Posts Tagged gas mileage

Trailer Tires – Radial vs Bias Ply

There are two types of “”Cargo Trailers”cargo trailertires: bias ply and radial.  Bias ply tires are often used on economy trailers and utility trailers.  These tires offer a cheaper purchase price while sacrificing long term wear and performance.  A very popular upgrade option are radial tires.  Advantages of radial tires include longer tread life and better durability , which  improves gas mileage.

The Radial design prevents the bottom of the tire (where the rubber meets the road) from flexing, unlike the bias ply, which does deform under load.

Additional benefits of a radial tire vs bias ply are:

1) Softer and quieter ride

2) Better gas mileage while towing

3) Flatter, wider footprint for better tire wear

4) Runs cooler than a bias ply, minimizing risk of a blowout on the highway

5) Improved sway control

You can see a wide variety of

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Best Ways To Finance A Used Car

In this article we will talk about the best ways to finance a used car. After a mortgage, financing a car is the second largest investment most people make. Shopping for a car loan is just as important as shopping for the car.

It is a known fact that new cars depreciate and drop in value like a rock, as soon as you drive them off the lot. Finding financing for a used car is a great way to save money and get more car for your money.

The interest rate you have to pay on a used-car, will depend on how old the car is and your credit history. You usually pay a little higher interest rate for used cars over a new car. You can finance a used car through the same financial lenders that supply financing for new car buyers, including credit unions, banks and car dealerships.

Know your credit score before you go shopping for car, to ensure that you are getting their financing terms and a good interest rate you. If your score is over 680, you should be able to get a good rate and terms.

Next do your homework. You want to research and think about the types of vehicles that you like and what appeal to you. Be careful you don’t get caught up in the excitement of buying a new car, and end up buying something you really don’t want.

Think practically. If you’re going to buy a vehicle for a long commute to work every day, you’ll want something with good gas mileage. Look for a vehicle that not only meets your practical purpose, but also satisfies your desire for a car that is comfortable and fun to drive.

Sources for Financing

Look at different sources for your financing. A lot of times a credit union will offer better rates and terms than your local bank. If you already have a current car loan with a lender, then by all means go back to that lender and see what type of terms they will offer you. It’s always a good idea to check online and see what going interest rates are, that way you will know if you’re getting a good rate or not.

Interest Rates

The interest rate on your loan, the amount of money you need down and your monthly payment are based on your credit history. If you have any blemishes on your credit report, make sure you have explanations and evidence to clear them up. If there’s something in your credit report that is derogatory and shouldn’t be there, then notify the credit bureau and have it removed before you go looking for a car.

Term

It is always recommended to go with a shorter term loan rather than extending the payments out over a longer period because you will pay more in interest. The other negative side of a long term loan is that the car will depreciate faster than what you are paying it off. This can leave you in a negative car loan where you could end up owing more on the car than what it is worth. If you are looking at purchasing a car and you need to extend the payments out over 48 months to be able to afford it, then look for a less expensive car.

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Saving Gas by Driving Sensibly

Yes, the price at the pump is at an all time high. Therefore, we should be doing everything we can to conserve the gas we put in our car, and this includes driving sensibly. Aggressive driving, i.e. speeding, forceful braking, and rapid acceleration really wastes gas. In fact, this type of destructive driving can lower your gas mileage by practically a third while traveling at highway speeds, and 5 percent when you are in city traffic. Sensible driving will allow you to conserve gas and keep yourself and others safe on the road. In order to save up to $1.27 a gallon, try these wise driving tips.

* Record your speed. Yes, speeding is dangerous, but it is also wasteful. It’s important to be aware that gas mileage has the potential to rapidly decrease when your car is going above 60 mph. Speed limits are put in a place for a reason, and it’s multi beneficial for you to follow the posted signs.
* Remove dead weight. By getting rid of excess weight in your car, you can actually save up to $0.08 per gallon. It doesn’t sound like a lot, but it adds up fast, especially with the current price of gas. In fact, experts say an extra 100 pounds in your car can reduce your MPG up to 2 percent.
* Use that cruise control. Staying at a constant speed on your trip down the highway will allow you to save gas in the long run, and the easiest way to do that is via cruise control. You won’t be tempted to speed up as much and this will cut down on constant braking, which really eats away at gas.
* Overdrive gears are there for a reason. When you utilize your overdrive gearing, your car’s engine speed automatically goes down. Not only does this save gas, but it reduces engine wear, which could be an extremely costly fix in the future.
* Avoid idling. Most of us know that excessive idling wastes gas and it’s important to note that a car with a larger engine wastes more gas than those with smaller ones. But regardless of your engine size, the point is, you’re wasting gas and therefore, your money.

Besides driving sensibly to conserve gas, you also want to make sure your car is equipped with the oil that the car manufacturer recommends. It is possible to improve gas mileage by following this simply tactic. Although this might cause your oil change to spike a little in price, it will help you save more money at the pump and in the long run. In addition, look for motor oil that is marked “energy conserving,” as this means it contains friction-reducing additives.

You don’t have to get rid of your car because of high gas prices, instead you can choose to sensibly conserve all the gas you pump into your car. By following the above driving tips and equipping your car with the right motor oil, you’ll be well on your way to saving some green.

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