It’s critical that vehicle owners keep an eye on their tires and perform regular maintenance to keep them in top shape. This will extend their life and improve your safety on the road. Here are a few ways to care for your tires to gain these benefits.

How to Maintain Your Tires

1. Assess the Treads

Tire treads provide traction to keep the vehicle on the road. It’s essential to assess the treads every season, so you can note if it’s time to purchase new tires. You can check the tread by holding a penny and placing it vertically upside-down into the thickest part of the tread. If you can see all of Abraham Lincoln’s head, it’s time to consider purchasing new tires, as they’ve worn down and aren’t providing as much traction as they should.

2. Perform Regular Pressure Checks 

Each tire model has a recommended pounds per square inch (psi) rating. This number indicates how much air to put in the tire and can be found in the owner’s manual or on the doorjamb of your driver’s side door. Use a pressure gauge while filling them with air to ensure the tires are filled to the correct psi.

3. Change the Tire Alignment

As you drive, the tires wear down in specific ways. For example, if you always take the same roads to and from work, those consistent turns will wear down the tires in specific places. Visit a tire specialist every 6,000 to 8,000 miles to have your wheels rotated. They’ll switch which tires go on each side of the axle to increase their life span.

4. Change the Tires

People who live in areas with extreme winter conditions with a lot of ice and snow might want to have two sets of tires—one for summer and one for winter. The winter ones will have deeper treads to grip the road better during the colder months.

If you need professional tire care or are in the market for new tires, contact Muffler Brothers in Ross County, OH, to learn about their inventory. The company is a Jasper^®- and Goodyear^®-preferred dealer and offers engine and transmission repairs, wheel alignments, and tire replacements. Call (740) 772-1890 or visit their website to request an appointment.