How Do Your Tires Look?

There are a lot of things that we take for granted while driving. Turn the wheel right, and the car goes right. Press the brakes, and the car comes to a stop. What many drivers don’t realize is your vehicle’s tires play a very important role in your handling. If you’re treads are in great shape, you can stop on a dime. (Well, close to it.)

With “balding” tires, where the treads have worn dangerously thin, you’re going to have a lot harder time stopping and staying in control. Situations like these only get exasperated by inclement weather like rainstorms.

Proper Tire Maintenance

So how does one exactly care for their tires? And what are the signs of tire wear? First let’s go over the important maintenance that goes with tire care, and then how you can check when your tires might be on the way out:

• Are your tires properly inflated? Tires that aren’t filled to manufacturer’s specifications not only reduce your fuel economy, but also experience uneven wearing. If under inflated, the edges of your tires take the brunt of the work, while over inflation puts all the strain on the just the center of your tire. Check your vehicle’s manual for what your proper inflation should be, or check the sticker on the inside of the driver side door. Don’t go by the number on the tire yourself; all cars require different pressures.
• Get your tire rotated: wear is inevitable, even with the most precise of tuning. Having your tires rotated helps to even out this wearing and extend their lives. You should check your vehicle’s manual for when this needs to happen.
• Have your wheels aligned: the grueling act of driving kicks your wheels out of alignment over time. Having them aligned on a regular basis will not only help to reduce tire wear, but it will also help to keep vital parts in your drivetrain from grinding down. Again, the intervals for this kind of service can be found in your vehicle’s manual

When to Change Your Tires

So how do you know when your tires are due to be changed? Simply pull out a quarter, and stick it in the treads of your tires so Washington’s head is pointed down. If you can’t see the top of his head, you’re good. Actually, the less you can see the better. If you can see the top of his head, or it’s getting close, your tires are getting dangerously thin. Be sure to check tread depth across the entire face of the tire, as wearing can be uneven.

If you’re due for a change, make schedule a service appointment at Cox Chevy. We can help!