The benefits of a tire rotation

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The benefits of a tire rotation

The benefits of a tire rotation

A majority of vehicle manufacturers around the world will recommend that drivers rotate their tires every 5000-9000 miles depending on various factors: braking habits, tire brand, amount of miles driven each day, daily road conditions previously driven on, and the type of vehicle. The tire rotation procedure usually involves moving the tires and rims from front to back or vice versa and then crossing each part. Cars need to be lifted off of the ground to have the rims and rubber thoroughly inspected. Your regularly scheduled oil change or other maintenance services may be the perfect time to ask for an inspection and tire rotation.

Tire rotation

The heat from the friction and pressure while driving on the roads is a tire’s worst enemy. When a vehicle is moving on the road there will always be heat generated from the wheels and rims spinning at fast speeds.

The better, newer rubber of the bunch should be placed on the rear-wheel axle for better handling. The front-wheel tires will lose traction before the back ones; therefore, an oversteer reaction will occur.

It is much harder to correct a vehicle in the instance of understeer compared to oversteer. If a back piece loses grip or bursts, there is a higher chance of the vehicle sliding perpendicular to the direction the vehicle is traveling. This is especially common at fast speeds. The rubber units can separate from the rims when a vehicle is spinning across lanes on the road, and if dirt, grass, or other foreign materials get stuck in between the rims and tires, the car may start flipping uncontrollably until the momentum of the vehicle is stopped.

If a vehicle alignment is off balance and the car continuously turns towards one particular side of the road, the driver will usually correct the situation by turning against the tendency of the vehicle. That is another common reason for wearing down wheels faster than usual.

Do you rotate your wheels? What is holding you back?

Each rim and rubber piece wears down at a different rate. The front-wheel axle wheels lose tread a lot faster than the wheels connected to the rear-wheel axle. The wheels at the front of the vehicle work harder to steer and stop the vessel. The large, heavy engine parts at the front of cars can put more stress on the front units. Depending on the type of vehicle you drive (front-wheel drive or rear-wheel driver), the axle in the front or back may heat up faster than its counterpart.

Tire rotation

Why should I rotate my tires?

Some experts say that consistent rotation of wheels can lead to the prolonged life of each rubber unit. Here are three reasons why you might want to rotate your tires:

1) A consistent rotation schedule will help keep the car balanced and improve traction in potentially hazardous conditions. A vehicle takes almost twice as long to come to a complete stop with rain or sleet on the roads than it would if the roads were clear. A tire rotation specialist should be able to give you updates on the tread life of your wheels at each visit. There are diagrams that show when your vehicle is drifting into the “danger zone.”

2) Vehicle manufacturers often require you to make regular tire rotation appointments. Your warranty may no longer be valid if you decide to skip out on the vehicle tire rotation appointments. This is just another incentive to keep your tires in good shape. There are companies that are more than happy to rotate your rims for free or a small price. Discount Tire employees will always complete a tire rotation task for their customers for free. Most service centers will offer you a free tire rotation service any time you buy a new piece of rubber.

3) If you prefer to buy a set of four tires every time a new set is needed rather than buy one or two at a time, a tire rotation will ensure that each individual unit wears evenly. That way you will not have to buy individual units or an odd set every time you need to replace vehicle parts. Driving around town with four wheels that all lose tread at a similar rate will make it easier for you, the driver to remember when a new set of rubber is needed. Every time a new set of wheels is added to the car, you can feel the benefits of new tire technology evenly.

To sum all this information up in a paragraph, the question, should I get a tire rotation? can best be answered by your vehicle’s manufacturer and some personal data diving on the internet. Some cars and trucks are built with wheels that cannot be rotated. BMW is one of those brands. They make the perfect vehicle that is naturally balanced and wears out rubber evenly. On the contrary, there are plenty of other brands that will require frequent tire rotations – as mentioned earlier – to keep the warranty valid. At the end of the day, it is up to the driver. There are resources all over the Internet, and if you do not trust what you read online, ask the staff at your local dealership about the benefits of tire rotation.

Why High Quality Brake Pads Are Important For Your Vehicle

Why High Quality Brake Pads Are Important For Your Vehicle
Other than getting the vehicle started, the next most important step is to get it stopped. Vehicles that will not start cannot kill you unless they fall on you. A vehicle that does not stop can kill you. A car or truck without brakes is a rolling death trap.

Brake Pads

Stopping Power Needs to Match Going Power

The best way to make sure a vehicle will stop when you push the brake pedal is to match your braking capability to your potential speed capability. Heavier or more powerful vehicles must have equally strong brakes. Your local auto parts store can help with correct brake parts.

Does that parachute on a dragster ring a bell? Now, I do not recommend a parachute for your street vehicle, but your brakes had better be up to the task.

Much different from that dragster parachute, your street vehicle often must stop abruptly and without the convenience of a half mile stopping distance these high powered quarter milers enjoy. To ensure your vehicle’s stopping, the brake system has to be kept in top condition.

Brake Science

To better understand brakes and how to get the most stopping power out of them, it helps to know brake system parts and how they work together to produce the necessary stopping power.

Hydraulics, braking components and direct force from the driver combine to give a vehicle the ability to stop at a second’s notice. The brake master cylinder, booster and push rod, valves and lines store and transmit the hydraulic brake fluid. The hydraulics part of the braking system dramatically increases braking power. https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/r/advice/car-maintenance/brakes-basics-the-components-in-the-braking-system

These major brake parts, found at any auto parts store, and the fluid pumped to them give the pedal, drum (if so equipped) and disc brakes, calipers, cylinders and pads the needed direct force when the driver needs to slow or stop the vehicle.

Both sets of brakes are controlled by the master cylinder. The drum brakes at the rear wheels (if so equipped) use hydraulics and brake shoes to slow and stop them. The disc brakes at the front wheels (or at all four wheels) depend on hydraulics and pads to slow or stop them.

When the driver applies pressure to the brake pedal, the brake booster engages. This mechanical process dramatically increases the force sending it to the master cylinder.
The master cylinder controls the amount of force to both the front and rear brake components at the wheels. The entire system works in unison to slow or stop the vehicle.

Critical Parts Working Together

The hydraulics, brake discs, also called rotors, and the pads are the key parts relied upon for braking power. Brake shoes, if the vehicle has drum brakes at the rear, pads and rotors are the auto parts which wear out and need replacing most often.

Hydraulic parts also wear out or stop working properly and need replacing, but they do not normally need repair as regularly. Any complete brake inspection takes both into consideration.

Brake Pads

Brake pads and shoes are the parts which bear the brunt of the direct force when brakes are applied. Consequently, they are the braking components which need replacing more often. While brake shoes do wear out, brake pads receive the most force and wear out quickest

Car parts like brake calipers, rotors and pads are the most critical parts of the front brakes provided that the hydraulics are in good shape. Think of these three parts as the calipers supplying the fluid and multiplied force to directly squeeze the rotor with the pads in order to stop.
Front wheel breaking is kind of like holding a disc with your forefinger and thumb; that is a simple analogy to visualize what the front brakes do when brakes are applied. https://www.autorepairboulder.com/brake-pads-oem-aftermarket/

How Front Brake Pads Work

The calipers force the pads to basically grip the brake rotor. For the brake pad to do a maximum job of stopping the vehicle, it must have a glass smooth rotor to grip. Over time, repeated ‘gripping’ wears grooves into the discs or rotors.

Grooved rotors make the pads’ job more difficult and accelerate the wear of the pad. As this wear worsens, you start hearing squeaking and notice that it takes longer to stop the vehicle. This means brake pad replacement time.

Choosing the Best Replacement Brake Pads

No other car parts affect the stopping quality of a brake system than brake pads. Of course, the pads are dependent upon smooth rotors for the most gripping power. Given that the rotors are in good shape, the next major concern is the pad quality.

Too many people skimp on brake pad quality and end up spending money more frequently to replace them. Poor quality brake pads not only wear quicker, but they create fine dust as they wear.

The heat from repeated braking singes the brake pad dust. This creates a glaze on the rotor, and the glaze causes the squeaking you hear on so many vehicles.

Want to know who is buying cheap brake pads, just listen. Also check out their front wheels. You will see dark gray to black brake pad dust in the wheels. This is a vehicle in need of brake pad replacement, and maybe the rotors turned or replaced.

To avoid unnecessarily frequent brake pad replacement, refer to your owner’s manual. Buy the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) or higher grade brake pads. You will be less likely to have to deal with brake system aggravation and even failure. http://safebraking.com/brake-faq-what-are-the-differences-between-oem-oes-and-aftermarket-brake-pads/

Electricity and Your Car

Electricity and Your Car
Gas may be what ultimately fuels your car but it couldn’t get the job done without electricity. Your electrical system works to power the various parts of your car, which allows your car to start, keeps the power flowing, and provides power to various parts of your car, including the A/C and power windows.

Your electrical system is made up of three main parts: the -battery-, the -alternator-, and the starter. Each of these parts works in unison to ensure your car always has adequate power for its needs. Here’s everything you need to know about how your car’s electrical system works.

Electricity and Your Car, Electrical System

The Starter

As far as getting your car up and running goes, the starter handles most of the work. Although your -battery- is the source of the electricity that your starter needs to work, the starter gets the flywheel going which in turn starts the crankshaft and gets the pistons going. This is what begins the combustion process to get your car started.

After your starter has done its job, the -alternator- will kick on and take over. If you can’t get your car started, there may be a problem with the starter. A faulty starter may not draw enough current to get your car started or may be drawing too much current, leading to wear that can cause trouble.

Since your starter relies on other parts of your electrical system to work properly, it can be difficult to determine whether you have a problem with your starter or your -battery-. Properly diagnosing this problem is crucial because the repair cost and difficulty will be very different depending on the fix.

The Battery

A car –battery– is perhaps the most well-known car part because it’s easy to see and easy to replace. The -battery- in your car is a 12-volt -battery- which actually runs at about 12.6 volts when your car isn’t running.

While your –battery– provides all of the power before startup, it’s not always the sole provider of power. At startup, it powers the ignition and fuel systems to allow your car to start. After that, the -alternator- will kick in to help reduce the load on the -battery- and keep it charged. When your car is running, your -battery- will be at about 13.7 to 14.7 volts.

Checking your -battery- using a multimeter is a good way to figure out if you have a faulty -battery- or -alternator- . The voltage readings should be consistent with the numbers mentioned above; if they aren’t, there’s something amiss.

The Alternator
Electricity and your car, electrical system

Once you start your car, your alternator starts up to provide power to your electrical system. It does this by using magnets to generate electricity with alternating currents. Since these alternating currents cannot be used to power your engine directly, they are converted to direct currents.

Your -alternator- keeps your -battery- charged while powering the electrical system in your car. The charge your -alternator- gives your -battery- is what allows your battery to power your ignition system to start your car up the next time.

There are a number of warning signs you’ll notice when your -alternator- is having problems. Because it won’t be able to properly charge your -battery- while your car is running, your -battery- may die. You may also notice other problems with your vehicle’s electrical system, including dim lights, strange noises, engine stalling, or a check engine light.

If your car doesn’t start and a -battery- check shows low battery voltage, your problem may still be the -alternator-. When your -alternator- doesn’t supply the -battery- with enough power, voltage readings may be off. Replacing your -battery- will leave you with the same problem, so it’s important to distinguish between the two.

Maintenance

Maintaining your car’s electrical system is an important part of making sure your car has a long life. There are easy ways that you can test and maintain your electrical system at home, and you won’t have to spend an arm and a leg to do it. However, if you are not comfortable performing this maintenance on your own, you should at least have parts of your electrical system inspected and cleaned by a professional every now and then.

Cleaning your terminal posts helps keep batteries running for longer. You can clean them with simple things you probably already have at home, including gloves, a toothbrush, and some baking soda and petroleum jelly. This is also an easy job for anyone to handle since car batteries are very easy to find under the hood.

You should also invest in a decent multimeter to check the voltage of your electrical system every now and then. You should check your car’s voltage both when it’s running and when it’s not. If you get a bad reading in either case, you should have your electrical system further inspected before you have a serious problem on your hands.

Road Trip Maintenance Tips

Make sure your road trip is not a disaster with these handy pre-road trip maintenance tips.

Road Trip Maintenance Tips

Pre Road Trip Car Maintenance Tips

Getting ready for a road trip? Here are some car maintenance tips you need to get your car road ready inside and out. For a quick road trip checklist, you’ll want to check under the hood, perform a safety inspection, make sure everything is working inside, and put together a travel supply kit.

Under the Hood of Your Car

Do a thorough visual inspection.

Look for obvious signs of fluid leaks including puddles on the ground under your car and liquid dripping from anywhere. Also look for condensation on hoses and around clamps and fittings. Check for worn or cracked belts and hoses as well as loose or broken fittings. Replace any damaged parts before you hit the road.

Check the following fluid levels before you start your trip.
• Antifreeze or coolant
• Brake fluid
• Engine oil
• Power steering fluid
• Transmission fluid
• Windshield washer fluid

For very long trips you’ll also want to check and top off these fluids during your drive. And, make sure to check them before you start your return trip.

Exterior Car Safety Check

Perform a routine safety check.

Make sure your horn and anti-theft system are working properly.

Have another person help you check all your lights including, daytime running lights, high and low beams, brake and parking lights, turn signals, and emergency flashers.

Check your tire pressure and tread level.

Check that your front and rear windshield wipers are working properly. Make sure that all speeds and intermittent levels work. You’ve already checked the washer fluid level, so now it’s time to make sure that car sprays enough wiper fluid. Make sure that the blades clean the windshield and remove debris. If the wiper is dragging or squealing, consider replacing the wiper blades. If the wiper arm is sluggish or gets stuck, or if the wiper fluid does not spay, have your car checked by a mechanic.

Vehicle Interior Comfort and Convenience

Check driver assistance and passenger comfort features.

If you’re traveling during the winter, make sure the heat is working. Alternately, for summer travel, make sure the air conditioning is in good working order.

Check all your dashboard display features, even the ones you don’t use regularly. If any part of your display is not working, you may need to check and replace some of the fuses and bulbs.

Check the cabin interior lighting to make sure that all the bulbs are working.

Make sure your radio and audio system are working properly. If you have an in-car navigation system, test it before you go on your trip to make sure it’s working correctly.
Be sure that all outlets are working, such as aux, USB and other entertainment connectivity. That way your passengers can use their devices for entertainment without disturbing the driver.

Check your power locks, windows, and seats. This is both for safety and comfort for all drivers as well as passengers.

Road Trip Checklist

Here’s a list of car supplies to take with you on every road trip, short or long.

1. Owner’s manual. Put your original owner’s manual in the glove compartment before you go on your trip. Alternately, download a copy from the manufacturer’s website or bookmark the pages that tell you how to maintain your car, use important features, and access warranty service if you need it while you’re on the road.
2. Spare tire and changing kit. Make sure that you can locate your spare tire and have a jack and tire iron. Your owner’s manual or manufacturer’s website will tell you how to change your tire. If your vehicle comes with a donut spare, it’s a good idea to get a full-size spare before you go on your trip.
3. Spare key or key fob. If you lose or damage your key or fob, having a spare means you won’t have to spend time and money on a locksmith or trying to find a dealership to program a replacement key. Plus, you’ll be too far from home to have someone bring it to you, so take your spare key along for the ride.
4. Lock de-ice or moisture displacement lubricant. This is especially needful during winter roadtrips. You’ll want to be able to unfreeze your doors, windows, and locks quickly, so you can get on with your trip activities.
5. Roadside assistance. It’s worth it to get a subscription to your car’s premium features so you don’t have to spend hours trying to find food, rest areas, traffic, and weather reports. And if your car breaks down, you can make one call and get help right away.
6. Flares. Take a flare kit in case you need to stop on a dark road in unfamiliar territory. Plus, if your car battery dies, you’ll need the flares to use as your emergency lights.
7. Blanket or rugs. Take along some throw rugs or mats just in case you must change a tire.

DIY Pre-Trip Car Maintenance vs Auto Repair Shop

Go to an auto service center if it’s close to time for regular maintenance items such as tune up, oil and filter change, brake service, transmission flush, tire rotation, and balance or wheel alignment. If you’re having any problems with fuel economy, emissions, or dashboard warning lights, you’ll need to have your car inspected at an auto repair shop before you take it on a long roadtrip. While your check engine light could be something as simple as tightening your gas cap or buying a new one at an auto parts store, it could also mean that you need to replace a mass airflow MAF or O2 sensor before you hit the road. A battery light could mean you need to address an issue with the alternator or replace a worn or broken alternator belt to make sure your car doesn’t stop in mid-trip.

In conclusion, make sure that your car is mechanically and operationally safe. Check your fluids and make sure that the mechanical parts are in good working order. Make sure that the exterior components are working and road safe. Make sure that inside your car is ready for a long drive and long trip with passengers. Finally, take along some extra supplies just in case.

You can do most of your pre-road trip car maintenance yourself with the right parts and supplies. Contact us or stop in, and we’ll help you to get the parts and supplies you need to get your car road trip ready.

Download our Checklist Here – Road Trip Checklist

6 Tips and Tricks to Find Paint and Fix Chips on Your Car

Here are some tips and tricks for finding paint and fixing chips on your car

Issues with your car can start to add up quickly. Even a small problem such as paint chips can cost over a hundred dollars, and expensive repairs can cost you thousands.

Because things can get so pricey, it’s important to take care of issues right away – and on your own whenever possible.

This is especially true when it comes to paint chip repairs. This is a small issue that professionals will charge hundreds for, but you can take care of them yourself. You’ll want to do this right away as these small chips can turn to rust very quickly. Below are some tips and tricks to help you deal do your own paint chip repairs and auto paint matching.

car paint chip repair

1) Supplies

Before going through these tips and getting started, make sure you have all of your supplies handy. Here’s what you’ll need:
• Touch-up paint for your specific make and model
• Denatured Alcohol
• Polishing Compound
• Warm water and soap
• A few rags

You’ll learn how to find the items you don’t already have in these tips. Go through them once before getting started, and again while you’re working on the car step-by-step.

2) Clean the Auto Paint Chips

The first thing you’ll want to do is clean off the area where the paint is damaged. Do this with a simple mixture of soap and warm water, and then dry the area off with a cloth once you’ve scrubbed it.

After this, use an automotive polishing compound on the damaged area. This will help you take care of sharp edges. Don’t use too much, though, or the area will become clouded.

3) Go Over it With Alcohol

Now that you’ve cleaned the area with good old soap and water and an automotive polishing compound, you need to go over it with alcohol. It is important to make sure you have denatured alcohol, as others can cause additional damage.

There’s no need to use an excessive amount. Just a few swipes with a soft cloth will do the trick. This will remove any remaining substances on the area.

4) Applying Primer

Next, apply primer onto the area that you’ve cleaned up. Using the wooden end of a match, fill the chips with a dab of primer. It should fill the chip evenly while barely touching the edges of the chip. Once you do this, allow at least thirty minutes for the primer to dry.

5) Paint the Chip

After you’ve waited thirty minutes, it’s time to paint the chip. To locate the correct paint, head to your nearest auto parts store. They’ll have a section of touch-up paints. There will be a booklet where you can search your car’s year, make, and model to make auto paint matching easy.

Once you have the right paint, test it out on a sheet of paper so you can make sure you have the right color. If you fill the chips with the wrong color, you’ll be even worse off.

Before getting started on the chips, make sure your car is not being hit by direct sunlight. This will effect how the paint dries. Also make sure it’s not under fifty degrees fahrenheit while you do these repairs. When the weather gets warm, the chip will slightly expand. This will cause the area you filled with touch-up paint to become distorted.

Apply a small amount of paint over the primer coat. Give it about an hour to dry, then apply a second coat. After you’ve had the new paint on for a few days, rub it with the polishing compound again to smooth it over so that it’s even with the rest of the body.

If you have a vintage or unique car, you’ll have to opt for custom paint matching. In this case, you’ll have to head to an experienced body shop. One that specializes in customized vehicles, or even better, your make, should be able to help you. However, you’ll have to pay them to do the job at this point. But they will be able to provide a custom paint matching service that will have your car looking brand new again.

6) Bonus Tips

1) For deep scratches or large gravel chips, sand down the area before starting step one.
2) Don’t worry if the area of your paint chip repair is higher than the rest of the paint. When you polish it a week after painting, it’ll even out.
3) Applying wax coat to the repaired area will help preserve your repair and against rain and snow.

Using these tips and tricks will have your car looking good as new. The most important things to remember are to make sure the paint is available and matches, and that you have all of your supplies before getting started. If you follow these tips and tricks, you’ll be able to get the job done without a problem.

Buy Online & Pick Up In-Store‎ – Auto Parts Online

At Petespaint.ca we offer a larger selection of auto parts, truck parts, import parts, performance parts and automotive supplies, so you can find the quality Canadian parts you need fast online at the lowest price possible. Search our wide inventory online to find both OEM car parts and aftermarket car parts for your ride. We are one of the largest supplier of auto parts in Canada with most parts in stock or can be at our store in less than 2 days from our wharehouse.

At CARQUEST our customers have come to know us as the best place to order auto parts online.

 

Order Auto Parts Online

 

 

CARQUEST Auto Parts has everything you need to get your car back on the road and running smoothly! We have the essentials from brake pads to batteries along with all of the final touches like hoses and filters. When you do it yourself, you want the best parts at the best prices. Whether it is for the body or under the hood, we’ll get you the right part so you can pick it up at your local store or delivered to your commercial garage.

 

When you buy auto parts online at Petespaint.ca, you can be confident that you will receive the highest quality Canadian auto parts at wholesale prices, and all the parts we sell come with a full auto parts warranty. If there are ever any issues, we will cover the replacement, less labour for any parts at any Carquest store in North America. Now that is a Warranty.

 

All of our auto parts undergo strict quality control tests to meet the highest industry standards; so you can feel confident that the truck and car parts you’re ordering from us will perform as expected and exceed in value.

 

Carquest Auto Parts is owned and operated by Advance Auto Parts, Inc., the largest automotive aftermarket parts provider in North America, servicing both the do-it-yourself and professional installer markets. As of October 4, 2014 Advance operated 5,305 stores, 109 Worldpac branches, and served approximately 1,350 independently-owned Carquest branded stores in 49 states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Canada. Advance Auto Parts employs approximately 75,000 Team Members.

 

We never sell any automobile parts that don’t meet our strict requirements to our valued customers, so you will never need to worry about the quality and performance of our parts and accessories. We encourage you to explore our huge selection of truck and car parts online, though if you cannot find what you need, please don’t hesitate to call us today to speak to one of our Local auto part specialists, in Leamington ON and we’ll help you find the parts you need 519 322 2555 Call Us for Parts.

 

Why Use Online Auto Parts Stores?

Apart from being the largest supplier of auto parts in Canada and having a solid warranty for every part you buy, we have made our online ordering system easy for any customer from novice to pro to quickly find the make, model and part for any vehicle in need of service.

 

Why Trust Our Canadian Online Parts Store:

 

Just how easy is it to find parts with your online catalog? We made sure you know exactly what you are doing every step of the way by making this quick video walk-through of the online ordering system. Have a look at how easy it is to find and order auto parts online.

 

 

If you feel like you are going to be doing a lot of volume online with your parts orders We can CUSTOMIZE this dashboard for your company if you create a COMMERCIAL ACCOUNT with us. Just call the store or e-mail us. With you own personal login you will see SPECIAL PRICING and we really encourage you to set one up for your garage or company today!

Trailer Maintenance – Getting Ready For Spring

Truck Trailer Parts

There’s no doubt about it, the winter season can be tough on your trailer. From the colder weather and harsher conditions, to the salty roads that can cause quicker mechanical erosion, wire wear, flat tires, ect. The season can cause a lot of damage and this check list can keep you hauling when spring time rolls around. Lets run through a quick checklist to keeping your trailer running smoothly before spring hits.

trailer

 

Brake Lights:

This is a good place to start as sometimes break lights can be the first thing to go when stored over long periods in the harsh Canadian climate. Just hook up the trailer and ensure that you have working tail lights, replacing any worn out bulbs.

 

Trailer Wiring Products:

Sometimes if the lights aren’t working you may have a bad wiring connection from your trailer to your truck and testing them with a Om Voltage Meter is a good practice to keep. If you have already checked bulbs and fuses, you can check to see if the wires have any fray or loose strands sticking out of the shield. Most Trailer Connectors can be troubleshooted by eye and would have a problem that was viable by the naked eye.

 

Tire Pressure:

Under-inflation is the prime cause of tire problems, and an under-inflated trailer tire won’t sag like your car’s tires, because of its stiff sidewall construction. We recently pulled into a gas station with our 21′ boat and checked our pressure. Both tires looked perfectly normal, but our pressure gauge showed that one tire had only 15psi (instead of the rated 50psi), which would have quickly destroyed the tire. Don’t eyeball it! Check your tire pressure with a quality gauge.

 

Trailer Hitch:

A coupler is the metal piece that physically connects your trailer to the tow vehicle. Once the coupler is permanently bolted or welded to your trailer’s frame rail(s) at the front (this is the “tongue” area), it then fits over the round ball on the trailer hitch attached to your vehicle. Levers of various designs on the coupler clamp around the round ball tightly enough to prevent it from disconnecting, but they also allow just the right amount of play for proper pivoting around turns and over road undulations.

Couplers are subject to a large amount of wear-and-tear. They are called into action every single time you connect and disconnect your trailer from the tow vehicle. They move and bounce around on top of the trailer ball as you’re driving. If you leave your trailer outside, they are exposed to the elements. Eventually, the release mechanism becomes sticky, or the fit on the trailer ball becomes loose, or corrosion begins to take hold. Instead of replacing your entire trailer, which is expensive, the coupler is replaceable separately. It’s a cost-effective and convenient way to ensure that your trailer-to-hitch connection remains as secure as possible.

Trailer tongue shape determines the type of coupler you’ll need. Specifically, trailer tongues are known as “A-frame” when two frame rails join together at a 50 degree angle at the front (industry standard), “straight” when one single frame rail serves as an attachment point, or “gooseneck” when a trailer uses a round vertical post bolted underneath the front of the trailer. The coupler must also match the size trailer ball you’re using. If they don’t match, you might be better off replacing the coupler if it’s old.

 

If you are looking for any Trailer Parts give us a call at Pete’s Paint we have many Suppliers to find what you are after:

Trailer Hitches

Trailer Parts

PICO Trailer connectors

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Pete’s Paint Gift Card Promotional Giveaway!

petes paint online auto parts giveaway

ONLY FOR THE MONTH OF FEB !

Pete’s Paint is giving away Tim’s Cards for any one that places an automotive parts order online through our website only for the month of February. Looking up automotive parts online is easy and can be done direct from the link.

USE USER NAME & PASSWORD:

User Name: joecash12
Password: joecash12

Our WebLink allows customer to do a few things effectively:

tims card

 

Want to Learn How To ORDER AUTOPARTS ONLINE?

We even put together an educational video where you can learn how our e-cataloge system works so that you can start placing orders like a pro! Just watch this YouTube video and you will be off to the races in no time! If you are interested in setting up your own personal log in for our ordering system come in to Pete’s Paint and we can set you up with one!

Custom Car Paint

Pete’s Paint in Leamington is proud to carry The Vibrance Collection™ from PPG  which offers the latest unique car paint colors, unique micas, innovative pigments and hot special effects to create an unlimited choice of custom finishes for those who want their prized vehicle to stand out from the crowd.

Custom Par Paint

We can colour match anything you bring in so if your looking for custom car paint, look no further than Pete’s Paint to help get that hot colour you always wanted. You can read more about the PPG Car Paint process on how cool car coulors are born by downloading the PPG Reporter PDF. Just Click the Image Link Below.

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PPG CAR PAINT REPORT