Tires are your vehicle’s only point of contact with the road, making their maintenance absolutely critical for safety, performance, and even fuel economy. Proper care can extend their life and save you money.
Tire Rotation: Your front and rear tires wear down at different rates. Regularly rotating them—typically every 8,000 to 12,000 kilometers—promotes even tread wear. This maximizes the lifespan of all four tires, ensuring you don’t have to replace them prematurely.
Wheel Alignment: If you notice your car pulling to one side or if your steering wheel is crooked when driving straight, you likely need a wheel alignment. Potholes and curbs can knock your suspension out of its precise settings, causing rapid and uneven tire wear. An alignment ensures all four wheels are pointing in the same direction.
Tread Depth: The grooves in your tires are designed to channel water away and maintain grip. As the tread wears down, this ability diminishes, especially on wet roads. You can check the tread depth with a simple gauge or by using a coin. Once the tread is worn down to the legal minimum, the tires must be replaced.
Age: Tires degrade over time, even if they have plenty of tread left. The rubber becomes brittle and prone to cracking. Check the “DOT” code on the tire’s sidewall; the last four digits indicate the week and year of manufacture. Most experts recommend replacing tires that are over six to ten years old, regardless of tread wear.
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