Automobile maintenance is drag – time consuming, expensive and is typically required at the most inopportune times. But that doesn’t make it any less important, especially when it comes to your car’s tires.

The proper care and maintenance of your tires is critical to your car’s safety, performance and fuel efficiency. So how do you know when it’s time to replace them? While most manufacturers recommend new tires every 30,000 miles, depending on how and where you drive and how well you care for the tires, you might be able to get a lot more use of out them.

Here are a few tips that should help you decide if it is time to start shopping for a new set of tires and avoid spending more than necessary:

  1. Understand the function of tires: Yes, your car wouldn’t make it very far without tires, but tires play an important safety role as well. The rubber tread on your tires is specifically designed to divert water from beneath the tire and avoid hydroplaning on wet roads and to help your vehicle come to a full stop quickly. Tires become extremely unsafe once the tread is worn down to less than 1/16th of an inch.
  2. Know how to read the tread: Any tire sold in the United States has what is called a “tread wear bar.” This rubber bar nestled in between the tread can alert you to the fact that your tires have been worn past their usefulness. As your tires wear, these bars, which run between the tread on your tires, will become flush with the tread. That’s when you know it’s time to replace your tires.
  3. Note irregular wearing: Tire rotation and alignment is an important aspect of tire maintenance. To ensure you get the most use out of your tires, you should align and rotate as outlined in the manufacturer guidelines. Irregular wear is the result of tire that is misaligned or hasn’t been properly rotated. When taken the extreme, irregular wear can cut the lifespan of your tire in half.
  4. Monitor tire pressure: Over or underinflated tires can be equally damaging. Not to mention the hit you car’s fuel efficiency will take. Check your tire pressure regularly and add air when needed. As a side note, many tire stores will check your tire pressure and add air when necessary for free.

For more information on proper tire care or to get a quote on new tires, call or visit us today.