Safe Tires, Safe Trips: 10 Tips @ (NAPSA)—Before hitting the roads for your nexttrip, it’s a good idea to take a few minutes to check the condition of yourtires. Well-maintained tires keep your car safer and help it last longer. They can save you money,too. Properly inflated tires help in- crease gas mileage. The following 10 tips can help to keep your tires in good shape and your travels safe. They come from the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA): Consult with a knowledgeable tire or automobile dealer about selecting the proper tire for your driving patterns. Buy a tire gauge and keep it handy in yourcaratall times. Check your tire pressure at least once per month, especially before a long trip, and do so before yourtires are warm from driving. During wet weather, slow down to reduce the risk of hydroplaning. Rotate yourtires every 6,000 miles. If tires show uneven wear, ask your automotive service professional to check for and correct any misalignment, imbalance or other mechanical problem involved before rotation. Check your vehicle alignmentperiodically. * Inspect and measure your tire tread. Place a penny in the tread groove. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, replace your tires. Check thetire sidewalls for gouges or otherirregularities. * Do not overload your vehicle. Doingso can leadto tire failure. * Have your tire balance checkedperiodically. For more information, visit www.nada.org.
