Game play for most games today such as Need for Speed needs to be as realistic as possible. And you have to wonder how they do it. Well now it can be told. Game designers try to get as close as possible to the real thing and Microsoft game developers have shown how they do it. Thanks to a loaned Tesla, the sound of squealing tires were properly recorded thanks to proper placement of mics near the wheels of the said vehicle. Game audio is essential and as far as car-based games are concerned, this practically moves them closer to the real thing.

As you can see from the large microphones placed which look like overgrown feather dusters or willows, these things actually record the actual sounds coming from the car itself. These Tesla sounds are apparently meant to prepare the audio support for their upcoming game titles, the new Forza and Project Gotham Racing. Now the question is on whether there will be an actual Tesla car in these games. Let’s just wait and see!

(Source) Crunch Gear

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One thing I know from terrible experience is that changing a tire SUCKS.  I hope to never have to do that again unless of course I’m in the safety and comfort of my own garage.  Even then, I’d still rather not.

But looking to make things a bit easier for me the, God forbid, next time I should have to do it is the MagnoGrip, a device you won’t want around your computers but is invaluable in changing a tire.

The MagnoGrip is essentially a magnet on a wristband.  You wear it while you’re changing a tire and you have a handy place to put your lug nuts.  It’s a clever idea that someone probably should have thought of long ago, but just somehow didn’t.  This is the kind of thing they probably should’ve had back in the days when they were filming A Christmas Story–wouldn’t have had the problem they did if Ralphie didn’t send the lug nuts flying.

Again, not the kind of thing you want anywhere near your computer, but it’s still a sweet idea.

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Back in January, we were talking about the new line of tires from Yokohama, the E-Spec line, that contains the strange addition of orange oil.  But some new details on the E-Spec line have been released, so here’s an update.

As it turns out, the tread actually lasts longer when the tires are made with orange oil.   The tires also get ten percent less rolling resistance than tires made without orange oil,  and the inner liner actually weighs under one pound, cutting down on the amount of weight carried.

Plus, the new liner actually has better air retention than the ordinary, meaning the tires hold pressure longer and in turn give, again, better mileage.

There is one downside in the additional news; the E-Spec tires are expected to cost between ten and twenty percent more per tire.

Yokohama believes that eventually all tires will be made with orange oil, which is a smart idea in my book, especially given all those benefits.

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Here is a modern approach that motorists are using when it comes to fixing a flat. The Sylvania 9007SU BP SilverStar Ultra High Performance Halogen Headlight – Pack of 2 is perfect for people who hate fixing flat tires or maybe even worse, don’t know how to change one.

It comes with a powerful 120 volt inflator with a 2/3 HP motor which can easily inflate P185/70R14 tires from 0 to 28 PSI within 2 minutes. It also comes with an extra long 8 foot air hose with a quick connect valve and a built-in analog pressure gauge for easier reading and use.

Price: $59.99

(Source) Amazon

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In what is expected to be a decision related to the current economic crisis, Goodyear Tire & Rubber company has announced that it will be closing its tire manufacturing plant in Las Pinas, Philippines to address the uncompetitive manufacturing capacity globally.

Apparently the cost reduction here is aimed at the storage facilities which are expectedly not meeting the sales. The trend is something we see familiar in most companies and while this is a big shot in the arm for the Philippines, Goodyear will continue to serve the country in terms of service to wholesale, retail and original equipment customers.

“Due to high costs compared to other plants in the region, tires produced in the Las Pinas plant are not competitive in the marketplace,” said Pierre E. Cohade, president of Goodyear’s Asia-Pacific Region.

(Source) Press

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Tires play an important role in helping vehicles in their fuel efficiency issues and apparently Michelin has an answer to that. This is of course with reference to their latest line of tires, the Michelin Energy Saver A/S tire. These tires are designed for exceptional levels of fuel-efficiency, while delivering an environmentally-friendly performance package that is unprecedented in the industry.

Michelin Energy Saver Construction technology keeps the tire cooler, helping the engine to improve its fuel-efficiency. It is up to 8 percent more fuel-efficient than other tires in its class and can reduce a vehicle’s CO2 emissions by as much as 2,000 pounds of CO2.

The Michelin Energy Saver A/S tire is now available in four sizes that include popular mainstream and hybrid vehicles. The sizes are: P215/60R16; P195/65R15; P195/60R15 and P185/65R15.

So if your car is due for a tire change, check out these new ones from Michelin, the reliable and familiar name in tires for better performing cars.

(Source) Press

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TREAD Gadget Cases

Old, discarded tires are certainly no friends of the environment, and there’s not much that they can be put to use for. A company called TREAD has come up intelligent examples of reuse. They use discarded tires to create covers for gadgets like mobile phones, laptops, the iPod, and Solio cases.

Rubber for these cases comes from South American truck tires, each of which is analyzed and then crafted into the case that is most suitable. The cases are fabricated with cool detail, and are finished in a fine texture and stitching. They maintain the toughness of the tires and are able of withstand extreme temperatures, acids and UV rays.

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Unknown to most onlookers at the Chicago Auto Show, Hyundai had something to offer and it was not only the Genesis Coupe. Apparently, they have added a little surprise to the mix and that was when they unveiled a racing version, the Hyundai Genesis Coupe R-Spec. The R-Spec model was designed to appeal to true enthusiasts who want a low starting price and the ability to tune their car to their own specifications. R-Spec will be available as a mid-2010 model year introduction.

The R-Spec adds core performance equipment to the most affordable 2.0T model, such as:

The Genesis Coupe R-Spec will be priced at $23,750 and $3,000 less than the 2.0T Track model, leaving tuners with extra cash for their own choice of aftermarket performance upgrades.

(Source) Press

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Michelin has recalled tires that have been found to be non-compliant with the NHTSA requirement for a marking that should indicate that the tire has been certified under motor vehicle safety standards. The affected tires included:

• Michelin(R)
• Pilot(R)
• Alpin(R)
• PA2 ZP winter tires

The missing “DOT” letters are used to help consumers identify the tire’s validity for use and signify compliance with the motor vehicle safety standard. There is no performance issue with these tires, and they have been validated to meet all performance requirements of the motor vehicle safety standard.

(Source) Press

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Now here is a Lamborghini made for the big boys. Though you may be limited to ride it out into secluded areas, the Lamborghini Murcielago 4×4 ATV from Liberty Walk and LB Performance is something that only the rich and famous may be able to afford or consider. They are the only ones who can perhaps ride this ATV within their premises or area with flair.

While there is no practical way you’d be able to rip around the bush hunting with the low profile tires and awesome forged alloys on them, they sure would make fun toys for any baller with a mansion!

(Source) Carzi

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On January 20, Barack Obama will be officially sworn in as the new president of the United States. At the same time, a new high-tech presidential limousine conceptualized by General Motors will likewise be unveiled which will carry President Obama to the White House. Among the new features that this new limo carries include:

• 5 inches thick
• Bulletproof windows
• Run-flat tires
• Sealed interior to protect the president in case of chemical attack.

“It’s designed and developed in a unique and specific way,” said Cadillac spokesman Dave Caldwell. “I can’t tell you what’s underneath the hood in terms of technology, but it’s similar to the way presidential limousines have been constructed in the past.”

Talk about protection, that is the way to avoid any possible assassination plots through a car which obviously carries one of the most well-known man in the world.

(Source) ABC News

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Now that 2009 is here, expect most car owners to forego any plans of buying new cars. Rather, a lot are expected to make do with their current vehicles and perhaps go as far as enhancing them as a better alternative compared to the investment cost needed to buy a new one in the market.

Financing is one of the prime reasons. Rather than invest thousands of dollars, you can just modify and maintain your car to perform and look better. This caters to mechanical and interior upgrades, a prime practice some years back before the boom of new cars came into play.

Among the expected high demands of car accessory improvements include that of:

1. Engine maintenance and upgrades
2. Magwheels and Tires
3. Audio upgrades
4. Interior upgrading
5. New Paint jobs
6. Auto Detailing

Look at them one by one and you will agree, they are cost-friendly measures for the time being. Besides, most cars in the market today are not that old yet. So why bury yourself with debt if you can make your current car look better.

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When General Motors pulled out its advertising spots for the upcoming Super Bowl, you may have noticed a lot of foreign car manufacturers brimming with joy. For one, they can now get better exposure and more slots in promoting their vehicles and it looks like Hyundai Motors is taking clear advantage of that.

Aside from getting another slot, Hyundai is working on all cylinders to push its Hyundai Genesis Coupe to the max. With so much viewers bound to be watching the game, better placement of commercials that can help build on the lackadaisical showing they had when it was first aired in 2008.

The title of both commercials is “The Epic Lap.” Shot at Road Atlanta, the racetrack didn’t do much damage to the car. The company says the Genesis only needed a new set of tires after three days of filming.

Watch out for it!

Source

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The tire in the picture is based on a polymeric web developed by the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Wausau, Wis. It’s a 37-inch bullet and bomb-proof tire that looks exactly like a honeycomb. Only without the honey.

The tire requires no air to support the armor and to support an IED attack. In case you aren’t working in the military you won’t be needing these tires this winter. But the idea is pretty cool itself. The design is based on airless tires like the Michelin “Tweel” but it is also based on the pattern found in the honeycomb.

The tires will arrive sometime in 2011 and the cost will be similar tp current units.

via cnet

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Safety is the most important thing for any driver. No matter how fast you’re flying, you want to feel secure while driving your car right? Well Pirelli is working on that and they have some smart tires in the works.

Pirelli’s Cyber Tyre is an intelligent tire with an RFID microchip inside which will be always in constant contact with the car’s computer and certain features like ABS and traction control. Temperature, pressure, road surface, vertical information and even dimensions of the footprint area will be just some of the transmitted information by the tire.

Pirelli is counting on those sensors to make the car safer. With the information received from them, the computer should react faster, whether we’re talking about traction issues or fuel economy assessment.

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