Different Types of Tires and the Affect on Your Car

When you go to the automotive store you will see a wide variety of tires available. You will find big tires, small tires, tires for winter, tires for summer, and tires that can help you save money. Fortunately, you don not need to be an automotive expert to determine what types of tires are best for your vehicle(s).

There are many types of tires available on today's market. One of the newcomers is the environmentally friendly tire. These "green" tires provide less rolling resistance, which in turn helps improve fuel economy. Some tests on these eco-friendly tires have shown that owners will get 2,600 gallons of free gas (or the driving equivalent of 65,000 thousand miles). This is possible due to the composition of the tires as well as the dual tread zone which allows better traction in the center of the tire for wet weather along with improved edges on the tire to perform better in dry conditions. These changes add to the comfort of the ride, the life span of the tire tread, and overall investment in the cost of the tire.

If you do the bulk of traveling in the summer and it is primarily the all-American road trip, then you want to have tires that are designed with warm weather usage in mind. These tires are often referred to as ultra-high performance or max-performance tires and are a step up from the standard all purpose tires. They are available in 15-22 inch wheel sizes and are noted for their performance on wet or dry roads, as well as the smoothness of the ride. These tires are also great for high speeds and, depending on the brand, have topped out at as much as 186 miles per hour. Interestingly, these tires have also been shown to be fuel efficient, getting 3-4% better mileage than standard all-season tires.

If you live in area known for severe winter storms, ice and snow, then having winter/snow tires is a must. These tires are designed to provide you with extra traction, better braking and easier handling so that you can drive on the snow without fear of sliding. The tires are made with special rubber compounds and tread designs that make cold weather travel safer. In fact, test have shown that vehicles of the same length and size with winter tires going at a speed of 15 mph will stop half a car length faster than a identical vehicle without the snow tires.
An all-season tire, while good for everyday usage, is not recommended for winter driving and is only adequate in any type of weather. If you will be driving in moderate to severe snow, you will want to invest in a set of winter tires. In addition, the all-season is recommended for areas with minimal rain or little to snow.

Whether you are looking for all-season tires, winter wheels, summer tires, or green tires your area automotive store will be glad to help you find the best wheels for your ride.

Texas Promotes Child Safety

Each year thousands of children die in road accidents for not using car seats or not wearing a seat belt. The state of Texas received a million dollars to promote travel insurance for infants to reduce the number of deaths .
Senator Judith Zaffirini's created the SB 61 law in 2009, that require that minors under eight years old have a car seat unless they are 4 feet 9 inches tall.
A study indicated that they are expecting to reduce the risk of deaths in children caused by vehicular accidents by up to 59%.
The state lawmaker stated that with the million dollars from federal funds, the state of Texas will hold a campaign that will offer training for the use of car seats, enforcement, education and the purchase of seats for low income families.
Automobilists that do not comply with these laws of buckling up their children while traveling in the vehicle, may receive fines from $25 and up to $250.

Roadside Safety Tips If Your Car Breaks Down

One of the most dangerous parts of having car trouble on the road is that when it happens, your attention immediately shifts from driving or traffic, to the problem, and that can lead to accidents. Thus, it’s good to keep some safety tips in mind if your car breaks down.

The first thing is to notice that something has gone wrong; your engine might be overheating, you’ve run out of oil, or maybe you have a flat tire. Whatever it is, accept the fact that something bad is happening so that you can get your car out of traffic as quickly and safely as you possibly can. Then, don’t panic, do your best to move in a safe manner to the lane that is closest to the shoulder, then ease onto the shoulder. If you can’t get the vehicle out of traffic, wait until no cars are coming and then try to get away from the car, because if it gets hit, you don’t want to be in it. Also, be aware of the other passengers in your car, do whatever you can to help them get out of the car and away from traffic as well.

If you are able to pull your car off the road, do so as far as is humanly possible from the road; many cars and people are struck alongside roadways because other drivers fail to see them in time. Next, get yourself and your passengers out of the car. Get the passengers to all exit the vehicle on the side that is the farthest from traffic, so that won’t be getting out next to speeding vehicles. Then, get all your passengers to get even farther off the road if possible. Being anywhere near a broken down vehicle on a roadway is a very dangerous place to be.

Then, call for help; whether it’s AAA, a local garage or whatever. Call the police if you have too. Call someone to come tow your vehicle to wherever it will be repaired. If it’s a flat, only change it next to the roadway if there is a lot of room between the car and the road. And if its possible, you might want to try turning the car around so that the flat tire is facing away from traffic so you won’t be working so close to the road.

If you have flares, use them. Better is if you have some red flags on a pole that you can put near your vehicle so that cars coming can see your car sooner. Also, put on your blinkers. In short, do whatever you can to alert other drivers to the fact that your car is broken down on the side of the road.

And then, just wait for someone to come help you.

Labor Day Travel Safety Tips

With Labor Day weekend just around the corner, a lot of people will be loading up their trailers or hopping in their RVs to have one last hurrah before summer comes to a close. However, you still have aware of the potential hazards when you’re embarking on a road trip. For instance, if you’ll be towing a boat trailer or camper of some sort, you have to take certain precautions. That means, double checking to make sure that your tow hitch is properly secured with two safety chains. In addition, you’ll need to have working brake lights and turn signals on your trailer.

If you’ll be traveling in an RV or motorhome, you’ll have to take more precautions than most since the vehicle is so heavy. Definitely have your tire pressure and tread checked before hitting the road, in addition to ensuring that your brakes are in working order. Afterall, a tire blowout on a motor home can have catastrophic results. You’ll also want to make sure that everything inside the trailer is secured so you don’t have items falling on top of you if you take a sharp turn. Once you’re on the road, stay well within the speed limit and give yourself ample braking distance, especially when you’re turning.