Tire Stores Help with Car Air Conditioning Check-Ups

Your local tire stores can help with more than just getting you a new set of tires. They have experts at recharging car air conditioning systems and can gauge check the system, recycle used Freon, check belts and evacuate the A/C system. Regular air conditioning check-ups won’t just keep you comfortable; they could head off major repair bills.

Car Air Conditioning - Quite Possibly the Best Invention Ever

Air Conditioning is often cited as one of man’s ten best inventions – instant comfort in hot weather at the touch of a button. When coupled with another of his ten best inventions, the automobile, you have one of the world’s all-time winning combinations. But, when you neglect having your vehicle’s air conditioning checked on a regular basis you have a recipe for a really bad combination -- discomfort and big repair bills. It is recommended to check your owner’s manual for recommended maintenance schedule, or have your air conditioning checked at least every other year, so at the slightly sign of discomfort.

Regular check-ups by your local tire stores will include a test for leaks or faulty seals that allow refrigerant to escape from the system. Running the A/C without enough refrigerants can damage or burn out the compressor, which will cost you a lot. Refrigerant contains a light mineral oil that ingeniously lubricates the moving parts of the system while it is running. Not enough refrigerant, not enough lubrication. Some air conditioning systems, most notably on high-end vehicles, will actually sense this condition and stop the compressor from working when there is not enough refrigerant in the system. While this type of system will save you the cost of a burnt-out compressor, if you don’t have your A/C system checked on a regular basis, you’re not going to find this out until some hot day when you need cool air the most.

One simple thing you can do, in addition to visiting one of your local trusted tire stores, is to help minimize automotive A/C problems by running the unit periodically, even in winter. The rule of thumb is 10 minutes every month. This will distribute lubricant to the seals keeping them from becoming brittle and leaking, as well as coating interior metal parts to keep them from corroding.

Usually A/C problems manifest themselves in one of two ways:

Not Enough Cool Air which can be caused by:

• Low refrigerant charge
• Loose belt
• Slipping compressor clutch
• Clogged evaporator
• Clogged condenser

No Cool Air which can be caused by:

• Broken drive belt
• Blown fuse
• Inoperative compressor or slipping compressor clutch
• Clogged or defective expansion valve
• Clogged receiver-drier or refrigerant line
• Leaking hoses, seals, valves or compressor

Ask A Pro

Most Automotive A/C repairs require the help of a trained professional. Not the least of which is the recharging of the refrigerant, which requires special equipment and handling. The high-pressure chemicals can be dangerous, easily injuring or blinding those not versed in the proper handling of them.

Having your A/C system checked at one of your local tire stores should not be chore in and of itself. While having your car serviced for other items such as oil changes or tire rotations, have your ASE certified technician check the A/C system, too. Most people tend to have their tires rotated or have new tires installed at the change of the seasons anyway -- so why not have your A/C system checked out in the same visit?

Belle Tire is Proud to be a RMA Tire Safety Week PARTner

Belle Tire is proud to be a Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) tire safety week PARTner. RMA's ninth annual 2010 National Tire Safety Week will be June 6-12, 2010.

ALLEN PARK, Mich., June 1, 2010 – The Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) is the national trade association for tire manufacturers and is hosting the 9th annual . Last year more than 20,000 tire and auto service outlets participated in the RMA tire safety week. This year the event will take place June 6-12, 2010.

The tire industry urges consumers to maintain tires to save fuel, promote safety. "Belle Tire and it's ASE Certified technicians are always happy to help customers learn about proper tire and car care." said Don Barnes, marketing manager at Belle Tire "Educating customers and filling their needs is extremely important to us, we also like to make them aware of importance of keeping their tires filled too.

Underinflated tires risk safety, waste fuel and cause tire wear quicker than adequately inflated tires. The RMA has released a survey showing more half of 5,400 plus vehicles reported at least one under inflated tire. Nearly 20 percent of vehicles had at least one tire under inflated by 8 pounds per square inch (psi).

In addition to this annual event the RMA’s “Be Tire Smart – Play Your PART” program is a year-round effort designed to help drivers learn the simple steps they can take to ensure that their tires are in good working condition. The importance of tire safety is critical and Belle Tire is proud to be a part of this event to help drivers learn about the risks and safety hazards.

Tire manufacturers and tire retailers throughout the country will be working to educate motorists about proper tire care and car maintenance. The RMA provides tire retailers, auto dealers and automotive repair shops with free “Be Tire Smart” brochures and other materials. Belle Tire uses this opportunity to promote tire care through advertising, promotions, free tire pressure checks and conducting media outreach.

Belle Tire was among the more than 21,000 tire dealers, auto dealers and automotive repair shops participated during the 2009 National Tire Safety Week. In addition to Belle Tire, tire stores, auto dealers, safety advocates and state government agencies will be participating in the Be Tire Smart program. If you have any questions about National Tire Safety Week, please visit http://www.rma.org/.

Tire Stores and the Cost of Wheel Alignment

A low cost of wheel alignment is yet another great service that tire stores should offer, so you get out the door with more value. The cost of a wheel alignment could be much less than the cost of other repairs that could result from not performing this simple regular maintenance on your vehicle, such as helping your tires last longer, so replacement is not needed as often. You can also maximize your suspension system.

How do you know if you need a wheel alignment?
If your vehicle pulls to the right or the left when the steering wheel is in straight ahead position, a wheel alignment adjustment may be necessary. Another indicator for needing an alignment check is if uneven tire wear is identified or you’ve hit that dreaded pothole on the road.

Every vehicle should have an alignment done every 12 months, or every 12,000 miles as a rule. Your vehicle's suspension is made of a number of sophisticated components and systems that all need to be working together and in perfect alignment. Normal tire wear from driving can and bad roads can throw your suspension out of alignment over time could cause excessive tire wear and other problems. One way to make sure your suspension stays in good working order is to make sure your tires are aligned correctly.

Wheel alignments and rotation services are critical to the extended wear of your tires and fuel savings. To get the most out of your tires, the two most important things you can do are keep them properly inflated and get your alignment checked at least twice a year. To put it in perspective tires that are under-inflated by 20% can reduce your fuel economy by as much as 10% and reduce tread life by up to 15%. If your vehicle isn't properly aligned, your fuel economy could be reduced by up to an additional 5%. And this all adds up... up to 15% less mileage out of each gallon of gas you put in your car, and the cost to replace tires that wear out long before they should.

How Tire Stores Can Help.
ASE certified technicians can perform a state-of-the-art computerized alignment using state of the art alignment equipment. The car is set in place and all four wheels are set parallel and your steering wheel is centered. Sensors are attached to each wheel and data is fed into a computer that notifies the technician of the adjustments that need to be made. Four wheel alignments help increase the life of your steering system, suspension and tires. Once your tires are aligned properly, you'll also get better handling and improved gas mileage.

If you are concerned with the cost of wheel alignment by a professional, many tire stores offer free alignment checks that will tell you if you’re in need of an alignment. After any pothole mishap or every twelve months or 12,000 miles, you may be in need of an alignment. You’ll not only maximize your tire performance/fuel economy and suspension system, you’ll also save money down the road because you won’t have to replace your tires as often. ASE Certified Technicians at most discount tire stores have the training, tools and state-of-the-art computerized equipment to keep your cost of wheel alignment affordable.

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/.

Tire Stores Provide Mobile Tire Coupons and More

Building loyalty is important in any business. When it comes to buying tires, tire stores are faced with the fact that the average consumer doesn’t really want to buy tires and it is very low frequency purchase for many car owners. Even so, a tire store wants customers to come back and become fans of the business vs. becoming fans of the competition. Providing the best customer service is really the main way to accomplish this strong relationship with all customers to keep them coming back but there are many ways to incentivize consumers to choose your business over competitors.
Recent Research Findings on Mobile Coupons

According to Yankee Group, research and analysis shows that 73 percent of consumers want to receive a mobile coupon. In addition, the number of mobile coupons redeemed in the United States is set to increase more than tenfold in 2010, followed by triple-digit increases in both 2011 and 2012.

Tire Stores Go Mobile
Tire stores running mobile campaigns to beef up a mobile database can easily build loyalty programs to reward most loyal consumers. A more mainstream tire retailer, providing solid credibility by building a mobile user database of consumers who opt in knows the importance to build loyalty and fans. These fans of the business have chosen to be a part of the club and many times will choose to return to the business and possibly share the message with friends, family and other consumers looking for tires and auto care services.

Customers Opt In To Loyalty Advantage Programs
According information shared on a recent Mobile Marketer webinar, a major tire store retailer saw a 55 percent opt-in rate for its Mobile Advantage club after offering consumers $20 off its products for participating. Moreover, 55% who heard radio spots and were offered a $20 coupon opted to receive the coupon.

The tire store ran another mobile campaign to beef up its mobile database and identify an ROI on traditional advertising including TV and radio and tagged existing TV and radio spots with mobile calls-to-action. The company has built a tire advantage loyalty program to reward its most loyal consumers.

Consumers were asked to text a short keyword to short code such as text TIRES to 1234. Those who texted in received a $20-off coupon for their next purchase at this tire store. Participants were then invited to join the Belle Tire Advantage program, and 77 percent opted into the club. By giving consumers a $20 bill, it incentivizes consumers to choose this tire store instead of one of their competitors.

Mobile Surveys, Reminders, and Rewards to Super Fans
Tire stores and businesses are looking for new ways to more effectively reach their target audience to drive more traffic to their stores.

* With the convenience of mobile surveys, reaching consumers when they're in the moment - online or on the go is important.
* Consumers who opt in can have reminders sent to a mobile phone so they never forget an oil change or tire rotation.
* Mobile loyalty and rewards services expand on their existing loyalty program to make it easier for their customers to get offers.

The time is here for mobile tire coupons to be integrated into a tire stores marketing plan. The efficiency is pretty straight forward and consumers are waiting for their tire coupons to be sent to their mobile phones. Give them what they want and what they deserve; the best price possible and an overall best customer service and value that your customers can't beat.

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/.

Big Tire Discount With Michelin Tire Rebate And Belle Tire Advantage

ALLEN PARK, Mich., May 3, 2010 – Buy any set of four new Michelin brand passenger or light truck tires at Belle Tire between April 29th and May 31st, 2010 and get a $70 prepaid Mastercard card. Consumers can get an additional $20 off by joining the Belle Tire Advantage for a total savings of $90 after proper submission of Michelin rebate redemption form. The Michelin rebate form must be completed by 6/30/2010 to receive the $70 Michelin rebate.

"Consumers can really benefit from big savings by joining the Belle Tire Advantage and using great manufacture rebates such as this $70 Michelin Mastercard offer," said Don Barnes III, Belle Tire Operations and Marketing Manager. "We take pride in helping our customers with getting the lowest tire prices. We do this every day but manufacture rebates certainly add to the discount and value delivered to our customers."

Monthly savings coupons give Belle Tire Advantage members access to special tire discounts as well as savings on auto parts and services at local Belle Tire locations. Belle Tire Advantage coupons are delivered right to members' inboxes every month along with all of the other exclusive email offers. Members also take advantage of car care tips from Belle Tire professionals and participate in special contests.

Becoming a Belle Tire Advantage member is simple. Consumers can go to http://www.belletireadvantage.com/ and enter a valid name and email address to start taking advantage of the savings and exclusive email offers. Referring friends to spread the savings and other exciting promotions offered by the Belle Tire Advantage is simple too.

"You can find a wide selection of tires, rims and car care services at Belle Tire," said Barnes. "Come in to any Belle Tire, and we’ll check other stores’ prices with you, right at the counter, and prove to you that Belle Tire has the lowest tire prices."

Take advantage of this great rebate offer and come to Belle Tire to find the right Michelin tires for your vehicle. To learn more about the Michelin rebate, call 1-888-738-0166. This Michelin rebate offer valid 4/29/10 – 5/31/10 and redemption forms must be received by 6/30/10.

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/.

Quick, Affordable Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement

Airplanes, railway locomotives and even space shuttles have them. The earliest ones designed for automobiles where hand-cranked, then later vacuum-powered. Today they can be heated, set to operate at a variety of fixed speeds or only intermittently. Some even use optical sensors that activate them automatically and regulate their speed based on the amount of water on your windshield. No other feature of today’s automobiles, other than the headlamps and brake system, is credited with helping drivers avoid more accidents than your car’s windshield wiper system.

That’s why experts recommend you clean your wiper blades every time you fill your gas tank, inspect them thoroughly at least every six months, and replace them as soon as possible if you see any sign that they might be worn or damaged.

During a light rain worn or damaged wiper blades can restrict your visibility and hamper your ability to react quickly in a sudden emergency, even in everyday driving. During a sudden downpour or nighttime shower, eyestrain from poor visibility can lead to driver fatigue and practically double the chance an accident might occur. But, if you haven’t already replaced your worn wiper blades, you can now do it quickly, affordably and effortlessly the next time you visit your local tire retailer.

How do you know when your windshield wiper blades need replacement? If your car, truck or SUV has an automatic washer/wiper feature, simply activate it. The system will squirt some washer fluid over the windshield and the wiper blades will make a few quick passes. If you see any streaks, smears or areas that didn’t wipe dry, it’s probably time to replace your wiper blades.

Wiper blades basically operate like squeegees. A wiper arm sweeps the blade across the windshield and the blade clears the water away. However, all wiper blades eventually nick and crack with age. UV rays, ozone and air pollution accelerate the aging process. Road grime can build up over time. Wiper blades can become torn and damaged by snow and ice. Pressure over the length of a worn or damaged blade then becomes uneven. Streaks and smears suddenly begin to appear. In some cases the blade may even loose contact with the glass surface as it tracks over the windshield and leave excess water there instead of clearing it away.

Windshield wipers come in a variety of different styles and sizes. Some cars have only one blade, most have two. Some systems wipe in tandem, others wipe in opposition to each other. Blade length can vary anywhere from 12 to 28-inches.

Regardless of the car, truck or SUV you drive most tire retails can quickly and affordably replace your worn or damaged wiper blades. The best offer high-quality ANCO blades, the leading brand in replacement blades.

The ANCO Contour is a premium, profile-style replacement blade designed to deliver excellent all-season performance. Frameless one-piece construction resists corrosion and freezing. A designed-in spoiler helps ensure positive blade-to-windshield contact with every wipe. The blade itself is made of a patented rubber compound specially formulated to resists the damaging effects of UV rays, ozone, air pollution and road grime. It features an almost razor-sharp edge which quickly and easily clears water away.

Don’t forget, even in a light rain shower, more water accumulates over the surface area of your windshield the faster you drive. The aerodynamic design helps hold the blade tight against the glass for a clean, consistent wipe every time, even at highway speeds.

ANCO’s 31-Series wiper blade is designed to deliver consistent, streak-free wipe-after-wipe performance in rain, snow or anything in-between. A vented bridge design makes it the smart choice if you’re looking for an affordable, high-quality replacement blade with a factory-true OEM appearance.

ANCO also offers a Winter Blade with an extra-thick natural wiping edge which remains flexible even in the coldest temperatures. A rugged rubber e cover also prevents the heavy-duty frame from the damaging effects of slush and snow.

Many tire retailers make it a point to check the condition of your wiper blades as part of a free multi-point vehicle inspection whenever you purchase replacement tires, have a wheel alignment or coolant check, or anytime you have regular maintenance performed.

Some also offer no appointment necessary windshield chip repair using a high-tech liquid resin and UV light system requires that virtually eliminates any waiting or drying time.

However, if you see streaks, smears or areas of your windshield that do not wipe dry, head for your local tire retailer today. Don’t wait for a sudden downpour to tell you your worn or damaged wiper blades need replacement.

Some tire retailers also offer special windshield wiper promotions, in addition to generous coupon savings. When you add them together, they can make replacing your worn or damaged wiper blades more affordable than you can imagine. Plus many tire retailers will also install your newly purchased wiper blades for Free when you purchase them at the retailer.

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/.

Bald is Not Beautiful When it Comes to Your Tires Tread

No matter where you live, or what time of the year it happens to be, there is always the potential for inclement weather. Any time it rains or snows and you get behind the wheel of your car, you can be faced with driving risks. Depending on road conditions and your driving speed, stopping on wet roads can take up to four times the normal distance. And if your tires are worn ... they can hydroplane, or skim over the surface of the road with little or no traction.

Unfortunately, there are more people than you may realize who are sharing the road while driving on worn tires. Recently, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conducted a study of 11,500 cars, pickup trucks, vans, and sport-utility vehicles and found that nearly 50% had at least one tire with half-worn tread wear. Another 10% had at least one bald tire.

Worn tires ... especially bald ones ... can be deadly on wet roads, where the grooves aren't deep enough to channel water out from beneath the tread. The result is hydroplaning, where the tread wear allow the tire to skim the water's surface and the vehicle no longer responds to the steering wheel. Wet weather braking and snow traction also decrease with tread wear on balder tires.

Industry advocates like the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) remind drivers to check their vehicle's tires as part of regular seasonal maintenance. According to RMA research, two out of three drivers don't know how to tell if their tires are bald.

The accepted standard for tires to be considered bald is when one or more of their grooves reach 2/32 of an inch deep, compared with about 10/32 of an inch for new tires. FYI – tire tread wear is usually measured in 1/32-inch increments. To make bald tires easier for owners to spot, manufacturers have placed a series of molded horizontal bars at the base of the grooves. As the tire treads wears away the bars become flush with surrounding tread when the groove's depth reaches 2/32 of an inch.

Traditional tread condition has been easily checked with a Lincoln penny. Placing the penny upside down within the tread, if you saw the top of Lincoln’s head, the tire needed to be replaced. However, testing shows that you should consider changing tires sooner. There is quite a dramatic difference between the stopping distance of a tire with 2/32- inch of tread compared to 4/32. Using a quarter will help you quickly find out if you have 4/32- inch of tread left. If you can see the top of Lincoln's wig, then it is time to get new tires.

Since tire tread provides the gripping action and traction to prevent a vehicle from slipping and sliding, a tire is not safe and should be replaced when the tread is worn down to 1/16th of an inch. Not only is it extremely important for your driving safety to ensure that your tires have ample tread, but it's also very important to make sure your tires are properly inflated. It can't be stressed enough ... if you drive on tires that are bald or substantially under-inflated you risk injury, or worse, to you, your passengers, and other drivers on the road.

It's important to understand the risks you face as a driver when driving in challenging weather conditions and the affect worn tires can have.

Winter Grip Slips On Worn Tires
Deep grooves and an array of small slits, known as "sipes," help new tires bite into snow. Shallower tread and worn-away sipes reduce snow grip, affecting traction on acceleration and overall braking performance.

Summer Rain and Hydroplaning Starts Sooner As Your Tread Wears Away
Common sense should tell you that the faster you drive on wet pavement, the greater the risk of hydroplaning. Simply put, higher speeds allow less time for water to escape through the tread grooves. Shallower tread worsens that situation by allowing more water to stay beneath the tire.

Less Tread = Longer Wet-Weather Stops
Reduced wet-weather braking can be even more dangerous than hydroplaning. Compared with new tires, well-worn tires take much longer to stop, even on vehicles equipped with antilock braking systems.

To better protect motorists, the NHTSA has launched a tire safety campaign called: "Tire Safety: Everything Rides on It." Through ads, brochures and radio ads, the campaign advises car owners to check their tires monthly, as well as prior to a long trip, to be sure they have safe tread wear, and will stress the importance of proper tire inflation and vehicle load limits.

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/.

Tire Reviews and Comparison Tips

Tires need to be replaced a number of times during the lifetime of a vehicle. Even with advances in tire technology, tread life will vary by vehicle type, tire type such as AWD and 4X4 tires, driving habits, road conditions and weather conditions.

If your need for new tires has been determined after thoroughly inspecting and maintaining tires, identify the best tires for your vehicle and driving demands. Your local tire discounter can help determine this with you but there are some tips on how to choose that you should always consider.

How to Choose New Tires

1. Put safety first. Find tires that do well in braking, handling, hydroplaning resistance testing. Weather conditions should also be considered to learn about the tires traction and performance in snow and ice so that you can keep your passengers safe on the road.

2. Do your research. The Internet provides many great resources for researching tire attributes and tire reviews but the key to find the best prices is comparison shop. Visit your local tire stores when comparison shopping to find the best tire price for your vehicle because prices are not always listed online. Some tire retailers, like Belle Tire, can actually help you online, over the phone or even right in the store to check other tire stores’ prices on your behalf.

Also, independent tire reviews such as from ConsumersReports.com, perform tread life tests on tires that show that a manufacturer's warranty doesn't always indicate how a tire will wear. These independent tire reviews are great sources for nonbiased information that can help with your decision buying your next set of tires.

3. Understand what you are getting and avoid "hidden charges." Once you have researched tire reviews and decided on the tires that suit you and your vehicle the best the technician should detail all charges associated with the tire installation. Many times tire dealers do not include installation fees and tire warranty charges in the tire price quote. Make sure that your comparison shopping gets you out the door with more value, services and protection with every tire installation.

Here is a list of what you should expect with every tire installation:
* Lifetime Alignment Checks – The alignment of your car is important to extending the wear and performance from your tires, and it’s vital to steering performance.
* Nitrogen Tire Inflation - Nitrogen is a safe, more stable alternative to filling your tires with air because it leaks out naturally much more slowly and does not react to changes in outside temperature.
* Lifetime Tire Rotation - The purpose for regular rotation is to achieve more uniform tread wear on all tires on your vehicle.
* Lifetime Spin Balancing - Every time a tire is fitted to a wheel, it should be balanced.
* Lifetime Flat Repairs – Flats happen. If your tire can be repaired, trust a tire retailer who is there for you when you need them with free flat repairs.
* A 36 Month Pro-Rated Road Hazard Warranty – Tire retailers such as Belle Tire offer a warranty to replace a damaged tire on your vehicle when an unexpected event occurs that ruins the tire, such as running over debris or potholes.
* Mounting Tires - Your tires should be professionally mounted by expert tire installers.
* Tire Disposal – Consider the environment and make sure that 100% of the tire is recycled and not put in a landfill.
* Rubber Valve Stems - The rubber valve stem, although a small part of the tire and wheel assembly, it is one of the most important parts.
* Hand Torque of Wheels - Many tire stores rely only on an air wrench to mount your tires and wheel but, by hand-torquing each lug nut to make sure that your tire and wheel assembly are securely fastened your safety is still the top priority.


4. Understand the kind of tire you need. Choose a tire type and size to suit your vehicle and driving conditions. The largest percentage of consumers will be satisfied with regular and high-performance all-season tires, but models for SUVs and other trucks and 4X4 or AWD vehicles are different than those for cars and minivans. Researching tire reviews and performing your own tire comparison will help get your rolling again.



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/.

The Benefits of Tire Retailers Providing Fleet Services

Tire retailers are a great alternative to in-house fleet servicing for many routine maintenance issues. That’s because these days, many tire retailers have ASE certified technicians on staff who are able to perform much more than just the installation, replacement and rotation of tires. In addition, tire retailers offer their fleet services in more places (some have over 80 locations) so company cars and light trucks can be taken care of in the field instead of having to return to a sometimes inconveniently located central garage.

More than Just Tires
Unless an individual company has a very large fleet, it many not be cost effective to have ASE Certified Technicians on staff five or six days a week. Tire retailers on the other hand, have mechanics and technicians who can perform manufacturers’ preventative maintenance and corrective repairs six days a week, often with extended business hours. The list of services they can perform include:

* Lube-Oil-Filter
* Charging and Starting Systems
* Tire Service
* Battery Service
* Transmission Service
* Radiator Service
* Brake Service
* Air Conditioning Service
* Steering and Suspension
* Fuel System Flush
* Windshield Repair and Replacement
* Coolant System Flush
* Brake Fluid Flush
* Steering Fluid Flush
* Alignment Services

Fleet Friendly
As stated before, many tire retailers have multiple conveniently located garages, some boasting a total of over 300 ASE certified technicians and 750 service bays chain-wide. That would be hard to duplicate for even the biggest of fleet owners. In addition, some of the bigger tire retailers can have over 250,000 major brand name tires in stock at any given moment and ready for immediate installation, not to mention thousands of other service items that a fleet owner would otherwise have a hard time paying to warehouse.

A few of the bigger tire retailers have specialized fleet services programs that offer easy and convenient centralized billing, no out-of-pocket expenses for the driver, and are national account providers subscribing with ARI, GE Capital Solutions, PHH ARVAL, MAP, Voyager, Wright Express, Dolen Fleet Management Systems, Enterprise, Wheels Inc. and Lease Plan.

No Long Term Commitment
Because there is no up-front investment to be made, fleet service managers can integrate a tire retail facility into their fleet service program without risk. If for some reason the fleet program they pick doesn’t work out for their particular company, the relationship can be ended with no loss of resources.

Talk to a Professional
Joining a tire retailer’s fleet service program is usually fairly easy. Simply call the headquarters of a tire chain with a large number of outlets in your geographic or operating area and ask to speak to the Fleet Sales representative. The number should be on their website. Or simply click on the website’s fleet services tab -- if they don’t have a fleet services tab, chances are they’re too small to be of real help to most fleet operations. While you’re on the phone or on the website you can check the retailer’s history, warranties and billing options.

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/.

March Money Saving Coupons

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/.

Belle Tire Announces the Belle Tire Price Challenge

ALLEN PARK, Mich., April 01, 2010 – Belle Tire is so confident that their tire prices are the lowest they are launching the Belle Tire Price Challenge and daring consumers to find a lower tire price, anywhere.

Belle Tire knows they challenge themselves everyday to make sure that their prices are the lowest. They are instructing consumers to challenge them online, over the phone or right in a Belle Tire location. Belle Tire will even check other stores' prices to prove that they have the lowest tire prices, period.

Plus at Belle Tire, customers always get out the door with more value, services and protection with every tire installation than the competition can offer, at any price! Free alignment checks, rubber valve stems, nitrogen inflation, tire disposal, mounting, lifetime tire rotation, balancing, free flat repairs, hand torque of wheels, and pro-rated road hazard warranty come with every tire installation.

Belle Tire stocks over 250,000 tires ready for immediate installation at the lowest tire price, period. Customers have access to top tire brands through Belle Tire including:

• Goodyear
• Michelin
• Toyo Tires
• Kelly Tires
• BF Goodrich
• Bridgestone
• Continental
• Sumitomo Tire

Take the Belle Tire Price Challenge and search for the lowest price on a new set of tires online at www.belletire.com or at any Belle Tire location. Belle Tire's knowledgeable sales staff will make sure every customer finds the tire that is right for their car and driving style at the lowest tire price, period!


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/.

Belle Tire to Host First Tireman Tweetup with Detroit Piston’s Jonas Jerebko

ALLEN PARK, Mich., Mar. 9, 2010 – On Tuesday, March 30, 2010, Belle Tire is hosting the first ever Tireman Tweetup featuring Detroit Pistons forward Jonas Jerebko. Belle Tire will host the meet and tweet with this Pistons star, fans and friends at the location at 770 Brown Road in Auburn Hills, Mich.

WHEN:Tuesday , March 30, 2010 from 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

WHERE: Belle Tire, 770 Brown Road, Auburn Hills, Mich. 48326

At the Tweetup participants can enjoy giveaways from Belle Tire as well as hot dogs and refreshments. Detroit Piston Jonas Jerebko will be signing photos for fans and Tireman will be on location. One registered attendee will win a set of tires courtesy of Belle Tire.

What is a Tweetup? A Tweetup is a meet up event for those who use Twitter as a communication tool. It is a great way for those with similar interests who actively communicate with each other online to "meet and tweet" offline. Even those who are not familiar with Twitter can use this great opportunity to meet some new friends, and everybody can come and meet Detroit Pistons forward Jonas Jerebko in person.

Organized by @Tire_Man on Twitter, this Detroit area Tweetup is a chance for all of those who Micrblog in the Detroit area to network, have a little fun and meet a Detroit Pistons player. To sign up, please visit the Facebook event page here: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/event.php?eid=348088078052

Also, join the conversation by becoming a fan of Belle Tire on Facebook, following @Tire_Man on Twitter and those attending the event can feel free to add pictures to the Belle Tire – Tireman Tweetup flickr pool. This is simply a group where members share their photos. Visit the pool here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/1347125@N20/

If you're interested in following along from home or any other virtual location, the event's hashtag is #TireTweetup. Include this in all tweets pertaining to the event.

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/.

March Money Saving Coupons

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/.

Custom Rims Help You Stand Out from the Crowd

Shrinking car sales and disappearing brands are drastically limiting your choice of what you can now own and drive. However, custom chrome, polished or painted rims and affordable wheel and tire packages from your local tire retailer can help you stand out from the crowd.

About 11.4 million cars, trucks and SUV were sold in the United States last year. That’s down from 16.6 million just a few years ago. A number of popular mainstream and niche nameplates are also quickly disappearing. GM, for example, recently eliminated their Pontiac, HUMMER, Saab and Saturn brands. As they push to become more streamlined, manufacturers are also offering fewer models, trim levels, options and colors for the vehicles they produce. As a result, more and more of today’s new cars look amazingly alike. Think about it! How many different new Ford F-Series pickups, Honda Accords or Ford Fusions do you really notice on the road today? Do you even notice them at all? And, if you do, what sets them apart from the crowd?

Smart tire retailers offer an amazingly wide selection, custom rims and affordable tire and wheel packages, along with high-performance car care products especially formulated to keep them looking great.

There’s a reason why we call what we own and drive our “wheels.” Nothing connects us more to the American road than our rims and tires. And, nothing sets us apart more dramatically.

The earliest steamers and gasoline-powered horseless carriages had beautifully hand-crafted wooden wheels. Over the years, modern designers and stylists have renewed the importance and visual impact of highly-styled, quality rims and wheels. Chrysler started it with what they called their “wide, wheels to the corners” stance. Others followed with modern designs that feature wider, more prominent wheel openings often trimmed in eye-catching molding or body-cladding.

A jump on any tire retailers web site will wake you up to a world of beautifully-styled, high-quality custom chrome, polished and painted rims from well-know manufacturers such as Pulse, American Racing, Avenue, Cragar Classic and many others.

With a little computer magic you can click, cut and paste an image of practically any style rim you choose on to a photo of your own vehicle. You’ll be amazed at how the right rim can dramatically change the look and personality of your ride.

Expert sales professionals at most tire retailers can also advise you about the benefits of plus sizing. Installing lower profile tires on wider and larger diameter rims can really enhance the appearance and performance of your car.

They have the knowledge and experience to help you put together an affordable tire and wheel package that fits your needs and makes your car really stand out in a crowd.

And once you choose, tire retailers can also offer advice about metal polishes, special treatments for chrome, clear-coated or painted wheels, and cleaning tips to keep them looking great.

Life’s too short to be just ordinary. Custom chrome, polished or painted rims and affordable wheel and tire packages from your local tire retail can help you and your ride stand out from the crowd.

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/.

Quick, Affordable Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement

Airplanes, railway locomotives and even space shuttles have them. The earliest ones designed for automobiles where hand-cranked, then later vacuum-powered. Today they can be heated, set to operate at a variety of fixed speeds or only intermittently. Some even use optical sensors that activate them automatically and regulate their speed based on the amount of water on your windshield. No other feature of today’s automobiles, other than the headlamps and brake system, is credited with helping drivers avoid more accidents than your car’s windshield wiper system.

That’s why experts recommend you clean your wiper blades every time you fill your gas tank, inspect them thoroughly at least every six months, and replace them as soon as possible if you see any sign that they might be worn or damaged.

During a light rain worn or damaged wiper blades can restrict your visibility and hamper your ability to react quickly in a sudden emergency, even in everyday driving. During a sudden downpour or nighttime shower, eyestrain from poor visibility can lead to driver fatigue and practically double the chance an accident might occur. But, if you haven’t already replaced your worn wiper blades, you can now do it quickly, affordably and effortlessly the next time you visit your local tire retailer.

How do you know when your windshield wiper blades need replacement? If your car, truck or SUV has an automatic washer/wiper feature, simply activate it. The system will squirt some washer fluid over the windshield and the wiper blades will make a few quick passes. If you see any streaks, smears or areas that didn’t wipe dry, it’s probably time to replace your wiper blades.

Wiper blades basically operate like squeegees. A wiper arm sweeps the blade across the windshield and the blade clears the water away. However, all wiper blades eventually nick and crack with age. UV rays, ozone and air pollution accelerate the aging process. Road grime can build up over time. Wiper blades can become torn and damaged by snow and ice. Pressure over the length of a worn or damaged blade then becomes uneven. Streaks and smears suddenly begin to appear. In some cases the blade may even loose contact with the glass surface as it tracks over the windshield and leave excess water there instead of clearing it away.

Windshield wipers come in a variety of different styles and sizes. Some cars have only one blade, most have two. Some systems wipe in tandem, others wipe in opposition to each other. Blade length can vary anywhere from 12 to 28-inches.

Regardless of the car, truck or SUV you drive most tire retails can quickly and affordably replace your worn or damaged wiper blades. The best offer high-quality ANCO blades, the leading brand in replacement blades.

The ANCO Contour is a premium, profile-style replacement blade designed to deliver excellent all-season performance. Frameless one-piece construction resists corrosion and freezing. A designed-in spoiler helps ensure positive blade-to-windshield contact with every wipe. The blade itself is made of a patented rubber compound specially formulated to resists the damaging effects of UV rays, ozone, air pollution and road grime. It features an almost razor-sharp edge which quickly and easily clears water away.

Don’t forget, even in a light rain shower, more water accumulates over the surface area of your windshield the faster you drive. The aerodynamic design helps hold the blade tight against the glass for a clean, consistent wipe every time, even at highway speeds.

ANCO’s 31-Series wiper blade is designed to deliver consistent, streak-free wipe-after-wipe performance in rain, snow or anything in-between. A vented bridge design makes it the smart choice if you’re looking for an affordable, high-quality replacement blade with a factory-true OEM appearance.

ANCO also offers a Winter Blade with an extra-thick natural wiping edge which remains flexible even in the coldest temperatures. A rugged rubber e cover also prevents the heavy-duty frame from the damaging effects of slush and snow.

Many tire retailers make it a point to check the condition of your wiper blades as part of a free multi-point vehicle inspection whenever you purchase replacement tires, have a wheel alignment or coolant check, or anytime you have regular maintenance performed.

Some also offer no appointment necessary windshield chip repair using a high-tech liquid resin and UV light system requires that virtually eliminates any waiting or drying time.

However, if you see streaks, smears or areas of your windshield that do not wipe dry, head for your local tire retailer today. Don’t wait for a sudden downpour to tell you your worn or damaged wiper blades need replacement.

Some tire retailers also offer special windshield wiper promotions, in addition to generous coupon savings. When you add them together, they can make replacing your worn or damaged wiper blades more affordable than you can imagine. Plus many tire retailers will also install your newly purchased wiper blades for Free when you purchase them at the retailer.


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/.

Belle Tire to Open Sunday March 14 for Huge One Day Only Tire Sale

Belle Tire is moving tires and custom wheels of all kinds and all brands from the huge warehouse in Allen Park, Mich. to all 83 locations in Michigan and Ohio.

WHEN: Sunday, March 14, 2010 from 11 a.m. – 5pm Only!
WHERE: Every Belle Tire in Michigan and the Toledo Ohio area

To quickly move this merchandise out of the stores, Belle Tire is pricing every single tire and custom wheel on sale at cost, near cost and below cost. This is a one day only savings event where customers can save a minimum of $60 on every set of installed tires. No service will be performed on Sunday during the sale, but certificates for later installation will be available for purchase.

Consumers will find special, never before, sale pricing on top name brands like Goodyear, Michelin, Kelly, BF Goodrich, Toyo, Continental, Dunlop, Bridgestone, Firestone, Pirelli, and more.

Additional details about this huge tire sale will be released on Belletire.com on March 12, after 6 p.m.

Belle Tire is always working hard to bring customers the best tire price and get them Out-The-Door with more value, services and protection including:

* Lifetime Alignment Checks
* Nitrogen Tire Inflation
* Lifetime Tire Rotation
* Lifetime Spin Balancing
* Lifetime Flat Repairs
* Pro-Rated Road Hazard Warranty
* Mounting Tires
* Tire Disposal
* Rubber Valve Stems
* Hand Torque of Wheels

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/.

The Benefits of Tire Retailers Providing Fleet Services

Tire retailers are a great alternative to in-house fleet servicing for many routine maintenance issues. That’s because these days, many tire retailers have ASE certified technicians on staff who are able to perform much more than just the installation, replacement and rotation of tires. In addition, tire retailers offer their fleet services in more places (some have over 80 locations) so company cars and light trucks can be taken care of in the field instead of having to return to a sometimes inconveniently located central garage.

More than Just Tires
Unless an individual company has a very large fleet, it many not be cost effective to have ASE Certified Technicians on staff five or six days a week. Tire retailers on the other hand, have mechanics and technicians who can perform manufacturers’ preventative maintenance and corrective repairs six days a week, often with extended business hours. The list of services they can perform include:

* Lube-Oil-Filter
* Charging and Starting Systems
* Tire Service
* Battery Service
* Transmission Service
* Radiator Service
* Brake Service
* Air Conditioning Service
* Steering and Suspension
* Fuel System Flush
* Windshield Repair and Replacement
* Coolant System Flush
* Brake Fluid Flush
* Steering Fluid Flush
* Alignment Services

Fleet Friendly
As stated before, many tire retailers have multiple conveniently located garages, some boasting a total of over 300 ASE certified technicians and 750 service bays chain-wide. That would be hard to duplicate for even the biggest of fleet owners. In addition, some of the bigger tire retailers can have over 250,000 major brand name tires in stock at any given moment and ready for immediate installation, not to mention thousands of other service items that a fleet owner would otherwise have a hard time paying to warehouse.

A few of the bigger tire retailers have specialized fleet services programs that offer easy and convenient centralized billing, no out-of-pocket expenses for the driver, and are national account providers subscribing with ARI, GE Capital Solutions, PHH ARVAL, MAP, Voyager, Wright Express, Dolen Fleet Management Systems, Enterprise, Wheels Inc. and Lease Plan.

No Long Term Commitment
Because there is no up-front investment to be made, fleet service managers can integrate a tire retail facility into their fleet service program without risk. If for some reason the fleet program they pick doesn’t work out for their particular company, the relationship can be ended with no loss of resources.

Talk to a Professional
Joining a tire retailer’s fleet service program is usually fairly easy. Simply call the headquarters of a tire chain with a large number of outlets in your geographic or operating area and ask to speak to the Fleet Sales representative. The number should be on their website. Or simply click on the website’s fleet services tab -- if they don’t have a fleet services tab, chances are they’re too small to be of real help to most fleet operations. While you’re on the phone or on the website you can check the retailer’s history, warranties and billing options.

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/.

Comparing Wheels and Tires Online

These days, you can shop for just about anything online including wheels and tires. But like any other online purchase, you need to be sure just what that online price includes. Online-only as well as traditional tire stores have websites that make it fairly easy to choose the type of tires and wheels you want (all you really need to know is the make and model of your vehicle), but they vary wildly in what they include with the price you see listed.

Online-Only Stores
Online-only stores have some of the lowest list prices you are liable to come across. But keep in mind that with online-only stores, you get the wheels and tires you ordered and that’s about it. Once you receive them, you still need to find a place to install them on your car or truck – which will result in another charge. Most online tire retailers also charge for shipping and handling on top of the listed price. In addition, if you have warranty issues, you will have to pay for shipping to get the tires or wheels back to the company or to the manufacturer.

Online-only tire and wheel stores are often the best option for repair garages that occasionally need to install them for a client, or for companies that operate a fleet of vehicles and have the facilities to maintain them in-house.

Traditional Tire Store Sites
Often a better bet for the average driver, is to shop the online sites of traditional tire stores that have a physical location in their area. That way the shopper can be assured that along with getting the wheels and tires they want, they’re also getting professionals to install them -- often already included in the price. Traditional tire and wheel stores also will handle warranty issues for their customers, saving the cost and hassle of shipping them back to a manufacturer.

The “Extras”
When comparing traditional tire store prices online beware --just because a store includes installation doesn’t mean that will be the price you’ll end up paying. Many stores have an extra charge for essentials like balancing and valve stems, even though you wouldn’t install new tires without them.

One store makes the process a little easier by offering what they call an “out the door with more” price. It includes not only everything you need to motor out in confidence with your new wheels and tires, but also many items that will give you peace of mind and save you money down the road. The list of items included in their advertised price:

* Nitrogen Inflation
* Mounting
* Lifetime Spin Balancing
* Hand Torque of Wheels
* Rubber Valve Stems
* Tire Disposal
* Lifetime Tire Rotation
* Lifetime Flat Repairs
* Lifetime Alignment Checks
* Pro-Rated Road Hazard Warranty

The first item on the list, “Nitrogen Inflation” not only makes it much easier to maintain proper tire pressure (even with fluctuations in temperature), it results in much longer tire life. A nice feature that many tire stores don’t offer at any price.

The Bottom Line
Regardless of which tire and wheel store you choose to shop online or offline, the bottom line is to be sure you know exactly what their listed price does and does not include. The lowest price may not necessarily be the best deal.

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/.

February 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/.

Belle Tire Services Local and National Fleet Accounts

ALLEN PARK, Mich., – Belle Tire's expert staff has been serving the needs of the passenger and light truck owners for over 85 years, but Belle Tire is also a Fleet maintenance provider that services local and national fleet accounts.

With over 80 locations in Michigan and Ohio for fleet convenience, 300 ASE Certified auto technicians, 750 service bays with state of the art equipment, 250,000 major brand names in stock, easy and convenient centralized billing, and now more services than ever, including windshield repair and replacement, Belle Tire's Fleet Service is the right choice.

Belle Tire's Fleet Service management includes the following preventive maintenance and corrective maintenance repairs:

• Lube-Oil-Filter
• Tire Service
• Transmission Service
• Brake Service
• Steering and Suspension
• Alignment Services
• Charging and Starting Systems
• Battery Service
• Radiator Service
• Air Conditioning Service
• Windshield Repair & Replacement
• Brake Fluid Flush , Steering
• Fluid Flush , Fuel Sys Tem Flush &
• Cool Ant Sys Tem Flush
• Windshield Repair and Replacement

Belle Tire is also a national account provider subscribing with: ARI, Emkay Incorporated, GE Capital Solutions, Voyager, PHH ARVAL, MAP, Wright Express, Donlen Fleet Management Services, Enterprise, Lease Plan and Wheels Inc.

Belle Tire's ASE Certified mechanics and fleet management staff understand the success of any business is customer service. They are attentive to the demands of their customers, and make every effort to exceed their expectations. They make it a point to provide fleets with the best possible service and the guaranteed lowest pricing.

Belle Tire also understands that its customers' fleets are the key to operating their business successfully. After all, Belle Tire is a fleet operator too! They will make every effort to expedite customers' maintenance or repairs, politely, promptly, and professionally.


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/.

Tires Rely on Shock and Strut Performance

It’s easy to notice if your tires have uneven or excessive tread wear, spot a tell-tale coolant leak under your car or hear that grinding sound that tells you your brake pads need replacement. Shocks and struts are different.

Like other important vehicle systems, they do wear out over time, but often so gradually you don’t even notice. They’re also more difficult to inspect. But, because they’re an important part of your car’s suspension system, your shocks and struts should be inspected for wear and tear at least twice a year. And, you can depend on your local Michigan or Ohio tire store to have ASE Certified Technicians with the training, tools and quality replacement shocks and struts from Tenneco to do the job right.

Suspension Basics
Most suspension systems have three primary components: coil springs, anti-sway bars and shocks or struts. Coil springs support most of the weight of the vehicle, maintain proper ride height and also help resist pitch and dip when you accelerate or stop. Anti-roll bars, sometimes called anti-sway bars, connect the left and right suspension systems to the frame and help resist sway or body roll during cornering.

A shock absorber, also called a damper, is an oil or gas filled tube that helps the coil springs and anti-roll-bars work more effectively by preventing unwanted motion in the suspension system. It converts kinetic energy created by the up and down motion of the tires into heat energy by forcing fluid or gas through a series of control valves inside itself. A strut is a single, self contained unit that integrates a shock absorber within a coil spring. In addition to absorbing road shock, noise and vibration, shocks or struts play an important role in keeping your tires firmly planted to the road every time you accelerate, stop, corner or hit a bump.

When is it Time for New Shocks and Struts?
Most vehicle owner manuals recommend frequent shock and strut inspection and replacement every 50,000 miles, depending on your personal driving habits. However, any of the following warning signs can tell you if your shocks and struts might need replacement.

• Pitching or dipping – Coil springs can’t do it all. If you experience excessive pitching or dipping whenever you accelerate or stop, your shocks or struts may need replacement.
• Body roll – Anti-roll or sway bars also can’t do it all. If you experience excessive body roll as you go around corners, it’s time to check your shocks or struts.
• Tire bounce or hop – If your tires bounce, hop or lose contact with the road after you hit a bump, it’s a sign your shocks or struts may need replacement.
• Fluid leaks – As shocks or struts wear, the seals that contain the fluid or gas inside them can begin to leak. Streaks of fluid that look like tears on the outside of the shock or strut tube are a sure sign of a fluid leak.
• Excessive tire wear – Cupping is a type of excessive tire wear associated with worn out shocks or struts. If you see a diagonal wear pattern across the tread of a tire, worn-out shocks or struts may be the problem.

Why spend your time bouncing through even minor bumps in the road, swaying through corners and replacing your tires more frequently then you should? Visit your local Ohio or Michigan tire store and have an ASE Certified Technician inspect and replace your shocks or struts if necessary. You’ll not only enjoy a smoother more comfortable ride, you’ll also maximize the performance and tread life of your tires.

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/.

Save Money at Belle Tire With the Purchase of Four Goodyear Tires

ALLEN PARK, Mich., – Between December 26, 2009 and February 28, 2010 Belle Tire customers can receive up to an $80 mail-in rebate with purchase of select sets of four Goodyear tires.

For additional savings, when customers use their new or existing Goodyear credit card to purchase the tires, the rebate is doubled. Customers can then get up to a $160 mail-in rebate. In addition, new or existing Belle Tire Advantage members can use the $20 off anything coupon for a total savings of up to $180 on select sets of four Goodyear tires.

The qualifications and restrictions include:

• A set of four (4) qualifying Goodyear tires of the same model must be purchased at the same time.
• The set can only be for one vehicle.
• All offers expire at the end of the day February 28th, 2010.

Visit Belle Tire's website to print and fill out the Goodyear Tire Mail-In Rebate Form. Customers will need to supply their zip code, the last four digits of their Goodyear credit card and their contact information. Mail complete forms to America Gets There With Goodyear, P.O. Box 54989, Cincinnati, OH 45254-0989. Customers may also pre-submit and track their rebate online at www.GoodyearRebates.com.

Prices shown on BelleTire.com do not reflect the promotional offer. Mail-in offers are generally received six to eight weeks after they are submitted.


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/.

Belle Tire Passes AGRSS Validation

Belle Tire Auto Glass hosted a third party Automotive Glass Replacement Safety Standard (AGRSS) validation on Monday, January 18, 2010 and was found to be 100% compliant with the standard. This crowning achievement comes as the automotive glass division recently celebrated its second anniversary.
In announcing the validation result, John Cox, of Belle Tire Auto Glass stated, “Proving compliance with the safety standard through a third party validation firm is the highest substantiation of quality available to our industry. We are pleased to earn this distinction given our dedication and efforts to delivering windshields to our customers that meet all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. This is testament to our principles, ideals and more importantly, our people who perform the installations.”

AGRSS is a voluntary standard for the automotive glass replacement industry and is centered on the principles of delivering quality windshield replacements to the consumer. This is important given the windshield’s role in providing occupant protection in case of crashes or rollovers. Further, the automotive glass replacement industry is an unregulated industry with numerous documented incidents of occupant injury and fatalities due to negligence on the replacement company’s part.

Belle Tire embraced the concept of AGRSS since launching automotive glass replacement in 2007. Belle Tire recognized auto glass retailers have a moral obligation to vehicle safety particularly since consumers do not understand the importance of the windshield in automotive safety. Further, Belle Tire understood there are other value added benefits to following the AGRSS standards including increasing customer satisfaction, consumer loyalty and increasing integrity throughout the automotive glass replacement industry.

Cox also stated that Belle Tire Auto Glass welcomed and embraced an actual audit when selected at random by AGRSS. Cox added “It gave us a chance to be recognized and rewarded for all of our efforts and commitment over the past two years. The bottom line is AGRSS is a measuring stick to differentiate companies that say they do it right versus those who can prove that they do it right. It is an honor to confirm we are amongst those companies that can prove its quality.”
Belle Tire earned this distinction through the efforts and support of its employees, management team, vendors and other external resources to instill this business practice to its full potential. Belle Tire Auto Glass encourages all customers, Insurance companies and insurance personnel to learn about the importance of the AGRSS standard by visiting www.agrss.com and www.safewindshields.org.

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/.

January 2010 Money Saving Coupons

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/.

Belle Tire and Treadroc Tire Services Partner to Become Belleroc Tire Services

ALLEN PARK, Mich., Jan. 12, 2010 – Belle Tire is pleased to announce a partnership between two of the Midwest's finest commercial tire, retreading and tire servicing dealers; Belle Tire and Treadroc Tire Services will now be known as Belleroc Tire Services in Western and Northern Michigan.

Initially driven by the financial challenges that the industry faces, the creation of Belleroc will allow these great companies to synergize and shore up their futures' in Western and Northern Michigan. The partnership will allow Belleroc to expand their product offerings and continue to provide the finest Bandag retread products.

Now the reality with Belleroc is premium quality retreads with speedy turnaround times. A continued focus will be on quality products, accurate fleet analysis/management and incomparable quality retreading and service.

New levels of service will be defined and benchmarked with the partnership of Belle Tire and Treadroc Tire Services. Treadroc will now be one of the most qualified and largest service fleets in Western and Northern Michigan for truck, earthmover or industrial tires and service.

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/.