There is a saying by a famous tire manufacturer Michelin: “So much is riding on your tires.” This is true no matter if you’re driving a sport coupe or an electric scooter. Cheap tires can damage a great car, and great tires can do wonders for a worn out vehicle. Luckily, today, thanks to technological advances, you can buy a great set of discount tires and still be quite happy about them.

If you understand that you have to buy new tires, you have a few options. The easiest way is to buy the exact size and brand of tires that your vehicle had when you picked it at the dealership. However, you may choose to upgrade your tires depending on what driving conditions you currently have or foresee. There are many reasons to change the tires for a different model. While some people look for a new design they may simply change the wheel and use the same tires as before. Some people prefer to wait till they need new tires and then they upgrade for a larger diameter of the wheel and new tires at once.

When choosing your new discount tires you should honestly evaluate your driving needs and habits. If you really want to enjoy your ride, you need to find a reliable discount tire store which will not push you towards the most expensive make, but rather help you pick the brand that does justice to your car while remaining within your budget. The type of the tire also depends on the driving conditions you normally drive in.

Here are some factors you should consider when choosing your discount tire set:

Tread life of the tires will determine how long a set of tires would last. Life expectancy of the tires is estimated by the manufacturer under governmental guidelines after a field testing. The higher the tread life grade, the longer the tire will last.

Wet weather tires are essential if you live in a climate where it rains often. Four-season tires are the best option for wet climates. If it snows often, then you should also have a set of winter tires that you will switch for during the colder season.

Speed rating is an often underestimated factor in choosing the right set of discount tires. In the USA the speed limit hardly ever climbs over 75mph. In Europe the lovers of speedy rides can really get loose, but in North America you can hardly ever need a tire capable to ride over 100mph - even though you will not likely need to drive this fast. Speed ratings show the safe top speed of a tire and are marked with letters, with Q as lowest and V as highest. You can always go for the ultra-performing tire for speedy sports cars, but this quality is something that you will almost never use.

High- or low-profile? Low-profile tires look really stylish but these tires cannot always bear the hardships of the real road with all the bumps and cracks. Plus, with low-profile tires the wheel is getting damaged faster. Higher-profile tires often mean a safer and smoother ride.

That’s the basics on tires, which you need to know before you start looking for a discount tire store, either online or offline. Even if you choose to go discount, it’s really hard to buy a truly awful set of tires. Usually all tires on the market today can be touted as bad or good depending on how you use them and how you drive your car. Be honest with your expectations and choose the best discount set of tires you can afford.
About the Author

Kathryn Whittaker writes articles on a number of different topics. For more information on Discount Tires please visit http://www.tires-guide.com/ and for additional Tire articles please visit the following article http://www.tires-guide.com/tire-articles/.

Technorati Tags: automotive, autocare, auto care, car care, auto repair

(ARA) - If you’re traveling by plane in the coming months, chances are you ll be renting a car when you land. Driving an unfamiliar vehicle in an unfamiliar city can be stressful. But with a little foresight, you can be prepared and relaxed.

Before You Go

Your safety preparations should begin when making your rental reservations. While you want to get a good deal, you also want a good car. Web sites such as that operated by Consumer Reports can provide information on car safety ratings. Your insurance company may also have safety statistics on various makes and models, says Jeff Beyer, senior vice president and chief communications officer of Farmers Insurance.

Rent a car that is suited to your needs. If you are traveling with a family of four and lots of luggage, a compact car may not have enough room. Also, make any special requests when you arrange your reservation. For example, if you know you will need a child s car seat for your two-year-old, be sure to reserve one early — don t expect one to be available on the spur of the moment when you arrive to pick up your car.

You ll also want to check with your insurance company to find out how your coverage works for rented cars, says Beyer. Find out if your insurance will cover service calls on rental cars, and ask your agent if you will need to buy any supplemental insurance from the car rental company. By doing a little research before you leave on your trip, you may be able to save money by not purchasing unnecessary and overly expensive insurance through the car rental company, he adds. Some credit cards also provide supplementary insurance if you use them to pay for the car rental. Check with your credit card company for specifics.

When You Pick Up Your Car

Check the contract to make sure you re getting the rate and the car you were promised when you made the reservation. Ask the agent what to do if the car breaks down. If you re not sure how to get to your destination, request a map and driving directions from the agent.

Once at the car, do a quick check for any damage; if you spot anything significant, call it to the attention of the rental company before you take the car off the lot, so you won t be penalized for damage you didn t cause.

Before You Leave the Lot

Familiarize yourself with the car: be sure you know how to work the headlights, turn signals and interior lights. Check the windshield wipers to make sure they work and that there is washer fluid; you don t want to get caught in rain or snow with bad wipers.

Adjust the seat and mirrors. Check the seatbelts; is there one for every passenger? Are they easy to latch and unlatch? If you like to listen to the radio as you drive, tune in a local station that meets your tastes before you hit the road.

Enjoy Your Visit

Because rental cars are attractive targets for thieves, remove all valuables from the car when it is parked, if possible. If you have to leave your luggage or other property in the car, lock it in the trunk, out of sight.

By planning ahead and taking a few easy precautions, renting a car will be easy. Now if you can just fit all those gifts into your luggage for the return trip home.

For more information on Farmers Insurance, visit www.farmers.com.

About the author:

Courtesy of ARA Content

www.aracontent.com
info@ARAcontent.com

Technorati Tags: automotive, autocare, auto care, car care, auto repair

(NC)-All owners are required by law to insure vehicles driven on public roads. Some provinces and territories offer public insurance while others have insurance sold privately. Here are some basic items to consider when buying vehicle insurance:

• Liability insurance is mandatory, and is used as financial protection against loss or injury caused to others while operating your vehicle. The minimum amount of insurance required differs across jurisdictions but keep in mind that skimping on liability insurance may cost you in the long run. Minimum liability will not cover the cost of an accident resulting in the injury of several people, for example, particularly in circumstances where litigation is an option.

• Vehicle damage insurance, unlike liability insurance, may be optional. Damage insurance, however, is still recommended for the simple reason that damages to a vehicle will quickly add up in the event of an accident where you are at fault. Not being able to recover any money will have serious ramifications on your bank account.

• Some dealers or credit grantors may require that you take out other insurance such as life and/or disability insurance prior to agreeing to do business with you. Make sure that you fully read and understand any agreements that you are asked to sign and that you get a copy of the completed and signed agreement. Do not sign an agreement unless it is completed in full.

You should also do some comparison shopping on insurance prices and coverage prior to signing any agreement. Here are some items to consider in keeping your insurance rates to a minimum:

• Accidents can increase your insurance costs, especially when you are at fault. Though it’s easier said than done, staying out of accidents will save you money in more ways than one.

• Statistics show that some vehicles are more likely than others to be involved in an accident. Insurance companies are aware of this and therefore charge more to insure high-risk vehicles. The make and model of the vehicle, its colour, and whether it’s a two-door or four-door are all factors considered by your insurance company. Some cars are also more expensive to repair or are frequently pursued by thieves. Consider how important owning a high-profile vehicle is to you. Contact the Vehicle Information Centre of Canada (www.vicc.com) to find out which vehicles will cost you more to insure.

• Where you live may affect what you pay for automobile insurance. Driving to work everyday, especially if it’s a long commute, does not only mean extra gas and wear and tear on your vehicle but also the possibility of a higher insurance premium. Urban residents may have higher premiums than those living in rural areas.

• Insurance companies reward those who are of low risk to them. Discounts might be offered for driver education, multiple vehicles, high academic achievement, anti-theft devices or abstinence from alcohol, among others. Have your insurance broker inquire about any of these types of discounts.

Sometimes it doesn’t pay to be carrying collision or comprehensive insurance on an older vehicle if the total amount you are paying for the deductible plus the monthly premium is more then the entire worth of your vehicle.

For more information regarding auto insurance and other topics on cars and transportation, visit the Canadian Consumer Information Gateway ConsumerInformation.ca The Gateway is a new Web site created by federal, provincial, territorial governments and their partners that brings consumers, objective, reliable and current information.

About The Author

News Canada provides a wide selection of current, ready-to-use copyright free news stories and ideas for Television, Print, Radio, and the Web.

News Canada is a niche service in public relations, offering access to print, radio, television, and now the Internet media, with ready-to-use, editorial “fill” items. Monitoring and analysis are two more of our primary services. The service supplies access to the national media for marketers in the private, the public, and the not-for-profit sectors. Your corporate and product news, consumer tips and information are packaged in a variety of ready-to-use formats and are made available to every Canadian media organization including weekly and daily newspapers, cable and commercial television stations, radio stations, as well as the Web sites Canadians visit most often. Visit News Canada and learn more about the NC services.

Technorati Tags: automotive, autocare, auto care, car care, auto repair