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Tyre Maintenance is Critical to Safe Driving

Long weekends, road trips to favorite fishing spots or summer cottages suggest long traveling distances, overloaded vehicles and high tyre temperatures. Add low tyre pressure, found in 30 percent of all cars and light trucks, and a potentially dangerous situation develops.

Your tyres, vehicles and family are at risk

Tyres play a crucial role in the safety of a vehicle. As the only part of the car that physically touches the ground, tyres are one of the key factors affecting a vehicle's handling and overall safety. "Proper tyre inflation and maintenance can extend tyre life, increase fuel efficiency and improve vehicle safety.

Long intervals of high-speed driving with low tyre pressure, excess vehicle weight and high temperatures cause additional flexing and stress on the sidewalls and can lead to tyre failure. In addition, tyres with low pressure wear more quickly, degrade the vehicle's handling, lower the vehicle's load-carrying ability and increase fuel consumption. In a worst-case scenario, under inflated tyres can lead to a catastrophic blowout or tread separation.

The facts suggest that a largely unseen and potentially dangerous problem exists for drivers:

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found 27 percent of passenger cars and 33 percent of light trucks (including sport utility vehicles, vans and pick up trucks) are driven with one or more substantially under inflated tyres.
The American Automobile Association (AAA) responded to approximately 3.48 million calls related to tyre problems in 2000. AAA says tyres are one of the most important features of a motor vehicle, and regrettably one that is often overlooked by motorists.
A Consumer Reports study evaluated air pressure loss in 109 all-season passenger car tyres over a six-month period. These included 36 tyre models from 18 major brands. The results showed that all tires leaked some air, from 3 pounds per square inch (psi) in some models to 8 psi in others.
NHTSA estimated 23,000 crashes and 535 fatal crashes annually involve blowouts or flat tires.

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Used Car Guide

Editors Note: Buying a used car can be a little scary. Use the article below as a used car buying guide and click around our site to find yourself a new, used car today!

Steps to Buying a Used Car With Confidence

(ARA) - Industry statistics show that almost three times as many people buy used cars as buy new.

To help consumers make informed decisions in the process, this article has been written to pull together a basic list of the things to check when buying a used car. It's a helpful guide for anyone looking to buy a new or used car.

1. Check the vehicle's safety features.

Consider a vehicle with air bags and anti-lock brakes. Not only will they make a car safer, but insurance companies sometimes give discounts on their rates for cars with these features.

2. Inspect the mileage.

Mileage is a good indicator of the vehicle's age, and the average consumer will drive from 12,000 miles to 15,000 miles each year. A late model used car may be more cost-effective and come with many features you may not be able to afford in a new car.

3. Check the mechanical condition of the vehicle.

If you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself, have a mechanic you trust check it for you. Fluids, lights, belts, power steering, the charging system, the air conditioner, the engine cooling system, the brakes and the suspension should all be carefully inspected for any defects and wear. And don't forget to test drive the car.

4. Examine the tires.

Uneven tread wear can be a sign that the car may need an alignment, or that it has damage to its suspension. Make sure the spare tire is in working condition with no damage or excessive wear.

5. Watch for frame damage.

Seriously damaged cars may be repaired, re-titled and sold in some cases, masking a vehicle that may not be structurally sound. When looking at a used car, check for:

-- rust around the fenders and bumpers, around lights, under doors and in wheel wells

-- cracks, dents and mismatched body panels

Cars that have been previously damaged may be more likely to have mechanical problems, and do not withstand accidents as well as cars that are structurally sound.

6. Check for cosmetic problems.

Common signs of wear and tear in used cars include cigarette burns, dirty upholstery, smoke stains, and paint scratches and chips.

7. Carefully read and understand the terms of any warranty offered on the car.

Don't hesitate to ask questions of your salesperson, and be wary of hidden conditions and exclusions that may be in the fine print. A reputable dealer will answer your questions completely and explain the details of the warranty.

8. Check the price.

The actual price of the car is only one of many factors that will determine your total price. Don't forget to compare financing rates, warranty costs, trade-in values and processing fees. The different features on the vehicle can also make a price difference. For example, a car with an automatic transmission is usually going to be slightly higher in price than the same car with a manual transmission. Research the vehicle you are considering, and find out what comparable prices are for similar vehicles in your area.

9. Look for a reputable dealership.

Ask around, and talk to previous customers of the dealer to find out what their experiences were like. A good dealer is more likely to be fair and up-front in price, value and condition of its vehicles, and won't pressure you to buy a vehicle you don't want. Hassles should never be part of buying a used car. Be prepared, and know what you're looking for.

Original Article Courtesy of ARA Content, www.ARAcontent.com, e-mail: info@ARAcontent.com

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Categories: Guides
Tags: air bags, air conditioner, brakes, buying a used car, Car, car buying guide, Cars, charging system, cooling system, engine cooling system, excessive wear, frame damage, helpful guide, industry statistics, insurance companies, late model, Manuals, mechanic, mechanical condition, mileage, models, new, parts, Repair, safety features, spare tire, tread wear, vehicles, wheels

Petrol Saving Tips

Editors Note: We all want to save money on petrol, and with petrol prices climbing, we all need to look at ways to improve mileage. The following article will help you save money on petrol and increase your mileage.

Petrol Saving Tips from the Pros

(ARA) - They're up, they're down, they're back up. Petrol prices got you down? If telecommuting and pubic transportation are not viable options for you, here's some down-to-earth advice from the pros at the non-profit American National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).

It is important to keep your vehicle properly maintained and change your driving habits so as to maximize your mileage, according to ASE officials. Here's a plan of action from the group that tests and certifies automotive technicians:

Monitor your tires. Under-inflated tires or poorly aligned wheels waste fuel by forcing the engine to work harder. Let the tires cool down before checking the air pressure. Out-of-line wheels, as evidenced by uneven tread wear, should be aligned by a professional.

Consolidate your daily trips and errands. Some trips may be unnecessary. Also, try to travel when traffic is light so you can avoid stop-and-go conditions.

Avoid excessive engine idling. Shut off your vehicle while waiting for friends and family.

Observe speed limits. Speeding decreases your miles per gallon.

Drive gently. Sudden accelerations waste petrol. Anticipate traffic patterns and adjust your speed gradually. Use cruise control. (You'll help your brakes and suspension system last longer, too.)

Get rid of excess weight by removing unnecessary items from the vehicle. Store only essentials in the trunk. Less weight means better mileage. After family holidays, make sure you remove all unnecessary items, including that roof-top cargo carrier.

Use windows and air conditioning wisely. Your mileage should improve if you keep the windows closed at highway speeds, since air drag is reduced. This is true even with the air conditioning on -- assuming that the system is in good working order. If possible, try to avoid using your air conditioner in heavy, stop-and-go traffic such as traffic jams or holiday weekend back-ups.

Keep your engine operating at its "peak efficiency." A well-maintained engine will help you maximize the gas mileage for your specific make and model. A misfiring spark plug can greatly reduce mileage. Follow the service schedules listed in your owner's manual. Replace filters and fluids as recommended; have engine performance problems (rough idling, poor acceleration, etc.) corrected at a repair facility. Given today's high-tech engines, it's wise to have this type of work done by auto technicians who are certified in engine performance.

These conservation tips will not only save petrol, they'll help extend the life of your vehicle and help you conserve precious natural resources.

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) was founded in America in 1972 as a non-profit, independent organization dedicated to improving the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of automotive technicians. ASE-certified technicians wear blue and white ASE shoulder insignia and carry credentials listing their exact area(s) of certification. Their employers often display the blue and white ASE sign.

Visit www.asecert.org for more information.

Based on an article originally prodcued by ARA Content

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