Tires are one of your vehicle’s most important safety features, and tire safety and vehicle safety go hand in hand. Underinflation and tire tread may not seem like a big deal, but your tires are the only part of the vehicle that touches the road and keeps you on the road. For optimal performance, tires must have the correct air pressure, tread depth, balance and alignment.
Here are some tire tips to keep in mind:
Tire Inflation
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Tire pressure is measured in PSI or pounds per square inch. Find the ideal pressure in your owner’s manual, glove box or on the door jam of the car. The pressure listed on the tire itself is the maximum-allowed pressure, not the optimal pressure.
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Understand the difference and dangers between overinflation and underinflation. Over Inflation causes the center of the tire to bulge out and rub the road unevenly, wearing your tires out prematurely. Underinflated tires can cause handling problems or even a blowout.
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Always check the pressure when the tires are cold for an accurate reading. The U.S.Tire Manufacturers Association recommends you check your tire pressure at least once a month.
Tire Tread
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Take a penny and insert it into your tire tread with President Lincoln's head facing down. If Lincoln's head is totally exposed, you need new tires. If your tire tread touches the tip of his head, you have a 16th of an inch of tread depth, which is the minimum.
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It's best to replace all four tires when any one is bald. If you absolutely cannot afford to replace all four, experts say, you should put the new tires on the back of your vehicle to help prevent fishtailing.
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Rotating your tires as often as your owner's manual or service technician recommends will also help preserve your tread. The frequency varies, but many manufacturers recommend tire rotation every 5,000 to 8,000 miles.
Tire Safety
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In case you notice a nick in your sidewall, get into a dealer as soon as possible. Nicks are a hazard because they subtly degrade the tire’s strength.
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Striking a pothole or road hazard could cause alignment issues. Misaligned wheels can lead to uneven, rapid tread wear and should be corrected by a tire dealer.
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Missing air caps are not ideal, because they will very slowly let air out and dirt in. It’s always a good idea to glance at your tire caps once a month to check if your caps are on tight or missing.
Putting these tire maintenance tips into action will help prevent accidents and or costly vehicle maintenance. In the case your vehicle requires collision repair, remember to take your vehicle to a Gold Class® collision repair shop with trained technicians who have been properly trained to repair your vehicle.