Williamsburg, Va

I know a thing or two about buying tires.  I have purchased a ridiculous amount of tires for my car.  I won't even share the number with you.  It's a long story with many chapters over the course of many years but basically it involved a slightly bent rim, an issue with a ball bearing, cold weather and 30 nails!  While my tires have been a source of both stress and comedy in my life one thing I have acquired is a healthy respect for their care.  So, if you're like me and you own a car (like most people) then you'll enjoy this article from American Pride Automotive:  Time Tested Tire Buying Tips.  It's a great read and very worthwhile.

Time Tested Tire Buying Tips

Buying new tires for your car, truck, van or SUV can be a daunting challenge. There are so many choices and advertisements, it's hard to know what's right for your vehicle and the way you drive. However, it's worth it to take a little extra time and make sure you get the right tires -- correct tires can improve safety, gas mileage and even the amount of time before you have to replace them.

We see lots of tires come in and have a few suggestions for when it's time to replace your tires:

1 - Don't buy the cheapest tire. It's a cliche, but you have a lot riding on your tires. Good tires are an investment in safety, gas mileage and overall performance and handling. Cheap tires are inexpensive to buy, but are often more costly in the long run when you end up replacing them sooner.Tire alignment is important, too

2 - Don't buy used! Used tires simply don't provide the ride, handling and performance you need. Even with used tires you're paying the labor to balance and mount the tires, so the savings often isn't much by the time you add in labor charges.

3 - Know the numbers and get the tires that are right for your vehicle. Don't compromise -- go with what the manufacturer recommends for your vehicle -- you'll find that information in the owners manual, and on a sticker inside the driver-side door frame. It's important that you get tires at least as highly rated as what the manufacturer suggests.

4 - Check the wheels -- if you have damaged wheels, it's only a matter of time before you have tire failure. The wheel is what the tire is mounted to and bent or damaged wheels can reduce the life of your new tires.

5 - Replace all four. Even if one or two of your tires still have some life left in them, it's best to replace all four at the same time. If you like, you can always have the tire with the most tread mounted as your spare (if your vehicle uses a full-size spare). Today's suspension systems work in unison, and having a tire that doesn't match in performance and tread depth can limit performance, and make it harder to identify other potential problems.

6 - Break your new tires in. Tires are slickest when they are new and there is less grip for the first few hundred miles while the compounds used during manufacturing wear off. Be particularly careful if you drive in rain during the first month or so after getting your new tires.

7 - Have them professionally installed. Don't skimp on having your tires installed. A professional will do the job right the first time, and will check other components while installing your tires, such as brakes and suspension. They will also stand behind their work and you'll have the confidence of knowing the job was done right.

If you have any questions about your tires, when to replace them, or the type of tire to use with your vehicle, please give us a call (757-595-2755) or stop by our Newport News/Yorktown or Williamsburg location.

American Pride Automotive is a family-owned and operated full service auto repair shop centrally located on George Washington Memorial Highway near the conjunctions of York County, Poquoson, Hampton, and Newport News, Virginia. Their second location is at the intersection of Richmond and Airport roads in Williamsburg. American Pride offers something different in the world of automotive care - a tradition of excellence and customer satisfaction.

What's the difference between American Pride and other auto repair shops??? There are a number of differences - but their service managers and technicians are what make the biggest difference by ensuring that customers clearly understand what's being done to their car and why. It's all in the approach - thorough communication and only recommending the service you need for your vehicle has established a level of trust that has been the foundation of their success.

Yorktown Location:
1939 George Washington Mem Hwy
Yorktown, Virginia 23693
DIRECTIONS
(757) 595 - 2755

Williamsburg Location:
5406 Airport Road
Williamsburg, VA 23188
DIRECTIONS
(757) 220-8685

Top Picks for Picnics in Williamsburg and Newport News- Take Your Lunch Outside

Contributed by Diana Fakhouri

For the first time in months, I woke up to sun streaming through my blinds this morning! March is flying by, Spring will be here in no time, and I can't wait to start getting out of the office on my lunch hour. Take advantage of the soaring temperatures and pack a picnic lunch this month!

Williamsburg's scenic downtown offers a plethora of charming picnic spots. If you like the hustle and bustle of Dog Street, park your basket on one of the tavern stoops or a bench. William and Mary makes a perfect locale for an impromptu picnic as well, featuring the Sunken Gardens, Crim Dell Meadow, and Wren Yard.

Already planning your lazy summer days at the beach? Jamestown Beach, Yorktown Beach & Riverwalk Landing, and Virginia Beach make for perfect picnic outings. While swimming may be out of the question, kids can still enjoy their favorite 'summer' activities like playing in the sand, tossing a Frisbee or getting in a game of sand soccer.

In Newport News, City Center at Oyster Point is a great alternative to the office lunch. The five-acre fountain is a gorgeous backdrop, and delicious lunch options like Taste Unlimited and Aromas are only a short walk away.

Keep your fingers crossed that the snow's over - I love Winter, but I think we had more than our fair share this season. Bring on the sunshine!

Contributed by CW Burke

Have you solved the "Murder at Irish Wake" yet? Thousands of people already have, since opening on September 25th, the new Mystery Dinner Playhouse production has been a smash success. Every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, audiences have walked away stuffed, tickled (to the funny bone!) and surprised, and the shrewdest audience-detectives walked to their cars with prizes. If you haven't seen the show yet, don't worry, it runs until March 30, 2010. Surely, your calendar has a free Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday evening between now and the end of March. There's no better way to fill in that empty calendar square!

The Mystery Dinner Playhouse, if you are unfamiliar, offers a one-of-a-kind eating and viewing experience that combines great cuisine with great live entertainment. Each show is organized around a mystery, broken down into five 10-15 minute scenes with action taking place throughout the entire room. The actors, or suspects, are your waiters and remain in character the whole night, giving you the unique opportunity to ‘question' the ‘suspects' as they take your order. Try to get to the bottom of that murder you spooned sleuth! I recommend ordering "Murder" and interpreting the waiters' responses. If the waiter automatically responds "sure thing, coming right up" then he/she is probably the murderer. Also, if the waiter starts in-character sweating and stutters back a response, you have found the primary suspect. You should not, however, use your fists to pump a suspect or even threaten violence to intimidate a response out of a waiter. After all, they are responsible for your order.

At the end of the performance and the meal, forms are passed around to all. If you've solved the mystery, now is your time to reveal your brilliance. If you have no idea, write something creative, awards go to both the most ‘correct' and the most ‘creative' crime solutions.

The current show, "Murder at the Irish Wake," centers on a sudden death in the O'Malley family. Gathering for the wake, the family members begin noticing what appear to be clues pointing towards a not-so-accidental murder. You want to know more, right? I know, but I won't spoil anything else, except to say that the hilarious and relentlessly entertaining show ends with a big surprise! Take your family, co-workers, or friends, they are great group rates and despite the potentially-scary subject matter, kids enjoy the show as much as adults. Just make sure to get there before March 30, when the "Murder at the Irish Wake" for the last time and a new mystery begins.

Fun, unique and reasonably priced!

Mystery Dinner Playhouse - Williamsburg

Located inside the Clarion Inn & Suite at 5351 Richmond Rd. Williamsburg. Adult tickets are 41.95, children 12 and under are $29.95. Group, senior & military discounts. Call 888-471-4802 or visit www.mysterydinner.com.

SPECIAL INSIDER'S PASSPORT OFFER: Click and print this coupon and save $10.00 off per couple or $5.00 per person for a dinner and a show! Why pay full price when you can get a special Insider's Passport discount?!