Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Oct. 23, 2024 – Tires are an expensive investment. Maintaining them can seem overwhelming, so Herren Tire Service has broken down the best ways for you to keep them lasting longer and you riding smoother.
Check Your Tire Pressures:
Under or overinflated tires can not only prematurely wear out, but also can cause issues with speeding up, slowing down, or steering. In addition, outside temperatures can affect your pressure. When the weather gets cooler, you can expect your pressures to decrease, so plan to air them up in the coming months as temperatures continue to drop.
Newer cars might tell you your pressures, but if not, you can easily check your pressures on the tire itself. Using a tire pressure gauge, remove the cap off the valve stem and firmly press the gauge onto the stem. If you hear air leaking out upon contact, you need to try again. You should hear a slight pop when you make a proper seal.
The door jamb on the driver’s side should tell you the recommended pressure. If it’s not there, refer to your owner’s manual. Do not refer to the reading on the side of the tire, as this is often the maximum pressure for the tire, not the recommended.
If you need to air up your tires, you can either use an air compressor at home, or, your nearest gas station will likely have one. Depending on the gas station, this may or may not be free.
Just like with checking your pressures, make sure you have a good seal when you connect the compressor hose to the valve stem. Be sure to stop periodically while inflating to make sure you haven’t overinflated.
However, if you did, it’s an easy fix. Your tire pressure gauge should have a way to release air from the tire, so use it if it happens. Where this is located and how it works will vary depending on your gauge.
Rotate and Align Your Tires:
Be sure to rotate your tires regularly, as this will extend tire life and improve performance. You should rotate your tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles, or every six months, whichever comes first. While this is something you can do at home, we will also take care of it for you here at Herren Tire.
In the same vein, be sure to keep your tires properly aligned and balanced. Aligning your tires once or twice a year is a good rule of thumb, although you might have to do it more often if you frequently drive on bumpy or uneven roads. As for balancing your tires, be sure to have them balanced every time your tires are changed, rotated, or when you get a new set.
Visually Inspect Your Tires:
Frequently inspecting your tires is a good idea. You can do these before you leave for work, after coming home from school, or whatever is easiest for you. This can quickly reveal uneven treads, objects in the tire, cracks/bulges, and more.
Drive Sensibly:
Of course, driving safely and sensibly is not only good for you, but also for your tires. Frequent braking, sharp and fast turns or flooring it from a low speed puts unnecessary wear and tear on your tires. Driving the speed limit, taking turns slowly and proper breaking will ensure you can put a lot more miles on your tires before you need a new set.
Consider Professional Opinions:
Of course, if you’re unsure about anything or all of this sounds confusing, don’t worry. Here at Herren Tire Service, our knowledgeable employees will help you with any and everything regarding proper tire maintenance. Our experts can provide a comprehensive assessment, addressing alignment issues, tire balance, and other factors critical to maintaining your tires.