Archive for the ‘Seat Covers’ Category
Why You Should Get A Tire Rotation With Your Next Speedy Oil Change
Even with all the technological advances that the automobile industry has developed to make vehicles safer and more secure theres one thing that hasnt changed since the days of the Ford Model A: tires are the only parts that touch the road.
That means that tires are still the some of the most important components of your vehicle. And that means that regular tire maintenance during a speedy oil change is one of the best ways to make sure that your automobile is operating in as safe a manner as possible.
But youve probably heard all that before from your speedy oil change technician. And youve probably heard from that speedy oil change technician that rotating your tires regularly is essential to keeping your tires running at the optimal level. Getting regular tire rotations is an easy maintenance procedure that can be done during a speedy oil change and can help a vehicles fuel efficiency increase the level of safety and lengthen the life of your tires.
But what does tire rotation actually mean? What does it do? After all dont tires rotate all the time when the vehicle is in motion?
Yes they do. But thats not really what tire rotation as it is called during a speedy oil change means. Tire rotation simply means speedy oil change technicians swap your front tires for your back ones. The rims arent removed and no new tires are added. Some cars like certain sports cars and hot rods have rear tires that are larger and different from the front. So tire rotation at a speedy oil change is unavailable for those vehicles. But if you have a normal car truck or SUV then getting a tire rotation at your next auto change service should not be a problem.
But why should do you this? Why does the simple swapping of tires during a speedy oil change help those tires last longer? And why is it safer? Arent you just using the same old tires?
Yes you are. But keep in mind that most vehicles are either frontwheel drive or rearwheel drive. A car that features a frontwheel drive will demand more from the front tires because things like acceleration and braking all fall on the front tires. Since they do all the work theyll get more wear and tear than the tires in back which are allowed to take it easy. Rearwheel drives of course experience the opposite situation where the back pair takes the brunt of abuse.
And tire rotation during a speedy oil change can even benefit fourwheel drive vehicles. Even though theres a more even division of labor between the wheels on a fourwheel drive there are still significant differences in the way front tires operate when compared to the back tires. And its a good idea to swap sides as well as tires can experience wear depending on which side of the vehicle theyre on. Thats why most speedy oil change technicians will swap sides when they move the back tires to the front.
Most speedy oil change centers also offer lowcost or free tire rotation services for the entire life of your vehicles tires. These programs are usually a good idea. Speedy oil change and tire dealers want your business so theyll often give you breaks on things like tire rotation service. You might have to pay more if youre still using the original tires that came with your vehicle but those should be able to be rotated with a speedy oil change.
So how often should you have your vehicles tires rotated? The consensus from speedy oil change technicians seems to be that if you are using synthetic oil which requires less frequent changes then a tire rotation at every speedy oil change will keep your tires healthy and your car safe. If youre using regular petroleumbased oil then every other speedy oil change will do. In other words you should have your tires rotated anywhere between 6000 to 10000 miles.
These standards are usually adhered to when you schedule regular service checks with your speedy oil change center or dealership. Since they may keep track of your mileage and your service schedule you wont have to worry too much about your tire rotation schedule.
One easy additional automobile service that should be performed with every tire rotation at a speedy oil change is checking the tire pressure. The raising and lowering of surrounding air temperature like the changes that take place in the summer and winter will often make the air pressure in the tires increase or decrease. These fluctuations can cause strain on a vehicles tires and if left unchecked can lead to tire failure. But not all tires will lose pressure at the same rate. Again factors like the tires placement on the car on the front as opposed to the rear and the amount of wear of the tire can also affect the internal pressure of that particular tire. In other words you may have three tires with an adequate pressure and one thats in need of some air. A tire with less than optimal tire pressure can create a dip in fuel efficiency thus a greater chance of tire puncture and dangerous situations like insufficient car handling and breaking.
If you think that your cars tires may not have optimal tire pressure the good news is that checking tire pressure can easily be done at home or at any speedy oil change center. All that is required is a tire gauge that can be bought at most hardware and drug stores for just a couple of bucks.
But new tires arent cheap. A set of four tires can set you back 250 to 800 depending on your vehicles specifications which is why it is important to extend the life of your tires. An average car will have to have its tires changed every 30000 to 75000 miles which usually means getting a new set of tires every two to four years.
So how do you know when it is time to get a new set of tires? Most speedy oil change service technicians will recommend a decidedly easy and lowtech test. Take a penny and stick it into one of your tires treads with Lincolns head going in first. If you can still see the top of his head it means less than 2/32 of tread depth is remaining and it is time to get a new set of tires.
When you get your tires rotated your speedy oil change service technicians get the chance to glimpse inside your car and discover any other important automotive issues such as suspension problems. If your speedy oil change service technician finds uneven tread along your tires it could mean a vehicles improper alignment or some other steering problem.
Regular tire rotation and general tire maintenance can result in a healthier car that enjoys a long and efficient life. Youll also have peace of mind knowing that you are doing all you can to keep your vehicle running safely.
About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;Tim LaGanke Jr. is president of QuickChange Oil a 10 minute oil change company in Cleveland Ohio. QuickChange is currently seeking applicants to own an oil change franchise.
gankquickchangeoil.com
Bmw History
BMW a reputation built on quality without compromise
As an experienced driver you know the importance of keeping your BMW in tiptop condition. Regular servicing will extend your car’s life and identify defects before they become catastrophic.
When you consider the history of BMW and how the Company has built its global reputation for prestige and performance excellence booking a BMW service that is conducted with care and precision is vitally important in retaining the characteristics of this prestige car.
BMW facts you may not know
BMW has its roots in preFirst World War German aviation.
Gustav Otto son of the inventor of the fourstroke internal combustion engine set up an aircraft factory and training school in 1910. However after persistent quality problems with production his business was bought by a consortium in 1916. The company became known as Bayerische Flugzeugwerke AG BFW and began manufacturing aircraft under licence from Albatros Werke. It soon became the largest aircraft manufacturer in Bavaria but at the end of the First World War demand collapsed.
Meanwhile in 1913 an engine designer Karl Rapp had set up an aircraft engine manufacturing company but vibration problems with their own engines meant that they switched production to AustroDaimler V12 engines under licence. A man called Franz Josef Popp was put in to supervise the manufacturing. He managed to persuade Karl Rapp to employ a talented design engineer from Daimler Max Friz. Friz quickly designed a new engine and made such an impact with the investors that Karl Rapp was ousted from the business in 1917. At this point the company name was changed from Rapp Motorenwerke GmbH to Bayerische Motorenwerke BmbH BMW.
However in December 1918 BMW was forced to close down by the government at the end of the First World War. However in less than three months BMW was allowed to reopen and began designing a new array of engines although the company was forced to cease aircraft engine production. At this point an Austrian financier Camillo Castiglioni had become the majority shareholder in BMW.
In the summer of 1919 BMW began building brake assemblies under licence from KnorrBremse AG and around a year later Castiglioni sold his shares in BMW to KnorrBremse.
Following the sale of his stake in BMW Castiglioni became interested in purchasing BFW which he completed in 1922. On the back of this he moved to purchase back the BMW name and engine building division from KnorrBremse. He was successful and with the merger of BFW and BMW under the BMW name he also secured the design and management skills of Max Friz and Franz Josef Popp plus valuable engine drawings and patents.
BMW began production of replacement engines whilst Castiglioni did a lucrative deal with the Czechs to licence the production of BMW aircraft engines for use by their military.
During the 1920s BMW supplied Russia with aircraft engines and Castiglioni as well as being the majority shareholder siphoned off a brokerage fee on every transaction to his ‘private’ companies.
Along with military engines BMW began to successfully manufacture small agricultural engines and motorcycles starting with the R 32 in 1923. These formed the basis of the project to design a BMW production car in 1925. Then in 1928 the company expanded into full car production with the purchase of the Eisenach Car Factory that made the Dixi or Austin Seven manufactured under license. The car became known as the BMW 3/15 and it was not long before BMW was producing its own designs.
However Castiglioni’s business dealings got himself and BMW into trouble. After selling a majority shareholding to Deutsche Bank in 1926 to raise personal funds his irregular commission payments were duly revealed. He settled out of court with a large payment back to BMW and stepped down from the board. In 1929 he sold the remainder of his shared to Deutsche Bank to prop up his finances.
The Castiglioni affair had also cost BMW. The Russian government became aware of the ‘commission’ payments and demanded compensation. BMW handed over a licence to produce the BMW VI engine for free and relations with the Russians came to an end in the early 1930s.
After successful expansion of the motorcycle and car businesses in the 1930s BMW was forced to abandon civilian production by the National Socialist Party during the Second World War and focus on the production of aircraft engines. This included the use of forced labour.
Towards the end of the war BMW was hit hard by allied bombing and when the war ended the sites in eastern Germany were seized by the Russians. Meanwhile whilst BMW survived in the West they were banned from manufacturing engines for three years and BMW car plans and their chief designer Fritz Fiedler were taken to England to begin Bristol Cars. And so it was not until 1948 that production of BMW motorcycles recommenced and not until 1952 that car production was started again.
The initial postwar car models such as the 507 and 503 were not highly profitable and in 1959 BMW discussed selling the business to DaimlerBenz. This was an unpopular move with the workforce and fortunately Chairman Kurt Golda increased his stake in the company to secure BMW’s independence.
During the 1960s the release of more sporty models spelt success for BMW. The BMW 1500 that followed the BMW 700 led to the BMW 1600 and BMW 1800 models and in 1967 two door and convertible models that became known as the BMW 02 series. These developments eventually led to the creation of the famous BMW 3 series.
The company expanded with new production facilities and a new headquarters in Munich.
Going into the 1970s the BMW 5 series replaced the sedans the coupes were replaced with the BMW 3 series and a new BMW 7 series was launched thereby giving BMW three distinct sports sedan ranges that continued into the 1990s.
BMW became a global brand in prestige car manufacturing and sales increased 18 times. Production expanded from Germany and has spread to across continents including facilities in the UK America South Africa and India. The company has also formed partnerships over time with Russian and Chinese producers.
In the mid 1990s BMW bought Rover from British Aerospace. However the company struggled to find a role for the English brands and make a profit. In 2000 it disposed of Rover to Phoenix Venture Holdings and sold the Land Rover brand to Ford. However BMW retained the Mini Triumph and other brands. BMW has since successfully rekindled the Mini brand and also gone on to secure full use of the Rolls Royce brand in 2003.
From its humble origins as preFirst World War makers of aircraft and aircraft engines BMW has survived as a result of postwar entrepreneurial spirit and grown rapidly to become a major global player in the prestige car market.
Book your BMW service with confidence
So when you book your next BMW service you can be confident that Service A Car understands the heritage of BMW and conducts BMW servicing with the passion and precision your prestige car deserves.
Happy motoring
Howard.
Chairman Service A Car
About the writer: Service A Car is the fastest growing independent car servicing specialist in the UK with a network of over 500 garages nationwide.
Winter Motorcycle Riding Gear Options
That’s it. It’s time to accept it. Winter’s here. I don’t care how much everyone is screaming about Global Warming. Cold is cold. And when you’re riding during the winter it feels that much colder. Wind chill is horrible. Compound the factor of speed. The faster you go the more the temperature drops. So the main idea behind this months TAB. How to survive the winter on your motorcycle.
Some of you silly bastards like cold weather. I’ll never understand that. Maybe it’s because I’m a skinny white boy. Not much blubber to hold in the heat. I live in the south for a reason. But even in the dirty dirty it gets cold once in a while. When the temp drops and the wind picks up I’m grabbing every piece of heavy clothing I can wear at once. If I look like the little brother from a Christmas story when I’m done so be it. Hell I’ll wear my underoo’s on the outside if it’ll keep my ass warm. Maybe that’s a bit extreme.
For those of us hardcore read: stupid enough to ride year round we need to get a little creative when thinking of how to keep warm while riding in the winter months. Ok so we all ride fighters and are not exactly particular about having fairing’s. So to get around our stubbornness we need to try and break the wind as much as possible.
Hands being the first line of defense. Winter gloves are usually a good idea. Something with GoreTex or Thinsulate is a plus. Just about every major motorcycle apparel manufacturer offers a winter glove. Most can be had for under 80 with varying stages of protection and insulation from the elements. But aside from going out and buying a name brand glove. There are other steps you can take before you shell out some dough on specialty gloves. Take a run down to either the local grocer hardware or auto parts store and pick up a box of disposable latex gloves. These are great for holding in your natural body heat. And because they are form fitting you can wear them inside your riding gloves as extra insulation. Some people may have a problem with latex. In which case a sporting goods store or outdoor outlet carry glove liners. Moving up the sleeve your wrists are prone to windblast. Even if you wear full gauntlet gloves when in the riding position and moving around your sleeves can creep up and let in the wind. Try a pair of wristbands. A definite cheap trick for keeping the wind out of your sleeves.
As far as your upper body is concerned. This is going to take the brunt of the cold. Lack of a windscreen puts you right out there for old man winter to lay into you with a constant body blow. Heavy shirts are a must obviously. But too many of these at once cannot only be uncomfortable but restrict movement. Thermal shirts are always a plus. Combined with a sweater and lined jacket. But try some of those cool max shirts as a base to your layers. Anything to wick away moisture from your body is going to keep you that much warmer. If your jacket lets through wind in certain areas try and pin point them from the inside. Seams vents perforation. The fix for this is one that holds the world together. Duct tape. Yup patch them up on the inside so the breeze doesn’t make its way through. Plus if you find yourself needing a piece for a quick fix on the road. there you go. Lastly a thin nylon windbreaker under the jacket can be a great help. Or even your rain jacket over top.
Your head and face are super sensitive. Good fullface lids with closable vents are always the way to go. If you’re in an area that gets lots of snow and super low temps you may want to look into snowmobile helmets for the winter. The ones with heated visors would be a great option. Of course one of the most common ways to keep your head warm is wearing a beanie under your lid. If that’s too thick for a comfortable fit try the sporting goods and ski shops for balaclava’s. The ones made of nylon are typically very thin. If you can get one that fits around your neck and face you’re that much ahead of the game. If you want to be super biker there’s always the classic bandanna too. This will at least keep the wind off your face and your breath will keep your face warm. Keep breath mints handy though. One more cheap trick for cutting down fog and retaining heat. If your helmet doesn’t offer a breath deflector you can make one out of duct tape. Double up the tape and form it to fit your face. Then tape it right to the inside of the chin bar. Just be sure not to leave any adhesive exposed. Most of us don’t need our mustaches waxed.
The feet and knees are always in the breeze. Ski socks are a definite plus. The longer the better too. Insulated boots are really the only way to go. The less wind that can get in the better. A great piece of gear I found was MX knee and shin guards. These are similar to Hockey shin guards. Plastic caps with foam padding and fabric liners. Also makes for another safety alternative. The cool part about these is they are thin enough to wear under loose fitting pants. The plastic blocks the wind very well while the foam helps to retain heat. These are fairly inexpensive too. They can be had for under 40. Some even under 25. For the rest of your lower extremities double up on pants. Sweat pants Track pants thermals etc.
Of course there’s always the option of heated riding gear. These can get pricey but if you plan to ride in very cold climates it’s probably a smart investment. The cheaper method is the hand warmer packs. They’re fairly cheap and some last up to 8 hours. If you plan on doing some long riding I would suggest getting some for the trip. You can put them in your shoes to keep your feet warm in your gloves to help out your hands and any place else you feel is subjected to direct cold.
So now that you look like a reincarnation of the Michelin Man what can we do to the bike that will help you out with out totally goobering it up? Well again anything that can block the wind will help. Like stated earlier your hands are the first line of defense. Dirtbike style hand guards will keep some of the wind off your mitts. If you want to keep them toasty you can invest in some grip heaters also. Now Grip heaters are a bit limited as they really only work the palm of your hand. With the hand guards in place as well your fingers will thank you. Plus if your bike has that kind of ruff and tumble look going for it they’ll fit right in.
Another idea that struck me. Heated seats. This is actually a fairly simple idea. You can pull them from any factoryequipped car. Try the local junkyards. Just make sure they can bench test them before you walk out the door. You’ll want the thermostat control with this which can be mounted under the tail for adjustment while riding. Basically heated seats are no more then a heating pad element that sits under the upholstery a top the padding. The heating elements average about 100140 degrees F. I did a search for Upholstery Heating Elements and came up with some good results and even installation instructions and tutorials for various seats. Both OEM and retro fits.
The biggest help of all is going to be getting out of the wind as much as possible. And to do that we are going to need some sort of windscreen. Now for some they may not approve of this idea but there is an upside. This could be a seasonal exercise in restyling your bike. I’m not saying you have to go back to full fairing’s but stretch your creativity and maybe try a simple upper fairing. Restyle a factory upper or make your own. Even a small fly screen can add a little redirection. When it warms back up you can go back to your original design. At least you survived another cold winter and maybe enjoyed it?!
Everyone stay warm out there and have a safe and happy holidays.
About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;Shaun “Scrapyard” Kelly
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