Business & Tech

5 Tips for Tire Maintenance and Safety

Taking care of your tires can help them carry you and your car more safely! Check out our tire safety tips from Town Fair Tire Manager Brian Mooney.

1. Check the air pressure of your tires at least once a month.

Consistently checking your tire air pressure could not only extend the life of your tires, but could also save your own!

"Over time, low air pressure not only reduces fuel consumption efficiency, it will reduce the life of the tire," said Vernon's Town Fair Tire Manager Brian Mooney. "And if it runs too low, the tire could overheat and blow."

Mooney suggests using a tire gauge to check the pressure once a month. The acceptable air pressure range is usually listed by the manufacturer in the car's door jamb, Mooney said. Businesses such as Town Fair Tire may also check your pressure for free, Mooney added.

2. Make sure your car is properly aligned to save wear and tear on your tires.

"Your vehicle alignment goes hand-in-hand with tire maintenance," Mooney said.

He explained that a crooked wheel alignment causes the tires to wear more quickly and could impact the handling of your car. It will also reduce the life of the tires, and fixing the alignment could improve fuel efficiency by 9 percent.

"Check your alignment if your car is drifting to one side, if you see uneven tread wear on tires or a crooked steering wheel," Mooney advised. 

He recommends realigning your vehicle about once a year or every 10,000 miles.

3. Grab a penny and measure your tire tread depth.

Tires are officially considered bald when the treads reach two 32nds of an inch anywhere on the tire, Mooney said. Four 32nds of an inch is considered the minimum to keep good tire traction.

Mooney suggests that car owners keep track of their tire treads with a simple coin trick.

Take a penny and place Abe Lincoln's head upside down in the tread. The distance between the top of the coin and Lincoln's head is two 32nds of an inch, so if all of the former president's head is showing, then your tires need to be replaced, Mooney said.

4. Regularly rotate your tires.

Cars should have their tires rotated at least every 5,000 to 7,500 miles, Mooney recommends.

Switching the rear and front tires will go a long way towards extending the life of the tires, he added.

"Usually your front tires would be wearing out a lot more than the rear," Mooney explained.

5. Periodically examine your tires for cracking, bulges, etc.

Sometimes all your tires need is a quick once-over!

Mooney suggests that car owners inspect their tires closely from time to time. Look for cracking in the rubber, the wear of the tire, and bulges and bubbles. 

If you see anything unusual, make sure a professional checks it out!

Brian Mooney is the manager of Town Fair Tire in Vernon. Town Fair Tire offers free tire inspections, air pressure checks and rotations. 


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