Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Belle Tire Wishes You A Warm and Safe Holiday Season

Tis the Season to be Merry… and safe! Here are some safety kit tips for all drivers to be prepared in those unexpected circumstances.

"Traffic can be frustrating, especially on interstates during the holiday season and unfortunately, accidents happen and cars do sometimes break down," said Don Barnes III, Belle Tire Operations and Marketing Manager "From all of us at Belle Tire, we wish you and yours a very happy and safe holiday season."

Cars come pretty well equipped these days, but one thing all drivers need to add is an auto safety kit. Things may go wrong unexpectedly and all drivers need to be prepared. Whether drivers put one together or purchase a pre-packaged kit from an auto store, auto safety kits are very affordable and can really make the difference in an emergency.

Drivers can have items as sophisticated as an air compressor powered by the cars cigarette lighter or power port, but should include a flashlight, jumper cables, reflectors, first aid kit …even a spare lug wrench and a collapsible shovel.

And in Michigan and Ohio (or any other colder locations), it’s a good idea to add a blanket, gloves, rain poncho, some basic tools, and granola or energy bars and bottled water. Plus, remember one of the best safety items might be in your pocket -- a cell phone to call for help. A back-up battery for your cell phone or extra car cord is a great item to add to your kit.

About Belle Tire
Allen Park, Mich.-based Belle Tire was founded in 1922 when it opened the first Belle Tire location in Detroit, Mich. Today, the company has expanded to 80 locations across Michigan and Ohio. Belle Tire offers discount tires and variety of car care needs, ranging from auto glass repair, auto glass replacement, brakes, alignments, batteries, shocks and struts, exhaust system repair, batteries, and oil changes. For more information about Belle Tire, visit http://www.belletire.com/. Join the Belle Tire Advantage today, http://belletireadvantage.com/.


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Monday, December 14, 2009

Belle Tire Provides Top Tips for Shopping for Winter Tires

ALLEN PARK, Mich., Dec. 10, 2009 – Useful tips to keep your tires and vehicle in top condition presented by Belle Tire, a discount tire retailer providing expert tire advice and complete auto care.

Always remember to keep the good times rolling by preparing your car for the season’s unpredictable weather to ensure the safety of you and all your passengers. If you need assistance performing any of the tests and winter adaptations as described below see your local Belle Tire Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified technician. A qualified tire professional can recommend that your car be fitted with a set of winter tires (also known as snow tires) to ensure your safety and the safety of your passengers during the harsh winter months, even if your vehicle already has all-season tires on it.

Most cars today come equipped with all-season tires as indicated by the M+S (mud and snow) markings on the sidewall. These tires are not designed to be best in one specific weather condition but are meant to be adequate in all weather conditions.

Winter tires, as indicated by a mountain / snowflake symbol on the sidewall, will give you better traction, braking ability and maneuverability you'll need to drive safely on snow and ice.

Winter tires are rated based upon actual testing. For example, a test performed with two identical vehicles, one fitted with winter tires and the other with all-season tires, showed that the vehicle with winter tires traveling at 15 mph on ice stopped from 1/2 to a full car length shorter than identical vehicle with all-season tires.

Winter Tires Purchasing and Installation Tips
There are few things to keep in mind when shopping for and installing winter tires:

  1. Don’t put it off until the severe winter weather hits; have your car fitted in the fall. Be prepared and don’t get caught in a situation that might lead to a shortage of winter tires around you.
  2. Consider purchasing separate rims for your winter tires. This will save you the time and costs involved in balancing the winter tires onto your existing rims.
  3. Never mix winter tires with all-season tires. Keep an even tread depth, consistent tire design and similar rubber compound across all four wheels to ensure the best maneuverability. Never put winter tires on just the drive wheels of your car.
  4. If you are unsure which winter tire to choose pick the one that offers more tread. A deeper tread will grip the icy roads better than a lower tread.
  5. If you already have a set of winter tires, again, don’t wait until the last minute to have them installed. A good guideline for installing your winter tires is to have them installed once the temperature is regularly 50 degrees or less. This will ensure that they do not wear prematurely in warmer weather. Also, remember to have them removed when the weather stays consistently above 50 degrees.
  6. Never reduce your all-season tires' inflation to attempt to increase traction and match the performance of more flexible winter tires. Driving on underinflated tires of any kind in any season is dangerous. Always maintain proper tire pressure at all times.

Whether you’re selecting winter tires, all-season tires or any other type of tires, be sure to select the tire that meets your vehicle specifications. A Belle Tire ASE certified technician can help with all related technical details and get you on the road with the tire that’s right for your vehicle, driving style and budget.

About Belle Tire
Allen Park, Mich.-based Belle Tire was founded in 1922 when it opened the first Belle Tire location in Detroit, Mich. Today, the company has expanded to 80 locations across Michigan and Ohio. Belle Tire offers discount tires and variety of car care needs, ranging from auto glass repair, auto glass replacement, brakes, alignments, batteries, shocks and struts, exhaust system repair, batteries, and oil changes. For more information about Belle Tire, visit http://www.belletire.com/. Join the Belle Tire Advantage today, http://belletireadvantage.com/.


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Monday, December 7, 2009

December Money Saving Coupons From Belle Tire





About Belle Tire
Allen Park, Mich.-based Belle Tire was founded in 1922 when it opened the first Belle Tire location in Detroit, Mich. Today, the company has expanded to 80 locations across Michigan and Ohio. Belle Tire offers discount tires and variety of car care needs, ranging from auto glass repair, auto glass replacement, brakes, alignments, batteries, shocks and struts, exhaust system repair, batteries, and oil changes. For more information about Belle Tire, visit http://www.belletire.com/. Join the Belle Tire Advantage today, http://belletireadvantage.com/.


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