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The Importance of Taking Care of Your Tires

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Your tires are the only part of your vehicle that make contact with the roadways. Having sufficient tire tread and proper inflation are crucial to a safe drive. You want to make sure that you’re on top of your tire maintenance, especially when Winter hits. Winter weather means wet driving conditions and you want to be confident that your vehicle will grip the pavement when you need it to, and have full stopping power, so you’re not playing bumper cars in icy conditions. The penny test is one easy way to check the tread on your tires. First, grab a penny and hold Abe’s between your thumb and forefinger. Next, stick Abe’s head in between one of the grooves of your tread. If any part of Abe’s head is covered by the tire tread then your tread is sufficient for now, but in snow and ice that may not be enough. If you’re not sure of the condition of your tires, or don’t feel confident when driving around in inclement weather consult your ASE certified mechanic.

Another important part of tire maintenance is proper inflation. Improper tire inflation results in unnecessary tire stress, irregular wear, loss of control, and potential accidents. With Winter weather arriving, keep in mind that every time the outside temperature drops 10 degrees Fahrenheit, the air pressure in your tires goes down one pound to two pounds per square inch. Check your tire pressure regularly to stay safe on the road. If you really don’t know whether your tires are sufficiently inflated then visit your reliable automotive repair center.

Get into the habit of walking around your vehicle and taking a look at your tires every time you stop for fuel. Look for bumps and bulges along the outer surface and any uneven wear patterns. Unevenly worn tires can be a sign that the vehicle alignment is off. Uneven alignment can lead to poor gas mileage and premature wear and tear. Consult a professional ASE certified technician at your trusted auto repair facility. These highly skilled mechanics will check your alignment and balance your tires to correct the issue. Keeping tires in good condition and ensuring proper alignment and balance of the vehicle can save you money on fuel by improving gas mileage. Staying on top of your tire maintenance will allow you to drive around this winter with confidence.

The Importance of Proper Tire Inflation

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When measuring tire inflation you refer to its PSI, or pounds per square inch. A tire that’s inflated at 35 PSI can lose as much as 1 PSI a month! Do you have a clue as to what your tires’ recommended PSI is? This information can be found in various places. For your factory tires you can look at your vehicle owner’s manual, or on the vehicle’s door jam. In some vehicles it can be found inside the glove compartment door and inside the fuel hatch flap. An important thing to remember is that you need to find the pressure recommended for your vehicle. So, you won’t find it printed on the tire sidewall, as this is just the maximum pressure for that specific tire itself.

To get the most accurate reading of inflation check your tires when cold. This is due to the fact that your tires heat up as you are driving along the road, which causes pressure inside the tires to build up and expand. If your car has an internal tire pressure monitoring system this may also be the reason it indicates a low tire pressure on very cold mornings, then later turns off as the tires warm up.

Staying on top of your tire inflation is an essential part of proper vehicle maintenance. Using air pressure gauges at gas stations is alright if you’re in a jiffy, but chances are that it’s pretty worn and weathered. So, to get the most precise reading of your tires you’ll want to visit your trusted auto repair shop and their ASE certified technicians will be happy to check them for you.

Checking your tires PSI is one thing, but maintaining that level is another. Those tiny valve caps on your tires are extremely valuable to you and your vehicle. Yes, they keep out debris, but also prevent moisture from seeping in, which can lead to corrosion. So, to extend the life of your tires make sure that your valuable valves are tightly in place. Your MPG can increase 3.3 percent when your tires are properly inflated and that every bit of savings counts when it comes to high gas prices.

Your tires are the only thing connecting you to the roadway, so keeping them properly inflated is imperative to a safe and comfortable ride. These tips focus on proper tire inflation, but to get the most out of your tires, stop by our professional auto repair shop. We’ll be happy to check your balance and alignment to make sure you’re safe and driving straight on the roadways.

Checking Your Ties Regularly Can Keep You Safe and Save You Money

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Have you checked your vehicle’s tires lately? It’s amazing how much rides on your vehicle’s tires. Not only can unevenly inflated or worn tires cost you money by reducing your vehicle’s efficiency and gas mileage, they can also be a safety hazard.

Check your tires every time you stop for gas. You don’t need to do much – just walk around your vehicle and take a quick glance at the tires. If you notice any problems like uneven wear or one that seems lower in air than the others, check the tire as soon as you get home. Use the penny test to check the tread. If you can insert a penny, upside down and with Abraham Lincoln’s portrait facing you, into the tread and still see Lincoln’s head, the tire treads are worn. Use a manual pressure gauge to check the tire pressure. The vehicle owner’s manual should provide you with the optimum pressure per tire, front and back. Never inflate the tires above the recommended pressure.

If you do notice that your vehicle’s tires are worn or one tire seems more worn than usual, take your vehicle into a tires shop or your favorite mechanic’s shop and have the alignment, balance and tires checked professionally. Uneven wear on tires or just one tire may be an indication of misalignment, and you may need to have the tire replaced. Not only will your vehicle handle more smoothly when the alignment is corrected, but it may also get better gas mileage. While it may only be pennies per mile, that saving adds up.

One last thing to check is the spare. Many people check their vehicle’s tires regularly but neglect to check the spare. Make sure your spare tire is properly inflated according to the manufacturer’s directions and instructions. Check to make sure your lug wrench, jack and safety cones or flares are in the trunk and that you’re familiar with the basic procedure for changing a tire.

It’s amazing how much rides on your tires. The next time you buckle your child into her car seat or climb into your vehicle, check your tires.

Keeping You On The Road…Literally

There are thousands of components in today’s modern vehicles, but there is only one that is responsible for contacting the road surface and making sure you stay put. That vital component is the tire. Tires are one of the most important safety items on your vehicle. The Rubber Manufacturers Association suggests that drivers take just five minutes each month to examine your tires inflation and tread wear. If you want to get the most out of your tires and extend their life as far as possible, follow these pressure guidelines.

Your tires’ #1 enemy is under-inflation. By not adequately inflating your tires you could be causing unnecessary tire stress, irregular wear, loss of control, and potential accidents. Keep in mind that a tire can lose up to half of its pressure and still not even look flat! This problem is completely avoidable by simply checking tire pressure on a regular basis. A tire pressure gauge is a valuable tool that costs a few bucks and can save you hundreds down the road.

For the most accurate reading, check your tires cold. The best time for a pressure reading is when they haven’t been driven on for a while. The pressure in your tires increases as temperature increases. Record how many PSI below specification the tires are and write it down. This will help because the tires will read differently when you get to where you are going to fill them up. Then whatever reading you get, simply add however many PSI you recorded earlier.

If you are in need of new Lincoln tires make sure you see an ASE Certified Technician to receive the most reliable and professional expertise.

Save Money By Making Your Tires Last Longer

Increase Your Tires’ Lifespan

Good tires can be expensive, which is why it’s important to maintain them. Here’s some ways to get the most out of your tires.

Balance. Good tires have a deep tread, stable side walls and have been balanced for high speed handling. If your tires seem to bounce all over the place when you drive, they may need to be rebalanced. If you bring your car to our shop to have them rebalanced, we’ll also make sure there’s no serious issue underneath the carriage of your vehicle like a broken tie-rod or control arm.

Inflation. By keeping your tires properly inflated you can increase their lifespan, save gas mileage, improve steering and help you stop quicker.

Alignment. Alignment is critical to avoid excessive wear on either the inside or the outside of the tire. If you rotate your tires at every other regularly scheduled oil change and you notice unusual wear on the rear tires, you might have an issue with a universal joint that may need replacement.

A good spare. In the event you need to change your tires, it is important to make sure your replacement tire is also in good condition. A thorough preventative maintenance plan should also include making sure you have a reliable spare tire and all the necessary tools needed.

Tires can cost $50-$200 each. But regularly maintaining them can save you a lot of money. Taking your car into a trusted shop like ours with ASE-Certified Technicians for regular tire rotations and inspections will help you save money and keep you safely on the road!