Tire Care
As the only parts of your car that physically touch the ground, your wheels are one of the key factors to your vehicle’s handling and braking, and overall safety. It pays to perform regular checks to your car’s tires – the time and effort you spend will be worthwhile to you and your family’s safety.
So what are the things to look out for when it comes to your vehicle’s tires?
* Cracking or cuts in the sidewalls.
* Uneven tread wear. This can be caused by improper inflation, misaligned wheels, damaged tires, or by problems with suspension parts.
* Excessively worn tread. Most modern tires have tread-wear indicator bars running across the tread, which signal the minimum allowable tread depth of 1/16-inch. When the tread wears down to these bars, it's time for new tires. Inexpensive tread-wear gauges are available at auto-parts and tire stores.
* Alternatively, you can use a Lincoln-head penny as a tread-wear indicator. Insert the penny into a tire groove with Lincoln's head toward the tire. If you can see the top of Abe's head, the tread is too worn.
* Bulges or blisters. If you see a bulge or blister on the sidewall, replace the tire at once. These signal potential weak spots that could lead to tire failure.
* Excessive vibration. Tire vibration may be a sign a wheel is misaligned, unbalanced, or bent. It could also signify internal tire damage. Don't ignore vibration: Have the vehicle serviced at once.
Regularly inspect your tires. If you note any of these early warning signs, have a professional inspection performed, check and correct items that may be causing the condition, or replace your tires. Find the best quality Toyota, Ford, Honda, Chevy and Volvo tires at trusted online auto parts stores like Auto Parts Discount.
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