Tire Care Tips & Tricks

Tire Care Tips

Here are some tips for getting the most mileage out of your ties:

CHECK INFLATION PRESSURE

How often? At least once a month. This is the single most important part of tire care. An underinflated tire will be subjected to increased stress and irregular wear that could eventually lead to a dangerous rupture. Consult your vehicle's owner guide for information on its recommended pressure levels.

Remember to only check tire inflation when the tires are cool. After a drive of The friction from driving will heat up the air inside the tire and result in an inaccurate reading. On a related note, changes in outdoor temperature can also lead to a decrease in tire pressure.

CHECK WHEEL ALIGNMENT

Proper wheel alignment is crucial to even tread wear. An improperly adjusted tire will experience extremely heavy wear along part of its surface, which can lead to a significantly shorter lifespan and potentially dangerous driving situations. If you notice a peculiar vibration, a shift in your vehicles's handling, or a tendency to be pulled in a certain direction while driving, it may be an indicator of misaligned wheels.

ROTATE YOUR TIRES

How often? At least every 6,000 miles (or 4,000 miles four four-wheel drive vehicles). Tire rotation helps ensure that all your tires wear evenly and last longer.

CHECK TREAD DEPTH

A periodic examination of Dummies - Checking Your Tires for Wear's tread depth chart will tell you if your tires are still fit for the road.

Although you can pick up a tread depth gauge at your local automotive shop, the coin method is often equally effective. Simply take a penny and place it within the tread grooves so that President Lincoln's head faces downward. If his face is hidden, your tires are good to go. If his face is still visible, it might be time to think about replacing your tires.

Remember, tire treads are crucial for road adherence, especially during inclement weather conditions.

KNOW YOUR WEAR PATTERNS

In order to stem potential tire troubles, is a good idea to examine your tires' wear patterns at least once a month in addition to checking their air pressure. A handy guide for what to look for and how to remediate most problems you may encounter can be found here.