Installing rims on your car is very easy as long as you have the necessary items. Make sure you have ready a jack to lift your car up on, socket wrenches of various sizes, a tire lever or a crowbar, and an air compressor. It won't have to be a large air compressor, and you may be able to rent one if you don't own one. It isn't much harder than changing a flat tire, but you will have to make the tires flat yourself. If you don't have a hydraulic lift, you will want to use your car jack to [...more]

You do not need to be a car expert to know that chrome rims look pretty sweet. However, if you have ever owned chrome rims you also know that they require a lot of up-keep to keep them looking good; especially if you live in a climate that gets a lot of rain or snow. If you want to keep your 26" rims looking their best, here are a couple of easy steps for you to follow. The key to keeping your chrome rims in tip-top-shape is simple--keep them clean. Arrange your schedule so that you will have t [...more]

There's nothing like the feeling of cruising down the open road in your hot rod. The wind in your hair, the sun on your face, and the rumble of the engine underneath you. It's a feeling that can't be beat. But what about the wheels? Hot Rod Hanks wheels are the perfect way to add a touch of class to your hot rod. These superior steel wheels have a sleek, modern look that is sure to turn heads as you drive by. But it's not just about looks. Hot Rod Hanks wheels also offer new school technology fo [...more]

Paint is the enemy of chrome. Perhaps some over spray from a paint job has ended up on your chrome wheels. Or maybe you purchased a used set of wheels that someone had spray painted and you want to reveal the chrome underneath. There's even a chance that you painted over the chrome yourself and then realized you'd rather return the rims to their original state. Whatever the case, you find yourself needing to remove paint from the chrome wheels without damaging the chrome. There are several diff [...more]

Unless you ride in a desert, even when the forecast is dry, you can never really be sure it won’t rain. For many riders, riding in the rain is exactly the opposite of what riding is all about – it’s cold, wet, uncomfortable, stressful, and hard to see. Still, rain can happen almost any time, so it’s best to be prepared for it. When prepping your motorcycle for riding in the rain, your tactics and gear are just as important as your motorcycle tires. Rubber and Road Just a few square inches keep y [...more]

Many longtime owners of low-grade alloy wheels notice on occasion that the chrome plating on their wheels has started to scratch and flake or simply look less than pristine. Luckily the chrome plating on alloy wheels can be removed fairly effortlessly. You should only try to remove the chrome plating on your alloy wheels if it is already peeling or flaking and you’re not concerned with permanently altering the look of your wheels. To get started you'll need: Alloy wheels, of course A car j [...more]

Buying new tires is all about finding the perfect fit for your car. But it's easy to get confused on which set is the best option to roll with. Although price and brand name are important cues for a tire's quality, it's best to look for a set based upon the specific needs of your vehicle. For example, a big brand name may be attractive, but a smaller, specialty line may be exactly what you need, especially for your weekend trips to the mountain. Meeting the specifications of your perfect set wil [...more]

Summer is here, and while that means clear sunny skies for most of us, some drivers will see quite a different weather report. Summer is also the season of hurricanes, monsoons, and torrential downpours, so be prepared with these quick driving tips. Slow Down Sure rain isn’t ice, but you still should slow down a bit. During a prolonged dry spell, roads and highways develop a sheen of oil from vehicles that are not well maintained. When the dry spell breaks with a downpour, the rain makes the roa [...more]

That darn groundhog was no help this year, but rest assured, spring is on its way. This means longer, warmer days, and excellent evenings for cruising. While the weather gets ready, you should too, so let’s look at some prep work you should do now to be ready for spring. If your cruiser was put up for winter, there are a few steps to take before firing her up and heading off. First off is of course removing any covers you may have put on your vehicle last fall. Do a visual once-over to make sur [...more]

You might have an all-wheel drive car with snow tires and think it’s awesome in the snow. You’re probably right. However, there are some situations where even snow tires aren’t enough. It’s time to chain up. Prep First, of course, you have to buy chains for your car. They are sold in specific sizes, so buy the ones that fit your tires. There is a lot of variety in prices, but even the cheap ones are decent enough in a pinch. Once you have them home, practice putting them on. Your first time putt [...more]

Rust is the enemy of every classic car. Unless you are in the business of bodywork, rust is a major annoyance that if left untreated can turn into an expensive repair. Let’s take a look at how to prevent rust, and how to repair your vehicle if it has minor rust issues. First though, you might be asking “Why does my car rust in the first place?” Good question. Rust is the result of a chemical change in the metal. Basically, exposure to oxygen and water causes iron and steel to give up electrons, [...more]

If you have a beautiful classic, an overpowered muscle car, or a vehicle you regularly show, it’s just about time to put it away for winter. There are a few options on storing your vehicle, each with their own pros and cons. This quick overview will offer a look at what is involved in paying for storage, or doing it yourself. Off-Site Storage Storage units are mainly known for making it easy to hold onto the country’s junk, but are also a popular way to store a car over the long winter. Paying a [...more]

It may seem obvious, but there is more than one way to change a hubcap. This is due to manufacturers taking a different approach to the problem of protecting their wheels. Originally, hubcaps were meant as a protective cover for the hub. This is where the spokes attach to the circle in the center of the wheel. The hubcap kept out the water and dirt, keeping the hub in good shape. Over the years some versions expanded to include the entire wheel, becoming known as wheel covers. Whatever you call [...more]

Tires are vastly improved compared to even just 20 or 30 years ago. Even so, they still wear out. Costing anywhere from $60 for cheap economy tires to well over $500 for a single high performance sport tire, they can be a very expensive maintenance item. Here is how you can make them last longer. Air pressure is your tire’s friend. When tires are not properly inflated, all sorts of problems can happen. The low tire pressure causes the tire to deform as it is driven, causing excessive wear to th [...more]

Hubcaps, or wheel covers, are standard equipment on many vehicles, yet they are often overlooked when it comes time for maintenance. If your hubcaps are starting to rattle or pull away from the wheel, it’s time to take a closer look. First, a little on how they work. Hubcaps are held on in a manner similar to the way drum brakes work. With brakes, the shoes apply outward force against the drum, causing friction and slowing the vehicle. With hub caps, the retention ring applies outward force aga [...more]

Winter has only just begun, and more ice and snow are likely soon. Be a smart and safe driver by thinking about winter preparation for your vehicle. One of the easiest ways to get around in slippery conditions is with a set of tire chains. These metal bands temporarily slip over the tire and offer grip on even the flattest ice sheets. Plus, they are very inexpensive, and sold at just about any auto parts store. A couple things are handy to know before you run out and buy them. First, what siz [...more]

One of the most crucial elements to the proper function of your vehicle yet often of the most neglected—tires.  They are more than just an accessory that needs to be checked every few months and replaced every couple of years.  Poorly maintained tires are more likely to cause an accident that injury or kill you or someone else, wear more quickly causing you to replace them more frequently, and are less fuel efficient costing you more money in gas.   And dealing with a flat tire is time-consuming [...more]

If you have ever attempted shopping for tires online or in a store, it doesn’t take long to realize it’s much more complex than just picking out the tire with the best warranty or the thickest tread.  Finding the right tire for vehicle and your lifestyle may be accomplished with the help of a trained and knowledgeable technician, but being an informed consumer can ensure that you are getting the best deal for your car and your money. There are many different types of tires available—mud/snow, o [...more]

Avoiding an accident, reducing wear on your tire, and improving gas mileage; all are reasons to keep your car tires properly inflated.  It’s a quick and easy item to add to your monthly maintenance check that will save you time and money down the road. After you have checked your tire pressure and determined that your tires are low, there are a couple ways to accomplish the task.  Many vehicle owners take their cars to a local tire store or service station with an air compressor.  Sometimes it’ [...more]

There is nothing that can put a kink in your day quite like a flat tire.  The process of switching to a spare and replacing the flat with a new tire is not something that you want to hassle with when you have places to go and things to do.  Accidents happen and sometimes flat tires can’t be avoided but there are several things that you can do to keep your tires in top shape and prevent a flat tire from interfering with your day, and pocket book. Proper care of your tires is essential to extendi [...more]

Okay, so you've just dropped $1000, or more, on some wheels that make your car more beautiful.  We don't mean that it looks a little better—we mean that it has transcended being just a car and is now a work of automotive art.  There is only one problem with having those amazing rims: cars, and their parts, get dirty.  So how do you care for those wheels and keep them looking as amazing as when you first got them? Firstly, there are two very good reasons to keep your wheels clean.  While dirt bu [...more]

It's that time of the year again—the cold is creeping about outside, holiday jingles are invading your local stores, and the roads are becoming a much more dangerous place.  Buildup of ice and snow on roads is awfully slippery, and the low temperatures can wreak havoc on an unprepared car.  That's why you winterize, but while you are replacing coolant with antifreeze and making sure you have the other fluids right, don't forget that you need to winterize your tires! The reason it is so importan [...more]

Believe it or not, we don't get this question a lot, but it is an important one.  Nothing can really make a car look good like the right set of wheels, but sadly, not all wheels were designed with your car in mind.  See, car makers design their cars with specific wheels that fit perfectly with no play or “looseness.”  When you get a new set, they aren't always made for the same specs.  What winds up happening is that the new wheels are slightly misaligned or imbalanced compared to those stock 15 [...more]

On a blog like this you expect to learn about tires, tires, and more tires. Of course, once you have the best tires you could find on your car, you may realize that your wheels look a bit worn and tired. If this is the case, it's probably time to buy new wheels, which can be an intimidating experience if you're doing it for the first time. Start by figuring out what size wheels will fit your vehicle. The wrong size can cause lots of problems, from uneven tire wear to destroying the alignment of [...more]

It's easy to take for granted fully inflated, properly functioning tires until you get a flat. A flat tire is a frustrating experience whether you are at home or out on the road; especially with the hot summer temps well under way. Fortunately with a little do it yourself know how you can fix your tire and be back on the road again in no time. The proper fix for your tire depends a lot on what type of damage your tire has sustained. A puncture in the tread can typically be fixed using a tire pl [...more]