Tires are a vital part of your car, truck or SUV. They are the point of contact between your vehicle and the highway, quite literally, “where the rubber meets the road.” Thus, it’s critical that you pay attention to their condition – and when appropriate, swap them out for a new set. Face it, if your shoes are getting worn out, you’ll opt for a sturdier new pair; your tires play a key safety factor in your daily life. So when is the right time to purchase new tires? Peruzzi Toyota offers these helpful guidelines.
The wear on your tires depends on many things, including road conditions, driving habits, the model of your vehicle – even the weather in your area. One tried-and-true test of wear requires nothing more than a penny. Insert the penny into the tire grooves, with Lincoln’s head pointing down. If you can’t see much of the head, the tread is still in pretty good shape. However, the more of his head that you can see indicates how worn down your tires have become – and it’s time for a new set.
Driving on worn treads can increase the likelihood of dangerous skids (on snow, ice or wet roadways) as well as blowouts.
Now, once you’ve purchased those new tires, you’ll want to keep them in peak condition for as long as possible. Checking that they’re properly inflated is one go-to action; having them rotated and balanced is another.
Rotating the tires involves having them removed from each wheel and moved to a different position in order for the treads to wear more evenly. The owner’s manual on your Toyota vehicle will suggest a tire rotation schedule, but generally speaking, every six months or 6-8,000 miles is a good practice. This will go a long way towards making those new tires last longer. More importantly, it will keep you and your family safer on the road.
Got any questions? The service experts at Peruzzi Toyota are always happy to help.
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