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?

* * *

The secrets to buying a great used car -- and not a lemon -- are in Tom and
Ray's latest pamphlet, "How to Buy a Great Used Car." Send $3 and a stamped (55
cents), self-addressed, No. 10 envelope to Used Car, PO Box 5541, Riverton, NJ
08077-5541.