cmcveay

Not sure about the 1st gen TPMS system but as I've recently discovered, the 2nd gen TPMS system gives you two different types of lights/warning. When I had a flat last Sunday, I had a red triangle on the speedo instead of the usual yellow when the temps fluctuate. Great point though Ali, the TPMS system is giving a warning that something isn't right and a visual inspection of the tires may not tell the story A tire pressure gauge is an inexpensive tool and it only takes a couple of minutes to check the tire pressure when the system says something is wrong.

You drive Archi when you want too! When can I drop him off for a wash & wax?

Carlos is all set and ready for us. I called him yesterday. 8740 Cherry Ln # 16 Laurel, MD 20707-6203 (301) 498-7333

Shouldn't it be "Mr. Drew" offering rides in in Max? (yes, that's an attempt to get Mark on the forum)...

Edge, Well, my "bald" is supposedly contagious so it looks like Ali's "skimming" is too! I actually did read that but my brain didn't process it right. I'm fine with it just telling me that there's a low tire though. Looks like we solved Ali's MPG problem/question though!

Yarsay, Be there at 10 with me! No big deal. The more the merrier and you should be able to get done and on your way home to be with the family. My wife is working a 24 hour shift the day before so I'm going to stay out of the house for a while and let her sleep!

Edge, My only disagreement would be on the TPMS system telling you which tire. Maybe with the NAV system but, without it, you just know that it's one of them. Or did I miss something... Which is entirely possible. Totally agree with the wheel weight being a factor as well. Ali is fixated on tires right now so I didn't want to bring in the other variables and confuse her ya know!

@ Ali. The difference in your gas mileage is probably due to the different weight of the RF's vs. traditional tires and (a combined effect) the different tire size between the tires you are switching between. If you compare the weights (as Edge stated above - compare the same brand/design or it doesn't work), you'll see that the RF's are heavier. It takes power (HP and torque) to make a heavier tire roll and to keep it rolling - it's like trying to push a heavier rock. RF's and traditional tires all have their pro's and con's, it's a simple at that and it comes down to personal preference and the capabilities of the individual in question. I opted to ditch the RF's for traditional tires because I lowered the car, stiffend the suspension and as a result the ride with the RF's was absolutely unbearable. The traditional tires with the "softer" sidewalls improved the quality of the ride and they really lowered the road noise level inside the car. I compromised and went with a lower profile tire that was wider than OEM so I kept that the responsive qualities of the car while getting a better sidewall angle to absorb the shock of road imperfections. (I'm running 235/45R-17's on 7.5 inch wheels so the tire beads are sucked in and the sidewalls are canted inward which protects the wheels from being curbed so easily and it creates an angular profile to deflect/absorb the bumps). When I made that choice, it was knowing that I would be without a spare tire so I had to prepare myself. I now have a 12v compressor (that I have tested in actual use), a plug kit and a bottle of "Slime". I know how to use my tools and I'm not afraid of doing so. Of course, if I slash a tire sidewall, I'm not going anywhere but I have AAA, MINI roadside assistance and towing through my auto insurance. This past Sunday, I did actually pick up a 2" long screw in my left front tire. The TPMS sensor detected the change in air pressure and alerted me. Here's a "downfall" of RF's. You can't tell by looking at them which tire is in trouble unlesss you can see the damage. The tire was low but not flat so I drove home on it (about a mile). It took roughly 20 minutes from opening the boot to closing the boot to make the car road worthy again. As far as handling? The majority of the cars running autocross and track aren't on RF tires, the weight is a serious detractor for those who are really trying to win at those activities. I'm not trying to argue that one handles better than the other as that is an individual perception but what I can say that is I don't notice any decrease in the responsivness of my car with the traditional tires and that's even with the sport mode on - which makes the steering "heavier". And then there's this. I can stop at ANY Sears, Discount Tire, Big-O tire or a basic mom and pop gas station and get a tire replaced, even if it's not the same brand. With RF's, not all stations will even try to mount/dismount them and it can be very, very hard to find a RF replacement tire if you are out in the "sticks"... Once you've run a runflat at speed and it's flat it MUST be replaced as they sacrifice themselves to offer that feature. When I have a flat, I'll plug it or slime it, air it back up and I'll hit the road. Beware though! Fix-a-Flat DOES NOT work at/below freezing temps!

Okay, here's the deal for Friday. First, Carlos is looking forward to us coming up to visit, he's been more than incredibly friendly on the phone. On Friday, he opens at 10 a.m. and he doesn't mind if we show up together or space it out a bit between us. If we show up early, he said it's okay to look over his shoulder and point and laugh as much as we want. Because I have some existing tint to be removed, I plan on being up there when he opens. Price plans on being there around Lunch time and Yarsay else was a possible for earlier rather than later. Since this isn't a formal event, there's no need for RSVP's but it's awesome that we are getting a few folks up there to help stimulate the economy, help a small business and, most importantly, it just might keep us out of stores for Black Friday shopping!

That's funny but then they wouldn't like us very much. Us law abiding firearms owners tend to be very polite, respectful and - to be redundant - law abiding.

I just called the range and the rifle side of the range will be closed until December as they are putting in new ventilation (much needed, I was there this summer and it was really, really hot on that side). So, without a rifle side, we won't do a turk

Hurray! Now we know. It scared me when I understood everything that you said!

I'll get a time window on Friday and post it and I don't mind putting you up front if that'll help you out. I know there's one that prefers sometime around lunch so it's laying down pretty good!

yeah, it's a strange way to describe it so it's confusing. I wasn't able to find the laws for the District but in my personal experience, window tinting really only becomes an issue if you've been pulled over for something else. I'm not certain but I don't think tint is a "primary" offense.

Brian, Not to steal the thunder (or correct answer) from the admins but I believe it requires admin access - or the respective permissions - to create a poll. In the future, I'll be using the poll for counting the ballots. I'm not looking for any of those "hanging chad" issues here... Thanks, Craig

Okay folks, we have a game plan. I just got off the phone with Carlos at Solar Solutions and yes, he will be open on the 26th. There's obviously no minimum number of people that he can get in and he asked for a maximum of 6. If anyone will be having existing tint removed, let me know as that will reduce the total number that can be done and Carlos would like to have those cars earlier. Since that includes me, I'll put mine down first so it's done and out of the way. For now, it looks like me, GreenCactus and Price. Yarsay and TATTRAT, you've expressed interest so let me know. I'd like to give Carlos a number by Tuesday of next week. Craig

Jim, Don't forget, the 26th is the Friday after Thanksgiving. I know not all contractors get that day off but I just wanted to toss that out there.

Not knowing the "behind the scenes" abilities of vBulletin, I don't know but my guess is that you are correct and I agree with the poll part. It would be awesome if it could all go into the same post instead of a post with images and then a post wtih a poll. I'll see what Scavenger and Edge have to say 'cause they are the big IQ's on that stuff. Thanks, Craig

Alan/Haemish, For this contest, I'll do it the hard way this month but I agree, a poll is the way to go in the future. You guys are the wizards of vBulletin so I'm going to have to ask for your technical expertise on the Polls or the best way to do the voting. My "vision" is that the membership will see the photo's and be able to pick their favorite or favorites. Can images be inserted into the poll or will they need to be put into a different post? Is there a way to attach more than three items to a post? Jay - Response/answer sent via PM. Thanks, Craig

Here are the final two photo's of the top five. Thank you, Craig

The attached photo's are the first 3 of 5 that have been selected from some awesome pictures submitted this month. Please PM me with your pick for the top 3 photo's from this group and the next. The winner will be announced Saturday morning at the Meet and Greet and then posted here! Craig

I'll give Carlos a call in the morning!

Okay, how does the 26th work for you Laura? How about you Jim? It's good for me. If 3-4 of us can go that day, I'll call Carlos and see if we can make reservations.

GiGi, Bad news. There isn't one. The iPod interfaces in the car (there's a module behind the dash for that) and that's how it controls the features. I'm like you, my Sirius is going in through the aux connector and I have to change channels on the controller.

If anyone has the number for Carlos, he might make appointments and be very happy to have several cars show up! For the prices that I've seen mentioned, I'd be willing to have the entire car redone since I'm managed to scratch my tint in a couple of places.