Each year Americans spend millions of dollars on the purchase of tires. Unfortunately, they don't spend very much time taking care of them.

What most people don't realize is that tires add value to their cars when properly cared for. And proper tire maintenance involves very simple, routine tasks that can save consumers both money and headaches.

"Tires are some of the most important parts of a car, helping a car perform to its maximum capabilities," said Stan Cooper, Firestone's marketing manager for consumer products. "On the other hand, they're also some of the most overlooked components of a car. By giving them a little attention every month, consumers can enhance the performance of their cars and make their tires last a lot longer.

So what can you do to provide your tires a little TLC? The first step in caring for your tires is keeping them properly inflated. The single greatest cause of tire damage is improper inflation which results in early and irregular wear and also decreases your car's gas mileage.

Your car owner's manual will have the correct tire pressure for your tires. Investing in your own air pressure gauge is money well spent. Gauges are easy to use; your tire dealer can show you how. Firestone recommends that you check the air pressure in your tires at least once a month and perform visual checks regularly to detect possible leaks.

By having your car's alignment checked, you ensure that your wheels are moving in a straight line when you steer straight, therefore cutting down on irregular tread wear. Misalignment can result in tire damage as well as damage to our car's suspension system. And that can be costly.

Have your alignment checked about every 10,000 miles or at least once a year. You'll probably want to call ahead to make an appointment with your tire dealer for this job, which usually takes less than an hour.

Balancing your tires is also very important. When your tires aren't balanced correctly, your car will behave a lot like the way your washing machine does when the clothes clump in one spot during the spin cycle. The washer rocks wildly from the uneven weight distribution. When your tire and wheel assemblies aren't balanced, you'll get an uncomfortable ride, the steering wheel will vibrate, and you'll do damage to your tires and your suspension system as your tires bounce against the pavement.

Protect your investment in your tires by checking inflation and tread depth each month and by visiting your tire dealer for rotation, alignment and balancing when necessary. You'll extend the life of your tires, enhance your car's performance and improve your car's fuel efficiency.