While a clean car might look good, ensuring your tires are in top condition is crucial for safety, especially as we head into fall. Neglecting tire maintenance can compromise your vehicle’s handling and braking performance. Here are essential tire care tips to keep you safe on the road this season:
* **Inspect Tread Depth:** Examine your tire treads monthly and before long trips. Most states legally require a minimum tread depth of 1/16 of an inch. Use the “penny test”: insert a penny with Lincoln’s head facing down. If you can see the top of his head, your tires likely need replacing.
* **Watch for Uneven Wear:** Uneven tread wear indicates potential problems like under/overinflation, imbalance, or misalignment. Consult a tire professional if you notice irregular wear patterns.
* **Heed Wear Bar Indicators:** Tires have built-in “wear bars” that appear when the tread is worn down to 1/16 of an inch, signaling it’s time for replacement.
* **Rotate Your Tires:** Follow your vehicle owner’s manual for tire rotation guidelines. Rotating tires helps distribute wear evenly, as front and rear tires experience different forces.
* **Maintain Proper Inflation:** Check tire pressure monthly using an accurate gauge, especially when the tires are cool (driven less than a mile or stationary for at least three hours). Tires naturally lose pressure and are affected by temperature changes.