Wheel Concepts Nation

The warm weather is making its way toward us in Staten Island, and we bet you’re ready to take some time off from work to hit the road! Road trips are a cost-effective and fun way to explore the country and bond with your family, friends or self!  Whether you’re driving to a far away destination, or taking a tour of some of your closer surroundings, Wheel Concept Nation can’t wait to get going on this year’s venture. Before you get started, we want to make sure you’re prepared. Follow these road trip tips and your journey is bound to go off without a hitch!

• If your car needs any repairs, make sure to get them done at least a month before you take off. This will give your car time to work out any kinks that may happen after your repair.
• If your destination is much warmer or colder than home, make sure your car is protected by checking your coolant. If it needs to be changed, make sure you do this before you get going.
• Make sure your owner’s manual, registration and license are all with you and up to date in case you get pulled over on your trip.
• Make sure the pressure of your tires is suitable. Low pressure can cause a blow-out on the road when you’re driving at high speeds, as low pressure can cause extra heat build-up.
• Also check your spare tire and make sure it is fully inflated. Be sure to have a jack, wrench and other tools ready to go in your trunk in case you need to change your tire.
• When packing, load your car evenly and carefully. If you have lots of heavy objects, position them forward in the trunk and try to distribute weight evenly side to side.
• Fill up your tank before you start driving—gas is usually pricier on the road.
• Make your car glisten at Wheel Concepts Nation! Treat your car before you take it out on the road with mesh grills, chrome exterior packages, cold air intakes, exhaust systems, custom bed covers, bull bars, side steps, hitches and more!
• It is easy to get overwhelmed when planning your road trip, but remember the whole point of this trip is to enjoy yourself!

Any journey is bound to have its hiccups, but follow these tips and you’ll be prepared! Show off your car on your road trip and let Wheel Concepts make it shine for you! “Like” us on Facebook to find out about our products and services!

Spring is officially here and it just wouldn’t be the same without hitting the open road. With warm weather right around the corner, you may want to stop and take the time to get your car ready for the increased travel ahead of you. Ignoring important issues could cause some problems down the road, but paying close attention and performing routine maintenance will have you cruising without a hitch. Wheel Concepts Nation can’t wait to hit the open road this season so we’re arming you with tips for spring car maintenance.

1. 1. Tighten Up

Cars have a good amount of components that can come loose, and the last thing you want is something flying off as you drive down the highway carefree. Make sure everything is tight! Some loose parts, such as exhaust clamps could interfere with how your car runs as well.

1. 2. Charge your Battery

Being stranded with a dead battery is not fun for anyone, especially if you’re in the middle of unknown territory. To avoid this catastrophe, make sure you check your battery before you ride ahead. Also, look for corrosion in the terminals and cables that can eat away at the battery’s parts.

1. 3. Inspect your Windshield

Take some time to look over your windshield. A small crack from a pebble may have seemed like no big deal in the fall, but thanks to the cold weather and month’s worth of wear and tear, it may have become more noticeable. You should make sure you have a clean line of sight before you take off on a spring road trip.

1. 4. Check the Tires

Tire pressure changes up to a pound per square inch for every ten degrees in outdoor temperature changes. Underinflation allows your tires to wear unevenly on the sides and your gas mileage will suffer. Before you speed off, make sure your tires are in good shape and filled with air.

Now that you have that taken care of, come visit us in Staten Island to get your car looking its best this spring! We can make any car glisten with mesh grills, chrome exterior packages and hundreds of intakes such as cold air intakes, exhaust systems, custom bed covers, bull bars, side steps, hitches and more! Give us a call today or “Like” Wheel Concepts on Facebook to make an appointment!

You begin the day in your car and you end the day in your car. It takes you where you want to be, when you want to be there and is always there to rely on whenever you need it. Without your car you wouldn’t have those fond memories of road trips, first dates and daily outings. Your car is there for you, so why not make it the best it can possibly be?

Everyone wants some form of entertainment in their car to accompany the long journeys, and installing a new stereo is just what the doctor ordered! It may seem like a simple task, but stereos today have much more to offer than just the ability to play your music of choice. Since we love cars so much, we want to help out our friends and give you some tips on choosing the right car stereo system for you!

Stereo Media

Today car stereo systems can work with most media storage types used, including CDs, MP3 and USB memory cards. Considering how you carry your music is the key to finding the best care stereo for you!

If you frequently use an MP3 player, look for a car stereo with an iPod dock or MP3 input. If your stereo has a cassette player, you can get an inexpensive adaptor that will connect the headphone jack of any MP3 player.

If you still like to play CDs, you should have no shortage of choices—from trunk-mounted CD changers that hold many discs, to in-dash multidisc stereos to disc changers that are placed under the front seat. If CDs are your weapon of choice for rocking out, choose a car stereo that can attach to an external CD player and offers controls that let you change discs, skip songs or shuffle through everything.

Some stereos have USB ports that allow you to plug in portable flash drives loaded with music! Look for Secure Digital card slots if this is how you prefer to listen to your tunes. This is also safer to leave in your car, rather than your iPod.

Speakers

Of course, speakers are imperative if you want to listen to your music! Most car stereos use three different types of speakers: a woofer, midrange and a tweeter. The tweeter is typically the smallest of the speakers, designed to transmit high frequency sounds. The midrange and woofer speakers deliver medium and low frequency sounds, respectively. Some car stereo systems also have a fourth speaker, known as a subwoofer. This type of speaker delivers an ultra-low frequency bass-heavy sound.

Extras

Cell phone safety in your car is important to us at Wheel Concepts. A built-in Bluetooth connection can turn your cell phone into a hands-free device by routing the sound through your car stereo. If this type of stereo is for you, look for a mute button that will automatically quiet the stereo when you are using your phone!

When shopping for your new car stereo, make sure that it is perfect for you and your lifestyle! Come visit Wheel Concepts on Hylan Boulevard in Staten Island, and we can make your ordinary car into an extraordinary one! “Like” us on Facebook to see what Wheel Concepts can do for you!

Changing your car’s engine oil is important to do on a regular basis in order to keep your vehicle running well. Over time, oil breaks down and your filter becomes clogged with toxins. Depending on your car and how often you drive it, you should change your oil anywhere from every 3,000 to 7,000 miles. Lucky for you, you can easily change your oil yourself in about 30 minutes!

Wheel Concepts wants to make sure your car is safe and running smoothly! To help you out, here are the basic steps of how to change your own oil.

Before you get started, it is important that you are ready to go with all the necessary supplies. You will need latex gloves, an oil filter wrench, drain pan, engine oil, a combination wrench, a new gasket and a funnel. Once you have all of your supplies, you are ready to get started!

1. Start your car and warm up your engine. Oil contaminants are easily drained when the engine is warm.
2. Make sure your car is parked on a solid level surface. After it is parked, turn off your engine and set the emergency brake. It may be necessary to lift up the front of your car on ramps if there is not enough room between your vehicle and the ground.
3. Locate your engine oil cap underneath your hood.
4. Remove the cap, it will allow the dirty oil to drain faster.
5. Get your drain pan and place it under the oil drain plug which you will find below the engine. Proceed to remove the oil drain plug.
6. Drain the contaminated oil in the drain pan completely.
7. Install the oil drain plug with a new gasket.
8. Place a drain pan under the oil filter and remove the filter with your wrench. Make sure the gasket comes off with the filter. Wipe off the surface with a clean towel.
9. Apply a small amount of oil in the new gasket, and then install the new oil filter with your hands.
10. Add your clean engine oil. Check your car’s owner’s manual for the recommended oil type, and for how much oil to pour.
11. Check the level of oil with your oil dipstick. The level should be above the full mark.
12. Install the engine oil fill cap and start your engine.
13. Turn off your car and then check the oil level one last time.

Congratulations, you just changed your own oil! Now that you’re car is raring and ready to go, come give it a makeover at Wheel Concepts! We can make your car glisten with grills, chrome exterior packages and hundreds of upgrades! Find out about how we can make your car a star by “Liking” us on Facebook!

Winter brings about snowy winter weather to have fun with, which comes with snowy weather to drive in. While it can be fun to participate in fun winter activities, you need to be careful when driving in these conditions. Wheel Concepts knows how important it is to be safe in this weather so we’re sharing tips for safe driving this winter!

Before you leave:

• Clear the snow off all your windows and lights.
• Check to make sure your wiper blades, lights and tires are working and that all your fluids are full.
• Plan the route you’re going to take, and then plan a back up route. If the driving conditions are bad on your first route, take the back up!
• Don’t think you’re safe from bad conditions if you’re driving an SUV or four-wheel drive vehicle, this will not help you in the ice.
• Call someone where you’re heading and let them know what time you expect to arrive.

While you’re driving:

• Don’t even think about tailgating! Your car simply cannot stop as quickly in the snow and ice and tailgating in these conditions almost always causes accidents.
• Turn your cruise control off when driving in snow and ice.
• Break sooner and give yourself longer to stop.
• Steer clear of black ice! This can be the most dangerous because most people don’t see it until it’s too late.
• Be careful on bridges, overpasses, highway exits and shady roads as they tend to be icier than main roads.
• Slow down in bad conditions. You might get somewhere a little late but getting there on time is not worth risking an accident.
• Keep gas in your gas tank! You do not want your gas to freeze.
• If you start skidding, take your foot off the accelerator and steer into the skid. Don’t press your breaks as this can cause bigger problems.
• Stay behind snow plots and sand trucks. Trying to pass these trucks can be really dangerous and the road in front of them will be worse than behind.

If you get stuck:

• Stay inside your car.
• Crack a window to avoid poison from carbon monoxide.
• Make your car visible to someone who can rescue you.
• Call 911 and stay on the line with them.
• Don’t panic!
• Use your emergency supply kit!

What you need in your emergency supply kit:

• Flashlight and batteries
• First aid kit
• Shovel
• Sand or salt
• Blankets, gloves, coats, hats, pants or anything warm
• Food with protein like nuts or granola bars

Wheel Concepts knows that you like to have fun in the winter weather and we want to make sure you can keep having fun! If you follow these tips for safe driving in the winter, you’re sure to have a great time this winter instead of dealing with an accident. If you do get in an accident, Wheel Concepts can help! We can take a damaged car and make it look even better than brand new with an endless amount of upgrades. ‘Like’ us on Facebook for more information on Wheel Concepts services and to learn more about our specials!

You pull off the lot with your new car and you love it, but maybe it just needs a little bit more of ‘you’ in it. Customizing your car is easier than you might think! Just by changing a few things you could completely change the look of your car so it’s everything you ever wanted. Here at Wheel Concepts we know how important your cars are to you and we’ve got some great tips to customize your car!

There is so much you can do to customize your car, but the most important tip to start with is to have a vision. If you go into your customization without a vision, you could end up with a lot of changes that don’t really match each other. Know where you want to go with your car and you’ll finish with something great.

Here are some changes you can make that will really make your car shine:

• Lights: changing the lights on your car can really make a big difference. Xenon headlights are becoming hugely popular and they have an added benefit of better night vision!
• Custom wheels: a lot of people are adding alloy wheels to their cars. These wheels not only look good but they also provide a 30% reduction in weight, which helps your suspension tuning. Wheel Concepts has a huge showroom of wheels so you can choose which work best for your car and personality. Check out our photo gallery to see what we can do!
• Tinted windows: there are three types of tinted windows. The first is OEM tint, which is when the window is tinted at manufacture. You can also get a thin polymer tinting film or a tinting solution that you’d spray on your windows.

The easiest way to customize your car is to add seat covers and steering wheel covers. You can completely upgrade the appearance of your car just by adding these. There are so many different covers on the market that you’re sure to find something that fits your personality!

The best advice when customizing your car is to know all the important details about your car so that you’re sure everything fits properly and is specific to your car. You may consider leaving the bigger changes to a professional so you know everything will come out the way you want it to. Wheel Concepts will work to make your vision a reality and with tons of custom upgrades, you’re sure to be thrilled. ‘Like’ us on Facebook to learn more about us and our services!

Even though the holiday hustle and bustle can be time consuming, auto care is one chore that shouldn’t fall by the wayside. At Wheel Concepts, we know that your car is important to you, and we want to ensure that your car is prepped for the cold months through proper winterization.

The change in seasons brings about new needs for your car. Fall gives you time to start preparing for the cold weather and the problems it can bring about for your car. Colder weather causes the pressure in your tires to go down, so make sure you regularly check your tire pressure to avoid a flat. Another important tip for the fall is to make sure you replace your windshield wipers to get ready for winter’s notoriously inclement weather.

New and colder weather can take its toll on your car’s paint. Not only is there natural debris on the road, but also the salt that goes down can cause a lot of damage to your paint. Remember that small chips lead to large cracks. To avoid this damage there is a simple solution, wax and seal your car!

Before the really cold temperatures arrive is the best time to get your car prepared for the new seasons. You should have your antifreeze and oil checked and changed if need be. Low antifreeze can cause serious problems for your engine that can be easily avoided with the right preparation.

One of the best adjustments you can make to your car for the winter is the addition of winter (or snow) tires. These tires are designed to give your car better traction in the snow and freezing rain and can really save you if you find yourself stuck. You’ll want to get four winter tires instead of two to avoid break locking, but you’ll thank yourself when you aren’t stuck in a blizzard!

For more car care tips and information on custom car work “Like” Wheel Concepts on Facebook!

Looking to add your own touch to your ride?  It can be confusing when looking into what wheels are going to look best on your vehicle.  With so many options out there it really does pay off to take your time and do some research on what look fits your style best.  Should you go with chrome, aluminum, lightweight or steel?  You need to decide what is going to fit your vehicle and your budget.  Let’s take a closer look at some of these options.

Are you looking for flash?  If you want to invest in rims to get yourself noticed the old saying rings true, the bigger the better.  You will want some major shine and sparkle on your wheels.  Chrome rims of a larger diameter are probably your best fit and make a statement.

Are you aiming for a classier look?  Taking a step up from the stock rims that came with your vehicle adds a unique look and can reflect your own personal style.  A nice touch is to go with a color that will be sure to set you apart, think gunmetal finish or non-chrome polished rims.  This will add a more styled look than flash.

Want to enhance your vehicles performance?  Whether you are looking to race or just want a smoother ride you should definitely take a look at alloy rims.  They are light weight and will increase your cars acceleration by not weighing it down.  Another plus, they are a great way to improve fuel mileage.

Whatever you are looking for out of the rims you choose to go with, you want to make sure that you shop around.  There are endless possibilities and making a snap decision can come back to haunt you later if you scope out a style that you like better.  Adding rims to your vehicle is an investment that will not only set your car apart from the rest but increase the value.

Wheel Concepts Nation in Staten Island, New York, offers a variety of custom wheels from the hottest name brands.  The showroom is full of shining rims on display, but their website also shows their full line of products so you can get an idea of what style you like best.  Also, Wheel Concepts recently added a hot new feature to their site that actually gives you the ability to take a sneak peek at what your ride will look like with different style rims on them.  The Wheel Configurator application gives you the ability to click on a brand of rims and choose the make, model and color of your vehicle and voila, you get a preview of how your ride will look.  Right now the Configurator offers previews for Cray, Mandrus, Lumarai, Beyern, Victor and more.  Be sure to check out Wheel Concepts Nation online and let us know what rims are your favorites.

Winter is back and here at Wheel Concepts Nation we know that leaves a lot of us wondering what we can do to protect our new rims from the harsh weather over the next few months.  Although most will suggest removing your rims for the season and swapping them with a standard set of wheels, this is not the only solution.  This may be the most practical method but once you have customized your ride who wants to hide it for half of the year?  Here are some tips to keep your rims looking their best all year long.

First things first, the brand of rims that you choose really does make the difference.  The most expensive rims are expensive for a reason.  The top-of-the-line wheels like Giovanna, Lexani, Asanti, and Kinesis are triple-chrome dipped for the extra protection your wheels need.  Lower quality brands typically only coat the rims once which leave them much more vulnerable to pitting and flaking throughout the winter months.  But, like they say, if you’re going to do something you might as well do it right!  The guys at Wheel Concepts Nation know how to do it right.  Because we’re based in Staten Island, NY, where winters can be long and brutal, we have learned to face all of the elements of north east winters. We know what wheels are going to pass the test and carry all of the hottest brands on the market.

So here we are.  You went to Wheel Concepts and customized your ride. Now you have to keep them looking their best.  The trick is to not use anything too abrasive on the chrome or alloy wheels.  Polish and wax can cause your rims to age prematurely so the best bet is to go with a sealant.  Sealants last twice as long as the alternatives and can be applied in a thin layer that will help to avoid any build up in the nooks and crannies.  A good rule to go by when it comes to products to use on your custom wheels is if it is gentle enough to use on your paint than it will not be too abrasive for your rims.

Now you’re set to hit the roads, no matter what Mother Nature throws your way.  Depending on the severity of the weather be sure to maintain the work your have put into your wheels.  A real killer is the salt that accumulates on the roads over the winter months to melt the snow and ice. When mixed with melting snow and ice, the salt will adhere to the wheels and cause them to dry out, leading to eventual pitting.  You want to make sure that you wash the wheels frequently to keep any build up away. If possible, you should wash your entire car as frequently as you can because stresses of the weather will affect your paint job as well.  Keep an eye on the sealant as time goes on and reapply as necessary.  Remember that constant preventative maintenance is the best way to protect your wheels during the winter, and all year long!

We at Wheel Concepts Nation hope this helps you keep custom ride looking its best all year long. Keep in mind, if you ever need help or have any questions about automotive aftermarket, car customization or care, feel free to ask. You can find us on Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, Yelp and Ning.

How do you take care of your car’s exterior and rims in the winter? We want to know. Leave your best tips and tricks below in the comment section on this post.