photo credit: flat luxe
Costco is really offering some great discounts this spring and summer for Michelin tires. The Costco Michelin rebate is good towards the purchase of 4 new tires. This might be your last opportunity before the winter to get a great discount on some Michelin’s for your light truck, suv, or sport’s car. It appears the Michelin $80 discount is only good for select models. The Costco Michelin rebate is good towards the purchase of 4 new tires. Here is a list from the Costco website to check if your vehicle qualifies:

• Energy MXV4 Plus & S8 (V-rated sizes)
• Pilot Exalto A/S (V-rated sizes)
• Pilot Exalto PE2 (V-rated sizes)
• Pilot MXM4 (V-rated sizes)
• Pilot Primacy (V-rated sizes)
• Primacy HP (V-rated sizes)
• Primacy MXV4 (V-rated sizes)
• XGTV4
• Pilot Exalto PE2 (Z-rated sizes)
• Pilot MXM4 (Z-rated sizes)
• Pilot Primacy (Z-rated sizes)
• Pilot Sport
• Pilot Sport 2 ZP
• Pilot Sport A/S
• Pilot Sport A/S ZP
• Pilot Sport CUP
• Pilot Sport PS2
• Primacy HP (Z-ratd sizes)
• XGTZ4
• Agilis
• Crossterrain
• Diam Aris
• Latitude Sport
• Latitude Tour
• Latitude Tour HP
• LTX A/S
• LTX A/T
• LTX A/T 2
• LTX M/S
• Pilot LTX
• Synchrone
• XPS Rib
• XPS Trac
• X-Radial LT
• Energy MXV4 Plus & S8 (H-rated sizes)
• Pilot Exalto (H-rated sizes)
• Pilot Exalto A/S (H-rated sizes)
• Pilot MXM4 (H-rated sizes)
• Primacy HP (H-rated sizes)
• Primacy MXV4 (H-rated sizes)
• XGTV4
• Energy LX4
• Harmony
• HydroEdge
• MX4 (S&T rated sizes)
• Symmetry
• X Radial DT

Remember if you have purchased tires from Costco, to be sure and get your tires rotated frequently as they are free of charge. I have to remind myself to get in early as spots fill up quickly at our local Costco. Also, if yours has a gas station, fill up and save a little more money.

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I just received an email from Costco and they have extended the tire rebate period for Michelin and BF Goodrich to June 29th. You will save $60 instantly on the purchase of 4 new tires. Be sure to call around and find out if any other tire shops are offering the same discount or possibly a better one. And be sure to call Costco and make sure they have your vehicle’s tire in stock. I have a Toyota Prius with a R14, and they run low at times on it. Call ahead and check if Costco has your R14, R15, R16, or even R17’s in stock. They could probably even order larger sizes for you. Just to be safe, call and make sure they hold your tires. Our local Costco is always busy, so it’s probably a good idea to get there early at 10 or 11am and reserve your spot.

Replacing your old worn out tires will also give you the added mileage bonus too. Experts say that tire inflation and proper tire maintenance will save you money and let you drive a little further on your tank of gas. Also, have you noticed the lines at the Costco gas station? Yesterday, a buddy told me the lines were out in the parking lot. Costco gas is the cheapest in our city and beats the discount gas stations by 10 cents. Here’s the link to the Costco website if you want more information on the specific Michelin or BF Goodrich tires for the $60 rebate.

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I’m not looking for extreme measures like hypermiling, but easy and manageable solutions to save money.

1. Drive your most fuel efficient vehicle. We own two vehicles. A Toyota Prius and a BMW X5. Two totally different vehicles and each vehicle has its benefits and weaknesses. My wife uses a vanpool during the day to commute to work, so we should be using the Prius as our primary family car. The savings in gas would be tremendous for us. If you own two vehicles, are you putting the most miles on your efficient one? I would imagine many families have a minivan and a passenger car. I wonder if the passenger car would give you more fuel economy over the van? Do you know your vehicles mpg?

2. Kids Carpool. My wife uses a vanpool for work, but I could utilize a carpool for my daughter’s school. All it would take is a few phone calls and we could probably arrange a vanpool. I’m sure many parents are already doing this, but for me, it’s more of a convenience factor. I also wouldn’t be able to reciprocate and use my vehicle for carpooling, as I only have room for two car seats. I guess I could offer to purchase gas for them. Do you schedule a carpool or vanpool for your kid’s activities?

3. Plan ahead. I’m guilty of driving sometimes without a clear plan of what I’m going to accomplish at a store. I sometimes bring a list, but usually just try to wing it. I would imagine I waste a few gallons a week by not writing down a list for the store. Many nights I will have to drive out to the store for milk, and get frustrated because I was at the store a few hours earlier. I utilize spreadsheets and lists for budgets and household projects, so I should utilize lists for everyday shopping.

4. Pay attention to vehicle maintenance. It’s interesting that I take better care of my BMW X5, but it’s also the least efficient vehicle. I need to spend more time on the little details for both vehicles, like tire rotation, air filter, tire pressure, and oil service. I do maintain my vehicles, but sometimes I will allow several months to pass before having the tires rotated. One day my neighbor mentioned that a tire looked low on my Prius. It was low. I had been driving on a slow leak from a nail. I wonder how long the tire was low? These little maintenance items could add up to big gas savings for me. Many of these maintenance items are free. Tire pressure can greatly impact mileage. My dad has given me several tire pressure gauges for Christmas, and I need to start using them. I even have an emergency tire station and battery jumper cables that would be perfect to inflate my tires.

5. Walk, don’t drive. This one is going to hurt a little. We have a park about 1 mile from our house. No hills, just flat road. My kids are 4 and 2, and I prefer to drive. My reasons are selfish, as I like to leave quickly if we have a meltdown or if the bathrooms are nasty. We have a double stroller and we should walk more often for exercise and to save fuel. Our family goes to the park 3 or 4 times a week. We could be saving 8 miles a week in gas. How far do you drive to the park or to a local store? Could you walk?

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This Memorial Weekend was a time to reflect on our nations history and spend time with family and friends as well as celebrate my wife’s birthday. We were planning a trip to Lake Tahoe, but the weather changed Thursday night and snow was forecast. Our family stayed home and the decision was the right one, as we found out that the roads were closed Tuesday. I really don’t enjoy putting on chains, especially with little ones in the car. My patience has dwindled down to zero and chains would only make me sound like the dad on “A Christmas Story”. Great scene when the father and son are trying to change a flat tire and he asked his family to time his speed. Since we stayed home we had to change our Lake Tahoe plans and create some new ones.

My wife loves lists. Do you enjoy putting together lists to track projects, goals, groceries, or household chores? My wife has a list for almost everything. My wife has lists for everything. I even clean up her old lists that are from projects long ago or from old birthday parties. Since it was my wife’s birthday, I thought I would try and tackle some items on her most recent list.

1. New tires for Toyota Prius
2. Fix Ipod for van pool
3. Organize office and guest room
4. Hang curtains and pullbacks
5. Train trip with kids to Sacramento
6. Attend a Baseball game
7. Hang Pictures in bedroom
8. Do Laundry

I have been putting off two new tires for our Prius for several months now. Back in November of last year, Prius tires on backorder and a 5% discount, Toyota ordered two new tires for my Prius and gave me a 5% discount. I called Toyota and they have the Dunlop tires in stock and can do it the same day. Quite a bit different from going to the BMW dealership and dealing with egos and poor customer service. Toyota is a different story. They are easy to approach and they don’t talk down to the customers.

I waited about an hour and the service desk said my car was ready. I wish is was a little longer as I had fun talking to the sales guys and asking questions about the 2009 Toyota Prius changes. The dealership didn’t have any inventory of the Prius and said that a waiting list is forming again. I can’t believe that just a few months ago I saw several available at the same dealership. As gas prices increase, the demand for the Prius will increase. I also learned that I could probably make some money on my 2002 Prius.

While I was waiting, I was using my Samsung Blackjack to look at my email and read some of my blog subscriptions. I have about 10 blogs that I like to follow and was going through my email and noticed one from Toyota. I read it and couldn’t believe it. A 10% coupon on all service, including tires. The Blackjack is starting to pay for itself and save me money too. Before the discount, two new Dunlop tires cost $249.60, including labor, tax and parts. When I went to pay for the tires, I noticed on the invoice that a 5% discount was given. $14 in savings and I didn’t mention my coupon yet. I explained to the cashier that I just received a 10% coupon email from Toyota and that I wanted to use it. She looked at me and then asked for the printout. I showed her my phone and said it’s on the email on my phone. She was really confused. The service advisor came over and looked at the email, smiled, and then gave me an additional 10% off. It pays to speak up and ask for your discounts. I actually thought for a moment that I should be happy with the 5% discount. But why? No harm in asking and I had the email on my cell phone. I was so excited, I almost went out and bought a new car. Just kidding! My total savings was $29. I really enjoy saving money, especially when I feel like I worked a little to earn the savings. In case you were wondering, we did accomplish my wife’s list and had a fantastic weekend too.

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Last year I purchased 4 new tires for my X5 and utilized the Costco tire rebate program and saved $60. The Energy MXV4 Plus was the replacement tire for my 2001 X5 and ran about $235 each. This included the installation, balance, tire stem, California tire recycling fee, tax, and warranty. Total out the door was $940 for four tires. Since this was a substantial investment for my vehicle I am due back to have my tires rotated again. I’ve been happy with the service at Costco tires, but dread the 4-6 hour wait each time. It sure would be nice if we had the ability to make appointments or if they had a shuttle service. I guess that’s how the stealers charge an arm and a leg to replace tires. I actually need to purchase two new tires for my Prius, but the rebate is only for four tires. This year the rebate ends May 18th, so a few days are left to save some money. As far as I know all Michelin tires are included in the rebate. If you want to be sure, call your local Costco tire center to verify.

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