Dear Tom and Ray:

I was in the local car store the other day and noticed many products for tires that promise to make them look "wet," like new and "preserve and protect" the rubber. Does this stuff really work? -- Robert

Tom: Sure, it does. Not everybody needs it, but it does work.

Ray: You only need this stuff if you don't drive your car very much. In that case, the tire tread may outlast the natural moisture in the rubber. But most people wear out the tread long before their tires dry out.

Tom: But if you're one of those people who only drives 5,000 miles a year (or you use snow tires for a few months a year, and use them year after year), then you might want to use one of these tire protectants to keep the sidewalls from cracking.

Tom: And if you're using this stuff for protection, don't forget to coat the sidewalls you CAN'T see -- the inner sidewalls.

Ray: Armor All makes a good tire protectant, as does Kiwi -- the company best known for making shoe polish!

Tom: Yes. But does their tire protectant come in black, brown and neutral?

To buy or not to buy -- options, that is. Are options worth what you pay for them, or are you better off just going with the basics? Order Tom and Ray's pamphlet "Should I Buy, Lease, or Steal My Next Car?" to find out. To order, send (check or money order) to Ruin, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. You can also order online.

© 1998 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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