Monthly Archives: January 2013

Discolor Tyre Reminds Drivers to Change Worn Tires

Are you unsure if your car needs new tires? A new product called the Discolor Tyre will take the guesswork out of deciding to change your tires.

The concept is so simple that I am surprised it took so long for someone to create it. A Discolor Tyre looks like any normal tire at first, but with use, the top layer is rubbed away to reveal an orange color underneath. When the driver sees that orange color, they know that they need to change their tires.

Knowing when to change your vehicle’s tires is a safety issue. Worn-out tires put a car at higher risk for hydroplaning and traction issues. Besides that, it is a legal issue. Most states require that drivers change their tires when they are worn down to 1.6mm of the remaining tread depth. With the Discolor Tyre, drivers will have one less car maintenance requirement to worry about because the tire will remind them when to change it.

Readers, we want to hear from you! What do you think of the Discolor Tyre? Do these tires mean the end of the tried-and-true penny test? Leave a comment below, and let us know what you think!

Are you looking to get into a new or used car? Approved Loan Store can help! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we will work with you to get you the car you want at terms you can afford! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and get the latest auto news and buying tips by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

Approved Loan Store – Now On Google+ Community!

We are happy to announce that Approved Loan Store is now on Google+ Community! With our Google+ Community, you can get the latest news from Approved Loan Store, give us feedback, and connect with other Approved Loan Store customers!

Check out the Approved Loan Store on Google+ Community here.

IIHS Awards 2013 Top Safety Picks

Late last month, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) announced the 2013 Top Safety Pick+ and Top Safety Pick honorees, its top award for vehicle safety. 13 vehicles were dubbed a Top Safety Pick+ and 117 vehicles were named a Top Safety Pick.

Earning a Top Safety Pick+ is not an easy task. In order to earn a Top Safety Pick+, the vehicle has to receive good ratings for occupant protection in a minimum of 4 out of the 5 evaluations which include a moderate overlap frontal crash, small overlap frontal crash, side impact, and rollover as well as evaluations that measure how effectively seat/head restraints prevent neck injuries. If they receive 4 “good” ratings, the fifth evaluation must earn at least an “acceptable” rating. To earn a Top Safety Pick, the vehicle has to receive good ratings on the moderate overlap frontal test, side impact, rollover, and rear tests.

Here are the 2013 Top Safety Pick+ honorees.

Acura TL
Dodge Avenger
Chrysler 200 sedan
Ford Fusion
Honda Accord coupe
Honda Accord sedan
Kia Optima
Nissan Altima sedan
Subaru Legacy
Subaru Outback
Suzuki Kizashi
Volkswagen Passat
Volvo S60

Click here see the additional 117 vehicles chosen as IIHS 2013 Top Safety Picks.

Are you looking to get into a newer, safer vehicle? Approved Loan Store can help! Good credit, bad credit, no credit, we want to get you into a car you want at rates you can afford! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and get the latest auto news and buying tips by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

Young Car Enthusiast and “Connor’s Day” Namesake Passes Away

One of our favorite news stories of last year was the story of Connor Harrison, an 11-year-old British car enthusiast. Connor was terminally ill due to an inoperable brain tumor, and his father was worried that Connor would not live long enough to go to a car gathering, something Connor had wanted to do for quite some time. Instead of giving up, though, Connor’s father posted his story on the car forum ScoobyNet with the idea that he could organize a car gathering of his own in Yorkshire. The story went viral within the car enthusiast community, and thousands of people pledged to attend “Connor’s Day.”

Sadly, Jalopnik is reporting today that Connor passed away just before Christmas. His funeral service was on Christmas Eve.

Connor’s story is a tragedy. He was only 12 years old when he passed away, and it seems unfair that a young boy who loved cars did not live long enough to get the chance to have a first car. At the same time, this was one of our favorite stories of last year because it was a perfect example of the camaraderie in the car enthusiast community. It showed what human beings will do for a total stranger and his family, and we can only hope that 2013 will bring more random acts of kindness in the news cycle.

You can read our original coverage of Connor’s day here and here, and get the latest auto news by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube.

Picture Source: Connor’s Day