Thursday, February 16, 2006, posted by Jay Stevens at 6:47 PM


Size does matter especially if you drive a Ford SUV may it be an Expedition, Escape, Explorer or Excursion. It can command great power especially if you use it for off roading but take note that with great power comes great responsibilities. Sports utility vehicles together with light trucks and pick-ups are considered as kings of the road because of their size and performance which at times is a disadvantage especially when it comes to safety.

SUVs are prone to rollover accidents because of higher center gravity that makes them top heavy, the dded weight that can increase the possibility of rollovers and absence of roll over protections. These factors are further explained in www.suvrollovernews.com/.

However you can make the necessary adjustments to take full control of your SUV to avoid accidents that can endanger your life and your passenger’s. Here are some tips that can surely help in handling an SUV.

  • As the adage goes, practice makes perfect. You may be surprised by the different “feel” you get the first time you drive an SUV. You may even be surprised by how tall you may seem to be but constant practice can help you to be familiar with the distinct handling dynamics needed for an SUV.
  • Avoid speeding up. Driving bigger cars like SUVs is different from driving smaller Ford cars like Ford Fiesta or Ford Fusion. Your elevated driving position can make you feel as if you are already slowing down when in fact you’re not equipping your car with speed sensors to give you the right information will be a big help.
  • Don’t drive too close to other vehicles. As much as possible, provide greater distance to give you more braking space. Minimize sudden or sharp changes in steering since it can cause imbalance that can tip your car off the road.
  • Always wear safety seat belts especially if you are loaded with passengers.

    SUV safety driving can also depend on the quality of parts and components used. Damaged and defective parts can directly affect your car’s performance so make sure that you use quality Ford parts and not just mere aftermarket replacements that can endanger your car’s safety. You can have the best auto parts at Ford Parts Online at prices that will surely suit your budget.
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    Wednesday, February 01, 2006, posted by Jay Stevens at 5:45 PM


    Wheels are one of the most sought after auto parts in the market which never seems to get out of stock. Well, it just reflect the essential role that wheels play in the over all performance of your Ford. Anyway here are some tips that can help you in choosing the right pair of tires and rims that will match your Ford.

    Diameter

    Be sure to choose Ford wheels replacement with the same diameter. You may change the existing diameter but it may also require changing the gears as well as the ratio of the engine to the wheel rotation speed and that is quite a difficult process.

    Weight

    The weight wheel is also an important factor to be considered in choosing replacements. Lighter wheels have lesser kinetic energy so the power given off by the engine can be maximized to have smooth road performance. Bigger and heavier wheels on the other hand must be paired with low profile tires to fit with the existing diameter.

    Offset

    The distance from the wheel’s hub mounting surface to its centerline is called the offset. There are three general types of offset, zero offset, negative offset and positive offset. If the centerline of the wheel is equal to the hub mounting surface, then it’s a zero offset. A negative offset is when the hub mounting surface is directed towards the brake side of the wheel centerline but if it is toward the front or wheel side, then it’s a positive offset.

    The negative impact of wrong offset can affect the stability and handling dynamics of the car so better check your car’s offset features first before rushing into the market.

    Width

    The width of the wheel must correspond to the tire’s tread to come up with a vertical tire sidewalls needed for a perfect fit tire support.

    Take note that the wheels serve as the contact point between your car and the road surface so it must be chosen with utmost care and attention to details. Wheels must be constantly checked to know if it needs repair or replacement. You can visit Ford Parts Discount in case you desire for affordable top quality replacement.