What Are Touring Tires?

As the only part of your vehicle that comes in contact with the road, your tires have an unparalleled level of importance. Touring tires are one of the top tire choices for used cars in Tacoma, WA. These tires offer excellent ride quality and many performance blended features. The following information explains a few of the most common features of touring tires.

Smoother Ride

Touring tires are ultimately designed to offer drivers and passengers of used cars in Tacoma a smoother ride because of a unique tread pattern.

Dynamic Style

The majority of touring tires have a wider tread and lower profile than other tires. These features are responsible for offering the superior stability at faster speeds. 

Tread Design

Typically, you can find two different types of touring tires:

·        Summer tread touring tires are designed for dryer driving conditions. These types of touring tires are best for quick and responsive handling at higher speeds. However, summer tread touring tires shouldn't be driven on icy or snow roads.

·        All-season tread touring tires are designed to be driven in a wide range of road conditions, including roads with light snow and ice. These tires do trade in some of the performance for improved traction on roads with light snow.

Time Frame

Touring tires are designed to last about the same amount of time as standard tires. While each tires exact mileage will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, typically the cheaper the tire, less use you can expect.
For specific tire recommendations for your vehicle, or to buy a used car, truck, or SUV in the Tacoma area, visit the source for the largest selection and the best service. Visit the OlympiaAuto Mall online or stop by our showrooms.

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The Pros & Cons of Low Profile Tires

Low profile tires are slim, sexy, and have become one of the most popular tires in the U.S. These tires come with a shorter sidewall and wider tread, which features a shorter distance between the rims and the tread. Although low profile tires may look great on some vehicles, it's best to understand the pros and cons of these tires before choosing to put them on your used cars in Puyallup. The following information explains both sides of low profile tires.

Pros of Low Profile Tires

One of top advantages of low-profile tires is that they look amazing. At the same time from a performance perspective, these tires offer more impressive and responsive handling at higher speeds. Because these tires are wider, they have a better grip on the road, which is ideal for cornering at higher speeds. In addition, the larger rims that commonly accompany low-profile tires make way for larger brakes. As a result, these larger brakes enable your car to have quicker stopping ability, which is a major plus if you are traveling at higher speeds.

Cons of Low Profile Tires

Most used cars in Puyallup will become less stable when fitted with low profile tires, unless the vehicle was designed to run with these tires. Regardless of whether the vehicle was designed for low-profile tires or not, these tires will typically result in a harsher ride. In comparison to traditional tires, low profile tires will cause you and your passengers to feel every bump and cranny in the road. At the same time, your rims and sidewall are more likely to become damaged. If you live in an area in Puyallup, low profile tires might experience more slip in winter conditions because they have less grip.
If you have questions about what tires to equip your car, truck, or SUV with… worry no more. You have trusted advisors at the Olympia Auto Mall. Check with their friendly staff and get the right answers for your vehicle.

For the best used cars Puyallup area has to offer (as well as incredible service) visit the Olympia Auto Mall today.

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Synthetic Oil vs. Synthetic Blend

When it comes to finding the best oil for used cars in Lacey, WA., there are a few primary choices: conventional motor oil, synthetic motor oil, and synthetic blend. With the decreasing use of conventional motor oil, a growing number of people have question whether synthetic motor oil or blended synthetic is best. The following information explains the differences between the two which will help you understand which is best for your vehicle.

Synthetic Motor Oil

Full-synthetic oil is man-made oil designed to bolster the main performance attributes of the oil. This process offers several improvements to the motor oil, such as extreme temperature performance, improved wear protection, and deposit control. In addition, synthetic oil creates an opportunity for lower viscosity grades of oil, (such as 0W-20), which are designed to bolster fuel economy.

Synthetic Blend Motor Oil

Semi-synthetic, part-synthetic, or synthetic blends are oils made up of synthetic base oil and conventional mineral oil. This oil is designed to offer some of the benefits of full synthetic oil at a significantly lower cost.

Synthetic Motor Oil vs. Synthetic Oil Blend

In almost all cases, full synthetic motor oil is the best option. The primary reason is because of the superior all-weather functionality of synthetic oil. On the other hand, blends only offer this functionality partially. In addition, synthetic oil is designed to improve the overall performance of the engine. However, motor oil blends are only able to offer a piece of this improvement.
Motor oil is the lifeline of your vehicle. As a result, it's important to understand the differences between synthetic motor oil and the blended synthetic oil. Most vehicle owners find that full synthetic motor oil works best for older used cars.
For more information on synthetic and semi-synthetic oil, visit the helpful folks at the Olympia Auto Mall near Lacey, WA. They have excellent automotive service and will help you keep your car running smoothly.

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How to Calculate Fuel Economy

With the rising cost of gas, it's important to know the fuel efficiency of your used car. While new cars typically have this information posted on the window, determining the MPG of a used car can be a little more difficult. Use the following information to get a true estimate of the fuel efficiency of any used car.

The Odometer Method

1.   Fill the gas tank of the vehicle completely.

2.   Write down the vehicle's mileage from the odometer.

3.   After it's time to refuel the vehicle, completely fill the tank. Then write down the number of gallons it takes to fill the vehicle's tank.

4.   Write down the new odometer reading of the vehicle.

5.   Subtract the first odometer reading from the second reading.

6.   Divide the number of miles traveled by the number of gallons required to fill the tank.

7.   The remaining number is the MPG for the vehicle during that period.

An Alternate Method

1.   Start by completely filling the gas tank of the vehicle.

2.   Reset the trip odometer

3.   When you need to refill the tank

o   Completely fill the tank

o   Jot down the number of gallons it took to fill the vehicle up

o   Write down the mileage reported on the trip odometer

o   Reset the trip odometer

4.   Divide the number of miles traveled by the gallons it took to refill the tank.

5.   The resulting number is the MPG for the period.

As fuel costs continue to rise, it becomes more and more important to understand how to calculate the MPGs for your used car. With this information, you will be able to determine whether your vehicle is a gas guzzler and whether it would behoove you to go to a more fuel efficient vehicle.
For a premium used car in the Lakewood area, visit the largest Auto Mall in Washington State, the Olympia Auto Mall.

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How To Replace a Windshield Wiper Arm

When you are searching through used cars in Olympia WA, small repairs such as a broken windshield wiper arm shouldn't be a deal breaker. This type of repair is quite easy and inexpensive to fix yourself and is a useful thing to know how to do because it is a general maintenance repair for most cars. You may need to do replace a wiper arm if it has become bent or damaged from snow or ice, which is common during the winter in Olympia WA.

Tools You Will Need

You may already have most of the tools if you need to change your wiper arm, especially if you are familiar with used cars. You will need a flathead screwdriver, socket set, 3/8-inch ratchet, and a thick cloth.

Removing the Old Wiper Arm

You may need to open the hood to remove your wiper arm. Check to see if you have windshield washer plumbing lines attached to the arm. Unclip them from the arm and push to the side while you work.
Locate the snap-down cover at the bottom of the wiper arm. Pry the cover off with your flathead screwdriver. Remove the nut under the cover with your ratchet. Place your cloth between the windshield wiper and your windshield to protect it from damage. Using your screwdriver, pry the wiper arm off from the splined spindle you just removed the nut from.

You are now ready to install the new wiper arm. Remove the cloth and carefully put the new arm on. Be sure to put it in the same position that the old one was in. Put the spindle nut back up and tighten it with your ratchet. Replace the cover and if applicable, reconnect the window-shield washer lines. Test the wiper arm and make sure it is working.

For the best and largest selection of used cars in Olympia, WA, visit the Olympia Automall.

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How to Diagnose the Cause of Car Battery Corrosion

Your car's battery is one of the more critical components of your car. Without it, your vehicle won't start, and critical automotive systems will fail to function. Keeping it clean is very important if you want to keep your car performing reliably.

Even the best used SUV can develop corrosion on its battery terminals. Even when everything is functioning properly, you may still see the development of corrosion on terminals. However, there are some causes that may indicate your ignition system needs some attention.

One of the chief causes of battery terminal corrosion is the corrosion itself. Battery terminal corrosion creates high resistance on the positive (red) battery terminal. This means that once corrosion has started forming, its formation will continue to make the problem worse. To address it, you should include the cleaning of the battery terminals at regular intervals.

If periodic cleaning doesn't do much for the condition of your battery terminals, it may be time to look at the battery itself. All batteries will eventually develop leaks, but older batteries are more susceptible. Chemicals within the battery are highly reactive with the lead contained in battery posts. If the best used SUV has an older battery, the chances that a simple chemical leak is causing the problem are pretty good.

Another possible cause of battery terminal corrosion could be the over-charging of the battery. If you suspect overcharging may in fact be the cause, it is best to have a professional check it out first before pursuing a fix.

If your car, truck, or SUV is having battery terminal corrosion issues, don't wait for a dead battery to stop you in your tracks. Have your mechanic check your system for any major problems, and add cleaning of your battery poles to your preventative maintenance checklist. 

For the best select of SUVs, truck, mini vans, and crossovers, visit the showrooms of the Olympia Auto Mall… or online at 
http://www.olympiaautomall.net/suvs-crossovers. 

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