When is Road Force Balance Overkill?

Can road force balancing really make a difference?

To answer the question of whether road force balancing is overkill, we should probably start by reviewing some basics. We balance tire/wheel assemblies primarily to eliminate, as much as possible, vibration. Vibration produces ride disturbances that are uncomfortable for the driver and passengers and may cause uneven tire wear.

Some vehicle vibrations are the result of normal operation; even the best engines, transmissions and drivelines naturally produce some vibration. Others are due to some type of abnormal condition such as engine or transmission problems, driveshaft and axle failures, suspension wear or failure, improper wheel alignment, brake wear or failure, wheel bearing wear, tire/wheel assembly imbalance, out-of-round tire or wheel, or the force variation of a tire.

That’s quite a list, but everything beyond the last three items is beyond the scope of our discussion, so let’s assume that we have eliminated all of the non-tire and wheel related issues.

All tires have some amount of static and dynamic imbalance. Whether it causes any problems is a function of the amount of imbalance, the wheel and tire combinations, and how the tire/wheel assemblies interact with the vehicle.

Static imbalance makes a tire/wheel assembly vibrate up and down. Dynamic imbalance causes the assembly to shimmy from side to side.

Since the introduction of the modern spin balancer, most tire/wheel assembly balancing equipment has been able to accurately diagnose and correct both dynamic and static imbalance. However, balancers can only fix balance problems. Even the most sophisticated balancers cannot eliminate vibrations from a bent wheel or an out-of-round or irregularly worn tire.

What’s Acceptable?

All tire manufacturers test tires at their manufacturing facilities for uniformity, including road force variation, conicity (the tendency to roll like a cone), ply-steer (the tendency to crab sidewise) and balance. Acceptable levels of uniformity vary among manufacturers, tire lines and the planned distribution channel for the tire.

Not surprisingly, the most uniform tires typically go to the automakers for OE fitment. How much variation is acceptable for independent tire dealers versus the discount clubs is probably something that is not discussed in public.

Road Force Balancers

So what does a road force balancer actually do? Road force balancers, in addition to performing a traditional spin balance, measure both the wheel and tire by pressing a large roller against the tread of the spinning tire. The roller applies 1,200 to 1,400 pounds of pressure to simulate the weight of the vehicle on the tire as it rolls down the road.

A computer in the machine, along with various sensors, determines variations of tire stiffness, radial runout and anything in the tire’s construction (such as inconsistencies in the belt package) that would prevent the tire from rolling smoothly when it is weighted by the car. By measuring both the wheel and tire, the road force balancer tells the technician where to move the tire around on the wheel until the effective high spot of the tire (when it is rolling on the car) matches the low spot of the wheel – a more sophisticated method of match mounting.

To read complete article go to: http://www.tirereview.com/when-is-it-overkill/

This Mad, One-Of-A-Kind Ferrari Has A 750 HP Twin-Turbo V12

If you fancy driving a concept-like Ferrari from the 90s and you want it to go as fast as it looks, then the Testa D’Oro Colani is for you… If you have around $1.7 / €1.52 million that you can spare, that is.

It has a story as unique as it is to look at. The base is a Ferrari Testarossa, and the engine is the familiar flat-twelve. However, in this application it’s been fitted with twin turbochargers and makes a claimed 750 PS, making it good for a top speed of 218 mph or 351 km/h.

The idea behind it was to be a Bonneville Salt Flats and it belongs to Luigi Colani, renowned industrial designer. He imagined it as record attempt machine with an ultra-slippery body and it reportedly was very successful on the flats.

Check more clicking: http://www.carscoops.com/2015/06/this-mad-one-of-kind-ferrari-has-750-hp.html

2016 Chevrolet Cruze: First Look

·         Competes with: Dodge Dart, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra

·         Looks like: A mini-Malibu

·         Drivetrains: 153-hp, turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder; six-speed manual or optional six-speed automatic transmission; front-wheel drive

·         Hits dealerships: Early 2016

Chevrolet is a busy brand this year, unveiling five new or heavily redesigned vehicles across its lineup in the first six months of 2015. In addition to the Camaro, Volt, Spark and Malibu, we now see the fifth component of that new showroom: the redesigned 2016 Chevrolet Cruze compact sedan. Despite it being a top-seller for the brand, it's still not one of the sales leaders in the competitive compact segment.

Chevy is hoping to change that by updating its globally best-selling model with a version specific to North America that's a little different in terms of style and content from the car it sells abroad.

Exterior

Outside, the new Cruze is longer, lower and leaner than the previous generation, measuring 2.7 inches longer than the outgoing model but with a roofline that's about an inch lower than before. The windshield and rear glass are more steeply raked for a sleeker, more aerodynamic profile, stretching back to an integrated rear spoiler that helps the Cruze generate some top-notch aero numbers. 

Interior

Inside, passenger room has been improved as well, with more legroom for rear passengers thanks to more than a half-inch increase in the car's wheelbase. Chevrolet claims that rear passengers will enjoy more rear knee room than in the Ford Focus or Hyundai Elantra. Up front, a new instrument panel with a repositioned shifter and cupholders sits between the front seats, while the panel itself receives a new layered look that features piano-black, matte-black and bright accents depending on trim level, which have now changed to L, LS, LT and Premier. 

Under the Hood

The overall changes to the body structure, suspension, powertrain and interior have delivered a car that weighs 250 pounds less than the previous model, despite the car's increased length and wheelbase. It'll be powered by a standard 153-hp, turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine that's mated to a standard six-speed manual transmission. A six-speed automatic will be optional, and a diesel engine is slated to arrive in 2017.

Safety

The car will feature 10 standard airbags, including frontal driver and passenger, roof-mounted side curtain airbags in both rows, front and rear seat-mounted side-impact airbags and front knee airbags. Optional equipment includes blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keep assist and forward collision alert, but no auto-braking function.

The 2016 Chevrolet Cruze is set to show up in dealer showrooms early next year. 

see more at: https://www.cars.com/articles/2016-chevrolet-cruze-first-look-1420680649856/

5 Secret Islands in Florida

For a truly laid-back vibe, these five lesser-known islands off Florida's Gulf Coast offer the ultimate easy escape.

Find A Hidden Florida Vacation Spot

We've rounded up a handful of lesser-known islands like Matlacha and Cayo Costa off of Florida's Gulf Coast that offer breathing room, intimate accomodations, and easy access to water for a relaxing, unique vacation. Following is all the information you need to visit one of these five undiscovered paradises.

Discover Matlacha/Pine Island

Located just west of Ft. Meyers, the tiny town of Matlacha is the perfect island getaway for a quiet and realxing vacation. With local art galleries, infamous food, and prime fishing, you'll wish you discovered this paradise sooner. A little down the road, Pine Island offers a peaceful stay, with waterside accommodations in historic hotels, outstanding seafood, and fun beach activites like cruisers and kayaks.

Uncover Cabbage Key/Cayo Costa

Florida's Cabbage Key is the perfect island for nature lovers--featuring multiple trails studded with mangroves, gumbo limbo, and other exotic plants. Take a trip to nearby Cayo Costa State Park for ideal kayaking and fishing. Quaint hotels like the Cabbage Key Inn and delicious, fresh seafood add to the overall package of this hidden paradise.

Discover Boca Grande/Gasparilla Island

Take a trip to the pristine town of Boca Grande--the Palm Beach of Gasparilla Island. This easy-going, but upscale island boasts stylish shops and boutiques, as well as to-die-for seafood restaurants. In the off-season, beachgoers can have the water to themselves, going the whole day without seeing anyone.

Explore Pass-A-Grille

Enjoy the lively island of Pass-A-Grille, just off of St. Petersburg. This hidden paradise is only a block wide, but features quirky art galleries and shops, delicious drinks and dining, and a number of historic, quaint hotels. If you're up for it, you can even experience a kayoga class--a mixture of kayaking and yoga.

Discover Cedar Key

A little bit north of Tampa, the sleepy island of Cedar Key is sure to make for a calm, enjoyable vacation. Free of stoplights and franchises, this paradise allows you to enjoy the beauty of nature, and features a National Wildlife Refuge, which guests can enjoy by kayak. On a delicious note, Cedar Key is known for its multiple versions of fresh and local clam chowders.

see more visiting: http://www.coastalliving.com/travel/gulf-coast/florida-vacation-islands

The Quietest and Most Comfortable Tire?

With an unparalleled combination of a silky smooth ride and a noise level to match, the Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season Plus has charmed its way onto many of our customers' vehicles. At over two million miles reported, the tire has rocketed to the number one position of our survey results. As one of the Tire Rack's test drivers, I wholeheartedly agree. 

Many tires do one or two things very well at the expense of other characteristics (this is the reason for different tire categories). The Pirelli somehow manages to maintain a quiet, comfortable ride with good wet, dry and snow traction to boot. In addition, Pirelli wanted to provide the longevity and fuel economy that savvy consumers expect from a premium Grand Touring All-Season tire. 

In order to relay their dedication to offering the preceding, Pirelli gave the P7 All Season Plus a rock solid 70,000-mile treadlife warranty and equipped it with their EcoImpact low rolling resistance technology. 

Drivers of luxury touring cars want a tire with as much refinement as their vehicle itself. Pirelli has served notice that its flagship touring style tire is at the top of the game and our customers agree. If the ride of your Mercedes-Benz C300, Audi A6, Lexus IS 350 or other luxury car isn't what it once was, The Cinturato P7 All Season Plus can bring it back to where it deserve to be.

See more at: http: blog/steering-you-right-with-sonny/the-quietest-and-most-comfortable-tire#sthash.erivSQrI.dpuf

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC: First Look

·         Competes with: BMW X3, Audi Q5, Acura RDX, Lincoln MKC

·         Looks like: Less boxy, more generic, likely more popular than the GLK

·         Drivetrain: 241-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder; 273 pounds-feet of torque; rear- or all-wheel drive

·         Hits dealerships: November 2015

Many people may be trying to decipher the new names Mercedes-Benz has bestowed on its SUVs but the new GLC should be an easy one to digest. Think of it as the C-Class of the brand's SUVs. Replacing the GLK, this new design looks to have all the attributes we like in the C-Class - which won our Best of 2015 award - in an SUV wrapper.

Exterior

The GLK was a boxy little SUV that tried to ape the style of the iconic Mercedes G wagon, with an emphasis on the word "tried." It wasn't bad looking but certainly didn't sway buyers in this competitive class.

Every surface that was boxy is now curvaceous on the GLC. It's not as aggressive looking as the smaller GLA - and it shouldn't be - and from the side it has a generic resemblance to Audi's Q5. A unique kink in the rear cargo door below the glass and badging really makes up for the generic profile though. 

There are 19- and 20-inch wheels optional, but the standard wheel size was not provided at press time.

Interior

There's no question that the GLC is based on the C-Class sedan once you get a gaze inside. The same upscale materials appear to be used here with a seemingly identical cockpit and dashboard layout to the C-Class.

A large 7-inch display screen is standard controlled by both a control knob and a touchpad. Mercedes' MB-Tex simulated leather is standard with leather and Nappa leather optional. Trim choices also appear similar to the C-Class with standard brown wood with black pinstripe trim or optional piano-black and open-pore ash.

The GLC is larger outside and inside versus the GLK, and while the automaker didn't reveal full interior dimensions it said rear legroom and front shoulder room have both increased 2.2 inches.

Cargo room has also grown with initial figures from Mercedes listing the space behind the rear seats at 20.5 cubic feet and 56.5 cubic feet with the 40/20/40 backseat lowered. Mercedes also says it creates a flat load floor but no pictures of the cargo area were provided at press time.

Under the Hood

Only two models were announced at launch for the U.S. in November, the rear-wheel-drive GLC 300 and the GLC 300 4Matic, which has all-wheel drive. Both are powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine good for 241 horsepower and 273 pounds-feet of torque teamed to a nine-speed automatic transmission with a torque converter. In all-wheel-drive models, power is split 45/55 percent between front and rear wheels.

Mercedes also says it has reduced the weight 176 pounds versus the outgoing GLK. Mileage figures will be released closer to the SUV's on-sale date.

An air suspension - dubbed Air Body Control - will be offered as an option that will lower the GLC 0.6 inches when put in Sport+ mode. That and other driving modes can be selected using a switch on the center console similar to the C-Class. Other modes include Eco, Comfort, Sport and Individual.  There is also an optional head-up display.

Safety

The GLC will sport a number of standard and optional safety systems. Collision warning and Attention Assist are standard. A Driver Assistance Package includes steering assist, Pre-Safe brake with pedestrian detection, Cross-Traffic Assist, a blind spot monitor, and lane departure warning and correction.

see more at: https://www.cars.com/articles/2016-mercedes-benz-glc-first-look-1420680621251/

GM uses old Volt batteries to power office building

General Motors Co said on Tuesday it is using old batteries from its first-generation Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric car for secondary purposes including powering an office building.

The company, which is close to launching the second-generation Volt hybrid plug-in car, said repurposed five used batteries from the first-generation Volt are powering the General Motors Enterprise Data Centre at its Milford Proving Ground. (http://bit.ly/1JVyQ4I)

"Even after the battery has reached the end of its useful life in a Chevrolet Volt, up to 80 percent of its storage capacity remains," said Pablo Valencia, senior manager, battery life cycle management.

GM said it is working on the secondary functions of Volt batteries with partners to test systems for other commercial and non-commercial uses.

In 2012, GM tested repackaged Volt batteries to provide two hours of electricity for three to five average American homes. (http://bit.ly/1G0CDJh)

Unlike electric vehicle maker Tesla Motors Inc , which last month unveiled a separate product for the stationary energy market, GM is focussing on extending the economic life of a battery after its use in an electric vehicle.

See more clicking http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/technology/gm-uses-old-volt-batterie/1920766.html