SPRING FEVER

April 3, 2014 Page 3

Shake - WOBBLE or Pull?
MIDWEST MINI BARNS
Let US
help YOU!
WATTS
CLEANERS
408 S. Main Rock Port
Daytime- (660) 744-2200
After Hours- (660) 744-2190
Mon-Fri 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
We do
curtains,
drapes,
bedspreads and
more.
1. Vehicle inspections
2. Alignments
3. Alternators
4. Batteries
5. Diesels
Does your car or truck
YOUR TIRES COULD BE TO BLAME!
Graybill Tire & Repair
Mon - Sat 7 a.m. - midnight
Sun 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
(660) 744-2404 - (800) 279-4288
6. Oil Changes
7. Tires
8. Wheel Balancing
9. Wheels
10. Chrome for those wheels
Services/Products:
MIDWEST SPORTS POWER
1-29 & Hwy 2-Exit 10 | Percival, Iowa
(712) 382-1445
BOATING
SEASON
IS HERE!
Come see our
line of G3 boats
Family Owned and Operated
300 US Hwy. 69 | Winston, MO | (660) 749-5310
midwestminibarns.com
Tire maintenance an important safety precaution
Tires are the link between a vehicle and the roadway,
and tire quality has a direct impact on the performance and
safety of an automobile. But tire maintenance is easy to
overlook. However, ignoring tire maintenance can threaten
driver and passenger safety and make a vehicle operate
inefciently.
Steering, breaking ability and traction are all governed
by good tires. Worn tread can result in longer stopping
times and make it difcult to brake immediately in an
emergency situation. Although driving tends to be the
primary culprit behind worn down tires, sometimes bald or
unevenly worn out tread is indicative of a larger problem,
such as a misaligned wheelbase, improperly aligned tires
or tires that are underinated. The following are some
common problems associated with tires and how to address
these issues should they arise.
BLOWOUTS
Worn tire treads increase the risk of punctures, which
can lead to blowouts. Bald tires also may blowout as a
result of friction on roadways that is met with minimal
rubber. Getting caught on the side of the road with a tire
blowout can be a hassle, so routinely check tire treads and
replace tires accordingly.
TREAD DEPTH
Average new tires on cars usually start with 10/32 inch to 11/32 inch
of original tread depth. When tread reaches a depth of 2/32 inch, they are
considered worn out. There are different ways to gauge tread depth. Insert
a penny into the tread groove with Lincolns head upside down and facing
you. If you can see all of Lincolns head, it is time to replace the tires.
Another coin test is to insert a quarter into the groove. If the tread touches
Washingtons head, you have at least 4/32 inch of tread left. Dont have any
currency on hand? Then look at the treadwear indicator bar molded into
the tires. When these bars become ush with the adjacent ribs of the tire,
the tires should be replaced.
ALIGNMENT
According to the Rubber Manufacturers Association, improper
alignment causes rapid or uneven treadwear. Tires should be aligned and
balanced periodically to avoid irregular wear and having to replace tires
prematurely.
TREAD PATTERN
Tires feature different tread patterns depending on the brand of tire.
They may be directional, asymmetrical, nondirectional, and directional/
asymmetrical. When purchasing replacement tires, it is adviseable to match
the tread pattern to the existing tires. This helps enhance the performance
of the car. In fact, some newer cars require tread to match. Mismatched
D
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Motorists who
still adhere to
the old standard
of changing their
vehicles oil every
3,000 miles are
likely wasting
their money. The
majority of todays
auto manufacturers
now build vehicles
that can go twice as
long, if not longer,
between oil changes.
Many automakers
now call for oil
changes every 7,500
miles, and some
go even further,
r e c o mme n d i n g
oil changes every
10,000 miles.
Some vehicles can
even go as long
as 15,000 miles
before needing
an oil change.
Vehicle owners
should consult
their owners
manuals for advice
on how often their
vehicles oil should
be changed. When
establishing an oil
change schedule
for their vehicles,
many drivers are
hesitant to abandon
the conventional
3,000 mile interval
schedule that was
long espoused by
the auto industry.
But advancements
in technology
have allowed
manufacturers to
recommend longer
intervals between
oil changes,
which benets
motorists bottom
lines and even
the environment.
Rather than
needlessly wasting
perfectly good oil
every 3,000 miles,
in many instances
motorists can now
continue to use that
oil twice as long, if
not longer, reducing
waste-oil dumping
as a result. When
consulting an
owners manual for
recommended oil
change intervals,
owners should resist
the temptation to
follow the severe
schedules listed
in many owners
manuals. Such
schedules are
rarely applicable
under normal
circumstances, and
only serve to waste
drivers money and
oil.
treads may cause problems with transmission shifting or
impact control and steadiness.
TIRE PRESSURE
Underination of tires can cause failure, stress and
irregular wear. Underinated tires also may contribute to
loss of control that leads to accidents. Always maintain the
manufacturers recommendations for the correct pressure,
which should be adjusted based on the temperature.
Tires should undergo the same inspection and
maintenance as other parts of the vehicle. Tires are a vital
component to safe driving, and routine maintenance can
prevent accidents and other problems.
Nebraska City, Neb. (402) 873-3706
Auburn, Neb. (402) 274-4576
Mon.-Sat. 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Sun. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Great buys
for your
lawn &
gardens!
LIVE GOODS LAWN EQUIPMENT
LAWN & GARDEN SUPPLIES
Trees, Plants and
Vegetables
Tillers, Mowers and
Hand Tools
Mulch, Soils, Rocks, Fertilizer and Chemicals
Lifetime Vision Center
922 Alden Drive Auburn, NE (402) 274-3218
www.lifetimevisioncenter.com
Drs. Crotty, Wright and Crotty
Full line of polarized prescription and non-prescription sunglasses
(Exposure to UVB Radiation can increase risk of Cataracts.)
Safety glasses for work or sports and shooter glasses.
Friendly staff to offer great service
Premium eyecare
CALL TO SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY!
Just in time for summer - lenses for your protection!
Homeowners who want their homes to make strong rst impressions
must prioritize curb appeal. Homes with strong curb appeal sell well
and can impart a welcoming feel to all visitors. Improving curb appeal
need not be expensive, and the following are a handful of ways to
improve the appearance of your home.
1. Install a bold-looking door in a vibrant color or one with a custom
design. This helps the home stand out from other properties in the
neighborhood.
2. Edge the driveway to create a distinct border between the
driveway and the lawn or other landscaping features. This helps
homes appear neat and well kept.
3. Use outdoor lighting to make a home more inviting. Outdoor
lighting also makes properties safer to traverse at night.
9 ways to improve curb appeal
4. Clean a homes exterior to remove mildew or discolorations from
the siding, driveway, patio, and other outdoor elements.
5. Improve landscapes with fresh plants and seasonal color.
Homeowners without the time to plant can consider container
gardens, which dont take much time to assemble but still add appeal
to a homes exterior.
6. Prune planting beds and add new mulch to restore color.
7. Add shutters and accent trim to a homes exterior to improve on
the beauty of the house.
8. Install new fencing or give a fresh coat of paint or stain to an
existing fence.
9. Replace concrete paths with tile or stone walkways to make entry
ways more impressive and inviting.