Tire maintenance is crucial to your vehicle’s safety and performance. By keeping your tires in good shape, you can maximize fuel efficiency and reduce the risk of car accidents, blowouts, and flat tires.
How? Regularly check your tire tread, pressure, and general condition. You can do this on your own, but our Ford Service Center is here to help when your tires need to be replaced. Let’s take a closer look at how to properly take care of your tires!
Understanding Tire Maintenance
Three main factors go into tire maintenance:
- Tire pressure
- Tire tread depth
- Tire rotation and alignment
Maintaining the correct tire pressure ensures your tires last longer and maximizes your fuel efficiency. When tires are overinflated, the center of your tires will experience excessive wear, and your overall ride will be less comfortable. Underinflated tires cause more wear on the edges and provide less traction. Consult your Ford’s owner manual for the correct PSI for your vehicle, and check your tire pressure regularly to ensure they’re properly inflated.
Tire tread depth is one of the most essential parts of keeping your vehicle safe. The tread provides traction, allowing your tires to grip the road. When your tread wears down, your tires lose traction, increasing the risk of losing control or hydroplaning on wet roads.
Measuring your tire tread depth is simple. You just need a penny! Place a penny in the grooves of your tire’s tread with President Lincoln’s head facing downwards. If you can see all of Lincoln’s face, it means your tire’s tread is down to 2/32 of an inch or less. This means your tire is worn and needs to be replaced. We recommend performing this test every 3,000 miles to ensure your tread depth is safe. When it’s not, replace worn tires as soon as possible.
Tire rotations are another critical part of tire and vehicle maintenance. To get more uniform wear across all tires, swap the front and rear tires regularly. We recommend doing this each time you have an oil change, but most service centers will automatically rotate your tires for you.
Benefits of Maintaining Your Tires
Regular tire maintenance offers several important benefits, including:
- A safer ride
- Better vehicle performance
- Better fuel efficiency
- Potential cost savings
Enhanced Safety on the Road
Tires in good condition provide better traction, reducing the risk of accidents, especially in wet or icy conditions. As the colder, rainier months approach, it’s essential to make sure your tires are properly maintained for safe driving. By keeping your tires in optimal shape, you ensure maximum grip and control on the road, no matter the weather.
Improved Fuel Efficiency
When your tires are underinflated, they create more rolling resistance, which forces your engine to work harder and consume more fuel. On the other hand, overinflated tires can reduce your traction and lead to uneven wear, negatively impacting your vehicle’s performance. Regularly checking and adjusting your tire pressure is a simple way to ensure you get the best MPG from your Ford.
Prolonged Tire Lifespan
By regularly rotating your tires and ensuring proper alignment, you prevent uneven wear and tear. You’ll get the most mileage out of each tire, saving money on replacements. For example, neglecting tire rotations could lead to replacing your tires thousands of miles earlier than necessary.
Better Vehicle Performance
Maintaining your tires ensures smoother handling, responsive steering, and quicker braking. This is especially important during emergency maneuvers or challenging weather conditions, where reliable tires can make a big difference in keeping your vehicle under control.
Cost Savings in the Long Run
Regular tire maintenance can save you money in more ways than one. Well-maintained tires reduce the need for frequent replacements, as they wear more evenly over time. In addition, properly inflated tires improve fuel efficiency, helping you save at the pump. Neglecting your tires can also lead to costly repairs, such as suspension or alignment issues.
Keep Your Vehicle Safe and Efficient with Proper Tire Care
Prioritizing regular tire maintenance not only keeps you safe on the road but also enhances your vehicle’s performance and fuel efficiency.
At Santee Ford, we are dedicated to keeping your vehicle in optimal condition. Next time you stop by for a Ford oil change, our certified technicians will be happy to inspect your tires for any leaks or damage.
Whether you need a tire rotation, inspection, or replacement, our expert team is here to help! Schedule an appointment online or give us a quick call. Don’t wait until you encounter tire issues–visit our Ford Service Center near you today!
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