Everything you need to know about tire care
Taking care of your tires doesn’t take much time, but it can save you money and increase safety. The most important thing you can do is maintain correct tire pressure. Tires generally lose 1 to 2 pounds of pressure per month. When tire pressure is too low, it can:
- Wear tires more quickly
- Increase gas consumption
- Represent a safety risk
For best results, check tire pressure every week. And remember: tire inspections and pressure adjustment are always FREE at Tiger Tire.
Proper Tire Installation
There is huge variety in tire and rim sizes. That means it’s more important than ever to make sure installation is done properly. Tiger Technicians are trained in installation techniques for virtually every passenger vehicle tire and rim combination, and our tire centers use only the latest mounting equipment.
Wheel Balancing
If you feel vibration in the steering wheel between 50 and 65 miles per hour, it probably means that your wheels are out of balance. This can impact mileage and make handling worse. It means that one side of the wheel is heavier than the other, and that small weights need to be added to the wheel rim. It’s best to balance your wheels every time you rotate your tires.
Tire Rotation
Whether you have front wheel drive or rear wheel drive, it’s important to rotate your tires every 5,000 miles. Drive wheels tend to wear out twice as fast, making tire rotation a vital step for the health of your car. If one side of a tire has more wear than the other, it could mean mechanical problems such as poor alignment.
When we rotate your tires, our technician looks at the tread pattern and advises you on exactly what you need, like wheel alignment or balance. Tiger1’s state-of-the-art Hunter 3D laser alignment machine will save your vehicle from problems like premature tire wear, front end component fatigue, and suspension wear on shocks, springs and struts, guaranteeing you a safer vehicle after every visit.
Puncture Repairs
Punctures that are not too large and don’t come in contact with the tire sidewall can be repaired. There is only one correct way to do it:
- Fill the damaged area
- Seal the inner liner
- Check for leaks before reinstallation
How Do I Know I Need New Tires?
There are three factors in deciding if your tires need replacement:
- Weathering
- Tire Age
- Tread Wear
Weathering can cause cracking and other structural damage to tires. However, this is unlikely to happen if you follow vehicle manufacturers’ replacement schedules. Most manufacturers recommend replacing your tires after six years, and many tire manufacturers recommend replacement after ten. Check your vehicle manual for recommendations concerning your vehicle.
Tread wear is the leading reason for tire replacement in America. When treads wear down, they don’t grip as well. Nor do they disperse water as effectively. These factors can lead to slippage and hydroplaning. Tires with little tread left are unsafe! You need at least 1/16 of an inch tread depth for safety. That’s roughly the width of the topmost section of your car antenna.
Run-flat tires and tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS)
Run-flat tires
Run-flat tires keep you moving when you get a flat. You can typically drive 60 miles or more at up to 50 mph on a flat tire. Going that far and that fast, however, may ruin the tire. Run-flat tires are built with stiffer sidewalls that can bear your vehicle weight. The sidewalls have a bead around the edge of the tire that grips the wheel rim to avoid easy detachment. Run-flat tires mean that you don’t absolutely need to carry a spare, and that you may never have to change a tire yourself ever again!
TPMS
A tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) monitors pressure electronically. There are two kinds of TPMS – direct and indirect:
- Direct TPMS uses a sensor embedded in the tire assembly
- Indirect TPMS detects tire diameter (affected by pressure) through the vehicle’s antilock braking system
Since 2008, new vehicles must be TPMS-equipped under federal law. Yes, tire pressure is that important. Because TPMS lets you know when tire pressure is low, it will:
- Increase safety through improved handling
- Shorten braking distance
- Improve fuel economy
- Reduce tire wear
If you would like to know more about your vehicle’s TPMS, simply ask a Tiger Technician. Should you see a "low tire pressure" warning light appear in your vehicle’s dashboard, come in to Tiger Tire. We will check your tire pressure, test your TPMS tire sensors and get you back on the road in safety.
Is there something more that you would like to know? Contact Tiger1 for more information or stop by for a free tire evaluation!