Be Tire Smart....Know Your Tires

It is important to have the proper air pressure in your tires, as under inflation can lead to tire failure. The right amount of air for your tires is specified by the vehicle manufacturer and is shown on the vehicle door edge, doorpost, glove box door or fuel door. It is also listed in the owner’s manual.  When you check the air pressure, make sure the tires are cool--meaning they are not hot from driving even a mile. (If you have to drive to get air, check your pressure before and record, then add the appropriate air pressure when you get to pump. It is normal for air pressure to go up as you drive. Never bleed or reduce air pressure when tires are hot.)

Air pressure in a tire goes up (in warm weather) or down (in cold weather) 1-2 pounds for every 10 degrees of temperature change.  A tire can lose up to half of its air pressure and not appear to be flat.

A bad jolt from hitting a curb or pothole can throw your front end out of alignment and damage your tires. Misalignment of wheels in the front or rear can cause uneven and rapid tread wear and should be corrected by a tire dealer. Have your alignment checked periodically as specified by the vehicle manual or whenever you have an indication of trouble such as pulling or vibration.

Also have your tire balance checked periodically. An unbalanced tire and wheel assembly may result in irregular wear.  Sometimes irregular tire wear can be corrected by rotating your tires. If your tires show uneven wear, ask your tire dealer to check for and correct misalignment, imbalance or other mechanical problems before rotation. Before rotating your tires, always refer to your vehicle owner’s manual for rotation recommendations. If no rotation period is specified, tires should be rotated approximately every 6,000-8,000 miles.

Tires must be replaced when the tread is worn down to 1/16 inch in order to prevent skidding and hydroplaning. An easy test: place a penny into a tread groove. If part of Lincoln’s head is covered by the tread, you are driving with proper amount of tread. If you can see all of his head, you should buy a new tire.  Built-in tread wear bar indicators or wear bars--which look like narrow strips of smooth rubber across the tread--will appear on the tire when the tread is worn down to one-sixteenth of an inch.

Advanced and unusual wear can reduce the ability of tread to grip the road in adverse conditions. Visually check your tires for uneven wear, looking for high or low areas or unusually smooth areas. Also, check for damage.