Not sure how to take care of your car? You're not alone

As the temperature rises, many Americans focus on clean up. A full two-thirds (67%) of Americans have indicated cleaning the inside and outside of their car was on the top of their spring cleaning list (ahead of both cleaning one's house (59%) and closet (59%)).  According to the Car Care Council, washing and cleaning your vehicle helps protect your investment and prevents the buildup of damaging chemicals and dirt that can harm your car's finish. For all the drivers who do plan on getting a car wash, Hankook reminds drivers to make sure to close their windows. One in 10 Americans admitted to leaving their car windows open during the wash!

In addition, basic automotive maintenance is as important as ever, as damage to roads caused by the winter season is revealed. In fact, Hankook Tire's Quarterly Gauge Index found that sixty-six percent (66%) of American drivers encounter potholes on their daily commute. If your vehicle is not properly maintained, a pothole can cause significant damage to one's tires, suspension, steering system and even engine. Considering forty-six percent (46%) of Americans estimate that they expect to hit at least 11 potholes this spring, Hankook Tire has a checklist for all drivers to follow ahead of National Car Care Month.

Check your tires – Tires can help prevent potholes from damaging your car, provided they are properly maintained. The latest Gauge Index revealed that fifty-one percent (51%) of Americans do not regularly check their tire pressure and thirty-three (33%) of Americans do not know how. For best performance, Hankook recommends inflating your vehicle's tires to the vehicle manufacturer's recommended pressure.  This information can be found in the vehicle's owner's manual.

Learn to change a tire – Over one-third (40%) of all drivers on the road do not know how to change a flat. Among female drivers, that number increases to sixty percent (60%). A flat tire is one of the most frequent car mishaps yet 17% of drivers ages 18-34 do not have a spare in their car or they are not sure where it is located. Take the time to learn the process so you are ready the next time a pothole sneaks up on you. 

Choose the right tire – As we transition into spring, take care of your car by switching to more season appropriate tires like the all-season Hankook Dynapro HP2. Hankook offers drivers a discount on tires from now until May 22 through Hankook's Great Catch Rebate program. Consumers who purchase four qualifying Hankook tires are eligible for a mail-in rebate of up to $100 on seven of Hankook's most popular passenger and light truck tires for spring and summer's varied driving conditions like the Performance All-Season Hankook Dynapro HP2 for SUVs, Light Trucks and Crossovers or the Ultra-High Performance All-Season Ventus S1 noble 2 for passenger cars. Visit: http://rebate.hankooktireusa.com/.

"Our quarterly Hankook Gauge Index helps us understand what is top of mind for American drivers around the country," said Henry Kopacz, Public Relations and Social Media Manager, Hankook Tire America Corp. "As we head into National Car Care Month, our latest survey highlights the importance of vehicle care and tire maintenance to ensure safe driving. There are simple actions that drivers can take to improve the safety of their vehicle, and we want to make sure drivers are equipped with the proper tools and knowledge to do so."

The Hankook Tire Gauge Index is a quarterly survey of Americans that uncovers their attitudes and opinions about all things related to driving. The spring installment of the survey, conducted March 21-22, 2016, polled 1,020 randomly selected Americans on spring driving as the season kicked off.

About Hankook Tire America Corp.

Hankook Tire America Corp. is a growing leader in the U.S. tire market, leveraging investments in technology, manufacturing and marketing to deliver high quality, reliable products that are better for consumers and the environment.  Headquartered in Wayne, N.J., Hankook Tire America Corp. markets and distributes a complete line of high performance and ultra-high performance passenger tires, light truck, SUV tires, as well as medium truck and bus tires in the United States.

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SOURCE Hankook Tire America Corp.

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