Now is the time to check tires

Dear Readers: Hopefully by now, everyone is thawed out and dug out from this season’s heavy snow in many parts of the country. But what condition is your car in? Let’s get it in good shape for spring and summer! A good thing to focus on is the tires.

Did you use snow tires in the heavy snow? Check with your car-care specialist to change them to other tires more suitable for the dry, hot pavement of summertime. Snow tires typically are less adept at stopping on hot, dry (and rainy) roads.

Potholes, which can develop from the roads freezing and thawing, can wreak havoc on your car’s suspension. You may need your wheels aligned and rotated. This will help with tire wear.

Stay on top of your tire pressure. Learn to check the pressure, and have a pro help you. Underinflated tires can be very dangerous in the heat. —

Heloise

Video volunteer

Dear Heloise: I am on one of the popular social-media sites, and I also am a huge animal lover and animal-adoption advocate. Lots of volunteers go into the shelters and photograph the dogs and cats (and other animals, like rabbits) that are available for adoption, and post the pictures so that they have a better chance of being adopted.

What if the volunteers made videos instead of still pictures? You’d be able to see the animal’s mannerisms, size, activity level, temperament, etc.

Take the animal outside, away from the cold bars and the noise of the shelter, and shoot a short video (about a minute is enough) and post it on social media. Let’s empty out the shelters and put these loving animals in great homes! — Elizabeth in San Antonio

Hints from him

Dear Heloise: I have a number of hints that I’ve never seen in my local paper, The Times in Munster, Ind.:

When a clothing item is worn out, I cut off the buttons and give them to sewing groups.

I buy platters at resale shops and use them to bring desserts to home events and tell the host to keep the plate.

When driving, if I see an animal crossing the street, I briefly honk my horn. This makes the animal run and get across. — Tom Wilborn, Highland, Ind.