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Make Sure Your Tires are Maintained

Tire Maintenance

After spending all that time researching and negotiating for that perfect vehicle, there comes the time for regular maintenance to keep it in tip-top performance. One thing most of us overlook is the tires. Rotating your tires as part of your regularly scheduled vehicle maintenance can have several benefits. It can improve gas mileage, provide a smoother ride, and prolong your vehicle’s suspension components. Checking the air pressure once a month can improve the wear on the tires as well and can reduce the potential for a blowout or flat.

Here are a few guidelines to follow to help prolong the life of your tires and to maintain a better fuel economy in your vehicle provided by J.D. Power.

Check Your Tire Pressure

To check tire pressure, use an air pressure gauge. These inexpensive items are available at auto parts stores, gas stations, or in the automotive section of department stores.
You should consult your owner's manual or the label inside the driver's door jamb to find out what the recommended air pressure is for your vehicle. Use the gauge to check the pressure several times until the proper psi reading is reached.

Perform a Simple Tire Inspection

In addition to checking your air pressure, look for signs of tire wear, such as cracks in the sidewall, or foreign objects embedded in the tire like nails or screws. Check the tread depth using a simple "penny" test. I know a few of you have heard of this, but basically, you take a penny and place it with President Lincoln's hair downward between the grooves of the tread at the top of the tire. As long as part of his head is obscured by the tread, you have the legal amount of tread remaining on your tires.

Signs of Tire Problems

Although there is no replacement for using a tire gauge to check the inflation levels, there are a couple of signs that your vehicle tires may be improperly inflated. When driving down a straight, level road, check to see if the car pulls to one side or the other. If the center section of the tread is smooth, your tires may be over-inflated. Likewise, if the outside sections or edges of the tire tread are worn or rounded, your tires may be under-inflated. Also, listen for any squealing sounds when turning a corner at normal speeds. While these things can be symptoms of other problems, they are frequently signs of improperly inflated tires.

Williams Group Auto

Proper tire care can save you money and prevent blowout and accidents. Keeping up with tire maintenance does not have to be complicated. If you are unsure of what you are doing or looking for, do not hesitate to take it to a professional for help. Our staff at Williams Group Auto want everyone to have some sort of knowledge of proper tire care and maintenance.

Be sure to stop by Williams Group Auto for your next purchase of a used car in Abilene. You can also visit us at www.williamsgroupauto.com for a view of all of our inventory.

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