Disclaimer

This guide is for informational purposes. Tire service could include hoisting the vehicle or high-pressure working elements. Do not attempt these unless you are trained or have equipment to safely do them: consult a certified auto technician or take your vehicle to Berks Auto Repair.

An In-depth Tire Care: Rotation, Alignment, and Pressure Guide

DIY Hacks to Safe and Stress-Free Driving in Berks County

The tires on your vehicle do a lot more than keep your vehicle moving: they have a direct effect on fuel consumption and safety, as well as ride. At our Berks Auto Repair in Reading, PA, we tend to urge drivers to keep in mind that it is very possible to find savings and avoid most emergencies from happening with simple yet regular tire maintenance. This DIY hint shows you the means of managing tire pressure, wearing conditions of a tire, and when to replace or adjust it.

Why Tire Care is Important

The only contact point between your vehicle and the road is the tires. Poorly inflated, damaged, or improperly placed tires may cause bad handling, low fuel economy, and increased stopping distances, and potential blow-outs. Luckily, the majority of tire maintenance activities could be checked at home just with some instruments and with some knowledge.

The Way to Check and Maintain Tire Pressure

What You Need:

• Digital/analog tire pressure gauge
• Air compressor (found at majority of gas stations)
• The recommended PSI (listed on sticker on the door located on the driver side of your car)

Steps:

• Cool Down Tires: Check pressure of tires when the tires are cold and best during the morning times.
• Inspect the PSI: Put off the cover of the valve and vigorously press the gauge on the valve stem. Reading Note.
• Compared to the Recommended PSI: If it is low, add air. In case it is high, empty some air until it equals.
• Redo Precheck: Whenever adjusting, it is always advisable to recheck the pressure.
• Do It Monthly: Tire pressure also decreases over time and temperature, so needs checking monthly, especially in hot weather as this needs longer time to warm up, or cold weather when it can become low in pressure.

Pro Tip: You should not use the “max PSI” written on the side of the tire because it is not really the optimal pressure to drive every day.

Rotating the Tires: How and Why

Rotating tires can be done by interchanging their positions so that they wear equally. Poor traction and reduced life are caused between the tire due to an uneven wear.

To do it yourself or to go to a shop: Rotation involves taking out and putting back tires in a certain way. You can at home provided you have a jack, a lug wrench and sometime but many opt to have it done at a workshop.

 Recommended Interval: 5,000 to 7,000 for each mile or with each change in oil.

Measuring tire tread depth How to do it

Worn tires decrease traction, whereby in wet roads. Tread depth can also be checked, and this will ensure that your tires will be able to turn, stop, or perform.

Home D.I.Y Tread Test: The Penny Test

• Put a penny in with Lincoln facing down into the tread.
• In case you can see the end of all of Lincoln, tread has worn less than 2/32 inch, and you need to change the tire.

Want a more accurate tool? A tread depth gauge at an auto parts store is more accurate.

Symptoms That Your Tires Have Worn Out

• Cracked Sidewalls or dry rot exposed
• Uneven wear patterns suggests the truck or car may have an alignment or suspension problem.
• Worn tires with Less than 2/32″ tread depth.
• Bumps or bubbles on the tire
• Vibration at the time of driving despite balancing

Never Neglect Alignment and Balancing

Although this is not a DIY job, you should have your alignment periodically checked every 6 to 12 months or:

• Your automobile drifts to a side
• The steering wheel spreads vibration
• The tires are unevenly worn out

When it is correctly aligned, it enhances fuel economy and elongates tire life.

Smart Tire Care Make Driving Safer

Maintaining and taking care of your tires is one of the cleverest-and simplest-ways to control your vehicle performance, and safety. Need to know but do not want to do it? It is what the team at Berks Auto Repair in Reading, PA is available to do.