Your vehicle’s tires may be the most overlooked part of your car, but one of the most important. Buying the right tires, keeping them in good shape and not overtaxing them on the road are the best way to avoid flats and extend the life of your tires. Here are some tips when buying, checking or replacing your tires.
Be selective
The most important thing about buying new tires is getting the correct size for your vehicle. Your vehicle manufacturer or tire dealer can help ensure you choose the right size and type for your driving needs.
Air loss
Even without a "blowout" tires lose air pressure. It can happen due to a puncture, which creates a slow leak, or natural loss over time. Unless you check your tire pressure regularly, you may not know which one is causing the air loss.
Air pressure check
Under-inflation can cause damage that may lead to tire failure, and over-inflation can cause uneven wear and handling or stopping problems. Visual checks are not enough to get an accurate measurement of your air pressure. Radial or steel-belted tires often have a slight bulge that could be misinterpreted as a leak. So, keep a tire gauge in your car and check your tire pressure at least once a month, or when leaving on a long trip. The most common types of gauges are pop-up and dials, both of which are available at most automotive stores.
Air pressure is measured in pounds of pressure per square inch (PSI). The proper level will be on the sticker of your vehicle's door jamb or in the owner's manual. Always check the pressure of your tires when they are "cold" — driven for under a mile — as driving heats up tires and can distort the reading. If you can’t check cold, check the amount of air loss before you leave for the gas station, then check it at the air pump and calculate the amount you will need. Regardless of the weather, use the vehicle’s suggested PSI.
Inspecting the tread
Inspect tire tread. If you do not have a tread-depth gauge, place a penny in the tread groove and if you can see the top of Lincoln's head, it is time to replace your tires. Check the tire sidewalls to make sure there are no gouges, cuts, bulges or other irregularities.
Rotation schedule
Rotate your tires every 6,000 miles. However, if your tires show uneven wear, such as bands of wear on the outer or inner sections, or scooped out marks, have a professional check for any misalignment, imbalance, a need for new shock absorbers / struts, or other problems before rotation.
Alignment
If you feel your vehicle shake at certain speeds, or pull to one side when driving, have your tires and car alignment checked. Ignoring these signs will damage your tires.
Load
Overloading your vehicle can create excessive heat inside your tires and add stress that can lead to tire failure. Check your car manufacturer's load recommendation, which can usually be found on the door jam or in the owners' manual.
Replacement
Depending on your car, your tires and your driving habits, you should consider replacing your tires every six years, or every 40,000 miles even if the treads are not worn down. All rubber products will deteriorate as they age and that could cause tread separations and other failures.
