It's been delightful seeing everyone for switchovers from winter to summer tires. If you didn't use snow tires this winter, it's a good time to check your tires for both tread depth and irregular wear. Most tires require replacement between 25,000 and 30,000 miles. With radial tires, the inner steel belt can also become bent or deformed over time, and cause the rubber layer to delaminate, which can cause vibration and shorten the life of the tire.

The tread depth for new tires is 11/32mm. When your tread reaches 5/32, you have no traction in rain or snow and your car will skid more easily. When your tread reaches 4/32, your tires are considered legally bald in Massachusetts. Most importantly, the less tread, the less stopping power you have. Many accidents are caused by worn and/or under-inflated tires.

If you need your tires and rims checked, give us a call and make an appointment. We'll be glad to advise you on the best tires for your car and driving style and can order most tire brands for you at excellent prices.

Our insurance company doesn't allow us to let customers stay in the shop while we straighten wheels - unless we're having a tech session! Every year or so we host a tech session for the local chapter of the BMW Car Club of America, including discussions of such issues as aftermarket wheels, wheel cosmetics, tire pressure monitoring, and a demonstration of our wheel straightening process.

If you own a BMW and haven't joined the club, we're inviting you to come and participate in the tech session and meet the members. They're a great group of people. If you don't own a BMW, you're still invited! We'll be having door prizes and everyone in attendance gets a coupon for a free listing on aftermarketwheels.com.

Please RSVP to rimandwheelworks@earthlink.net.

Schedule of events:

Saturday, June 9, 2007 10:00 AM TO 2:00 PM

Coffee and discussion: (All day)

10:15 am -10:45 AM Discussion: Tire pressure monitoring systems & the new law.

Even if you don't presently have a tire pressure monitoring system you need to know what this law is and how it will effect you as they are now required on all new vehicles under 10,000 pounds.

11:00 am - Noon: Wheel straightening demonstration.

Let Sean show you how we straighten wheels - both automotive and motorcycle- and why heat is so important to the straightening process in restoring the temper of your wheel.

Noon: Pizza lunch.

12:15 pm - 1:00 pm Discussion: Wheel cosmetics and refinishing.

Ina will be available to answer your questions, to discuss different cosmetics and to show you the newest and hottest paint processes on the market.

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Demonstration of wheel straightening.

Two attendees will each receive a set of four Tire Totes and a wheel cleaning kit.