How to Care for Your Tires

OKEMOS, Mich., – They help get you from point A to point B and keep your vehicle stable on any road condition, the fact is, your tires play a huge role when it comes to driving. Since your tires are the only point of contact your vehicle has with the road, making sure they're in good condition is extremely important to ensure your safety! Keeping them properly cared for on a regular basis will help extend the life of your vehicle and help you remain safe on the road! Make sure you know how to care for your tires this summer to improve your experience with your vehicle! 

Check Your Tire's Tread

The easiest way to find out if your tires need replacing is by checking their tread. Your vehicle's tread helps your tires to maintain a grip on the road, keeping your vehicle stable while driving. Since there is no specific timeframe as to when your tires should be replaced, like say 3,000 miles for an oil change, the best way to find this out is through the "Penny Test". It's a simple, 3-step process that will help you determine the status of your vehicle's tread.

1. Place a penny in the lowest tread grooves of your vehicle's tire with Lincoln's head facing down or upside down.
2. Gently move the penny along the groove of the tire.
3. If, at any point, Lincoln's head is visible or isn't covered by the tread, your vehicle's tires are too worn down to properly grip the road.

If you have any questions or aren't sure about the tread of your tire, feel free to bring it in to our Service Center and we'll gladly give it a look!

Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated

Keeping the proper amount of air in your tires will improve their capabilities both on and off the road. Typically, tires contain anywhere between 30-35 PSI. If you aren't sure, though, you can check your owner's manual for a more detailed explanation. Driving on low tires can cause heat build-up and tire failure, which can create expensive damages for your vehicle. Uneven tread can also reduce gas mileage due to the distribution of weight on different sides of the vehicle. Use a tire gauge to check your PSI or bring it in to our Service Center to get your tires properly inflated or for any other questions you may have!

Get Your Wheels Aligned

Your vehicle's tire alignment helps to evenly distribute tread wear and keep you stable on the road. Driving on potholes, dirt roads, uneven surfaces, and bumpy conditions can throw your vehicle's tire alignment off. Your tires should be parallel to one another and perpendicular to the road. Keeping up on your vehicle's tire alignment will save you a lot of money on potentially costly repairs in the near future. Plus, with less uneven tread wear and improved steering, it'll increase your fuel economy! So drive safely on all of the different road conditions to help reduce the risk of throwing your tire's alignment out of whack.

Keep an Eye on Load Capacities

Whatever you do, do not exceed your tire's load capacity on your vehicle! This can put enormous amounts of stress on your vehicle which can build up heat, which can cause tire destruction. Read your vehicle's manual to find out what your carrying capacity is limited to. Keeping your load index far below the limit will extend the life of your tires and the stress your vehicle goes under. 

Choose the Right Tires

Choosing the right tires for the right situation can be very confusing, especially considering the wide variety of brands and types available. We at Graff Okemos are happy to help! Contact us or schedule an appointment and we'll be more than happy to show you which brands and styles will work best for your vehicle and your budget. If you're getting just one or two tires replaced, making sure they're the same brand or style will improve your handling and fuel economy of your vehicle. Plus, our 30-Day Guarantee will provide you with the best deal you can get on tires with their competitive pricing!

Making sure you know how to care for your tires will help improve your experience on the road. If your tires are bald, have uneven tread, or are constantly deflating, it may be time for a new set of tires. After you get your new set of tires, you'll notice improved handling and fuel economy, too! Be sure to schedule an appointment to get your tires replaced or fixed as soon as you can! Give us a call if you have any questions and our Service Staff will be happy to answer them!

Located conveniently just outside of Lansing, Hank Graff Chevrolet Okemos is here to help you with your car buying and servicing needs. Our goal is to create a transparent experience and a comfortable environment for all of our valuable customers. If you have any questions, or would like to schedule an appointment, reach us at (517) 349-8300, or stop by the dealership at 1748 W. Grand River in Okemos, MI 48864

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