The Tire Rack Passes Two-Billion Mile Mark

World's Largest Database of Consumer Tire Reviews Helps Drivers Improve the Safety and Performance of their Vehicles

SOUTH BEND, Ind., Feb. 5 -- American consumers spend $17B per year buying more than 200,000,000 replacement tires for their cars, trucks, SUVs and minivans. Now they can make the most informed tire-purchase decision based on more than two-billion miles worth of real-world user data collected by The Tire Rack, the largest source of tire and wheel information anywhere. The information is available free of charge at www.tirerack.com

With more than 7,000 major-brand models and sizes to choose from, tire shopping is a process most consumers find intimidating and confusing. But since 1997, long before the advent of user-generated Internet content, The Tire Rack's web site has featured consumer survey results and comments that remove the mystery surrounding the most important safety components of any passenger vehicle -- its tires. For the first time the number of miles driven by those consumers exceeds two billion, with more than 124,000 surveys collected. Combined with the company's tire testing results, this user- supplied information makes www.tirerack.com the single most powerful resource for consumers researching and shopping for new tires.

"We recognized most people mistakenly buy tires based on price, not on what's correct for them," said vice president Matt Edmonds. "So we developed consumer surveys and an in-house testing program to provide information that help consumers quickly and easily learn which tires are correct for their vehicle and driving style." "It's a resource you won't find anywhere else," he added.

Tire testing at The Tire Rack is conducted by a team of over 80 test drivers using a fleet of current sedans and SUVs. Traction, responsiveness, braking and handling characteristics in both dry and wet conditions are evaluated on the family-owned company's state-of-the-art testing facility. The ten-acre site includes a configurable road course and 200-foot diameter skidpad with a computer-controlled irrigation system.

Tires are also tested on nearby roads and interstate highways to gauge real-world ride comfort, noise levels and handling. In addition, winter tires are tested on sheer ice under controlled conditions. All results are posted to www.tirerack.com, where consumers have free access 24-hours a day, seven days a week, without any registration.

About The Tire Rack

The Tire Rack, headquartered in South Bend, Indiana, is America's largest independent tire tester and consumer direct source for tires, wheels and performance accessories. Since 1979, the family-run company has grown from a single-point retail store in Indianapolis to encompass over 1.5 million square feet of warehouse space across the country. A diverse and broad in-stock inventory from 16 major tire and 31 wheel brands can be delivered anywhere in the country in two days or less. More than 4,800 independent Recommended Installers are available to service customers' installation needs nationwide.