Summer is slowly giving way to autumn, it’s getting cooler, it’s raining more and more – before we know it, October will be on our calendars
For many drivers this is also the time of the annual tire dilemma. Is a change to winter tires still necessary in the current climate, or will good all-season tires suffice?
Comparison of seasonal and all-season tires
Replacing worn out tires with new ones can be a painless process – just buy the same make, model and size that are matched to your vehicle by the manufacturer when it was new. But there are many makes, models and sizes available that can affect how your car performs in certain weather conditions.
For most people, tires come in three different versions – summer, winter or all-season. Each is designed for a specific set of parameters that vary between brands and each has specific advantages and disadvantages. It is important to understand what each tire can and cannot do, and to compare its capabilities to the driving conditions we are likely to experience.
Summer tires
Typically marketed as performance tires, summer tires are best suited for warmer weather. They are made of a softer rubber compound and usually feature large tread blocks to ensure maximum contact with the road.
As a result, summer tires generally have better grip in both wet and dry conditions and provide optimal cornering and braking. However, as temperatures drop, their soft rubber hardens, which significantly reduces grip. In addition, lower temperatures can cause the edges of the tread block to chip or the rubber compound to crack.
Winter tires
When temperatures drop significantly, you really should consider a set of winter tires for your car. These have a deep tread pattern and a series of very thin cuts, called sipes, across the tread. The deep tread can help flush out excess slush, while the sipes and other ridges help push the snow itself between the tread blocks, providing excellent grip. Sipes also provide balance on icy surfaces.
Winter tires also use rubber that is specially formulated to provide better grip on cold, dry pavement. Even if you don’t experience snow on a regular basis, winter tires are still the best choice when temperatures are cold.
All-season tires
The vast majority of new cars arrive at dealerships equipped with all-season tires, however, because they can perform well on dry or wet roads, as well as on roads with light snow.
However, we should think of all-season tires as a “something for something” solution. All-season tires may perform adequately on dry, warmer roads, but they won’t give you the same level of handling and grip as a summer tire.
They may have a longer life than summer or winter tires, and they may get you to the ski slopes as long as the mountain road is only lightly covered with snow. But even then, they won’t stop or corner as well as winter tires when it gets really cold.
So when deciding which tires to choose for your car, it’s worth considering what conditions you plan to drive in. If you need a car for city driving and are not planning any long trips, especially in winter, all-season tires can be the ideal solution. Otherwise, it is nevertheless worthwhile to go for more safety and precision.
M2M technology has been around for some time now, and it has revolutionized many industries. M2M technology provides businesses with a way to automate tasks, reduce costs, and gain insights into their operations.
Automotive
M2M technology is quickly becoming an essential part of the automotive industry, providing a range of solutions that improve safety, reduce costs, and increase efficiency. Automotive companies can use M2M technology to remotely monitor and control their vehicles, track driver behavior and diagnose problems more quickly and accurately. M2M also allows for automated driving systems, providing increased safety on roads and highways. In addition, car manufacturers can use M2M technology to collect real-time data from their cars, which can be used to improve product designs, optimize service delivery, and even provide targeted marketing. By leveraging the power of M2M technology, automotive companies can ensure their vehicles are safer, more reliable, and better performing than ever before.
Healthcare
M2M technology is revolutionizing the healthcare industry. By providing real-time communication between medical devices, systems, and patient data, M2M technology can increase the efficiency of healthcare services and provide better patient care. One of the most important applications of M2M technology in healthcare is the monitoring of vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature. With M2M technology, healthcare providers can have access to real-time information on patient vital signs, making it easier to detect changes in health status and provide appropriate care. This can help to reduce hospital readmissions and improve overall patient outcomes. M2M technology can also be used to track medical supplies, from drugs and medical equipment to patient files. This helps to ensure that all medical supplies are kept up-to-date and easily accessible for both staff and patients.
Transportation
Transportation has been a major beneficiary of Machine to Machine (M2M) technology. Thanks to the ability to track and monitor vehicles, companies can optimize their resources, maximize efficiency, and reduce costs. Companies such as airlines, shipping firms, and trucking companies can benefit from the use of M2M technology to monitor their fleets. M2M technology allows for real-time tracking of vehicle location and speed, as well as other important information such as fuel consumption and engine performance. This data can be used to identify trends in routes taken, which can help to optimize delivery times.
The car is not only your faithful friend and servant, but also your “second skin”. Dirt, traces of bird droppings on the bodywork, stains on the windows and cigarette ash on the seat upholstery are not the best indication of the owner of even the most “dashing” car. Learn to take care of your car so that it serves you for as long as possible and enhances your image!
Regularly wash your car
The cleanliness of your car is affected by many factors, from the salt poured on the roads in winter to the resin and sap dripping from the trees in spring and summer. All of this looks unsightly, and also pisses into the body and affects the components in the car. Regular washing is the main recommendation when it comes to maintaining cleanliness. It is especially important to wash the invisible parts of the vehicle, such as the chassis and rims. Their recesses accumulate dirt that is difficult to remove, which over time can lead to corrosion.
Don’t neglect the car’s interior
A clean, well-maintained car interior is not only a prerequisite for a comfortable and pleasant ride. Dust, greasy stains and dirt all damage the seat upholstery. Proper car care includes cleaning all interior components, including seats, doors, floor and ceiling.
Vacuum as often as possible
During the warm months, spring, summer and early autumn, you should vacuum your car at least once a month. This is the only way to protect yourself and your passengers from dust and allergens that enter the interior through open windows.
Remember about floor mats and thresholds
Drivers often forget that the thresholds in the car should also be cleaned. Although at first glance the dirt on the thresholds is not very visible, with the doors open the car looks unsightly. The floor mats should also be taken care of, especially after rain and snow. Rubber floor mats simply need to be washed with water, and those made of fabric – shaken out and vacuumed.
Lights and windows
Clean lights and windows are a prerequisite for safe driving. Streaks and mud on windows and headlights impair visibility, leading to accidents on the road. Headlights should be washed after every long drive. From time to time, it’s also a good idea to wipe them with a special polish and clean the car lamps from the inside. Even if it’s very dark on the street, don’t wipe the lights on with a damp tissue. This will dull the surface of the headlights. Let them cool down a bit before you wipe them.
Keep your car in order
Don’t turn your car into a small storeroom. Take only the essentials on your trip. And under no circumstances keep trash in it! Throw away coffee cups, plastic bags and bottles systematically. Arrange your purchases so that nothing falls out and rolls into a hard-to-reach place. Remember, a freely moving bottle on the floor can fall under the pedals and make braking impossible!
Refrain from eating and smoking
The best way to keep your car clean is to fully prohibit smoking and eating in the car. This is the only way to protect yourself from greasy stains, as well as ubiquitous cigarette ash. If you can’t do without snacks, get yourself a small lunch box and put a separate waste container on the floor.
Automatic or manual transmission – advantages and disadvantages
“Automatic” or “manual”? Is either transmission better or does it all depend on the personal preferences of the driver? Learn the advantages and disadvantages of both solutions before you make a decision on the purchase of a car!
Among motorists, the arguments about what is better: automatic or manual transmission are not quieting down. Proponents of traditional solutions complain about the automatic transmission, proving that there is nothing better than “manual”. Others again praise the convenience of the “automatic” and vow never to return to a manual transmission. As in any dispute, each side is a little bit right. We will try to give you a factual presentation of the pros and cons of both solutions.
Manual transmission – advantages
Ability to use the full dynamics of the engine
On a manual transmission you can immediately accelerate your car to the highest speed. A classic automatic at a certain rpm begins to shift gears, so a manual transmission provides greater driving dynamics.
Lower fuel consumption
With efficient gear shifting, as well as the ability to idle, you can save a lot on fuel. Such benefits will not be provided by an automatic transmission, in which even putting in slack while driving is discouraged.
Lower oil consumption
Every transmission needs a special fluid. An automatic transmission requires 6 to 10 liters of oil, while a mechanical transmission requires about 3 liters.
Manual transmission – disadvantages
Driving comfort
The first disadvantage of a manual transmission is lower driving comfort, which is felt primarily by novice drivers. They find the starting maneuver especially difficult, as well as driving uphill.
Clutch
Poorly dynamic and smooth driving can lead to clutch burnout. And this caution applies especially to inexperienced drivers. And replacing the clutch is already an expensive repair, which automatic drivers, by definition, do not have to worry about.
Engine life
Lower engine life in cars with mechanical transmissions is due to the fact that their drivers easily allow the engine to overheat, especially if they like to drive fast.
Automatic transmission – advantages
Different dynamics
While a classic automatic with a torque converter actually severely limits the car’s performance, automatic dual-clutch transmissions such as DSG perform better than a manual transmission. When driving on such an automatic, two gears are engaged at the same time, which makes shifting up or down very fast.
Different fuel consumption
A classic automatic actually consumes more fuel, but newer models or transmissions use much less fuel than manual transmissions.
Smoothness of driving
An automatic transmission means a more comfortable driving experience. Even an inexperienced driver can smoothly, without nerves or the so-called “kangaroo”, start the car without posing a risk on the road.
Longer engine and transmission life
Automatic transmissions control the revs more and protect the engine from overheating.
Automatic transmission – disadvantages
As noted above, a car with a classic automatic accelerates more slowly than a vehicle with a manual transmission. The classic also has only four gears and consumes more fuel than a manual transmission. All models, both newer and older, require more transmission oil.
The undeniable downside of automatic cars is also their higher price. The cost of operating and repairing an automatic transmission is also much higher, and you should know that according to statistics, manual transmissions break down much less often.