How To Install Brake Pads

Before you start your car's brake installation, you will want to put "blocking" behind the wheels to keep the vehicle from moving backwards after you jack up the vehicle. Here are some tips to getting started:

1. Set the emergency brake.
2. Always use jack stands, as jacks have a tendency to fail from time to time.
   
3. Assuming now you have removed the wheel and the brake assembly is in front of you, remove the bolts holding the caliper in place.
4. Remove the caliper from the disc, or rotor. The brakes are normally held in place by some type of clip, or even a bolt.
   
5. Remove the brakes from the caliper. The caliper is under pressure, so it will need to be compressed. You can compress the caliper by using a C-clamp and a small block of wood.
6. Turn the C-clamp and the caliper will compress. You will want the caliper to compress all the way down. Be careful not to scar the caliper or its boot.
   
7. Once the caliber is compressed, put you new pads into place by using the clips and bolts provided by the manufacturer.
   
8. After the brake assembly is in place, replace the bolts, screws, nuts and tighten firmly.
   
9. Before letting the jack down, pump your brakes (both when the vehicle is turned off and when the engine is running).
   
10. Remove the jack stands and let the jack down. Check the brake fluid and top off if needed, then test the vehicles stopping ability. You may have some noise with new brakes, but this is normal for a few days.

Choosing The Right Brakes

Choosing the right brake for your vehicle is very important. There are several factors involved when purchasing the right brake pads and not all brakes are created equal. First consider your location. Are you an everyday highway driver, or do you drive up and down the mountain everyday? For the minivan that handles carpooling, soccer games and road trips, consider the amount of weight on your brakes.

When shopping for brakes, find out the average life line of the brakes and how often they need to be replaced. Brake life is often misleading by the manufacturer so make sure to ask questions. Your minivan is not racing on the track, so buy brake pads that are suited for your vehicle. Looking for a leader in brake pads? EBC brakes are a leader in low dust brake pads with little fade. The price range varies per application; ask your mechanic or manufacturer for more details before purchasing your brake pads.

Most Commonly Used Intake System

Short ram air is the most commonly used air intake system, because of its affordability and its easy application. But has a huge drawback. Short ram air is also known as "warm air", and this is a common mistake made by inexperienced owners. Although the short ram is very popular it does little to produce cold air within the intake because of its location in the engine bay. Even though heat shields are sometimes added to the installation, you're basically dressing up your engine with little or no extra performance. Some manufacturers will give you the specifications on the "potential" for extra horsepower and performance, but reading the fine print will save you money as well as save you a headache later on.

ECU Mods

Modifying the ECU ( Elctronic/ Engine Control Unit) or adding a chip to the ECU is generally for performance purposes. However, doing so may not always help the performance of your vehicle. Normally, other modifications have already been made or are in the works. ECU chips can increase your power by up to 40 percent overall, depending on the vehicle and its fuel type. You can use an ECU chip to gain more horsepower and/or torque, better fuel efficiency and quicker responses to the power with less gear changing. ECU chips remap the timing of the ignition to give greater throttle response. But not all vehicles can handle the modifications made by the ECU chips. Where other problems exist, an ECU upgrade or ECU programming may cause damage to other parts of the vehicle. Making sure your vehicle is ready for this kind of upgrade is crucial to the ECU chips ability to help your vehicle perform. Always be knowledgeable when installing any part that may modify your vehicle. This may save you time and money when it's time to do the ECU upgrade.

The advantages of a high performance filter

Unlike the usual replacement brand filters that you can get in a discount store, performance air filters can be washed and reused. This is a big deal for many reasons. Designed to increase horsepower and acceleration, they can go 50,000 miles before they need to be cleaned, (just like your work boots.) What's more, performance filters come with warranties up to ten years/one million miles, and will not void out your vehicle's warranty. Finally, high performance air filters are good for the environment: Because they are reusable and last so long, most performance filters will outlast your car and will never end up in a landfill. Where can you get yourself one of these miracles of modern automotive engineering? Look for brand names like Accel, AFE, Airaird, Green Air Filter, K&N Filters, True Flow, and Volant. They offer top of the line performance filters.

Determining Gross Trailer Weight and Tongue Weight

The MAGNUM is designed for only full-size pick-up trucks. To start with, there is no truth to the urban myth that Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) was once measured in units of 300 pounds called WHTs, in honor of William Howard Taft, our heftiest unknown president. Gross Trailer Weight is the weight of the trailer completely loaded. To determine actual GTW, you'll need to put your trailer on a vehicle scale. Tongue weight (TW) is the downward force placed on the hitch ball by the trailer coupler. Usually, TW is 10% to 15% of GTW. You can measure Tongue weight with a bathroom scale. Rest the trailer coupler on the scale and position the scale on a box so that the trailer is at normal towing height. Load the trailer as if it were being towed. Note that the tow vehicle's maximum towing capacity can be found in the owner's manual.

Installing Your Running Boards

When installing your new running boards, there are several important rules to follow. Although running boards come with instructions on installation, you should always prepare for slight adjustment problems, hardware that does not match specified bolt patterns, and a differential in the actual fit of the running board or step.

• When you're ready to start, make sure you have all the tools recommended by the manufacturer. Not all running boards and steps are the same, so make sure you only install your new running boards or steps using the hardware given.
  
• Do not modify the hardware, boards or steps.
  
• Lay out your step or running boards to each side with the hardware needed.
  
• With someone helping you, hold the running board or step up to the vehicle and make sure it's centered.
  
• Look at each end of the board to see if it fits snug against the body or if there is a gap anywhere. Even though most running boards and steps are designed to fit a certain make and model vehicle, there can still be a slight to moderate issues when it comes to fastening the board or step to your vehicle.
  

If you are happy with the results of the fit and the looks, proceed to the manufacturers specified install instructions. When you start the installation, start at the front, install necessary hardware, but only finger tighten. Then move to the rear, repeating step one, then to the center. Before tightening any hardware, push the running board to the desired position, making sure the fit is comfortable and safe for use. When you have the board or step in the right position, tighten the center, then the front and lastly the rear.

Get Chewing Gum Off Your Floor Mats

If you have children you have probably experienced the chewing gum scenario, and it's not easy to remove chewing gum! Before you break out the peanut butter and baking soda, take in some of these tips for cleaning your floor mats:

• Never use bleach, or anything with bleach, when cleaning your floormats.
• You will need a solvent, such as paint thinner, rubber gloves, a small cloth or rag, eye protection and a pair of tweezers (for the small stuff your fingers cannot get to).
  
• Leave all the vehicles doors open for ventilation.
• For rubber floor mats, pick away the largest part of the chewing gum. Wet the cloth with the solvent and rub lightly until gone.
  
• For carpeted floor mats, use the same technique as the rubber mats but re-wet the cloth a few times and rub the gum out of the carpet. 
  
• If there is anything left, use the tweezers to remove the rest. You will see small amounts of carpet fibers being removed with the gum, but not enough to cause any damage.
  
• Dry the floor mat and you are done.