Let’s Talk Tires: Simple Things You Can Do to Keep Yours Rolling

What would you say is the most important part of your car: engine, brakes, air conditioner? The truth is, the most important part of your car is where it meets the road—your four tires. Without those, nothing else would ever happen. You know this personally if you’ve ever been stranded somewhere with a flat tire.

For that reason, taking care of your car’s tires is an incredibly important part of your auto maintenance service. Preventing tire issues will not only keep you safe, but it will minimize the need for expensive brake repair as well as a host of other automotive repair issues. Here are just a few tips to keep you rolling on your tires:

• Maintain Tire Pressure: This is about as easy as it gets. All you need is a tire pressure gauge, which can be purchased for as low as $3. Be sure to check your tire pressure every couple of weeks. Tires naturally lose pressure over time and need to have a little air added.
• Monitor Tread Wear: Your tires encounter some rough terrain. Even regular roads slowly eat away at your tires, making them gradually thinner. Check your tires regularly by finding the most worn part of the tire and using a penny to check tread depth: Put it in the groove with Abe’s head upside down—if you can see all of his head, then it’s time for a new tire.
• Receive Regular Rotations: A tire rotation is where an auto repair shop changes your tires around to different positions on your car. This ensures even wear and maximizes how long your tires last. Do this every 5,000 miles; around 6 months for most people.

If you don’t remember the last time your tires were rotated, then bring your car down to Murray’s Auto Clinic. We offer a full range of maintenance service and automotive repairs to keep you driving, so give us a call at 301-585-7557, or visit us online today.