Archive for the ‘Automotive’ Category
Dealing with car repair issues is no simple task and causes stress and anxiety to people from all across the country. However, the subject recently came up and I was reminded of a situation with a friend of mine, many years ago. She was an incredible person who was raising three children on her own after the unexpected death of her husband, and while she was doing this she was also finishing her master’s degree and working full-time. Needless to say she was also struggling financially and didn’t have a lot of resources for unexpected crisis and various situations.
I was taking oboe classes at the time and my instructor offered me a couple of comp tickets to a local orchestra performances and I asked my friend if she wanted to go. We took her truck and on the way home the engine suddenly started to overheat. We pulled over into a parking lot and I felt bad that she was going to have a major repair bill to deal with. However, instead of calling a roadside assistance, she hoped out of the car, opened the hood, stared at it for a moment and then suggested we walk to my house. I wasn’t sure what she planned but since I only lived two blocks away that’s what we did. Meanwhile, she gabbed her purse and Ford Expedition repair manual out of the glove compartment box and we left.
After we got my car we went to a Pep Boys were my friend picked out some parts and items I had never heard of nor had any idea what they were for. We drove back to her truck and she single handled replaced a broken water hose using the information provided in one of the auto service manuals . I watched amazed and a bit dumbfounded and when she was finished I asked her how she learned to do all of that. She told me she had to learn it herself having experienced multiple breakdowns and no money in recent years. She said that you simply did what you had to do in life and she didn’t have any choice but to do it herself so she did. And she said her only help came from her repair manual, which had become one of the most important possessions she owned.
There are many ways you can go about preparing to purchase a new set of tires, and there are many things that you really must pay attention to in order to get not only the best deal possible but the best quality tire possible as well. Whether you are looking for brand names such as dunlop tires , Toyo tires or BF Goodrich tires , the prices will vary and the characteristics will vary. You need to know which tire will be best suited for you car to ensure optimum handling and the highest level of safety. And you will want to get the best value for your money.
So, how do you go about comparing the prices of tires? The first thing to do is to write down the tire size that is right for your vehicle. You can find it imprinted on the sidewall of the tire. Make sure then, when you are comparing prices to always compare that exact size. Most all tires sold today will be sold as “all weather” tires. This is of course unless you live in an area of extreme cold and snow, where the winters are brutal enough to require a different set of tires altogether. High performance tires are used on sports cars and for people who want optimum maneuverability, these kinds of tires are more expensive but they are not necessary on most passenger cars. Look for the mileage guarantee. One with a higher mileage guarantee may again, cost a bit more, but in this case it may be worth the investment.
Look for the qualities of construction, as a two belted steel radial will cost more than a single, but if this is the kind of protection you want from a tire, again–worth the investment. And also take into consideration that a well constructed tire will cut the cost of fuel over the long run, creating a more fuel efficient mode of operation for your vehicle. With enough investigation and knowledge, you can be certain that the tires you choose will be right not only for your vehicle, but for your pocketbook as well.