Category Archives: QUICKIES

3 Tips for Choosing the Right tires for Your Car

By Guest Blogger, Neil W.

3 Tips for Choosing the Right tires for Your Car

Tires weren’t always designed the way they are today. The first models were made of iron bands attached to the wooden wheels. They were used for carts and wagons. The first use of rubber was recorded in the mid 19th century. Still, these were also very simple types of tires where all the load was placed on the rubber.

The first pneumatic tire appeared in 1845. The design patented by R.W. Thomson used air to absorb the shocks of the road. But this type of tire was only the beginning to invent the one we use today. While improving a bike, John Boyd Dunlop created the improved version of a pneumatic tire. That was I  1888 and was noticed only because the rider of the bike won the race.

Andre and Édouard Michelin were the first to use a pneumatic tire on a car in 1895. This is considered the beginning of the global use of pneumatic tires. Countries all around the world issued regulations requiring that all manufacturers start using pneumatic tires in production. 

From then on, tires were only improved to reduce the fuel consumption, handling different types of road and carry an appropriate load. In order to take good care of your car, you have to know your tires. Since we are not all car savvy, here are some easy tips for choosing the right ones.

1.    Let us look at the basics

Tires are rubber containers filled with compressed air. They take the load of the car upon themselves, but also they have to handle the road conditions. Observe them as cushions which reduce the impact of the ride on the vehicle.

Nowadays, tires have from 19 to 25 components. The core of every tire is an inner liner since it holds the air inside and so gives the tire its round shape. Steel belts are used for stability and to flatten the treated pattern as much as possible. 

A sidewall is located, as the name says, on the side. It defines the ride characteristics. For example, the softer sidewall can take a harder impact like bumps, while stiffer provides sharper steering.

Also, every sidewall on every tire has an alphanumeric code. These are dimensions of the tire. Most start with the letter “P†unless you drive a light truck where they start with “LTâ€. This code will help you choose the right tire for your vehicle, however that may not be the only helpful factor. 

2.    Learn to read the code

As we mentioned, every tire has a code on its sidewall which contains information you can use to choose the right one. Correct tire size is a very common mistake, but it’s also an easily solvable one.

So let’s break down the code so you can understand what every letter and number stands for. The code starts with the letter “Pâ€, which signifies the type of tire. Its followed by the three-digit number like 195, for example. This is the tire’s width across the thread and is shown in millimeters.

After the symbol “/â€, follows another number which signifies aspect ratio of the sidewall. Right next to this number is the letter “R” for radial construction and a number which stands for a diameter of the rim. After a blank space comes the number which shows tire’s load rating and a letter signifying the speed rating. If there is M+S at the end of the code, this means that the tire is suitable for all-season driving.

3.     How to avoid mistakes

Even though having this code means that you can simply go to the store and buy a tire, unfortunately, some mistakes still happen. Consulting a car repair center is always the best choice if you’re unsure how to buy the right ones.

For example, you have to pay attention not to choose the lower-load tire. This is especially important when you are buying a spare tire. Traction is another aspect you need to pay attention to. Choosing a tire inappropriate for the road you’ll be driving on is actually a very common mistake. Every season requires a certain type of tires, as well as certain terrains like mountain, dirt or wet roads. 

The cost of the tire differs depending on the vehicle. SUV requires different ones than the passenger vehicle. However, it’s very commonly noticed that SUV owners choose tires intended for the lighter cars because they’re cheaper. This is not only damaging to the car but also dangerous for the passengers.

So make sure that you use tires appropriate for your vehicle type, road conditions and season to avoid accidents and avoidable repairs.   

Finally

This may be a lot to remember since people handle numbers on daily basis. Passwords, PINs, security codes and all other figures can be a little too much to handle. But, now that you know that the code to buy the right tire is right on its sidewall, you can remember fewer symbols. Alternatively, you can always go to professionals for help and have one less worry on your mind.  

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.

Don’t Forget These Essential Items When Moving In (A Must For The First Day!)

Don’t Forget These Essential Items When Moving In (A Must For The First Day!)

Moving can be one of the most stressful times of your life. And the actual day itself can be a day of woes. But as long as you pack correctly and label all your boxes, it doesn’t have to be stressful. In fact, check out my previous blog to minimize moving stress. But as well as being organized, you need to ensure you have some vital items with you. After all, there will be some things you need to do straight away that won’t wait until you open all your boxes. Therefore, here are some essential items you need when moving in which are a must on the first day.

A set of tools

When you move into your new home, you will want to start building important items like the bed straight away. And unless you have the tools to do it, you won’t be able to do it during the first day. But it’s never fun to sleep on a mattress on the floor during your first night in a new home. And it can take forever to find your tools in one of the millions of boxes now sitting in your new home. Therefore, make sure you take a separate bag with vital tools that you can start using straight away!

pexels-photo-175039  Pexels

Light bulbs

It’s also important that you go to the house as soon as you get the keys to check if there are any missing light bulbs. After all, you don’t want to end up in darkness during your first night in your new home. If there any missing, make sure you write down exactly what kind of bulbs you require. That way, you can go quickly to the shop to find some new bulbs. You might want to consider going for Household LED Bulbs which will ensure your home is flooded with light when you move in. And these type of bulbs can help you to save money on your energy bills! Therefore, it might be worth paying a little extra and going for LED’s for your property.

A kettle

Moving heavy items and unpacking boxes can be thirsty work. And the worst thing can be if you can’t find a kettle to make hot drinks. After all, you will want to have a coffee to help you have energy while you are busy moving home. Therefore, keep the kettle separate so that you can easily find it to put in your new kitchen. And if you don’t want to carry your heavy kettle around, you can find a small portable one which will be brilliant to just use for a couple of days!

hand-1837042_960_720Image from Pexels

A sharp knife

When you packed your boxes, you would have ensured they were tightly taped, so your belongings stayed safe. But now you have moved, it can be a challenge to get in them. Therefore, you need to ensure you pack a sharp knife with you so that you can easily open the boxes. After all, you don’t want to spend ages trying to get into the boxes. Go for a couple of different sizes which can help you get into a range of boxes.

And keep your mobile phone with you, so that you can ring suppliers to tell them you have moved in!

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.

WWT: Three Household Quirks That Will Make You Ask “What Was That”?

WWT: Three Household Quirks That Will Make You Ask “What Was That”?

We all get used to our homes relatively quickly. We may notice some little faults that we then put right. Then there are the other little quirks that aren’t faults. For example, maybe you get very poor cell service in the kitchen and need to take calls in the living room. Or before coming on, your washing machine makes a noise that sounds like the opening beats to “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder.

We get used to those. They become part of the personality of the home, and we refer to them in conversation. All good. There are a lot of things your house may do from time to time, and sometimes you only notice them after a while living there. So you have to judge whether they’re harmless quirks you can live with, or they need more investigation. Let’s call them WWTs – for “What Was That?”.

WWT #1: Your Lights Dim And Flicker For No Apparent Reason

We all know that when an appliance is used suddenly, it can have an effect on other things around it. In TV dramas when a prisoner is being executed by electric chair, it is even used as a shorthand. That way they don’t need to show the gruesome stuff. Just show some lights flickering, and viewers know exactly what has happened.

It doesn’t need to be an electric chair; any appliance can make this happen. The appliance doesn’t even need to be in your house, so if the lights flicker, it’s not a big deal. That said, if it’s happening more and more often, there may be a deeper issue. It is at this point that it’s worth checking with electricians to trace the problem and remedy it.

WWT #2: You Hear Clicks And Bumps In The Night

You’ll remember from the days of your childhood how your house used to make noises. If you got out of bed in the middle of the night for a glass of water, you probably heard them all the louder. Then you broke the world record for running from the kitchen to your bedroom, and hid under the covers.

The good news is, it doesn’t mean you’re haunted*. Homes make noises due to floorboards and pipes relaxing and contracting naturally. You don’t hear them so much during the day because there is more noise generally. However, a wiring fault can cause cooker rings to switch on unannounced. If you hear that telltale noise, it is worth checking, and asking an expert to check it out.

WWT #3: Your Smoke Alarm Triggers When Nothing’s On Fire

smoke-315874_960_720Source URL: https://pixabay.com/en/smoke-detector-fire-alarm-burning-315874/

Sometimes, while cooking, your smoke alarm can go off. There is no way of stopping yourself feeling slightly judged at this point, but a sensitive smoke alarm can trigger even if no smoke is visible. Indeed, it doesn’t need to be smoke at all. If you shower with the door open, then even steam can trigger a smoke alarm. Which is inconvenient if you’re the only one in the house.

If these are the only times the smoke alarm goes off, then it’s fine. It’s better to have one that is too sensitive than one that does nothing. However, if it goes off when there is nothing that could be triggering it, you may need to replace the alarm. A smoke alarm with a fault could be a liability for the whole family. And not just from a “Boy Who Cried Wolf” point of view.

*Of course, it doesn’t mean you’re NOT haunted, either.

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.

To Make Your Hair Go “Pouf”

To Make Your Hair Go “Pouf”

If you thought that it was the end of big hair, you were wrong. Big hair is back with a vengeance, and now lots of women are trying it out for themselves. Here’s what to do to make your hair go “pouf.”

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Blow Dry It Upside Down

Some women advise not to wash your hair if you want it to go “pouf.†But if you can’t stand going without washing, or if you have naturally oily hair, shampooing might be your only option. If so, then there are still ways to make your hair go big. First off, make sure that when you dry your hair, you blow dry it upside down. This will help give volume to the hair by separating out all the individual strands and helping the hair near the hair follicles stand upright, directly out of the scalp. Find the best hair dryer for thick hair and make sure you flip your hair over so that you can get at the under side too. This will give your hair volume right from the start.

Grab Your Flat Iron

It might sound counterintuitive, but if you’re going for that “pouf†look, all the hair on your head needs to be as straight as possible. For those with naturally frizzy hair, this stage is obvious. But even if your hair is usually straight, flat irons are still a must. If you’ve got curly hair, this stage could be a little difficult, but you’ve probably straightened it before, so do your best. Make sure to check out products that can help make the straightening process easier so that you don’t end up tangled in your own irons.

Use Products That Volumize

If you’ve ever watched Dusty Springfield or Barbara Windsor and wondered how they get their hair so big, the answer is volumizing products, usually lots of them. In the past, many stars and celebs used mousses and gels. But these are uncomfortable, and today, they aren’t nearly as popular. An alternative is to use volumizing shampoo and conditioner. Often these contain powerful volumizing compounds, helping you avoid going through an extra stage after you’ve blow-dried your hair. You can also use volumizing sprays or spritz if you feel that your hair is falling a little flat. When it comes to volume, every little bit helps.

Tease Your Hair

No, we’re not suggesting you make fun of your hair, even though by the time you get to this stage it might be worthy of it. Instead, tease your hair, by gently backcombing a section of it, spraying it, and then repeating the process. If done right, your hair shouldn’t end up looking like a bird’s nest. According to some, not washing, your hair makes it easier to tease. It gives hair the kind of texture it needs for teasing to work really well. Teasing, however, can still be effective with straightened hair.

Work With The Right Tools

Finally, to make big hair, you need the right tools. It’s a good idea to have a blow dryer with a diffuser, as well as hair products that will protect your hair as it is straightened.

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.

Halloween Party Quick Tip Jack-o-Lanterns. Quickies:

by Tia Cristy

Quickies: Halloween Party Quick Tip Jack-o-Lanterns.
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Jack-o-lanterns look really cool all lit up. If you are having a party and are lighting the lanterns for decor, be sure to have an extinguser close by, whether it is a water pitcher, sand or a fire extinguisher. Loosing track of time with a party to where a candle can burn down and burn the pumpkin, the pumpkin getting knocked over, etc. happens frequently, but catching it quickly, by having fire prevention in place already, can make a huge difference in how your party will go.

Using flame-less candles is a good alternative as well.

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.