TIRE CARE, MAINTENANCE AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT BASICS
TIRE CARE, MAINTENANCE AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT BASICS
Posted on June 8, 2023
Tires are one of the most important components of your vehicle. In addition to supporting your vehicle on the road, tires provide traction, absorb road shock, and help direct your vehicle where you want to go. Without tires, your vehicle is essentially useless.
Why is the tread, balance, and placement of your tires so important? It all comes down to saving money, keeping you safe, and lengthening the life of your vehicle.
This post will explain:
- Why regular rotations extend the life of your tires
- Maintaining optimum tire pressure keeps your vehicle running
- Why good tire tread is important
- How to check your tire tread
- Why wheel alignments save you money
- Why choosing the proper tire brand is important
Have questions about Toyota tires or general tire inquiries? Contact our Tire Experts today by calling 780 486 9014 or request your tires online! Get the best tire advice from your local Tire Pros.
With customers across Edmonton, St. Albert, Stony Plain, and Spruce Grove we feel confident we can help you achieve optimal tire health all-year-round.
Regular Tire Rotations
Front tires typically wear down faster than rear tires, which makes tire rotation an important part of your regular tire care.
You want all four tires to wear out together. That way, you can buy four tires at the same time without having to buy them in pairs, a more cost-effective option.
Wear and tear of your vehicle’s tires is normal. However, sometimes tires wear unevenly. This can be caused by overinflated tires, wheel alignment issues, and more.
Regular tire rotations help you catch these issues early, extending the life of your tires and vehicle! Always check your Toyota vehicle maintenance schedule for your recommended tire rotation schedule.
Maintaining Optimum Tire Pressure
Maintaining optimum tire pressure helps to keep your vehicle running smoothly and safely. Your tires have a specific tire pressure they should always be at. If they are over or under this pressure, your tires will suffer, as will your fuel economy and driving abilities.
Properly inflated tires can:
- Stop excessive tread wear
- Lengthen the life of your tires
- Increase handling, traction, and stopping ability
- Improve fuel economy and save you money at the pumps
Pro Tip: Weather temperatures affect your tire pressure. Cold weather can cause your tire air pressure to drop, while warm weather can actually increase tire pressure.
Some Toyota models are equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System that will alert you if you need to stop and check your tires. It’s always a good idea to regularly check your tire pressure, just to be safe.
Why Good Tire Tread Matters
The tread on your tire gradually wears down over time. While this is totally normal, tire tread that has degraded too far can be very dangerous depending on the situation.
For example, a rainy day will often create a build-up of water on the roadways. The grooves (or tread) in your tires push that water away from the surface of your tires.
If your tread is worn down and the grooves aren’t deep enough, water can get trapped underneath your tires and reduce traction on the road altogether.
If you’re traveling at fast speeds and the tires are unable to push the water from beneath the tire, hydroplaning occurs. This means your vehicle loses contact with the road and instead slides on the water, causing total loss of control.
How To Check Tire Tread
A simple way to check your tire tread is to insert a toonie into one of the grooves. If you’re unsure, our Tire Experts can check and record tire tread depth for you! Or, watch this helpful video!
Regular Wheel Alignments Save You Money
A wheel alignment refers to an adjustment of a vehicle’s suspension – the system that actually connects your vehicle to its tires.
Important: It’s not an adjustment of the tires!
A proper alignment adjusts the angles of the tires which allows your vehicle to hit the road properly.
Not only does give you a smoother ride and improve overall handling, but it also lengthens the lifespan of your tires.
Misaligned wheels left for too long can create serious suspension issues resulting in hefty repair fees down the road. Plus, it leads to an increase in gas consumption.
Routine wheel alignments save you money by keeping your tires on the road longer, fueling up less and avoiding costly repairs.
Ever felt your car pulling to one direction? That usually means your wheel alignment is off and needs to be adjusted.
We recommend having your wheel alignment checked once a year. However, if you notice uneven wear on the inside of your tires, make an appointment as soon as possible.
Choosing the Right Tires
Let’s be clear…
Not all tires are created equal!
There are dozens of tire brands on the market, each offering differing quality levels and capabilities.
Beyond the tire brand, there are other things to consider:
- Where do you live?
- What is the weather like in your area?
- What do you use your vehicle for?
- What’s your budget?
Our Tire Centre carries all the top brands including BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop, Yokohama, Firestone, and many more. If you’ve done the research yourself and know what tires your vehicle needs, order them online today!
