3 Important Tire Maintenance Tips

Q. What connects the car to the road? A: Tires. The rubber on our vehicles provide you with the much needed traction drive safely down the street. Worn out or damaged tires can decrease stopping power, lower fuel efficiency and make it more difficult to control your car, truck or SUV. It is important to keep an eye on your tires so that you can have them replaced when the time to do so comes. Check out these three tire maintenance tips, and if you experience any troubles with your tires, be sure to visit a tire sales and repair shop as soon as possible.

Tire rotation

When was the last time you had your tires rotated? This is something that should be done approximately every 10,000 miles in order to prevent two tires from wearing out before the other two. This happens when a car is front wheel drive, as the tires on the front will wear out faster than the rear ones, or vice versa, due to where the power is supplied. Tire rotations are generally a free service provided at the place you purchased your tires.

Visual inspection

Every once in awhile you should take a look at your tires to check the tread and try and spot any potential hazards. Look for uneven or odd wear patterns which can indicate alignment issues or inflation problems. If a tire seems a little low on air check for nails, screws or other debris stuck in the tread or sidewalls. Damaged tires need to be replaced as soon as they are noticed, as driving on them could result in a catastrophic blowout. If you have any concerns about your tires, visit a shop immediately.

Low-pressure indicator

You should regularly monitor your vehicle's tire pressure, as over or under inflation can cause major problems. Tire pressure is measured in pounds per square inch (PSI) and your tires' rating can usually be found in your vehicle owner's manual or on the inside of the driver's door jamb. If the tire pressure is too high you can wear out the center of the tire's tread early, decreasing braking power and cornering control. On the flip side, low tire pressure causes the outsides of the tire's tread to wear out quickly and it will reduce gas mileage and your ability to corner. Most newer vehicles have an indicator light on the dash that will let you know your tire pressure is low or high, but for just a few dollars you can purchase a small tool from an auto repair shop that will measure your air pressure at your will.

Always pay attention to your vehicle's tires. If you believe it may be time for new tires in Lancaster, head to McKonly's Garage. Our auto repair and maintenance techs will be glad to help you find the right rubber for your ride. Give us a call at (717) 208-8210 to schedule an appointment when it is time for any type of auto maintenance in Lancaster or the surrounding area.

McKonly's Garage Blog

Written and Published By MORBiZ