Everything You Need to Know About Tires for Your Vehicle

Mile after mile, they get you where you need to go. As you sit inside your comfortable cabin, you probably don’t give much thought to your tires. But the rubber that meets the road requires your attention for regular maintenance and optimal choices for replacement. Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the right tires for your vehicle and take care of them.

Buying the right tires for your vehicle

Buying the right tires for your vehicle will help you travel safer and more efficiently. The first thing you should do is to review your owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommendations about size and type. These tires are chosen because they work with your vehicle’s components and help improve efficiency.

Consider tread. Tires for SUVs and trucks generally come with deeper tread to improve the grip on the road. However, you can also find tires for passenger cars with a deeper tread to improve traction over slippery surfaces.

If you spend quite a bit of time off-roading, you’re going to want to invest in a multi-purpose tire. They are larger and are ideal for navigating mud, gravel, and steep inclines with a deeper tread.

Drivers who live in areas that see a lot of snow or ice may want to invest in two separate sets of tires. One is for summer and the other set would be winter tires. For most car owners, they only need one set of all-season tires.

Consider the life of the tire when you buy. If you do a lot of commuting, you may want a tire that is designed to last longer. For instance, a tire with a life of 80,000 miles will cost more than one with 40,000 miles, but it will last longer, saving you on replacement tires in the long run.

When you buy tires, it’s always best to buy all four at the same time, or at least two if you can’t afford all four. The tires will have similar wear patterns, which will help provide a smooth ride. Perhaps the most important tip on buying tires is to make sure you buy them all the same size. Even a minor difference in size can impact efficiency and stability.

Caring for your tires

Once you have a new set of tires on your vehicle, you need to take care of them. You want your tires to last as long as possible. One of the most basic maintenance tasks is checking air pressure. You should do this regularly, especially during extreme temperature changes. Over or under-inflating tires can cause them to blow out and not last as long.

You also need to schedule regular rotations for your tires. Because each tire hits the road at a slightly different angle, they wear differently. Rotating them on a routine basis helps them to wear more evenly and last longer. Plan to schedule a rotation about every 5000 to 7000 miles.

Wheel alignment is also important to your tires. When your system is out of alignment, it can cause the tires to wear out faster. The tread on one side may wear down quicker, which can make the tire more susceptible to punctures and flats. You can tell your wheels aren’t in alignment when the vehicle pulls to one side as you drive. You may need an alignment more often if you drive on bumpy roads. Your wheels can become misaligned from hitting a curb or getting in an accident.

Balancing your tires is also a necessary task. When the tires are out of balance, you will feel vibrations as you drive. The service technicians at your service department will check the balance and make adjustments for a smooth ride.

You rely on your tires to carry you and your passengers safely for thousands of miles. Maintain the tires to protect those you care about the most and to enjoy a smooth ride.