Tires are one of the most important pieces of safety equipment on a vehicle. It doesn't matter how well the vehicle performs if the tires cannot grip the road properly.
To ensure your tires provide traction, handling and braking:
- Conduct a basic tire inspection weekly. Incorporate the procedure into your routine when getting gasoline.
- Have a professional technician look at your tires as part of your regular maintenance schedule.
Three areas need special attention:
- Tire tread. A tire's tread should be checked for overall depth and uneven wear patterns. Use a depth gauge, available from most automotive parts stores, to check tire wear.
When any of the tread readings decrease to 3/16 of an inch, it's time to shop for a new tire. At 2/16 of an inch range, you may also notice some small, regularly spaced ''bald stripes'' or wear indicators, running straight across the tread at six or more locations around the tire.
Check the tread of your time in relation to its tread-wear indicator with every oil change. Accelerate these checks as the tire ages.
- Sidewalls. Check the sidewalls for deep cuts, bubbles, or bulges — any of which mean trouble. The only accurate way to check tire pressure is to use a pressure gauge, available at most auto parts stores.
Compare your gauge reading with the recommended inflation pressure listed on your vehicle's tire placard. The placard is a small label that is found on the edge of the driver's door or on the inside of the glove compartment door.
- Tire inflation pressure. Tires that wear faster on both the edges could be under-inflated.
If you notice more wear on either the inside or outside edge of the tire, or if your car seems to pull slightly to one side, have your car's alignment checked.
Consult the owner's manual for specific tire rotation information, but for longer wear, tires should be rotated every 6,000-7,000 miles. This is also a good time to check the brakes.
Source: AAA
