Monthly Archives: September 2009

Ever wonder why you have to rotate your tires???

We have a new guide on tire rotation just posted !

Even if you dont do your own tire rotation, we offer some good advice on what to do when taking your car to a tire shop.

Question: How does bad shock absorbers and struts effect tires?

 

Answer:

Bad struts or shocks will cause uneven wear on a tire due to the
shock/struts inability to properly control the motion of the wheels
under braking and over rough roads. There can also be alignment
issues as a strut wears, which will cause uneven wear on the tires too.

Kevin

We have added a new section to our AutoShop101 ! I have spent most of my high school and college life working at a garage changing wheels and tires.  So it's a bit of a shock that it's taken me this long to add a section on wheels and tires.  Check it out for more information about wheels and tires than you care to know !!! Kevin

I hate washing my car, but it has to be done sometimes, so this morning I grabbed my wash bucket and got ready to give the old girl a cleaning. But first, I remembered the product my Dad had brought back from his Turtle Wax Bloggers Conference, and figured I would try the Bug and Tar Remover since its been a while since I washed my Acura TL and the bugs were all over the front bumper and side mirrors.

Usually removing the bugs involves lots of scrubbing and a sore arm as a result. Well I grabbed the Turtle Wax Bug and Tar Remover, sprayed it on the bad spots and let it sit, while I cleaned the wheels and tires.

The first thing I noticed, was that this stuff clings to the car, and does not run off onto the driveway, even if you accidently get water on it.

I went about washing the car, from the top down, and when I got to the side mirrors, the bugs simply wiped off !!! I have never had bugs just wipe off, even when using another brand of bug a tar remover. I thought maybe this was a fluke and surely the bugs splattered on the front bumper would present more of a challenge.

By the time I had gotten to the front bumper, I was already tired from washing, but to my delight the bugs simply wiped off here too. I think I just found my favorite new car wash product.

After I finished washing the car, and dried it, I sat down and read the bottle, it actually explains in the directions to use AFTER you finish washing. I guess I used it wrong, but let me tell you, I have never had an experience like this before and will continue to soak the bugs BEFORE washing.

Here is a shot of the bottle so you know what to look for in your favorite auto parts store...

 

A recent news story reveals the true story of the cash for clunkers program.

While the headline reads Auto Industry Posts Best US Sales of Year and the cash for clunkers program is attributed to the boost, as always, the devil is in the details...

Fords Sales were up 17%

GM was down 20%

and Chrysler was down 15%

Hyundai and most Japanese Car Makers (except Nissan) we also reporting growth in sales.

So where did the cash for clunkers money go? It appears it went to Ford and Imports.

Why isnt the headline Obama fails to capitalize on Cash For Clunkers Program since its clear that GM did not gain from the program?

Are people turning away from GM since they are now government run?

All questions I would like to hear your opinion on.

 

Kevin