Ford dismisses reports of Volvo sale

Loss-making auto giant Ford has dismissed reports that it was mulling a sale of its subsidiary Volvo Cars to BMW, reports said Wednesday.

Proper Tyre Maintenance for Greener, Safer Driving
(ARA) - Driving on properly inflated tires maximizes fuel efficiency, decreases toxic emissions and contributes to a cleaner, healthier environment.

When was the last time you checked the pressure in your tires?
Maintaining proper tire pressure is essential not only for the safety and performance of a vehicle, but also for decreasing fuel consumption and extending tire life. Following in the footsteps of airbags and seat belts, tire pressure monitoring is the latest safety feature within the automotive industry.

According to experts at Goodyear, under-inflated tyres reduce fuel efficiency by approximately one percent for every three pounds of under-inflation. And the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that an estimated 30 percent of cars and light trucks are driven with one or more significantly under-inflated tires.

If everyone in the United States drove on properly inflated tyres, more than 2 million gallons of gasoline could be saved each day. That is more than 703 million gallons of gasoline a year.

"Most people assume that having their car serviced regularly ensures that their tyres are properly maintained. Unfortunately, this isn't the case," says Susan Mader, corporate communications manager for SmarTire Systems Inc. "All tires lose air over time. Most newer cars require servicing only once or twice a year, so tyres can become dangerously under-inflated without the driver even realizing there's a problem.
In addition to the increased fuel consumption and tyre wear, long intervals of driving with low tyre pressure can cause additional flexing and stress on the sidewalls, resulting in increased temperature that can lead to tire failure. Tires with low pressure also degrade the vehicle's handling and performance and lower the vehicle's load-carrying ability. In a worst-case scenario, under-inflation can lead to a catastrophic blowout or tread separation.