When you're in the market for solar panels for your RV, there are a few things you should know before you buy. You should know how much power you're really getting from your panels, and how much power you use daily. The answers to these questions will ensure that you get what you need from your solar kit without buying more than you can use.
Recreational Vehicle (or RV for short) owners are in a unique position to take advantage of solar power. The twelve volt (12V) power system used in most RVs can be easily modified to accommodate solar augmentation. The question facing RV owners looking to purchase solar panels is usually this. How much solar power should I be buying for my RV? What you purchase depends on many factors, a few of which are covered here.
The first thing you want to consider when considering solar power is what you want to accomplish with it. Do you want your RV to be completely independent, able to stay in a location for weeks at a time without requiring a power charge or generator? Or are you simply looking to get extra battery life out of your RV? Complete self sufficiency is a great option for those with enough surface area to accomplish it.
In order to figure out how many solar panels you would need to be completely self powered, you need to be able to provide an accurate usage estimate. For instance if you do not need to heat or cool your RV, you don't run a microwave, and you drive every other day your solar power needs will be minimal. However if you want to camp in a single spot for over a week without turning on a generator, you need to run a space heater at night, and you leave a light on at night; you will need significantly more in the way of solar power.
To calculate your power usage, it is easiest to use a worksheet. There are several worksheets available online. The sheet will list the approximate amperage for various RV appliances. You multiply the number by the amount of time that appliance would spend running in a typical day, which will yield an answer in the form of amp/hours. A typical 80 watt RV solar kit will provide a panel that can produce 25-35 amp/hours of power. To figure your actual solar needs, give yourself a 10-15% buffer for efficiency loss in the storage system, and purchase enough panels to provide the necessary power.
If you're a seasoned RV owner, you understand that space is at a premium in an RV. It is no different when it comes to solar power, you will need to carefully consider your installation options. Angled panels will provide better power production than panels that lie flat on your roof. An angled panel on the top corners of your vehicle will raise your vehicle's profile, this is important to take into consideration when navigating an RV.
Regardless of whether you decide to provide a boost in battery life with a few solar panels or become a completely self sufficient power generating environment; an RV solar kit is an investment that will pay itself off over time. Leaving the generator off while camped will be more peaceful, and better for the environment to boot. If you plan well, solar panels will reward you with headache free power for years.
Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for Web sites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background also includes teaching, gardening, and fashion. For more of her useful articles on solar power, visit Solar RV Kits, supplier of solar kits for your RV, marine vehicle, or home.
วันจันทร์ที่ 1 มิถุนายน พ.ศ. 2552
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An Easy Way to Prevent Being Scammed
You're an RVer, I'm an RVer. Neither of us likes to be scammed. We'd rather spend our hard-earned money for accessories for our rig or for fuel so we can explore new places. Yet there are those who would take our dollars from us in a dishonorable manner. This article gives one way to avoid having it happen to you.
We all like a good bargain when we can find one. I've yet to meet an RVer who doesn't, even if they're driving a top-of-the-line and beautiful Class A motorhome.
Here's an example, based on an offer I recently received. First, it appears to be a great bargain: a free lunch or dinner, an MP3 player, and a 90-minute "conference" on "Internet Marketing Strategies" for only an investment of my time. The official tickets we received, one for me and one for a guest, were impressive; they even had the reservation ID printed on them.
Because I sell an RV accessory on the internet, I'm interested in internet marketing. I thought, "Hey, I can always learn something useful! And my wife has been interested in an MP3 player, so let's go!" I called the specified 800 number and made a reservation for the lunch-time conference.
Being of a cautious and conservative nature, plus remembering what my friend Chuck always said ("It's always good to have one more answer than they have questions,") I thought I'd see what I could learn about the sponsoring company.
Google, here I come! I Googled the name of the company plus the word "review." Was I surprised! Over thirty-seven million references!
The very first one listed was a review of the company's conference and workshops. It also contained hundreds of comments by those who had attended either the conference or the workshop or who had invested in the products they were selling.
Nearly all comments were negative; those which weren't were neutral at best. Many of the responders had spent thousands of dollars with the company for websites. The websites, reportedly, were anything but simple to get up and running and support was essentially none existent.
After reading the comments and the reviews of the conference and workshop, I decided that our time could be much better spent doing almost anything other than getting involved with that company. Besides, I probably would have just sat there and gotten more and more upset by what I heard. I'm retired and don't need that!
I called the reservation 800 number and canceled.
The moral of this little story: Research companies with which you consider having any kind of relationship. It's so easy to do on Google or other search engines. It might save you frustration and dollars, lots of dollars.
On the positive side, such research might lead you to an opportunity which sounds honest and legitimate and is worth considering. They can't all be bad, can they?
Let's concentrate more on the recreation part of our lives and avoid stress, frustration, and out-and-out rip-offs. That's why we have RVs, isn't it? A quick check on Google might help.
Copyright 2009 by Keith A. Williams
The author is a part-time RVer who is retired from a regular job. He fills his days flight instructing, creating websites, and providing a very useful product for RVers: the RV Awning Travel Lock.
He lost his awning to a wind gust and installed an RV Awning Travel Lock. He was so impressed with its effectiveness, appearance, and quality that he now markets this product over the Internet at this site: http://awninglock.com. There, you can learn what really can happen to awnings and how to prevent it.
We all like a good bargain when we can find one. I've yet to meet an RVer who doesn't, even if they're driving a top-of-the-line and beautiful Class A motorhome.
Here's an example, based on an offer I recently received. First, it appears to be a great bargain: a free lunch or dinner, an MP3 player, and a 90-minute "conference" on "Internet Marketing Strategies" for only an investment of my time. The official tickets we received, one for me and one for a guest, were impressive; they even had the reservation ID printed on them.
Because I sell an RV accessory on the internet, I'm interested in internet marketing. I thought, "Hey, I can always learn something useful! And my wife has been interested in an MP3 player, so let's go!" I called the specified 800 number and made a reservation for the lunch-time conference.
Being of a cautious and conservative nature, plus remembering what my friend Chuck always said ("It's always good to have one more answer than they have questions,") I thought I'd see what I could learn about the sponsoring company.
Google, here I come! I Googled the name of the company plus the word "review." Was I surprised! Over thirty-seven million references!
The very first one listed was a review of the company's conference and workshops. It also contained hundreds of comments by those who had attended either the conference or the workshop or who had invested in the products they were selling.
Nearly all comments were negative; those which weren't were neutral at best. Many of the responders had spent thousands of dollars with the company for websites. The websites, reportedly, were anything but simple to get up and running and support was essentially none existent.
After reading the comments and the reviews of the conference and workshop, I decided that our time could be much better spent doing almost anything other than getting involved with that company. Besides, I probably would have just sat there and gotten more and more upset by what I heard. I'm retired and don't need that!
I called the reservation 800 number and canceled.
The moral of this little story: Research companies with which you consider having any kind of relationship. It's so easy to do on Google or other search engines. It might save you frustration and dollars, lots of dollars.
On the positive side, such research might lead you to an opportunity which sounds honest and legitimate and is worth considering. They can't all be bad, can they?
Let's concentrate more on the recreation part of our lives and avoid stress, frustration, and out-and-out rip-offs. That's why we have RVs, isn't it? A quick check on Google might help.
Copyright 2009 by Keith A. Williams
The author is a part-time RVer who is retired from a regular job. He fills his days flight instructing, creating websites, and providing a very useful product for RVers: the RV Awning Travel Lock.
He lost his awning to a wind gust and installed an RV Awning Travel Lock. He was so impressed with its effectiveness, appearance, and quality that he now markets this product over the Internet at this site: http://awninglock.com. There, you can learn what really can happen to awnings and how to prevent it.
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Finding Bank Repo RVs at Auction
Find the best way to locate rv bank repos. Tips and trips to buying at wholesales prices and saving 1000s.
The best way to locate a repo RV is through making contact with a bank or other lending institution. You may face some challenges getting to the right person who can answer your question, but be persistent. Eventually you'll learn what's available and whether their auctions are open to anyone. Ideally, you'll find good bank repo RV opportunities with several different lenders. The largest West Coast subprime lender, historically, has been American General Finance. That's where we used to send any buyers we knew couldn't get financing elsewhere. Those kinds of subprime lenders are the ideal place to find bank repo RVs.
Sometimes the repos are sold at silent auctions, and other times you'll need to attend a vocal auction. They should let you inspect the RV before the auction, but RV bank repo sales are considered final. It's an As-Is arrangement.
Unlike homes that have been foreclosed on, a repo RV bought at auction can generally be assumed to be in excellent condition, but you'll still want to get the most value for the price. In particular, a bank auction is a great opportunity to get lots of normally pricey upgrades along with your RV. It's common to find things like internet, generators, and satellites at prices far below their market value. Pay attention to these little details and make the most of your purchase.
The most important part of making the purchase of a bank repo RV is to be focused. Know what your ceiling bid is going to be before the auction even starts. That way you don't end up overpaying or losing your shirt in a bidding war. Commit yourself to that price. If you start getting emotional and wanting to overbid, you're entering dangerous territory. That's how people lose at an auction.
Be sure and do an inspection of your bank repo RV wherever you're allowed. Figure out what needs fixing and deduct that cost from your preset maximum bid. In cases where an inspection isn't permitted, you still need to have a contingency factored in. Plan on somewhere around five to fifteen percent over the general cost of making minor repairs. (Though, in some states, lemon laws will give you between 24 hours and three days to get your money back for the bank repo RV if you find significant problems.
Just make sure you know what your target repo RV is worth. That's where you start when you're looking for a good deal. Before you ever start bidding, have an approximate idea of the value of the bank repo RV. You might use one of the guide books that are available: NADA, for example, or the Kelley Blue Book. Should you use NADA, keep in mind you are buying at private party value. This means you're going to making the purchase at or below trade in pricing. Not many people know this pricing, but you can call dealerships, telling them you have a trade-in, and they'll be all too happy to give you a low price to work with. Talk to several to get a good average.
That should be plenty to get you started. Have fun finding a killer deal on a bank repo RV!
Spencer Arnold is an expert at finding great deals on used RVs and motor homes and finding RV Foreclosures
A great website for information on buying and selling selling used RVs is RV Sale by owner.
The best way to locate a repo RV is through making contact with a bank or other lending institution. You may face some challenges getting to the right person who can answer your question, but be persistent. Eventually you'll learn what's available and whether their auctions are open to anyone. Ideally, you'll find good bank repo RV opportunities with several different lenders. The largest West Coast subprime lender, historically, has been American General Finance. That's where we used to send any buyers we knew couldn't get financing elsewhere. Those kinds of subprime lenders are the ideal place to find bank repo RVs.
Sometimes the repos are sold at silent auctions, and other times you'll need to attend a vocal auction. They should let you inspect the RV before the auction, but RV bank repo sales are considered final. It's an As-Is arrangement.
Unlike homes that have been foreclosed on, a repo RV bought at auction can generally be assumed to be in excellent condition, but you'll still want to get the most value for the price. In particular, a bank auction is a great opportunity to get lots of normally pricey upgrades along with your RV. It's common to find things like internet, generators, and satellites at prices far below their market value. Pay attention to these little details and make the most of your purchase.
The most important part of making the purchase of a bank repo RV is to be focused. Know what your ceiling bid is going to be before the auction even starts. That way you don't end up overpaying or losing your shirt in a bidding war. Commit yourself to that price. If you start getting emotional and wanting to overbid, you're entering dangerous territory. That's how people lose at an auction.
Be sure and do an inspection of your bank repo RV wherever you're allowed. Figure out what needs fixing and deduct that cost from your preset maximum bid. In cases where an inspection isn't permitted, you still need to have a contingency factored in. Plan on somewhere around five to fifteen percent over the general cost of making minor repairs. (Though, in some states, lemon laws will give you between 24 hours and three days to get your money back for the bank repo RV if you find significant problems.
Just make sure you know what your target repo RV is worth. That's where you start when you're looking for a good deal. Before you ever start bidding, have an approximate idea of the value of the bank repo RV. You might use one of the guide books that are available: NADA, for example, or the Kelley Blue Book. Should you use NADA, keep in mind you are buying at private party value. This means you're going to making the purchase at or below trade in pricing. Not many people know this pricing, but you can call dealerships, telling them you have a trade-in, and they'll be all too happy to give you a low price to work with. Talk to several to get a good average.
That should be plenty to get you started. Have fun finding a killer deal on a bank repo RV!
Spencer Arnold is an expert at finding great deals on used RVs and motor homes and finding RV Foreclosures
A great website for information on buying and selling selling used RVs is RV Sale by owner.
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How Water Pumps Work
A water pump is commonly found in homes and in recreational vehicles. Have you ever wondered how they work, and how you can decide on a water pump that will provide you with the best flow? Hopefully we can cover that and more in the following article.
A water pump is usually used to create and maintain a certain amount of water pressure. This is important because there are times when taking a shower or flushing a toilet with a minimal amount of water just isn't enough. Imagine if you took a shower and only had a trickle of water come out of the shower head. This would not only be frustrating, but most likely cold in the winter time.
A water pump is good for regulating this, and in most RV cases, the water pump is used whether on the road our at an RV park. In many cases the RV park where a person is staying may not have the type of pressure that is conducive for a good shower.
Not all water pumps are created equal, and in many cases depending on whether you have a water pump which runs on AC or DC power, you will be able to use batteries, or a generator to pull power from later on when you are not at a camp site or RV park.
An issue that a lot of people have after buying a new pump is the noise. Water pumps are rated on noise level, but much of this can be reduced depending on the way it was mounted. If a pump is not properly mounted, it can keep you up during the night.
Whether you have a 5th wheel, some other type of travel trailer, or a traditional RV, almost all the water pumps fit and work in much of the same way. Time should be taken to look at additional options which will help you decide the type or water pump and output you may want for your RV or Motor Home.
PL Garcia keeps up with the latest RV parts including the 12 volt water pump and AC pumps. He also helps trouble shoot issues you might have with water pumps in washing machines and other appliances.
A water pump is usually used to create and maintain a certain amount of water pressure. This is important because there are times when taking a shower or flushing a toilet with a minimal amount of water just isn't enough. Imagine if you took a shower and only had a trickle of water come out of the shower head. This would not only be frustrating, but most likely cold in the winter time.
A water pump is good for regulating this, and in most RV cases, the water pump is used whether on the road our at an RV park. In many cases the RV park where a person is staying may not have the type of pressure that is conducive for a good shower.
Not all water pumps are created equal, and in many cases depending on whether you have a water pump which runs on AC or DC power, you will be able to use batteries, or a generator to pull power from later on when you are not at a camp site or RV park.
An issue that a lot of people have after buying a new pump is the noise. Water pumps are rated on noise level, but much of this can be reduced depending on the way it was mounted. If a pump is not properly mounted, it can keep you up during the night.
Whether you have a 5th wheel, some other type of travel trailer, or a traditional RV, almost all the water pumps fit and work in much of the same way. Time should be taken to look at additional options which will help you decide the type or water pump and output you may want for your RV or Motor Home.
PL Garcia keeps up with the latest RV parts including the 12 volt water pump and AC pumps. He also helps trouble shoot issues you might have with water pumps in washing machines and other appliances.
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Accessories That Make For a Smooth Ride
Just about everything now days has accessories. When it comes to Motor Homes, there are more than you can imagine. But sometimes accessories that can't be seen are some of the most valuable for a smooth ride when you are rolling down the road at 65 miles per hour. Lets discuss what they are and how they work.
Driving down the road in an RV can be a comfortable experience, or one that is lacking in comfort. This is so because each RV rides differently. Some which have old suspensions can also cause a lot of bounce or hard pounding whenever you drive over large potholes or dips.
Fortunately one of the accessories that you can purchase to improve the ride is an RV suspension enhancement system. These not only improve the ride, but help improve the strength of the RV caused by the load being added to it.
Just as a hot water heater can produce the electricity needed to heat the water which makes for a more comfortable shower, so also the suspension system will have a lot to do with how enjoyable your trip is whether it be short or long.
Another type of accessory which can also help when driving is a camera in the back of your RV. If you are tired of always checking your mirrors and wondering if someone is behind you or not, you can now use something that will allow you to view who is behind you through use of a camera and monitor. This prevents a lot of strain on the eyes and neck, and gives you assurance you are not going to hit someone.
As you can see there are accessories which can enhance your drive in an RV. The latter mentioned are just a few of the things that will make your trip seem a little quicker, and also allow you and your family to relax a bit more while on the road.
PL Garcia is a fan of RV and motor homes. He also sells propane RV water heaters and other accessories for new and used motor homes. He also shares home improvement tips.
Driving down the road in an RV can be a comfortable experience, or one that is lacking in comfort. This is so because each RV rides differently. Some which have old suspensions can also cause a lot of bounce or hard pounding whenever you drive over large potholes or dips.
Fortunately one of the accessories that you can purchase to improve the ride is an RV suspension enhancement system. These not only improve the ride, but help improve the strength of the RV caused by the load being added to it.
Just as a hot water heater can produce the electricity needed to heat the water which makes for a more comfortable shower, so also the suspension system will have a lot to do with how enjoyable your trip is whether it be short or long.
Another type of accessory which can also help when driving is a camera in the back of your RV. If you are tired of always checking your mirrors and wondering if someone is behind you or not, you can now use something that will allow you to view who is behind you through use of a camera and monitor. This prevents a lot of strain on the eyes and neck, and gives you assurance you are not going to hit someone.
As you can see there are accessories which can enhance your drive in an RV. The latter mentioned are just a few of the things that will make your trip seem a little quicker, and also allow you and your family to relax a bit more while on the road.
PL Garcia is a fan of RV and motor homes. He also sells propane RV water heaters and other accessories for new and used motor homes. He also shares home improvement tips.
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Those Red and Yellow Lights Are Not Dashboard Decorations
Most of the warning lights are obvious, like the low fuel light, but the check engine light can be tricky because it can cover a variety of potential problems - simple to major. Don't get caught on the side of the road, learn how to do preventive maintenance yourself.
Those red and yellow lights are not dashboard decorations. They are warning signals that there is a potential problem and you need to "check it out." Your dashboard has a number of different warning lights that indicate different problems - battery, gas, etc., and these should not be ignored.
When you start your car, all of the lights come on, but you should only be concerned with lights that stay on after your car is started or that come on while you are driving. This is your vehicle's way of letting you know something is wrong and you need to troubleshoot the problem.
Most of the warning lights are obvious, like the low fuel light or the battery light, but the check engine light can be tricky because it can cover a variety of potential problems.
RED WARNING LIGHT
A red warning light means there is an urgent problem. If you are driving, you need to pull over. This could mean your engine is over-heating, low oil pressure, low battery voltage, transmission over-heating, or brake failure. These problems all require immediate attention and you should not continue to drive your vehicle. A red warning light can also indicate a safety issue, but most times it means "DANGER."
Here are just a few things to check when the red light in your vehicle comes on:
-Low fluids (engine oil, transmission fluid, anti-freeze, brake fluid).
-Alternator issues (low voltage), not charge the battery, faulty battery.
-Broken belts.
YELLOW WARNING LIGHT
A yellow warning light is an indication of a potential problem. This is a warning signal. Some common things that may cause the yellow light to come on (Service engine soon) include:
-Computer system problems.
-Emissions problems.
-Anti-lock brake systems.
This means that you need to bring your car in for servicing. Before you go, you may want to troubleshoot your problems to save yourself some time and money. Take a look at the troubleshooting videos at 4 U Car Online and see if you can't rule out some of the minor problems yourself.
Never, ever ignore warning lights. These matter require your attention and if not resolved, could cause major damage to your vehicle resulting in expensive repairs.
Preventive maintenance to check your fluids, your belts and hoses, and your battery will help reduce the chances of breakdowns on the road. If you're not a "mechanic," but mechanically inclined, take a look a some of the videos and see how easy it is to do this maintenance yourself.
Videos are the way of the world. From entertainment to education, one can learn just about anything from videos, including how to care for your car. If you would like to learn how to do preventive maintenance and/or minor car repairs, take a look at http://www.4ucaronline.com and see how things are done step-by-step.
Those red and yellow lights are not dashboard decorations. They are warning signals that there is a potential problem and you need to "check it out." Your dashboard has a number of different warning lights that indicate different problems - battery, gas, etc., and these should not be ignored.
When you start your car, all of the lights come on, but you should only be concerned with lights that stay on after your car is started or that come on while you are driving. This is your vehicle's way of letting you know something is wrong and you need to troubleshoot the problem.
Most of the warning lights are obvious, like the low fuel light or the battery light, but the check engine light can be tricky because it can cover a variety of potential problems.
RED WARNING LIGHT
A red warning light means there is an urgent problem. If you are driving, you need to pull over. This could mean your engine is over-heating, low oil pressure, low battery voltage, transmission over-heating, or brake failure. These problems all require immediate attention and you should not continue to drive your vehicle. A red warning light can also indicate a safety issue, but most times it means "DANGER."
Here are just a few things to check when the red light in your vehicle comes on:
-Low fluids (engine oil, transmission fluid, anti-freeze, brake fluid).
-Alternator issues (low voltage), not charge the battery, faulty battery.
-Broken belts.
YELLOW WARNING LIGHT
A yellow warning light is an indication of a potential problem. This is a warning signal. Some common things that may cause the yellow light to come on (Service engine soon) include:
-Computer system problems.
-Emissions problems.
-Anti-lock brake systems.
This means that you need to bring your car in for servicing. Before you go, you may want to troubleshoot your problems to save yourself some time and money. Take a look at the troubleshooting videos at 4 U Car Online and see if you can't rule out some of the minor problems yourself.
Never, ever ignore warning lights. These matter require your attention and if not resolved, could cause major damage to your vehicle resulting in expensive repairs.
Preventive maintenance to check your fluids, your belts and hoses, and your battery will help reduce the chances of breakdowns on the road. If you're not a "mechanic," but mechanically inclined, take a look a some of the videos and see how easy it is to do this maintenance yourself.
Videos are the way of the world. From entertainment to education, one can learn just about anything from videos, including how to care for your car. If you would like to learn how to do preventive maintenance and/or minor car repairs, take a look at http://www.4ucaronline.com and see how things are done step-by-step.
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Tire Pressure
Believe or not, you can contribute to the environment by maintaining the condition of your tires. When you neglect to keep your tires inflated to the proper pounds per square inch (PSI) rating, their function is affected and they require more energy to maintain the same use and speed you speed you require. This overuse and abuse contributes to pollution and fuel use.
Believe or not, you can contribute to the environment by maintaining the condition of your tires. When you neglect to keep your tires inflated to the proper pounds per square inch (PSI) rating, their function is affected and they require more energy to maintain the same use and speed you speed you require. This overuse and abuse contributes to pollution and fuel use.
The best way you can guarantee the best function and lowest impact of your tires is by keeping them properly inflated. It has been reported that most cars in the United States are operating on those that are only inflated to merely eighty percent of their capacity. If you keep them properly inflated, you can improve your mileage by about three percent. For every PSI drop in pressure, you lose an average of .5 percent in your mileage.
While this may not seem like a significant difference, it really does add up. The average person drives about 12,000 miles a year, and when that driving is done on under-inflated tires, an extra 144 gallons of gas are burned. This means an extra $300-$500 dollars spent a year on a gas alone. Even worse, each gallon of that gas contributes an extra 20 pounds of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, which means that each vehicle running on under-inflated tires is contributing 1.5 extra tons of toxic gas to the environment each year.
If the environmental reasons are not enough, simply remember that better maintained tires are less likely to fail you at high speeds. You will have a harder time breaking and driving on wet surfaces with under-inflated tires, which causes more accidents and simply adds more time to reaching your destination. It is recommended that you check your pressure monthly.
Each car has a different correct air pressure, and that number can be found in your owner's manual as well as on the insider of the driver's door. Weather can take a significant toll on tires, so it is better to check pressure more often when it is especially cold or hot out for extended periods of time. Keep in mind that replacements will often have a different PSI rating than the originals, so make sure to keep track of the new number and which tire it should be assigned to. All cars that are manufactured after 2008 have pressure monitoring systems installed, so it will be easier than ever to keep track of each. These systems will alert the driver if the pressure falls below the recommended level. While this may be more expensive, doing so will save many lives on the road each year.
Mr. Oliver is a marketing agent of Dyke Tire and Battery. The auto repair shop provides tire and battery repair throughout the Richmond Virginia area. For more information on their Tire and Battery Repair please visit their website.
Believe or not, you can contribute to the environment by maintaining the condition of your tires. When you neglect to keep your tires inflated to the proper pounds per square inch (PSI) rating, their function is affected and they require more energy to maintain the same use and speed you speed you require. This overuse and abuse contributes to pollution and fuel use.
The best way you can guarantee the best function and lowest impact of your tires is by keeping them properly inflated. It has been reported that most cars in the United States are operating on those that are only inflated to merely eighty percent of their capacity. If you keep them properly inflated, you can improve your mileage by about three percent. For every PSI drop in pressure, you lose an average of .5 percent in your mileage.
While this may not seem like a significant difference, it really does add up. The average person drives about 12,000 miles a year, and when that driving is done on under-inflated tires, an extra 144 gallons of gas are burned. This means an extra $300-$500 dollars spent a year on a gas alone. Even worse, each gallon of that gas contributes an extra 20 pounds of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, which means that each vehicle running on under-inflated tires is contributing 1.5 extra tons of toxic gas to the environment each year.
If the environmental reasons are not enough, simply remember that better maintained tires are less likely to fail you at high speeds. You will have a harder time breaking and driving on wet surfaces with under-inflated tires, which causes more accidents and simply adds more time to reaching your destination. It is recommended that you check your pressure monthly.
Each car has a different correct air pressure, and that number can be found in your owner's manual as well as on the insider of the driver's door. Weather can take a significant toll on tires, so it is better to check pressure more often when it is especially cold or hot out for extended periods of time. Keep in mind that replacements will often have a different PSI rating than the originals, so make sure to keep track of the new number and which tire it should be assigned to. All cars that are manufactured after 2008 have pressure monitoring systems installed, so it will be easier than ever to keep track of each. These systems will alert the driver if the pressure falls below the recommended level. While this may be more expensive, doing so will save many lives on the road each year.
Mr. Oliver is a marketing agent of Dyke Tire and Battery. The auto repair shop provides tire and battery repair throughout the Richmond Virginia area. For more information on their Tire and Battery Repair please visit their website.
