Uniroyal | Put a Family Road Trip on the Map

PUT A FAMILY ROAD TRIP ON THE MAP

Take a Vacation that is Relaxing and Budget Friendly

GREENVILLE, S.C. - (July 31, 2009) - Now more than ever, the key to a perfect travel experience is to be able to enjoy it on a small budget. When compared to flying your whole family to a vacation destination, driving is a more attractive option. This year is a great time to turn your vacation into a road trip. Uniroyal® Tire and ASE-certified mechanic, Ricardo Rodriguez-Long want to help you organize an unforgettable trip with your family.

"With recommendations on where to go, along with car maintenance tips, we want to put road trips back on the map," said Rodriguez-Long. "Make your family car the star of your adventure, pack up, fuel up and get ready to go!"

Driving to your destination will give you a great opportunity to get to know the nature, architecture and traditions of the state you live in. No matter if you plan a day, weekend or week-long trip; you will be able to visit unique and amusing places that are just around the corner in your state.

Once you select a destination, there are a few more things to keep in mind before hitting the road. By following these cost-cutting and safety tips, drivers can put their savings into their vacation.

Check your tire pressure. A tire that is twenty percent under-inflated can reduce fuel economy by up to three percent. You should properly check your tire inflation pressure once a month and adjust accordingly.
Follow the recommended maintenance schedule in your vehicle's owner's manual. Simply tuning your engine can improve gas mileage by up to four percent.
Keep both front and rear tires properly aligned. Improper wheel alignment can reduce fuel economy by up to five percent. If your car has uneven tire tread wear, pulls to one side, wanders or has an off-center steering wheel, it is time to get your wheels aligned. Your local Uniroyal Tire dealer can assess your vehicle's wheel alignment.

Once you are on the road, pay attention to your speed since accelerating quickly and braking abruptly wastes fuel and the tread on your tires. Rodriguez-Long added, "driving at a moderate speed and using cruise control will help you reduce fuel costs by nine percent." Also, running the air conditioning on high uses more fuel, so turn off the a/c and roll down the windows. Keep them closed, however, when driving on the highway as the air drag from open windows counteracts the savings of having the a/c off.

"These small changes can add up to big savings," said Rodriguez-Long. "Investing an hour or so before you leave can pay dividends in terms of fuel costs, safety and wear-and-tear on the car."

"There are so many advantages to taking a road trip instead of flying: flexible schedule, enjoying valuable family time, opportunity to choose your favorite food, and in many cases more leg room and overall comfort," said Rodriguez-Long. "My last tip before you leave is to pack your camera to capture all the wonderful memories you will make!"

Destinations in Your State
About Ricardo Rodriguez-Long:
Rodriguez-Long, an Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)-certified mechanic, race car driver and former engine builder for the Toyota racing division, writes about cars and automotive trends for Spanish-language media and hosts the automotive radio program Auto a Fondo. He lives in California where he manages a truck dealership.

About Uniroyal:
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.UniroyalTires.com.

Media Contacts:
Tonya Polydoroff
(864) 458-4511
tonya.polydoroff@us.michelin.com

Pilar Viatela
(336) 819-6914
pviatela@trone.com