The Differences between Summer, Winter, and All-Season Tires

Some car owners think that the tires they usually use are perfect for driving in any weather. However, that is not the case as different weather temperatures can have a massive impact on the tires and their traction. For different weather conditions, there are special tires available in the market for summer and winter, and tires for all seasons as well. While summer and winter tires are perfect for the respective seasons but all-season tires can actually tread through all weather conditions. Here are some of the differences between summer, winter, and all-season tires:

Winter Tires

Winter tires are made with a deep tread pattern and a series of very thin cuts called sipes across the tread. The deep tread pattern doesn’t allow excess slush to buildup in the tires whilst sipes help to fill up snow between the tread blocks, allowing for snow-on-snow traction.

Even if you don’t regularly experience snow, winter tires are still your best bet when temperatures are low. Mixing and matching snow tires with all-season or summer tires can result in different levels of traction between your ride’s wheels, which can lead to a mishap.

Summer Tires

Summer tires are usually marketed as performance tires and work best in warm weather. They are made from a soft rubber compound and are fitted with large tread blocks to give maximum contact with the road in warmer weather.

However, once temperatures drop, their soft rubber compound hardens. This can cause the traction to suffer and cause chipping of the tread block edge. Therefore, you shouldn’t use these tires in the winter.

All-Season Tires

The vast majority of new cars are equipped with all-season tires since they can perform adequately on dry or wet roads or roads that have light snow. All-season tires are a “jack of all trades, master of none” solution as they perform adequately on dry, warmer pavement, but they won’t give you the handling and grip levels of a summer tire. They have a longer life than summer or winter tires as well. They won’t stop and corner as well as winter tires can when the weather turns cold.

Looking to buy top-notch summer wheels for your car? You can check out the massive collection at AudioCityUSA. You can call 888.814.1158 to contact the team at the online store for more information. The online store offers top-quality wheels from brands such as Fuel, Moto Metal, Blaque Diamond, Niche, XD, Rohanna, Lexani, Rohana, and various others.

Best Off-Road Destinations in the USA You should Experience

Off-road driving is one of America’s pastimes and can be a lot of fun for people. For many people, off-road driving is not just a hobby, but a passion where they invest a great amount of time, money, effort, and energy. People want to have a taste of adventure and the adrenaline rush that only off-road driving can provide. When it comes to off-road driving, one should always stick to the trails that have been trodden upon and go to traveling the road less traveled. Here are some of the off-road destinations in the USA that you should experience:

1. Mojave Road, Arizona & California

Running from Bullhead City, Arizona to Newberry Springs, California, this 140-mile trail is chock full of historical landmarks. Originally traversed by Native Americans, the road has been traveled by Spanish explorers, European colonizers, and the U.S. Army over the last several hundred years. it’s home to some of the region’s finest landmarks, including the Colorado River, Joshua Tree Forest, Rock Spring, Soda Lake, and Government Monument.

• Death Valley National Park, California

While the name can sound ominous, Death Valley national park can be a great place to lay off your mind. Temperatures in the summer can be quite high, so you should plan a trip in either the autumn or winter. While 91% of the park’s 3.4 million acres are protected in roadless wilderness areas, nearly 1,000 miles of paved and dirt roads provide an abundance of opportunities for recreation and exploration.

• Moab, Utah

One of the best places in the country to get off the beaten path on an ATV is in the red rocks of Moab, an area renowned for some of the best off-riding trails in the world. The trail offers a little bit of everything, including legendary scenery, sand, water, cliffs, ginormous boulders, and slick rock. The terrain can be unforgiving sometimes, but it’s worth the reward.

• Molokai Forest Reserve Road, Hawaii

Totaling more than 11,000 acres of public land, driving in the Molokai Forest Reserve brings the reward of incredible views that include waterfalls and plunge pools, sea cliffs, and Waikolu Canyon. Overnight camping is another option here, at the Waikolu Lookout Campground, situated deep within an upland forest, where you’ll also enjoy a panoramic view of the canyon.

• Mendocino National Forest, California

The Mendocino National Forest offers the opportunity for a myriad of adventures, from hiking and biking to off-roading and wine tasting. While it’s close to the San Francisco Bay Area, it still manages to be one of the state’s least-visited national forests, so you’re bound to find some time to yourself. You can enjoy some four-wheeling and then hit the area wineries to sample some of the region’s fabulous wine. If you’re looking to buy off-road wheels, AudioCityUSA is your place to go. The company provides high-quality wheels for an enjoyable ride while also imparting an unmatched look to your vehicle. The online store offers aftermarket wheels from a plethora of world-renowned brands including Niche, XD, Blaque Diamond, Lexani, Giovanna, AC Forged, Fuel, and various others.

How to Prevent Corrosion of Rims?

Corroded Rims can inflict serious damage to a vehicle and pose a threat to your safety as well. Water is one of the main causes of corrosion of rims and simply leaving your rims exposed to the air will cause them to turn dull and look shabby. You need to clean the rims of the vehicle regularly to avoid corrosion to the rims. If cleaning isn’t done properly and regularly, it will take much more time, money, and energy afterward. Here are some tips on how to prevent corrosion of rims:

1. Inhibitors

You can use corrosion inhibitors to stop the corrosion of rims. Corrosion inhibitors are coatings that are applied to the inside of the tire casing as part of the tire mounting process. These are applied by the maintenance shop or by a tire service provider.

• Moisture

Moisture is a key catalyst for the corrosion reaction. You should remove any water that has pooled in the tires before mounting the wheels. Rims and components can retain water after washing with a hose, you should wipe them with a dry cloth to remove all the moisture.

• Chemicals

Chemicals especially acids can cause significant damage to the wheels. You should ensure that the cleaner you’re using, doesn’t contain any acid. You can also use a cleaning liquid that is specifically designed for your wheels and rims.

• Brake Dust

Brake dust can accumulate in the tires and can bond with dirt if not removed and moisture accumulating around the surface. Brake dust can be easily removed by cleaning the wheels. A special cleaning liquid should be used to remove the dust using a soft brush.

• Oxidation

Oxidation is one of the main causes of corrosion. Signs of oxidation include thin grey lines that form a web and bubbles under the paint. You should apply wax or wheel sealant each time after cleaning. You should also have a professional electroplate your wheels using common plating metals such as chrome, zinc, nickel, and others.

Looking to buy top-notch summer wheels for your car? You can check out the massive collection at AudioCityUSA. You can call 888.814.1158 to contact the team at the online store for more information. The online store offers top-quality wheels from brands such as Fuel, Moto Metal, Blaque Diamond, Niche, XD, Rohanna, Lexani, and various others.

Ways to Choose the Best Alloy Wheels for Your Car

When you think about customizing your car, the first thing that comes to your mind is alloy wheels. Alloy wheels are one of the best accessories if you are looking to give your car a makeover. Being lighter and stronger than the traditional steel wheels, they offer their own set of advantages too. With a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and materials to choose from, buying the perfect set of alloys for your car can be a tough ask.

Let us have a look at the facts that will help you to choose the best alloy wheels for your ride.

What are Alloy Wheels?

Alloy Wheels are a great way to add instant visual impact to your vehicle, as they’re lighter than steel rims and are available in a wide range of styles. Alloy wheels are made from an alloy of magnesium or aluminum. This is what gives them an edge when compared to traditional steel wheels in terms of handling and fuel economy. Alloy wheels are well known for giving cars a much-needed makeover, but they are much more than just an accessory to make your cars look pretty.

Pros and Cons of Alloy Wheels

Just like everything else, alloy wheels have their own set of pros and cons. Let’s have a look.

Pros:

• Improved Handling: Due to higher rigidity than regular steel wheels, alloy wheels offer improved performance around the corners and hence, a better handling experience. 
• High Durability: As steel wheels are softer, they are less durable and more likely to take damage on hilly terrains and potholes. Due to their construction, alloy wheels are tougher and highly durable in the long run.
• Better Tire Options: Choosing alloy wheels opens a better range of tires to choose from if you are planning a replacement. Always ensure that the alloys of your choice are compatible with a wide range of tires. 

Cons:

• Reduced Ride Comfort: Alloy wheels are harder as compared to the regular steel ones and hence, can often cause a little more than usual tire vibration and noise. This can result in discomfort while riding.
• Cost: Cost can be a deciding factor while choosing alloy wheels over the regular steel ones as alloys are an expensive modification to make. It is advised to shop alloy wheels from the sites that offer them at a competitive price. 
• Damage Repair:  Alloy wheels, if damaged, can be expensive to repair. Hence, they require the driver to be cautious of the curbs while driving. 

Which Alloy Wheels are best for your Car?

Finding compatible alloy wheels for your car can be a tough ask. But if you keep these couple of points in mind, you can achieve your goal with ease. 

• Searching by size: The simplest way to find the most compatible alloy is to search by size. Alloys usually come in the size range of 10” to 30”.
• Searching by Vehicle: With a little help from the internet, you can track down the perfect alloy wheels for your vehicle just by mentioning your car’s make and model. 

How to buy and fit alloy wheels properly?

Here is an effective guide for purchasing and fitting alloy wheels to your car:

1. Find the right-sized alloy wheels for your car and make sure they are fully compatible.
2. The next step is to find a service partner or a local garage where you can have your alloys shipped.
3. The final step is to get your car to the service partner and getting the alloys fitted to your car.

This may not be the case for all alloy wheel purchases but it is enough to have a rough idea of what to expect if you are planning to buy alloy wheels online. 

If you are looking for an online store that can offer you the best alloy wheels for your car, then AudioCityUSA is the best choice. They offer a plethora of world-class alloy wheel brands such as Moto Metal, AC Forged, Niche, Lexani, Fuel, Giovanna, and much more. You can visit their online store and browse all the different alloy wheels compatible with your car. Contact their customer support team at 888.814.1158 to know more.