Michelin Rolls Out First-Car Memories, Tire Safety Tips

Four out of five Americans remember the make or model of their first vehicle, according to a study commissioned by Michelin North America.

Nearly 60% of the respondents said they got their own wheels before turning 18, and about the same number bought the car themselves. Most of the rest, 39%, received their first car either as a gift or hand-me-down from a family member or friend.

Conducted in early June, the telephone survey polled more than 1,000 adults living in the U.S. Not surprisingly, the tire maker also included some tire-related questions. The results show that:

• Only one in five motorists knows what type of tires is on his or her current vehicle.
• One third of respondents don't know how to maintain tire tread.
• Just over half (53%) keep a tire pressure gauge in the glove box.

Michelin recommends checking a vehicle's tire pressure monthly with a pressure gauge. The company also says drivers should learn how to properly check tread depth. It notes that improper tire maintenance can cause accidents. For more information about road safety, visit the company's beyondthedrivingtest.com Web site or watch the Michelin Man on YouTube.