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Uniroyal Tire is Driving Home Savings With Simple Automotive Tips
GREENVILLE, S.C. (May 24, 2007) – As summer approaches many Latinos are planning to pack up their cars and hit the road for vacation. An estimated 657 million long-distance summer trips will be made between Memorial Day and Labor Day , and with gas prices now averaging more than $3 per gallon, more drivers are looking for ways to ease the pressure at the pump. With 70 percent of Hispanic trips being taken by personal cars or trucks, automotive expert Ricardo Rodriguez-Long is working with Uniroyal Tire to educate Hispanic drivers about saving money this summer. Rodriguez-Long says drivers who spend a little time and money on preventative maintenance will save some real money while on the road. "One of the best ways to save money is to make sure your car is running efficiently, especially before taking a road trip," Rodriguez-Long says. "I’ve worked with Uniroyal Tire to come up with some key maintenance and driving tips that can help your car use gas more efficiently as you head out of town this summer." Here are the main tips: 1. Check the inflation pressure of your tires. Most Americans are driving around on under-inflated tires. You need to check your tire inflation pressure "cold" once a month and adjust accordingly. The proper inflation pressure can be found in the vehicle 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 nine 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." 2. Another big factor is proper wheel alignment. Driving with your wheels out of alignment can cost you in many ways. You may be overworking you car’s other internal components to compensate, which can cause them to wear prematurely. Improper wheel alignment makes your tires wear out much faster than normal because of irregular treadwear. Making sure your vehicle is properly aligned can also help you save on fuel, as much as 15 cents per gallon. Your local Uniroyal dealer can assess your vehicle’s wheel alignment. 3. It’s important to follow your car’s routine maintenance schedule. Your owner’s manual will help you stay on track with routine regular check-ups that can help you avoid major repairs down the road. You should also make sure that your engine is properly tuned. A poorly tuned engine can increase fuel consumption, and it can make your engine work harder, causing it to wear down faster. 4. Replacing clogged air filters is a biggie! Air filters keep impurities in the air from damaging your engine’s internal components. Changing your air filter frequently can prevent long-term damage and save as much as 30 cents per gallon in gas. 5. Don’t forget to change your fluids. Brake fluid, power steering fluid and transmission fluid all break down over time and need to be replaced. Some of these fluids can be topped off at routine service intervals, but every 30,000 miles or so, it’s important to completely change them to protect the mechanisms they are servicing. 6. Change your oil and filter every 3,000 to 4,000 miles. Over time your engine oil does not lubricate as well, so it’s important to change it before you leave to get the most protection. The oil filter keeps dirt and particles away from the critical components in your engine, so changing the filter when you change the oil will ensure clean burning and maximum efficiency. In addition to keeping your car’s maintenance up-to-date, Rodriguez-Long also suggests some driving techniques that can contribute to greater fuel efficiency and save money over time . By following these simple tips, drivers can enjoy their vacations more without worrying about wasting money on refilling the tank more than necessary: 1. Drive with ease when possible. By applying the gas and brakes gradually, you are limiting friction, which is important for your car’s longevity. Gunning the engine or slamming on the brakes will inevitably cause wear on your car. It’s also important to make sure you come to a complete stop before switching gears. Not stopping completely before switching gears puts extra strain on your transmission, making it do the work for the brakes plus shifting, and over time this significantly wears the transmission down. You’re also damaging the drive shafts, which affect suspension and handling – another costly repair. 2. Don’t drive on a near-empty tank of gas because you might be circulating sediment from the bottom of your tank through your fuel system, which could potentially destroy your fuel injector. 3. Don’t ignore the lights. Ignoring warning lights on your dashboard might be convenient, but you’re ignoring a warning that something could be seriously wrong, possibly leading to major, costly repairs down the road. "This campaign is a logical extension of Uniroyal’s mission to provide good quality, affordable tires to American drivers," said Holley. During the campaign, Rodriguez-Long will travel the airwaves across the country to educate Hispanic consumers on easy ways they can save money by getting the most value from their cars. Tips and advice can be also found year round on the Uniroyal Web site www.uniroyal.com/espanol. Rodriguez-Long is a recognized Hispanic automotive expert and former engine builder for the Toyota racing division. He is a certified mechanic, a race car driver and editor of an automotive magazine, Auto a Fondo. He is passionate about providing expert advice to educate Hispanics about their cars. A native of Argentina, Ricardo lives in California where he manages a truck dealership. 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. Contacto: Pilar Viatela (336) 819-6914 pviatela@trone.com Lynne Slovick (864) 458-6365 lynne.slovick@us.michelin.com |
