Thread: Osama tire gauge update

Fact Check: GOP mocks Obama suggestion to inflate tires, but experts say it has merit

Associated Press

Last update: August 4, 2008 - 5:06 PM

WASHINGTON - John McCain and his Republican Party are gleefully mocking Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's suggestion that properly inflated tires could help save oil. The thing is, there's some truth to it.

Obama may have exaggerated when he said simply inflating tires and getting regular tuneups would save just as much oil as the offshore drilling McCain is proposing. But automotive experts long have suggested those steps to cut gas bills.

THE SPIN:

Obama told voters at a campaign stop last week in Springfield, Mo., that they can take steps individually to save energy.

"Making sure your tires are properly inflated, simple thing, but we could save all the oil that they're talking about getting off drilling, if everybody was just inflating their tires and getting regular tuneups," Obama said. "You could actually save just as much."

Republicans are ridiculing the suggestion that inflated tires could be the solution to dependence on foreign oil. The Republican National Committee is mailing donors tire gauges that say "Obama Energy Plan" in exchange for $25 donations.

McCain says consumers should inflate their tires, but that it's not enough to break dependence on Middle Eastern oil.

"The only thing I've heard him say is that we should inflate our tires," McCain said. "So he has no plan for addressing the energy challenges that we face."

THE FACTS:

The Department of Energy estimates that keeping tires properly inflated can help improve gas mileage by about 3.3 percent. It's one step the agency recommends to reduce fuel costs, along with removing items from the trunk, replacing clogged air filters and getting regular tuneups.

Originally Posted by crowonapost

THE FACTS:

The Department of Energy estimates that keeping tires properly inflated can help improve gas mileage by about 3.3 percent. It's one step the agency recommends to reduce fuel costs, along with removing items from the trunk, replacing clogged air filters and getting regular tuneups.

The facts also are that most people have their tires checked when they get an oil change, so there really is no net benefit since people are for the most part, already doing that.

Originally Posted by TakuanSoho

The facts also are that most people have their tires checked when they get an oil change, so there really is no net benefit since people are for the most part, already doing that.

That's great but not everyone does that every 3000 miles. Still tires lose air especially in colder climates. This has been talked to death. it's odd that this has been said for years, now that Obama says the obvious, everyone cries foul.
It's really pretty pathetic.

Also changing fuel & air filters helps as well.

The fact is drilling for oil & putting it on the open market 10 years from now will not save any more than keeping your car tuned up.

No matter how one tries to 'spin' it.

"WASHINGTON - John McCain and his Republican Party are gleefully mocking Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's suggestion that properly inflated tires could help save oil. The thing is, there's some truth to it."

There is 'some truth' to every lie just like there is 'some pain' to every joke.

Originally Posted by crowonapost

That's great but not everyone does that every 3000 miles. Still tires lose air especially in colder climates. This has been talked to death. it's odd that this has been said for years, now that Obama says the obvious, everyone cries foul.
It's really pretty pathetic.

Also changing fuel & air filters helps as well.

The fact is drilling for oil & putting it on the open market 10 years from now will not save any more than keeping your car tuned up.

No matter how one tries to 'spin' it.

Welcome to politics. McCain was mocked by Obama and his supporters for suggesting a competition for a super battery, but McCain was is perfectly right on this. A major leap forward in battery technology would end the energy crisis.

Originally Posted by percysunshine

"WASHINGTON - John McCain and his Republican Party are gleefully mocking Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's suggestion that properly inflated tires could help save oil. The thing is, there's some truth to it."

There is 'some truth' to every lie just like there is 'some pain' to every joke.

So...

Are you saying the department of energy is a liar or more accurately that McCain is a distorting manipulative liar?

Originally Posted by TakuanSoho

Welcome to politics. McCain was mocked by Obama and his supporters for suggesting a competition for a super battery, but McCain was is perfectly right on this. A major leap forward in battery technology would end the energy crisis.

Interesting. I never mocked him for that & I have not seen anything on here about that.

I was glad that he supported that idea. Still am.

It is definitely critical that we get serious advances in battery technology.

I can guess that there were a few comments by liberal blogs but it passed.

Like rabid dogs the retard smash mouth politics of the GOP doesn't give a shit about, honesty or integrity. They throw out anythign & everything...repeatedly. Why? I think because they are morally bankrupt & know it.

It's poison & does nothing to forward real discussion.

Originally Posted by crowonapost

So...

Are you saying the department of energy is a liar or more accurately that McCain is a distorting manipulative liar?

Neither. Obama exagerates and uses anecdotal facts to imply things which are not true. It is an age old technique in debate, which rapidly comes unglued as soon as someone points out the falacy.