Important Tire Information

Your tires are one of the most important systems on your vehicle. Tires keep your vehicle on the road and affect everything from the way your vehicle handles to fuel economy. Performing regular tire maintenance on your vehicle can help maximize vehicle and highway safety, promote better fuel economy and create longer tire life so tires need replacing less frequently. Here are some tips to get the most from your tires and to keep your vehicle operating safely.

· Check your tire pressures monthly to improve long wear, safe predictable handling and maximum fuel economy. For the correct tire pressure for your vehicle please refer to the driver’s side doorjamb or owner’s manual, not the pressure printed on the tire sidewall.

· Improper air pressure is the number one cause of premature tire wear. Under-inflation can lead to tire failure. It results in unnecessary tire stress, irregular wear, loss of control and accidents. A healthy tire loses about 1 pound of air per month. A tire can lose up to half of its air pressure and not appear to be flat.

· For every 10 degree change in temperature outside vehicles can lose a pound of tire pressure. This can increase the chance of the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (if vehicle is equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system) Malfunction light to illuminate. During weather changes please check your tire air pressures routinely.

· Regularly rotate your vehicles tires every 6,000 miles (or as indicated by the vehicle manufacturer) to extend the life of your tires and promote even tire wear. Uneven wearing of tires may affect the ride, handling and fuel economy of your vehicle.

· Advanced and unusual tread wear can reduce the ability of tread to grip the road in adverse conditions. Visually check your tires monthly for uneven wear, looking for high and low areas or unusually smooth areas. Also check for signs of damage for example; missing tread, ripped or frayed tread, cuts in the sidewalls, exposed steel belts, foreign objects lodged in the tire—nails, glass, metal objects etc.

· Have your wheels balance checked periodically. An unbalanced wheel may lead to irregular tire wear.

· Misalignment of the front and rear steering components may cause uneven and rapid tire wear and should be corrected by your dealer. Have your vehicles alignment checked regularly or whenever you have an indication of steering or wheel trouble such as “pulling”, “vibrations” and “pulsations”. Your vehicles alignment can become misaligned during normal daily driving on roadways that have potholes, uneven pavement and other roadway obstructions, which your vehicle travels over.

· Tires must be replaced when the tread depth is worn down to 2/32, in accordance with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Inspections Law. This requirement to replace worn tires is designed to prevent skidding and hydroplaning of your vehicle that results from tires that do not have enough tread depth to properly grip the roadway or whisk water through the tire treads. This tire depth requirement is to protect you, your family and all other drivers and passengers on Pennsylvania highways and roads. Here is an easy test to measure tire depth: place a penny with Lincoln’s head facing up into a tread grove on the tire. If part of Lincoln’s head is covered by the tread, there is probably enough tread remaining on the tire. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, have your tires checked immediately as this indicates that tread depth is not sufficient or below legal limits and the tire should be replaced. Make sure you check all tire grooves when performing this test, as if only one tread groove is below legal limits, the tire must be replaced by Pennsylvania Inspection Law.

· When it comes time to replace your vehicles tires, make sure you follow the vehicle manufacturer’s guidelines with respect to the recommended tire size, wear rating and brand of tire for your vehicle. Replacing your tires with an inappropriate size, rating or type may cause changes in your vehicles’ handling, safety and fuel economy.

If you think you may have a tire problem or are unsure of the condition of your tires please consult your service advisor for assistance. We carry all major brands of tires!