Tire Company Urges Year 'Round Tire Care

National Tire Safety Week Is April 25 To May 1, 2004

GREENVILLE, S.C., April 22 -- Next week is National Tire Safety Week (April 25 to May 1), and Michelin urges drivers not to wait for a special time of year to think about the safety of their tires.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than one-quarter of passenger vehicles on U.S. roadways have at least one substantially under inflated tire. A survey by the administration also found that up to nine percent of passenger vehicles are riding on at least one bald tire-with less than 2/32 inches of tread.

Michelin recommends that drivers inspect their vehicle's tires at least once a month and before any long road trips, checking inflation pressure and looking for obvious signs of damage, cuts and excessive or uneven wear.

"Basic tire safety isn't rocket science. It's not even bottle-rocket science," said Michelin test driver Mac Demere. "It takes five minutes each month to look over your tires and check air pressure. It's that easy."

Demere offers these basic tips for drivers to follow when inspecting their tires:

   - Set tires to the right pressure - Drivers should follow the recommended
     air pressure from the vehicle manufacturer as listed on a sticker
     located on the vehicle's door jamb, glove box door or in the owner's
     manual.
   - Check tire tread depth - In most states, the minimum legal tread depth
     is 2/32 of an inch. If you place a penny upside down in your tire's
     shallowest groove and you can see the top of Abraham Lincoln's head,
     it's time to buy new tires.
   - Inspect tires monthly - Knowing what to look for is only useful if you
     actually take the time to look.  Get in the habit of frequently
     inspecting tires for proper inflation, damage or wear.  If something
     doesn't look right, take your car to a tire dealer for closer
     inspection.
   - 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.
   - Proper alignment is important - 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 is not aligned
     properly can wear out new tires after only a few thousand miles and
     adversely affect gas mileage.

"Your tires are the only thing between your vehicle and the road, so it's important to make sure they're in good condition year 'round," said Demere. "Making an effort to follow these simple tips now could save time, money and maybe even a life in the long run."

Additional tire care tips and an online rotation reminder service are available at www.michelinman.com .

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 Inc. ( www.michelinman.com ) employs 23,920 and operates 21 plants in 17 locations.