The Basics of How to Buy and Maintain Tires

I recently made a visit to my local tire store for a new set of tires; a visit, which I will admit, was more than a bit overdue. I have vowed to mend my ways and make sure my tires are in tip-top shape all year, not just when I start worrying about winter weather.

AAA has a great short video series that deals with tire maintenance. In this series, John Nielsen, director of AAAs Approved Auto Repair Network and Auto Buying Services, demonstrates the basics of how to buy and maintain tires. The series explains when you should replace tires and what to consider when buying tires for your vehicle. It also offers tips for maintaining your tires and provides instruction on how to change a flat. For more AAA Automotive information, visit www.AAA.com/Auto.

Hope you find the video as useful as I did!

Winter Driving Tips

We've been weather-lucky so far this fall. This sting of gorgeous, sunny days can almost make us forget that winter is right around the corner. We all know that pretty fall days can't last forever though, and now is the time to start preparing your car for winter weather.

Below is a checklist from aaa.com to keep your vehicle rolling along through the wicked weather season:

Winter Car Care Checklist

º Battery and Charging System – Have the battery and charging system tested by a trained technician. A fully charged battery in good condition is required to start an engine in cold weather. AAA members can request a visit from a AAA Mobile Battery Service technician who will test their battery and replace it on-site, if necessary. AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities can also test and replace weak batteries.

º Battery Cables and Terminals – Check the condition of the battery cables and terminals. Make sure all connections are secure and remove any corrosion from the terminals and posts.

º Drive Belts – Inspect belts for cracks or fraying. Don’t just look at the smooth top surface of the belt, but turn it over and check the grooved underside where most belt wear occurs.

º Engine Hoses –Visually inspect the cooling system hoses for leaks, cracks or loose clamps. Also, squeeze the hoses to check for any that may be brittle or excessively spongy feeling and in need of replacement.

º Tire Type and Tread – In areas with heavy winter weather, changing to snow tires on all four wheels will provide the best winter traction. All-season tires will work well in light to moderate snow conditions, providing they have adequate tread depth. If any tire has less than 3/32-inches of tread, it should be replaced. Uneven wear on the tires can indicate alignment, suspension or wheel balance problems that should be addressed to prevent further damage to the tires.

º Tire Pressure – Check tire pressure more frequently during winter months. As the temperature drops, so will the pressures in the tires—typically 1 PSI for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit. The proper tire pressure levels can be found on a sticker located on the driver’s side door jamb. And, don’t forget to check the spare.

º Air Filter – Check the engine’s air filter by holding it up to a 60-watt light bulb. If light can be seen through much of the filter, it is still clean enough to work effectively. However, if the light is blocked by most of the filter, replace it.

º Coolant Levels – Check the coolant level when the engine is cold. If the coolant level is low, add a 50/50 solution of coolant and water to maintain the necessary antifreeze capability. The level of antifreeze protection can be checked with an inexpensive tester available at any auto parts store.

º Lights – Check the operation of all headlights, taillights, emergency flashers, turn signals, brake lights and back-up lights. Replace any burnt out bulbs.

º Wiper Blades – Blades should completely clear the glass with each swipe. Replace blades that leave streaks or miss spots. In areas with snowy conditions, consider installing winter wiper blades that wrap the blade in a rubber boot to prevent ice and snow buildup that can prevent good contact between the rubber blade and the glass.

º Washer Fluid – Fill the windshield washer fluid reservoir with a cleaning solution that has antifreeze components for cold weather use.

º Brakes – Have brakes inspected by a certified technician to ensure all components are in good working order.

º Transmission, Brake and Power Steering Fluids – Check all fluids to ensure they are at or above the minimum safe levels.

º Emergency Road Kit – Update the car’s emergency kit for winter weather. The kit should include:

o Bag of abrasive material (sand, salt, cat litter) or traction mats
o Snow shovel
o Snow brush
o Flashlight with extra batteries
o Window washer solvent
o Ice scraper
o Cloth or roll of paper towels
o Jumper cables
o Gloves, hats and blankets
o Warning devices (flares or triangles)
o Drinking water
o Non-perishable snacks (energy or granola bars)
o Extra clothes
o First-aid kit
o Basic toolkit (screwdrivers, pliers, adjustable wrench)
o Mobile phone and car charger with important numbers programmed in it, including a roadside assistance provider


Oh, and when winter driving gets really wicked, don't do what these folks did. Just stay home instead!

A Driver's Story

I wanted to share a story with everyone on why I volunteer to drive and why I continue to drive.

Volunteering to drive seemed simple enough, take someone to and/or from an appointment, shopping, etc, all on my lunch hour or work break. I could do it at my convenience when I had the time. My first ride was truly life-affirming and life-changing all in one instance.

The ride was simple enough: drive a couple of miles from my work and take Jack 2.5 miles to see his wife in a nursing home and pick him up a couple hours later. He is legally blind and his wife requires round the clock medical assistance. They have been married for almost 50 years and the only time he can see her is Friday afternoons. Fridays are theirs...it is their special day.

Being blind, Jack needs an arm to guide him around; and living on the second floor of an apartment building he has memorized the number of steps he has to walk down, counting along the way. In the car, Jack responds to any questions I have, with simple answers in broken English, yet there is something genuine about his responses. Although he is blind, he knows when we are close because he has memorized the route to get there.

Once we arrive at the assisted living facility he is almost leading me, having memorized the path to the elevator to visit his wife. "268, 268 that's where my wife is," Jack anxious tells me. I am absolutely thrilled for him and excited that I had something to do with this happening.

Upon exiting the elevator, the staff all recognize Jack and all say hello, Jack says hello back with a smile that goes ear to ear. As we walk down the hall, his wife is in her wheelchair and upon seeing Jack she instantly comes alive and shouts out, "Jack! Jack!". Immediately Jack lets go of my arm and is at his wife's side holding her hand with all of his might.

Jack gets to stay for almost two hours and when I return, Jack is sitting beside her bed holding her hand. I tell Jack that I am back and ready to take him home. He and his wife embrace and continually say I love you over and over and that they will see each other in a week. They are holding each other like it’s the last time they will see each other; those seven days apart must feel like an eternity. I offer my arm for Jack to grab hold of and he simply takes my arm, says good-bye to his wife, and we are on our way home.

The entire car ride home I fight back the tears. What a range of emotions in a few hours; the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. When we reach Jack's apartment, Jack speaks and says in his broken English, "I love my wife and thank you sir for today. She's my life and today's the happiest day." Trying even harder to fight back the tears, I tell him it’s my pleasure and I will see him next Friday. As soon as I turn to walk down the stairs the tears come pouring out.

Fridays for me not only means the weekend is near but that I get to see my favorite couple!