Importance of Tire Rotation and Maintenance

Checking The Air Pressure

The first order of business is to keep an eye on your tire pressure, which can change according to the outside temperature. If you see an indicator warning on your dashboard, don't delay addressing it. Keeping your tires at the correct pressure can also help improve gas mileage. The ideal pressure can be found either in the owner's manual, along the door's edge, or on the tire itself. Don't forget, it's equally important not to overfill the tires, too, as this increases the likelihood of a blowout.

Ideally, even if you have a tire pressure monitoring system in the car, you still want to check it at least once a month. Consider buying a tire pressure gauge. For the most accurate reading, check the pressure before starting to drive when the tire hasn't warmed up yet.

Checking The Tread Wear

The next part of excellent tire maintenance is checking your tires' tread depth. Tires worn down can be a safety issue because it's harder to keep traction in snow or ice, along with increasing your chances of hydroplaning. Bald tires can also lose air pressure quickly, which again puts you at risk of a blowout.

A visual inspection is really all you need to do to check tread depth. Once the surface of the tires is completely smooth, it's time to replace your tires. Drivers will also notice that they tend to feel a bumpier ride, especially when going across bumps, potholes, or uneven terrain. If you want to try another test, consider using a penny. Place the penny inside one of the grooves upside down. If you can see all of President Lincoln's head, it's probably time for a new set.

Importance Of Tire Rotation

Rotating your tires is another way to extend the lifespan of your tires. The suggested interval is often more specific in your owner's manual, but generally, it should be done every 6,000 to 8,000 miles. A good rule of thumb is to have this service completed every other oil change.

Tires wear at a different rate depending on their position. Therefore, adjusting the position of the tires ensures that all four of them will wear evenly. Forgetting to rotate tires often leads to replacing tires quicker than you normally would, which costs you more money in the long run. Depending on the type of car, SUV, or truck you have, the tire rotation pattern differs. However, you don't need to worry about any of that at Rob Green GMC. We've got you covered!

Factors That Affect Tire Lifespan

Here are some other aspects of tire care that should be addressed. While there are multiple different options for tires, you can expect to get at least four or five years out of them (around 60,000 miles on a good set).

• Wheel alignment- Most of the time, you can tell if you're out of alignment. Your vehicle can pull to one side or the other and doesn't seem to go in a straight path down the highway.
• Driving habits- Always pressing the accelerator for the next thrill or being rough on the brakes can quickly wear your tires. Practicing defensive driving habits can help ensure your tires don't wear quickly.
• Where you live- Your location can depend on how quickly your tires wear. Lower temperatures can make your tires more susceptible to underinflation and unsafe driving conditions. On the other hand, higher temperatures can rapidly increase friction with the road, resulting in quicker wear and tear.
• Tire Age- No matter how well you maintain your tires, they won't last a lifetime. Expect to go through two or three sets as long as you own the car. Once you get past six years on the same set of tires, it's usually time to start thinking of new ones.