5 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR TIRES

Tire Pressure

Tire pressure is something that most people do not check unless they notice the tire looks semi flat on the bottom side.  The truth is that you need to check your tire pressure more than once a month.  There are different reasons why tires lose air, but if you do not keep the tires inflated to the manufacturer’s specifications, your gas mileage can drop and your vehicle can be unsafe to drive on the highway.  If the tire keeps losing air, it might be wise to replace it or have it checked by a garage.  It might be that the tire is worn.

Tire Tread

Tires that are worn can lose air regularly.  Driving on the highway or even in the city with tires that have worn tread can be very dangerous.  Even if the tires look as if they have some tread left, you have to feel the tread to see if there is enough to control the car.  Every tire has a different standard for gauging the tire tread.  See the manufacturer to find out what the lowest gauge is for that particular tire.  Bald tires will not stop the car properly, especially on snow, ice or wet pavement.

Measuring Tire Tread Depth with a Coin

U.S. coins can be substituted for a tire tread depth gauge as tires wear to the critical final few 32nds of an inch of their remaining tread depth.

Once you have determined the approximate remaining tread depth in the first location, you can complete your measurement of each tire by placing the coin into additional locations at least 15 inches apart around the tire’s central circumferential groove, as well as in its inner and outer grooves. This will help detect uneven wear caused by mechanical or service conditions.

According to Colorado law, tires are legally worn out when they have worn down to 2/32″ of remaining tread depth. To help warn drivers that their tires have reached that point, tires sold in North America are required to have indicators molded into their tread design called “wear bars” which run across their tread pattern from their outside shoulder to inside shoulder. Wear bars are designed to visually connect the elements of the tire’s tread pattern and warn drivers when their tires no longer meet minimum tread depth requirements.

However, as a tire wears it’s important to realize that the tire’s ability to perform in rain and snow will be reduced. With 2/32″ of remaining tread depth, resistance to hydroplaning in the rain at highway speeds has been significantly reduced, and traction in snow has been virtually eliminated.

If rain and wet roads are a concern, you should consider replacing your tires when they reach approximately 4/32″ of remaining tread depth. Since water can’t be compressed, you need enough tread depth to allow rain to escape through the tire’s grooves. If the water can’t escape fast enough, your vehicle’s tires will be forced to hydroplane (float) on top of the water, losing traction.

If snow-covered roads are a concern, you should consider replacing your tires when they reach approximately 6/32″ of remaining tread depth to maintain good mobility. You need more tread depth in snow because your tires need to compress the snow in their grooves and release it as they roll. If there isn’t sufficient tread depth, the “bites” of snow your tires can take on each revolution will be reduced to “nibbles,” and your vehicle’s traction and mobility will be sacrificed. Because tread depth is such an important element for snow traction, winter tires usually start with noticeably deeper tread depths than typical All-Season or summer tires. Some winter tires even have a second series of “wear bars” molded in their tread pattern indicating approximately 6/32″ remaining tread depth to warn you when your tires no longer meet the desired tread depth.

Rotating Tires

Rotating the tires from front left to back right and from front right to back left can help with the wear on the tires and lengthen life of the tire.  It is important that all tires are the same size if they are rotated.  It is not recommended that you rotate tires if they are different sizes on the front and the back.  Tire rotation is only done on vehicles that use four of the same size tires.  You can check for the tire size on the sidewall of each tire.

Tire Size

Choosing tires for your vehicle must be done in pairs.  It is not recommended to replace one tire and not the other side.  If you must replace older tires, you should buy one for each side.  This will help with the control of the car.  Never use two different size tires on the front of the vehicle.  This is true for the back as well.  The tires should be the same size and the same manufacturer if possible.  A car or truck that has different sized tires on it will handle differently and the gas mileage can be affected.

Front End Alignments

The roads are hard on vehicles and sometimes a car or truck will need a front end alignment.  If a vehicle is driven with the front end unaligned, the tires can wear unevenly or the sidewalls can become worn.  It is important that the tires be inspected every month.  If they show signs of wear on the sidewall, take your vehicle in for a front end alignment.  Driving a car or truck with tires that have worn sidewalls is dangerous.  Make sure the tires are wearing evenly all around the car for a safer ride.

Usually, maintaining the tires is forgotten about until a flat occurs.  Then it is too late.  You need to inspect the tires for air pressure, tire threads and wear patterns.  Keep the tires the same size and rotate them every 5,000 to 10,000 miles (or when your manufacturer recommends) to keep them wearing evenly.  If you have any concerns about the tires, you should follow your feelings and have the tires checked, especially before long trips.  Always make sure the vehicle is safe and maintained for safer driving.  You will have better gas mileage with properly inflated tires and you will have better control of the car or truck.