With gas prices climbing to record levels and the summer travel season kicking off, Uniroyal Tire has partnered with money
saving expert and Coupon Mom's8482;, Stephanie Nelson to offer advice to consumers on reducing their gas costs. By following just a few easy tips, the average two-car family can save up
to $2,000 on their annual gas bill.
As part of the Uniroyal Tire More Mileage For Your Money campaign, Nelson is providing practical savings advice on gas and a variety of other big spending areas, also offered on the
Uniroyal Web site, www.uniroyal.com. The Uniroyal site even has a Gas Savings Calculator, an interactive feature that allows users to pick the tips
they would follow and calculate their potential yearly savings.
Gas costs have become such a major factor in the family budget. We want to help people save on gas and put their savings into more important things for their families, said Nelson. We
cannot do anything about the price of gas, but there are simple things drivers can do to help their cars burn less of it.
Here are some of the key tips:
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Check the inflation pressure of your tires. Research conducted by Uniroyal tells us that most Americans are driving around on under-inflated tires. You need to check your tire inflation
pressure cold (at least three hours after the vehicle has been stopped and before it has been driven one mile) once a month and adjust accordingly. The proper inflation pressure can be
found in the 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 9 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.
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Another big factor is proper wheel alignment. Making sure your vehicle is properly aligned can save as much as 15 cents per gallon. Your local Uniroyal dealer can assess your vehicle's
wheel alignment.
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Replacing clogged air filters is a biggie! A clean filter versus one that is severely clogged can mean savings as much as 31 cents per gallon. Air filters also keep impurities in the air
from damaging internal engine components.
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Research also shows that a poorly tuned engine can greatly increase fuel consumption. Following the recommended maintenance schedule in your vehicle's owner'ss manual may save as much as
12 cents per gallon, help the car run better and contribute to a longer life.
In addition to these auto maintenance tips, Nelson advises motorists to shop around for gas by checking out independent Web sites, such as GasBuddy.com or GasPriceWatch.com to find the
stations with the lowest prices in your area. Research shows that gas prices vary as much as 16 cents per gallon in a typical market.
Using cruise control when driving on the highway maintains a constant speed and reduces fuel consumption -- as much as 19 cents per gallon for people who do half of their daily driving on
the highway, according to Nelson.
Even for families who are doing some of these things right but could stand to follow only half of these tips, it still amounts to $1,000 a year for the typical two-car family, Nelson
says. That's money that could go toward a family vacation or even meeting critical monthly expenses.
According to Holley, The More Mileage For Your Money campaign is a logical extension of Uniroyal's mission to provide good quality, affordable tires to American drivers. Record gas prices
are putting extreme financial pressure on individuals and families across the nation. Nelson notes, We're trying to help people save at the pump so they can spend their money on the more
important things in life that they value.
Nelson specializes in helping consumers become savvier about finding everyday bargains and value. She knows all the tricks of the trade when it comes to maximizing value and slashing
spending in many areas, including automotive, travel, clothing, restaurants, groceries, gifts, theme parks, gardening and entertainment. She has been a regular on-air contributor to ABC
News' Good Morning America, and a bi-weekly columnist for ABCNews.com.
Uniroyal Tire is one of the world'ss 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'ss leading warranties. Visit
Uniroyal Tire online at: www.uniroyal.com.
Sources: U.S. Department of Energy, Federal Trade Commission, N.C. Department of Commerce, Car Care Council, GasBuddy.com and GasPriceWatch.com. Estimates based on 2006 Toyota Camry with
18.5 gallon gas tank and gas mileage 24 city/33 highway. Savings totals based on average of two cars per four person household. Savings based on average cost of unleaded gasoline $3.05
per gallon (5/15/07) and 15,000 miles driven annually.
Media Contacts:
Maggie Mae Armstrong
336-819-6955
Lynne Slovick
864-458-6365