Ottawa Tires

Posts Tagged ‘Automobiles’

Thinking about a used car?  Nervous about what’s under the hood?  Used car dealers are feeling your pain all
the way to the bank.  In an ironic twist,
“pre-owned vehicle” dealers have found a way to profit from their bad
reputation. 

 

No, they’re not just selling overpriced used car
extended warranties anymore.  They’re
charging a 10%-25% markup on used cars “certified” (by them) not to
be pieces of junk.  The accompanying
“certified” used car warranties in fact usually carry much less
protection than the best used car warranties, which you can buy yourself
online.  Who needs a used car warranty if
your jalopy is a “certified” machine?

 

But even paying 10%-25% more won’t eliminate
risk.  Thorough extended warranties for
used cars are necessary, “certified” or not.  In some cases, a half-hearted inspection
means the certification may not be worth the paper it’s written on.  Used car problems often only appear months or
years after purchase.  That’s why even
for mint used cars, used car extended warranties are essential.

 

Worse, “certified” used cars don’t
always come with any extended used car warranty coverage.  When a “certified” used car
warranty is included, it usually has much less coverage than a new car
warranty.  Even most standard pre-owned
vehicle extended warranties offer much more protection than most “certified”
used car warranties.

 

You can almost always do better on your
own.  An independent inspection and a
used car extended warranty provide better peace of mind, often at a lower
price.

 

“Certified” Used Car Inspections
Inspected

 

The cornerstone of a “certified” used
car program is the supposedly super-thorough inspection.  There are good reasons to think that the
inspection does not replace an independent inspection or used car extended
warranty coverage.

Are inspections really added value?  Don’t you wonder why dealers aren’t
inspecting all their cars before taking delivery themselves?  Car dealers aren’t idiots, at least not with
cars.  Anyone who’s had to haggle over a
trade-in knows that.  The big question is
whether the dealership will disclose everything it knows.  Trust is still an issue with
“certified” cars.

 

Certified by whom?  Think about it: the same people who are
trying to sell you the car are also “certifying” it.  Yes, you read right: the “certification”
is usually done by the dealership selling the car.  If there’s any manufacturer oversight, it’s
often just an occasional inspection of the dealer’s inspection.

 

Duplicate inspection.  You should have any used car,
“certified” or not, thoroughly inspected by an independent
mechanic.  You’re up against an industry
that demonstrates about as much trustworthiness as, well, used car
dealers.  Do not give up your first line
of defense.

 

Limits of inspections.  No inspection in the world can foresee every
possible problem.  Oftentimes, something
that breaks a few months after purchase really was fine when the car was
sold–or was virtually undetectable. 
When–not if–something gives out, you’d better have a used car extended
warranty.

“Certified” Used Car Warranty
Coverage under the Hood

 

The implied selling point of
“certified” used cars is they won’t break.  That kind of makes used car extended
warranties seem unnecessary.  Naturally,
some buyers may wonder what will be happen if something does break anyway.  In order to ease those inquiring minds,
“certified” used car warranties often come included, or are at least
implied.   Sadly, too few people will
inquire further about what the “certified” used car warranty
covers.

Does certified mean “under
warranty”?  Not necessarily.  The major manufacturers’
“certified” programs usually include some extended warranty
protection.  But oftentimes,
“certified” cars sold outside of manufacturers’ programs do not come
with any extended warranty coverage.  If
it does break, tough luck.

 

How good’s the warranty?  The GM Certified Used Vehicle Warranty is
only for 3 months or 3,000 miles!  Ford
offers longer “certified” warranties.   But they generally aren’t bumper-to-bumper,
covering only the “power train.” 
Forget about the little extras like the roof or the doors.  Right off the internet, you can buy extended
warranty used car coverage that is generally bumper-to-bumper and lasts several
years.

“Certified” Used Cars: Extended
Warranties Still Needed

 

“Certified” used cars offer two
things: an inspection and a used car extended warranty.  Arguably, neither is worth the
price.

Inspection. 
Let’s face reality.  The junky
used car problem doesn’t exist for want of dealer inspections.  Lemons get sold for one of three reasons. a)
The defect did not show up in the dealer’s own inspection. b) The dealer is
trying to sell a car whose defects were already known. Or sometimes c) the
buyer knows about the defects but is guilty of wishful thinking.  In none of these cases will a
“certified” inspection provide the protection of an independent
inspection and extended used car warranty.

 

Warranty. A “certified” used car will
often cost 10%-25% more.  For a $10,000
used car, that’s $1,000-$2,500.  An
extended used car warranty from an independent auto warranty company will often
cost about the same.  But the best used
car warranties will provide a lot more protection than “certified”
used car warranties.  Given that fact,
you may end up getting an independent extended car warranty anyway.

Worst of all, certified used cars come with an
expensive risk.  They tempt you to let
your guard down.  Ford even issued a
press release headlined “Pre-Owned Vehicle Program Reduces Customer Buyer
Beware.”  As if that were a good
thing.

 

Of course, in the end, you may buy a
“certified” used car anyway. 
These days it seems there are fewer and fewer used cars that aren’t
“certified.”  Just make sure to
get an independent inspection and an independent used car extended
warranty.  “Certified” or not,
it’s still a used car.

Thinking about a used car?  Nervous about what’s under the hood?  Used car dealers are feeling your pain all
the way to the bank.  In an ironic twist,
“pre-owned vehicle” dealers have found a way to profit from their bad
reputation. 

 

No, they’re not just selling overpriced used car
extended warranties anymore.  They’re
charging a 10%-25% markup on used cars “certified” (by them) not to
be pieces of junk.  The accompanying
“certified” used car warranties in fact usually carry much less
protection than the best used car warranties, which you can buy yourself
online.  Who needs a used car warranty if
your jalopy is a “certified” machine?

 

But even paying 10%-25% more won’t eliminate
risk.  Thorough extended warranties for
used cars are necessary, “certified” or not.  In some cases, a half-hearted inspection
means the certification may not be worth the paper it’s written on.  Used car problems often only appear months or
years after purchase.  That’s why even
for mint used cars, used car extended warranties are essential.

 

Worse, “certified” used cars don’t
always come with any extended used car warranty coverage.  When a “certified” used car
warranty is included, it usually has much less coverage than a new car
warranty.  Even most standard pre-owned
vehicle extended warranties offer much more protection than most “certified”
used car warranties.

 

You can almost always do better on your
own.  An independent inspection and a
used car extended warranty provide better peace of mind, often at a lower
price.

 

“Certified” Used Car Inspections
Inspected

 

The cornerstone of a “certified” used
car program is the supposedly super-thorough inspection.  There are good reasons to think that the
inspection does not replace an independent inspection or used car extended
warranty coverage.

Are inspections really added value?  Don’t you wonder why dealers aren’t
inspecting all their cars before taking delivery themselves?  Car dealers aren’t idiots, at least not with
cars.  Anyone who’s had to haggle over a
trade-in knows that.  The big question is
whether the dealership will disclose everything it knows.  Trust is still an issue with
“certified” cars.

 

Certified by whom?  Think about it: the same people who are
trying to sell you the car are also “certifying” it.  Yes, you read right: the “certification”
is usually done by the dealership selling the car.  If there’s any manufacturer oversight, it’s
often just an occasional inspection of the dealer’s inspection.

 

Duplicate inspection.  You should have any used car,
“certified” or not, thoroughly inspected by an independent
mechanic.  You’re up against an industry
that demonstrates about as much trustworthiness as, well, used car
dealers.  Do not give up your first line
of defense.

 

Limits of inspections.  No inspection in the world can foresee every
possible problem.  Oftentimes, something
that breaks a few months after purchase really was fine when the car was
sold–or was virtually undetectable. 
When–not if–something gives out, you’d better have a used car extended
warranty.

“Certified” Used Car Warranty
Coverage under the Hood

 

The implied selling point of
“certified” used cars is they won’t break.  That kind of makes used car extended
warranties seem unnecessary.  Naturally,
some buyers may wonder what will be happen if something does break anyway.  In order to ease those inquiring minds,
“certified” used car warranties often come included, or are at least
implied.   Sadly, too few people will
inquire further about what the “certified” used car warranty
covers.

Does certified mean “under
warranty”?  Not necessarily.  The major manufacturers’
“certified” programs usually include some extended warranty
protection.  But oftentimes,
“certified” cars sold outside of manufacturers’ programs do not come
with any extended warranty coverage.  If
it does break, tough luck.

 

How good’s the warranty?  The GM Certified Used Vehicle Warranty is
only for 3 months or 3,000 miles!  Ford
offers longer “certified” warranties.   But they generally aren’t bumper-to-bumper,
covering only the “power train.” 
Forget about the little extras like the roof or the doors.  Right off the internet, you can buy extended
warranty used car coverage that is generally bumper-to-bumper and lasts several
years.

“Certified” Used Cars: Extended
Warranties Still Needed

 

“Certified” used cars offer two
things: an inspection and a used car extended warranty.  Arguably, neither is worth the
price.

Inspection. 
Let’s face reality.  The junky
used car problem doesn’t exist for want of dealer inspections.  Lemons get sold for one of three reasons. a)
The defect did not show up in the dealer’s own inspection. b) The dealer is
trying to sell a car whose defects were already known. Or sometimes c) the
buyer knows about the defects but is guilty of wishful thinking.  In none of these cases will a
“certified” inspection provide the protection of an independent
inspection and extended used car warranty.

 

Warranty. A “certified” used car will
often cost 10%-25% more.  For a $10,000
used car, that’s $1,000-$2,500.  An
extended used car warranty from an independent auto warranty company will often
cost about the same.  But the best used
car warranties will provide a lot more protection than “certified”
used car warranties.  Given that fact,
you may end up getting an independent extended car warranty anyway.

Worst of all, certified used cars come with an
expensive risk.  They tempt you to let
your guard down.  Ford even issued a
press release headlined “Pre-Owned Vehicle Program Reduces Customer Buyer
Beware.”  As if that were a good
thing.

 

Of course, in the end, you may buy a
“certified” used car anyway. 
These days it seems there are fewer and fewer used cars that aren’t
“certified.”  Just make sure to
get an independent inspection and an independent used car extended
warranty.  “Certified” or not,
it’s still a used car.

Thinking about a used car?  Nervous about what’s under the hood?  Used car dealers are feeling your pain all
the way to the bank.  In an ironic twist,
“pre-owned vehicle” dealers have found a way to profit from their bad
reputation. 

 

No, they’re not just selling overpriced used car
extended warranties anymore.  They’re
charging a 10%-25% markup on used cars “certified” (by them) not to
be pieces of junk.  The accompanying
“certified” used car warranties in fact usually carry much less
protection than the best used car warranties, which you can buy yourself
online.  Who needs a used car warranty if
your jalopy is a “certified” machine?

 

But even paying 10%-25% more won’t eliminate
risk.  Thorough extended warranties for
used cars are necessary, “certified” or not.  In some cases, a half-hearted inspection
means the certification may not be worth the paper it’s written on.  Used car problems often only appear months or
years after purchase.  That’s why even
for mint used cars, used car extended warranties are essential.

 

Worse, “certified” used cars don’t
always come with any extended used car warranty coverage.  When a “certified” used car
warranty is included, it usually has much less coverage than a new car
warranty.  Even most standard pre-owned
vehicle extended warranties offer much more protection than most “certified”
used car warranties.

 

You can almost always do better on your
own.  An independent inspection and a
used car extended warranty provide better peace of mind, often at a lower
price.

 

“Certified” Used Car Inspections
Inspected

 

The cornerstone of a “certified” used
car program is the supposedly super-thorough inspection.  There are good reasons to think that the
inspection does not replace an independent inspection or used car extended
warranty coverage.

Are inspections really added value?  Don’t you wonder why dealers aren’t
inspecting all their cars before taking delivery themselves?  Car dealers aren’t idiots, at least not with
cars.  Anyone who’s had to haggle over a
trade-in knows that.  The big question is
whether the dealership will disclose everything it knows.  Trust is still an issue with
“certified” cars.

 

Certified by whom?  Think about it: the same people who are
trying to sell you the car are also “certifying” it.  Yes, you read right: the “certification”
is usually done by the dealership selling the car.  If there’s any manufacturer oversight, it’s
often just an occasional inspection of the dealer’s inspection.

 

Duplicate inspection.  You should have any used car,
“certified” or not, thoroughly inspected by an independent
mechanic.  You’re up against an industry
that demonstrates about as much trustworthiness as, well, used car
dealers.  Do not give up your first line
of defense.

 

Limits of inspections.  No inspection in the world can foresee every
possible problem.  Oftentimes, something
that breaks a few months after purchase really was fine when the car was
sold–or was virtually undetectable. 
When–not if–something gives out, you’d better have a used car extended
warranty.

“Certified” Used Car Warranty
Coverage under the Hood

 

The implied selling point of
“certified” used cars is they won’t break.  That kind of makes used car extended
warranties seem unnecessary.  Naturally,
some buyers may wonder what will be happen if something does break anyway.  In order to ease those inquiring minds,
“certified” used car warranties often come included, or are at least
implied.   Sadly, too few people will
inquire further about what the “certified” used car warranty
covers.

Does certified mean “under
warranty”?  Not necessarily.  The major manufacturers’
“certified” programs usually include some extended warranty
protection.  But oftentimes,
“certified” cars sold outside of manufacturers’ programs do not come
with any extended warranty coverage.  If
it does break, tough luck.

 

How good’s the warranty?  The GM Certified Used Vehicle Warranty is
only for 3 months or 3,000 miles!  Ford
offers longer “certified” warranties.   But they generally aren’t bumper-to-bumper,
covering only the “power train.” 
Forget about the little extras like the roof or the doors.  Right off the internet, you can buy extended
warranty used car coverage that is generally bumper-to-bumper and lasts several
years.

“Certified” Used Cars: Extended
Warranties Still Needed

 

“Certified” used cars offer two
things: an inspection and a used car extended warranty.  Arguably, neither is worth the
price.

Inspection. 
Let’s face reality.  The junky
used car problem doesn’t exist for want of dealer inspections.  Lemons get sold for one of three reasons. a)
The defect did not show up in the dealer’s own inspection. b) The dealer is
trying to sell a car whose defects were already known. Or sometimes c) the
buyer knows about the defects but is guilty of wishful thinking.  In none of these cases will a
“certified” inspection provide the protection of an independent
inspection and extended used car warranty.

 

Warranty. A “certified” used car will
often cost 10%-25% more.  For a $10,000
used car, that’s $1,000-$2,500.  An
extended used car warranty from an independent auto warranty company will often
cost about the same.  But the best used
car warranties will provide a lot more protection than “certified”
used car warranties.  Given that fact,
you may end up getting an independent extended car warranty anyway.

Worst of all, certified used cars come with an
expensive risk.  They tempt you to let
your guard down.  Ford even issued a
press release headlined “Pre-Owned Vehicle Program Reduces Customer Buyer
Beware.”  As if that were a good
thing.

 

Of course, in the end, you may buy a
“certified” used car anyway. 
These days it seems there are fewer and fewer used cars that aren’t
“certified.”  Just make sure to
get an independent inspection and an independent used car extended
warranty.  “Certified” or not,
it’s still a used car.

Thinking about a used car?  Nervous about what’s under the hood?  Used car dealers are feeling your pain all
the way to the bank.  In an ironic twist,
“pre-owned vehicle” dealers have found a way to profit from their bad
reputation. 

 

No, they’re not just selling overpriced used car
extended warranties anymore.  They’re
charging a 10%-25% markup on used cars “certified” (by them) not to
be pieces of junk.  The accompanying
“certified” used car warranties in fact usually carry much less
protection than the best used car warranties, which you can buy yourself
online.  Who needs a used car warranty if
your jalopy is a “certified” machine?

 

But even paying 10%-25% more won’t eliminate
risk.  Thorough extended warranties for
used cars are necessary, “certified” or not.  In some cases, a half-hearted inspection
means the certification may not be worth the paper it’s written on.  Used car problems often only appear months or
years after purchase.  That’s why even
for mint used cars, used car extended warranties are essential.

 

Worse, “certified” used cars don’t
always come with any extended used car warranty coverage.  When a “certified” used car
warranty is included, it usually has much less coverage than a new car
warranty.  Even most standard pre-owned
vehicle extended warranties offer much more protection than most “certified”
used car warranties.

 

You can almost always do better on your
own.  An independent inspection and a
used car extended warranty provide better peace of mind, often at a lower
price.

 

“Certified” Used Car Inspections
Inspected

 

The cornerstone of a “certified” used
car program is the supposedly super-thorough inspection.  There are good reasons to think that the
inspection does not replace an independent inspection or used car extended
warranty coverage.

Are inspections really added value?  Don’t you wonder why dealers aren’t
inspecting all their cars before taking delivery themselves?  Car dealers aren’t idiots, at least not with
cars.  Anyone who’s had to haggle over a
trade-in knows that.  The big question is
whether the dealership will disclose everything it knows.  Trust is still an issue with
“certified” cars.

 

Certified by whom?  Think about it: the same people who are
trying to sell you the car are also “certifying” it.  Yes, you read right: the “certification”
is usually done by the dealership selling the car.  If there’s any manufacturer oversight, it’s
often just an occasional inspection of the dealer’s inspection.

 

Duplicate inspection.  You should have any used car,
“certified” or not, thoroughly inspected by an independent
mechanic.  You’re up against an industry
that demonstrates about as much trustworthiness as, well, used car
dealers.  Do not give up your first line
of defense.

 

Limits of inspections.  No inspection in the world can foresee every
possible problem.  Oftentimes, something
that breaks a few months after purchase really was fine when the car was
sold–or was virtually undetectable. 
When–not if–something gives out, you’d better have a used car extended
warranty.

“Certified” Used Car Warranty
Coverage under the Hood

 

The implied selling point of
“certified” used cars is they won’t break.  That kind of makes used car extended
warranties seem unnecessary.  Naturally,
some buyers may wonder what will be happen if something does break anyway.  In order to ease those inquiring minds,
“certified” used car warranties often come included, or are at least
implied.   Sadly, too few people will
inquire further about what the “certified” used car warranty
covers.

Does certified mean “under
warranty”?  Not necessarily.  The major manufacturers’
“certified” programs usually include some extended warranty
protection.  But oftentimes,
“certified” cars sold outside of manufacturers’ programs do not come
with any extended warranty coverage.  If
it does break, tough luck.

 

How good’s the warranty?  The GM Certified Used Vehicle Warranty is
only for 3 months or 3,000 miles!  Ford
offers longer “certified” warranties.   But they generally aren’t bumper-to-bumper,
covering only the “power train.” 
Forget about the little extras like the roof or the doors.  Right off the internet, you can buy extended
warranty used car coverage that is generally bumper-to-bumper and lasts several
years.

“Certified” Used Cars: Extended
Warranties Still Needed

 

“Certified” used cars offer two
things: an inspection and a used car extended warranty.  Arguably, neither is worth the
price.

Inspection. 
Let’s face reality.  The junky
used car problem doesn’t exist for want of dealer inspections.  Lemons get sold for one of three reasons. a)
The defect did not show up in the dealer’s own inspection. b) The dealer is
trying to sell a car whose defects were already known. Or sometimes c) the
buyer knows about the defects but is guilty of wishful thinking.  In none of these cases will a
“certified” inspection provide the protection of an independent
inspection and extended used car warranty.

 

Warranty. A “certified” used car will
often cost 10%-25% more.  For a $10,000
used car, that’s $1,000-$2,500.  An
extended used car warranty from an independent auto warranty company will often
cost about the same.  But the best used
car warranties will provide a lot more protection than “certified”
used car warranties.  Given that fact,
you may end up getting an independent extended car warranty anyway.

Worst of all, certified used cars come with an
expensive risk.  They tempt you to let
your guard down.  Ford even issued a
press release headlined “Pre-Owned Vehicle Program Reduces Customer Buyer
Beware.”  As if that were a good
thing.

 

Of course, in the end, you may buy a
“certified” used car anyway. 
These days it seems there are fewer and fewer used cars that aren’t
“certified.”  Just make sure to
get an independent inspection and an independent used car extended
warranty.  “Certified” or not,
it’s still a used car.

Before you finally decide on what car to buy, or if you have already picked that car that best suits your needs and your lifestyle, here still are some of the useful tips you may want to keep in mind to help you save car money:Do not buy large cars. Unless it is necessary, it is better still to have a smaller car that is not costly to maintain. Even if a large sports utility vehicle is your dream car, it’s probably a lot more than you really need. The size of the car you decide to purchase will have a direct effect on its operating costs. Purchasing the smallest car possible for your driving needs will save you a tremendous amount in gasoline charges. Small cars weigh about half as much as larger cars which results in about half as much fuel being used.Do not gas up in the heat of the day. According to some chemistry, it is best to buy your gasoline in the early morning or at night when it is cold outside. Gas becomes denser in cooler temperatures. Since gas pumps only measure the volume of fuel – not the density – you’ll get better overall gas mileage for your money by purchasing fuel when it’s cool outside rather than in the heat of the day.Do not use your car, unless necessary. By far, the best way to reduce your car expenses is to use your car only when necessary. Cars are extremely convenient and this causes people to use them much more often than they really need to. Just ask your self, “Is this trip really necessary?” If you become wise and smart enough in deciding on your trips, you will surely save a great deal of cash.Do not take your car tires for granted. Always take some time to check your car’s tire pressure each month or every time you do long trips. Under inflated tires reduce fuel efficiency by 2% for every pound they are under inflated. Under inflation also causes premature tire wear giving your tires a shorter use life.Do not drive fast in low gears. Driving at high speeds in the improper gear can reduce fuel efficiency by up to 40%.Don’t open windows when traveling at high speeds. Driving on the highway with windows open can reduce fuel efficiency by 10%. It is a lot better if you just use the ventilation system of your car. Also use cruise control to maintain a steady pace on the highway to increase fuel economy.Don’t let your car idle for long periods. The rule is, never leave your car idle for more than 30 seconds. If you think you will stay longer, better turn your engine off. Letting your car idle longer is a waste of gas. It is actually more efficient to turn off your car and turn it on again than to let it idle for more than 45 seconds while waiting.

This is the third in a series of articles containing useful pointers for coping with frost, ice, and snow while you travel by vehicle. The correct tires can make the difference between an enjoyable trip and a hefty towing or hospital bill.1. Summer tread tires are not meant for icy or snowy conditions.

When the temperature dips, so does the traction capability of summer tires. The material used in the manufacturing process loses elasticity and grip as it gets colder. This means that summer tires do not perform as well in freezing temperatures, even on dry roads.2. All-season tires work well in some areas.

If you only experience an occasional mild snowstorm, you might be happy with all-season tires. However, they don’t perform as well as good winter tires. Their composition and tread is a compromise that provides decent handling and traction in a variety of conditions. Busy drivers who don’t have the time to change their tires twice a year will often swear by all-seasons.3. Real winters demand real winter tires.

If you have ever been stuck in a snow bank, you appreciate how much time and inconvenience it requires to get a tow. A car that slides into a snow bank can just as easily careen into oncoming traffic, over an embankment, or into a pedestrian. For safety’s sake, a change to winter tires is a good investment.4. Choosing the correct tire requires some forethought.

There are various types of winter tires. Analyze your driving patterns (fast? slow? heavy on the brakes?), travel routes (uphill and downhill grades? tight curves? gravel vs. pavement?), and other factors that might affect tire performance and needs.

a) Performance Winter Tires

Performance winter tires are responsive on dry winter roads – but their traction is not as good on ice and snow as some other types of tires. The treads tend to be a bit soft; these tires should always be changed in the spring in order to preserve tread life.

b) Snow and Ice Studless Tires

These tires will give better traction than performance winters, but the handling will not be quite as responsive.

c) Winter Studded Tires

These are good-quality winter-tread tires embedded with 60-120 small metal studs per tire. The studs, composed of a very hard metal like tungsten carbide, protrude slightly above the tread surface. This provides superior traction on ice and snow. However, studs also dig into pavement – and they are banned in some areas. If you plan a long trip, be sure to check the regulations regarding studded tires along your route.5. A tire professional can help you to sift through the choices.

Nothing can replace competent advice from a good tire technician. However before you pick a tire shop, consider the following:

a) Does the tire business have a good reputation – or does a check with the local merchants’ association or Better Business Bureau reveal a number of consumer complaints?

b) Do you know of anyone who has used the shop and can provide first-hand recommendations?

c) Are the tire shop’s certifications, licenses, and permits prominently displayed where customers can see them?

d) Are the service people properly certified? And are they experienced?

e) Will the shop honor your vehicle warranty?

f) Do the shop technicians have experience with vehicles of your model and year?

Inventors and manufacturers are continually trying to design the ‘perfect tire’. An online search for ‘tire patent’ will bring up over 1 million pages in Google. Who knows – maybe the perfect tire will be on the shelves next year! In the meantime, do your research, and get the most suitable tire for your driving style and weather conditions.

©Copyright Kathy Steinemann: This article is free to publish only if this copyright notice, the byline, and the author’s note below (with active links) are included.

Travelers can save money on gasoline by replacing the air in their vehicle’s and RV’s tires with nitrogen gas. They can also save money on gas in their every day driving as well.  Research has shown that drivers can improve their gas mileage by over three percent when they use nitrogen in their vehicle’s tires..

This is not new technology as it has been used for years by commercial airlines as well as in NASCAR cars. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandates that nitrogen gas be used in all commercial aircraft tires to eliminate the possibility of water vapor freezing at high altitudes which happens with air filled tires. NASCAR teams also use nitrogen gas in the tires of their racing cars because the tire pressure fluctuates less than it does with air.

How can using nitrogen gas in your vehicle’s tires save you a lot of money?

Firstly, you don’t need to buy new tires to make the change, your present tires will do just fine. If you use nitrogen in your tires you can improve your vehicle’s fuel efficiency and save a lot of money over time. Nitrogen gas in your tires also improves your vehicle’s handling and extends the life of your tires so you will have to replace them less often. There is no question that in these times of record high gasoline prices you will realize significant savings on all your driving for many years to come.

How can using nitrogen gas, in your vehicle’s tires also improve our environment?

By using nitrogen gas instead of air in you vehicle’s tires, it will help to better maintain proper tire air pressure.  This optimizes tire road contact which reduces tire/road resistance.  Because of this, the fuel economy is increased and less exhaust emissions enter into the atmosphere.  You might say that by going green you are also saving green, greenbacks, that is.

How can you do your part to help America’s economy reduce its dependence on foreign oil?

Current national research shows that if every driver in the U.S. replaced the air in each of their vehicle’s tires with nitrogen gas, they would improve their gas mileage by over three percent.  These figures  translate into an enormous saving of almost four trillion gallons of gasoline per year!

For more information and research on the growing use of nitrogen gas in motor vehicles’ tires including those of commercial carriers, visit Get Nitrogen at their website, GetNitrogen.org. In addition to the research data, you will find an ever growing list of registered dealers in the United States and Canada that can replace the air in your tires with nitrogen.

These are some important points on how you can save gasoline and reduce green house gas emissions at the same time by not driving on under inflated tires, whether you use air or nitrogen gas in them.

Check your vehicle owner’s manual for the optimum inflated tire pressure.

Measure tire pressure accurately with a tire gauge as a visual tire inspection is not reliable.

It’s best to measure tire air pressure when they’re cold.  You should wait approximately three hours for the air inside your tires to cool down before measuring the tire pressure.

Lastly, and probably the most important point, always check the air pressure in your vehicle’s tires at least once a month.

There is a saying by a famous tire manufacturer Michelin: “So much is riding on your tires.” This is true no matter if you’re driving a sport coupe or an electric scooter. Cheap tires can damage a great car, and great tires can do wonders for a worn out vehicle. Luckily, today, thanks to technological advances, you can buy a great set of discount tires and still be quite happy about them.
If you understand that you have to buy new tires, you have a few options. The easiest way is to buy the exact size and brand of tires that your vehicle had when you picked it at the dealership. However, you may choose to upgrade your tires depending on what driving conditions you currently have or foresee. There are many reasons to change the tires for a different model. While some people look for a new design they may simply change the wheel and use the same tires as before. Some people prefer to wait till they need new tires and then they upgrade for a larger diameter of the wheel and new tires at once.
When choosing your new discount tires you should honestly evaluate your driving needs and habits. If you really want to enjoy your ride, you need to find a reliable discount tire store which will not push you towards the most expensive make, but rather help you pick the brand that does justice to your car while remaining within your budget. The type of the tire also depends on the driving conditions you normally drive in.
Here are some factors you should consider when choosing your discount tire set:
Tread life of the tires will determine how long a set of tires would last. Life expectancy of the tires is estimated by the manufacturer under governmental guidelines after a field testing. The higher the tread life grade, the longer the tire will last.
Wet weather tires are essential if you live in a climate where it rains often. Four-season tires are the best option for wet climates. If it snows often, then you should also have a set of winter tires that you will switch for during the colder season.
Speed rating is an often underestimated factor in choosing the right set of discount tires. In the USA the speed limit hardly ever climbs over 75mph. In Europe the lovers of speedy rides can really get loose, but in North America you can hardly ever need a tire capable to ride over 100mph – even though you will not likely need to drive this fast. Speed ratings show the safe top speed of a tire and are marked with letters, with Q as lowest and V as highest. You can always go for the ultra-performing tire for speedy sports cars, but this quality is something that you will almost never use.
High- or low-profile? Low-profile tires look really stylish but these tires cannot always bear the hardships of the real road with all the bumps and cracks. Plus, with low-profile tires the wheel is getting damaged faster. Higher-profile tires often mean a safer and smoother ride.
That’s the basics on tires, which you need to know before you start looking for a discount tire store, either online or offline. Even if you choose to go discount, it’s really hard to buy a truly awful set of tires. Usually all tires on the market today can be touted as bad or good depending on how you use them and how you drive your car. Be honest with your expectations and choose the best discount set of tires you can afford.