TAKE-OFF TIRES

tips from instructors and customers

Most tire stores resell used tires (called take-offs) when owners of cars decide they want a different ride, style or brand of tires than what came with their car. Surprising but true! My friend bought a new Cadillac but claiming he didn’t like the ride of factory tires—instead bought new expensive All-Season radials. His new, original tires were sold later at the tire store at a steep discount. Tire stores cannot sell these as 'new' tires and since these tires compete with what stores normally sell, they don’t advertise them or even mention them to customers. So find your tire size printed on the side of the tire, and call around to different stores. Don’t be discouraged if they say NO, just call a different store, asking for “take-offs.” DON’T PAY TOO MUCH, keeping in mind, that the stores didn’t pay for them, or give a trade-in discount. I compare the price to new ones at Tire Rack or other tire store and offer a fraction of the retail price.

OIL CHANGES

Probably nothing causes quite as much debate as how frequent an oil change should be done. Most manufactures recommend regular oil changes at 5000 miles, but if you recall, synthetic oils were originally advertised as “lasting longer” and didn’t need to be changed as frequently. So now that the oil companies have us using more expensive synthetic oils, they hector us to change oil more frequently too. I think manufacturers will soon convince us to change oil at every fill-up or bi-weekly. ;>) Tests and research on taxi -cars that get as much as 100,000 miles a year - showed engine wear did NOT DECREASE with frequent changes, and that changes about 7000 miles were perfectly fine. So I change my synthetic oil about every 7000 miles and a new filter every other oil change. If your car is used in extreme driving conditions, then I'd change it more frequently.

USE THE CORRECT GRADE-OCTANE GASOLINE FOR YOUR CAR

18% OF THE CARS SOLD IN AMERICA NEED HIGH OCTANE FUEL, but if your car doesn't call for it, there is no reason to use it. IF your car was built to run on the lower octane-87, using a higher octane does NOT increase performance, or increase miles per gallon, and does nothing but increase profits of BIG oil companies. Read your manual and use the recommended fuel. Many Japanese, German and American cars recommend the lowest octane there is, so use it and save your money. The correct octane is listed in your owner’s manual, and often times on the fuel door.

tips from instructors and customers

TIRE PRESSURE AND GAS MILEAGE

Tire pressure is so important manufacturers stamp the information on the driver’s side door-jam stickers and on the tires too. Tire pressure affects handling, fuel economy and tire wear so it’s best to use the pressure recommendations which appear on the door jam. Tires also have a MAX pressure listed on the sidewall, but that only states the maximum amount and it's smarter to use the lower setting on the door jam as your guide. If you want maximum fuel efficiency, run the higher pressure, but know it makes the ride harder, bumps more noticeable and steering a little quicker. It's called "rolling resistance" and the less resistance you have, the sharper the ride. Low pressure in tires, makes the ride softer but there is a cost, since the rolling resistance is increased. Never exceed the pressure rating listed on the outside of the tire, this usually is 32PSI. Insure your tires are inflated to the recommended pressure, checking them every month or so, especially at seasonal changes like Fall into Winter and Winter into Spring. But remember to check tire pressure when the tires are cooled down and the car has sat idle for a few minutes. Driving heats up the air in the tires and they will show a higher reading. If your cars tires have hydrogen in them (designated with blue caps or an H) there is no problem with topping them up with regular air found at a service station. Common air contains 78% Hydrogen anyway and many believe it only a sales gimmick.