Are your Tires Ready for Spring?

Spring is just around the corner, and it’s time to make sure your tires are ready to handle the curves. Accumulated debris, uneven roads and drastic changes in temperature (Michigan, no way!), can all affect their integrity. Routine tire maintenance will not only help you get the most out of your tires, but can also keep you safe while on the Oakland County roads.

Here are a few quick maintenance tips to make sure your tires are in tip-top shape for the spring.

Alignment                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Winter weather often damages the roads by forming large potholes that can easily cause your front end to become misaligned. Alignment is vital to proper handling, if your car seems like it’s pulling to the left or right, take it to your auto mechanic for a wheel alignment.

Inflation
As a general rule, tire pressure drops about one pound per square inch for every 10 degrees the temperature drops, so it’s safe to say that you need to keep a close eye on your tire pressure. Cars with properly inflated tires have better handling, better braking response time, longer tire life, improved fuel economy and as a result, are safer to drive. Check the owner’s manual of your car to find the appropriate PSI for your tires and use a pressure gauge to get an accurate reading.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Rotation
Rotating your tires every 6,000 to 8,000 miles will help maximize their effectiveness and longevity by ensuring the tires wear evenly over time. Regularly rotating your tires also establishes a pattern for your car while potentially alerting you to any abnormal wear patterns, which could indicate other issues with the car.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Tread
When your tire treads are worn, your car may not respond as well as it should. Adverse weather conditions, no matter the season, can become even more dangerous without proper tread on your tires to better grip the road.

There’s an easy test to make sure your tires have the appropriate amount of tread. Place a penny in the tread with Lincoln’s head upside down and facing you. If part of the head is covered, you’ve got enough tread, but if you can see all of Lincoln’s head, it’s time for new tires.

For auto insurance questions, call Schoen Insurance Agency today.