Tire Maintenance...Keeping You Rolling!

It doesn't matter how well you maintain the rest of your car. You won't be going anywhere if you don't take good care of the tires, too. Here's a little about what you need to know so passing the miles won't leave you feeling deflated. Maintaining air pressure in your tires is an easy way to keep them in shape. Properly inflated tires help improve gas mileage and vehicle handling, and reduce your risk of accidents. Every vehicle is different when it comes to air pressure, so read your owner's manual to know what your tires need. Don't forget the spare. Regular rotation is another way to extend the life of your tires. Front and rear tires wear because of the driving maneuvers you perform. Moving the front tires to the rear helps equalize the wear on the tread. Consult your owner's manual again for information on how often your tires need rotating, or follow the standard rule of about 5,000 to 10,000 miles between rotations. You should also periodically have a professional check your car's tire alignment. This ensures the tires point the right direction and are positioned at proper angles. You can lose tire alignment simply by hitting a pothole. Without correction, tires wear unevenly. If your vehicle doesn't seem to be handling as well as it should, or if you know you've hit an obstacle in the road, it might not hurt to have your alignment checked. These steps will all help you get the most out of your tires, but eventually, you'll need to buy new ones. You can use a penny to determine whether your tires worn out. Place President Lincoln's head into the tread groove. If part of his head is covered by tread, your tires still have enough tread. If all of his head is visible, it's time for new tires.