Be a "Tread" Setter

September 1, 2022

When was the last time you thought about your tires? Do you check your tire pressure, get your tires aligned and rotated, and know when you need to replace them? If you answered no to any of these, this is the blog for you.

Filling Your Tires with Air

At some point, every driver has to fill their tires with air. Many gas stations offer an air pump station. Some are even free!
You can find how much air to put in your tires in your owner's manual or on the sticker on your door.

Tire Rotation and Alignment

A tire rotation is when a technician switches your tires in a specific pattern to even out the wear. Your vehicle needs a tire rotation every 3 to 5 months.
A lot of car owners will have their tire rotation done at the same visit as their oil change.
A wheel alignment checks and adjusts the wheel's camber, caster, and toe.

Camber

Camber refers to the inward and outward tilt of the tire. It affects tire wear and is very important in cornering and straight-line stability.

Caster

Each tire's caster affects the vehicle's steering and handling. The higher or more positive the caster, the more stable the vehicle is. Lower or negative caster means less responsive handling.

Toe

Toe is the easiest to fall out of alignment. When the toe is at its prime angle, there is less friction on the tires as you drive. When the toe is out of alignment, either toe-in or toe-out, they'll scrape the road.

How Do I Know If I Need New Tires?

If you're wondering whether it's time to change your tires, keep the following factors in mind:

The Age of the Tires

Generally, tires last for about 6 years. But if your tires are in bad condition earlier on, don't try to wait until they are 6 years old!

The Tire Tread

If the tread on your tires becomes smooth and bare, driving in the rain and snow will become dangerous.

Exposure to Weather

Long exposure to the sun will warp the rubber and change the tire's structure. Constant changes from hot to cold temperatures will also wear your tires out faster. Keep an eye out for cracks, chips, or flaking.

Plugging a Tire

A tire plug is a long, sticky, and expandable tube-like object that inserts into the puncture of a tire.

Is a Tire Plug a Permanent Fix?

Plugging a tire is not a permanent fix. And you should never plug the same tire twice. Otherwise, you risk a high chance of your tire blowing out.

A tire plug is not meant to support a tire for a long period of time. Eventually, it will fail and trap air between the layers of the tread. This will separate and ruin the tread layers, so you'll end up buying a new tire anyway.

How Long Does a Tire Plug Last?

It depends on the size of the puncture and how you install the plug. Tire plugs help you drive safely to the closest tire or automotive repair shop. Replace the tire as soon as possible.