Under inflation is a tire's #1 Enemy. It is the leading cause for tire damage and failure, and can also lead to higher fuel costs of 3 to 5 ¢ per gallon! You may think that you would easily notice under inflated tires, but many times a tire can be as much as 50% under inflated before detected by the owner. In addition, under inflation will result in unnecessary tire stress, irregular wear, loss of control, and accidents.
Is your vehicle pulling to one side, or shaking? A bad jolt from hitting a curb or pothole can throw your front end out of alignment and damage your tires. Have a tire dealer check the alignment periodically to ensure that your car is properly aligned.
Regularly rotating your vehicle's tires will help you achieve more uniform wear. Unless your vehicle owner's manual has a specific recommendation, the guideline for tire rotation is approximately every 6,000 miles.
Measure it – and inspect it. Advanced and unusual wear can reduce the ability of tread to grip the road in adverse conditions. Visually check your tires for uneven wear, looking for high and low areas or unusually smooth areas. Also check for signs of damage.
Sources: Rubber Manufacturers Association and Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC
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