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Driving the Future: Auto Trends for 2012

The Auto Industry certainly doesn’t stand still. Car companies are always investing and developing new technologies to improve the safety, value and efficiency of their vehicles.

Here are three interesting innovations that consumers can expect to see more of in the coming year.

Electronic Stability Control

The Federal Government has mandated that all 2012 models under 10,000 pounds use Electronic Stability Control (ESC.)

ESC is a computerized technology that detects loss of steering control.  This design helps drivers maintain control of their vehicles on slippery roads.  The brakes are automatically applied to help steer the car or truck where the driver intends to go. Braking is automatically applied to wheels individually, so the brake is applied to the outer front wheel to counter oversteer or the inner rear wheel to counter.

According to a study done by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, one-third of fatal accidents could have been prevented by the technology. The technology has reduced the risk of fatal single-vehicle crashes by half, according to IIHS.

Inflatable Seat Belts

Ford Motor Company introduced inflatable seat belts, which debuted in the 2011 Explorer for rear-seat passengers. They combine the features of traditional seat belts with those of airbags.

The inflatable seat belts also can be used with children's car seats and booster seats.

“Ford’s rear inflatable seat belt technology will enhance safety for rear seat passengers of all ages, especially for young children who are more vulnerable in crashes,” said Sue Cischke, Ford group vice president of Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering. “This is another unique family technology that builds on our safety leadership, including the most top safety ratings of any automaker.”

In everyday use, the inflatable belts operate like conventional seat belts and are safe and compatible with infant and children safety car and booster seats. The plan is eventually for Ford to offer the inflatable seat belt technology in vehicles globally.

Start-Stop Technology

Hybrid owners are familiar with this start-stop technology, but now car companies are looking at expanding its use because the technology is a great way to improve a vehicles fuel economy by up to 10 percent.

Start-Stop technology conserves energy and fuel by shutting off the gasoline engine when the vehicle is at rest – at traffic lights for example – and then automatically restarting it when the driver hits the gas pedal.

Adding it to purely internal combustion cars isn’t expensive for manufacturers and the feature adds a lot of value.  A recent report released in 2010 by Lux Research, a technology consulting company, estimated that by 2015 4.6 million cars in the United States would feature the technology.

Let us know what other automotive technology you find interesting.

About Belle Tire

Belle Tire is an industry leader in the tire and auto service business.  Belle Tire is driven to provide customers with a quality product at competitive price, professionally installed by ASE Certified Auto Repair Professionals. At Belle Tire, you’ll always get out the door with more value, services and protection with the purchase of every tire installation than the competition can offer, at any price! For the Lowest Tire Price, Period and great low prices on Custom Wheels, Alignments, Brakes, Batteries, Oil and Lube, Shocks & Struts, Windshield Repair and Replacement, and more. Visit http://www.belletire.com and join our online communities: YOUTUBE: BelleTire,   FACEBOOK: BelleTireDistributors,   TWITTER: @belletire. 

 

 

Find Top Winter Tires

Winter Tires are built from the ground up to deliver safety and control in snow, ice, and cold weather conditions. Many car and truck owners think all-season tires can offer that same kind of performance, but that’s not true.

The compounds used in all-season tires generally begin to harden and lose traction when the temperature goes below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter tires use special rubber compounds designed to improve a vehicles performance, traction, handling and braking in all cold weather conditions including ice and snow.

Drivers shopping for winter tires this 2011 season won’t be lacking options. Tire manufacturers have spent a lot of time developing winter tires and here are three models to look for at local tire retailers.

Bridgestone BLIZZAK WS-70 

Designed for coupes, sedans, crossover vehicles and minivans, the Blizzak WS70 is the fourth generation of Bridgestone WinterBiter tires.

 

The studless winter tire offers outstanding performance in the wintertime by taking advantage of Bridestone’s unique patented designs.

The Blizzak WS70 has a dual-compound tread. One layer is a standard winter compound and the other is Bridgestone's NanoPro-Tech silica-enhanced Tube Multicell compound. The Tube Mutlicell compound is layered on top and features thousands of microscopic tubes and cells. These are uniformly distributed throughout the compound to prevent water from building-up between the tire’s contact patch and the surface of snowy and icy roads.

As the tread wears, new tubes are constantly exposed along the tread for consistent performance. Basically, the compound gives the tire superior grip in cold weather and bite when dealing with snow and ice.

The Blizzak WS70 includes other features to enhance dry road performance while maintaining snow, ice and wet traction. This tire has four main circumferential grooves that helps disperse water from the tire's contact patch to improve hydroplaning resistance and enhance braking.

Michelin X-ICE Xi2

The Michelin X-Ice Xi2 is another winter tire built for coupes, sedans and minivans.

The Michelin tire is a great value with its low rolling resistance and meets the company’s Green X standard. Michelin guarantees that the tires energy efficiency is at the top of the market in that given category of tires. For vehicle owners, that means reduced fuel consumption and emissions of C02 gasses.

This branding doesn’t mean the tire sacrifices anything in performance. The X-Ice Xi2 is designed so it is prepared to handle the coldest winter driving conditions around the world.

The tire uses Michelin's patented FleX-Ice silica-based winter tread rubber compound. The compound enhances the tires traction in snow and ice, but also remains firm at higher temperatures for traction on wet and dry roads. The compound is molded into a directional tread design that pushes water and slush away from the tire to improve hydroplaning resistance.

Firestone WINTERFORCE

The Firestone Winterforce is another great option for drivers of coupes, sedans and minivans looking for winter tires.

Firestone Winterforce features a winter tread compound that’s molded into an aggressive directional tread pattern. It has tread blocks that are siped, and also can be studded, so the tire has biting edges for traction on ice or in snow.

It also has independent tread blocks with high-density siping to improve the grip on the road. This works well with the tire’s intermediate and shoulder tread blocks. Internally, the features twin steel belts.

If you're thinking your tires will have you slip sliding away this winter, stop at a local tire store and learn more about getting the right winter tires for your vehicle. There are many great winter tire rebates. Winter won't wait and neither should you.

About Belle Tire

Belle Tire is an industry leader in the tire and auto service business.  Belle Tire is driven to provide customers with a quality product at competitive price, professionally installed by ASE Certified Auto Repair Professionals. At Belle Tire, you’ll always get out the door with more value, services and protection with the purchase of every tire installation than the competition can offer, at any price! For the Lowest Tire Price, Period and great low prices on Custom Wheels, Alignments, Brakes, Batteries, Oil and Lube, Shocks & Struts, Windshield Repair and Replacement, and more. Visit http://www.belletire.com and join our online communities: YOUTUBE: BelleTire,   FACEBOOK: BelleTireDistributors,   TWITTER: @belletire.

 

 

Warning Signs: What Steering Wheel Vibration Can Be Telling You

Your car’s handling on the road can be a strong indicator of a possible issue.  A vibrating steering wheel or a car that pulls to the left or right and not straight on a level road may be a warning sign that your vehicle needs a tire alignment.

As a car’s speed increases, pulling and vibration problems will generally get worse. If you happen to identify any of these signs, it is best to have a certified auto professional double check your automobile to confirm the problem and fix it before it gets worse. This will not only help you save money by maintaining your vehicle and preventing other issues, but also keep you and your passengers safe on the road. 

A Closer Look at the Warning Signs

When a car with average sized tires hits 60 miles per hour, its tires will rotate an average of 850 times per minute[1]. At speeds like these, any kind of variation in the balance of the vehicle’s tires will cause the steering wheel to vibrate or feel unstable.

If ignored, wheel vibrations can create more problems like excessive tire wear and damage to a vehicle’s suspension and steering. The vehicle’s performance will continue to worsen and handling the car will become more difficult. 

Wheel alignment and tire balancing are inexpensive services that local tire retailers can perform quickly.  While advanced suspension and steering problems are costly and require intensive repair.

For cars that haven’t had regular maintenance performed in awhile, another possible fix for steering wheel vibration might be a power steering flush.

The power steering system produces an extreme amount of pressure and generates lots of heat. Contaminants build up in the system over time and they lessen the amount of fluid that passes through the power steering system’s valves.

Sometimes a buildup of contaminants can also cause the steering system to pulsate, which is worse when the wheel is turned fully in one direction or another. A power steering flush could also be performed at local tire retailers. Talk to an ASE certified automotive professional to see if your car needs this or any other regular maintenance flushes.

It’s always better, for a cars general health and a car owner’s wallet, to address a small problem now than a bigger problem later.

Have you had any warning signs with your vehicle lately? What were they and what did you do as soon as you noticed them?

About Belle Tire

Belle Tire is an industry leader in the tire and auto service business.  Belle Tire is driven to provide customers with a quality product at competitive price, professionally installed by ASE Certified Auto Repair Professionals. At Belle Tire, you’ll always get out the door with more value, services and protection with the purchase of every tire installation than the competition can offer, at any price! For the Lowest Tire Price, Period and great low prices on Custom Wheels, Alignments, Brakes, Batteries, Oil and Lube, Shocks & Struts, Windshield Repair and Replacement, and more. Visit http://www.belletire.com and join our online communities: YOUTUBE: BelleTire,   FACEBOOK: BelleTireDistributors,   TWITTER: @belletire.

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[1] www.csgnetwork.com/tirerevforcecalc.html

 

Do Your Part to Prevent Dangers of Distracted Driving

The first week of October is the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety’s (NETS) 2011 Drive Safely Work Week (DSWW). The event is run in partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation and encourages businesses to focus on the dangers of distracted driving with their employees.

But what is distracted driving? It can be a variety of things including using a mobile phone, eating and drinking, talking to passengers, reading, grooming or even just changing the radio station.

The Department of Transportation classifies distractions into three categories:

 Visual — taking your eyes off the road

Manual — taking your hands off the wheel

Cognitive — taking your mind off what you’re doing

 The Hard Facts about Distracted Driving

1. Distractions Increase The Risk of Accidents - A number of studies have been done on the issue and the crash statistics related to driving distractions are alarming. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that in 2009, 20 percent of injury crashes involved reports of distracted driving.
2.  Thumbs Belong on the Steering Wheel at All Time
   The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that drivers who use hand-held mobile devices are four times as likely to get into serious car accidents. A University of Utah study reports that using a cell phone while driving delays the reactions of a driver as much as having a blood alcohol level of .08 percent.
    Some states, such as Michigan have made it illegal to text and drive, costing drivers a $100 ticket if they are found texting behind the wheel.
3. Staying Awake is Not Optional - Another category of distraction is drowsiness. There are 56,000 accidents annually cited by police from fatigue. The causes vary, but sleep loss, medications, sleep disorders and alcohol are all factors and increase the risk of drowsy driving.

For DSWW, employers are encouraged to talk with their employees and share safe driving tips for both drivers and passengers. Here are some tips to focus on to help drivers keep distractions to a minimum:

• Do not text while driving or have a designated call taker, maker or texter
• Increase following distance and always buckle up
• Avoid loud music, using cell phones, and interruptions from passengers 

For car owners who don’t have an employer taking part in the program, they can find resources about the topic at the Department of Transportation website distraction.gov and the National Safety Council’s website www.nsc.org.

About Belle Tire

Belle Tire is an industry leader in the tire and auto service business.  Belle Tire is driven to provide customers with a quality product at competitive price, professionally installed by ASE Certified Auto Repair Professionals. At Belle Tire, you’ll always get out the door with more value, services and protection with the purchase of every tire installation than the competition can offer, at any price! For the Lowest Tire Price, Period and great low prices on Custom Wheels, Alignments, Brakes, Batteries, Oil and Lube, Shocks & Struts, Windshield Repair and Replacement, and more. Visit http://www.belletire.com and join our online communities: YOUTUBE: BelleTire,   FACEBOOK: BelleTireDistributors,   TWITTER: @belletire.

 

Getting Back On the Road Again After a Flat Tire

No driver wants to be stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire.  Calling an emergency roadside service for help can be time consuming, especially in the winter.

Roadside assistance isn’t available in some areas, so depending on where the vehicle breaks down, it may not even be available. Knowing how to fix a flat may be the best possible solution.

Here is a quick and easy, step-by-step instructions for changing a flat.

Tools Needed: Spare tire, Jack, Lug Wrench, Wheel Lock Key (optional if you have wheel locks)

1. Think Safety First –If a flat happens while driving, pull over as far off the road as possible. Make sure there is enough room to work next to the car, away from traffic. Hit the emergency brake and turn off the engine.  Put the car’s hazard lights on and set up safety flares, warning lights or reflective markers if you have them.

2. Remove Spare Tire – Go into the trunk and get the tire out along with the necessary tools. There should be a jack and lug wrench in with the tire. If you have wheel locks, be sure to locate the lock key.

3. Put Jack In Place – Slide the jack underneath the vehicle in the correct placement, perpendicular to the lifting rail. You can also find information about the correct place to put the jack in the owner’s manual. Crank it so the jack comes into contact with the frame of the car.

4. Raise The Car Up – Raise the jack by turning the hand crank until the tire begins to lift off the ground. Be sure to raise the car high enough to remove the tire.

5. Loosen The Lug Nuts – Use the lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts. Depending on what kind of wheel the vehicle has, the hubcap might need to come off first. Turn them counter clockwise, loosen each lug nut before removing any of them. It is important to do this in a criss-cross pattern.

6. Remove The Flat – Once all the lug nuts are loosened remove them, placing them in the hubcap so they don’t get lost and then take the tire off the car. Lay it flat on the ground, so it doesn’t roll away.

7. Push Spare Tire On – Line up the spare tire with the lug bolts and push it onto the car.  Once the tire is on, take the lug nuts and start screwing them in by hand.

8. Lower Car To Ground – Lower the jack with the hand crank until the car is safely on the ground.

9. Tighten Lug Nuts – Take the lug wrench and tighten the lug nuts all the way, again doing so in a criss-cross pattern.

10. Clean Up – Reinstall the hubcap and put the flat tire, jack and lug wrench back in the trunk.

It’s important to note that a spare tire is not meant for extended travel. After changing a flat, take your car right away to a local tire retailer. They can inspect it and possibly fix the damaged tire. Some tire retailers offer free flat repairs when you buy new tires. They can get you fixed up and back on the road again, as quickly as possible.

About Belle Tire

Belle Tire is an industry leader in the tire and auto service business.  Belle Tire is driven to provide customers with a quality product at competitive price, professionally installed by ASE Certified Auto Repair Professionals. At Belle Tire, you’ll always get out the door with more value, services and protection with the purchase of every tire installation than the competition can offer, at any price! For the Lowest Tire Price, Period and great low prices on Custom Wheels, Alignments, Brakes, Batteries, Oil and Lube, Shocks & Struts, Windshield Repair and Replacement, and more. Visit http://www.belletire.com and join our online communities: YOUTUBE: BelleTire,   FACEBOOK: BelleTireDistributors,   TWITTER: @belletire.

 

Ways to Save: Buying Tires on a Budget

Looking for ways to save on new tires? There are plenty of things vehicle owners should keep in mind to ensure a new tire purchase doesn’t break the bank.

 

The first step should always be calling local tire retailers. Tire experts will be able to offer up a selection of tires that will fit a given vehicle along with prices. Owners should have information like the tire’s width, height and diameter in hand to get the proper quote.

That quote will include information about price, installation cost and mileage warranties. A simple way to save is by comparing the price of similar tires across and some tire retailers, such as Belle Tire, can help as you are shopping around.

Another way to cut costs is by determining what kind of mileage warranty is needed. A 60,000-mile tire probably isn’t necessary if a vehicle owner is thinking of replacing their car within a couple of years; a tire that gets 40,000-miles might be better value.

Alternatively, if car owner wants to hold onto their vehicle for more than two or three years, a tire with a longer mileage warranty can help save them money.

Finding out what kind of guarantees tire manufacturers offer is another way to help you save money.

Some tire dealers offer significant perks when car owners purchase a full new set of tires. There are retailers that offer free lifetime alignment checks, tire rotations and flat repair for the life of the tire’s mileage warranty. 

These aren’t necessarily things that will save owners money in the short term, but can significantly decrease the cost of maintenance over the long-run. If two tire retailers offer the same model at the same price, these value-added bonuses should be something shoppers should ask about.

Have you ever researched buying new tires? Let us know, or visit one of our stores to talk with an ASE Certified tire specialist.

About Belle Tire

Belle Tire is an industry leader in the tire and auto service business.  Belle Tire is driven to provide customers with a quality product at competitive price, professionally installed by ASE Certified Auto Repair Professionals. At Belle Tire, you’ll always get out the door with more value, services and protection with the purchase of every tire installation than the competition can offer, at any price! For the Lowest Tire Price, Period and great low prices on Custom Wheels, Alignments, Brakes, Batteries, Oil and Lube, Shocks & Struts, Windshield Repair and Replacement, and more. Visit http://www.belletire.com and also join our online communities: YOUTUBE   FACEBOOK   TWITTER

 

Don’t Break the Bank: Gas Mileage Tips to Save at the Pump

All car and truck owners want better gas mileage. Prices at the pump remain very high and there is little sign of relief for consumers.

Buying a more fuel efficient car isn’t the only solution. There are a variety of simple ways to improve a car’s gas mileage and get a more value from a single tank of gas.

 

Drive Carefully

High speeds and aggressive driving have a big impact on how quickly a car uses its fuel. Speeding, rapid acceleration and braking burns through gas. For every five miles per hour over 60, fuel consumption increases significantly.

According to a study done by the federal government, the fuel benefit to driving slower is between 5 and 33 percent. Depending on the type of vehicle, driving with caution and not speeding can equal savings between 18 cents and $1.18 per gallon, based on the current national gas average of $3.60 per gallon (for regular gasoline.)

Limiting excess weight can also improve a vehicle’s fuel economy. Smaller cars are more adversely effected by this, but taking out golf clubs or camping equipment that aren’t being used is simple way to improve gas mileage by around 2% for every 100 pounds.

Don’t Get “Tired…”

Consumer Reports recently did a study on fuel economy and it found that tires should not be ignored when it comes to improving gas mileage.

Tires are responsible for up to 25 percent of fuel consumption. The key factors are what kind of tires a vehicle has and if they are properly inflated.

In the Consumer Reports study, they found their test vehicle lost nearly a mile and a half per gallon when the tires were underinflated by 10 psi. They also found that a tire's rolling resistance can make the different of up to two miles per gallon. The key for car owners is looking for tires with low rolling resistance. Tires that get high ratings in that category get the best gas mileage.

Simple Maintenance, Simply Solution

A well-maintained vehicle is generally a vehicle that gets the most miles per gallon. Keeping up with oil changes, cleaning the air filter, checking the engine and regularly scheduling tune-ups are cost effective ways to save on gas over the long run.

Car owners will see savings just by keeping up on oil changes. When oil gets older, it breaks down and disturbs the efficiency of a car’s engine. The engine can heat up and there is more friction between the moving parts. More energy and fueled used when the engine’s performance decreases.

Proactive steps like following a vehicle's maintenance schedule and changing gas-guzzling driving habits can be taken to improve fuel efficiency. Improved gas mileage is good for your car, your wallet and the environment.

What are some ways you try to improve your car's gas mileage? 

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About Belle Tire

Belle Tire is an industry leader in the tire and auto service business.  Belle Tire is driven to provide customers with a quality product at competitive price, professionally installed by ASE Certified Auto Repair Professionals.  At Belle Tire, you’ll always get out the door with more value, services and protection with the purchase of every tire installation than the competition can offer, at any price!  For the Lowest Tire Price, Period and great low prices on Custom Wheels, Alignments, Brakes, Batteries, Oil and Lube, Shocks & Struts, Windshield Repair and Replacement, and more. Visit http://www.belletire.com and also join our online communities: YOUTUBE   FACEBOOK   TWITTER

 

Give Yourself A Brake! How To Identify Car Problems

 

Car and truck owners don’t have to be mechanics to diagnose their vehicle’s problems. Troubleshooting car trouble symptoms can be quick and easy.

Using basic senses like sight, smell and hearing can help owners detect things like defective components, low fluid levels and engine trouble. These observations can help owners streamline repairs. Having a list of symptoms ready to give to professional ASE certified mechanics can also help them quickly verify the problem and fix it.

Here are some common examples of sounds, odors, sights and the related problems.

The Nose Knows – A strange odor is an easy indicator of a problem like a leak or a damaged piece of equipment. If a car owner smells something similar to burned toast that often means an electrical short.  A smell comparable to rotten eggs can come from a problem with emission control devices. Chemical smells can mean a flooded engine (if it smells like gasoline) or overheated brakes (burning resin).

Keep An Eye On It – Monitoring the space a vehicle is kept and regularly checking a car’s fluid levels are simple ways to troubleshoot. Stains and puddles on the floor of a garage or a driveway beyond normal condensation from a car or truck’s air conditioner, generally indicates there is a problem.

The color and consistency of the fluid (and where the stain is located) can reveal the car part that is having a problem.

• A reddish stain with thin consistency can indicate a power steering leak.
• A coolant leak will be yellow or green fluid that is slimy.
• Light brown stains with medium consistency can mean an oil leak.
• Light yellow can indicate brake fluid, which can become a dark muddy brown.
• Windshield washer fluid can be blue but winter washer fluids can be orange, pink or yellow.
• Gasoline can be amber, but there will be a distinctive odor.

Of course, don't forget to check the cars owner's manual for an accurate auto repair guides and automobile documentation when noting where the location of the stain was found.

Even if an owner can’t identify the fluid by color or location, writing the information down is an easy way to point professional mechanics in the right direction when it comes to repairs.

Making Sound Judgments – Car problems manifest in many ways and there are a wide variety of noises that can signal the need for maintenance. And sometimes a specific type of sound can potentially indicate a few different types of problems. 
But telling a professional mechanic the car is squealing versus clicking can be a help when they are trying to find out what is wrong with the vehicle.

A sharp squeal can indicate a problem like a worn belt in the power steering, fan or air conditioning. A clicking noise can mean low engine oil. A low-pitched rumble sound can mean a defective exhaust pipe.

One other way to help with troubleshooting is to head off problems before they arise is to visit a local tire store. Drivers who schedule regular maintenance checks, especially with vehicles that have higher mileage, can avoid having to deal with larger problems down the line. Check the manufacturer’s guidelines for recommendations about how best to maintain the car or truck.

What sights, smells and sounds have your cars made before that helped you know there was a problem?  

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About Belle Tire

Belle Tire is an industry leader in the tire and auto service business.  Belle Tire is driven to provide customers with a quality product at competitive price, professionally installed by ASE Certified Auto Repair Professionals.  At Belle Tire, you’ll always get out the door with more value, services and protection with the purchase of every tire installation than the competition can offer, at any price!  For the Lowest Tire Price, Period and great low prices on Custom Wheels, Alignments, Brakes, Batteries, Oil and Lube, Shocks & Struts, Windshield Repair and Replacement, and more. Visit http://www.belletire.com and also join our online communities: YOUTUBE   FACEBOOK   TWITTER

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