| Tire Care
| How Do You Know You Need New Tires?
Take a quick, but careful look at your tires. Determine how much tread your tires have, and if your tire is in generally good condition. |
| Check your tread
with a penny -
A minimum of 2/32". Manufacturers' specifications and safety require that your tires have 2/32" or more tread depth. To check, simply turn a penny so Abraham Lincoln's image is upside-down and insert into the tread groove. If you have too little tread, you'll see the top of President Lincoln's head (a mere 2/32" from the coins edge). |
 | Locate the built-in wear indicators.
Tires now have built-in "wear indicators" on tires - at 2/32". Several wear indicators will be found in each groove all the way around the tire. When a tire's tread has worn away such that you can see the wear indicator - a visible bridge which appears between the raised portion of the tread, or a visible block in the recessed portion of the tread - your tire probably needs to be replaced. Check several tread grooves.
Look for flat spots or uneven tread wear patterns. Uneven tread wear can indicate several problems, which may or may not be corrected by replacing your tires. For example, "cupping", a series of flat spots on the edge of the tread indicates a problem with the internal structure of the tire. Whereas, excessive wear on the outside edge of a tire may mean your car is out of alignment. Inspect sidewalls for bulges or other damage.
Bulging tire sidewalls can be an indicator of structural problems with your tire. Have them professionally checked - immediately. | Proper Inflation
It is essential to maintain proper inflation, or air pressure, in your tires. The inflation pressure specified on the tire's sidewall is the maximum air pressure appropriate for the tire. However, vehicle specifications for the tire's air pressure may vary and are generally found on the door section, doorpost, glove compartment door, or fuel door. |
| | Tire Rotation
The purpose of rotating tires is to maximize their life by allowing more uniform treadwear. Follow the information in your owner's manual, if there's nothing specific, you should rotate your tires every 5,000 - 8,000 miles. Incidentally, four-wheel-drive and front-wheel-drive vehicles place greater stress on their front tires, so rotating tires regularly will significantly extend the life of your tires. |
Wheel Alignments
Simply put, alignments insure your wheels are pointed in the optimum direction with respect to each other and, of course, the road. So, we recommend you have a qualified mechanic check your alignment once each year. By checking your own tires once each month will help you identify uneven treadwear early and, by aligning, extend your treadlife. And, always have your wheels aligned when you put new tires on your vehicle.
Balancing
Properly balanced tires and wheels spin with all their weight distributed equally. When your tires are installed, balancing should be part of the installation procedure.
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