The Only Tire Checklist You’ll Ever Need

Tires are pretty important. We’ve written about tires an awful lot in the past and for good reason. Your tires are the contact point between your vehicle and the road, and have a major influence on safety, performance and comfort. Now is a really important time to be aware of your tire condition and consider replacing old tires. It won’t be long before hot summer days give way to cool, damp, fall days. Puddles and slick leaves become common hazards during trips to and from school and work.

We’ve decided to take all the things we’ve written about in the past on tires and consolidate it into an easy-to-read tire checklist that we hope will keep you safe on the road during the fall months.

Tire Pressure

Tire pressure should be maintained at the level indicated on your vehicle. For most, the recommended PSI is located on the car’s driver side door jamb. Most car’s low tire pressure gauge will begin going off in the fall months when temperatures dip. Cooler air contracts, and it takes more air in the winter than in the summer to maintain correct tire pressure.

Tread Depth

Tread depth is incredibly important because it is the treads that grip the road and wick away water during rainy days. Over time, your car’s treads get more and more shallow, reducing the amount of water they can move while driving. Once the treads are too low, you run the risk of hydroplaning. You can always perform the old ‘penny test’ to check the tread depth. There are also tread depth indicators on tires that give you a tactile understanding of your tread depth. Run your finger inside one of the treads. Every 6-8 inches or so is a nub. Once that nub is level with the tire’s driving surface, it is recommended that you replace your tires.

Rotation, Alignment, Balance

Maintaining the steering performance helps increase overall safety but also help to increase the lifespan of your tires, saving you time and money in the long run. Look for signs of improper steering such as shaking, pulling and uneven tire wear.

Tire Wear and Tear

Tires take a beating beyond just wear and tear from driving. Scrapes along the sidewall from hitting curbs, gouges from rocks and debris and patched holes all factor into the reliability and health of your tires. Look for major damage, nails and blistering on the sidewalls. You can also check for cracks in the tires, which is a tell-tale sign that your tires are old and getting brittle.

Bonus Tip: Check the Spare!

Most people only see their spare tire in a time of need. Yet spare tires can also deflate, get brittle and become unreliable as well. Just as you ensure you have good batteries in your flashlight when a storm is coming, you should check your spare tire from time to time to ensure that when the need arises, you are prepared.

BBack Car Care pays particular attention to tire condition during any and all visits to our shop. Safety and reliability start and stop with the tires in so many respects. If you are unsure if you need new tires, ask at the time of your appointment confirmation to have your tires inspected. If we think they need to be changed, we’ll tell you. If you still have time before new tires are needed, we’ll let you know so that you can plan for the future.

Ready to make an appointment? Request an appointment online or give our service desk a call today.