Your tires are one of the most important pieces of your new or used car. They come in daily contact with the road and have to withstand any element that they are subjected to: rain, heat, ice, etc.
With just a little effort, you can ensure that your tires will last for a long time to come, and help keep you and all of your passengers safe.
Tire Pressure — Do you remember the last time you checked the air in your tires? If it was the last time you changed your oil, that might not be soon enough. It’s best to check the pressure in your tires every few weeks, and especially if the seasons are changing over.
As the temperature changes, the heat and cold can cause the tire pressure to raise and lower — you typically lose 1 psi (pounds per square inch) per 10 degree change in the temperature. Plus, you lose at least 1 psi per month through normal driving. If you’re not sure about how much air should be in your tire, you can find the specific psi requirements on the outside wall of the tire.
Tire Tread — The easiest way to see if you have enough tread on your tire is to do what’s called the “quarter test.” You take a quarter and insert it between the tread grooves of your tire with Washington’s head pointing downward. If the tread doesn’t touch the top of Washington’s head, you probably need new tires.
Tire Wear — Take a look at this picture of common tire wear problems:
That image shows you how the wear on the tire can give you an idea of what might be causing the problem.
