Keep an eye on tir ‘Inflation and tread -@epth are important Do Annette Rartin ; ‘. Contributing Writer * DO you take your car tires for * granted? Why? Those four pieces of rubber keep your vehicle on the pavement and are the most important safety devices on a vehicle. As such, they should be treat- > ed with respect. .! ““You’ve got to keep the tire pressure up.” Make sure you "ye got plenty of « c thread depth and you've got to have the’ tight tires for the conditions,” said Peter Keith, a forensic engineer and a private consultant who i investigates vehicle acci- ea dents. + Chuck Taylor of Taylormotive con- ‘curs with Keith’s advice. And because of the winter snow and rain conditions that can’ prevail on the North Shore, he advises. purchasing ‘new winter tires -» when the old ones are worn to 5/32 of — “san inch depth of thread. “What's more important? Your dollar or your safety?” he asked. : * New: tires have 10/32 of an inch ‘tread depth. Old_ tires, with perhaps 2/32 of an inch tread, can’t grip the road as weil. During wet weather condi- - tions, when water builds up on the® toads, ‘tires with low .tread depth can veause:a car to hydroplane (glide uncon- ~ trollably on the surface of the water). ‘Tire pressure is equally as important as tread depth, but is frequently negiect- : eae ‘Of & fitter. FL Suen SeBvIcE——————- Tons up including ignition system inspection, a6 Se nabs. air filter service, $/ check prsasst; o oS ‘HEATING SYSTEM SERV 5 ‘ . {Prosaure tit eaollag system, ‘check belts ond tvses. “Includes antifreeze .. Bo cer rae | arn CAR STEREO | WIRELESS HEADPHONES: | SOUND THROUGH te the tres’. AUDIO SYSTEM © < ed by car owners. ::.; / ON a front-wheel-drive car rotate the tires Tires that are under-inflated by; as lite). using the modified “X”. pattern’ above. If tle ‘as: five to ten pounds can adversely . two tires. are replaced, put them on the _ affect gas mileage and how the'car han-.. front wheels and move the front tires to the .diesin any’ weather conditions. Also, “year positions. After 7,500.km, the tres tires will wear faster when not. properly : should be rotated as above, inflated. & ‘The maximum pressure ‘for most tires - is'cisplayed in pounds per square’inch (psi). on the sidewall. The optimum pressure is always listed i in the owner’s manual. If you can no longer find the little book in your glove box, the. seme infermation is usually cn an information sticker stuck somewhere on your car. Try inside: ‘the driver’s side ‘door pillar, behind one of the visors, inside the glove box door or in the © compartment. 5°: » Using: the ‘recommended ‘peimber. will ensure that ‘the tires wear in the way they are designed ‘to perform. For example, if-a tire that requires 44 psi is run at 30 psi, that. tire wi il not wear. square across the , tread. “Whe under inflated, a tire’s 5 inside edge caves in aiid caus- wear on the outside edges. When over-inflated, the tire will r only on the centre of the surface. ° Also, if the tire surface doesn’t ride properly on the pave- ment, the vehicle ‘will handle poorly in bad weather, as the tires won't, be able to’ disperse water. “And ‘don’t forget the spare — when you check the four resting on the road, don’t wait until an emergency to’ inspect the-spare tire. Temporary or “space saver” tires require about 66 psi, but: should; only ever be used to reach help. The depth of tread isn’t as large-as on: regular tires, so if you have to use the.:- spare, keep the car’s speed down and drive cautiously. Some’. manufacturers offer an option to purchase a regular size spare 7Ou drive 20, 000 Kilometres a year, your tires should be rotated every six months,” said Taylor. The left rear tire :. oes to the right front position, the right rear moves to the Be ‘front and the.two front tires move directly to the’ back (left- -lefe; ‘right-right). If you are replacing two of the vehicle tires, put the new ones on the front and move the two front ; ones to the rear.) 2. “Once. a year: @ get a wheel alignment’ because poor road conditions can knock wheels out of alignment; @ balance the wheels; oe, Ls check ispension an steering, 7 Auto Pa Parts Plus NORTH SHORE cpa | Coll isiom Repair. e * Replacement cars petit guarantee :