Tires are among the most important, yet most often overlooked, vehicle component. Because everything related to driving - starting, moving, turning and stopping - involves the tires, the importance of properly maintaining them cannot be overemphasized.

Factors that affect tire wear and life include:

• Pressure - Under-inflation creates excessive heat, seriously reduces tire life, increases fuel consumption, diminishes control of the vehicle and is the leading cause of tire failure. Over-inflation causes the center of the tread to bear the majority of the vehicle's weight, leading to faster deterioration and premature and uneven wear.

• Alignment - Poor alignment can quickly wear out tires, result in decreased traction and even cause your vehicle to veer off to one side.

• Rotation - Each tire on your vehicle supports a different amount of weight. Tire rotation helps to equalize tread wear and is critical to gain the maximum tire lifespan.

• Tread - Tread wear patterns indicate whether tires are properly balanced, aligned and inflated. Advanced and unusual wear can reduce the ability of the tread to grip the road.

Tire Care Tips
Here are some procedures that should be a part of your tire care program:

• Check tire inflation with an accurate gauge at least once a week.

• Have tire/wheel alignment checked as specified by the vehicle's owner's manual or whenever you have an indication of trouble, such as pulling or vibration.

• Rotate tires regularly to achieve more uniform wear and extend their useful life.

• Visually check your tires for uneven wear, looking for high and low areas or unusually smooth areas on a regular basis.

• Scan treads daily for any sharp objects that may have punctured the tires. Clean out rocks or debris lodged in deep tread. Check sidewalls for gouges, cracks, splits, cuts, bulges or other irregularities.

• Replace damaged tires immediately.

• Always follow the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations for correct tire inflation, load limits, appropriate rotation timeframe and pattern and replacement tire specifications.

• Always obey all traffic laws. Avoid fast starts, stops and turns, as well as braking around curves and corners. Steer clear of potholes and other objects in the road.

Tire Care Produces Multiple Benefits
Tires are designed to provide thousands of miles of excellent service. But for maximum benefit, they must be properly maintained. Drivers who do so will experience far fewer tire failures and, as an added benefit, will experience optimum vehicle handling. They will also find that their tires last longer and their fuel costs will decline. Most importantly, properly maintained tires will help prevent avoidable breakdowns and accidents.