Mudding Season

Fall is fast approaching and the activities people enjoy tend to change with seasons. One popular fall activity is off roading. There are variations on the name such as digging, mudding, rock crawling etc. But it all boils down to the same fun sport of taking your truck, ATV or motorbike off the beaten path and straight into adventure. However it’s always important when setting out on these adventures to play it smart and be safe. Here are some good tips in preparation of getting dirty in the hills.

First off make sure whatever you plan to take up the mountain is able to handle the terrain. If a simple pot hole on a average street can cause damage such as messing up your vehicles alignment then its safe to say a rocky path can do much worse. So knowing your vehicles abilities, and being equipped with the proper shocks and struts can go a long way in avoiding potential damage. Although we have discussed the hazards of under inflated tires in the past it is at the risk of sounding like a broken record we recommend yet again checking your pressure and tread before setting out. It’s the little things that can make the biggest differences.

Once your vehicle is properly prepared on the outside and mechanically sound as well then its time to be sure its prepared on the inside. Oh like a sweet air freshener or a cool CD? Well those are handy yes but we mean more like a survival kit. A good kit would include items such as a first aid set, road flares, warm blankets, clean water, some food and any other items that might be needed were you stuck for a night or two. Once its loaded be sure everything is properly secured down. It gets to be a bumpy ride and flying objects inside can cause serious injury so be sure it’s all strapped down. Better safe than sorry.

Now its time set out. Its always suggested that you let someone know where you are going and how long you expect to be, yes it’s the mommy type way of thinking, but hey mom does know best so its probably a good thing in the long run. Plus the saying “the more the merrier” can also be in this sport re-worded as “the more the safer” since traveling in a pack reduces the risk of being stranded. At the very least take one buddy along.

When you reach your destination be sure everyone is safely seat belted in or wearing proper head safety gear. The rules of the regular road apply to the off road when it comes to behavior conducted inside the vehicle. Which means keeping everyone inside and preventing them from leaning out the windows, or standing in the bed of trucks. It only takes a split second for a tree branch or rock to change things and the roll over risk increases by a great deal.

So last but not least have we strongly suggest and really insist that you have FUN, make memories and kick up some major mud. Keeping in mind that if you come back with a clean truck you didn’t do it right or play hard enough.

When will it get better?

Every year it seems to get worse. You hear it on the news, read it in the paper, the talk of it runs from person to person and anyone that gets behind the wheel is affected. We are talking, of course, about the rising cost of fuel. In 2002 the average cost of fuel nationally was $1.25 today in 2012 that has jumped to $3.50 which is a rise of $2.25. In most cases $2.25 doesn’t seem like that much of difference but when it comes to fuel and this economy that amount makes a huge impact to the average Americans wallet. It’s a burden we all have to shoulder but there are ways to lighten that load and when even the smallest change can add up in the long run it just makes good sense to do anything and everything you can to get an edge. The tire and automotive industry is our specialty and so we are fortunate to know some tricks that anyone can use to help ease the choke hold the pump can have on us.

As with so many things in life maintenance can go a long way in preventing a great many issues that can arise in the future. Saving money on gas is no exception. Most people don’t realize the things you can and should be doing in order to avoid less of hit at the pump. Why pay more then you have to? Unless you’re Bill Gates rich but even then it’s a foolish man (or woman) who can’t see the value of a dollar even if you do have a billion of them. So here are a few things to remember in terms of maintenance that can increase fuel economy.

• Replace any dirty air filters. Think of it like this, a clogged filter is a sure way to clog any extra cash flow from gas savings.

• Proper alignment of your car or truck will not only see that your tires last longer, keep you safer but it will also help with fuel savings.

• Tune up that engine. Having a well run motor will go a long way in saving some gas

• Keep to octane guidelines for your make and model of vehicle. It’s a myth using a higher octane will give it more power. Unless of course you mean the power to suck down your gas tank

• Check that your gas cap is always tight, if its loose or missing you will lose gas from the vaporizing.

• Proper tire inflation can go a long way. Making sure your tires have the right amount of pressure can save you 3.3% on fuel cost.

It’s also good to keep in mind that how you drive can make an impact with your gas consumption. We all dislike the jerks that jam our road ways making life and any commute one filled with stress and in some cases a more colorful vocabulary but it can actually make a difference in the gas tank too. Here are some tips that will help keep everyone happy on the road both with the conditions but the savings.

• Don’t idle unless you really have to. It’s wasteful and could get your car stolen. Which in itself is an expense

• Aggressive driving like sudden stops, starts and turns can use 1/3 more gas than calmer driving techniques

• Weaving in and out of traffic though may get you ahead of the line of traffic faster it will also lower gas mileage by 33% on the highways and 5% for city driving

• Speeding tickets can get pricey with the fines and such but just because you don’t get caught doesn’t mean you are not paying for it. Slowing down can save you gas plus the risk of a pesky ticket.

 

It never hurts to learn the facts and we hope that if nothing else we have added to your knowledge.  It’s a pretty safe bet that if you apply these tips to your everyday life then it’s going to make you and your wallet much happier.

Gas Pump Relief through Proper Tire Inflation

With the rising cost of fuel who doesn’t want to save money in any way possible? There are a few ways one can reduce the cost of the gas such as less traveling, car pooling or downsizing to a more economically friendly vehicle. However there are smaller things a person can do to cut down the impact of high gas cost and one of those is being sure all your tires are inflated to the right pressure for your vehicles tires.

The Dangers of Having Underinflated Tires
The fact is according to the U.S. Department of Energy, tires that are underinflated can lower gas mileage by 0.4 percent for every 1 psi (pound per square inch) drop in the pressure of all four tires. The average person is likely to think that their tires are not underinflated so understandably these basic statistics might surprise you. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conducted a large scale survey which revealed that 27 percent of passenger cars and 32 percent of light trucks (including SUVs and vans) on U.S. roadways have one or more tires underinflated by at least eight psi.

Low gas mileage is incentive enough to keep air levels up properly however there are also a number of safety concerns involving underinflated tires which in the long run are far more important. If tires are substantially underinflated it compromises the integrity, safety and overall life of a tire. Another fact reported from the NHTSA is that driving a vehicle compromised in such a way by under inflation increases the risk of tire failure which includes blowouts and tread separation. These issues could potentially result in loss of control of the vehicle causing an accident that could not only cause serious personal and or property damage but also could result in loss of life.

The Benefits of Correct Air Pressure
If you were to ask most any industry professional they would agree that tire pressure is an essential element in proper car maintenance and care. Not to mention that properly inflated tires enjoy longer road life which in itself is another way drivers can save money. If you can get more mileage out of your tires then it goes without saying that you wouldn’t need to replace them as frequently and that’s more money in your pocket.

Always Get Regular Air Pressure Checks
The average person has such a busy schedule it’s easy to overlook remembering to have frequent pressure checks. Sadly more often than not this important detail is forgotten entirely until the consequences of such an oversight show themselves. Again the average person doesn’t realize that tires lose a little bit of air daily; this fact usually in cooler weather is a typical loss of one or two pounds of pressure per month. When the temperatures increases however so does the loss of daily air pressure. Therefore all drivers need to be aware of this vital fact regardless if they can see the changes in their tires or not.

Every vehicle needs gas to run and every vehicle needs proper tire pressure too. If one remembers to check their tire pressure every time they stopped for fuel then it’s a safe bet that one would be doing so consistently enough. Things naturally become easier to remember with routine so we encourage everyone behind the wheel to make a point of developing this new safety habit by incorporating it into your fueling up routine.

Let Us Help You Get Started
Not everyone is a tire professional like us here at Discount Tire And Automotive so it’s not unnatural for someone to be unaware about how to check tire pressure or perhaps the knowledge is there but one simply just doesn’t feel comfortable enough doing it themselves. If either of these apply to you please feel free to stop at our Logan or Providence location and we would be happy to handle it for you. If by chance you are a bit low then you are already in the right place to be filled up to a proper amount of air. All you need to do is pull up to one of our open bays where you will be greeted warmly by a Tire Professional who will gladly check your air pressure, inspect your tires, and have you on your way all at no cost to you. Also feel free to ask how you can check these levels on your own and we will be happy to teach you or answer any other questions or concerns you may have. It’s our pleasure and desire to help out in any way we can.

Tire Rotations and Why It’s Important

Tire Rotation

An integral part of tire maintenance is periodic tire rotation. The reason behind this statement is that by rotating your tires it ensures even wear on all four of the vehicles tires. When in doubt how often a rotation should be done a good rule of thumb is to do so at least every 6,000 miles. Below are some examples of patterns we suggest to have them rotated in. Please note that though this is a good rule to follow you should see to getting a rotation right away if you ever notice an uneven wear and ride. Being Tire Professionals here at Discount Tire and Automotive we can readily diagnose what is causing the uneven wear. It also good to keep in mind that poor road conditions such as pot holes when struck with great force can disrupt alignment which then causes uneven tire wear.

When getting a rotation we urge that you do not include your temporary spare tire. They are meant only for emergency use only. However it is a good opportunity when getting a rotation to have your spare tire checked for proper air pressure (since this unit typically requires a much higher air pressure vs. other tires it may fail to serve its purpose if it isn’t up to proper air pressure standards). If you happen to have a full size spare and wish to include it in the rotation then that is fine but remember to use one of the patterns shown above and insert the spare in the right rear position. Place the tire that would have gone on the right rear in the trunk as the new spare.

It’s important to note that certain tires cannot be rotated in the patterns outlined here in this article. These include tires with asymmetric or unidirectional tread designs. Also, some vehicles are equipped with different size tires on the front and rear axles. Check the owner’s manual for the proper rotation in these cases or consult one of our tire professionals here at Discount Tire and Automotive either by phone or by stopping in. We would be happy to help you determine the rotation patterns necessary for your vehicles tires.

Last but not least after each rotation always check the inflation pressures and have them adjusted for the tires accordingly. Under-inflated or over-inflated tires may result in issues such as poor handling, uneven tread wear or poor fuel consumption. Also check that all the lug nuts have been properly installed and torqued/tightened.

P235/70R16 104S vs. P235/70R16 104T…Is there really a difference?

The answer to this question is yes.  But, the real question is, how much of a difference.  Is there enough of a difference to merit a price difference?  Is one safer than the other?  All legitimate questions with real answers.

Let’s start with breaking down what those numbers mean.

P = P-Metric not Passenger

This is common misconception.  Many years ago tires use to only be in European Metrics which are very similar to what they are now with the difference now being in load rating.

235 = Width of the tire in millimeters

70 = Indicates the height of your sidewall as a percentage of the width.  So, this particular tires sidewall is 70% of the width (235 mm).  Or, that the sidewall above and below the rim is 6.4 inches.

R = Radial

There are still some tires out there that are a bias-ply but the majority of the tire market is a radial tire.

16 = Rim size in inches

104 = This number references to a load rating index (found here) stating how much weight each tire can hold at a max psi.

S & T = These two letters designate the speed rating of the tire.  In a previous post I mentioned how a speed rating designates how stiff the tire is. (Click here to view post.)  It does this by referring to a speed that the Rubber Manufacture Association and your vehicles manufacture decide on as the fastest speed your vehicle can maintain and still have the tires be safe.  Now, that doesn’t mean you can go out and cruise down the road at 120+ mpg thinking your tires will handle it.  What it means is that your tires sidewalls won’t flex so much that they will roll off your tire as you corner or that going down the interstate you don’t need to worry about your tire blowing out when you hit a bump.

These letters also provide you with the ability to get a tire that will last you for the guaranteed mileage.  Take for example two vehicles, same in nearly every way except for one is a sport package and one is the base package.   The sport packages typically have a stiffer suspension than base models.  When it comes to tires, if you get too soft of a tire (tires with a slower speed rating than recommended) it will wear to fast.  You also run the risk of the tire affecting handling which puts you, your passengers, and other drivers at risk.

Due to the difference in stiffness of tires, there will be price differences.  The ones I have seen vary the most are with Toyota’s and Mazda’s.  Their base packages generally run an H speed rating, but their sport packages will run a V rating.  Depending on the width of your rim and rim the price difference can be as much as $50 per tire.

The best thing to do when you are looking for new tires is first start with the driver side door.  Either on the door itself or the door frame, there will be a placard indicating the size of the tire.  Newer vehicles typically will have the speed ratings.  In the event yours does not a quick visit to a local tire store and an associate there can help you.

Below are some additional links about speed ratings and load indexes.

Speed Rating & Load Index

How to Read a Sidewall Image

Additional Tire Tips

Is it time to change those winter tires?

With the warmer weather, at least here in Cache Valley, many folks out there are starting to wonder if it is time to take off those snow tires and get on their summer tires.

That is a great question.

To start off by answering that question lets look at what makes a snow tire different than your regular all-season tire.  The first thing different is the stiffness of the tire, or speed rating. (Click here for a Speed Rating Chart).  Nearly all snow tires have an “S” speed rating.  This rating indicates that your snow tire is guaranteed to be stable at speeds of 112 mph.  That doesn’t mean you can go cruising along I-80 in a snowstorm at 90 mph.  What it means is that your tire will stay put when you corner and that the sidewall won’t flex to much if you load it heavy.  (Most all-season tires start at a “T” rating and go up from there.)  Another difference is that many snow tires out there are studded.

What does all this mean?

A tire with an “S” speed rating is also a tire with softer rubber than your typical all-season tire.  This softer rubber holds up fine in cold conditions but once the temperature is consistently above 45 degrees, that softer becomes very soft and wears much faster.  That is one reason why most folks take their snow tires off in March or April.  In regards to the studs, most state laws require studded tires to be removed by the third or fourth week of March. (Click here for Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming State Laws)

So, to answer the question of whether or not to take off the snow tires.  I would say yes.  The temperature is steadily increasing and your softer rubber tires will wear faster.  Basically you won’t be getting what you paid for out of your tires.  Also, with state laws requiring you to have the studded tires off the road soon anyway, I would say get it done.

You can stop in at any Discount Tire & Automotive or Plains Tire Co. to have your tires swapped from your snow tires to your summer tires.  Now we need to just hope it stays warm.

Stay safe out there!