Tires are crucial to your safety while on the road. A good set of tires lets you maintain optimum control of your vehicle. As such, it’s essential to keep your tires in tip-top shape with routine maintenance and frequent inspections. 

How to Maintain Your Tires

1. Inflate to Recommended Pressure

Make it a habit to check the tire pressure. Inflate them according to ideal pressure levels as indicated in your owner’s manual. Keep in mind that tires tend to lose pressure for several reasons, such as normal wear and temperature fluctuations. Driving with improperly inflated tires can result in reduced fuel economy, decreased handling, compromised safety, and poor ride quality.    

2. Check Tread Depth

To check the tread depth, you can use a tire gauge or do a penny test. Using a penny, place it upside down in between the tread grooves or blocks. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s hairline, it means your tires have shallow treads and need to be replaced. Most states require vehicles to have a specific tire tread depth, and anything less indicates they are worn and considered unsafe for driving.  

3. Switch Tires According to Season

If you live somewhere with harsh winter conditions, consider replacing your standard tires with winter-ready ones. Unlike all-season rubber, winter tires have deep, single directional tread grooves that push water away to maintain contact on slick, wet roads. They make for safer driving in cold, slushy conditions.

4. Have Them Aligned & Rotated

It doesn’t take much for your tires to get out of alignment, such as driving over potholes, hitting curbs, and getting into accidents. Although misalignment is invisible to the eye, it’s something you can feel while driving like pulling to one side, unusual vibrations, and an off-center steering wheel. 

During a tire rotation, the positions are swapped to ensure even tread wear. Weight and pressure are unequally distributed among the tires, so some—like the front tires—tend to wear out faster than others. Have the tires rotated at least every 5,000 miles.

Stay safe on the road with a reliable set of tires and proper care. For excellent tire rotation, trust the professionals at Mullanphy Tire & Automotive. Their certified technicians provide top-notch auto repairs and maintenance work, including oil changes and brake services, throughout St. Louis County, MO. Call (314) 921-4961 today or visit their website to learn more about their services.