Browse Articles

Plenty of Opportunities for Careers in Auto Repair

An indisputable fact of American life: our enduring love affair with our vehicles, some defining this as our freedom of mobility. Freedom becomes the active word.

Another fact of American life is our shortage of people to repair these 233 million vehicles. The Bureau of Labor Statistics' forecasts that repair shops nationwide face an annual shortage of about 35,000 auto technicians through 2010.

When Brakes Talk, Drivers Should Listen

When it comes to driving safely, it’s easy to take your vehicle’s ability to stop for granted – until you really need it.

According to brake expert Akebono, your brakes often reveal possible serious situations when they make noise, pull, judder – another term for vibrate – or feel soft. Addressing these symptoms promptly enhances your safety and may save time and money in the long run.

TIRES - NASCAR vs. PASSENGER Tips on How to Better Take Care of Yours

Watching NASCAR pit crews change tires is one of the activities that most race fans take for granted. After all, they change their own tires after 25,000 miles or so, not after 25 laps, right?

Well, the attention to detail that pit crews pay to the tires on their cars is something that most motorists should pick up on, according to a professional NASCAR Tire Specialist.

“The most important thing that consumers can do to keep their tires happy is to pay attention to the air pressure” he said.

New Wiper Blades for Push Button Arms Offer High Performance and Modern Styling

TRICO’s popular NeoForm® blades are now available for 1.8 million vehicles with push button arm types, including a wide range of Buick, Chevrolet, Ford, GMC, Honda, Hyundai, Mercury, Pontiac, Saturn, VW, and Volvo vehicle makes and models. Available in lengths from 16" to 28", this new line of blades is available from TRICO so customers do not have to special order or return to an auto dealership to get them.

Maintaining That “New Car” Look.

You’ve invested time and effort in flawless bodywork and a pristine paint job. With proper care, you can keep that show-room look for a long time. One of the most important efforts you can make is to maintain a good wax job. Of course wax will maintain a glossy look and keep your car looking sharp, but it also makes it easier to wash off the contaminants that collect on the surface over time. Good wax coverage causes water to bead up on the surface and simplifies the task of wiping down the car.

NASCAR Tips - Shock Absorbers are the Key to a Good Ride

Here are a few tips from professional suspension specialists at NASCAR for the average motorists when dealing with this important but often misunderstood component.

“If there’s a lot of body movement, it’s hard to control the car in turns and it moves a lot when you’re stopping, you’ve got a problem,” says a seasoned NASCAR veteran “You need to replace them right away. You pretty much have what you have, so when they’re used up you need to replace them.”  

There are many quality aftermarket shock absorbers to choose from, when it’s time for replacements.  

Balancing Wheels and Peace of Mind

Properly balanced wheels have long been recognized to help provide improved ride quality, better gas mileage and reduced tire wear, making wheel balancing an important part of car care and maintenance.

For decades wheel weights have largely consisted of chunks of lead clamped to the wheel rim. Lead has traditionally been used to make wheel weights because it is cheap and heavy, allowing the use of relatively small weights to balance wheels. However, the highly toxic metal can cause brain damage and other nervous-system disorders in people.

Tire Talk from a NASCAR Professional

NASCAR tire changers know the importance of tightening lugs nuts.

Some learn their lesson the hard way. Two years ago before the Daytona 500 when Tony Stewart radioed the pits complaining of a loose wheel after what he thought would be a routine tire change.

“Yeah, I got a lecture,” said the tire changer, who forgot to tighten a lug nut creating a vibration in Tony’s car. “If this happens to a motorist, it could cause an accident, so be aware.”

Wiper Blades for Pinch Tab Arms Now Easily Replaced.

TRICO Products announces the availability of new Exact Fit® Wiper Blades engineered to fit the unique pinch tab arms on current vehicles including the: BMW 5 and 6 Series; Buick Lucerne; Mercedes-Benz ML, R and SLK Class; Pontiac G6; and Volvo S, V and XC Series. The new blades also will accommodate future vehicles such as the 2007: Audi Q7; Cadillac Escalade; Chevrolet Avalanche, Suburban and Tahoe; GMC Yukon; Mercedes-Benz GL Class; and Saturn Aura.

Tips on Ways to Save at the Pump from NASCAR

Drive-offs at the pump are becoming more and more of a problem these days for gas stations everywhere.

High gas prices will do that to a person; surely you can sympathize …

Perhaps Sunoco could hook up a discount for avid NASCAR fans?

Until then, and before you go breaking any laws, stop and do your research on how to be more fuel efficient and get better gas mileage.

We called on a professional NASCAR catch-can man for help.

Of course, during a race, NASCAR drivers fly through an abundance of fuel because cars can average 190 mph. 

Pages

Subscribe to Browse Articles