The Ultimate Tire Maintenance Checklist

Well-maintained tires are essential for safe driving. Since your tires are pretty much your vehicle’s only contact with the road, they tend to wear out a lot faster than other major parts of your car. To keep you and your passengers safe, it’s important that you check your tires regularly. Here’s how to go about it.

Tire Pressure

Proper tire pressure is necessary to keep your car safe while on the road and your fuel economy in check. Given this, it’s important that you check your tires with an accurate pressure gauge at least once every month. Do this when the tires are cool. The recommended pressure level can be found in the owner’s manual. Keep in mind that underinflation can cause irreparable damage to your tires, while overinflation can make your ride extremely uncomfortable.

Signs of Wear

Tires wear down while you drive, and they should be replaced when they reach the tread wear indicators. New tires usually have tread wear indicators, which typically appear in the tread grooves when worn down to 1.6mm level. All tires should be removed from service when they reach the tread wear indicator level. Driving with worn or nearly bald tires can cause highway and wet weather accidents, so make sure to check the tread every few weeks.

Tire Rotations

You should get your tires rotated regularly to equalize how much they wear. This advice is backed by the tire industry. Ideally, you should get a tire rotation about every 5,000 miles. You’ll have a sense of peace knowing that your tires will last longer, and you won’t be stuck on the highway with an unexpected flat.

Tire Damages

It is important that you check your tires as frequently as once a month, as they can become damaged by impacts and penetrations, which may not be noticed in your daily commute. Checks should be made in all weathers, and if there are any issues such as air loss or other damage, your tire dealer or mechanic should be consulted. In most cases, you’ll need to take the car to the mechanic and have the tires replaced immediately.