Volvo, Michelin offer Good Advice

Volvo and Michelin advises that you can make a drastic cut in your energy consumption by employing tire pressure monitors on your trucks and trailers. As yet another study has shown, a few simple actions like this can save you big money at the pump and deliver significant improvements in your vehicle’s fuel economy.

That’s especially true for drivers of trucks and big rigs.

The right wheel alignment and tire pressure can cut a truck’s fuel consumption by as much as 3% and reduce its carbon emissions by nearly 15 percent, according to research from Volvo Trucks and Michelin. In doing so, those changes can also save a truck-driver as much as $10,356 per vehicle per year.

“There is still some lack of awareness in the transport industry about the importance of keeping tires properly inflated on both the truck and the trailer,” said a manager for Volvo Trucks’ Aftermarket Department, adding that haulage companies could make a big difference by checking trucks for tire problems and correcting them. “If everyone did this, it would have a significant impact on carbon dioxide emissions.”

Now you can monitor your tires for loss of pressure 24/7 using state of the art technology. The Tire Sentry advanced wireless tire pressure monitoring systems, (TPMS) has been honored with many industry awards, and is a product designed and built in the USA. - Tire Sentry

The bestselling cars and trucks of 2011

10. Ram pickup
Spun off from Dodge, Ram pickups stand on their own now.

9. Chevrolet Cruze
Chevy’s new small car has strong sales momentum.

8. Toyota Corolla
Corolla is down 11% this year amid tougher small car competition and dealer shortages.

7. Honda Accord
The only Honda model still in the top 10 due to inventory shortages.

Ford Fusion

6. Ford Fusion
Ford’s mid-size sedans have led a product revolution at Ford.

5. Ford Escape
Escape sales stayed strong, even with a redesign on the way for 2012.

4. Nissan Altima
Nissan’s mid-sized sedan shot up the list as other Japanese makers struggled.

Toyota Camry

3. Toyota Camry
Camry is still the nation’s best-selling car, and a redesign is coming for2012.

2. Chevrolet Silverado pickup
Chevy pickups are overdue for an update, but still selling well.

1. Ford F-150 pickup
Ford’s workhorse pickups are the perennial best seller.

Now you can monitor your tires for loss of pressure 24/7 using state of the art technology. The Tire Sentry advanced wireless tire pressure monitoring systems, (TPMS) has been honored with many industry awards, and is a product designed and built in the USA. - Tire Sentry

Winter Driving Tips

Information you need to know

Severe weather can be both frightening and dangerous for automobile travel. Motorists should know the safety rules for dealing with winter road emergencies. AAA reminds motorists to be cautious while driving in adverse weather. For more information on winter driving, the association offers the How to Go on Ice and Snow brochure, available through most AAA offices. Contact your local AAA representative for more information.

AAA recommends the following winter driving tips:

• Avoid driving while you’re fatigued. Getting the proper amount of rest before taking on winter weather tasks reduces driving risks.
• Never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage.
• Make certain your tires are properly inflated.
• Never mix radial tires with other tire types.
• Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up.
• If possible, avoid using your parking brake in cold, rainy and snowy weather.
• Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface (wet, ice, sand).
• Always look and steer where you want to go.
• Use your seat belt every time you get into your vehicle.

Car Safety – Tip of the Week

By Stephanie Rogers

Driving a car becomes so automatic after a while, it’s easy to let safety fall through the cracks. But even if you’ve never been in an accident before, you shouldn’t lull yourself into a false sense of security, failing to perform basic safety precautions that could save your own life, or those of your passengers, in a collision. These car safety tips can reduce your risk of getting into an accident and help you manage small emergencies like a flat tire.

1. Wear your seat belt properly.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 15,000 lives are saved every year because drivers and passengers are wearing seat belts when they get into an accident. Seat belts keep the vehicle’s occupants inside the car during a collision, restrain the strongest parts of the body, spread out force from the collision, protect the brain and spinal cord and help the body slow down after impact, reducing injuries. In order for a seat belt to be effective, however, it must be worn properly. Ensure that the shoulder belt rests across your chest and shoulders — never across your neck. Don’t place the seat belt under your arms or behind your back. The lap belt should fit snugly over the hips. Seat belt extenders can be purchased for larger-sized drivers and passengers that maintain safety while increasing comfort.

2. Ensure that car seats and boosters are properly installed.Children and babies need special protection in the car to prevent serious injuries and fatalities in an auto collision. The N.H.T.S.A. recommends that children be securely buckled into a car seat that is appropriate for the child’s age, height and weight. From birth to 12 months, babies should always ride in a rear-facing car seat; children aged 1-3 years should remain rear-facing until they reach the top height or weight limit allowed by car seat manufacturers. From ages 4-7 years, children should be strapped into a forward-facing car seat with a harness until they outgrow it, and then move up to a booster seat until they are grown enough to safely use an adult seat belt. Keep children in the backseat at least through age 12. Always refer to the car seat manufacturer’s instructions to install a car seat, or better yet, have it properly installed at your local fire station. You can find additional child car seat inspection stations at the N.H.T.S.A. website.

Driving News – Tip of the Week

Tip of the Week

With temperatures dropping and school back in full swing, now is the time to get your car ready for cooler weather. Here’s why the fall and winter can be so demanding on your tires, and how to stay safe throughout the seasons:

- Recover from summer: Following the busy summer driving season and numerous road trips, your tires may be a little tired. A study conducted by Hankook Tire America Corp found that 70 percent of Americans planned to take a road trip this past summer, with the average American logging approximately 725 miles on their vehicle. With increased wear and tear on your tires as a result of summer trips, the tread depth may not be what it used to be. Tires with unsatisfactory tread depth decrease the tire’s traction in various road conditions and can potentially put you and your passengers at risk. Tires must be replaced when the tread is worn down to 2/32 of an inch. You can easily check your tires’ tread once a month by using the quarter test – place a quarter, head down into the tread of the tire. If George Washington’s entire head is showing, your tread is too low.

Seasonal Driving – Fall Driving Advice

The overcast and rainy days of fall can increase stopping distance by up to four times on wet roads. Low tread can cause your vehicle to hydroplane — surf — on a film of water, reducing traction. Be sure your wheels are aligned and tires rotated (at least every 6,000 miles or as stated in your vehicle owner’s manual or by the tire manufacturer). Your tire service dealer can help you with this.

• Don’t overload your car beyond the rated tire load capacity — you and your luggage add to the overall vehicle weight. Check the door placard or owner’s manual for recommended weight.

• Check the alignment and have your wheels rotated. Unbalanced tires or misalignment can cause uneven wear, serious vibrations on the highway, or vehicle stability problems.

• Check tire pressure,including the spare, before a long trip and monthly. Always check tire pressure when the tires are “cold” — they have not been driven for three hours or more.

Both overinflation and underinflation are bad for your tires — inflate cold tires to the recommended pressures found on the tire sidwall or driver door placard.

Before a trip, check the tread on your tires to make sure they have plenty of tread.

Now you can monitor your tires for loss of pressure 24/7 using state of the art technology. The Tire Sentry advanced wireless tire pressure monitoring systems, (TPMS) has been honored with many industry awards, and is a product designed and built in the USA. - Tire Sentry

Heat changes tire pressure

Q. I put air in my tires yesterday and had all the tires at the same pressure. My question is that if the tires are in direct sunlight, will that increase tire pressure? I have two tires that were in the shade and two tires in the sun. The tires that were in the shade were the same pressure that I had filled them up with. The two tires in the shade were 1½ pounds heavier. Is that because of the sun hitting the tires?

A. Temperature has a big affect on the air pressure in tires, so what happened to you makes sense. The sun heated up the tires on that side of the car and the tire pressure went up. When you check the tire pressure you always want to set it first thing in the morning to the cold tire pressure, as the day warms up the tire pressure will go up.

Tires have to be checked periodically, especially when we go through a change of season, which we’ll be doing soon. As colder weather sets in, you could see the tire pressure drop by as much as 5 pounds per square inch.

Don’t forget, low tire pressure is a big drag on fuel economy, so it’s good that you are keeping them set properly.

Heavy-duty vehicle fuel efficiency standards unveiled

Transportation Industry News     August 9, 2011

Heavy-duty vehicle fuel efficiency standards unveiled

The U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed the standards in close coordination with the companies that met with President Obama as well as other stakeholders, following requests from companies to develop the new national fuel efficiency program.

Under the comprehensive new program, Trucks and Buses built in 2014 through 2018 will reduce consumption by a projected 530 million barrels and greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution by approximately 270 million metric tons.

This program — which relies heavily on off-the-shelf technologies — was developed in coordination with truck and engine manufacturers, fleet owners, the State of California, environmental groups and other stakeholders.

The joint U.S. DOT/EPA program will include a range of targets, which are specific to the diverse vehicle types and purposes. Vehicles are divided into three major categories: combination tractors (semi-trucks), heavy-duty pickup trucks and vans, and vocational vehicles (like transit buses and refuse trucks). Within each of those categories, even more specific targets are laid out based on the design and purpose of the vehicle. This flexible structure allows serious but achievable fuel efficiency improvement goals charted for each year and for each vehicle category and type.

New Release – Cornell University

Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) market  is expected to be some 160 million units by 2014.

R&D News

Now you can monitor your tires for loss of pressure 24/7 using state of the art technology. The Tire Sentry advanced wireless tire pressure monitoring systems, (TPMS) has been honored with many industry awards, and is a product designed and built in the USA. - Tire Sentry

Tire Safety

Bridgestone is pleased to present TireSafety.com in the interest of public safety.

Proper tire maintenance is an important safety function often neglected.  The importance of properly maintaining your tires cannot be overemphasized.  Remember, tires are the only contact between your vehicle and the road.

Under inflation is the leading cause of tire failure. Using the interactive tire pressure demo you can easily see
how a tire can be as much as 50% under inflated before it is visibly noticeable.  Not only are under inflated tires more prone to damage and failure, but they can lead to higher fuel costs by as much as 3 to 5¢ per gallon.

Be sure to sign up for free monthly email reminders to check your air pressure, if you haven’t already.  As you make your way through the site you’ll find a wealth of information on tire construction, sizes, classifications, replacement, driving tips and most importantly, proper tire maintenance.

Now you can monitor your tires for loss of pressure 24/7 using state of the art technology. The Tire Sentry advanced wireless tire pressure monitoring systems, (TPMS) has been honored with many industry awards, and is a product designed and built in the USA. - Tire Sentry

Tire Rolling Resistance

Tire Rolling Resistance

An average truck travels 125,000 miles per year. At diesel prices of $3.50 per gallon, and an optimistic average of 6 miles per gallon, it costs $72,915.00 to fuel that truck each year. A 1.0% loss is $729.00 wasted due to the increased rolling resistance of under-inflated tires.   Source: Air Chex Corp

Now you can monitor your tires for loss of pressure 24/7 using state of the art technology. The Tire Sentry advanced wireless tire pressure monitoring systems, (TPMS) has been honored with many industry awards, and is a product designed and built in the USA. - Tire Sentry

28 million vehicles have one bald tire

Some 28 million vehicles are riding around on at least one bald tire, according to a recent Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) survey.

The survey also shows that 64% of motorists do not know how to tell if a tire is bald. Nine percent, according to the RMA, never check their tires’ tread depth.

An RMA survey from earlier this year revealed that only 17% of vehicles had four properly inflated tires, 55% of vehicles had at least one under-inflated tire, and 15% of vehicles had at least one tire that was under-inflated by eight psi.

Now you can monitor your tires for loss of pressure 24/7 using state of the art technology. The Tire Sentry advanced wireless tire pressure monitoring systems, (TPMS) has been honored with many industry awards, and is a product designed and built in the USA. - Tire Sentry

Spare the donuts? Spare tires are becoming less popular

Spare the donuts? Spare tires are becoming less popular

Jul 5, 2011 8:30 AM

Fun fact: did you know we typically test over 80 new cars and trucks every year? And over time we’ve noticed that full-sized spare tires were going the way of the VCR, replaced with temporary spare tires–commonly called “donuts.”

Aside from the fairly obvious smaller appearance, you can also identify a temporary spare by the “T” designation that appears in front of the size shown on the sidewall of the tire.

These diminutive tires operate at higher pressure to provide the load capacity of a full-sized tire. They save room and more importantly save some weight, which helps improve a vehicle’s overall fuel economy.

But now we’re seeing the days of the temporary tire dwindling, with more cars eliminating the spare altogether (along with the tools to change a spare).

Green Tires Will Get You Further – Fueling Up for the Fourth?

Conserve gas and save cash with these holiday driving tips

PITTSBURGH, June 28, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — As Americans across the country hit the road for the Fourth of Julyweekend, many families are struggling to deal with the burden of high fuel prices. One key tip is often left off fuel-saving checklists:  buying the right tires can significantly improve a car’s fuel efficiency.

Most new cars sold today come with fuel-efficient, or “green,” tires in order to help them meet national fuel-efficiency standards, known as Corporate Average Fuel Economy, or CAFE, standards. These tires have low rolling resistance because they are made from a special combination of rubbers that reduces the amount of friction between the tire and the road, which is directly related to improved fuel efficiency. Reducing friction is an effective method of saving gas without sacrificing safety.

However, when their original tires wear out, many consumers replace fuel-efficient tires with lower-quality models, reducing the number of miles per gallon their cars can achieve. And as a result, they use more gas, which costs more money and is harmful to the environment.

Tire Care News – CONSUMER ALERT

Beware of False Promises

Tire News Media Group, Jim Anderson 

Several of the TPMS on the market today advertise “real time” functioning of their systems, suggesting up to the minute sensing for loss of tire pressure.

When actually they only “sample” pressures every few minutes (4 to 18 minutes), and only when the wheels are rotating.

This is the result of trying to conserve battery power of sensors that have non-replaceable batteries. This leads to the possibilities of not getting an up to date pressure reading until getting on the road again after an overnight stop. Additionally it also creates a situation where anything can happen between “sampling” periods.

True “real time” pressure monitoring is only possible with systems the monitor for pressure loss every second of the day or night, and not just when the wheels are rotating above a minimum RPM.

Now you can monitor your tires for loss of pressure 24/7 using state of the art technology. The Tire Sentry advanced wireless tire pressure monitoring systems, (TPMS) has been honored with many industry awards, and is a product designed and built in the USA. - Tire Sentry