New HydroEdgeTire Gives Drivers the Edge

The Michelin(R) HydroEdge(TM) Tire Delivers Superb Handling and Longest Tread Life Warranty in One Sporty Package

GREENVILLE, S.C., Aug. 1 -- Consumers know how to improve vehicle safety. But do they put that knowledge into gear?

A recent independent study conducted for Michelin found 83 percent of those surveyed believe the most valuable asset in wet driving conditions is tires. Yet almost half, 45 percent, of those surveyed do not ride on tires that are optimized to perform better in the wet. The gap between knowledge and action is easily filled by Michelin's newest tire that does it all: the Michelin(R) HydroEdge(TM).

Going on sale in the United States, Mexico and Canada on Aug. 4, 2003, Michelin's premier product for family sedans and minivans redefines the phrase "treading water." Its innovative tread features specially designed water evacuation grooves called HydroChutes(TM) to maximize hydroplaning resistance by minimizing water flow turbulence. At the same time, the Michelin HydroEdge optimizes traction in dry conditions.

"The Michelin HydroEdge is specially designed to give consumers better handling all year long, especially in wet weather conditions," said Mac Demere, Michelin test track driver and tire safety expert. "Once consumers get the right tires on their cars, it's easy to make sure they stay in good shape by following these tips."

To make sure Michelin HydroEdge tires stay in good shape, Demere recommends:

   --   Check tire pressure monthly and before any trip -- All drivers
        should have a tire gauge and use it to make sure that their tires
        are properly inflated.  Look for your car's recommended tire
        pressure setting on the driver's door jamb, inside the glove
        compartment or in the vehicle owner's manual.  Then take five
        minutes each month to make sure your tires are inflated properly.

   --   Replace tires properly -- If you only replace two tires at a time,
        mount them on the rear axle.  Otherwise, your car could lose rear
        traction in the rain and spin out.

   --   Check tire tread depth -- In most states, the minimum legal tread
        depth is 2/32 of an inch.  If you place a penny in your tire's
        shallowest groove and you can see the top of Abraham Lincoln's head,
        it's time to buy new tires.

   --   Proper alignment is important -- Have your car's suspension and
        steering systems re-aligned when you buy new tires if you notice
        uneven wear or if it has been a while since your last alignment.  A
        suspension that is not aligned properly can wear out new tires after
        only a few thousand miles and adversely affect gas mileage.

For more tire safety tips and to find a Michelin tire dealer near you, visit michelinman.com .

The Michelin HydroEdge makes both visual and quality statements that are unmatched in the industry. It offers unique, long-lasting good looks, and it is backed by an 85,000-mile limited warranty, Michelin's best ever. The T-rated Michelin HydroEdge will be offered initially in 20 sizes to fit a variety of family sedans like the Toyota Camry and minivans like the Honda Odyssey.

Michelin manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy-duty trucks, motorcycles and the space shuttle. The company also publishes travel guides, maps and atlases covering Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America employs 24,640 and operates 22 plants in 18 locations.