Easy-to-Follow Tire Tips

GREENVILLE, S.C., Nov. 25, 2003 -- Thanksgiving is the busiest travel time of the year. As travelers pack their cars to visit friends and family, many forget to check the condition of their tires to prevent an inconvenient flat tire or dangerous accident. As a reminder, Michelin, in a partnership with the South Carolina Department of Transportation, is opening Inflation Stations at all welcome centers throughout South Carolina.

"After seeing our recent poll that revealed 20 percent of all drivers don't own a tire gauge and a surprising 25 percent have never changed a tire, we realized there was a need for tire safety education. We hope our Inflation Stations will serve as a reminder to drivers while they're traveling," said Karl Litzinger, director of Consumer Relations for Michelin North America.

The survey verified that most drivers believe you need to be auto savvy or spend a lot of time to ensure that your tires are ready to go. The tips below prove otherwise.

There are several basic steps drivers can take to easily avoid tire difficulty during a road trip:

* Check tire pressure monthly and immediately before beginning car travel -- Before hitting the road, make sure you have a tire gauge on hand and know how to use it. Low tire pressure makes even a new tire perform like an old, worn-out tire. Look for the car manufacturer's recommended tire pressure setting on the driver-side door jamb, on the glove compartment door or in the owner's manual, and inflate tires accordingly.

* Replace tires properly -- If you can 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. When a tire is worn to 2/32 of an inch of remaining tread depth it should be replaced.

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

* Make certain your suspension is properly aligned -- Have your car's suspension 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 isn't aligned properly can wear out new tires after only a few thousand miles and adversely affect gas mileage.

"A two-dollar tire gauge, a quarter for the gas station air pump and five minutes each month are all you need to make sure your tires are road worthy," says Litzinger. "These simple steps are well worth the minimal effort and can save you time and money in the long run."

The newly installed Inflation Stations within South Carolina will make checking the air in tires more convenient. Compressors will be available to the public at no charge during the operating hours of the welcome centers, and instructions will be in both English and Spanish.