Pilot Report

Archive for the ‘Automotive’ Category

People are frequently obsessed with the appearance and performance of their particular vehicle. This is true for men, women and teenagers whether they have a new car or truck or a beat up old one that they consider to be a work in progress. Of course the traditional orientation of males being the primary car enthusiasts and also the one’s who are typically seen working on and obsessing about the details of their ride. However, times are changing and it is more common to see women under the hood and they are also become equally interested and sometimes obsessed with their vehicle’s appearance.

Individual tastes and personal preferences for appearance are frequently seen in car color and various accessories. Tires and wheels are also an important visual factor for personal expression through vehicles though they also enter the realm of affecting vehicle performance. This is why many car enthusiasts realize that choosing the right tire package for your vehicle is important to its functioning as well as its appearance and projection of cool. With this in mind it is still extremely fun and exciting to pick out new tires and wheels for your car, and with increasing technological advances, doing so is also more interactive.

There are various computer programs that will let you attach particular wheels and tires to your car. You can change the color of your vehicle and accessories and also see what rims look like on your car . You can exchange various tires and wheels and see the actual difference it will make in the appearance of your vehicle. This is not only a fun tool in choosing tires but also helps many buyers to make their final decisions before entering the store or trying to make their purchases online. With the growing number of options for wheels and car tires, it is actually getting easier and more fun to make the purchase. You can sit at home and enjoy a snack or glass of coke while deciding on the best tire and wheel for your car.

Living in an environment such as the Southwestern desert, in the hot city of Phoenix, Arizona, I have had quite a bit of experience with my cars overheating.  The temperatures outside are outrageous in the summer time, the traffic in the city, and the heat of the engine all combine to cause that bit of stress when you are stopped in a traffic jam and the needle on your temperature gauge begins to creep into the red zone.

If this is not taken care of right away, the radiator will bubble over and you will be one of those people sitting in the hot sun as steam fills the air.  If this is a problem that happens frequently, it may mean that your vehicle has a leak in the in the hoses of your cooling systems.  A Chevrolet Silvarado repair manual will help you locate this on your Chevy engine, as will a Chevrolet S-10 repair manual.  My pickup truck manual has been used so many times, that I have taped it together, never leaving home without it safely tucked in my glove compartment.  If this is a problem even under normal driving conditions and in cooler weather then it may be as simple as adding liquid to your radiator, or changing a belt, but it could be that either the water pump or the thermostat may need to be replaced.

It is also a good idea to check your radiator cap, which is something most mechanics can do for you very quickly.  But remember, that should you find yourself on the side of the road with a vehicle that is overheating, never attempt to take off the cap while the car is still hot.  The hot water from an overheating radiator can shoot ten feet into the air when the cap is removed, and this is extremely hot water and steam.  And while it may be frustrating to wait, you must.  Always wait for the car engine to cool before make road side diagnoses.