Purchasing tires might not rank high on your excitement list, but it’s a necessary part of vehicle ownership. The replacement frequency of your tires depends on driving habits, maintenance, and the type of tires you purchased. You can take some steps to significantly extend the life of your tires, saving you both time and money.
Tire Rotations
Regular tire rotations are vital. Shifting tires from one position to another ensures your tires are worn evenly. The weight on the front and rear axles differs, which causes uneven tire wear if they never change positions. Front tires also take on additional stress from braking and steering. Skipping rotations could lead to early replacement. Align rotations with oil changes for convenience or customize a rotation schedule with our team tire experts at Pepper’s Lemont Auto Care.
Wheel Alignment
Keeping your wheels properly aligned is another step in maximizing the life of your tires. Wheel alignment, sometimes referred to as “tire alignment,” is the act of adjusting the angles of the wheels to the manufacturer’s specifications. This helps ensure your vehicle drives straight and true and does not “pull” to one side. Driving with poor alignment can cause uneven tire wear and with extended travel can make your tires completely unsafe to drive on. If you experience issues like pulling or vibrations have our tire experts complete a wheel alignment on your vehicle.
Tire Balancing
Tire balancing is another key step to maintaining your tires. Balancing your tires is the process of equalizing the weight of the combined tire and wheel assembly so it spins smoothly at high speed, resulting in smoother driving and even tire wear. Unbalanced tires lead to vibrations, shaking and uneven wear on your tires, meaning replacing your tires sooner.
Routine Tire Maintenance
Staying on top of routine maintenance helps to maximize the life of your tires as well as increase the performance and safety of your vehicle. If you’re not on a routine tire maintenance schedule, please request an appointment with our team of tire experts to get started on the right track to maintaining your tires and vehicle for the long haul.
