5 Tips to Keep Your Tires Safe and Optimal
June is National Tire Safety Month. That means it’s a good time to check your vehicle’s tires before you start traveling for the summer. In fact, it’s a good idea to check your vehicle’s tires every month—you could avoid being stranded with a flat, as you’ll notice problems when they first start.
Let’s list five simple but helpful tips to keep your tires in top condition.
1. Check Tire Pressure Monthly.
If your vehicle’s tires have too much pressure, they’ll wear down the center of the tread. If they don’t have enough air pressure, they’ll wear on both sides of the tread. Checking the tires monthly—with an air gauge, not just with the TPMS—ensures you have the correct pressure.
2. Inspect Your Tires.
Every month, take a walk around your vehicle and put your eyes on all four of the tires. Look for:
- Uneven tread wear: This could signify an alignment, tire pressure, or suspension issue.
- Dry rot: This can cause a blowout.
- Foreign objects: Look out for things like nails and screws in the tire tread.
- Separated tires: You’ll see a bubble, usually on the sidewall. You’ll also notice vibration at lower speeds.
- Intact cap on the valve stems: The cap should protect the cap against dirt and debris and provide an additional layer of security against air leakage.
- Tread depth: You can measure the tread using a quarter or penny. If the tread just touches the top of Washinton’s head, you have 2/32 inches, which is the minimum legal tread depth. Over that, you need new tires.
3. Check the Alignment.
As part of tire care, check the alignment each year. Hitting potholes, rubbing curbs, and driving on gravel roads can all knock the alignment out. If you notice that your vehicle pulls to one side or the other, that’s also a sign to get an alignment check.
4. Balance and Rotate the Tires.
Every time you go in for an oil change, make sure to balance and rotate the tires. Even when nothing else is wrong, the tires can wear unevenly. Balancing and rotating the tires significantly minimizes the chance of one tire wearing out before the rest.
5. Don’t Forget About the Spare.
If you do end up with a flat tire, you’re not going anywhere if the spare is flat. Tires tend to develop dry rot and lose air pressure when they sit around.
So, when checking the pressure in your tires, make it a point to check the pressure in the spare, too. At the same time, look for damage to the spare so you can replace it if needed.
Want to Know More How to Take Care of Your Tires? Contact Little Wolf Auto in Plover, WI
If you are unsure when something is wrong with your tires, stop by Little Wolf Automotive in Plover, WI, and we’ll check them for you. We’ll gladly let you know the tire services that will make your tires last longer. Call us at (715) 883-5111 or drop by our shop at 2550 Plover Road, Plover, WI, 54467.
