Your tires keep your vehicle connected to the road and are one of the most important factors in safe driving. That makes tire maintenance a vital part of keeping your Chrysler, Dodge, RAM, or Jeep in tip-top shape.
Not sure where to start? Here are some tips to help you keep your tires in the best condition possible.
Why Tire Maintenance Is Important
Ignoring tire maintenance can lead to decreased fuel efficiency and larger vehicle safety issues like less control. Low tread, flat tires, and blowouts can even lead to accidents. While flat tires and blowouts aren’t always preventable with proper maintenance, low tread is completely preventable.
Replacing tires when worn, rotating tires to distribute wear, and keeping your tires properly filled all help keep your vehicle safe and save you money on gas and future repairs.
Tire Maintenance Basics
With proper maintenance, you should get around 50,000 miles from your tires. Here are three ways to ensure you get the most life out of them.
- Visual inspection
One of the easiest ways to maintain your tires is to perform a visual inspection periodically. Look for cracks in the rubber, which can develop due to age and UV exposure. It’s especially important to look for cracks if your tires are over 5-6 years old, as this is when they typically start cracking.
You’ll also want to do a tread inspection. The tread gives your car traction; when it gets too low, you’ll have less grip and control on the road. Tire tread naturally wears down with use, so every tire will lose tread over time. New tires come with at least 10/32 inches of tread, almost ⅓ of an inch. Tires also come with a tread wear indicator, a line that becomes more visible as the tread wears down. When the tread is worn to the point that it is even with the indicator, it’s time to replace your tires. If you’re not sure how to locate the indicator, you can use a penny. Simply place a penny into the treat with Lincoln’s head upside down. If you can see the top of his head, you need new tires.
2. Balancing and Rotation
Balancing your tires prevents uneven tread wear and vibrations when driving. A special tire balancing machine measures the tires’ natural balance so that our technicians can balance out any vibrations by adding or removing wheel weight.
Since each tire of your vehicle gets worn slightly differently, tire rotation balances the wear. This helps prevent excessive wear in one spot or on one tire. We recommend having your tires rotated each time you come in for an oil change.
3. Tire Pressure Monitoring
Overinflation and underinflation can both lead to premature wear on your tires. If your tires are overfilled, you’re much more likely to have a blowout. Underinflated tires cause more drag and lead to poor fuel efficiency. Modern vehicles have tire pressure monitoring systems that will alert you when a tire is over or underinflated, making it easy to ensure you always have the right amount of air.
Visit the Santee CDJR Service Center for Your Tire Needs
At Santee CDJR, our Service Center technicians have the tools and expertise to perform all types of tire maintenance. If you need new tires, we have an extensive stock of the right types and sizes for your vehicle needs.
Schedule your next appointment or drop by our Manning, SC service center today! As your local service center, we’re here to get you back on the road fast! We are committed to offering competitive pricing and efficient tire maintenance to drivers throughout the Carolinas.
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