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Shake - Wobble or Pull?

1. Vehicle inspections2. Alignments3. Alternators4. Batteries5. Diesels

Does your car or truck

Your tires could be to blame!Graybill Tire & Repair

Mon - Sat 7 a.m. - midnightSun 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

(660) 744-2404 - (800) 279-4288

6. Oil Changes7. Tires8. Wheel Balancing9. Wheels10. Chrome for those wheels

Services/Products:

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Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Pet & Odor Control

Residential & Commercial | EMERGENCY SERVICE(402) 873-4530 Cell (402) 209-2491

Gregg Dixon

WATER DAMAGE SPECIALISTSFall Home Imp-page18

Tarkio: (660) 736-5511Rock Port: (660) 744-6511

Heating and Air Conditioning

Call Me Today For A Great Deal.

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Call us for your Front Wheel & 4 Wheel

Alignments

ComputerizedHunter Alignment Machine

QualityAuto Repair

506 S. 10th St. Tarkio, MO(Across from Pizza Hut)

(660) 736-5561

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Let US help YOU!

WATTS CLEANERS

408 S. Main Rock PortDaytime- (660) 744-2200

After Hours- (660) 744-2190Mon-Fri 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

We do curtains, drapes,

bedspreads and more.

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 inefficiently.

Steering, breaking ability and traction are all governed by good tires. Worn tread can result in longer stopping times and make it difficult 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 underinflated. The following are some common problems associated with tires and how to address these issues should they arise.

BLOWOUTSWorn 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 DEPTHAverage 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 flush with the adjacent ribs of the tire, the tires should be replaced.

ALIGNMENTAccording 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 PATTERNTires 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 treads may cause problems with transmission shifting or impact control and

steadiness.

TIRE PRESSUREUnderinflation of tires can cause failure, stress and

irregular wear. Underinflated 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.

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, recommending 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 benefits 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.

DID YOU KNOW?Smartphones are a convenient tool that few people can

now imagine living without. Smartphone-toting moms and dads know they always have a camera on hand to take quick snaps of their youngsters, while foodies rely on their smartphones to find nearby restaurants or read reviews of eateries while out on the town. But drivers also can benefit from smartphones thanks to the following apps.

Waze: Commuters who download Waze to their smartphones may wonder how they ever navigated their daily treks to the office without this useful app, which allows drivers to share real-time traffic and road information with their fellow motorists. Drivers can use Waze to save time and gas money and make their commutes less stressful. Drivers who use Waze can actively report accidents and find the least expensive gas prices posted by fellow drivers in their community.

GasBuddy: While fuel prices dipped in late 2014 and stayed low into 2015, today's drivers are still conditioned to find the most affordable gas prices around. The GasBuddy app makes it easy to do just that, as users can share gas prices in their community, which fellow drivers can then peruse to find the most affordable filling stations along their driving routes. Drivers can even enter their city, ZIP code or postal code to find the cheapest gas in their vicinity.

AAA Mobile: AAA members can use the AAA Mobile app to access AAA services on their smartphones. Such services include trip planning, member discounts and roadside assistance. The app also includes a mobile version of the motor club's popular TripTik Travel Planner, which makes it easy for smartphone users to find club-approved hotels, restaurants and attractions. Drivers can even create and share trip itineraries between their desktop and mobile devices.

Insurance: Nearly every auto insurance provider now offers its own mobile app to policy holders. Such apps may allow drivers to pay their bills, view their insurance identification cards, peruse their policies, arrange for roadside assistance and report claims among other things. These apps put your auto insurance provider at your fingertips and can make it much easier to manage your policy.

Great apps drivers can use

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PROCTOR & SONS CONSTRUCTION

Installation available but not necessary

Proctor and Sons now offers custom cabinets at an affordable price. Call Steve today for more information

on this quality product.

Rock Port, Missouri (660) 744-4464