Tending to tires
Buying a new set is costly — here’s how to maximize the longevity of your car’s tires
It’s no exaggeration to say that your car or truck’s tires are one of its most important safety features. Each one is responsible for accelerating, steering and stopping even the largest pickups and SUVs.
Though far too many motorists tend to ignore them until they’re saddled with a flat tire, it’s easy to ensure your vehicle is up to the task where the rubber meets the road. You’ll also save money by not having to replace them as frequently.
Experts suggest giving your car or truck’s tires a visual inspection every time you stop for gas, and be sure to give them a thorough once over before embarking on a long road trip. Look for uneven wear, cracks in the sidewall or any other signs of damage. Remove bits of glass and other foreign objects that may have become wedged in the tread. Ensure each of the tire valves has a valve cap.
Unless your vehicle comes with a detailed tire inflation monitor that gives an exact reading at all four corners, check each tire’s air pressure at least once a month using a good quality gauge — one that features a digital readout gives the most accurate results. Driving with incorrect tire pressures can adversely affect a vehicle’s handling and braking. can also lead to uneven and/ or premature tire wear and can reduce a car’s fuel economy by around 3 percent.
Check the pressure after the car has been sitting for a few hours — first thing in the morning works best in this regard. You’ll get a more accurate reading from a “cold” tire, as the friction and heat created by driving tends to bump up the air pressure to some degree. And don’t forget to check the spare tire.
Keep your tires inflated according to the manufacturer’s recommended “psi,” or pounds per square inch. Proper inflation levels can be found in a car’s owner’s manual as well as on a sticker affixed to the inside panel of the driver’s door. Depending on the model, the recommended pressure for the front tires may be slightly different than for the rear.
Have the tires rotated by a technician according to the service interval noted in your car or truck’s owner’s manual to help extend and equalize the tread wear on all four tires. Be aware, however, that some models (typically high-performance cars) use different sized tires at the front and rear, which limits the rotating process to left-right swaps. If your car uses so-called “directional” tires of the same size (they’re built to run only in one direction), this would limit rotation to only front-rear swaps.
Be sure not to exceed the tires’ load capacity as stated on the sidewalls; this is especially important with trucks and SUVs used for towing and hauling purposes. Over-burdened tires can build up excessive heat that could lead to premature deterioration and even sudden destruction. Likewise, take it
easy on your car’s tires; slow down if you have to go over a pothole, broken pavement or other object in the road; avoid running over curbs and try not to scrape the curb when parking.
Finally, if a series of horizontal warning bands appear across the tread, or if you can see the very top of Lincoln’s head when you stick a penny into a tire’s tread grooves it’s time to go tire shopping. If one tire becomes damaged in the meantime, it’s best to replace them in pairs.