All-Season Tires Vs. Winter Tires

“I have all-season tires. I’m ready for any kind of weather.” We hear you, but unfortunately, you are wrong about this. If you live in California, Florida or Texas, then your all-season tires are undoubtedly sufficient for the weather and road conditions in those states. Up here in New England, however, it’s a different story. You need to have tires that give you the traction and stability to meet the challenge of winter roads up here. Sure, driving an SUV with 4WD and advanced traction control like the Jeep Grand Cherokee is a start, but when it comes to tires, the only ones able to provide what your car really needs are winter tires.

 

Below we’ll analyze the basic differences between the two:

1. Tread pattern

All-season tires usually feature a simple tread pattern and are recognizable by the three or four straight lines they have running through the middle of the tire. Winter tires, on the other hand, have more jagged and even random-looking patterns. They almost look aggressive; ready to roll into battle. The winter tire tread gives much better stability on the road, and some even come with metal studs in them for extra traction.

2. Materials

All-season tires are typically made from a firmer material compounds, which are not suitable for the extreme cold. They do, however, ensure a longer tread life in a temperate climate free of any temperature extreme. Frigid temperatures require softer tires that make better contact with the road, thus giving better traction.

3. Use in different weather conditions

Winter tires are typically recommended for any area that experiences winter weather below 44-45 degrees (7 degrees Celsius). Unfortunately, all-season tires are not designed to maintain proper traction below these temperatures. The snow and ice brought on by the New England winter demands a more durable and purpose-built tire.

It’s understandable why some drivers are hesitant to make a special purchase of winter tires. They’re not the cheapest item on the shelf, nor are they easy to store unless you have a garage with enough free space. It’s also a hassle to get them put on and then taken off again in the spring. Furthermore, the other type of tire is billed as “ALL season,” right? The truth is, they are more like “three-season” tires. They are fine in the mild-to-hot months of the year, but winter is a harsh mistress, especially in Connecticut and the rest of the Northeast. For better traction, safer braking distances, and greater safety for you and your passengers in winter, we strongly recommend you consider winter tires.

Seek help at your local dealership if you have further questions or need help finding the most suitable tires for your car.

How Regular Maintenance on Your Car Saves You Money

It seems counterintuitive to increase the amount of maintenance and professional care for your car. Doesn’t it just increase your costs? First of all, a lot of routine maintenance won’t set you back a lot --- oil/filter changes, topping up transmission fluid, replacing a brake pad etc. Sure, you pay the mechanic at the dealership for the repairs, but these small bills are actually saving you money in the long term. The reason? You are saving your car from more serious defects and damage that would happen if you left this routine maintenance undone.

 

Your car is made up of many moving parts, all of which are connected to each other. If even one thing is damaged, like the timing belt, for instance, then it starts a chain reaction on its connected parts, leaving dents, bent parts and even holes in the engine. Here are some ways that basic maintenance will pay for itself in savings:

1. You maintain gas mileage --- money saved on gas

Keeping your tires at the right pressure; keeping the car properly aligned; ensuring that the timing belt is working well, and other similar small jobs may cost you some cash, but thy all help your car achieve its best-possible gas mileage, which means you are always saving money you’d otherwise be throwing away buying gas. All this is before those small problems turn into something more serious which then lands you with a huge mechanic’s bill as well.

2. You can use your car for longer

A well-maintained car will last longer without the need for upgrades or major repairs. You’ll enjoy using it at optimum capacity for a longer period, thus removing any need to fork out for a new lease or new vehicle outright.

3. The preventative approach

An oil change might set you back $100, say. And you might get one twice a year, or maybe more, depending on your annual mileage. Failing to maintain fresh engine oil can cause total engine failure. A new engine can cost well into the thousands of dollars. Keep getting the oil changes, and never miss an engine tune up.

4. Re-sale value

We all know and understand that a car is a depreciating asset. It loses about 20 percent of its value as soon as you drive it off the lot. If you decide to sell it on before purchasing another, how well you’ve maintained will be one of the main reasons you give for your higher asking price. People will pay a little more for a pre-owned car that has been looked after to the point where it’s still like new. The extra care is worth it.

Don’t get careless with your car’s maintenance. There’s more at stake than you think, and those simple routine checkups are potentially saving you thousands over the years of your car’s life. Look to the dealership for expert advice and assistance with keeping your car in good order.

Cold Weather and Your Car Battery

Northern Indiana is sure to have a pretty chilly winter, and that can bring a lot of negative impacts to your car, and especially to your car’s battery. We usually remember to check our tire tread, our heating system, and even to pack a winter emergency kit. We may, however, forget to consider what the cold is doing to the critical components and systems inside our vehicle. Here are some of the ways that the winter is impacting your car’s battery.

1. The cold reduces its capacity
Cold weather will reduce the capacity of even the newest car batteries. This means that it may be unable to produce enough amperage to get the engine started. This makes it pretty tricky to start the car to get it warmed up before you head off on your school run or commute.

2. Damage from frozen fluids
If the temperature becomes severely low, it could even freeze the fluids inside the battery. Once frozen, they expand and damage the battery casing. If you try to start up your car when the battery is frozen, it can even explode, so when the thermometer levels are falling, it’s time to be aware.

3. Winter demands more power
In the winter months, it gets darker earlier, you need more heating, and you’re using your wiper blades more often. All of these things need a fully functioning battery. It’s unfortunate that the one time of year that impacts the battery most directly is also the time when you rely on it the most.

In summary:
Knowledge is power when it comes to car batteries. If you want to understand better how well your car’s battery will cope in the winter months, a good place to ask is at the dealership. The well-trained mechanics there will be able to tell you a very important number --- cold cranking amps (CCA) --- which tells you how much amperage the battery can put out when cold.

If the CCA is considered high (check with the mechanic), then it means you’re ready for even the harshest, most frigid winter that the area can throw at you. It’s a good tip also if you’re planning on buying or leasing a new car and want to know if it will be hardy enough for the Indiana winter. All this information and more is available from the dealership experts.

NIPYATA Merry Classy Candy Pinata

One WINNER will win a NIPYATA Merry Classy Candy Pinata

Date: 11/07~11/16 /2019 12am

USA Only 18+

Hosted by: Night Helper & NIPYATA

Disclosure: We reserve the right to make revisions, to cancel, or suspend this contest for any reason. We are not associated with any of the companies named above. The odds of winning are based on the number of entries received Open to the US 18+ only. Confirmed Winner(s) (by Random.org) will be contacted by email. Winner(s) have 24 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. The sponsor(s) will be responsible for product shipment to winner(s) of this giveaway. Night Helper Blog (and any other blog participating) is not responsible for product shipment/delivery. This event is in no way administered, sponsored, or endorsed by, or associated with, Facebook and/or Twitter, Google, Pinterest. This disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements. Entrants must only enter with either one email address, IP address and/or Facebook account, anyone found violating these rules will be disqualified. It is at the sole discretion of the admin of the giveaway if the winner has met the rules or not. a Rafflecopter giveaway

The 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander – Green Machine

The 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander combines enough factors to make it a driver’s dream --- affordability, capacity, style and green credentials. It’s the crossover SUV with a conscience that can also carry up to seven people. It’s the perfect family car, loaded with great standard features and great advantages over other SUVs in a competitive market. The hybrid version had been available in Europe for several years, but in 2019 it finally came to the US as well, giving Mitsubishi customers yet more choice when selecting their new car.

 

Let’s start by looking at standard features (using the SE trim as a guide):

The 2020 Outlander comes with a new 8-inch touchscreen on most of the trim levels, with stereo and speakers provided by Rockford Fosgate. There are also new rear seats with an extra USB port. The same great performance in gas mileage continues in the 2020 model as it did in the 2019 model. You can expect to achieve 25mpg in the city and 30 on the highway. It’s not easy finding SUVs that can either match of surpass that rating. Furthermore, all models come with all-wheel drive.

Other standard features include three-row seating, 63.3 cubic feet of cargo space when third-row seats are down. You’ll find the price of the Outlander hard to beat when you look at other models with three rows of seats. The Outlander also comes ready to plug in either for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and the high-tech wizardry also stretches to safety --- forward-collision detection, rear-view cameras to help with blind spots while reversing, lane departure warning and more. Most of those features are standard on all trim levels.

Now let’s take a look at optional features

Mitsubishi reflects its own slogan “Drive your Ambition” when it offers buyers so much choice. First of all, the higher-end GT model provides a V6 engine option that pushes horsepower up to 224hp, as well as 215lb-ft of torque. There’s also a 2.2-liter diesel engine option to add to the existing standard I4 and the V6 options.

Finally, Mitsubishi also blow the competition away with a hybrid option --- not common for crossover vehicles. If you’ve been needing an SUV or similar car but haven’t been able to match any specifications to your own want to help the environment, then we may have found the perfect match for you.

Features aside, the Outlander is a high-quality and comfortable ride, as well as an SUV with attractive outer and inner design. Furthermore, San Antonio is blessed with a dealership offering sales, servicing and more for all current and prospective Mitsubishi owners. Visit us today and make the Outlander your new on-road partner.

Simplay 3 Giveaway

Created by the founder of the Little Tikes Company and the Step2 company, the Simplay3 Company was founded in 2016 in Streetsboro, OH. Simplay3 products promote interactive, imaginative unstructured play. As children younger and younger are introduced to the digital world, it is more important than ever to promote simple, basic play patterns that allow kids to be kids. Simplay3 focuses on developing children’s products that encourage this type of engagement. The Simplay3 Company has already introduced a number of noteworthy toys into the market, including the Simplay3 Young Explorers Adventure Climber that Thrifty Nifty Mommy has featured on her site this month.

We've teamed up with Janessa from Thrifty Nifty Mommy and Simplay3 to offer our readers the chance to win this awesome indoor playset!

If you'd like a chance to win, just enter using the Giveaway Tools entry form below. Good luck! 

Entry-Form

Disclosures: This giveaway is not associated with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, or Twitter. Simplay3 is responsible for prize fulfillment. Giveaway is open to residents of the lower 48 states only. Winner must be 18 years of age or older. For questions about this giveaway, please contact Thrifty Nifty Mommy. 

Signs Your Car Might be Ready for Servicing

Even top-engineered machines like the Hyundai will eventually need car servicing. Fortunately, your local dealership is perfectly equipped to fix up any issues that arise with your car. They have the right parts, the tools and the know-how. One question remains, however. How exactly do you know when your car might be in need of professional attention? Spotting some of the signs early is a good way to avoid more serious damage (and bigger bills) later on. We’ve prepared a list of common signs that your car might need some care:

1. Anything is leaking from the engine or other part of the car

No leak of any fluid is normal on your car. If you spot a trail of drips in your driveway, or a pool of something gathering underneath your car or under the hood, then this needs to be addressed right away. It could be an oil leak, or even a transmission or brake fluid leak.

2. Grinding or tapping noises from the engine

Your engine makes an array of sounds, many of which are absolutely normal. Grinding or tapping/knocking noises, however are not a good sign. They could signify that your timing belt is worn, or that parts that shouldn’t be making contact are colliding or abrading each other. Treat any unusual noise as a reminder to drop the car at the dealership for a tune up.

3. You’ve driven 10,000 miles without a service

If your car was brand new and you’ve completed your first 10,000 miles, congratulations! But, even the newest cars might need an oil or filter change. If you’ve had no servicing at all in your first 10,000 miles, then you might hit some difficulties very soon. Ignoring basic maintenance is a sure-fire way to create more serious problems later on.

4. You feel a slight pull to one side when you’re driving

If you notice that things seem a little off-balance when you’re driving, you might have an alignment or axle problem that needs attention. When you’re driving in a straight line, does the car seem to jerk or even gently veer in to the left or right? Does your steering wheel return to a center position when driving straight? If you’re veering, or the wheel isn’t centering, then these are indicators of steering or alignment problems.

5. You see a dash warning light

Finally, but perhaps most obviously, if you see a warning light on your dash display, it means the car has an issue in need of checking. It could be tire pressure, oil, power steering problems or something else. The dash lights are not arbitrary, nor are they overly sensitive. Heed their warnings.

Your local dealership is always on hand to help you with any problems you are having. Better yet, they are usually uniquely qualified and equipped to fix the make and model of car that you purchased from them. Contact your dealership today if you think your car needs help.