Tires

TIRE TIPS & INFORMATION

Be Tire smart-play your part

Pressure	Underinflation is a tire's #1 Enemy. It results in unnecessary tire stress, irregular wear, loss of control and accidents. A tire can lose up to half of its air pressure and not appear to be flat!
Alignment	Is your vehicle pulling to one side, or shaking? A bad jolt from hitting a curb or pothole can throw your front end out of alignment and damage your tires. Have a tire dealer check the alignment periodically to ensure that your car is properly aligned.
Rotation	Promotes uniform tire wear. Regularly rotating your vehicle's tires will help you achieve more uniform wear. Unless your vehicle owner's manual has a specific recommendation, the guideline for tire rotation is approximately every 5,000 miles.
Tread	Measure it -- and inspect it. Advanced and unusual wear can reduce the ability of tread to grip the road in adverse conditions. Visually check your tires for uneven wear, looking for high and low areas or unusually smooth areas. Also check for signs of damage.

• If you think you may have a tire problem or are unsure of the condition of your tires, call our office as soon as possible to prevent further possible damage. 

  
  

  Check Your Air Pressure Once a Month

  Maintaining air pressure is the most important part of tire care. Proper inflation can extend tire life and increase fuel economy.

  • Tires should be inflated to the pressure recommended by the vehicle's manufacturer. This information can be found in the owner's manual or on the edge of the driver's door. Check pressure with a quality gauge every two weeks and before any long trips. Always check the pressure when the tires are cool (when the vehicle has been driven less than one mile).
  • Never bleed or reduce tire pressure when tires are hot. A tire's air pressure will automatically increase as its internal temperature increases.
  • Vary inflation with load. Tire pressure can be increased when your vehicle is carrying extra weight. However, it should never exceed the maximum PSI as indicated on the tire sidewall.
  • Make sure your tires have valve caps. They will keep air in and keep moisture and dirt out.

            Why Check Your Alignment?

If your car's suspension system is out of alignment, your tires will wear unevenly and you may experience handling   problems.  Potholes and rough roads can contribute to problems with alignment.

Front-wheel drive vehicles, and those with independent rear suspension, require alignment of all four wheels.

Have a tire dealer check your alignment periodically as specified by your vehicle owner's manual or if handling problems develop, such as "pulling."

Also have your tire balance checked periodically to ensure proper vehicle handling and ride at highway speeds.