For all the owners of Toyota Tundra trucks, it would be advisable to make a periodic check of your chassis. Reports have it that some owners have been complaining about severe frame rust which may eventually lead to broken brake lines and loosening spare tires. The year models affected are 2000 and 2001 and covers about 218,000 vehicles. There have already been reports of underbody-mounted spare tire separations from the rear crossmember and broken brake lines. Fortunately, no accidents have been reported yet so take the initiative and check or observe these parts from time to time.

If investigations reveal that these are indeed Toyota’s fault once again, it may become the second recall after the celebrated floormat design unintended acceleration defect. Worse, it can really dampen the brand image of Toyota, something it doesn’t need right now with their floundering sales due to the recession.

(Source) Press

Tags: acceleration, Accidents, brand image, chassis, floormat, initiative, investigations, models, rear crossmember, recession, rust proofing, separations, spare tire, spare tires, Toyota, toyota tundra, trucks

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National Tire Safety Week is on June 8 to 13 and in line with this event, Discount Tire and AAA Show Your Card and Save are offering free tire checks for all motorists who visit any Discount Tire Store. So for motorists who are unsure about the current state of their tires, here is a chance for you to have a free checkup and avoid the problems of tire issues.

The inspection, which takes three to five minutes, includes a check of tire tread depth, tire age, air and a visual inspection by automotive technicians checking for cracks or breaks in the tire and objects, such as nails, embedded in the tire. Those bringing their vehicles to Discount Tire during the week will receive a free tire air gauge, tread depth gauge card and a list of tire safety tips. AAA members also receive a five percent discount on any purchases of wheels and tires.

This is a great way to avoid the usual road problems you may encounter with your vehicle. Further, it helps you avoid potential hazards such as accidents or having to pull over to change tires (assuming your spare tire is ok).

All Discount Tire shops follow standard operating hours of 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. schedule on weekdays and up to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.

(Source) Press

Tags: aaa members, air gauge, automotive technicians, current state, discount tire store, five minutes, free checkup, motorists, national tire, operating hours, safety tips, saturdays, spare tire, tire inspection, tire safety, tire shops, tire tread depth, tread depth gauge, weekdays, wheels and tires

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If you think you already got all the information about the 2010 Porsche Cayenne, check this out. You may have missed out a couple since more details were announced in line with the 2010 debut of the Cayenne S Hybrid next year.

When it comes to market in 2010, the Cayenne S Hybrid is expected to emit some 20 percent less C02 than comparable combustion engine vehicles with similar power output. Covering a 0-to-100 km/h sprint in just 6.8 seconds, it earns its ‘S’ designation by delivering V8 performance and four-cylinder efficiency, all while complying with the Ultra Low Emission Vehicle II (ULEVII) emission standards.

The Cayenne S Hybrid uses a supercharged Audi 3.0-liter V6 engine with Direct Fuel Injection (DFI), 333 horsepower and 324 lb-ft of torque from 2,900 to 5,300 rpm. It is mated with 52-horsepower three-phase synchronous electric motor that produces up to 221 lb-ft of torque and also acts as an alternator, and the combined power units are joined to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Also on board is a 154-lb. no-maintenance 38 kW nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery. Measuring 13.7″ x 24.9″ x 11.5″, it fits in the spare tire well, thus not compromising luggage capacity. The Cayenne S Hybrid also has electrically driven ancillary components such as the air conditioning compressor and the power steering pump.

Porsche expects the Cayenne S Hybrid to consume less than nine liters of fuel per 100 kilometers in the New European Driving Cycle. EPA fuel economy figures are not yet available.

(Source) Press

Tags: air conditioning compressor, automatic transmission, cayenne s, emission standards, emission vehicle, horsepower, porsche cayenne, spare tire

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