  Article by Hennessy Automobile Companies - Sep 06, 2022Â
Do you pay attention to your tires? Do you have them rotated regularly? Do you know what the proper air pressure to maintain is? Are you aware of the impact that basic tire maintenance has on vehicle safety and durability? Around 11,000 car accidents occur annually as a result of tires in poor condition. Keep more money in your pocket and protect your vehicle, your family, and yourself by servicing your tires on a regular basis! From Hennessy Automobile Companies to you, here are six simple and essential tire maintenance tips to protect yourself, your vehicle, and your wallet for years to come:
1. MAINTAIN THE PROPER AIR PRESSURE
Air pressure is the single most important part of proper tire maintenance as it directly affects safety, durability, and fuel consumption.
While proper inflation can save you up to 11 cents per gallon and extend the life of your tires by up to 5,000 miles, only 1 out of 5 cars on the road today have their tires inflated properly.
Check the pressure of each tire (including your spare) at least once a month when the tires are "cold," meaning that your car hasn't been driven for at least three hours. The tire pressure recommendation for most vehicles ranges from about 30-35 psi, but this isn't universal.
Your tires' proper inflation pressure-measured in both kilopascals (kPA) and pounds per square inch (PSI or psi)-can be found on the Tire and Loading Information Label on your driver's side door edge or in your owner's manual.
This is what your Tire and Loading Information Label should look like:
Aside from your monthly check, here are some quick tips for maintaining proper air pressure in your tires:
Always keep a tire pressure gauge in your vehicle! Tires can lose pressure suddenly when driving over a pothole or bumping into a curb.
If you have Nitrogen in your tires, do not be afraid to add air to them if necessary. When you return to the dealership, let them know that you put air in; they will release the air and refill your tires with Nitrogen.
Newer vehicles have Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems, but these only activate a warning when a tire is significantly underinflated. Always conduct a monthly air pressure check to ensure your tires are properly inflated!
2. CONTROL YOUR SPEED
Many people are surprised to hear that speed directly affects tire wear.
Driving at high speeds puts additional strain on tires, leading to faster tread wear. This is one of the many reasons why racing teams burn through tire after tire during a race. Stick to the posted speed limits, and you'll get more out of your tires!
3. DON'T FORGET ABOUT BALANCE AND ALIGNMENT
To allow your vehicle to operate at peak performance, it is crucial to have your tires balanced and aligned regularly by a factory-trained technician.
Having your tires balanced ensures that your wheels rotate properly and don't cause the vehicle to shake or vibrate. New tires should always be balanced when installed.
On the other hand, a wheel alignment maximizes the life of your tires and prevents your car from veering to the right or left when driving on a straight, level road.
Both tire balance and wheel alignment are essential automotive maintenance tasks that should be performed regularly in order to keep your vehicle running smoothly.
4. CHECK YOUR TREAD DEPTH
Tire tread is the grooved pattern on the surface of a tire that provides necessary traction, especially when the road is icy or wet.
The depth of the treads affects how well the tires can grip the road; as tread wears down, it becomes more difficult to maintain traction.
Your tires are officially unsafe and should be replaced when the tread is worn down to 2/32 of an inch in depth, though most manufacturers recommend replacement at 4/32 of an inch.
Tires have built-in "treadwear indicators," which are raised sections that run in between the tire's tread. When the tread is worn down so that it's level with the tread indicator, it's time for a replacement.
If you're looking for an easy way to check tread depth on-the-go so that it is never in question, use the penny test! Simply place a penny upside-down into the tread of your tire; if you can see all of Lincoln's head, then it's time for new tires.
Maintaining proper tire tread is essential for automotive safety and should be part of your regular automotive maintenance routine.
5. ROTATE YOUR TIRES
Having your tires rotated regularly can help reduce irregular wear, which will help them last longer and maintain optimal fuel efficiency.
The general rule of thumb is to rotate your tires every 5,000 to 10,000 miles and sooner if uneven wear appears. That being said, check your owner's manual for information on how frequently your tires should be rotated and the best pattern for rotation.
Tire rotation can easily be performed while your vehicle is in for regularly scheduled maintenance such as an oil change. Need to schedule service for your vehicle? Choose from one of our eleven conveniently located dealerships around Metro Atlanta.
For some vehicles, tire rotation is not recommended. For example, you may not be able to rotate your tires if they are different sizes in the front versus the back. Be sure to check your owner's manual or ask one of our trained technicians for guidance here.
6. PURCHASE THE RIGHT SIZE
For safety reasons, only purchase new tires that are the same size as the vehicle's original tires or another size recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.
Check either your owner's manual or Tire and Loading Information Label to find the correct size for your car or truck. If you have any doubt about the correct size to choose, consult your dealer. They can find the correct size tire for your vehicle.
A BONUS TIP!
In addition to following these six tire maintenance tips, make sure that you are set up to receive notifications if your tires are subject to a recall.
You can do this by registering your tires with their manufacturer and then signing up to receive tire recall alerts from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
NEED A RECAP?
By now, you should have the knowledge needed to stay on top of your tire maintenance and ensure a safely-running, more fuel-efficient vehicle to boot.
To recap the best way to maintain the life of your vehicle's tires include:
Maintain the proper tire pressure always
Control your speed to avoid extra wear
Don't forget about balance and alignment
Check your tire tread depth regularly
Have your tires rotated regularly
Always purchase the right size (per your vehicle's manufacturer)
As the fall season is approaching, consider bringing your car into the shop for routine tire maintenance. Find one of our 11 conveniently located dealerships around Metro Atlanta: Jaguar Land Rover Buckhead, Jaguar Land Rover North Atlanta, Jaguar Land Rover Gwinnett, Hennessy Porsche North Atlanta, Porsche Atlanta Northwest, Hennessy Lexus of Gwinnett, Hennessy Lexus of Atlanta, Hennessy Cadillac, Hennessy Ford Lincoln Atlanta, and Hennessy Honda.
At Hennessy Automobile Companies, we truly believe in treating our customers like family. From our family to yours, safe travels!