Nov 25, 2010 – 7:55:44 PM
Email – Print – Discuss
Properly Inflated Winter Tires
|
Properly inflated winter tires are so important. Your tires support your entire car, be sure to fill them to the proper levels as recommended in your car owners manual.
(NC) —Make sure your tires are properly inflated before the snow flies or you could find yourself needing a tow truck, or worse, an ambulance.
Since the air pressure in tires supports the weight of your car, it is absolutely vital that you inflate your tires to just the right degree. This is especially important in winter when tires lose their pressure faster because of the colder weather. Underinflating or overinflating your tires increases your fuel consumption and expenditures, pumps out unnecessary harmful emissions and increases the risk of damage and injury to you, your passengers and your vehicle.
Here are a few tips from Transport Canada to maintain proper winter tire inflation:
• Measure your tire inflation at least once a month.
• Measure the pressure when the tires are cold (after two hours of non-use or less than two kilometres of driving). Tires lose pressure when the air temperature gets colder.
• Inflate your tires to the recommended pressures printed on the label inside your car or in your owner’s manual.
• Use a high quality gauge such as those sold at automotive supply stores.
• Underinflation increases rolling resistance, which reduces tread life and increases fuel consumption. It can also lead to sudden tire failure. Without enough air, the sides of a tire bend and flex too much. This builds up heat, which can cause serious damage. Operating a vehicle with just one tire underinflated by 56 kPa (8 psi) can reduce the life of the tire by 15,000 km and can increase the vehicle’s fuel consumption by four per cent.
• Overinflation can be a problem, too. An overinflated tire rides on just the centre portion of the tread. The smaller contact area means reduced grip on the road. This can lead to a harsh ride, handling issues (such as steering and stopping problems) and increased wear on tires and suspension components.
Transport Canada has posted these and other tire maintenance tips on its website: http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/tp/tp2823/inflating.htm
Keep your car’s winter tires in top condition by checking the inflation levels often. Keep the air pressure in your tires at the proper levels.
|
Copy of NAPLESAUTOREPAIR_1
Aug 21, 2010 – 1:28:23 PM
Email – Print – Discuss
Properly Inflated Tires Can Save You Money and Help The Environment
|
Yes, properly inflated tires can help to save you money and help the environment. Going green is important for everyone and so is saving money.
Tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) are helpful, but you should still check your tire’s air pressure monthly. Tire care is important to the safety of your vehicle and your passengers.
(NewsUSA) – Tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) are now a standard safety feature on all new cars in the United States. TPMS automatically monitors tire pressure and alerts the driver when the pressure in one or more tires becomes significantly low — and potentially dangerous.
Still, conducting monthly tire pressure checks is one of the smartest driving moves you can make. Not only are properly inflated tires critical for vehicle safety, they also increase fuel efficiency and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Increase Fuel Efficiency
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 3.56 million gallons of gasoline are wasted every day due to incorrectly inflated tires. The good news is you can improve gas mileage just by keeping tires inflated to the proper pressure. In fact, one study showed that if gas costs per gallon, proper tire pressure can save you up to 2 at the pump each year.
Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the typical car in the United States releases more than five tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year. By keeping tires properly inflated, you can reduce your vehicle’s “carbon footprint” by an average of 327 pounds per year. Because a tire can lose up to half its air pressure without appearing to be under-inflated, you cannot rely on a tire’s appearance to determine whether it’s properly inflated or not.
Tire Pressure Tips From Schrader
To help ensure your tires are properly inflated year-round, here are some tips from Schrader, the inventor and leading manufacturer of TPMS worldwide:
* Check the pressure in all four tires — and the spare tire — monthly with an accurate tire gauge, and always check tire pressure before a long road trip.
* The “right” pressure for your vehicle’s tires can be found in the vehicle’s manual or on the driver door edge, glove box or fuel door. Do not follow the information listed on the tire sidewall.
* For the most accurate reading, tires should be checked when they are cool.
* Always remember to replace the valve cap.
For more tips, including what to do if the TPMS symbol illuminates on your dashboard, visit TPMSMadeSimple.com. Schrader created the site to help educate drivers about TPMS and the importance of proper tire pressure.
|
Copy of NAPLESAUTOREPAIR_1
