Great! You’ve made an investment in a set of top of the line tires. You’ve checked out all specifications, you have looked into performance ratings, warranties, and decided on the perfect tires for your vehicle. Now what? How do you protect your investment and get the most out of your tires? With these simple tips, you can extend the life and performance of your tires, and keep them in top shape for as long as possible.

1. Proper Inflation- Check tire inflation often, and only when the tires are cool (before any driving). A glove box tire pressure gauge can help keep an eye on inflation. Poorly inflated tires can cause extra strain and wear on the tire, shortening its life and affecting performance.

2. Proper Rotation- The weight distribution on your vehicle can vary, so ...[more]

There are just as many ways to buy tires, as there are reasons to invest in a new set. Buying new tires does not have to be a financial burden; there are many tricks to finding great deals on tires, as well as knowing when to shop for the best prices, especially if it is possible to plan ahead. Many consumers wait too long to buy tires, which can actually be counter-productive. Often, you may only need one or two new tires, but always make sure to buy the same tires as are already on the vehicle, so that they will be compatible with the remaining tires. However, it is worth noting that there may be rebates, manufacturer discounts, and other benefits to buying four new tires at once, and many mechanics will recommend replacing all four tires at once for the best price and performance.

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Many motorists do not take the time to schedule regular oil changes, but did you know something as simple as a seasonal oil change can have multiple benefits on your vehicle’s performance and overall longevity? A simple seasonal oil change, when done every 3 months, or 3,000 to 6,000 miles depending on your vehicle, can keep your vehicle running more smoothly, and for much longer. Oil changes are the most inexpensive way to provide quality maintenance to your vehicle and prevent many common issues due to age and wear.

For example, an oil change will remove old, dirty oil, as well as replace the old filter, keeping the engine free from harmful dirt and debris. Small particles like dirt, road debris, and even air pollutants can get into the engine and beg ...[more]

This spring, be aware of the seasonal changes that can impact or damage your windshield. Windshield replacement can become costly, and sometimes the damage cannot be repaired. Driving with a broken, cracked, or chipped windshield can obscure visibility and can even cause a traffic citation in some areas. Cracks and chips can spread quickly if left unattended and may require a full replacement for the best safety on your vehicle.

Chips or stars caused by rocks can often remain unnoticed until they begin to spread. During the spring, snow and ice melt, bringing more small rocks into the roadways with the runoff, causing hazardous rock spray. Driving too closely behind heavy trucks or larger vehicles that can flip up rocks behind them can cause a windshield to be repeatedly hit by flying deb ...[more]

As the weather warms up, the road hazards of snow and ice seem to fade with the cold, but with changing seasons come new risks to be aware of. Springtime tends to be wet and rainy, with melting snow and ice, and climbing temperatures. This becomes a perfect recipe for creating potholes, those sneaky annoyances that can wreak havoc on your tires. During the winter, cracks form due to moisture and ice expanding weakened fractures in the road surface. As the cracks get worse they can become torn out of the road by the weight of passing cars, winter chains, or studded tires. In areas with heavy spring and winter rainfall sinkholes can form with the potholes, creating even deeper road hazards. Because potholes can form on any road surface, keeping a diligent eye on road will help protect your from their pot ...[more]

The absolute easiest thing that you can do for the life of your vehicle is to be diligent about getting regular oil changes. It is the most vital part of routine maintenance and will keep your vehicle running smoother, performing better, and help prevent many of the most common causes of breakdowns. Under normal driving conditions, most mechanics will recommend changing your oil about every 3,000 miles, or every 3 months. Oil changes are typically a quick and simple service that can be done in a matter of a few minutes at your trusted automotive shop or something that you can do at home with the proper tools. With a full service oil change, your mechanic will usually check or replace your air filter, visually inspect your belts and hoses, check fluid levels, check your tire pressure, and looks for signs of leaks.

The Benefits ...[more]

Tires talk. What do they say about your tire savvy?

You can learn a lot about a persons knowledge of safe driving habits just by looking at his or her car tires. When you get behind the wheel in any season, are you confident that your tires can handle the weather and road conditions?

Scenario #1: You have all-season radials on your car in January.

Your tires say you like to live dangerously.

To be safe on the roads in winter, you should be prepared for the worst weather possible. In Northeast Ohio, that ranges from freezing rain, sleet and ice to inches (and sometimes even a foot or more) of snow. Although all-season radials may give you good performance under many conditions, they will not give you the grip, braking and handling you need for winter. Purchase a set of four identical snow tires imprinted with the mountain snowflake symbol. They need to be the right siz ...[more]

Your tires are the only part of your vehicle that actually touches the road when you drive. It only takes a couple of minutes of preventive maintenance each month to keep your tires working at their best.

• in the car' owner manual

• gas tank lid

• driver's side door's edge

• door post

Driving in the rain can be dangerous; in fact thousands of car accidents each year are caused by wet driving conditions.