Many of us rely on our four tires every single day. We use our cars to go to work, to the gym, to run errands and pick up kids. We assume we are safe with the tires below us. However, many myths surround tires and their upkeep and if you believe these myths, you could end up doing extreme damage to your car.

When Replacing Two Tires, They both go on the Front

This is a very common tire myth. According to Popular Mechanic, rear tires provide stability, and without stability, steering or braking on a wet or even damp surface might cause a spin. This can be not only very scary, but also very dangerous! If you have new tires up front, they will easily disperse water while the half-worn rears will go surfing: The water will literally lift the worn rear tires off the road. So what do you do when you need to replace two tires? The tires with the most tread should always go on the rear.

All Cars come with Spare Tires

This used to be the standard, but not anymore. For both space-saving reasons and fuel efficiency, approximately one in three new cars don’t come with a spare tire in the trunk. Instead, you’ll get a “temporary mobility kit” with a tire sealant and a tire inflator or run-flat tires.

Tires should be rotated once a year

Tire rotation should occur every 5,000 to 8,000 miles, which should coincide with your car’s oil changes. Most people drive more than 5,000 miles in a year, meaning you should have your tires rotated more than once a year.

You Should Never continue Driving on a Flat Tire

Run-flat tires, which allow you to keep driving even after a puncture in your tire, are becoming more and more popular. This allows the drive to drive to a shop instead of waiting on the side of the road for help. Run-flat tires can be driven at speeds up to 50 miles per hour, although they are not meant for long term use.

Considering you rely on your tires to carry you and your precious cargo daily, you should be sure to put the proper maintenance and care into those tires. Remember that new tires should go on the back, tires need rotated every 5,000 miles and that you may drive on your run-flat tires. By dispelling these common tire myths, your car and its cargo will thank you!

So you have crossed all the barriers and the spoil of your combat rests comfortably in your driveway. You finally have your Jeep! Now what? Especially as a first time Jeep owner, it can be overwhelming trying to decide which customizations you should have installed. There are several very popular modifications you can begin with.

Lift Kits

Extreme Terrain writes that a lift kit is often the most common first item Jeep enthusiasts get, and rightly so. Adding a lift kit to your Jeep increases clearance, break over angle, approach angle, and departure angle. The benefits are plentiful. A lift kit provides the ability to drive over bigger things without getting stuck, etc. In some cases it also helps driving through water without getting wet.

Soft Top

According to Auto Anything, installing a soft top on your Jeep helps to protect from heavy abuse and penetrating muck. These covers give you protection from the elements without feeling like you’re trapped indoors.

LED Lights

LEDs, or light emitting diodes, are currently one of the most popular modifications around. This is mostly because their light output at both low and high beam is nearly double the factory headlight output.

Floor Liners

Many people consider their Jeep’s interior as a second home. And a great way to easily keep that second home ‘mess free’, especially in this on-the-go age, is a set of floor liners. Designed to fit over the factory or aftermarket carpet, floor liners are that glove which protects your interior from just about anything you drag into the Jeep – water, mud, snow, gum, grease, whatever.There are a few different types of liners available. You can choose carpeted mats, rubberized slush mats, or all-weather heavy-duty liners.

Grab Handles

Grab handles are especially helpful in Jeeps, due to their height off of the ground.  These grab bars are installed as a front mounted piece bolted to the A-pilar. “Most of us need a little help jumping in to a stock Jeep Wrangler, let alone a lifted one,” according to Welcome Distributing President Ken Welke. “You don’t need to tear up your seat and steering wheel when you climb in. Instead, use GraBars which are incredibly convenient and compliment your Jeep so well that (new Jeepers) will wonder why these grab handles weren’t included from the factory.”

Now that you are a proud Jeep owner, it is time to start customizing! Whether you choose LED headlights as your first improvement or a five inch lift kit, customizing your Jeep will make it feel more like your own.