Goodyear sent a set of the new Goodyear MT/R's with Kevlar to the Jeep Driving School in Sedona, to try on and test drive on every imaginable surface type. The Northern Arizona terrain offers almost every condition possible- from hot sand to icy rocks, and greasy mud to brownie batter mud. Their bottom line synopsis after a month driving on those tires? "The Goodyear MT tires with Kevlar shed mud, sand, and snow like a prom dress; they love wet rocks, and they ride like butter on the highway, too--this tire will be hard to beat! "
Car emergency safety kits-everyone should have one stowed in their vehicle. Since you don't know when a vehicle emergency is going to happen, being prepared ahead of time is the only protection you can take. You've got to be prepared for everything. So there are some things every car should have, basic standard things, and sometimes not so standard, but reasonable items to make an emergency roadside breakdown less stressful.
5 Emergency Kit Essentials, 10 Things, 20 Things-you may have already read about some lists. Here are our 25 Essential Emergency Roadside Kit items:
1. Medication - if you have medication that you must take daily put at least 3 days worth in your car. This is especially true for people with asthma, diabetes, severe allergies and any other conditions that can be potentially life threatening. Check the dates on the medication often and don’t let them expire.
2. Water - always keep a few bottles of water with you so if you are stuck somewhere for an extended time you have something to drink. If you live where it gets down to freezing, only fill the bottles 3/4 of the way to allow room for the ice to expand.
3. First Aid Kit - you need to have the basics like latex gloves, bandaids, tape, small scissors, disposable face mask, gauze and a ace bandage.
4. Fire Extinguisher - get one designed specifically for automobiles. They need to be checked every year to make sure they are still effective.
5. Gloves - have wool gloves, a pair of work gloves and a few pairs of disposable rubber gloves in case you have to get out and put snow chains on, change a flat tire or assist someone who is injured.
6. Non-perishable Food - granola, protein bars, peanuts, jerky or other foods that won’t go bad.
7. Trash Bags - these are versatile in that you can use them to store wet items, put a dirty tire in, put over your clothes to protect you from the weather, cover an injured person on the road or use on the ground to stay clean while repairing your car.
8. Fix-A-Flat can - Flat tires are a common roadside emergency-this is a short term fix, until you get to an auto repair or tire store. Please inform the tire or auto repair dealer when you have used this fix-a-flat can for your tire.
9. Flashlight - get one that you wind up so you won’t need batteries.
10. Waterproof matches or a lighter plus an empty can to melt snow if you need water.
11. Jacket and a hat.
12. Blanket or space blanket.
13. Umbrella - this is useful in the rain and in the heat to keep the sun off you.
14. Jumper Cables - or a contained unit that you can use to jump start your car yourself.
15. Small Tool Kit - you can pick this up at most big box stores or make your own. Get one with both types of screwdrivers, a wrench, pliers, knife and wire cutters. It also doesn’t hurt to have some wire ties just in case a hose comes off and you need a temporary repair.
16. Walking shoes and socks - especially important for the ladies who may be wearing heels. If you travel during the winter it is a good idea to keep snow boots in the car.
17. Mini Fan - if you travel in an area where it is very hot you will need a personal fan to keep you cool. They make ones with an attached water bottle so you can spritz yourself or your kids while you are cooling down.
18. Cash - make sure you have small denominations of cash in case you have to purchase anything like gas or food or pay to have snow chains installed. If you are in an area experiencing power outages your Debit, Credit or ATM card will do you no good. Keep extra change around if you are in an area where you may have to pay tolls.
19. If you have room your should carry a new, empty one gallon gas can just in case you run out of gas. Don’t carry full gas cans in your trunk, as they are very flammable.
20. A resealable container of kitty litter or sand. This is useful for soaking up oil spills and for putting on the snow or ice for added traction.
21. Duct tape - this stuff is amazing and you should always have at least a partial roll with you. You can use it to temporarily repair a broken radiator hose or hold a car part on if you are in an accident but your car is still drivable.
22. Road flares - you can get the traditional type or the newer ones that have LEDs in them and are reusable like a flashlight. These are important in case you break down in a dark area or on a curve in the road.
23. Towels, rags or paper towels - you need something you can wipe your hands on after changing a flat or working on the engine.
24. Collapsible Shovel - Traveling in the Utah winter or on mountain roads, you want to be able to dig your tires out if you are stuck.
25. Toilet paper - you never know when you have to go and it comes in handy at service stations that don’t have any in the restrooms.
While most mishaps can be handled with little trouble (AAA says that 3 out of 5 assistance calls it receives are fixed on location without the need for a tow), others are a little trickier because aid isn't nearby or is "closed for the evening." Waiting time for a helping hand to arrive in these situations varies greatly depending on where you are, as well as on road and weather conditions.
So, it's important to follow the Boy Scouts' motto while on the road: Be prepared! That means putting together an emergency road kit and carrying it around with you.
Tires, Tire Specials, Tire Discounts-what do they mean? Are all tires "the same"? Tom at Hillside Tire takes the mystery (and the stress) out of "Good, Better, Best" in Tire prices, by explaining what the different features and benefits of each tire grade mean for you. Yes, not all tires are "the same". A good rule of thumb has always been "you get what you pay for". Simply put, in buying tires, prices are based upon 3 main factors:
There are so many belts in a car engine, it is hard to keep up with them all. One of the most important belts in the engine is the timing belt. This news video on timing belts from 2006 shows how critical replacing a timing belt is to your car's engine operation. Without this belt operating properly, it can throw off the entire operation of the engine. The timing belt's purpose is to turn the camshafts exactly half as fast as the crankshaft.
Earlier cars and trucks had chains instead of a belt. The chain is preferred by many owners because it seldom needs to be replaced. The only problem with the chain is the noise it creates. For this reason, many manufacturers design the belt, and ask you to replace it periodically.
Since your timing belt is hidden within the engine, the labor costs just to “check” it are unreasonable. That is why it is just better to change them regularly, before they break. How often timing belts need to be replaced will depend on the type of engine. Some belts will only turn one camshaft, while others may turn as many as four. The more camshafts the belt has to move, the quicker it will wear out. The standard school of thought is: for vehicles before 1998, replace your timing belts around 90,000 miles (45 seconds into the video, the engine has 93,000 miles, and look at the timing belt damage). For vehicles after 1998, replace the belt is recommended around 105,000 miles.
Many people like to put this off beyond this time period because of the expense involved. This is a mistake, because not replacing the timing belt can lead to several other mechanical nightmares, which will cost far more to repair. Broken timing belts, because they operate the camshaft, can create further damage to engine valves.
Signs of a bad timing belt include a change in the engine's performance. This includes such things as stalls, backfires or running roughly with a lot of vibration. Squealing noises and smoke are two other obvious signs you may be having a problemwith a timing belt in your engine. Let us inspect your car to determine the causes.
Some enginetiming belts operate the water pump as well. Our offer to replace your water pump does not mean we are trying to take you for a lot of money. It is generally a precautionary measure. With the belt off, replacing the pump is very simple, there are no added labor costs. You actually save on the labor, since the water pump has to be removed anyway.. Just ask us what the history is on the water pump in your model car. If the water pump generally does not fail, it is a procedure you can do without.
Replacing the timing belt is one of those precautionary measures to take. Pay a little now, to save a lot later. We will gladly inform you of the specific timing belt replacement for your vehicle.
Your brakes are more than just brake pads-they are your safety system when you drive. Just like making sure you are strapped in on a roller coaster ride, you want to make sure your brakes are functioning properly. The following is a guide to symptoms and possible causes of common brake problems, all of which can be repaired and fixed, to keep you driving safely on the road:
Hard Pedal Requires extreme pressure to make brake function. Can indicate power brake trouble, restricted hydraulic lines, frozen calipers or wheel cylinders, or damaged brake linings. Low Pedal Pedal nearly touches floorboard before brakes function. May activate your brake warning light. Problems may require a simple adjustment, possible air in the brake fluid lines (requiring flush procedure) or leaks in the brake hydraulic system. Needs to be checked. Pull Car pulls to one side when brakes are applied. May be an under inflated tire, misadjusted brakes or brakes are in need of repair. Grabs "Touchy" brakes that grab with the least pressure. May indicate a problem as simple as grease or oil contaminated lining - or a loose or broken component in the system Squeal Brakes should operate with a minimal amount of noise. Some noise is normal but excessive squeal, screech, grinding, groaning, chatter, clatter or bang means your brakes need attention. Vibration Brake pedal, steering wheel or entire vehicle shakes, vibrates or pulsates when brake is applied. May indicate need to resurface disc brake rotors - or signal a loose component in the steering or , suspension system, or a tire related issue. This needs to be checked. Drag Sticking brakes, hot wheels or engine that seems to have lost power. Brakes may be failing to release; the condition can reverse itself, leaving you with no brakes at all. Brake Light Is On Emergency brake is on, low brake fluid, a serious drop in hydraulic pressure, or one of the brake sensors is malfunctioning. Your brakes may be need to be checked.
With the dog days of Utah summer upon us, high temperatures can take their toll on people, animals and even cars to overheating. Extreme heat can push a vehicle past its limits, and once again this year some drivers will find themselves stranded at the roadside because of it. Follow these "Engine Overheating Prevention" tips from AAA Motor club, and highlighted in this video from an ABC television station news piece last year, and help prevent surprise engine overheating:
1. Regularly Check Coolant Level (with engine cooled down). This is your first line of defense, and first symptom of potential cooling system failures. Always check engine anti-freeze levels when your engine has cooled down, to avoid hot anti-freeze blowing out of the radiator cap, and possible scalding. (See step 3).
2. Have a Professional Pressure Test Your Radiator and Cooling System. If you notice anti-freeze coolant levels are low, have a professional pressure test and leak test your coolant system. There may be cracks or holes in the radiator, radiator hoses, water pump, or other components (radiator cap, thermostat, coolant sensors, etc.) may be malfunctioning, or not working at all.
3. Never Remove Radiator Cap When Engine Is Hot.
4. Check All Fluid Levels (Yes, battery fluid, engine oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid). Engine fluids are essential to keeping a vehicle running smoothly. Most fluids not only lubricate, they also serve as coolants by helping carry heat away from critical components. When fluid levels are low, this cooling effect is reduced, and the possibility of overheating increases. Drivers should check all vehicle fluids including motor oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid and brake fluid to ensure they are filled to the appropriate levels. If any fluids need to be topped off, be sure to use the type of fluid specified in the owner’s manual.
5. Be Prepared for Summer BreakdownsWith Car Emergency Kits
Even with proper preventive maintenance, summer breakdowns can still occur, so AAA recommends every driver have a well-stocked emergency kit in their vehicle. The kit should include:
Water.
Non-perishable food items.
Jumper cables.
Flashlight with extra batteries.
Road flares or an emergency beacon.
Basic hand tools.
First aid kit.
We can perform a complete Air Conditioning and Coolant System Check up and tune up for your car or truck. We can service and keep your car air conditioning working properly, with a service and performance check ($29.95 special this month), of your auto air conditioning system.
