Tire Guide – 5 Tire Care Tips You Should Know

Your tires allow you to drive and steer; they provide traction in bad weather and help maintain control when driving at high speeds. You must take care of them so they last. Here are five tire care tips for you to remember.

1) Ensure that the Air Pressure is Correct

One thing you can do to extend the life of your tires and ensure good performance is to keep them properly inflated. Check the pressure level of your tires at least once a month, and make sure it’s at the right level. If you don’t know how it’s done, consult your car’s owner’s manual or take it to a certified car technician at a dealership service center.

If your tires are not inflated accurately, you could experience several problems, including uneven tread wear, decreased fuel efficiency, and even a blowout. So be sure to inflate them correctly and regularly.

2) Don’t Install Mismatched Tires

Often, car owners will purchase one new tire and use old ones on the other corners. This is a problem as it can affect vehicle performance, prolong stopping distances, and increase the chances of skidding or slipping during turns.

If you want to ensure that your tires last longer and perform better overall, then make sure all four are the same brand, size, and type. If you’re ever in doubt about what kind of tire your car needs, consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual or speak with a certified car technician.

3) Don’t Overload Your Vehicle

Tires are designed to support the weight of your vehicle and everything in it – not more. Exceeding this limit can lead to poor handling, longer stopping distances (if you’re lucky), or tire explosion (not so fortunate). The general rule is that every additional 100 pounds added onto a car requires about one extra psi in all four tires. So, if you’re carrying too much weight, stop by a gas station and air up your tires to the recommended pressure.

4) Check the Tire Treads

The tread on your tires helps grip the road and keep you moving in the right direction. If the tread is too worn down, it can’t do its job properly, leading to a loss of control while driving. Analyze your tire tread depth by placing a penny upside-down into several grooves of the tire – if you can see all of Lincoln’s head, then your tread is too shallow and needs to be replaced.

5) Don’t Wait Until Your Tires are Completely Dead to Replace Them

It’s important to replace your tires before they’re completely worn down, as this can lead to many dangerous situations. If you wait until the tread is so thin that you can see the steel belts underneath, it’s already too late – you need to buy new tires now.

When you need to replace your tires, make sure they are the right size for your vehicle’s wheel wells. You can also get a tire rotation service done with the replacement of air filters and fluids. These regular maintenance services will help extend the life of your tires and keep them in good condition over time. If you have any questions about how to care for or maintain your Toyota’s tires, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with our dealership service center at Peter Boulware Toyota, serving Perry, FL, today!