What is the Recommended Installer Program at Tire Rack?

Wednesday, February 24, 2010 by Chad Hocker
A recent customer was asking what the Recommended Installer Program is all about. I believe the Recommended Installer Program can help the newest customer to Tire Rack or one that has been with us from day one over 30 years ago. Tire Rack has a network of over 5,000 local independent Recommended Installers ready to handle your installation needs. The basic idea is to provide a reputable source in each local market to install products purchased through Tire Rack. The basic process of the program is as follows:
  1. Select the products for your vehicle and add them to your cart.
  2. During check out select the Recommended Installer you like.
  3. Your tires can even be shipped directly to the Recommended Installer.
  4. Before the tires arrive at the Installer, call for an appointment and then drive in for the installation.
Who are Tire Rack's Recommended Installers?

All Tire Rack-approved Recommended Installers are carefully screened to ensure they have the right equipment and experience to satisfactorily serve our customers. In fact, to become a Recommended Installer a company must:

   1. Use proper mounting and balancing equipment.
   2. Employ properly trained technicians.
   3. Be an automotive business that can offer additional services to customers.
   4. Possess a positive attitude and the ability to treat Tire Rack’s customers with the highest level of professional courtesy.

So not every local shop can become a Recommended Installer.

A few thoughts I have concerning the best Recommended Installer for you.
  • Find someone convenient to your schedule and location
  • When viewing Recommended Installers Click "Select/More Info" to see the following:
    • Read some of the lastest reviews by other consumersPrice Pledge Plus
    • View the overall results (rated 1-5 stars, 5 being the best)
    • Most Installers also include pictures of their location
    • See where the installer is located prior to arrival
  • Find a Price Pledge Plus Installer if possible
Other than that, have fun and you will see your tires soon. Check out Tire Rack to see which Tires, Brakes, Suspension, Lighting, Wheels, Wiper Blades or Air Intake works best for your Vehicle.

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AEM Air Intake Systems

Friday, January 8, 2010 by Tire Rack Team

They say their reputation was built with horsepower, and AEM proves it by taking credit for some of the fastest vehicles found on racetracks across the country. Extensive research and development ventures ultimately lead to high-quality products that enhance performance levels on sport compact cars. But they don't stop there. AEM creates a variety of products well-suited to sedans, trucks and SUVs, too. For example, AEM air intakes.

An AEM air intake system comes tuned and tested to provide a complete air intake system that consistently outperforms the competition. All AEM intakes will soft mount, which means installation is flexible to prevent added stress on the component.

AEM Brute Force Cold Air Intake Systems were designed for trucks, SUVs and muscle cars to gain maximum airflow without sacrificing low-end torque.

Cold Air Intake Systems were designed for sport compact cars and feature an individually tuned inlet pipe and exterior filter for a cooler inlet charge.

Short Ram Intake Systems are economical alternatives to Cold Air Intake Systems, and tend to please drivers who are concerned about hydrolock.



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What's the "Best" mod for my car?

Friday, July 10, 2009 by Luke Pavlick
    A question I hear quite often is exactly that "What is the 'best' mod for my car?".

    It is asked with full expectation to hear something like "get some new tires and wheels they'll look great and really handle the corners" or "an AEM cold air intake will up the performance of your car and that would be really cool". While both of those statements are accurate they may not be the best answer.

    I find that many times the people who are asking that question are younger drivers who are excited to get their life behind the wheel jump started. They over look the fact that their driving skills are still under-development and they still need improvement as well as experience before they can truly appreciate what any upgrade or a mod to the car can offer.

    Every year more than 5,000 American youths ages 16 - 20 die behind the wheel. Nationwide, a teen dies in a traffic crash an average of once an hour on weekends and nearly once every two hours during the week. That means every week more than 100 families will lose a child.


    The Tire Rack has joined with the non-profit BMW CCA Foundation and the SCCA to bring Tire Rack Street Survival teen driving program to the nation. Through the efforts of members of the BMW Car Club of America, the Sports Car Club of America, the Mercedes Benz Club of America and the Porsche Club of America as well as other automotive enthusiasts who volunteer their time to serve as coaches with each teen, over 80 schools will be held in locations across the U.S. and benefit over 1,600 student drivers this year.

    The point I am making is quite simple, the best 'mod' for a young inexperienced driver is more often than not  "fix the loose nut behind the wheel"

    Even older, more experienced drivers can improve their skill set behind the wheel by enrolling in a high performance drivers education course or a full on race school with professional racers as instructors. These are typically held at major race tracks around the country. 

    Many local car clubs with national affiliates run these schools and are very friendly, helpful and fun to hang around with. To find a club near you search your favorite marque like Audi, BMW, Porsche or Mustang. The SCCA as well as NASA are also involved in schools and welcome new members at all events. For you Mid-West guys and gals you might want to look into the Audi Car Club Chicagoland Chapter, The North Shore Corvette Club and the Salt Creek Sports car Club as all of them organize great events.

   
And befor you go there, Yes, I remember the old adage "practice what you preach"

    I recently attended the Ford Racing school at Miller Motorsports Park in Toole, Utah and came away with better understanding of vehicular dynamics and car control skills. The lead instructor at the school was Professional racer Cyndi Lux. She and her team of instructors were fantastic as their instruction was helpful and easy to understand. 


   

In addition to the great driving instruction I was also able to learn about a couple of BF Goodrich tire models and how they perform and react under extreme conditions.

    Let me tell you I had an absolute blast pushing them to the absolute limit. Actually, a little beyond their limit, at times, according to one of the the instructors 

My name is Luke Pavlick ... I'm a car guy



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Drop it like it's hot. Infiniti G35.

Thursday, July 9, 2009 by Neal O'Neal
    A while back I picked up a 2003 Infiniti G35 6MT with 8k miles on it. Like many car enthusiasts I couldn't' t wait to bolt on any performance modifications I could. Wheels, tires, cold air intake, etc. While that was all good, it lacked some handling. So I turned to our friends at Eibach for some suspension help.
   
As you can see, she needed a bit of help in the wheel gap and handling department. I added the Eibach Pro Kit lowering springs and sway bars to the car. Before lowered pic. 
 














What was really great is another sales rep here had the identical car just not lowered. In this pic you can see the difference after the springs were installed. Both cars were same year and model.













Not only did the new Eibach items work great, they made the car look wonderful. The springs combined with the sways made the car handle completely different. I ran the sway bars at medium stiffness front and rear which worked well for street and mild track use. Ride did stiffen a little but not significantly.

Spring into action with the Pro Kit! You won't be disappointed.

   





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