Your tires are the only part of your vehicle that actually touches the road. Everything else — steering, braking, suspension — depends on them making solid contact with the pavement. That’s why spring is one of the most important times of year to give your tires a good look.
After a winter of cold temperatures and rough roads, here’s what to check:
Tire pressure. For every 10-degree drop in temperature, tires lose about 1 PSI of pressure. That means your tires may have been underinflated for months without triggering a warning light. Check the PSI on all four tires (and your spare) against the recommended pressure found on the sticker inside your driver’s door — not the max pressure printed on the tire itself.
Tread depth. The classic quarter test works: insert a quarter into your tread groove with Washington’s head facing down. If you can see the top of his head, you have less than 4/32″ of tread and it’s time to shop for new tires. For wet road performance, 6/32″ or more is ideal.
Uneven wear. Tires wearing unevenly on the inside or outside edges often signal an alignment or suspension issue. Catching this early saves you from buying tires prematurely.
Rotation. If you haven’t rotated your tires recently, spring is a great time. Regular rotation extends tire life significantly and ensures more even wear across all four corners.
The team at Reliable Automotive in Franklin can check all of this in a single visit. Come in this spring and we’ll make sure your tires are ready for whatever the season brings.
