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Cars are incredibly important to everybody's lives. Americans, on average, drive their vehicles over 10,000 miles every year. Unfortunately, despite their significance in our personal freedom and autonomy, most of us neglect our vehicle's tires and auto repairs. Vehicle neglect costs the economy more than $2 billion annually. In nearly one-fifth of inspected vehicles, at least one belt was reported as "unsatisfactory." Not only that, but 17% of the vehicles required at least one hose to be completely replaced. By periodically checking the belts and hoses of your vehicles, car breakdowns can be reduced dramatically.

One of the most commonly overlooked maintenance areas for vehicles is tires. Many overlook the importance of new car tires. It's recommended that tire alignment be checked every 6,000 miles or so -- it can also be done when you go to get your oil changed. Not only that, but a tire rotation should be conducted about every 7,500 miles. Some car manufacturers may recommend a different mileage, though, so it is important to check with your manufacturer.

Tire wear and tear is normal, but what are some easy ways to know if you need new tires? One method is known as "the penny test." Take a penny and place it between the tire's tread blocks (make sure Lincoln's head is upside down). If Lincoln's head is buried between the tread blocks and you are unable to see the top of his head, you still have a bit more than 2/32 of an inch of tread remaining.

After purchasing new car tires, be sure to recycle your old ones. There are many programs that melt the rubber from old tires for asphalt or shred them for garden mulch. It's even possible to make entirely new car tires out of old ones.

So what are the dangers of a worn or old tire? According to a 2003 report by the National Highway Traffic Security Administration, flat tires or blowouts caused over 400 annual fatalities. There are almost 80,000 crashes that occur every year, with over 10,000 non-fatal injuries. This was before tire pressure monitoring systems were installed in many vehicles, but it is very important to keep an eye on your tire pressure and their condition.

Vehicle and tire maintenance is incredibly important for the safety and well-being of all on the road. Be sure to regularly visit auto repair services to make sure there are no dangerous issues lurking under the hood (or on the wheels) of your vehicle.