(1) When should I think about new tires?

For the most enjoyable driving experience it's important to replace worn tires. Optimum traction helps provide responsive handling for a smooth, reliable ride. To determine when you should start shopping, follow these simple steps:

• First, test the tread. Pinch a Lincoln-head penny between your thumb and forefinger, so that the top of Lincoln's head is showing.

• Place the top of Lincoln's head into one of the tire tread grooves - try to measure in the deepest point within the tread.

• If any part of Lincoln's head is obscured by the tread, your tires have enough tread. However, if you can see above Lincoln's head, you're ready for a new tire.

• You should always check your tires in several tread locations. Be sure to check the inner, outer, and middle grooves of each tire, as tires can wear differently on each side, due to improper wheel alignment and/or low inflation.

(2) What should I consider when choosing a new tire?

Below are some considerations that make choosing a tire simpler.

• Look for tires that excel in tests for braking, handling, and resistance to hydroplaning.

• Let tread wear, ride comfort, noise, and rolling resistance help narrow your choices. (Comparative treadlife tests demonstrate that a manufacturer's warranty doesn't always reflect how a tire will wear, but used as an estimate, it's an important piece of information).

• Choosing a vehicle tire depends on where you live, weather and terrain issues, what performance expectations you have, and what your vehicle requires.

(3) What's the difference between all-season and winter tires?

The key to good traction is friction, but this can be elusive depending on the weather. Winter tires are designed to stay soft and pliable at low temperatures, so they will deform and re-conform to all the micro irregularities of the icy surface, resulting in grip. All-season tires are designed to help provide traction in wet and snowy conditions. Their reinforced sidewalls keep the tire shoulders on the road, while microgrooves help provide biting edges that lock together, enabling better grip when turning on wet roads.

(1) How can regular tire maintenance extend optimal driving performance and comfort?

• Check your tire pressure every 3,000 miles to keep your vehicle driving smoothly and evenly, and therefore gas efficiently.

NOTE: Tires should be inflated when cool to the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations printed on the vehicle door placard or in your vehicle owner's manual, NOT the maximum limit stamped on a tire sidewall.

• Rotate your tires every 6,000-8,000 miles to help equalize tread wear.

• Get your wheel alignment checked as specified in your vehicle owner's manual, or as soon as you feel the wheel "pull."

• Visually check your tires for irregularities in tread wear, as these could indicate problems with alignment or inflation.

(2) Why is tire pressure important?

• Improper air pressure in tires can lead to a multitude of problems – from uneven and accelerated tire wear, to structural damage, and even poor gas mileage. The average consumer could improve gas mileage by 3.3% simply by keeping their tires properly inflated. Based on the current price of gas, and a 15-gallon gas tank, $1.50 could be saved with every fill up.

• Prinx recommends checking tire inflation monthly, or before a long trip. Tires should be inflated to the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations printed on the vehicle door placard, or in the vehicle owner's manual.

• Proper vehicle and tire maintenance is a good investment because it translates into optimum driving performance, significant cost savings, and better fuel mileage.

(1) How can taking care of my tires help me make the most of a long trip?

• Check your air pressure – smooth, even driving starts with your tires.

NOTE: Tires should be inflated when cool to the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations printed on the vehicle door placard or in your vehicle owner's manual, NOT the maximum limit stamped on a tire sidewall.

• Replacing a clogged air filter can improve gas mileage by as much as 10%, saving about 15 cents per gallon.

• Worn or dirty spark plugs can cause misfiring, which wastes fuel - replacing these per your vehicle owner's manual can lead to a better performing vehicle.

• Vehicle gas caps that are damaged, loose, or missing altogether waste gas. According to the Car Care Council, about 17% of vehicles on the road have gas cap problems, causing 147 million gallons of gas to vaporize every year.

(2) What are some techniques for caring for my tires in challenging winter conditions?

• Avoid sudden car movements; accelerate gently, turn gradually, and pump the brakes when stopping. These are ways to help the tread on your tires maintain effective traction.

• Should you go into a skid and your car has an anti-lock braking system (ABS), apply steady pressure to the brakes and turn in the direction of the skid. Don't pump the brakes in this scenario.

• If you get stuck in the snow, spinning your tires too fast can overheat them to the point where they will explode and cause injury. Rocking your vehicle back and forth is a better way to correct this problem. If your vehicle has ABS brakes, follow the directions in your vehicle owner's manual.

(1) What important points could help me better understand and care for my tires?

• Inflation pressure in a tire goes up (in warm weather) or down (in cold weather) 1-2 pounds for every 10 degrees of temperature change.

• The driving habits that cause the greatest tire wear are cornering, aggressive starting, and hard braking. Riding the brake and swerving back and forth will also expedite wear.

(2) What are some ways I could avoid tire damage?

• Driving with an underinflated or overloaded tire causes the tire to develop excessive heat. This causes the tire's sidewall to flex excessively, resulting in higher operating temperatures and possible internal structural damage. All this could cause tire failure, leading to vehicle damage and/or personal injury.

• To avoid this, check your inflation regularly, and maintain the proper air pressure as listed on your driver's side door placard, or in your vehicle owner's manual.