Queens Tire Dealer

Gas prices are at least a little lower right now, but let's face it...we're all really at the mercy of the oil companies and whatever they decide to charge for a gallon of gas or diesel. And even though prices are down, comparatively speaking, right now, chances are they won't stay that way and gas is never going to be “cheap” again. The smart money is on fuel-efficient cars, but what are the most fuel-efficient models out there? Here's a quick rundown of the current top fuel savers: Two-Seaters: The Honda CR-Z is currently best in class, turning in a combined 37 mpg with its 1.5 liter 4 cylinder and automatic transmission. Minicompacts: Fiat 500, with combined 34 mpg and 1.4 L 4-cylinder and manual 5-speed transmission. Subcompacts: Look for the Scion iA, at 37 mpg with a 1.5 L 4-cylinder and automatic Compacts: Not surprisingly, the Toyota Prius c hybrid turns in a combined 50 mpg with a 1.5 L 4-cylinder ... read more

NYC, we got them and we got them bad! Severe road conditions that is. We all know when the National Weather Service says there is a severe weather warning, we need to take precautions. Our blog has pointed out many times during this last year the fact that in the NYC area we always drive under "severe road and traffic conditions" and we have spoken about many factors contributing to dangerous, over used, never maintained roads, traffic, stop and go driving, sudden breaking due to highways seemingly converging traffic and drivers going from doing 55 mph to 10 mph for miles and miles, etc. Nowhere in the USA except other major metropolises like Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, etc, do we find the scope and dimension of what we all know is dangerous roads, extensive drive time and gas consuming, etc which place tremendous burdens on our vehicles and on our nerves. Of course, weather always factors in making severe driving conditions and severe road factors nearly impossible and ... read more

Have you been hitting potholes this winter? If so, read on about wheel alignments: Every new vehicle's wheels are set at very specific angles for proper drivability, stability, and handling before it leaves the factory. The critical alignment angles for the front wheels are toe-in and toe-out. This refers to the direction in which a wheel points (relative to a dead-ahead straight line); caster, which refers to the position of the top of the wheel, and camber, which is the offset of the suspension relative to an imaginary vertical straight line behind the wheel. Many newer vehicles also are designed with adjustable rear suspensions, and a four-wheel alignment ensures that the rear wheels' “thrust angle” is at a proper relationship with the front wheels. Frankly, there are only two major signs that can indicate improper wheel alignment. One is a persistent pull to the right or left, as an improperly-aligned wheel constantly tries to steer the car in a different direction. T ... read more

Automatic Braking System coming to all new cars in less than 8 years! Automatic emergency braking or AEB systems a standard feature on practically all new vehicles sold in the U.S. by 2022 according to a new plan from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Automatic brakes are designed to stop a vehicle before it collides with a car or another object. Experts say that making them standard could prevent as much as 20 percent of accidents. AEB systems are usually coupled with another tech breakthrough called "forward collision warning" which scans the road ahead then warns the driver if the car is about to crash. This allows drivers to take action to slow down the car or completely stopping the car. The AEB system will react when the driver cannot or does not take the needed action to avoid a collision. How's it ... read more

A good auto service technician could adjust things like idle speed, fuel/air mixture, fuel metering and timing on older vehicles so you could get more pick up from your ride. Today, that's all handled by the engine control computer. Still, there are a few ways to coax your engine into better performance. Air Filter: An engine relies on air, fuel and spark to run. The “air” part of that equation is pretty easy to enhance. A dirty air filter will, of course, restrict the flow of critical fresh air into the fuel system. This compromises fuel economy and power. The filter should be changed at regular intervals; for those who are looking to enhance performance. Aftermarket air filters are available for even freer breathing ability. Engines also perform better when they can take in colder, denser air, and cold-air induction systems can offer a slight boost in power and fuel economy. It's an easy auto repair item that can offer a noticeable, immediate improvemen ... read more