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When it comes to automotive maintenance, your tires often get the short shrift. Unless you get an electronic low inflation warning up on your dashboard, you\u2019re not apt to think about your wheels very much. <\/span><\/p>\n But your tires are the workhorses of your car. They’re the only thing on your vehicle that directly contacts the road. If something is off on your tires, it can cause a whole host of problems, from poor handling in lousy weather, to braking issues, to a decrease in overall fuel efficiency. In a worst-case scenario, a worn tire can blow out, potentially causing an accident. <\/span><\/p>\n Regular tire inspection and maintenance can nip all these problems in the bud, saving you money, and potentially even your life. <\/span><\/p>\n Here’s how to do it.<\/span><\/p>\n You should inspect your tires at least once a month to see that they’re in proper working condition. It doesn’t take long \u2014 10 minutes, tops. <\/span><\/p>\n Check Air Pressure. <\/b>Maintaining proper tire pressure will keep you safe and even save you a little dough. Improperly inflated tires \u2014 and this may mean overinflated or underinflated \u2014 don’t handle or stop as well as tires with the proper pressure. Improper inflation also increases the chance of a blowout. Plus, tires with the right pressure have a longer life and improve fuel efficiency.<\/span><\/p>\n While all cars made since 2007 have Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) that warn you when a tire is either overinflated or underinflated, it’s still a good idea to test your tire pressure with an old-fashioned tire pressure gauge<\/a> at least once a month. TPMS can malfunction and spit out erroneous readings. (Note: It’s also a good idea to have a mechanic check your TPMS about once a year to ensure it’s working correctly).<\/span><\/p>\n Checking your tire pressure takes less than two minutes. Here’s how to do it:<\/span><\/p>\n Check for Wear and Tear. <\/b>Give each tire a quick look-over. You’re checking for obvious signs of wear and tear like gashes, bubbles, and embedded objects like nails and screws. If you see any of those, immediately replace the tire.<\/span><\/p>\n After that cursory look, check more closely for any signs of uneven wear on the tread. The type of uneven wear on your tires will indicate an underlying problem you’ll need to address. Check Tread Depth. <\/b>Tires need good tread depth to maintain traction and control of your vehicle, especially in wet conditions. As you drive your car, friction wears down the tread. The legal minimum tread depth is 2\/32″. Anything below that is illegal and unsafe. To be on the safe side, most mechanics recommend that you replace your tires when the tread depth goes below 4\/32″.<\/span><\/p>\n Use the quarter test to ensure that your tread depth is more than 4\/32″:<\/span><\/p>\n Do the quarter test on the outside, middle, and inner tread grooves, as some sections may be more worn than others. For example, my front tires’ outer and inner grooves didn’t pass the quarter test, while their center grooves did (a classic case of edge wear, meaning my front tires have been underinflated for a while \u2014 whoopsies!).<\/span><\/p>\n Another way to check your tread depth is to look for the tread depth indicator bars. They’re little rubber squares placed between the treads all around the tire. If the tread is even and smooth with the tread bar, then your tread is worn, and you need to replace your tires.<\/span><\/p>\n Check Your Spare Tire. <\/b>While you’re checking your working tires, you might as well check your spare tire to see if it’s ready for primetime in case you need it. Check air pressure and for wear and tear.<\/span><\/p>\n Inspecting your tires once a month will allow you to catch minor tire problems before they become big tire problems. <\/span><\/p>\n In addition to your monthly tire inspection, most car manuals recommend the following tire maintenance schedule:<\/span><\/p>\n Every 5,000 – 7,000 Miles: Rotate (and Balance) Tires. <\/strong>Front and rear tires wear differently. For example, the front tires carry more than 60% of your car’s weight; consequently, front tires wear down faster than rear ones. Also, turning wears the front tires at different rates. In America, we generally take left turns faster than right turns. This puts more load on the right front tire, which results in the right tire wearing faster than the left. <\/span><\/p>\n Rotating tires<\/a> equalizes these natural wear patterns by changing the positions of your tires. By rotating your tires regularly, you’ll ensure yourself a smoother and safer ride. It will also save you money in the long run by extending the life of your tires.<\/span><\/p>\n Most experts recommend rotating your tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles. This is an auto maintenance job you can definitely do yourself, or you can have it done at a shop. When you get your tires rotated, also have them balanced, which ensures the weight of each wheel is evenly distributed around its circumference.<\/span><\/p>\n Every 7,000 Miles: Wheel Alignment. <\/strong>As noted above, misaligned wheels will cause your tires to wear unevenly. If you notice your tires are unevenly shaped or if your car is pulling to one direction, it means your wheels are misaligned. Even if you don’t see any of the signs of misalignment, it’s a good idea to have your alignment checked every other oil change<\/a> to nip any problems in the bud. <\/span><\/p>\n There you go. How to inspect and maintain your tires. Take care of your tires, and your tires will take care of you, keeping you safe and saving you money.<\/span><\/p>\n Now excuse me. Writing this article led me to discover that I need to replace the front two wheels on my Jeep before my family takes another road trip next week to Wyoming. Consider this your weekly reminder that flying is for the birds<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\nYour Once-a-Month Tire Inspection<\/h2>\n
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Regular Tire Maintenance Schedule<\/h2>\n