Tips on Tires

Tire safety is very important. Here are some regular checks that you can perform on your tires to insure your safety:

1. Lumps or swelling. Any lumps or swelling that appears on the sidewall are signs of tire weakness. If not attended to, it can lead to tire blow out. 2. Irregular tread wear must be checked out immediately. One of the best ways to check your tread depth is to do a "Penny Test". Stick a penny into a tire groove by turning it upside down. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, it's time to get new tires. You might want to check several tire grooves to determine whether one part of the tire is wearing faster than another. Inspect the sidewalls for any bulges that indicate internal problems. Also, if you see any wires anywhere, it's not safe to drive, as the tire might explode at any moment. 3. Sidewall fractures. 4. Tires should be rotated every 6,000 miles. 5. Balance your tires regularly. 6. Buy and install tires in sets. 7. Keep the steering and suspension aligned properly.

Don't forget to check your tire pressure at least once a month. Change in temperature causes the tire pressure to drop. Use a tire-pressure gauge to set your tires to your manufacturer's recommended pressure. This information is almost always printed in your owner's manual.