Your tires are the only parts of your vehicle that regularly make contact with the road. They need to be in top shape for you to continue to enjoy a smooth and even ride. From proper wheel alignment to pressure checks, regular tire maintenance will help extend the usable life of your tires.

How to Properly Maintain Your Tires

1. Get an Annual Wheel Alignment

Every time you hit a pothole, curb, or bump in the road, your car’s alignment can fall slightly off-kilter. When this happens, your wheels start to wear unevenly—one side will spend more time in contact with the road than the other. Each year, have an auto repair shop check your wheel alignment to fix this issue. They should also rotate your tires so the front and back ones wear evenly through the years.

2. Monitor Tire Pressure

If your tires are overinflated, then the tread in the middle will wear down faster than the tread on the edges. If your tires are underinflated, the opposite will occur. To ensure the entire tire wears evenly, check your owner’s manual for the optimal inflation, then use a tire gauge regularly to make sure you’re within that range.

3. Look Out for Wear & Damage

When you check the air pressure, you can also use a tread gauge to make sure the tires haven’t worn down too badly. If the tread is too low, you won’t have much traction on the road, so you should have the tires replaced. Additionally, look out for rips or tears from hitting potholes or debris on the road. Take your vehicle to an auto repair shop right away if you notice these issues.

If you need a wheel alignment or any other help maintaining your vehicle’s tires, turn to the professionals at AutoTech in Kealakekua, HI. The auto repair shop has served local drivers for more than 14 years, offering a wide array of services, including engine repair, vehicle inspections, car diagnostics, and brake service. The ASE®-certified technicians are also trained to work on both domestic and foreign vehicles. Find out more about their offerings online, or call (808) 322-8881 to make an appointment.