Tire makers have worked extensively with your vehicle's manufacturer to create a perfect set of rubber for its exact needs- taking into consideration ride quality, handling, economy and overall comfort.
When your tires wear out, you may be presented with dozens of options to have them replaced. They're like your vehicles shoes- and having the proper kind for the job is important, especially in today's crowded market of do-it-all vehicles like crossovers, minivans and SUV's.
If you're not sure what type of replacement tires you need, a quick visit to your dealership can steer you in the right direction. They'll have options for you, as well as advice to hook you up with a tire that's just right for your ride and how you use it. For instance, that mud tire may be a waste on your truck if you rarely take it off road. Using snow tires in the middle of July is a bad idea as well, as they'll wear out in no time and throw fuel economy right out the window.
In order to keep those tires lasting as long as their manufacturer intended, it's important to keep them properly inflated, rotated and in good repair. It's vital to check your tire pressure about once a month, even if your vehicle has a built in tire pressure monitoring system. A check by hand will tell you if they're inflated to proper specifications, which can be found in the fuel filler door or printed in the owner's manual.
Underinflated tires can negatively affect gas mileage, wear out more quickly and pose a potential safety risk. Be sure to check for proper air pressure when the tires are cold, inflating as needed.
While you're crouched down checking tire pressures, turn your steering wheel so that it's easy to see across the entire tread of the front tires. If you've recently whacked a big pot hole, chances are your alignment is off and that you'll notice heavier wear to the inside or outside edges of the rubber. Uneven wear is a sign that you're wasting fuel and in need of an alignment and some replacement tires.
Since they're the only part of your vehicle that actually touches the road, tires are vital to the proper operation of other vehicle systems like your brakes, stability control, traction assist and steering. Good thing they're the easiest and most inexpensive part of your ride to maintain!
photo:Jupiter Images
When your tires wear out, you may be presented with dozens of options to have them replaced. They're like your vehicles shoes- and having the proper kind for the job is important, especially in today's crowded market of do-it-all vehicles like crossovers, minivans and SUV's.
If you're not sure what type of replacement tires you need, a quick visit to your dealership can steer you in the right direction. They'll have options for you, as well as advice to hook you up with a tire that's just right for your ride and how you use it. For instance, that mud tire may be a waste on your truck if you rarely take it off road. Using snow tires in the middle of July is a bad idea as well, as they'll wear out in no time and throw fuel economy right out the window.
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In order to keep those tires lasting as long as their manufacturer intended, it's important to keep them properly inflated, rotated and in good repair. It's vital to check your tire pressure about once a month, even if your vehicle has a built in tire pressure monitoring system. A check by hand will tell you if they're inflated to proper specifications, which can be found in the fuel filler door or printed in the owner's manual.
Underinflated tires can negatively affect gas mileage, wear out more quickly and pose a potential safety risk. Be sure to check for proper air pressure when the tires are cold, inflating as needed.
While you're crouched down checking tire pressures, turn your steering wheel so that it's easy to see across the entire tread of the front tires. If you've recently whacked a big pot hole, chances are your alignment is off and that you'll notice heavier wear to the inside or outside edges of the rubber. Uneven wear is a sign that you're wasting fuel and in need of an alignment and some replacement tires.
Since they're the only part of your vehicle that actually touches the road, tires are vital to the proper operation of other vehicle systems like your brakes, stability control, traction assist and steering. Good thing they're the easiest and most inexpensive part of your ride to maintain!
photo:Jupiter Images