Uniroyal | Uniroyal® Tire Offers Simple Tips to Address Gas Costs

EASE THE PRESSURE AT THE PUMPS AND SAVE UP TO $2,000 ANNUALLY

Uniroyal® Tire Offers Simple Tips to Address Gas Costs

GREENVILLE, S.C. – (May 15, 2007) – With gas prices climbing to record levels and the summer travel season kicking off, Uniroyal Tire has partnered with money saving expert and Coupon Mom™, Stephanie Nelson to offer advice to consumers on reducing their gas costs. By following just a few easy tips, the average two-car family can save up to $2,000 on their annual gas bill.

As part of the Uniroyal Tire “More Mileage For Your Money” campaign, Nelson is providing practical savings advice on gas and a variety of other big spending areas, also offered on the Uniroyal Web site, www.uniroyal.com. The Uniroyal site even has a “Gas Savings Calculator,” an interactive feature that allows users to pick the tips they would follow and calculate their potential yearly savings.

“Gas costs have become such a major factor in the family budget. We want to help people save on gas and put their savings into more important things for their families,” said Nelson. “We cannot do anything about the price of gas, but there are simple things drivers can do to help their cars burn less of it.”

Here are some of the key tips:

Check the inflation pressure of your tires. Research conducted by Uniroyal tells us that most Americans are driving around on under-inflated tires. You need to check your tire inflation pressure “cold” (at least three hours after the vehicle has been stopped and before it has been driven one mile) once a month and adjust accordingly. The proper inflation pressure can be found in the owner’s manual or on the placard usually found on the doorjamb. The pressure indicated on the tire sidewall is the maximum pressure allowed, not what is recommended for your vehicle. This simple step can save up to 9 cents per gallon. “Making sure tires are properly inflated is one of the easiest and most important maintenance procedures drivers can do,” says Kaz Holley, Uniroyal brand director. “Properly inflated tires not only contribute to greater fuel efficiency, but also last longer and perform better.”
Another big factor is proper wheel alignment. Making sure your vehicle is properly aligned can save as much as 15 cents per gallon. Your local Uniroyal dealer can assess your vehicle’s wheel alignment.
Replacing clogged air filters is a biggie! A clean filter versus one that is severely clogged can mean savings as much as 31 cents per gallon. Air filters also keep impurities in the air from damaging internal engine components.
Research also shows that a poorly tuned engine can greatly increase fuel consumption. Following the recommended maintenance schedule in your vehicle’s owner's manual may save as much as 12 cents per gallon, help the car run better and contribute to a longer life.

In addition to these auto maintenance tips, Nelson advises motorists to shop around for gas by checking out independent Web sites, such as GasBuddy.com or GasPriceWatch.com, to find the stations with the lowest prices in your area. Research shows that gas prices vary as much as 16 cents per gallon in a typical market.

Using cruise control when driving on the highway maintains a constant speed and reduces fuel consumption – as much as 19 cents per gallon for people who do half of their daily driving on the highway, according to Nelson.

“Even for families who are doing some of these things right but could stand to follow only half of these tips, it still amounts to $1,000 a year for the typical two-car family,” Nelson says. “That’s money that could go toward a family vacation or even meeting critical monthly expenses.”

According to Holley, “The “More Mileage For Your Money” campaign is a logical extension of Uniroyal’s mission to provide good quality, affordable tires to American drivers. Record gas prices are putting extreme financial pressure on individuals and families across the nation.” Nelson notes, “We’re trying to help people save at the pump so they can spend their money on the more important things in life that they value.”

Nelson specializes in helping consumers become savvier about finding everyday bargains and value. She knows all the tricks of the trade when it comes to maximizing value and slashing spending in many areas, including automotive, travel, clothing, restaurants, groceries, gifts, theme parks, gardening and entertainment. She has been a regular on-air contributor to ABC News’ Good Morning America, and a bi-weekly columnist for ABCNews.com.

Uniroyal Tire is one of the world's leading tire brands for passenger and commercial cars, pick-ups, light trucks, mini vans and sport utility vehicles. Dating back to 1892, Uniroyal Tire has developed a reputation for providing high-quality, affordable tires including its Tiger Paw® and Laredo® tire series. Uniroyal® tires offer just the right combination of dependability, traction and grip in almost every weather condition, and come with one of the industry's leading warranties. Visit Uniroyal Tire online at: www.uniroyal.com.

Contact:
Maggie Mae Armstrong
(336) 819-6955
marmstrong@trone.com

Lynne Slovick
(864) 458-6365
lynne.slovick@us.michelin.com