Tire Care Tips

Your tires are the only part of your vehicle that connects it with the road and are responsible for safety, comfort, mobility, and fuel economy. Proper tire care and maintenance are, therefore, very necessary to ensure your tires stay effective. This care and maintenance can be easily done by your personal attention and with the help of our professional experts at Premier Tire & Auto Service. Take care of your tires, and they’ll reward you with better gas mileage and improved handling and performance. Your tires are all that stand between the road and your car, which is why it’s important to stay up to date on their maintenance. At Premier Tire & Auto Service, we want our customers in Cleveland & Ooltewah, TN, and surrounding areas to remain on top of tire performance and adhere to maintenance schedules outlined in their owner’s manual.

To get the most out of your tires and keep your tires in working order, these essential tire care tips will help:

Tire Pressure

The pressure of your tires can influence the way you drive. Under-inflated tires can cause irregular tire wear and can cause a tire blow out, and over-inflated tires are more likely to be damaged when hitting an obstacle. Keep your tire pressure at the recommended PSI that is outlined in the owner’s manual. Properly inflated tires will maximize tread life, improve handling, and increase fuel efficiency and overall driver safety.

Tire Tread Depth

A tire’s tread is what gives it traction on the road. Your tire has built-in tread wear indicators, also known as “wear bars.” When these bars are flush with your tire’s tread, then it’s time to get the tire replaced. If tires are bald and without much tread, you’re more likely to lose your connection with the road while driving.

Tire Rotation

When you drive your vehicle, it will wear down certain tires more than others, so you should have your tires rotated every 5,000-8,000 miles. Recommended rotation patterns for your vehicle can be found in your owner’s manual. Rotating the position of your tires will help you get the most miles out of your tires, the best traction, and improved driving safety.

Tire Balancing

Tire balancing is done by evenly distributing the weight of your vehicle, so it is fully balanced evenly across all the tires. Whenever you have your tires replaced, tire balancing should also be done as a part of the tire installation process. Balanced tires give you a smoother, more comfortable ride without feeling any vibrations coming from the wheels.

Wheel Alignment

A wheel alignment involves fine-tuning the angles of your vehicle’s suspension system so that your wheels are pointed in the right direction. A wheel alignment is performed to bring the car's suspension into its proper configuration, positioning, and adjusting components so that wheels are aligned with each other and the road surface. Proper alignment will give you a smoother ride, fewer vibration, reduced wear on your tires, and better mileage.

Premier Tire & Auto Service Offers Quality Tire Services and Tire Maintenance in Cleveland & Ooltewah, TN

Take these tips and suggestions into account while maintaining your tires. Inspect your tires regularly for uneven tire wear and correct tire pressure. By properly maintaining your tires and vehicle, you will keep yourself and passengers very safe, increase the life of your tires, and have a positive impact on the environment. Proper maintenance of tires is important for optimal vehicle performance. Maintaining your tires by checking tire pressure, rotating your tires, replacing your tires when needed, and ensuring that your tires are well-balanced are essential for your vehicle’s performance and reliability. At Premier Tire & Auto Service, we are here for all your tire services and repairs in Cleveland & Ooltewah, TN. Schedule an appointment today and let us care for your tires!

Tire Code

Tire type.This is indicated by the first letter on your tire. P stands for passenger vehicle tire, LT light truck tire, and ST means special trailer tire. 

Tire width. Your tire width is indicated by the three digits following the tire type. This is usually measured in millimeters. 

Aspect ratio. After the slash following the tire width, you’ll find two digits that represent the aspect ratio. This is the measurement of the height between the wheel rim and the top of the tread, expressed in percentage of the tire width. 

Construction type. The letter that follows indicates the internal construction of your tires. R stands for radial tires, B for bias-belt tires, and D or “—” for diagonal or bias-ply tires. 

Rim diameter. The next two digits indicate the diameter of the wheel the tire works best on, in inches. 

Load rating. The two or three digits that follow the wheel diameter indicate the load index, or how much weight each tire can support. Simply multiply it by four to get the full number.

Speed rating. The last letter indicates your tire’s speed index, or the top speed your tires can dissipate heat for a certain period of time. Rubber wears down faster the more heated it is, so you risk tire failure when you exceed the maximum speed rating of your tires.