Car Automotive

Archive for September 6th, 2009

Car Rim Sizes And Wheel Materials

Car rims have been on the market for some time now but their popularity continues to increase. Through movements such as hip hop culture, as well as their appearance in mainstream music videos and Hollywood movies custom wheels have definitely taken a spotlight in terms off “the” car
accessory of choice for when you want to make your car stand out and claim king on the streets. Just like other car accessories when it comes to picking out car rims you’ll have a wide array of options to look at including wheel materials and rim sizes. Car rim sizes are not to be overlooked as
not all sizes and models will fit properly with your car and current tire size. Before you even get into shopping for your wheels you need to either go visit a mechanic or take your car into a specialist to find out exactly what size and style will be able to work with your model of car as well as what would suit your driving patterns and goals. Wheels sizes for compact vehicles will be about 13inches and that number will just continue to grow for larger cars like SUVs where 24 or 25 inch wheels will be a bit more commonplace. Another term you’ll start to hear about as you look into getting the right size rims for your car or truck is “Plus Sizing”. This just refers to when the rims are actually getting bigger in relation to the current tire size. It can provide and amazing look and now even major automobile companies can be found offering plus sizing on their stock vehicles. Plus sizing not only gives your wheels a bigger visual impact but it can help you out when it comes to handling and control of your car. So what about rim materials?
There are also different materials to choose from when it comes to materials. Not only will different materials demand higher or lower prices but they will also affect car performance. Chrome and Alloy wheels are probably the most popular materials being used to make car rims on the market at the moment. Alloy is the material that most are made of when you buy them at the dealership. They are light, fairly easy to keep clean, and aren’t usually too expensive. They are a good all around rim for doing your daily driving and getting around with ease. Then you have the heavier and flashier chrome rims. Many specialized wheels are made out of chrome because of the beautiful shine and luster they give off. Chrome will really help your vehicle stand out. If you are thinking about buying custom chrome rims you will need to think about price because a nice set of chromes will cost you a pretty penny.

At the time of this install my car had 51,000 miles on it and things had started to feel a little floaty and sloppy at times. This prompted me to start shopping for suspension upgrades. As always, everyone has an
opinion, and there are a few “common” setups out there, but the thing that brought me to the H&R coilover kit was the fact that they are engineered as a set. No mixing and matching various companies products. As a somewhat anal mechanical engineer myself, this engineered “system” seemed appealing, and heck, those front struts do look cool. My only concern was the ride. I have a dedicated autocross/track car, so the M3 is the fair-weather daily driver and I wasn’t about to ruin the streetablility of the car. Many horror stories abound and I was concerned about the impending purchase. But with the pushing of a few informed souls,I took the plunge. I figured if the ride was that bad, somebody was going to get a really good deal on a
slightly used coilover set. Check out the inpressions section to see if anything is for sale.

Tools need:
This is a list of the tools I used for the install.
· ½ drive ratchet and sockets in metric sizes (13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22mm should probably be all that you need)
· ½ drive impact wrench (the more torque capacity the better!!!!)
· Air compressor
· ½ drive extensions (helpful in the tight spots, 6” should suffice)
· Snap ring pliers (if you don’t have a set, a cheap Autozone version will suffice for the limited use)
· Small punch
· Hammer or other blunt instrument for “persuading”
· Channel-Lock pliers
· Set of metric allen wrenches
· Small slotted screwdriver
· Stubby phillips screwdriver
· 16mm cone wrench (available at any reputable bike shop…more on this later)
· Spring compressors (after many suspension swaps, I finally bought my own instead of renting. Got aset from Harbor Freight for $10)
· Torque wrench
· Hydraulic floor jack
· Two (2) jackstands required (Four (4) preferred, explanation to follow)

How you feel about your car has a lot to do with how it looks. Accord has been styled to attract a glance. To invite a stare. With its clearly defined edges and powerful stance, it has the ability to stir passion from any angle.
Turn the key and you continue a dialogue that began over 50 years ago. One in which the needs of our customers, as well as the environment, are heard and acted upon. The 2010 Accord responds with not only powerful output, but also with efficiency1 and low emissions.
The rear suspension is an especially clever construction. Its multi-link design delivers terrific handling while its compact, optimized suspension positioning has enhanced lateral rigidity for greater stability in corners.
Both the front and rear suspension components attach to subframes,
which are then fixed to the unit body. The bushings at all rigid mounting
points have been meticulously engineered to help isolate road noise
and vibration while also assuring Accord-quality handling.
Nothing characterizes an Accord more than its distinctive feel. Much of this springs from the vehicle’s front double wishbone and rear multi-link suspension. Engineered for instant response, it is the perfect embodiment of our core philosophy of continual improvement, even in those areas where we’re already a leader. Additional features include Variable Gear Ratio (VGR) power steering for excellent high-speed stability and enhanced low-speed maneuverability. These are just a couple of the things that make the Honda Accord such a uniquely enjoyable car to drive.

Freeing a frozen door lock

To prevent a door lock from freezing, apply de-icer or glycerin to it through the key hole. If the lock becomes frozen, heat the key before inserting it into the key hole.

Anti-freeze

In the winter when it is anticipated that the temperature will drop below 32°F (0°C), check
anti-freeze (ethylene glycol base) to assure proper winter protection. For details, see “Engine Cooling System” in the “Do-it-yourself
operations” section.

Battery

If the battery is not fully charged during extremely cold weather conditions, the battery fluid may freeze and damage the battery. To maintain maximum efficiency, the battery should be checked regularly. For details, see “Battery” in the “Do-it-yourself operations” section.

Draining of coolant water

If the vehicle is to be left outside without anti-freeze, drain the cooling system by opening the drain valves located under the radiator and on the engine block. Refill before operating the vehicle. See “Changing Engine Coolant” in the “Do-it-yourself operations” section.