Take Care of Your Tires and They’ll Take Care of You

You may not realize just how important your tires are to the safety and long-term value of your vehicle. While there have not been the critical tire problems faced by SUV drivers in the 1990s, there are still plenty of reasons to stay on top of tread and the four wheels that keep you rolling down the highway. This article provides some startling facts and some great tips on staying safe by starting with proactive tire maintenance.

Startling Facts about Tires

Two statistics stand out as presented by SafeTires.org:

• Two out of three drivers do not know how to tell if their tires are bald, according to the Rubber Manufacturers Association.
• Nearly one in 10 vehicles is driving with at least one bald tire (2/32” of tread remaining), according to the U. S. Department of Transportation. That means nearly 23-million vehicles are driving with a bald tire (based on 230-million vehicles registered in the United States).

Poor tread and balding tires can cause hydroplaning to be worse in wet conditions. This can also lead to blowouts and other types of mishaps that can cause severe vehicle damage plus put you and your loved ones in danger.

Other Reasons for Watching Your Tires

There are many more reasons beside the safety factor in terms of why it pays to keep an eye on tire pressure and tread:

• The right air pressure helps tires do their job: keep traction, be responsive, and handle well on all types of roads and condition. You want to make sure that your tires can provide the extra assistance they need when it comes to steering and cornering.
• The correct tire pressure also helps economize on fuel, and, with gas prices as high as they are, this is a critical way to maximize your available gas budget.  
• Keeping air pressure topped up also creates a more comfortable ride.
• An overinflated tire can lead to less grip and traction control as well as lead to irregular tread wear on your tires.

Tips for Tires

Don’t take your tires for granted. If you do, you could be wasting valuable time and money on breakdowns and repair bills. Remember these easy tips to stay on top of your tires:

• Check your tires in all seasons. Extreme hot and cold weather can create air contraction that can quickly change tire pressure.
• Regularly inspect your tires for potential leaks and uneven wear at least once per month on smaller vehicles or more often on larger vehicles or if you have long commutes each day.
• Kicking and thumping tires does not tell you much. Instead, coins are a great way to measure how much treat you have let. Use a penny or quarter and check to see that part of Lincoln’s head or part of Washington's head is covered by the tread. If it is, then your tread is okay. Try this around various areas of the tire rather than just one spot to make sure the tread is not wearing in an uneven manner.
• Regularly rotate your tires to help keep tires balanced and to counteract any alignment issues. Otherwise, this can lead to uneven tire wear. Be sure to keep a log of when you replace or rotate a tire so you can keep track of performance levels of tires and see if the brand you selected is working for your vehicle. While your owner’s manual gives you the best guidelines, a general rule of thumb on rotating tires is every 5,000 to 10,000 miles.

Work with a Tire Pro

The best way to make sure your tires are working for their true life span is to have a tire pro or automotive expert regularly inspect and rotate your tires. They can also help you by recommending the best type and brand of tires for your vehicle and lifestyle.

What is your experience with tires? Do you stay on top of checking them or do you take them for granted? Do you have any questions that we can answer for you? Leave your comments or questions here.