helpful info

auto

Caring for your tires

Tire maintenance doesn’t require you to reinvent the wheel, so to speak. It’s simple, it’s easy and it’s a few minutes a month that can make the difference between arriving at your destination safely and finding yourself on the wheels of misfortune.

Here are a few tips to take into consideration when checking and maintaining safe tires:

A pressure situation:

It’s important to maintain proper air pressure in your tires .Underinflation has the potential to result in tire failure. It can also lead to irregular wear, unnecessary tire stress, decreased control of the vehicle and even accidents.

A tire can lose up to half of its air pressure without appearing to be flat, so it’s important to check and maintain pressure regularly. When checking pressure, make sure the tires are cool and have not been driven on recently. If they need air, the proper pressure levels are often posted on your vehicle’s door, glove box or fuel door. Or you can consult your owner’s manual.

The “straight” answer:

Poor alignment can cause uneven and rapid treadwear to your tires. Have your alignment and tire balance checked periodically as specified in your owner’s manual. Shaking, vibrating, and the tendency of your vehicle to “pull” in one direction are all signs of misalignment.

Front-wheel drive vehicles and those with independent rear suspension require that all four wheels be aligned at once, while other vehicles can have front or rear wheels aligned separately.

Rotate Regularly:

Have your tires rotated regularly to help promote uniform tire wear. Consult your owner’s manual, tire dealer or manufacturer for rotation recommendations and correct rotation patterns.

If there are no specific recommendations for rotation, tires should be rotated approximately every 6,000 miles.

The “tread” that holds it all together:

Here’s a simple rule to ensure your safety. Once the tread on your tires is worn down to 1/16 of an inch, they should be replaced. The manufacturer reminds you of this with built in treadwear indicators, sometimes called “wearbars,” which become visible on your tires when the tread reach 1/16 of an inch. These “wearbars” look like narrow strips of smooth rubber.

You can also use a penny to test your tread manually. Simply place the penny into the tread groove. If part of Mr. Lincoln’s head is covered by the tread, you’re tread is in good condition. If you can see his whole head, your tires need to be replaced.

Source: Rubber Manufacturers Association