Uniroyal® Tire and "Pay-Less Queen" Camilla Cornell Offer 10 Easy Tips for Saving Hundreds This Summer -
On the Way, Where You Stay and While You Play
LAVAL, QC – (May 2007) -- Research shows that when it comes to planning an upcoming summer vacation, many families still prefer hitting the road to flying, with 60 percent of Canadians vacationing within their home province. In addition, 73 percent of Canadians say they plan to spend their upcoming vacation within Canada, up from 65 percent in 2005.
However, with gas prices consistently high and peak- season rates abounding, skipping the plane tickets and staying closer to home may not be enough to alleviate that vacation "pinch" in the family pocketbook. According to Uniroyal® Tire and savings expert Camilla Cornell, planning a fun and memorable road trip can be surprisingly inexpensive. By following just 10 easy travel tips, families can cut costs during every stage of their trip, no matter where the road takes them.
Uniroyal Tire and "Pay-Less Queen" Camilla Cornell recommend the following advice to help Canadians save hundreds on their next summer road trip:
On the Way:
Some preventative vehicle maintenance is key to having a safe, fun and economical road trip.
- Check the inflation pressure of your tires. Many Canadians may be surprised to learn that they are driving around on under-inflated tires. You need to check your tire inflation pressure once a month and adjust accordingly. The proper inflation pressure can be found in the owner's manual or on the placard usually found on the door jamb. The pressure indicated on the tire sidewall is the maximum pressure allowed, not what is recommended for your vehicle. For accurate pressure, always check the pressure when the tires are "cold" - at least three hours after the vehicle has been stopped and before it has been driven one mile. (It's best to inflate your tires in the morning before the day's heat.) This simple step can save up to three cents per litre. "Making sure tires are properly inflated is one of the easiest and most important maintenance procedures drivers can do," says Celine Messiha, Uniroyal® marketing communications manager. "Properly inflated tires not only contribute to greater fuel efficiency, but also last longer and perform better."
- Replace clogged air filters. This is a biggie! A clean filter versus one that is severely clogged can mean savings as much as 11 cents per litre. Air filters also keep impurities in the air from damaging internal engine components. Over the course of a drive from Toronto to Halifax, that would save you almost $20, or enough for a family lunch at a fast food restaurant.
- Keep your wheels properly aligned. Making sure your vehicle is properly aligned can save as much as five cents per litre in fuel costs. Your local Alliance dealer can assess your vehicle's wheel alignment.
Where You Stay:
- Live like a local. Renting a condo or cottage for a week is a smart choice. These options often offer space, privacy and a kitchen where you can throw together a meal for next to nothing. To top it off, rates are often considerably cheaper than a mid-priced hotel. For inexpensive rentals in Canada and the U.S., try visiting www.vacationrentals.com.
- 21st Century camping. The days of pitching a tent on hard ground are over. Many campgrounds now offer cabins and/or 'yurts'—basically wood-framed tents, usually with beds and electricity. Check out yurts.com, for a listing of U.S. and Canadian yurt vacations, or do a search for 'yurts' at www.culture.ca. You'll find many options at national and provincial parks across the country. If you're in it for the long haul, you can even 'camp' further afield. Six-sleeper cabins at Disney World's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, rent for US$249 a night in low season, and with Disney's free transportation service, you can take a break from all that driving once you're there!
- Exchange value. This form of accommodation isn't just cheap—it's free! Opt for a home exchange and you effectively agree to swap your own digs for an apartment, house or cottage in another city, province or country. Potential exchangers register with an agency for an annual fee, giving them access to other exchange partners all over the globe. Try www.homeexchange.com or www.homelink.org.
- Cheap sleeps. Some travel websites boast discounts of up to 70 percent on hotel rooms. Good bets include hotels.ca (offers rates in Canadian dollars), wotif.com (has accommodation in 35 countries), site59.com (for last-minute weekend getaways), and destinationcoupons.com for hotel discount coupons. Can't find the hotel you want at a price you're willing to pay? Call directly and ask about discounts for employees of your corporation or CAA members, for example.
While You Play:
- Get the inside scoop. Before heading off on vacation, check the on-line visitor's bureau of the area you plan to visit. You'll often find tips on what to see, how to get around, a calendar of events and special offers on food and accommodation. Cities with Greeter Programs, like Toronto, Chicago and New York, will even set you up with a friendly local for an individualized tour of what the city has to offer in terms of kids' programs, for example. Just Google the name of your destination, along with 'visitor's bureau' or 'tourist information.' For example, the Maritime provinces (destination-ns.com) produce comprehensive visitors' guides that will save the cost of a guidebook while offering an abundance of local information and savings offers.
- Nosh for less. Restaurant bills can boost the cost of your vacation astronomically—especially if you're feeding hungry tweens and teens. Keep costs in line by:
- Eating out during the day (lunch is cheaper than dinner) and sharing a baguette and some ham and cheese in your hotel room at days' end.
- Opting for restaurants with lower-priced kids menus or, even better, where kids eat free with paying adults.
- Bringing refillable water bottles. You can easily spend $15 to $20 a day buying drinks.
- Museums gratis. Almost every museum and art gallery offer 'free days' or at least a free evening. At Toronto's Royal Ontario Museum, admission is free Friday nights after 4 p.m., while entrance to the permanent collection at Montreal's Musee des Beaux-Arts costs nothing every day of the week. Plan your trip accordingly.
Uniroyal® and Cornell will continue working together throughout the year as part of the Uniroyal "More Mileage for your Money" campaign. Future topics will include how to save money while getting ready for winter and holiday savings. "We view this campaign as a logical extension of the Uniroyal mission," said Messiha. "We're helping Canadians save money already by providing good quality tires at affordable prices, and through this campaign, we are thrilled to partner with Camilla Cornell to inform consumers on ways they can save money in other areas as well."
About Camilla Cornell
Camilla Cornell specializes in helping consumers become savvier about finding everyday bargains and value. She knows all the tricks of the trade when it comes to maximizing value and slashing spending in many areas, including automotive, travel, clothing, restaurants, groceries, gifts, theme parks, gardening and entertainment. She is a regular contributor to Reader's Digest, Today's Parent, MoneySense, Canadian Family and National Post, and a spokesperson for Uniroyal Tire.
About Uniroyal®
Uniroyal® is one of the world's leading tire manufacturers for passenger and commercial cars, pick-ups, light trucks, mini vans and sport utility vehicles. Dating back to 1892, Uniroyal® has developed a reputation for providing high-quality, affordable tires including its Tiger Paw® and Laredo® series. Uniroyal® tires offer just the right combination of dependability, traction and grip in almost every weather condition, and come with one of the industry's leading warranties. Visit Uniroyal Tire online at www.uniroyal.ca.
Sources: Natural Resources Canada, Car Care Council and GasBuddy.com. Gas savings estimates based on average cost of 86.5 cents per litre for unleaded gasoline. Travel statistics from Statistics Canada, 2006 Travel Statistics Survey; Canadian Tourism Research Institute, 2006 Travel Intentions Survey. Other savings tips from collaboration with savings expert and author, Camilla Cornell.
Media Contacts
Nadine Lussier
450-978-4766
Nadine.Lussier@ca.michelin.com
Julie Lepsetz
514-288-8500
jlepsetz@meca.ca
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