Beyond Michigan Tires, Belle Tire is Your One-Stop Auto Care Shop

Belle Tire is not just a source for Michigan tires after a dreaded pothole ruins your day. Your local Belle Tire offers many additional services, such as:

Auto Glass Repair – When a car owner ignores small windshield chips and cracks caused by flying debris, they can quickly learn that even the smallest chip or crack can spread over an entire car windshield.  Belle Tire offers professional windshield repair and replacement services for those unwanted chips occur.  By 2009, the glass business has grown to make Belle Tire the largest windshield replacement and repair company in Michigan. Today, through its 82 Michigan and Ohio service centers, Belle Tire continues to be a leader in the tire distribution and auto care industry.

Air Conditioning Service – Car owners know that their vehicle’s air conditioning system plays an important part in providing passengers with both comfort and safety. The auto air conditioning system is responsible for cooling, heating, defrosting, air filtering and humidity control, and assists in providing you with a clear view of the road.

Wheel Alignment – Many discount tire retailers don’t even offer alignment service. They will tell you that balancing is the same or good enough, which is not true. Tire/wheel balancing and wheel alignment are two very different things. Together, they will help your tires last much longer so you don’t have to replace them as frequently, which could save you hundreds of dollars down the road.

Batteries – Many car owners just don’t think about their car battery until the day, as they turn the key in the ignition they hear the strained groans of the starter. Then after hearing the clicks and then nothing due to the dreaded car battery corrosion and a dead battery, you’re stuck.  Belle Tire will perform a Free Battery Check to determine if your battery is running at peak performance.

For more information on Auto Care services at Belle Tire, please visit the Auto Care tab on Belle Tire’s website.

You can certainly save on Michigan or Ohio tires but as The Trusted Value Leader Since 1922, when it comes to the complete care of your car, trust Belle Tire.  The qualified team of ASE certified mechanics will ensure that your car is in tip top shape.

And with every tire installation you get:

• Lifetime Alignment Checks
• Nitrogen Tire Inflation
• Lifetime Tire Rotation
• Lifetime Spin Balancing
• Lifetime Flat Repairs
• A 36 Month Pro-Rated Road Hazard Warranty
• Mounting Tires
• Tire Disposal
• Rubber Valve Stems
• Hand Torque of Wheels

The competition can’t beat that, at any price.  So, if you’re shopping for Michigan tires today, trust Belle Tire for all your 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 belletire.com/.

Filed under: Articles, michigan tire, michigan tires, ohio tire, ohio tires

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

Greg Roy is an expert advertising copy writer specializing in creating messages that not only get clients noticed, but also brings them desired results. People have trusted Belle Tire for the best value since 1922. For the best tire price, period, and great low prices on custom wheels, alignments, brakes, batteries, oil and lube, shocks and struts, windshield repair and replacement, and more, visit www.belletire.com. Also join our online communities: Belle Tire Cares Blog, Facebook, and Twitter

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Energy Efficient Tires Save Money and CO2 Emissions

By now everyone knows that you can save fuel and minimize tire wear by keeping them properly inflated and rotating them regularly. But to make the next big leap in fuel efficiency, drivers can take advantage of next-generation energy efficient tires being rolled out by several industry leaders including Michelin, Goodyear, Continental and Toyo.

How much can you save?

Goodyear advertises their Assurance FuelMax tires will provide up to 4 percent more fuel efficiency than standard tires. This could very well be a conservative estimate when you consider a story on iStockAnalyst’s website. It chronicled how economy driving champions, Helen and John Taylor, squeezed out an additional 9 miles per gallon just by switching to a set of Goodyear Assurance FuelMax tires.

Recent manufacturer’s tests have also shown that Michelin’s Energy Saver A/S tires offer a whopping 8 percent better fuel efficiency than competing tires. When you do the math, this translates to a savings of about a hundred dollars at the pump every year. (More if fuel prices continue to rise above $2.50/gal.) After the first year, the fuel savings should more than offset the slightly higher initial price of these advanced tires.

Handling

In the past, tire builders could decrease rolling resistance and improve fuel efficiency by increasing the mix of silica in their rubber compounds. But the more they improved economy, the more performance and even tire life decreased. More silica makes a tire harder and less flexible which decreases traction and cornering ability. But thanks to new advanced formulations, silica distribution strategies, and break-thru tread designs (some engineered from the molecular level-up), these new tires save fuel without sacrificing tire wear, all-weather traction and most importantly, safety. In fact, some of these new tires like the Michelin Energy Saver A/S have actually improved stopping distance — by as much as 8 feet over standard tires, and decreased tire wear – resulting in an additional 16,000 miles of useable life over their standard tires.

A Greener Tire

Increasing fuel efficiency means that these tires also reduce harmful CO2 emissions. A typical car spews over 14,000 pounds of CO2 during the course of a year. Michelin estimates that installing a set of their Energy Saver A/S tires reduces CO2 emissions as much as 2,000 pounds per year — or about the same as planting 40 trees! When was the last time you could cut your carbon footprint without sacrificing performance or safety, and save money at the same time?

Consult a Professional

Most major tire retailers and chains should now have energy saving tires in stock. Also they will have the training, experience and computerized tools to help you quickly determine the best brand, size and style of tire for your vehicle, driving style…and your budget.  Keep in mind, to achieve maximum performance and avoid uneven tire wear, you will need to replace all 4 tires at the same time, especially on all-wheel and four-wheel drive vehicles.

Also be sure to ask if they have nitrogen inflation. Nitrogen helps maintain proper tire pressure (psi) longer and with less fluctuation in tire pressure due to temperature changes. After all, fuel saving tires can’t save much fuel (or last as long as they should) if they are under inflated.

About Belle Tire

To read the article on iStockAnalyst.com please visit: http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewiStockNews/articleid/3422257 Belle Tire is working even harder to bring you the best tire price period! Learn how you can get Out-The-Door with more value, services and protection http://www.BelleTire.com

Filed under: Articles, belle tire, tire wear, uneven tire wear

Car Coolant Health And Care

Seeing a cloud of steam from your engine compartment, a temperature gauge suddenly reading higher than normal or a puddle of coolant under your car is a sure sign that you’ve neglected your vehicle’s coolant system. Don’t let it happen! A quick visit to your local service center or tire store will help ensure your coolant system is healthy and working properly, and also help you avoid expensive repair bills down the road.

The Heart of Your Vehicle
Think of your coolant system as the heart of your vehicle. It pumps vital fluid through your radiator, cooling system and engine block to prevent it from freezing in severe winter weather or overheating at high operating temperatures. Whether you call it coolant or antifreeze, the fluid is usually a half-and-half mixture of water and glycol ethylene or propylene. Properly mixed and maintained, it can provide freeze protection down to minus 34 degrees and boil-over protection up to plus 265 degrees. Chemical inhibitors also help protect the cast iron, steel, aluminum, copper, brass and other metals in the coolant system and engine block from rust and corrosion. Additional additives help lubricate seals and water pumps. Depending on the brand, your fluid might be orange, green or red. Always use the type recommended in your owner’s manual because the vehicle’s coolant system was designed and tested using that type of coolant.

Check Fluid Often
Checking your fluid level only takes a few moments, so do it regularly. The radiator reverse tank is the place to look. If the radiator cap is properly sealed, hot fluid expands into the tank when the engine is hot. It’s then vacuumed back into the radiator when the engine is cold. Two level indicators or decals usually appear on the side of the tank. Look at either the hot or cold level indicator or decal depending on the temperature of your engine. If the level is slightly low, it’s usually safe to add a few ounces of plain water to bring the fluid level back up to the appropriate mark.

If less than one quart of fluid is needed, carefully inspect the system for leaking hoses or radiator leaks. Then add a half-and-half mixture of water and the type of antifreeze recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. Also check the color and condition of the fluid. It should appear clear and have the consistency of lemonade or orangeade. If it looks brownish, dirty or has flecks of rust floating in it, it might be time to have the system flushed and filled.

Flush and Fill
Check your owner manual for the recommended coolant system service interval. To help avoid corrosion, clogs or worse, most recommend having the coolant flushed and changed every 40,000 – 50,000 miles. Visit a reputable service center or tire store to have it done. Most engine coolants are toxic and also pick up heavy-metal contamination during use. A reputable service center or tire discount store knows how to dispose of it safely. Many also have ASE Certified Technicians who will complete a professional coolant system maintenance check that includes inspecting all hoses, belts, the radiator, radiator cap and water pump to ensure the overall health of you coolant system.

No one wants their engine to overheat, see a puddle of coolant under their car or discover an ocean of antifreeze washing over the passenger compartment floor. And nothing can ruin a family outing more quickly than an unexpected warning light or temperature gauge suddenly reading higher than normal.

So, check your fluid level and condition regularly. Have your coolant system inspected, flushed and filled based on the recommendation in your vehicle’s owner manual. If you spot any warning signs that things aren’t right, have an ASE Certified Technician conduct a professional coolant system maintenance check. It’s the easiest and simplest way to avoid expensive repair bills down the road.

Belle Tire is prepared to apply its expertise and support to provide consumers with discount tires, more auto care offerings and the best customer service possible. People have trusted Belle Tire for the best value since 1922. Now Belle Tire is working even harder to bring you the best tire price, period! And get you Out-The-Door with more value, services and protection the other stores can’t offer at any price! To learn more about Belle Tire, please visit www.BelleTire.com.

Filed under: Articles, ASE Certified Technician, belle tire, car coolant, radiator leak

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.

Belle Tire is prepared to apply its expertise and support to provide consumers with discount tires, more auto care offerings and the best customer service possible. People have trusted Belle Tire for the best value since 1922. Now Belle Tire is working even harder to bring you the best tire price, period! And get you Out-The-Door with more value, services and protection the other stores can’t offer at any price! To learn more about Belle Tire, please visit www.BelleTire.com.

Filed under: Articles, Michigan tire store, Ohio tire store, tires, tread wear