Obama's Tire Gauge policy. Out of touch with not only people, but also reality.

[Soravia]

http://www.time.com/time/polit...n=yes

This is the Times article defending Obama's Tire Pressure policy by saying it will save gas as much as drilling new oil can creat.

The fact of the matter is, NOT EVERYONE is an idiot driving around with flat tires like Obama just said. I have seen them with flat tires on the driver side but that's usually because those people are lazy obese fat arses.

It is a VERY good thing to conserve, I support that. I check my own tires too. But to block one good piece of legislation supporting to drill oil by pulling out 'GIMMICKS' (in his own words) because he wants to please Iowa white farmers is just party politics as usual.

I don't really like Republicans by the group, but McCain has so far done a lot to prove his path. Obama is just being a hypocrit, acting as if he's all great and different from other politicians and no words of his could be wrong.

The worst people to be put in power are the people who won't admit the reality and their own faults. Look at President Bush and Mugabe for present examples.

[themadscientist]

Good thing the New GT-R has them durned things built in.

[telcoman]

Soravia

Excellent post. The republician party refuses to change their misguided ways and INMHO they will be soundly defeated in November.Our government policy for the past 30 years should have been reducing consumption of fossil fuels but the powerful oil and automobile lobbists won out over common sense. This huge runup in oil prices accomplished what our leaders were unable to do.One of the things I saw while visiting China three years ago was your hotel room card key controlled the electric in the room. When you entered the room the card key had to be inserted in order to activate lights and TV. When you left & took out the card key all electricity shut off after one minute.Imagine how much energy and oil usage we could save if the United States became more energy efficient.Barack Obama is correct in urging Americans to check their tires. I don't think my wife ever checks hers.

Telcoman

[Jager]

er telco it seems soravia is not supporting obama... It may help you to reread the post...

[rn79870]

I'm more surprised that no one here has jumped all over Obama for changing his stance on oil drilling. Heck, that'll make a great thread, so be it.!

[wingFeather]

I cannot recall the last time I saw a low tire. Honestly, Obama, tune ups & tire pressure is gonna hela the world?

For 2008, we get federally-required TPMS in all cars. Or did he not know this?

More proof that Obama is a complete idiot. I don't need to explain my post too deeply - it is self-evident.

[wingFeather]

I don't think my wife ever checks hers.

There you have it folks

Proof, once again, that the very people crying out for change are the ones who are guilty of creating the problems. Democrats are like fat adult babies who crap their diapers, then want the rest of us to change it for them so they can crap it again.

[OriginalWheelman]

Our government policy for the past 30 years should have been reducing consumption of fossil fuels but the powerful oil and automobile lobbists won out over common sense.

Wrong. American's self serving desires won out over common sense. The 18 year old girls getting 10 mpg flooring their SUVs around for the last ten years, big engined sports cars eating 1/15 of a gallon a mile, luxury cars with big engines almost never using all their power. We all want power on tap. It's what we wanted, not what the government faulted us on. The feds were pushing for more efficient cars, but the people did what they wanted anyway. This is our fault, not Washington's.

[wingFeather]

This is our fault, not Washington's.

Correct

[rn79870]

Wrong. American's self serving desires won out over common sense. The 18 year old girls getting 10 mpg flooring their SUVs around for the last ten years, big engined sports cars eating 1/15 of a gallon a mile, luxury cars with big engines almost never using all their power. We all want power on tap. It's what we wanted, not what the government faulted us on. The feds were pushing for more efficient cars, but the people did what they wanted anyway. This is our fault, not Washington's.

I think telcomans point is that Washington should have kept the CAFE pressure on the auto manufacturers. Had they done that, perhaps the current fleet of SUVs would be non-existent. Even applying the gas guzzler tax to new SUVs might have cut the fleet down.

I don't know what the answer is for Soccer Moms driving solo in 9 passenger SUVs, other than 5 bucks a gallon gas. I sure don't see as many of them on the road as I used to.

[OriginalWheelman]

I think telcomans point is that Washington should have kept the CAFE pressure on the auto manufacturers. Had they done that, perhaps the current fleet of SUVs would be non-existent. Even applying the gas guzzler tax to new SUVs might have cut the fleet down.

I don't know what the answer is for Soccer Moms driving solo in 9 passenger SUVs, other than 5 bucks a gallon gas. I sure don't see as many of them on the road as I used to.

The American auto industry has been very fragile for the last 20 years. The government has tried to keep those people working, as they do in any job. Without jobs the economy stops. Furthermore, when the government forces it's will on people, they get really mad.

[rn79870]

I cannot recall the last time I saw a low tire. Honestly, Obama, tune ups & tire pressure is gonna hela the world?

For 2008, we get federally-required TPMS in all cars. Or did he not know this?

More proof that Obama is a complete idiot. I don't need to explain my post too deeply - it is self-evident.

I don't think I've checked my tires or my oil in a long time. I take my car in for service 3 times a year and that's that. I used to, when you could grab the air nozzle at the filling station as you gassed your car, but those things are as rare as dinosaur fir anymore.

I'd be willing to bet that 90% of the motoring public never checks their tires, their oil, or for that matter, any fluids. (90%'s a guess)

[srellim234]

TPMS only detects a dangerously low tire; it doesn't have anything to do with Obama's suggestion.

For example on the 2007 Nissan Versa, the tire pressure should be maintained close to 40 psi to get the best mileage. That's what's on the side of the tire. The TPMS system doesn't light up unless the pressure is under about 30 psi. You could be running over 20% low and not know it. I've experienced this in my Versa when I picked up a nail in a tire and didn't realize it for two weeks. Slow leak.

You can't tell a radial tire is low by looking at it. You have to put a gauge on it.

Obama's "tire gauge" policy was part of a comprehensive plan, but that one thing was jumped on by the Republican campaign machine in yet another attempt to trivialize Obama.

The OP states "NOT EVERYBODY is an idiot driving around on flat tires like Obama just said." Who ever said that besides you? HE never said "everyone." Every tip from Car &Driver, Yahoo!Cars, the EPA, etc., etc. etc. all point to checking tire pressure as one of the easiest ways for us to raise mpg and use less gas. And the majority of Americans don't check tire pressure often enough according to the lists of suggestions I've read.

[smockers83]

I used to, when you could grab the air nozzle at the filling station as you gassed your car, but those things are as rare as dinosaur fir anymore.

Well when you have air problems like you guys do in CA, you gotta start paying for it since its now a limited resource, right? The exact opposite is true here, a good majority of gas stations have air pumps, only a few you have to pay for. Who pays for air? That's like buying bottled water. Both are ridiculous and rip offs.

[Cold_Zero]

I am surprised that no one here has brought this up and I keep having to bring up the parellel that Obama is Jimmy Carter II.

Well with Winter Coming, I am sure Obama will take a cue from Jimmy Carter and exhort the northern states to throw on a cardigan sweater to help conserve energy.

[rn79870]

Which raises a very good point. What's going to happen to gas prices when the demand for heating oil peaks this winter? And how much of a part has reduced usage (automobile) played in the decline in fuel prices lately?

[srellim234]

I put one of these in my Buick about three years ago and use it to keep my tires inflated. No need for the gas station for air.

http://www.slime.com/product_1....html

Cost me $15 on sale. Since the Buick has a 12V power outlet that's always "hot" I don't even have to burn any gas idling the engine while I check the tires in both cars each weekend.

[wingFeather]

I have a 12 volt air compressor in my trunk that I found for $10. Been using it for the past 9 years on many of my cars. No excuses...

[Cold_Zero]

Which raises a very good point. What's going to happen to gas prices when the demand for heating oil peaks this winter? And how much of a part has reduced usage (automobile) played in the decline in fuel prices lately?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/200...rries

The Governors of the New England states met earlier last month to discuss the issue. People are being told to be expected to pay twice as much as last year for their home heating oil.

[mtcookson]

TPMS only detects a dangerously low tire; it doesn't have anything to do with Obama's suggestion.

For example on the 2007 Nissan Versa, the tire pressure should be maintained close to 40 psi to get the best mileage. That's what's on the side of the tire. The TPMS system doesn't light up unless the pressure is under about 30 psi.

That is not the recommended pressure for your car. From what I can find doing a quick search online, Nissan's recommended tire pressure for the Versa is 33 PSI meaning 1. the TPMS lets you know within a few PSI and 2. you're over inflating your tires if you're going up to the 40 PSI limit that's listed on the sidewall of the tire. Don't do that, its dangerous.

The OP states "NOT EVERYBODY is an idiot driving around on flat tires like Obama just said." Who ever said that besides you? HE never said "everyone."

TIME did when trying to defend Obama making it look like he's correct when he's not.

Meanwhile, efficiency experts say that keeping tires inflated can improve gas mileage 3%, and regular maintenance can add another 4%. Many drivers already follow their advice, but if everyone did, we could immediately reduce demand several percentage points.

[Soravia]

1) A lot of people already check tires to save gas.

2) Handing out free gauges won't help because people are too lazy to check it and care about the gas because they can afford to waste it with their SUV and Air Cargo trucks.

3) Most Econo cars have ****TY tires that will be flat under 65% of the cars weight (****ty FWD) no matter how much air you may try to pump in. That's called load rating.

4)Using lighter wheels and smaller overall diameter of the wheel would help save more gas in overall since there will be little user intervetion.

5) Improving TPMS and having them on all car (being adjustable by user depending on the car and tire) would be the real solution compared to the tire gauge.

6) Obama is (WAS) against the drilling because he is supported by Ethnol farmers. If he truly wanted an energy solution, he should have supported 'ABOVE ALL' for the solution. I personally like Ethnol myself but there's NOT going to be enough for the whole county. Some will still need oil. Removing oil from the picture is NOT a solution, it's just an ideal.

7) Obama blamed the US car companies for their trucks and SUVs. The companies are at fault for not having advanced road map for their products and not be able to switch under market change but the use of SUV and trucks are to be blamed on the American people. Does Obama say anything about that? No.

8) Obama is also saying 1 Million hybrid by 2015. How is he gonna do that? Tax breaks? It's already there. Subsidies? I'm not gonna pay for someone's hybrid. Let the people decide? They can do it themselves. Just more hot air, not solution.

All points to the fact that Obama is just another pandering politican and his change is nothing more than hot air ideals.

[srellim234]

I raised my tire pressure only after following discussions on the Versa forum for months. No one has reported any adverse affect from the increased air pressure, but in response to your post I just backed off the pressure to 36. Split the difference. Even at 33, however, the TPMS won't pick up the tire until it's 10% low.

As for the TIME quote, it's a real stretch to get from "Many drivers already follow their advice, but if everyone did, we could immediately reduce demand several percentage points"to the"NOT EVERYBODY is an idiot driving around on flat tires like Obama said" of the OP.

[Soravia]

The problem lies in the fact that you have to come up with a good number for difference between MANY who checks and ALL drivers. And also what cars they drive and how many miles they drive.

You see the problem with his suggestion there? I can say 'Everyone make peace and love another.' How much impact will that have for world peace?

Ideals Vs Reality.

[srellim234]

No, I don't see a problem with his suggestion. It is sound advice.

Take your own example. Your same stretch of the truth said could be applied thusly:

Candidate: "Everyone should make peace and love one another. If they did, it would reduce conflict and aid world peace."

TIME magazine: "Many people follow this advice already, but if more did, we could immediately reduce conflict and aid world peace."

Soravia: "NOT EVERYBODY is an idiot out advocating war and conflict like the candidate said."

The candidate states an ideal and hopes that a realistic number of people will follow the advice.

Any progress, no matter how small, is still progress and shouldn't be summarily dismissed as folly.

[mtcookson]

As for the TIME quote, it's a real stretch to get from "Many drivers already follow their advice, but if everyone did, we could immediately reduce demand several percentage points"to the"NOT EVERYBODY is an idiot driving around on flat tires like Obama said" of the OP.

You're right, I should have quoted this one:

How out of touch is Barack Obama? He's so out of touch that he suggested that if all Americans inflated their tires properly and took their cars for regular tune-ups, they could save as much oil as new offshore drilling would produce.

[Soravia]

As I said before, I support the tire pressure issue.What I DON"T support is using it as an excuse to put of off shore drilling. 'LIMITED off shore'?? How much is limited?

I like McCain's 'Let the states decide' idea. That's a real pratical idea. It won't take 10 years, oil companies would make their own drilling than pay the profit to OPEC nations. Remember, OPEC gets 80% of oil sales money. The profit posted by oil companies are nothing compared to what OPEC is making.

[ishkabibble]

TPMS only detects a dangerously low tire; it doesn't have anything to do with Obama's suggestion.

Heh, one of the few times wingFeather actually tries to back up a point, and it's invalid.

Smockers, what are you, some kind of air socialist? Yes, let's punish the capitalist gas station owners, people who actually contribute something to the economy, for trying to make a profit.

[smockers83]

Smockers, what are you, some kind of air socialist? Yes, let's punish the capitalist gas station owners, people who actually contribute something to the economy, for trying to make a profit.

An air socialist haha? Seriously? I hope that's sarcasm. 1/3 of that post was sarcasm, 1/3 of that post was fact, 1/3 of that post was opinion. Someone who wants to charge me to air up my tires, to me, is saying don't air up your tires here. I mean, who pays for air, seriously? I have never in my life had to pay to use an air pump. They are so rare here that if I actually do find one, all I have to do is drive across the street to the other station. And why would anyone else pay for it? I mean, its air. When you go to gas up, you aren't paying to use the pump, you're paying for the gas. I'm sure those air pumps people pay for are making some nice profits Don't be jealous of my free air.

[smockers83]

To be more on track, the statistics used in the article are the very maximums, which we all know is hardly the case because not everyone is running with flat tires.

[AZhitman]

Barack Obama is correct in urging Americans to check their tires. I don't think my wife ever checks hers.

Why does it not surprise me that the Lib-O-Matic makes his WIFE take care of her own tires?



p.s. I "urged Americans to check their tire pressure" before Obama. Vote for me: http://www.nicoclub.com/tech/gas-mileage.shtml