A wide variety of vehicles have been installed with KYB shocks and struts because of their proven reliability and finely tuned ride quality. Tire Rack offers KYB gas shock absorbers for use on passenger vehicles, performance cars, pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. KYB offers two distinct lines of shocks and dampers to match your performance needs.
Use KYB GR-2/Excel-G gas series shock absorbers, strut cartridges or complete struts when you want to blend like-new vehicle ride qualities with a little more control.
GR-2/Excel-G gas shock absorbers, strut cartridges and complete struts are affordably priced, twin tube designs that blend smooth ride quality and enhanced road control. A low-pressure gas charge and patented check valve minimize foaming and aeration providing a consistent ride, even under rough conditions.
Use KYB Gas-A-Just shock absorbers when you want more road control when towing or for higher performance.
Gas-A-Just shocks are high-pressure gas shock absorbers designed to deliver driving control and performance by keeping the tires stuck to the road. These high strength, monotube shock absorbers provide extra-rugged durability with fade-free performance.
Tire manufacturers are now expanding their role in helping lower a tire's impact on the environment by developing technologies that help reduce fuel consumption. New compounds offering lower rolling resistance, new manufacturing methods and the use of more eco-friendly raw materials all contribute to a more eco-friendly tire. Our Tire Rack team has recently compared four of the new generation of tires in order to determine what the impact on mileage really is. See comparison results.
Michelin HydroEdge with Green X (Passenger All-Season)
The HydroEdge with Green X was designed to combine long tread wear and low rolling resistance with hydroplaning resistance and year-round traction. The HydroEdge with Green X radial features Michelin’s Energysaver Construction technology, resulting in a low-rolling resistance silica-based tread compound molded into a directional tread design blending dry and wet road traction with long wear.
Continental ProContact with EcoPlus Technology (Standard Touring All-Season
The ProContact EcoPlus is designed to promote driving pleasure, fuel savings and maintain wet braking grip while providing long wear and all-season traction. The ProContact EcoPlus tire's all-season tread compound features Continental's Tg-F Polymers and +Silane additives improving treadwear, fuel efficiency and traction on slippery roads.
Goodyear Assurance featuring Fuel Max Technology (Passenger All-Season)
The Assurance Fuel Max is designed to lower rolling resistance to enhance fuel economy over the tire’s lifetime and provide year-round traction in wet, dry and wintry weather conditions. The Assurance Fuel Max molds a low rolling resistance all-season compound into a tread design featuring distinct zones. Inboard and outboard Dry Tread Zones feature strong shoulder blocks to enhance handling in dry conditions, while a central Wet Tread Zone features Dual Aquachannel grooves that provide hydroplaning resistance.
Kumho eco Solus HM KR22 (Standard Touring All-Season)
The eco Solus HM KR22 offers extra long wear, low noise and good ride with competent handling and all-season traction. The eco Solus HM features Kumho's traction-enhancing carbon compound molded into a symmetric tread pattern to provide predictable handling, straight-line tracking and low noise.
I'm always on the lookout for tires that satisfy the needs of older cars and are available in less popular sizes. Dunlop has produced a strong performer for winter driving and made it available in many sizes for 18" through 13" wheels. If your vehicle still has 14" or even 13" wheels, you need to check out the
Dunlop Graspic DS-3. The Graspic DS-3 features a silica-based tread compound reinforced by glass fiber molded into a symmetric tread design and provides grip in snow and on ice without metal studs. The unique tread pattern helps stiffen the tread blocks to promote steering feel and even tread wear.
The first 55% of the Graspic DS-3's tread depth features Dunlop's high-grip, silica-enhanced compound. When the tread is worn down where the tread depth no longer supports snow traction, the remaining 45% features an all-season tread compound.
Graspic DS-3 winter / snow tires meet the industry's severe snow service requirements and are branded with the mountain/snowflake symbol.
The
Continental ExtremeWinterContact is a serious performer in severe winter weather conditions.
Utilizing an advanced tread compound that remains flexible in freezing temperatures to enhance snow and ice traction, the ExtremeWinterContact provides great traction and control.
The compound is molded into an asymmetric tread pattern that blends dry road handling with foul-weather traction. A stiffer tread pattern improves dry handling while independent tread blocks provide the multiple gripping edges to enhance traction and braking on snow. It is available in over 50 sizes to fit most sedans and coupes.
ExtremeWinterContact tires meet the industry's severe snow service requirements and are branded with the mountain/snowflake symbol.
Bridgestone Tire, known for their advancements in winter traction technology, has developed the latest word in winter driving with the Blizzak WS70 that features ice and snow traction enhanced by a multicell compound with tiny bite particles.
Available in 35 sizes in 15", 16", 17" and 18" for sporty sedans and coupes and light trucks/SUVs.
The Blizzak WS70 features a dual-compound tread. Layered on top of a standard winter compound is Bridgestone's NanoPro-Tech silica-enhanced multicell compound. The multicell compound looks like Swiss cheese when examined through a microscope and features thousands of microscopic tubes and cells that wick away the water between the tire's contact patch and the road surface. As the tread wears, new pores and tubes are constantly exposed. This flexible rubber compound improves the tire's grip in cold conditions while the bite particles attached to the tubes scratch at packed snow and icy surfaces for traction.
When 50 percent worn, a tread depth indicator molded into the tread design lets the driver know that only 10 percent of the remaining tread is the Tube Multicell compound.
Many parts of our country experience very mild winters and only occasionally see snow, making installing dedicated winter / snow tires impractical. For those occasions when it does snow and business or family obligations demand that you must travel, there is a practical and simple solution in the AutoSock.
AutoSock is a proven temporary winter traction aid and is now available in the US for a wide range of vehicles. Developed in Norway, AutoSock is lightweight and made from 100% high-technology fibers that stick to snow and ice. These fibers, which are intended to fray with use, are arranged in a specific pattern to optimize winter grip.
Because vehicles need the ability to stop and turn as well as accelerate in slippery conditions, Tire Rack recommends that AutoSock be installed in sets of four. AutoSock is sold in pairs to accommodate vehicles with staggered wheel and tire fitments.
Unlike snow chains, AutoSock does not produce loud rattling nor a bumpy ride. AutoSock does not damage the vehicle structure or alloy wheels and is approved for speeds up to 30 mph (50km/h).
Because AutoSock is meant as a temporary emergency traction device, it is recommended that AutoSock be removed when returning to roads where no snow or ice is present. Driving on dry or wet roads is not recommended as it increases fabric wear considerably.
If you are short on space and need to manage your off-season tires or if you need to impress your better half with your organizational skills, Tire Rack has a couple of solutions for your
tire mayhem.
The Tire Storage Rack is a great way to help organize your garage and keep extra tires out of the way. Its flexible design allows it to be adjusted to fit a variety of tire sizes. The rack quickly attaches to wall studs to provide a convenient and safe storage method and its heavy-duty construction has been load tested to a weight capacity of 400 lbs.
The Tire Garage frees up extra space in your garage or storage area and keeps your tires clean and out of the way. It's constructed of durable, weatherproof material and accommodates tires up to 27" in diameter. The Tire Garage cleans easily and retains its color and strength after years of normal use.
Light trucks and SUVs benefit from aggressive traction and superior foul weather performance.
Firestone Destination A/T tires combine an all-terrain tread design with a comfortable ride while providing year-round traction, even in snow. It features an enhanced tread compound that blends wet performance and wear on the road with cut, tear and abrasion resistance off the road.
The Destination A/T uses Firestone's
UNI-T technology, a comprehensive design method with innovative manufacturing features to enhance tire comfort, performance and wear.
Available in a wide variety of sizes, the tire meets the fitment requirements for most sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks and vans. With
68 popular sizes ranging from 14" to 20", you won't have any trouble finding the right fit for your ride.
Thinking about a suspension lift for your truck, but you don't want an overly stiff ride?
Consider the Traxda Lift and Level Kits.
Traxda kits lift your ride by relocating the mounting point of the spring that holds the truck up without changing the location of the stock suspension arms. Installation is simple and does not require the removal of all suspension components like many kits. Because spring pressure is not increased, it doesn't compromise the stock ride.
Each Traxda kit is fine-tuned to your vehicle to ensure stock compatibility and quality.
With a coil-over style suspension, the strut length is extended while retaining the stock spring pressure. This keeps the smooth ride of a stock truck, with no increase in harshness. For a torsion bar style suspension, a re-indexed torsion key and shock relocator brackets are included to change the location of the torsion spring mount without changing the spring tension.
All Traxda kits come complete with hardware, full instructions, alignment specs and dedicated technical support. Most kits are a direct bolt-in style, simple and easy to install with nothing more than common hand tools and require no modifications to your vehicle.
The Braille Lightweight Racing Battery is 10-30 pounds lighter than a standard battery of equal power and it is suitable for race use where weight savings are important. In custom car applications it allows for flexibility in mounting location as well.
A wide range of power ratings from 527 to 1380 cold cranking amps and weighing from 6 lbs. to 21 lbs. provides a lot of flexibility when choosing the right battery for your application. Many sizes are offered in standard case and carbon fiber wrap and include mounts.
Braille batteries offer true deep-cycling ability over the entire life of the battery. The vibration-resistant power posts resist the cracking and deterioration common to many lightweight batteries used in harsh automotive environments. The battery is a sealed unit that can be mounted in any position safely using its adjustable automotive terminal posts.
Braille batteries include a one-year free replacement limited warranty that is not pro-rated.
Here's an easy project that increases the bling appeal of your brakes and makes your calipers easier to keep clean.
G-2 Manufacturing Brake Caliper PaintSystem Set shows off a vehicle’s brake components through open-spoke style alloy wheels like
Borbet rims. It can be used to give a vehicle’s stock brake calipers or rear brake drums the look of expensive, painted, high performance calipers. It applies easily and is engineered for universal application on all automotive brake calipers and drums.
Application is fairly simple -- just three simple steps:
preparation, application and cure.
Available in nine high-gloss, wear-resistant colors, select a color to complement or contrast a vehicle's primary and/or accent colors.
It's already back to school time! Before your student heads back to school in the family jalopy, take a few minutes to check the condition of the tires. If you're in a part of the country where snow is likely, you may want to consider dedicated Winter Tires for your student's safety.
Tire Rack recommends that drivers expecting to encounter snow-covered roads consider replacing their tires when tread depths reach approximately 6/32". Tires need more tread depth in wintry conditions to compress snow in their grooves and release it as they roll. If there isn't sufficient tread depth, the vehicle's traction and mobility in snow will be reduced.
New Tire Tread Depth | | Approaching Winter
Wear Indicators | | Approaching Tread
Wear Indicators |
 |
| Tread design, compound and depth combine to provide effective snow traction. | | A tire's ability to provide beneficial snow traction diminishes when it has worn to about 6/32". | | While still legal at 2/32", the tire has worn well past the depth where it provides beneficial snow traction. |
Winter tires are molded with deeper tread depths than summer or even All Season Tires, and may also feature Winter Wear Indicators to identify that a tire's tread depth remains suitable for useful snow performance. Experience shows that the available snow traction has passed the point of diminishing returns when the tread has worn down to approximately 6/32" of remaining tread depth and the Winter Wear Indicators are seen connecting adjacent tread blocks.
While most all-season tires will not have Winter Wear Indicators molded into their tread designs, their winter snow traction will also pass the point of diminishing returns when their treads wear down to approximately 6/32" of remaining tread.
I've noticed that the General AltiMAX HP Grand Touring All-Season tire is finding its way on a lot of cars for a lot of different reasons.
- Great wet traction and hydroplaning resistance? None better in its class.
- A quiet, comfortable ride? HP is your answer.
- Need to drive in snow? The HP delivers excellent snow traction.
- Don't want to break the bank for all of the above? HP!
The AltiMAX HP was developed to address many of the treadwear quality and year-round traction challenges faced by drivers of today's sporty sedans and coupes. It is designed to combine reliability, comfort and tread life, as well as provide year-round traction, including in light snow.
When you are working under and around your vehicle in your garage, the last thing you want is to trust your future to the vehicle's emergency jack. You want a stable platform supporting your car without risking a trip to the hospital emergency room, or worse.
That's where the safety and convenience of the Tire Rack Aluminum Service Jack and Jack Stand Set come in handy.
The 2-ton capacity jack features a Quick Lift System with two-stage pump and dual return springs. You can go from 3.5" to a maximum height of 19.5" in 12 strokes, even under load. The lightweight, aluminum design weighs only 50 lbs. making it convenient to transport yet ideal for heavy-duty use. Wide track casters and wheels allow for easy maneuverability while a rubber saddle pad and foam handle bumper protect the raised vehicle.
The pair of jack stands weigh only 10 pounds and feature safety lock pins and a wide base to provide plenty of stability. The adjustable height can be set from 10.5" to 15.5", enough range to provide plenty of room under the vehicle for you and your tools.
Before you tackle your next automotive project, check out the Tire Rack Aluminum Service Jack and Jack Stand Set .
If you have ever crawled under your vehicle and looked closely at the flexible brake lines connecting your brake calipers to the rigid brake lines, you might be in for a shock. These flexible, rubber hoses are exposed to a very harsh environment and are expected to remain pliable while providing the only link between you and your brakes. If these lines show cracking or are otherwise brittle, it is time to change them for something better.
Goodridge G-Stop Brakeline Kits are constructed of a PTFE (Teflon) inner hose covered by braided stainless steel. This dual construction eliminates the “spongy” feel that is characteristic of stock rubber brake lines and is abrasion- and corrosion-resistant to remain effective for a long time.
Goodridge G-Stop Brakeline Kits are direct bolt-on replacements with the hose ends and brake line brackets perfectly matched to the vehicle’s Original Equipment parts to make installation quick and straight forward. All Goodridge G-Stop Brakeline Kits go through a 9-point Quality Assurance testing process that includes measuring tensile strength and the ability to contain line pressures up to 3,000 pounds per square inch.
Beginning in 2010, Tire Rack tests will measure the fuel consumption of our regular test cars when equipped with a variety of tires. This portion of pir tests will highlight how a tire’s rolling resistance influences vehicle efficiency, as well as the role vehicle selection plays in determining annual fuel costs.
We have added a comparison to the tire test reports that projects the number of gallons each vehicle/tire combination would require for driving 15,000 miles (typical annual mileage traveled in the U.S.).
In addition to testing performance, touring and passenger tires, Tire Rack will compare eco-oriented car and light truck tires that promise greater fuel-efficiency. We will compare two new low rolling resistance tire lines to two similar tire lines from last year’s test. The results of these tests will be made available on our website in the near future.
Choosing more fuel-efficient tires can influence how much fuel a specific vehicle consumes. However, differences between tires don’t have as much influence on a driver’s annual fuel costs as differences in the efficiency of the vehicles they’ve selected.
