Trip to Philadelphia

[BodybyFisher]

I had to go to a funeral for a good friend today in Philadelphia.

Yesterday I changed my OIL and filter, cleaned my throttle body and cleaned my battery connections. Why is it that my engine sounds so good after an oil change?, it seems MUCH smoother also.. odd. I used Mobil Delvac 15W40..

I thought I had a bad front engine mount but my dog bones were too loose and they were slipping in the elongated mounting hole. Thanks Jims 97 ETC for suggesting the dog bones a while back, you were right, but I didnt act on your suggestion. I assumed it was the front mount, and I assumed WRONG... Last year when I tilted my carriage to replace the ISS speed sensor I didn't torque them up I just tightened them, and one a hard acceleration they broke loose. Thanks

I still have a little roughness or graininess on hard acceleration at low speed but NOT at high speed, weird... but the take off bang, I was getting is gone. I might replace the dog bones, they seem to have taken a beating because they were loose.

I did notice that I have a coolant leak when I was under there. It looks like the water pump body seal is leaking and the belt is slinging coolant around. The supplement seems to have sealed it. This is probably the reason I was having coolant loss a couple of months back. Will replace the seal and cover seal next week.

I drove the heck out of the car today. I left late as usual. I needed to be there at 10 AM. I left at 7:50 for the 140 mile trip and arrived at 10:10 AM or 2 hours and 20 minutes or an average of 60 mph from door to door with one coffee stop.

Coming back, the sky opened up and the RAIN was really bad, because of Hurricane Hanna, the NJ Turnpike was flooded, and my tires showed they needed to be replaced. Their WET weather handling is GONE.... I actually stopped till the rain slowed down and took a nap as I was tired. I averaged 22.4 miles per gallon today, not bad.

I have used Techron twice in the last week including today, so I am interested in seeing if my gas gage gets better, its been wacky.

My car AMAZES me every time I drive it... Its time for tires. Has anyone looked at how expensive tires have gotten?, OUCH.. $125 each, wow..

I am shocked at how fast some people drive in the rain, I kept waiting for them to spin out...lots of idiots out there..

[Bruce Nunnally]

Sorry for your loss.

Nothing better for the rain than fresh tires and new wiper blades.

[BodybyFisher]

Sorry for your loss.

Nothing better for the rain than fresh tires and new wiper blades.

Thanks, he was like a father to me, he was my best friend's Dad. It was very difficult for me, since my parents passed away, I have a difficult time attending wakes and funerals, it was a very emotional day.

Funny you say that, on the way home, I stopped at Pep Boys and bought new wiper blades, they made a world of difference!

Has anyone tried VOGUE tires?, are they just for looks or do they perform? I don't think the subject of Vogue tires has ever come up.

Notice the Cadillacs in their marketing!

<a href="http://www.voguetyre.com/index.cfm" target="_blank">http://www.voguetyre.com/index.cfm</a>

I think my car would look outstanding with the VOGUE tire with the WHITE/GOLD stripe.... wow

This is what they say about the WHITE/GOLD Radial

The new CBR IX was specifically developed and tested on a Cadillac Deville. The tread noise and cornering noise has been reduced from the CBR VIII and the tyre has an optimized elliptical shape that resists rim slippage and isolates noise and vibrations

OMG... FINALLY an H RATED White Wall!

http://www.voguetyre.com/products/tires/fu...ctID=0000000069

and an H-Rated White/Gold:

http://www.voguetyre.com/products/tires/fu...ctID=0000000043

I don't care for the Gold Stripe with the Vogue lettering

http://www.voguetyre.com/products/tires/fu...ctID=0000000041

[Texas Jim]

The picture don't show the white/gold stripe for my DTS, but they at least do make one for it.

http://www.voguetyre.com/products/tires/fu...ctID=0000000053

[BodybyFisher]

The picture don't show the white/gold stripe for my DTS, but they at least do make one for it.

<a href="http://www.voguetyre.com/products/tires/fu...ctID=0000000053" target="_blank">http://www.voguetyre.com/products/tires/fu...ctID=0000000053</a>

Thanks Jim, I fixed the link and added the Gold Stripe with Vogue lettering.

I think these are very sexy looking tires, that appear to PERFORM, with A Traction and A Temperature ratings

[Texas Jim]

The picture don't show the white/gold stripe for my DTS, but they at least do make one for it.

<a href="http://www.voguetyre.com/products/tires/fu...ctID=0000000053" target="_blank">http://www.voguetyre.com/products/tires/fu...ctID=0000000053</a>

Thanks Jim, I fixed the link and added the Gold Stripe with Vogue lettering.

I think these are very sexy looking tires, that appear to PERFORM, with A Traction and A Temperature ratings

They would appear to perform well. The size is wrong for MY DTS.

Wonder how my DTS would look good with the Vogue white walls and the gold stripe?

I have light gold pinstripes down the sides... just above the beltline.

[Cadillac Jim]

I am very sorry for your loss. If there is anything I can do please just ask.

Don't bother replacing the dogbones unless you see a reason why. Just slipping under the bolts causes momentary metal-against-metal slippage when you nail it or have a WOT shift or something, and it's harmless if it doesn't leave gouges too deep to fix by tightening the bolts. Trust me, this is what I did when I had the same problem for the same reason. I just tightened them, and that was several years ago.

I'm very performance oriented, and I'm nearing end-of-life for my tires, and will replace them soon. My recommendation for this kinnd of thing is to go to The Tire Rack's web site and use their tire selector. I just took a fresh look at it and Goodyear just released their Eagle GT in our size, 225/60R16, rated 98V, UTQG A A. I think that's my next tire.

[BodybyFisher]

I am very sorry for your loss. If there is anything I can do please just ask.

Don't bother replacing the dogbones unless you see a reason why. Just slipping under the bolts causes momentary metal-against-metal slippage when you nail it or have a WOT shift or something, and it's harmless if it doesn't leave gouges too deep to fix by tightening the bolts. Trust me, this is what I did when I had the same problem for the same reason. I just tightened them, and that was several years ago.

I'm very performance oriented, and I'm nearing end-of-life for my tires, and will replace them soon. My recommendation for this kinnd of thing is to go to The Tire Rack's web site and use their tire selector. I just took a fresh look at it and Goodyear just released their Eagle GT in our size, 225/60R16, rated 98V, UTQG A A. I think that's my next tire.

Thanks Jim

I am going to check my front mount closer next week, I will try jacking the engine up, something is not quite right. But you were right, the dog bones while they were in deed tight, were NOT tight enough and were slipping.

I want to find the graininess that I am getting on acceleration, I don't like it as it feels harsh. I am really hoping that my front mount is broken loose and that's that. Who knows it could be the rear mount also. I have seen the Tire Rack, its good. I think the Vogue tires are only good for the Starships, the Devilles, on the Eldo and Seville it looks a little too bling bling to me, but I could see it appealing to some Eldo/Seville owners.

Thanks again

[ted tcb]

Have you considered Goodyear Triple Tread?

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?ti...ance+TripleTred

They're supposed to be great in rain and snow.

I share your affinity for the appearance of the Vogue gold stripes on a Deville.

However, I know guys with the 65mph shimmy stay away from Vogue's and Continentals.

I think the chance of finding a low RFB # tire is pretty slim on a Vogue.

I also hear that they are difficult to keep clean ... the gold stripe doesn't fare well in salty climates.

Once the stripe starts to crack and fade, it looks pretty cheap.

Sorry to hear about your friend's passing ... I know what you mean about the difficulty in attending

funerals after experiencing personal loss ... it's rough.

[BodybyFisher]

Have you considered Goodyear Triple Tread?

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?ti...ance+TripleTred

They're supposed to be great in rain and snow.

I share your affinity for the appearance of the Vogue gold stripes on a Deville.

However, I know guys with the 65mph shimmy stay away from Vogue's and Continentals.

I think the chance of finding a low RFB # tire is pretty slim on a Vogue.

I also hear that they are difficult to keep clean ... the gold stripe doesn't fare well in salty climates.

Once the stripe starts to crack and fade, it looks pretty cheap.

Sorry to hear about your friend's passing ... I know what you mean about the difficulty in attending

funerals after experiencing personal loss ... it's rough.

Hi Ted. Yes the Triple Tread is indeed a great looking tire, with HydroTread looks and performance, but again it does not appear that they sell a white wall.

I didn't know the Vogue tire had problems with balancing, shimmy and aestetics. I would not have thought that.. In concept they look terrific!

I have kind of moved away from Goodyear because of the Eagle GT+4's that I had on my Bonneville, they were horrible in wet weather. Once I tried a Michelin I was sold. My favorite tire is a Pilot.

Thanks, I have come to realize that its important to see your friends as often as possible

[gemmichelle11]

Hello, glad you're home safe. I'm sorry for your loss. There are so many special people who have gone that I miss, also. Driving is a good way to do the thinking and reflecting you need to do. It's so wonderful to have such treasured people to enrich our lives.

Ohhh, what purdy tires! I didn't know there were tires like that, at such a good price. My Fuzion tires were $199 a piece. I had to replace one when my husband was in Dallas, as I had a blowout and was left on the side of the expressway one evening, thanks to the business that leases across from our building and doesn't clean up their self-locking screws. I want those tires next time! The gold stripe tire on my gold CTS would look so good!

One day when it was raining, I stopped into Auto Zone and got replacement wiper blades. The nice man put them on for me. What a difference!

It's great to have the exchange of information here to keep the Caddys running their best!

Good day, y'all!

[BodybyFisher]

Thank You

I agree, they are a great looking tire, blackwalls have kind of taken over. I guess you saw Vogues advertizing they are using CTS quite a bit. They also sell replacement grills for your car.

I am glad you found us

[ted tcb]

Mike, here is a quote from someone who drives their Fleetwood only on sunny days ... shod with Vogue's.

"As I said above, they are a bear to clean & harder to keep clean. Nothing, and I really & truly mean: NOTHING cleans them ! Westley's Bleach White is best, but you need to sit on a stood and scrub each tire at the very least 20 minutes! When you finish all 4 (hour & a half) (trust me here) You Definately DO NOT wanna drive it & risk getting them dirty again! Especially if you are over 45 years old. If combined with gold ornamentation, it does look PIMP in a baaad kinda way."

If you're sold on running Vogue's through a sloppy NY winter, then you could always call on Cardio Doc, who is a Vogue dealer.

One of the RWD Fleetwood guys on the other forum rides on some gorgeous whitewalls from a company called Arizona Tires.

http://www.arizoniantires.com/

Nice looking whitewall.

[BodybyFisher]

Mike, here is a quote from someone who drives their Fleetwood only on sunny days ... shod with Vogue's.

"As I said above, they are a bear to clean & harder to keep clean. Nothing, and I really & truly mean: NOTHING cleans them ! Westley's Bleach White is best, but you need to sit on a stood and scrub each tire at the very least 20 minutes! When you finish all 4 (hour & a half) (trust me here) You Definately DO NOT wanna drive it & risk getting them dirty again! Especially if you are over 45 years old. If combined with gold ornamentation, it does look PIMP in a baaad kinda way."

If you're sold on running Vogue's through a sloppy NY winter, then you could always call on Cardio Doc, who is a Vogue dealer.

One of the RWD Fleetwood guys on the other forum rides on some gorgeous whitewalls from a company called Arizona Tires.

http://www.arizoniantires.com/

Nice looking whitewall.

Thanks for the info Ted, I didn't know that Cardio Doc was a dealer..

[KHE]

Mike, here is a quote from someone who drives their Fleetwood only on sunny days ... shod with Vogue's.

"As I said above, they are a bear to clean & harder to keep clean. Nothing, and I really & truly mean: NOTHING cleans them ! Westley's Bleach White is best, but you need to sit on a stood and scrub each tire at the very least 20 minutes! When you finish all 4 (hour & a half) (trust me here) You Definately DO NOT wanna drive it & risk getting them dirty again! Especially if you are over 45 years old. If combined with gold ornamentation, it does look PIMP in a baaad kinda way."

If you're sold on running Vogue's through a sloppy NY winter, then you could always call on Cardio Doc, who is a Vogue dealer.

One of the RWD Fleetwood guys on the other forum rides on some gorgeous whitewalls from a company called Arizona Tires.

<a href="http://www.arizoniantires.com/" target="_blank">http://www.arizoniantires.com/</a>

Nice looking whitewall.

I'm not sure why Vogue whitewalls would be any harder to clean than any other whitewall tire... When I wash my car, I spray the whitewalls with Westley's Bleach White and let it work while I mix the soap. Then I hit them with a sponge and hose the tire off and they look like new.

I like whitewall tires but don't care for Vogues. I guess I don't like the whitewall right next to the wheel and I'm not a fan of the yellow stripe. It is good to know that Arizonian tires makes a whitewall for the Fleetwoods. I bought a set of Coopers last year and they have been stored in a rack in my basement because everyone was discontinuing whitewalls in the 235-70R15 size and the Fleetwoods look TERRIBLE with blackwall tires.

[ted tcb]

Supposedly, the Vogue whitewall resists a smooth glide action ... the rubber compound grabs even the slickest scouring

pad.

I've personally never cleaned a Vogue tire ... this was from someone who keeps his car in tiptop shape, and found the Vogue

very labour intensive to clean, much more so than regular whitewalls.

[gemmichelle11]

I just so happened to find the receipt for the purchase of the Fuzion tire I had to buy last September after my blowout. I gave you the wrong information when I quoted the price per tire. I was way off. One tire, a P225/55R16 Fuzion HRi/BW was $89.95. Mount & balance was $12.50.

I don't know where I got that ridiculous price in my previous post. I stand corrected, please excuse me.

g.

[jking220]

Have you considered Goodyear Triple Tread?

I have no personal experience with triple treads, but I had an advisor/prof in school who was a test engineer for goodyear for 12 years earlier in his career, and he claimed the triple tread was just a marketing ploy, and there isnt enough of each tread to make a major difference in the performance.

I have not been a fan a goodyears in a quite a while, Im buying michelins for my next set.

[BodybyFisher]

I want to add something.

My Northstar is running SO much better. Its smooth, powerful and the idle is very stable.

Over the last two weeks, I have filled up twice and taken two 400 mile trips, with each fill up, I used Techron, a small bottle the first time, and a large bottle the second time, since I knew it would be run out within 24 hours. On my way down to Philadelphia, I drove really really hard (for me, for TexasJim it would have been a ride in the park, ) as I needed to get there in 2 hours, lots of WOT and high rpm stints.

I believe the Techron, has cleaned my fuel system, injectors and combustion chambers. I did this mainly to see if I could fix my fuel gage which was erratic. It looks like my FUEL GAGE is stable, but I will report on it more as it gets down to 6 or 7 gallons.

She's a rocket now...

I am sure you all know, but if you are going to take a long trip, add a bottle of Techron

[Bruce Nunnally]

Also there is a beneficial effect from just getting the car out on the highway and driving it for a few hours.

[BodybyFisher]

Also there is a beneficial effect from just getting the car out on the highway and driving it for a few hours.

Very true and doing that should not be understated, long hard trips are terrific to loosen up the NS

[cardio-doc]

I sell Vogue tires, primarily on eBay though some at retail. ONLY BUY VOGUE TIRES BECAUSE YOU MUST HAVE THEIR DISTINCTIVE LOOK.

That is the ONLY reason to buy Vogues. The 225/60R-16 IX Radial is a good tire. But it is no better than the best Goodyears or Michelins. The H-rated Vogues aren't what I'd call 'great' tires. The 235/55R-17 H-rated Vogue is your only choice for a 17" wheel like a DTS, but the design (of the tire) is old and they sometimes have vibration issues. The 235/60R-16 H-rated Vogue tire is not a good tire and is KNOWN for vibration issues.

I sell Vogues on eBay so if you want them - just look there.

I am giving my professional opinion, after having sold Vogues for 7 years now.

cheers,

~Doc

[cardio-doc]

Never clean Vogues with a brush or harsh cleaning agent. You will 'rub' the whitewall off.

[BodybyFisher]

Thanks so much for your honest input on this

[BodybyFisher]

After using two bottles of Techron, in my last two full tanks of gas, my gas gage is definitely more stable. I am down to 5 gallons now, and it has behaved well for the first time in a couple of years. Techron I understand removes the sulfur plating from the gas gage potentiometer in the tank.