There are dozens of major tire manufacturers in the United State each with dozens, sometimes hundreds of unique tire lines. If a car owner wants new tires where should they start? Gathering information is as good of a place as any and the Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG) system contains helpful information that can guide consumers in their purchase.  The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) established the UTQG to create a standard grading system for three different tire components - treadwear, traction and temperature. Car owners can find these grades when visiting a...

One easy, but sometimes overlooked, way to maintain and even improve brake performance in cars is to schedule a brake flush or bleed every two years or 30,000 miles. Brake fluid absorbs water and when that moisture builds up it can do serious damage to your brake system, like leading to rust and possibly even brake failure. As brake fluid gets older, water is absorbed and that results in internal rust on the disk calipers and pistons. Having a vehicle’s brakes flushed or bleeding brakes removes that water, along with air and other contaminants, from the brake system. A build-up...

Tire stores have trained experts who can help you maintain your car's cooling system and check your vehicles hoses, belts, water pump, check car coolant levels and perform a flush and fill. Regular cooling system check-ups won’t just keep your car from overheating; they could warn off major repair bills.  Tire stores can help with more than just getting you a new set of tire - they keep your car running smoothly with a flush and fill that your car may need.   Although our cars have improved a lot over the years, they still have the tough job of turning...

Tire manufacturers and retailers nationwide are constantly working to educate motorists about proper tire care and maintenance. The Rubber Manufacturers Association does their part by providing tire retailers, auto dealers and automotive repair shops with free "Be Tire Smart, Play Your PART" brochures and other materials. The RMA also sponsors National Tire Safety Week, using that opportunity to promote tire care through advertising, promotions, free tire pressure checks and conducting media outreach. Playing your "PART" when it comes to tire care focuses on the four key tire factors for motorists to monitor and maintain: Pressure, Alignment, Rotation, and Tread. PRESSURE For starters,...

Millions of North Americans hit the highways during the summer months and that makes it a great time to know tire and vehicle safety.  The Rubber Manufacturers Association's (RMA) has an annual National Tire Safety Week in June where drivers can learn about tire and vehicle safety in this consumer education program. The annual event is an initiative of the RMA's "Be Tire Smart - Play Your PART" program, a year-round effort designed to help drivers learn the simple steps they can take to ensure that their tires are in good working condition. RMA is the national trade association...

No matter where you live, or what time of the year it happens to be, there is always the potential for inclement weather. Any time it rains or snows and you get behind the wheel of your car, you can be faced with driving risks. Depending on road conditions and your driving speed, stopping on wet roads can take up to four times the normal distance. And if your tires are worn ... they can hydroplane, or skim over the surface of the road with little or no traction. Unfortunately, there are more people...

To some, a car is just a car, but to many it's much more. Your car, or truck, says something about you … your aspirations, your taste … your statement to the world of who you are, where you're going and that you want to get there in style. For those folks that want to make their car their own, the best place to start is with custom wheels. No one wants to be rocking a new outfit and then throw on an old pair of shoes, and that's the reasoning for many automotive enthusiasts...

Understanding tire basics sounds simple. Tires are essentially flexible containers of compressed air or nitrogen. They help support a car's load and trust it forward when the driver puts it in gear and pushes the gas pedal. Tires also help stop the vehicle when braking and cushions the load from potholes or other hazards in the road. Today, tires have many advanced components and are engineered for important tasks such as absorbing more bumps, providing better cornering ability and helping the driver with sharp steering responses. Here are some tips to help add some life to your tires when replacing tires. Mixing...

Chrome and polished aluminum wheels look great, but require just a little extra effort to protect that factory finish and shine.  Painted and clear coated custom wheels are more forgiving, but should still be handled with care to protect your investment. For all wheels, a simple hand washing with a mild dish soap and water will clean them up nicely.  Dry thoroughly and finish with a soft nonabrasive cream wax to protect the wheel.  Keep in mind that you should never wash a wheel when it is hot.  Spraying cold water on your wheels when they are very hot can...

There is no other single accessory that can so dramatically change the appearance of your vehicle as a set of custom wheels. In the old days, custom or “mag” wheels came from just a few manufacturers like Cragar, AT and American Racing. Now you can find all types of designs to fit any look or attitude from a myriad of makers including Pulse, Avenue, Dub, Enkel, Foose, and of course, American Racing and Cragar Classic.  When talking about custom wheels for street use, “Mag” is actually a misnomer.  In the early ‘60s, “Mag” was a term that racers used to...