Do you stay on top of your tire maintenance? Today’s tire maintenance goes beyond keeping your tires properly inflated. Having a service routine for your tires is important for continued performance of your vehicle, increased cost savings, and most importantly, your safety. In this month’s blog, we review the components of a tire maintenance plan that you can implement into your vehicle care routine.
Wheel Alignment
If you do any driving over rough surfaces, or have ever hit a pothole on the road, then you may need an alignment. When there is an alignment malfunction in your tires, you may notice uneven wear on the tires or the vehicle drifts in one particular direction. Alignment service adjusts the angles of the tire to the factory specs so that your vehicle drives in a straight direction.
A wheel alignment should be performed on your vehicle at least annually.
Tire Rotation
A tire rotation might sound like a simple maintenance item, but it is useful in preserving the service life of your tires. Each of your tires may be worn in various places, which is a normal part of the tire lifecycle. By rotating the tires, you are ensuring that the wear is even. Your vehicle’s manufacturer may have suggested rotation guidelines for the tires, if the tires are the same size.
A tire rotation should be performed on your vehicle at intervals of every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.
Tire Balance
When your tire is spinning, the weight distribution of the tire can influence how smoothly the tire rotates. When the weight distribution is disrupted, this can cause the tire to be out of balance and you may experience vibration while driving. Balancing your tires helps re-distribute the weight around the tire using a dynamic machine and adjustment process.
A tire balance should be performed on your vehicle every 5,000 miles, or two times a year.
Tire Pressure
Tire pressure can be impacted by a variety of factors – from tire damage to changing temperatures. It is important to keep your tires at the proper air pressure that is suggested by the manufacturer. If you have a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), you can easily stay on top of tire pressure changes. But you may also want to invest in an inexpensive tire pressure gauge and check the pressure manually on occasion. If the pressure is consistently dropping, it may be a sign of a leak or tire damage.
A tire pressure check should be performed on your vehicle monthly.
Tire Treads
Your vehicle’s tires are subjected to a lot of rough road conditions and road debris. Tread wear is normal, but you want to make sure that you are staying on top of the tread wear. Bald or low treads are a safety concern because of your vehicle’s ability to maintain enough traction with the road. A physical inspection of the tread depth is suggested along with an inspection of the side walls for bulges or damage.
A tire tread inspection should be performed on your vehicle monthly.
A tire maintenance plan is easy to implement and can do a lot to keep your vehicle operating smoothly and safely. If you would like to have your tires maintained, contact the service professionals at Car Kings to schedule an appointment for an inspection and/or repairs.