Tire Services – How to Properly Maintain Your Tires
Keeping your tires properly maintained is vital to the longevity and safety of your vehicle. Proper maintenance includes rotating your tires, checking for tread wear, inflation, and checking for balancing. Proper maintenance will allow your tires to last longer, which will save you money.
The best way to keep your tires in tip top shape is to follow the owner’s manual. Your owner’s manual will contain information about tire speed ratings, tire rotation, and other tire maintenance tips. If your tires are older or have more tread wear than you are comfortable with, it may be time to replace them. You can find a local tire shop by using the Internet or by calling your dealership.
If you are unsure of which tires are right for your vehicle, visit a tire shop to have a professional help you pick the right tires. Most tire shops offer a full range of tire services, including tire rotation and inflation. Having your tires rotated and inflated on a regular basis will keep them performing their best and prolong the life of your tires.
If you notice a lug nut becoming loose, call a tire service center to have it replaced. This will not hurt your vehicle and is generally a nominal fee compared to towing your vehicle. The lug nut may have rusted out or become tight. A tire service center has the tools and expertise to remove the lug nut without damaging your vehicle.
You should also check your tires for signs of wear, such as tread depth, noise, or vibration. Tires with worn tread need to be replaced as soon as possible. It is also important to keep up with regular tire rotation to keep wear evenly distributed.
There are also special tools used in the tire rotation process. The most common tool is a mount and balance machine. This tool is used to align your tires and balance them on the rim. The machine is also used to perform other tire maintenance procedures.
In addition to routine maintenance, you should also periodically check your tire pressure. If you notice your tires are losing air, you may have a leaky tire. If your tire pressure is low, you may have to correct the problem by using a valve stem with compressed air.
Tire rotation may seem like an unnecessary expense, but it is essential to your vehicle’s longevity. Keeping your tires properly rotated can prevent uneven tread wear, which can decrease your tire’s life. You should rotate your tires every 5,000 to 7,000 miles. This will also keep your tires balanced, which will increase the longevity of your tires.
The DOT number is a simple way to tell what year your tires were made. You can find the DOT number by looking for eleven or twelve letters and numbers on the sidewall of your tires. This will give you information about your tire’s speed rating and load index, which will tell you the maximum load that your tires can handle.