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“Tires…Where the Rubber Hits the Road”

RICHMOND, VA - November 2009 - (BBNJ.org/midasrichmond) What component on your car, if properly maintained, offers you improved gas mileage, better traction on virtually any road surface, shorter stopping distance, a quieter ride and peace of mind?   The answer lies in each corner of your car, and that component is your tires.  Consider these Car Care Council statistics:
       

• Only 14% of drivers properly check their tire pressure
• Nearly 70% don’t know how to tell if their tires are bald
• 45% wrongly believe that if taking a trip with a fully loaded vehicle that        they’re better off with tires that are slightly under-inflated

While tires are engineered now better than ever, there are tips to help you get the most our of your tire investment while improving the overall performance of your car.

 Check the tire pressure at least once a month - Have you ever ridden a bike that does not have properly inflated tires?  Your legs work harder to cover even the shortest distances.  Why?  Because the air of the tire that is on the ground, the contact patch, is bigger than normal so more energy is required to move it.  The engine in your car experiences exactly the same principle with under inflated tires.  More energy, A.K.A. gasoline, is used to move the car.

Be aware of seasonal changes in tire pressure - If you live in an area with noticeable seasonal changes in temperature, pay particular attention to tire pressure at those times of year as dramatic temperature swings outside result in direct increases or decreases in tire pressure.  A drop of 10°F can cause a 1 psi loss in pressure which can add up quickly. 

Rotate your tires regularly – This evens out wear rates based on the amount of weight that each tire carries on a vehicle.  Your vehicle’s manufacturer has specific recommendations for tire rotation.  Keeping to this schedule will help extend tire life.  Review your owner’s manual or see your automotive service mechanic for their recommendation for scheduled rotation.

Check the tread wear and tread depth on your tires regularly - One of the primary purposes for the tread on your tire serves is to get you the best traction you can get.  That is your tires’ “footprint”.  Tires that have tread that us wearing down will experience longer stopping distances and a less stable feel under hard braking conditions.  As tires wear the traction on wet roads could be hazardous and could result in hydroplaning.  If the wear bars on your tires are getting close to the tread depth or if the tread is wearing unevenly, find a tire professional to discuss your options.
 

Select a tire that matches your driving habits - You have a lot of choices when thinking about tires.  Consider the type of driving you do, the part of the country you live in and conditions you may face as a result of that and what type of ride you are looking for.  Variations in tread pattern can be noisier or quieter, softer or harder with any number of other variations.
  
Most people “don’t care how the clock works” they only care about “what time it is.  The same is true when selecting an automotive service adviser.  Like choosing a doctor, lawyer or accountant, it is important to find an automotive professional you can trust to help protect your investment, prevent costly repairs and keep you safe on the road. 

Mark Smith has owned the Midas Auto Service Centers in the Greater Richmond area since 1998. He is currently the President of the International Midas Dealers Association and has been recognized by Midas as one of their Franchisees of the Year.  The Short Pump store was the highest retail sales volume in the entire Midas system in 2008.  Midas offers full service car care, maintenance and repair.  The facilities are equipped with the latest technology and fully certified crews in each store.  Locally, Mark serves on the Board of Directors for the Central Virginia Foodbank, the Virginia Blood Service and the Central Virginia Better Business Bureau  He serves Central Virginia Public as a BBNJ Select Auto Sevice Expert with  the Better Business News Journal (BBNJ) on www.4u2c.tv . Mark invites everyone to learn and share educational car care news with him on www.4u2c.tv  . New driver nquiries are always invited. Please call Midas Auto Service at 804-360-2211, visit us at 11463 West Broad St., Richmond, VA 23233 or check us out on the web at WWW.MIDASRICHMOND.COM.

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