Dodge Diesel Performance Posted By : Nathan Young
Dodge Diesel Performance Posted By : Nathan Young
The Dodge Cummins diesel is a favorite of many diesel enthusiasts because of how many modifications can be done to it. The Dodge Cummins diesel comes stock with great power and fuel economy and can be tweaked to get diesel fuel mileage in the upper twenties and some even report low thirties in mpg.
A Hydro Assist Fuel Cell Can Cure That Pain At The Pump Posted By : Adam Hefner
It is dirty, expensive and hard to find. It is oil, a resource which is becoming the bane of our existences. Are hydro assist fuel cell cars here to the rescue?
Is Diesel Performance Dead? Posted By : Nathan Young
In a day where phrases like Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel, Exhaust Gas Recirculation, Urea Injection and most of all Diesel Particulate Filter are being used in an industry that is more accustomed to phrases like “Boost Fooler” and “Mufflerectomy” many people are wondering if this is the end of the Diesel Performance era.
The Only Way To Save Money At The Pump Posted By : Nathan Young
One of the biggest things on peoples minds these days are the prices at the pump. In reality that should not be the case, as that is something that is out of our control. The thing that people should be thinking about is how they can increase their fuel economy because that is something that they are able to control. I will address a few techniques that can be used to save money at the pump.
Correct tyre inflation crucial in maintaining tyres
Considering that the tyre is the vehicle’s only contact with the road, and therefore crucial to driver safety, it is amazing that so little attention is paid by the general public to proper tyre maintenance.
Tyre inflation pressures are no exception. In 2005 research carried out by the RAC Foundation found that as many as 7% of drivers checked their tyre pressures only once a year, whilst roadside checks by the Tyre Industry Council (now operating as TyreSafe) have consistently found a high proportion of tyres on the road to be incorrectly inflated.
The same report by the RAC Foundation also points out that 6% of all fatal motorway accidents are caused as a result of blowouts caused by under-inflated tyres.
So let’s not underestimate the seriousness of the problem. If you do not check your tyre inflation pressures for months on end, your pressures may be incorrect and, if that is the case, the safety of your vehicle could be seriously compromised.
Let’s take a look at the effects of under and over-inflation
Under-Inflation
Under-inflated tyres wear unevenly. In particular under-inflation causes rapid shoulder wear. Even if your tyres are only 20% under-inflated, this will result in a 25% increase in tyre wear, thereby significantly reducing your tyres’ product life and increasing your overall tyre costs.
Under-inflation also causes increased flexing of the sidewalls, which results in increased heat build-up within the tyre, which in turn can lead to premature tyre failure. Even if the tyre does not fail, continuous use in an under-inflated state can cause irreversible damage to the tyre.
Handling characteristics can also be more difficult if a vehicle’s tyres are under-inflated. Braking distances are also increased, thereby compromising safety.
The vehicle’s fuel economy is also decreased if the tyres are run in an under-inflated condition. 20% under-inflation will typically result in a 3% reduction in fuel economy.
Over-Inflation
Over-inflated tyres are typically affected by poor handling, particularly when braking and cornering. This is because when you inflate the tyre above its recommended inflation pressures, you are reducing the size of the tyre’s contact patch with the road surface.
Increased tyre wear is also a result of over-inflated tyres. In this case the excessive wear will be found on the crown of the tyre.
Over-inflated tyres are more subject to impact damage, which makes them more susceptible to premature failure.
Reduced comfort is a further result of over-inflation.
Practical Advice
In order to make sure your tyres are correctly inflated it’s worth following the following simple rules
- 1) Make sure you know your recommended tyre pressures and adhere to them as closely as possible. The best place to look for your recommended pressures is in the car manufacturers handbook. Alternatively tyre dealers will often also have a tyre pressure chart on their wall which can be consulted. Failing this contact the technical department of your vehicle manufacturers and/or a leading tyre manufacturer, who should be able to provide you with the correct information.
- 2) Check your tyres regularly including the spare. Every two weeks is the recommended norm.
- 3) Check your tyres only when they are cold. Even a relatively short trip will result in the air inside your tyres heating up, which will result in an increase in pressure.
- 4) Overloading has the same effect as under-inflation - so if you are planning a long trip with a full car increase the pressures according to the manufacturers’ handbook. Don’t forget to reduce the pressures again on your return. On no account overload the vehicle beyond the manufacturer’s specification. It is illegal.
About Author :<br> <a href="http://www.BlackCircles.com">BlackCircles.com</a> provides UK motorists with an easy way to order <a href="http://www.blackcircles.com/">tyres</a> online. Tyres for cars, commercial fleets, 4×4s, and motorbikes can be delivered to your door or fitted at a local garage.
Tyre Retreading helps the environment
Retreaded car tyres (or remoulds as they are sometimes better known) have been a part of the tyre market for many years. It is not that long ago that every tyre dealer in the country sold retreaded car tyres as a budget line. These days, the increased influx of cheap new tyres from China has meant that retreads are now available only through selected dealers. However, with environmental issues becoming more important to the general public, it is the retread s status as a recycled product that is now becoming more important. How is a Retread Made? Firstly, the retreader takes a worn tyre casing and inspects it to check it is suitable for retreading. The remaining old tread rubber is then removed during a process called “buffing”. This provides a profile and surface texture in preparation for the application of a new tread. The tyre is then inspected for a second time and any correction work is then carried out before the next stage of the manufacturing process, which is the application of a new tread and sidewall veneer. In car tyre retreading this is done by applying uncured tread and sidewall rubber, usually by using a strip-winding machine. The built tyre then moves on to the curing or vulcanisation process. In car tyre retreading this is carried out in individual curing moulds (similar to those used in new tyre manufacturing). After curing, a final inspection process is carried out identify any potential defect. Unacceptable tyres are rejected and scrapped. What is the Quality of Retreads Like? Despite the historical image, the quality of retreaded tyres today is very good. Since 2004 all retreaded car tyres in the UK have been subject to an ECE Regulation (Reg 108), which stipulates that all retreads have to meet the same load and speed test criteria as new tyres. Each retreader has to subject a proportion of his production for testing and, if his tyres fail, he runs the risk of being closed down. Retreaded tyres not produced to ECE 108 are illegal. One erroneously held belief is the idea that retreads cannot be used on motorways or above 50 mph. Absolute Rubbish! Most retreads sold in the UK market are rated to either T (118 mph), H (130 mph) or V (149 mph). The exception is some retreaded winter tyres which may be Q rated (99 mph) but these are mostly sold overseas. Another myth is the belief that the discarded tread rubber from truck tyres that you see on the side of motorways is from retreads. Not true. Truck tyre failures occur primarily as a result of poor tyre maintenance, for example by running a tyre underinflated or when the tyre has suffered some kind of damage. In this case the tyre will fail regardless of whether a tyre is a retread or a new tyre. Incidentally retreads make up about 40% of all truck tyres on the road and in many applications they routinely outperform new tyres. How Green Are Retreads? Retreads are extremely environmentally friendly. Firstly, the production of a retread saves substantial amounts of fossil fuels. In fact, the manufacture of a passenger retread requires 4.5 gallons less oil than a new tyre. Secondly, retreaded car tyres sold in the UK are almost exclusively manufactured in the UK, which means they don t have to be shipped from the other side of the world, unlike many budget new tyres, a high proportion of which are manufactured in China and other Far East countries. Retreading is also the best practical environmental option for tyre recycling. Every retread used means one less new tyre saving in natural resources. It also means that less tyres ultimately have to be burned (the most common form of disposal in the UK) thereby reducing pollution. In fact, a recent study by the Environmental Association found that out of all the various options for tyre recycling, retreading has the least environmental impact. So retreads really are green.
About Author :<br> Article produced by <a href="http://www.BlackCircles.com">BlackCircles.com</a> - discount <a href="http://www.blackcircles.com/">tyres</a> for cars, 4×4s, and commercial fleets in the UK. Tyres can be ordered online and fitted at your local garage.
Ford Diesel Performance Posted By : Nathan Young
Ford started it and the aftermarket finished it. The Ford Powerstroke Diesel comes from the factory with a lot of power, nice fuel economy and a serious towing capacity. Ford Diesel Performance has been tweaked a lot by the diesel aftermarket, and the Ford Powerstrokes can really be tuned up.
Garage Flooring - A Whole New Ball Game Posted By : Nathan Young
Now once upon a time in the world of garage flooring it used to be pretty simple, if you wanted to have something other than the bare concrete then you either got some clear coat protectant or you painted it. Today that is no longer the case, as with everything else in the world, people have found ways to “pimp out” their garage floors.
debt relief programs - debt relief programs
