Tire Care and Maintenance

When we think about car maintenance, we often think about taking our cars to repair shops, or changing the oil. Or, we think about cosmetic issues such as car covers, detailing, wax and shampooing carpets. But car care and maintenance is also about tires. In fact, tires could be the most critical safety equipment on our cars - and also the part that we ignore most frequently.

There are a number of ways that you can properly maintain your tires that will not only prolong their life, but also keep you safe and secure on the roads. This guide can help you get started.

• Pressure, pressure, pressure: All proper tire maintenance starts with pressure. If your tires have too much or too little pressure, they are a danger. You could have trouble with traction or braking, and it means that your car won't be handling at optimum condition. To find out the desired pressure, check the inside of your driver's side door. If your tires are at the right pressure, you'll also get better gas mileage - yep, it means you'll save money on fuel! Some modern cars come equipped with automatic tire pressure monitoring systems. If your car does not have one, you should check the pressure every other time you get gas.
• Look at the weather report: Dips or increases in temperature can affect the pressure of your tires - which in turn can affect the overall safety of your car. If you live in a climate that is prone to sharp changes in temperature, be very aware of this. Any changes in pressure can result in a change in resistance on the road.
• Rotate, rotate, rotate: Beyond pressure, you also need to make sure that your tires are wearing the same. Every car is different, and every driver is different. If you drive alone, then the weight distribution in your vehicle will be different than if you always drove with heavy cargo or passengers. But if you rotate your tires, you'll ensure that each tire wears evenly. This will increase the overall life of your tires and will also help you stay aware if there is a problem such serious damage to one of your tires. Have your tires rotated at least once every six months - more often if you tend to drive a lot.
• Get a penny: Tire tread is another serious issue. As you drive more and more, the tread on your tires will gradually wear away. You need to stay aware of how much tread is left on your tire - too little tread, and you risk a blown tire on the highway. To check the tread, place a penny with Lincoln's head facing down inside the tread. If the tread covers his whole head, you have enough tread. If his head isn't fully covered, it means you need to go to a tire store and invest in a new set of tires.