Pep Boys Offers Motorists a Three-Point Checklist for Safe Winter Driving
December 07 2011 - 4:30PM
Business Wire
With the increased possibility of extreme weather this winter,
The Pep Boys – Manny, Moe & Jack (NYSE: “PBY”), the nation's
leading automotive aftermarket service and retail chain, reminds
motorists to regularly check their vehicles and inspect or replace
worn tires.
According to the American Meteorological Society, there are
approximately 1.2 million weather related accidents in the United
States each year. Inclement weather conditions such as rain, snow,
sleet and fog demand that drivers maintain increased stopping
distances, decrease their highway speeds and avoid sudden stops or
abrupt lane changes. Aside from changing the way one drives, there
are also preventable measures drivers can take to make sure their
vehicles are ready for the changing weather.
Inspect your lights:
In many states, it’s required by law to have your headlights on
when encountering rain, snow and foggy conditions. Before heading
out on the road, be sure to check your headlights, turn signals and
brake lights. Make sure they are functioning properly and are free
of obstructions such as road salt, mud or road grime. With its
professionally trained staff and large selection of parts, Pep Boys
can help you replace or repair worn and cracked lenses and replace
burned out lights.
Check your windshield and windshield wipers:
Make sure your windshield is free of grease and oil. In rainy or
snowy conditions, windshield wipers can smear residue left on the
windshield from a summer of driving, making visibility a challenge.
Clean your windshield with soap and water and wipe down your
windshield wiper blades with a mixture of rubbing alcohol and water
to remove any additional residue. Inspect the rubber blades for
cracking and wear, and replace as needed.
Inspect your tires:
Tires are literally “where the rubber meets the road” and they
are one of the biggest influencers to driving safely during
inclement weather. New tires can allow drivers to brake quicker,
handle better and avoid danger on the road. Braking in rainy, icy
and snowy conditions can be treacherous on balding or damaged
tires. Inspect your tires for damage and wear, make sure they are
properly inflated and replace or inflate them as necessary.
A simple visual inspection, done at home or your local service
station, can prove invaluable. Check tires for signs of premature
or extreme wear. Each tire should show signs of wear uniformly.
Tread should not be worn on the outside edges or center only, these
are signs of tires that may be misaligned, out of balance or
improperly inflated.
Inflation ratings vary by vehicle. To determine the proper
pressure for your tires, consult your owner’s manual or the inside
of the vehicle’s door jamb. Local service centers, like Pep Boys,
can check for wheel balance and proper alignment.
There are a number of ways to inspect and measure tire wear.
Perhaps the most well-known is the penny measurement. With a penny
in hand, place the coin upside down into the tread with Lincoln’s
head first. If the top of Lincoln’s head is still visible, the
tires are in need of replacement. Some tires have built-in wear
indicators that allow for a quick visual inspection. Each of these
indicators are raised portions of rubber within the bottom of the
tread grooves. When they appear flush with the rest of the tread,
it’s time to replace the tire.
For climates that are particularly cold, special winter tires
may be a good option as a seasonal replacement. Winter tires vary
by tread pattern and tread wear rating. Some specialty tires even
come with implanted studs in the tread for increased traction in
icy conditions. Winter tires generally have a lower lifespan than
traditional all-season or summer tires, but they provide the best
option for snowy conditions.
With more than 700 stores across the country, Pep Boys is a good
option for drivers who have additional questions or need their
vehicles inspected and serviced. In fact, this past month, Pep Boys
was honored as the top satisfying tire retailer in the Midwest by
automotive marketing research and product-consulting firm,
AutoPacific.
“With more than a million tires in inventory, Pep Boys can
accommodate most vehicles, even if tires are needed last-minute or
during holiday travel,” said Scott Webb, Executive Vice President
of Merchandising and Marketing. “We’ve taken the mystery out of the
tire buying experience and made it easy with TreadSmart.”
TreadSmart is a tire selection system that allows customers to
research what they need before they purchase on-line or in-store.
TreadSmart puts the customer in the driver’s seat – literally. The
web-based system asks tire buyers questions specific to that
individual’s driving habits, and makes recommendations based on
that information. Plus, unlike any other online tire buying system,
TreadSmart allows the customer to schedule installation at a Pep
Boys location convenient to the driver’s home or office – even same
day.
As always, Pep Boys will perform free tire pressure checks
during normal business hours and will beat any tire deal by 5%.
For more information on making your car ready for winter
weather, TreadSmart or tire buying, visit
http://www.pepboys.com/.
About Pep Boys
Since 1921, Pep Boys has been the nation’s leading automotive
aftermarket chain. With more than 7,000 service bays in more than
700 locations in 35 states and Puerto Rico, Pep Boys offers
name-brand tires; automotive maintenance and repair; parts and
expert advice for the Do-It-Yourselfer; commercial auto parts
delivery; and fleet maintenance and repair. Customers can find the
nearest location by calling 1-800-PEP-BOYS (1-800-737-2697) or by
visiting http://www.pepboys.com.
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