Caring for your car’s tires is simple, easy and takes only a few minutes. With holiday travel on the horizon, the Rubber Manufacturers Association recommends taking five minutes before every long trip to check tire pressure, rotation, alignment and treads.
Tire Pressure
It is important to maintain proper air pressure in your tires. With the right amount of air pressure, your tires will last longer, save fuel, and possibly prevent accidents. Low pressure can result in tire failure. It can also lead to irregular wear, unnecessary tire stress, and a hard-to-control vehicle. Check your vehicle’s door, glove box or fuel to find the proper tire pressure levels for your vehicle.
Tire Rotation
Tires tend to wear unevenly. Rotating tires approximately every 5000 miles helps to prevent this, and will make your ride smoother and handling safer. This will also extend the life of your tires, saving you time and money in the long run.
Tire Alignment
Tire alignment affects fuel efficiency, tire wear, tire performance, and vehicle handling, and can result in unsafe driving conditions. Your alignment and tire balance should be checked when you bring your car in for regular maintenance checks. Signs that your tires may have alignment issues include shaking, vibrating and the tendency of your vehicle to “pull” in one direction. If you are experiencing any of these signs, bring your vehicle in for a tire check right away.
Tire Treads
Once the tread on your tires is worn down to 1/16 of an inch, they should be replaced because they can no longer grip the road in bad weather. Tire manufacturers include built-in tread wear indicators, sometimes called “wear bars”, which you can see on your tires when the treads reach 1/16 of an inch. These “wear bars” look like narrow strips of smooth rubber.
You can also use the “penny test” to check the condition of your treads. Place a penny, with Lincoln’s head upside down, into the groove between the tread ribs. If you cannot see the top of Lincoln’s head between the ribs, the tread is at least 2/32-inch deep at that location. If Abe’s whole head is visible at any groove location, you should replace that tire.
Whether you are staying in Mooresville, traveling throughout the Lake Norman area, North Carolina, or beyond, following these simple tire tips can help keep you safe on the road.
Source: Rubber Manufacturers Association
