Bridgestone Firestone worked with IMSA and SCCA championship winning race car driver Peter Cunningham (also a three-time national ice driving champion), to develop these tips for safe winter driving.

• During winter months, keep abreast of weather reports in your area. If snow or ice is predicted, make plans to leave early or arrive later. An alarm clock set to an earlier time can be a good friend in helping you avoid difficulties.

• If you can move a night trip to daylight hours, do so. Not only is visibility better, but if your vehicle is stalled, you are more likely to receive prompt assistance during the daytime.

• Prepare your vehicle for winter driving; use this checklist as a guideline:

1. Check windshield wiper blades to make sure they work properly. In some areas, snow blades are an effective alternative to conventional wiper bl ...[more]

For every 10 degrees F change in ambient temperature, tire pressure will change by approximately 1psi.

Inflation Pressure
Proper inflation pressure is essential for achieving maximum performance and mileage. Improper tire inflation pressure can cause severe internal tire damage, which can lead to sudden tire failure and resulting in serious personal injury or death.Improper inflation pressure may result in rapid or irregular wear. Pressures should always be checked when the tires are cold and at least monthly. Under normal tire operation, approximately 1psi of tire pressure will escape every month. Also, for every 10 degrees F change in ambient temperature, tire pressure will change by approximately 1psi.

Vehicle manufacturers list recommended tire pressures for original vehicle tires in the owner's manual or on a placard on the end of the driver's side door or in the glove box.

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April showers bring pretty flowers and dented fenders. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics, nearly one million vehicle accidents a year occur in wet weather.

Many of these rainy-day wrecks are caused by motorists failing to appreciate the vast difference between driving in wet and dry conditions, says Peter Cunningham, a championship winning race car driver who tours the U.S. for Bridgestone Firestone, teaching driving skills and discussing the importance of proper tires. "To drive safely on wet pavement, you have to recognize the demands that you, your vehicle and your tires face," Cunningham says. "It's very different than driving on dry pavement, but many motorists fail to change techniques and attention. That's when many wet weather accidents occur." Cunningham's wet weather driving tips include:

• Slow down. As your speed decreases, the tire footprint (the amount of the tire's ...[more]

When replacing tires on a vehicle, it is recommended and preferred that all four tires be replaced at the same time for continued optimal vehicle performance. However, for those cases where this is not feasible, below are some general guidelines to consider when replacing less than four tires for a light vehicle, whether it is one or two tires. If the vehicle manufacturer has alternate recommendations, always follow their recommendations.

IMPORTANT
In some cases, the vehicle manufacturer may specifically advise against replacing less than all four tires. Always check and follow the recommendations in the vehicle owner’s manual. For 4WD and AWD vehicles, even small differences in outside diameter may cause drive-train damage or mechanical malfunction.

Replacing Two (2) Tires - When a pair of replacement tires is selected in the same size and construction as those on the vehicle, the two newer tires shou ...[more]