Archive for the ‘Wheel’ Category

The 5 distinctive features of Toyota Townace

The used Toyota Townace for sale, if you find one being advertised, should be given some serious consideration. This 1978 8-seater MPV from Toyota has managed to still be viable after so many years. It is a great van and has gone through 4 generations ending in 2007. The used Toyota Townace for sale you see being advertised can come from any of these 4 generations but most likely made in between 1996 t 2007.Used TOYOTA TOWNACE for sale

It has more than 5 features that make it an excellent second hand van but of these feature, 5 stand out as being distinctly Townace.

It’s a 4 Wheel Drive
Being 4WD is an asset that you will enjoy using. This means you can take the Townace almost anywhere you want and not have to worry about road conditions. However, since it is bought as a used van, you should bring it to a qualified Toyota repair shop for a complete check-up before taking it around.

It’s More Luxurious Than The Toyota Van
In the late 1980s, this Townace was actually launched in the US as the Wonder Van but since there was already a popular Toyota Van being sold, it did not do as well. However, interior-wise, the Townace is more luxurious and comfortable. The ride is better and less bumpy.

Choice Between Manual and Automatic Transmission
You can choose either manual or automatic as well as gas or diesel. This makes anything possible and if you prefer one over the other, it wouldn’t matter with the Townace.

Aircon and Climate Control
The Townace has been brought to so many countries with different climates and this explains why it has climate control and all the convenience for a tropical country.

Value for Money
No one can dispute that the Townace is worth more than the price it is being sold for now. Even a 10 year old Townace can deliver reliable performance since there are available spare parts and Toyota mechanics to work on it.

Do Automatic Car Washes Damage Your Car?

If we are talking about the old-style of automatic car wash with the rough brushes, then the answer would be, yes, it is going to damage your car. Fortunately, technology has managed to catch up and the new automated car wash drive-thru is no longer a risk to the car finish.

There are pros and cons about using it compared to hiring someone but basically if you can find someone reliable, then use the car wash instead. The problem with a lazy person is that he fails to rinse the car properly and soap residue remains. Manual washing can also mean the wrong cleaning equipment, soap, or wax. If so, then your car will lose its natural luster and start to look old fast.
The automated car wash must have the following features to be acceptable for your car: 

  • No brushes
  • High pressure water jets
  • Right detergent
  • After wash wipe down using soft cloth

The last step before you drive away after going through the automatic car wash is the most crucial point. You need to watch the boys who rub it down and then you must take the time to inspect the car for damages. If you see something new, take a photo and document it properly. You may need to discuss the matter with the manager and get him to sign something for the insurance claim.
Most car wash places will offer extra services but in most cases, you don’t need them. This is because they just do the cosmetic type. This means rustproofing is probably going to leave much to be desired and not reliable at all. You’re better off going to a specialist for the extra maintenance.
It is also important not to leave anything of value inside the car when it is being washed.
Taking care of your car and cleaning it regularly will ensure a higher resale value should you decide to unload.

 

Choosing good, cheap tires

How do you go about choosing good but cheap tires?
The tires are the most important part of your car.  All the horsepower in the world means nothing if you can’t effectively transfer it to the road. But in the current economic climate  the best available tires on the market may be out of reach. So probably the best available option is to buy cheap tires. However, sometimes cheaper car tires may adversely effect the performance of your car. I’d like to impart some hopefully useful information about the different types of cheap car tires you may encounter. I really hope  you put it to good use.
• First are the standard cheap car tires, which are meant to be general purpose all-rounders. The tread of these tires have a block pattern and you will get large amounts of grip when driving on wet roads. Beware though, many automotive experts do not recommend  use of these tires during  winter as they might not be safe enough.
• Next up are the partially worn tires, more commonly known as second-hand tires. Although it may not sound legal or indeed very appealing to have second-hand tires, there are some set requirements which these tires must meet before they can be sold. Mainly that they should be sold with no more than 50% less tread than brand new tires. It is of course very important to check  out the tread for yourself before you buy such cheap car tires, because otherwise they are not safe.
• The final type of cheap car tires are retreaded tires. Before you go spending your hard earned cash on tires such as these, be careful to check if there is an approval mark from the ECE or a mark indicating the original manufacturer/model of the tire. Also make sure that the sidewall has a height of at least 4cm, if not it would not pass ECE standards. Please check the website of your national vehicular safety organization to see what the requirements are for the sale of cheap tires.
Finding cheap tires is easier than ever before thanks in no small part to sites like eBay that will let you see what is available out there. Remember though that if the cheap car tires you buy are not safe enough, there is a large risk of getting involved in a traffic accident or in decreasing the performance of your car. Be extremely careful when purchasing cheap tires, because at the end of the day, the only person who will really benefit from the choice, is you.