Happy New Year & Thank you!

The year is almost over and what a year it has been for  Alignment Simple Solutions!  Thanks to all of you, we are well on the way to creating more jobs and establishing ourselves as the foremost authority in quality DIY alignment tools! 

In 2012 you have helped us

Ø  Win the Governor’s Excellence Award

Ø  Take the QT systems global while keeping the jobs at home

Ø  Become an official SEMA member (Sold QT Systems during the show)

Ø  Continue to manufacture quality products here in the USA in our own shop!

Ø  Show the world what true American Made Craftsmanship is all about

We will be running various drawings and contests in 2013 as our continued thank you!

We have been fortunate to attract some major investments and welcome co-owners James & Jill Taylor to our QT Family!

We are off and running for 2013 and we hope you will watch us on the season opening episode of TruckU on SpeedTV the first week of March (More Details to come).

To  Bottom line it… Thank you!  We would not be here without you!  You can keep up with the new designs, contests, our weekly blog on alignment tips & updates on the TruckU episode, by joining us on social media through the icons below.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

https://www.facebook.com/AlignmentSimpleSolutions

http://twitter.com/MrQuickTrick

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!!

Truck U, SpeedTV & QuickTrick™ Alignment Products

The folks behind the scenes at Truck U

Bruno & Matt with the QuickTrick™ Alignment Product  T-shirts & Case

Bruno & Matt - Hosts of Truck U demo the QuickTrick™ Alignment Product 

We hope you will join us, the first week in March 2013, on SpeedTV's Truck U as they utilize our QuickTrick™ Pro Alignment System to get this work truck aligned and back out to the worksite!



We would like to thank all of the great folks at Brenton Productions for treating us and our QT products so well!







Stay tuned for more information on the time and date.
 

How Temperature Affects Tire Pressure..

Keeping your tires in proper condition helps save money and, of course, avoid accidents. Understanding how temperature affects tires and their pressure is imperative for car maintenance.

Tire pressure is the amount of air in your tires. This is measured in pounds per square inch, or psi. The recommended pressure level is usually listed in the owner's manual.

Changes in the air temperature affect your tire pressure. For every 10-degree fluctuation in temperature, your tires gain or lose one pound of pressure. This makes it important to consistently check your levels because changes in the season will affect your pressure. A tire that is inflated just right at the start of August may become underinflated as the winter months begin.

The heat from friction created by the contact between your tires and the road will increase tire pressure. As the temperature of your tires rise, so will the pressure levels. This increase can cause overinflated tires to blow or underinflated tires to appear acceptable. Check your tire pressure often and stay with all regularly scheduled maintenance with your QuickTrick™ Alignment Product.   Stay safe, have better performance & save some money!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!                                See you next week!!!  

The Importance of Tire Pressure & Alignment

So, today we explore the importance of Tire Pressure as relates to your wheel alignment.  Many people have no idea that a temperature drop in winter or rise in summer can greatly affect your tire pressure, but all of us know that if there is an issue with your tire, it will affect your wheels and therefore alignment!

In 2003, all vehicle manufacturers were directed to place tire information labels in a standard location and follow the same format. Tire information labels identify the Original Equipment tire sizes and inflation pressures (including the spare), along with the vehicle weight capacity.  

In addition, the new vehicle owner manual must also reflect the five subject areas:

·      Tire labeling

·      Recommended tire inflation pressure

·      Glossary of tire terms

·      Tire care

·      Vehicle load limits

Vehicle manufacturers can also list alternate tire pressures based on load and/or speed in the owner's manuals.

Vehicles produced between 1968 and 2003 have the original tires size(s) and inflation pressures (including the spare) listed on a vehicle placard (sometimes alternate pressures based on load and/or speed conditions are provided).

The 1968 – 2003 labels are found in one of the following locations:

·      The driver-side door or doorjamb

·      Rear passenger doorjamb of Ford sedans

·      Fuel filler door

·      Glove box or center console door

·      The engine compartment

As far as temperature affects, a good rule is that pressure varies 1 PSI for a temperature change of 10 degrees Fahrenheit.  So for example, if you measure your tire pressure at 90 degrees Fahrenheit, the "standard" pressure at 68 degrees would be about 2 PSI less than what you measure. If you want, say, 44 PSI at 68 degrees, but it's 90 degrees outside, then put some extra air in your tires, wait for it to adjust to the outside temperature, and bleed or top off the tire until the gauge reads about 46 PSI.

Just remember to maintain your pressure and perform your scheduled QuickTrick™ routine measurements and your car performance will be better, your tires will last longer and you will be the master of your own “wheel” domain!!

Have a great week!

Mr QuickTrick

Final Segment - Tire Rotation

Portions of this post are compliments of our friends at Tirerack.

Four (4) Tire Rotation

What tire rotation pattern should be followed? The Tire & Rim Association has identified three traditional rotation patterns covering most vehicles (equipped with non-directional tires and wheels which are the same size and offset). The first being the "Rearward Cross" (Figure A); the second being the "Forward Cross" (Figure C); and the third is the "X-Pattern" (Figure B). The X-Pattern can be used as an alternative to A or C.

Today’s performance tire and wheel trends have provided the need for two additional tire rotation patterns.

• The "Front-to-Rear" (Figure D) pattern may be used for vehicles equipped with the same size directional wheels and/or directional tires.
• A "Side-to-Side" (Figure E) pattern may be used for vehicles equipped with different sized non-directional tires and wheels on the front axle compared to the rear axle.

If the last two rotation patterns do not provide even wear, dismounting, mounting and rebalancing will be necessary to rotate the tires.

Vehicles that use different sized directional wheels and tires, and/or wheels with different front and rear offsets with directional tires will require dismounting, mounting and rebalancing to rotate tires.

Five (5) Tire Rotation

While many vehicles are equipped with temporary spares that cannot be included in a tire rotation program, if the vehicle’s four wheels and tires on the ground match the spare wheel and tire (if non-directional and not branded "for temporary use"), they should be included in the tire rotation pattern. Follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended tire rotation procedures, or if not available, insert the spare in the right rear position at every rotation. Place the tire that would have gone to the right rear in the trunk as the spare until the next tire rotation.

• On front-wheel drive cars with full-size matching spare, rotate the tires in a forward cross pattern (Figure F)
• On rear-wheel or four-wheel drive cars with full-size matching spare, rotate the tires in a rearward cross pattern (Figure G)

Five tire rotation results in equally distributed use that will help maintain equivalent tread depths on all five tires throughout their life. When applied to many four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles, this is required to prevent driveline damage if a flat tire forces a new spare to be put into service with partially worn tires on the other three wheel positions.

Once again, any time you make adjustmnents to tie rods, suspension, wheels, rims and tires, please use your QuickTrick™ alignment product to check your measurements and adjust if needed!

Be safe, Be fast & Be careful!

See you next week!

Mr QuickTrick™

Tire Rotation.. Just the Facts to save on the Jacks!

Tire rotation is beneficial in many ways. Rotation at recommended times can preserve balanced handling and traction and even out tire wear. Tire rotation will also provide performance enhancements.
Most tire mileage warranties require tire rotation in order to keep a valid warranty.

So…When should tires be rotated?
We recommend that tires be rotated every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.  Tire rotation can be done with oil change intervals while the vehicle is off the ground or in your own driveway for you DIYer’s. This is also a good time to have your tires rebalanced and use your QuickTrick™ Alignment Product to check your alignment measurements against your specs.
Tire rotation helps even out tire wear by allowing each tire to serve in as many of the vehicle’s wheel positions as possible. Tire rotation does not correct wear problems due to worn mechanical parts or incorrect inflation pressures and this makes it critical that you establish the proper timeline along with routine maintenance on your QuickTrick™ measurements to address potential issues before they become a costly fact!
It is best when all four tires wear evenly because as wear reduces a tire’s tread depth, it allows all four tires to respond to the driver’s input more quickly, maintains the handling and helps increase the tire’s cornering traction.
When your tires wear out together, you can get a new set of tires without being forced to buy pairs. If you replace tires in sets, you will enjoy the original handling balance.
We will cover rotation patterns next week.  Until then..
Have a great week!
Mr. QuickTrick

Big News!!!

We are excited to announce we will be featured on TruckU, on the Speed Channel, in 2013!!!  More details to come..
Stay Tuned!!!

As always, thanks for all of your support.  We could not be here if it were not for our QT friends and family!

The Most Common Reasons for Uneven Tire Wear!

The Most Common Reasons for Uneven Tire Wear:

Uneven tire wear is an costly problem. This is the primary reason people impulsively replace a tire on their car or truck. Irregular tire wear can be caused by a number of issues.

 Incorrect inflation (outer edge wear equals low tire pressure) 

Alignment issues 

Vehicle over-loading 

Worn shocks or struts 

Tire wear on an inner or outer edge only, shows a problem with vehicle camber. 

Feathering, or patchy tread wear indicates tire scrubbing indicating the need for toe adjustment. 

Cupping, or unevenness in tread indicates worn shocks or struts.

It is important to identify these issues before they become a problem with your tire wear. By the time you notice the tire wear issues, there is a good chance you may have bent or worn equipment, have to replace a tire or two and could have smaller components vibrating loose. By utilizing a classic or pro QuickTrick™ Alignment Product with a 4-6 week maintenance plan, you can make sure your measurements are consistent and know immediately when they are off.. BEFORE you have tire wear issues.

 Have a great week!!

Mr QuickTrick!

Google Checkout for QuickTrick Products

Is it TIME for an Alignment?..that is the question! Pt 2

The easiest, most cost effective means of answering this question is with a QuickTrick™ Alignment System.. With the digital features and recalc/zero button, it's is truly a 2 minute check that can be performed and recorded every few weeks. With the holiday season upon us, consider our tools a great gift..


Now.. that being said... If you are a reserved driver, (standard speed limits, conservative speeds for curves, never on the autobahn.. heh!) than aligning your vehicle to the vehicle manufacturer's preferred settings is appropriate.

If you are an assertive driver who enjoys driving hard through the corners and expressway ramps, (pretending you are on the autobahn or at the Daytona 500 headed for first place,,,weaving, duck and run, sliding, you get the drift) a performance alignment is appropriate for your car.

A performance alignment is when you use the vehicle manufacturer's range of alignment specifications to maximize the performance. A performance alignment calls for the manufacturer's maximum negative camber, maximum positive caster, and preferred toe settings. While remaining within the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations, these alignment settings will maximize tire performance. AND can be done with your If you are a competition driver who frequently runs autocross, track or road race events, you'll typically want the maximum negative camber, maximum positive caster and most aggressive toe settings available from the car and permitted by the competition rules.

If the rules permit, QuickTrick™ Alignment Systems are good investments. Check out our Holiday specials on the website!!!                                                www.quicktrickalignment.com                    

TO align or NOT to align..that is the question! A new Series

1st – 4-Wheel Alignment Myth/Fact: These days you usually would not need your rear wheels aligned because you cannot adjust the rear of a solid axle car. HOWEVER, many shops say they will do a 4-wheel alignment because it is best to check for damaged or bent components. Using the term 4 wheel alignment can be confusing and in some cases deceptive. If you have an independent rear suspension, then four wheel alignment makes sense for your vehicle. The best step to take to protecting your pocket book and your vehicle is to know your Manufacturers alignment specs. You can use a QuickTrick™ Alignment Products to check your measurements in comparison and use the QT tool to adjust or go to a shop with the measurements and let them know you know what you are talking about and want your alignment within the specs (NOT THE RANGE), the exact specs. Many shops today will align your vehicle to fall within the specs range. I know if I were paying for an alignment, I would want the job done completely. I am sure they are not offering me a price range from just ok to perfect, so I require the job be done right and it always feels good to let a tech know you have the means and the knowledge to verify the alignment. When it comes to routine maintenance and repair, many people have been taken advantage of and harbor a deep mistrust for the industry. Treat your mechanic like you would you babysitter… shop around and find one of the great ones..There are more good than bad! Check us out at www.quicktrickalignment.com Have a great week! Mr QuickTrick™

Preparing Your Wheels for Winter – Final Segment

Consider Buying Snow Tires You might think snow tires are only for MANLY men who live in the Wild. The fact is that regular tires do not execute as well during winter as they do the rest of the year. Colder temperatures can cause standard tires to become harder and lose traction, even when there is no snow on the roads. Preparing your car for winter whiteout takes a little extra work, but you will be grateful in hindsight. Superior tires mean fewer breakdowns. Spend more time at your destination and less time at the side of the road. Not all of us can have a MANLY cave in the Wild! Remember, The QuickTrick™ Alignment Products cannot ward off snow or read tire pressure, but we can certainly give you the edge on knowing when you have a problem before you go out in the snow! You can find more tips on our website at QuickTrickaPedia & Alignment 101 @ http://www.quicktrickalignment.com/ See you next week!

Preparing Your Wheels for Winter – Installation 2 of 3

Installation 2

Become a Tire Pressure expert in Winter

One cause of uneven tire wear is incorrect (under) inflation. Tires lose about 1 pound per square inch of pressure for every 10 degree drop in temperature.

This might not sound like much but, consider that a drop in tire pressure as small as 5 psi alters a car’s safety.

Keeping your tires properly inflated can help them last longer—and might even save you a few dollars at the pump, not to mention on your alignment issues. 

The QuickTrick™ Alignment Products are not designed to give you a tire pressure reading, so always keep your tire pressure gauge with your QuickTrick™ Sticks!

You can find more tips on our website at QuickTrickaPedia& Alignment 101

Preparing Your Wheels for Winter – Installation 1 of 3 Test

Preparing Your Wheels for Winter – Installation 1 of 3 Test 

Your Tire Tread

 • One of the first ways to tell if your tires are ready for winter roads is to check the wear on the tread.

 • If your wheels are correctly aligned & you have rotated your tires regularly, the tread should be worn evenly on both sides. If not, this could be a sign that your wheels are out of alignment and need adjusting before the big freeze hits.

 • Uneven or excessive tread wearing can cause major problems during the winter months, as roads get slicker and your tires require more grip to brake and accelerate.

 • Take the ‘penny test’:

1. Hold a penny between your thumb and forefinger so that Lincoln’s head is showing. 
2. Place the top of Lincoln’s head into one of the grooves of the tire’s tread. 
3. If any part of Lincoln’s head is obscured by the tread, you have a safe amount of tread. 
4. If you can see above Lincoln’s head, then you need a new tire. 

Join us next week for part 2 and make sure you keep up with your 6-week measurement checks with your QuickTrick™ Alignment Products. Have a great Week!

Mr QuickTrick™

Alignment Simple Solutions is Proud to be part of the 2012 Specialty Equipment Marketing Assoc. Show October 28 – November 2, 2012

Common Misconceptions on Wheel Alignment

A common misconception about poor alignment is that it causes shaking while you drive. Shaking or vibration, while driving, is often caused by a worn-out tire that is out of round, or unbalanced tires. Worn tires may initially be a result of an alignment problem, but the shaking itself is because of the condition of the tires, not the alignment itself. You can avoid this problem by a routine 6 week maintenance plan with your QuickTrick™ Alignment Product. Simply mark your calendar to do a quick measurement on each side of the front end every 30 days to 6 weeks. As a result, you will identify the issue before it becomes a a costly problem. Knowledge is not only power, it is also penny-wise. Visit our Ebay Store or Website at Alignment Simple Solutions. Next week we will go deeper into the terms and definitions surrounding Wheel Alignment! Have a great week! Mr QuickTrick

Series - Symptoms of Alignment Problems (cont)

Tire Wear • One of the most obvious symptoms of an incorrect alignment is tire wear. The camber as well as toe can affect your tire wear. • Toe-in is the distance between the front edge of the two front tires and the back end of the two front tires. When the tires are misaligned, with regard to toe-in or camber, then it causes areas of the tire to be overused and results in a shorter tire life. Excessively worn out treads on the outside of a tire can mean the camber is too positive, or there is too much toe-in. Inside wear indicates the opposite alignment problem with possible negative camber and/or misaligned toe out. • All of these symptoms can be measured with the QuickTrick™ Toe Alignment Products. More FAQ’s and the QuickTrickaPedia can be found on our website. Next week we will review common misconceptions

Exciting News!

EXCITING NEWS for Alignment Simple Solutions & QuickTrick™ Alignment Products! Alignment Simple Solutions has been accepted as an official member of the Specialty Equipment Market Association. This is a great honor for us and another step forward in bringing the best innovative, cost effective, quality products to our customers! Thank you to everyone who continues to drive the success of our business! We would not be here without you! SEMA is a 46 year old organization that specializes in bringing innovative products to automotive enthusiasts around the world. For more information on SEMA, visit their page at http://www.sema.org/about-sema

Weekly Installment on Symptoms of alignment issues - Wandering

• An inadequately aligned car may pull to one side because of camber, it can also have other steering problems because of caster. • Caster is the angle of the steering pivot. When viewed from the side, the caster may cause the steering pivot to lean back or forward. • If the steering pivot is too negative the car may wander on the road while you drive. This makes steering in a straight line a constant battle. If it is positioned too far forward, or positive, it could make the steering jerky and too stiff. • Caster, Camber & Toe can be measured with QuickTrick™ Alignment Products that include the caster/camber gauge and setup. You can visit the website for more tips and how to’s in Alignment 101 & QuickTrickapedia at www.quicktrickalignment.com.

Signs that you need an Alignment! Back to Basics

A car's alignment refers to how the angles of the wheels are adjusted. When a mechanic performs an alignment, he adjusts the angle of the wheels to the proper angle to the ground and to one another. Knowing when you need an alignment may not be obvious, but it is an important part of vehicle maintenance. Bad alignment can result in premature tire wear and steering problems. Over the next few weeks, we will explore different symptoms & signs that reflect a poor alignment. The most obvious sign is listed below: Pulling To One Side If your car is drifting to the center of the road or towards the shoulder, then you could have an alignment problem. You may find yourself continually applying pressure to the wheel to keep the car moving straight. The reason a car pulls to one side is usually due to the camber of the wheels. Camber refers to the angle at which the wheels are lined up with the road. If you are looking at the wheels from the front of the car, the tops of the tires may be pointing inward or outward. If they are closer at the top than at the bottom, then you have negative camber. If the top of the tire is leaning outward, this is positive camber. The slightest wrong adjustment in camber will cause the car to veer to one side or the other. Correcting this alignment issue should keep your car rolling straight ahead. As usual, this measurement can be easily calculated in minutes with the QuickTrick™ Alignment Products. Look for us next week when we review “Wandering”. Have a great week! Mr QuickTrick™ www.quicktrickalignment.com

Racing & Caster/Camber • Caster is a design condition that causes the race-car wheel to track straight, and camber eases the amount of effort it takes for a driver to turn the car. Camber is when a wheel is tilted on an angle either toward or away from the center line of the vehicle, which helps the vehicle in taking a corner and enduring extreme racing conditions. To measure these features and ensure the car is set up for a smooth and efficient drive, mechanics and racers use a caster/camber gauge. The device calculates the angle to determine the caster and camber alignments. Typically these tools need to be used on level ground, but the QuickTrick™ Classic and Pro Caster/Camber Alignment System’s do not require a flat surface due to our patent pending technology and recalc/zero feature gauge that will auto calc the difference of degree on whatever surface you measure from. We would not recommend trying the measurement on a non-solid surface, such as sand or mud. **See you next week for more tips. In the meantime, check out the website for additional tips and the QuickTrickApedia @ www.quicktrickalignment.com

Our weekly segment series continues with Race Car Alignments Tools: Race cars require specific alignments in order to give the driver maximum control of the car without compromising his safety. Although those measurements differ from car to car, there are tools that can help the driver and crew make sure their vehicle meets the proper criteria for safe and efficient alignment. Laser tools and electronic gauges help to determine the exact angles and measurements that the wheels must be set at in order for the car to be easily turned and operated during a race. The alignment always should be checked before a race using the proper types of tools such as the QuickTrick™ Alignment Systems found on our website at www.quicktrickalignment.com with full instructions. Tune in Next week for additional information & tips!