Did you know that your car’s tires impact fuel efficiency, safety, braking, and handling? Plus, your tires help you stay comfortable on the road. Because tires are so important, you need to follow some tips to keep them in tip-top shape. Check out six tips for keeping your tires healthy.
1. Perform Regular Visual Inspections
Visually inspect your tires each month. Look for uneven tread wear, bulges, or other imperfections. If your tires look to be in bad shape, take your car to a tire center for an inspection. Then the staff can let you know if you need new tires.
2. Inspect the Tread
Tires must have enough tread to maintain traction while you’re driving. Also, the tread sheds water when you’re driving on wet roads, which improves handling and braking. You can use the penny test to ensure your tires have proper tread. Place a penny between the tread, with Lincoln’s head facing toward you and down. Then see if you can view the top of Lincoln’s head. If you can, the tread is dangerously low, and you need new tires.
3. Check the Air Pressure
If your tires are over or underinflated, you could experience issues with braking and handling and are at risk for a blowout. Thus, you need to use a tire pressure gauge to check the pressure each month. If the tire pressure is low, add air. However, if it gets low soon after, take it to a tire service center to see if it needs to be repaired or replaced.
4. Rotate the Tires
Your tires don’t wear evenly. Thus, if you don’t rotate your tires, they’ll wear out faster and have to be replaced. Take your vehicle to a service center to get the tires rotated as needed. You’ll find a tire rotation schedule in your car’s owner’s manual.
5. Balance the Tires
You’ll also ensure even wear by balancing your tires. The tire service center will balance your tires when you get new ones. You should also have your tires balanced if you notice any vibrations.
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6. Align the Wheels
Manufacturers determine where the wheels should be positioned. When you drive, the wheels can move out of position, requiring an alignment. The tire center will align the wheels when installing new tires. Also, you should have the wheels aligned if your car drifts to the left or right when your hands are off the wheel.
If you want to ensure your tires are in tip-top shape, schedule a service appointment at Bob Brady Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM FIAT in Decatur, Illinois. Our service technicians will inspect your tires and recommend a repair or replacement if needed.
You can also upgrade your wheels when visiting the dealership. Finding a new ride is a breeze at our dealership, with new offerings from Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, and FIAT. We even have a vast lineup of pre-owned vehicles, meaning we have something for all budgets.
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