consider a Singapore Stretch Limousine for your Wedding

Posted by Ann on December 17, 2009

All the plans you’ve made for your Singapore wedding day could fall apart if your wedding transportation breaks down or doesn’t show up. To avoid such issues, consider hiring a stretch limousine; a chauffeured limousine hire will allow the wedding party to make a grand entrance on your wedding day, and a grand exit from your wedding venue to your wedding reception. When having a Singapore wedding, you are limited to the choices of wedding cars you’d like to hire, but wedding cars Singapore can offer and will compliment any wedding motif is the stretch limousine.

There is so much more to a wedding car service than just a quick drive to the ceremony, so here are a few questions to ask when choosing a Singapore wedding car hire. Ask if you can see the actual limousine that will be booked for your wedding day, ask if there’s a minimum booking time; how many passengers will the limousine hold; will the limo you booked be the limo that will show up on your wedding day; does the limo company have a contingency plan in case of mechanical failure; how much deposit is required to secure the limo of your choice; what happens if you cancel; what happens if you go over time; is there any other charges; and most important: what services do they offer?

You can minimise the risk by asking a few more basic questions before you make any decision, like do you feel comfortable with the chauffeur? Are the limousines clean and well maintained and is the business reputable and do they have ready references for you to call? If your answers are yes to these questions, then you will be very happy on your wedding day. One more thing, remember to book early to ensure you get the limousine of your choice.

17Dec

Tire Repairs on the Open Road

Posted by Ann on September 29, 2009

When one takes off on a road trip one is putting oneself in the ‘hands’ of their vehicle.  A little DIY auto repair knowledge comes in very handy at times, when one is miles from no where, and consequently, miles from a mechanics shop, in the middle of the night to make it more dramatic.  One of the components of the car, which may cause aggravation will have to do with the tires.  There are simple ways however to fix a problem with a tire on the open road, be it on a car or a motorcycle.  Manuals are always good to carry along on these trips, as even if you do not fix your vehicles regularly, the manuals will help when there is no one to ask.

If you notice at a rest stop, that your tire has become punctured, perhaps by a nail, it is best to leave the nail in the tire.  There are products on the market that will seal punctures in tires temporarily, it is best to just spray one of these around the nail.  The leak will be less persistent if the nail is left in place.  This should get you to the next available location in order to have the tire properly repaired or replaced.  If you do not happen to have this spray, the only alternative is to change out the tire.

The directions for doing this, if you have not done it before, will be found in any of the small engine repair manuals. This is a dirty job, and may be difficult in the middle of the night, so it is always advised to carry a flashlight with you on road trips.  If on a major highway, make certain to get as far off of the road as possible.  Open the hood of the vehicle to make yourself more visible to the drivers passing by.  This is a widely recognized indication that you and your car are in trouble, and if you are lucky, a passing highway patrol officer may appear, and they will always stop to ask if you are okay, and to ask if you need any help.  Always inspect your vehicle before heading out on road trips, this will ensure that you will remain safe and have fun.

29Sep

Speed Rates of Tires

Posted by Ann on September 1, 2009

There are many questions concerning car tires, just simple ones such as the kind of tires that are best for different types of automobiles, or in the alignment or in the use perhaps of different tires on the same vehicle. In general, tire rates of speed should not be mixed. If tires with different ratings are installed on the same car, the lower speed ones should be placed on front. This is regardless of whether or not the vehicle is front wheel drive or rear wheel drive.

This will serve to prevent certain situations from occurring such as over-steer and difficulty in handling. And this will affect the overall speed of the car, as the top speed will be whatever the lower speed tires are rated. But most mechanics will say that for the best over all performance of one’s vehicle,  optimum conditions would be to have the same tires mounted on all four wheels. Tires that are constructed differently, or of varying sizes and life of the tire, will affect the stability of the as well as the handling of it.

One should also not combine non-radial Cooper tire with radials. If it becomes necessary for whatever reason to mount these different tires on one’s car, then it is extremely important to install the non-radials on the front wheels and the radials on the back. One should never, never install one of each on the same axle. This will severely hamper one’s ability to handle their vehicles, and it is extremely unsafe to do so. It is important if one is driving a four wheel drive vehicle, that they use the same tires. All four tires should be the same size, and either bias-ply or radial. This also makes it simpler when purchasing a set of chrome rims.  All of the tires should have a circumference of one and a half inches from one another, and the tread patterns must also match. The ability to handle a four wheel drive vehicle is even more precarious than regular sized cars, and that is why the tires are particularly important.

1Sep

Steps to Take When Purchasing a Used Vehicle

Posted by Ann on July 31, 2009

When considering purchasing a sports car, many people question whether they should by a new car, or look for a used sports car for sale.  There are many elements to consider when deciding to go with a used car.  Given the fact that new cars depreciate rapidly, a used car is an economically sound option.  And one of the aspects of purchasing a used car is that one may be able to get a sports car that is fully loaded with all the accouterments, something one may not be able to afford to do if one purchases a new car off the lot.  There are some aspects to consider however, that could make the purchase seem risky.  One must fully educate themselves on the car’s history, to make certain that the mileage is the true mileage and that the car was maintained properly by the previous owner.  There are ways in which one can go about the investigation into the history of the car and set one’s mind at ease before signing that check.

There are four steps one may take that will ensure they have done all the research necessary to avoid spending money on a lemon.  The first is research.  This is important.  Compare consumer reports and read reviews on the make and model of the sports car.  Keep the choice between just two or three models so that you are certain of what you want and you can be thoroughly knowledgeable.  Secondly, check the history reports.  This can be done with the vehicles VIN number.  Half of the cars may be eliminated during this step.  Third, make your decision based on the research you’ve accomplished, not based on what the potential seller says.  If you yourself are not familiar with the mechanics of cars, bring someone with you who is well versed.  And fourth, take care with the paperwork.  Make sure you are aware of what you are signing.  Never rely on verbal statements or promises.  These are simple steps to take when deciding on the purchase of a used car, and are well worth the time it takes, for the peace of mind that comes from knowing you got the best deal possible.

31Jul

The Gatorback Tire

Posted by Ann on May 11, 2009

In the early 1980′s Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company outfitted a few high performance cars, namely the Chevrolet Corvette, with their race inspired Gatorback tire. The tire’s and wheel package’s roots were based in formula one racing.

The tire’s design was radically different than most other passenger car tires and was an instant success with enthusiasts. The tire featured a very low profile side wall, large tread blocks for dry traction grip, a very stiff sidewall and a nylon cap over the steel belts to hold the tire together at high speeds. (This nylon cap act very much like a girdle does; it holds the insides of the tire “in” at high speeds.)

The tire received a unique sidewall rating, called a speed rating, and it was designated with a “V”. This “V” meant the tire had been safely tested in the laboratory to stay together at speeds up to 149 mph. Thus, the modern day high performance tire was introduced in America.

This tire was an instant hit. It also found its way on to the rest of the eighties muscle car craze, such as the Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z, the Pontiac Trans-Am and the Ford Mustang. The tires were very costly, even by today’s standards. It was not uncommon for them to cost over $200.00 each. This was an immense price for a tire considering the average tire cost right around $45.00 at the time. Soon, other tire manufacturers followed and began to make high performance tires like the Goodyear Gatorback.

11May

Singapore’s New Green Machines

Posted by Ann on March 28, 2009

In April, traveling around the city streets of Singapore will become more cost effective, more ‘green’ and a bit more quiet as the new electric scooters will go on the market. The leading maker of the scooters, Zeco , estimates that by the end of 2009, more that seven hundred and fifty will be cruising around the city streets, without a sound. Much like the hybrid cars, the scooters have no gears and thus no vibrations, and thus a reduction in the noise pollution. Just one positive aspect of these vehicles. While the scooters, which top speed is just about 60 mph, will be banned from the expressways during their first year, the Department of Transportation will review that ban next year. So for now, the smaller city streets will be the only place legal for driving the scooters. Which is just fine for those consumers looking for options.

The scooters will need to be charged after every 150 miles traveled, and the charge of the battery takes about two hours. This will end up costing the owners of the vehicles, just around sixty dollars a year. In the United States, most people have trouble making sixty dollars spent at the gas pumps last throughout the week. Aside from the cost, most people in Singapore have become environmentally aware, have been for some time actually. The government provides rebates for those business installing solar panels and water conservation devices, and this is no different. Those purchasing the scooters will receive rebates up to five hundred dollars. Three different companies have jumped in to support, by installing ‘green lot’ sections in their parking lots, equipped with battery chargers that are free to the public for the use of recharging the scooters. The largest of the companies and the first to sign on to provide this is the Swedish based company, Ikea. Two stores in Singapore have already completed their lots and the vehicles are not even for sale yet. Soon, some of the best Singapore hotels, the restaurants and many buildings in the downtown business district will be equipped with such accommodations. Making this not only the ‘green’ thing to do, and the inexpensive mode of travel, but quite convenient as well.

28Mar

North Yorkshire, England

Posted by Ann on October 26, 2008

Yorkshire in England is an incredibly diverse area.  None more than North Yorkshire with its romantic moorland including both the North York Moors and the Yorkshire Dales.  The rugged, sweeping coastal areas are also a popular area for visitors.  In fact the variety of attractions, landscapes, towns, events, and communities add to the depth of the visitor experience.

North Yorkshire has historic buildings and sites, bustling cities and towns. The cities have excellent shopping attractions including malls, boutiques and specialty shops. Other shopping needs are also dressed including North Yorkshire car dealers.  As well as shopping the area also includes significant cultural attractions such as museums and art galleries.

26Oct

Custom Rims and Paint Make Car Shows Fun

Posted by Ann on May 12, 2008

Going to car shows is one of my favorite things to do. I love to see all of the detail people put into their automobiles. I especially like to see the truck rims on the large trucks. They take away some of the toughness that trucks are supposed to have but the air of class makes up for it.

I also love to see the custom car wheels. They have 26 inch rims and every other size that is imaginable. I just love spending my time going to those shows. I also like them because of the custom paint jobs.

Some people choose colors that are strange for cars, like purple or bright green but I think that the color reflects the personality of the owner. I think that I might start to fix up my car. It will give me something to do and it will increase its value.

Categories: Automotive
12May