Author Archive for Tim Esterdahl
Associate Editor Tim Esterdahl is a married father of three who enjoys all things automotive including wrenching on his collection of old pickups. He also plays an absurd amount of golf. Like really absurd.
Lexus Develops Toyota’s First Cylinder Deactivation System – Next-Gen Tundra
UPDATE: Looks like our source for this information, Motor Trend, got it wrong. The RC F won’t have cylinder deactivation. Instead it will use the Atkinson Cycle at lower loads.
This innovation is essentially variable valve timing, as the intake valves are left open a little longer at lower loads. The fuel savings is equivalent to reducing displacement 15%, yet power is unaffected.
Seems like this tech could work on any V8 if the engine was designed for it…
Next month at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Lexus is supposed to reveal its new Lexus RC and RC F coupe. While the news isn’t that exciting for truck fans, one nugget stood out. The RC F coupe will offer a Lexus and Toyota first of cylinder deactivation. Yep, Lexus is going to offer it. Here’s why and what it could mean for future Toyota products.
Lexus is reportedly going to offer cylinder deactivation on its new RC F coupe, will other Toyota models follow suit? Photo Source: Carscoops.com
GM Calls 2015 Chevy Colorado Slimmed Down, Compares It to Tundra
Yes, you read that headline right. And yes, I know that the Chevy Colorado is a mid-size truck while the Toyota Tundra is a full-size. You don’t need to tell me, but somebody should tell GM that.
GM says the 2015 Chevy Colorado weighs a lot less than a full-size truck. Really. A mid-size truck weighs less than a full-size. Who knew?!?
Former Toyota Test Driver Wins Second Baja 1000 with Lexus LX 570
UPDATE: Lexus will no longer be sponsoring Joe Bacal and his team. Bacal says that they have had a great run and he is looking forward to the future. We will keep you updated.
We got an email last week about a friend of ours, who happens to be a Toyota test driver (helped work on Tundra pickups), that he had won his second Baja 1000. Here’s the story.
Whether you are a fan of Baja or not, this is a great photo.
2014 Toyota Tundra Suppliers – Who Builds What
The folks over at Autonews.com have put together this pretty cool graphic showing the various suppliers of the 2014 Toyota Tundra.
The suppliers of the 2014 Toyota Tundra. Source: Autonews
Bead Balancing for Tires – What It Is and Do They Really Work
A few weeks ago, I ran a featured truck story that used bead balancing to keep the tires balanced. I had never heard about bead balancing and by our reader’s responses, neither did they. Here is what they are, how they work and our take on them.
Balancing beads like these Dyna beads are used to balance out the wheel.
Search terms people used to find this page:
- tire balancing beads
- https://tundraheadquarters com/bead-balancing-tires/
- tire balancing beads reviews
- tire beads
- bead bag balancing
- do tire balancing beads work
