Tire Replacement

How do you know if you need new tires?

Tire wear depends on several factors, including your driving style and tire maintenance habits. Wrong size load and speed rating can void your warranty. But one sure way to know when to replace your tires is when treadwear indicators appear. A tire's built-in treadwear indicators are "wear bars" that look like narrow strips of smooth rubber across the tread and appear when it's time to replace the tire.

You also need a new tire if:

• You can see three or more treadwear indicators around the tire
• Cord or fabric is showing through the rubber
• The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut or snagged deep enough to show cord or fabric
• The tire has a bulge or split
• The tire has a puncture, cut, or damage that can't be repaired correctly

Tire Pressure

Tire Pressure

Maximize your tires' performance and durability by monitoring and maintaining correct air pressure.

Air is a gas, expanding when heated and contracting when cooled. For most of North America, fall and early winter are especially important times for checking tire pressure – as the ambient temperature falls, tire pressure goes down.

A good rule of thumb is that every 10 degrees Fahrenheit temperature change, tire pressure changes about 1 psi – higher as temperature rise, lower as they fall. Also, check your vehicle's Owner's Manual for recommended tire pressure.

Under-inflated tires can cause:

• Premature or irregular wear
• Poor handling
• Reduced fuel economy

Over-inflated tires can cause:

• Unusual wear
• Poor handling
• Reduced fuel economy

Checking Air Pressure

Check your vehicle's tires at least once a month, when the tires are cold (let the vehicle sit for at least 3 hours). Look in your owner's manual for the recommended tire inflation for your vehicle. Use a quality gauge. Don't "eyeball" tires – radial tires can look fine even when they're under-inflated.

Be sure to look for objects that have become wedged in the tread – they can work themselves further into the tire and cause air loss.

And don't forget to check the spare!

Tire Rotation & Alignment

Tire Rotation

Since each tire performs different tasks (such as steering or front versus rear wheel drive), tires wear at different rates. Rotating your tires at recommended intervals extends their useful life and achieves more uniform tire wear.

It's important to rotate your tires according to the correct tire rotation pattern. Front tires encounter different tasks than the rear tires. And a front-wheel-drive car's tires perform different tasks than those on a rear-wheel-drive car. Your owner's manual specifies which rotation pattern is right for your vehicle.

Your vehicle's front and rear tires may also use different pressures – make sure to adjust individual tire pressure to the recommendation for each wheel position. See your Owner's Manual for recommendations.

Wheel Rust or Dirt

Rust or dirt may not allow proper tightening of the lug nuts and a wheel may loosen over time. When you have your tires rotated, be sure to remove any rust or dirt from places where the wheel attaches to the vehicle and torque the wheel lug nuts to the specification in your Owner's Manual. In an emergency, you can use a cloth or paper towel, but be sure to use a scraper or wire brush later to remove all rust or dirt and torque to specifications.

Also, remember that rotating your tires won't correct wear problems caused by worn mechanical parts or incorrect inflation pressures.

Wheel Alignment & Tire Balance

If you notice unusual tire wear or that your vehicle "pulls" one way or the other, the wheel alignment may need to be reset. If you notice your vehicle vibrating on a smooth road, your wheels may be out of balance.

A tire that is out of balance often affects ride quality and can shorten the life of tires, bearings, shocks, and other suspension components. A speed-dependent vibration – becoming noticeable around 45 mph and increasing as speed increases is probably balance-related.

Tire Alignment

Alignment is critical for ensuring that you get maximum wear and performance from your tires. Poor alignment results from your car's suspension and steering system becoming out of adjustment with each other. The biggest indicators of your vehicle being out of alignment are a "pulling" one way or the other as your drive or unusual tire wear. Improper tire inflation can also cause unusual tire wear.

Brake Service

If your brake pedal feels different than normal or if you've noticed any change in the way your vehicle brakes (pulls to one side when braking or requires more pressure on the brake pedal), have the brake system inspected immediately.

When Is Brake Noise Signaling A Problem?

Sometimes your vehicle's brakes will alert you when there is trouble. Whistling noises, chirping sounds or grinding are indicators that maintenance is required. Here are some common causes of brake noise.

• Worn brake pads
• Heat cracked or worn "un-true" rotors
• Rough finish on resurfaced rotors
• Loose fitting brake pads in the caliper
• Lack of silicone compound on back of brake pad
• Missing springs or anti-rattle clips that should be on the caliper or pad
• Improper tightening sequence of lug nuts or caliper hardware

Vehicles often come equipped with a small thin piece of metal attached to the brake pad to act as a warning indicator when the pad material is getting low and the brake pads should be replaced. This device makes a loud noise on brake application, letting you know it is time to have your brakes serviced.

Getting Ready For Warm Weather

As temperatures increase, so do the demands made on your vehicle. So make sure your vehicle is up to summer's challenge.

What You Can Do:

• Check tire tread depth for excessive and uneven wear

• In extreme summer temperatures, you may have to change the grade of your engine oil. Check your owner's manual for the viscosity grade recommended for your vehicle's engine.

• Check the cooling system – both hoses and radiator – for leaks. Check the coolant recovery reservoir under the hood when the engine is cold. Add the coolant recommended in your Owner's Manual, if required. Replace conventional coolant every two years or 60,000 miles.

• Have the air conditioning system checked

• After a winter of coughing and sneezing, combined with allergens, bacteria and mold, you might need to replace your cabin air filter and thoroughly clean or vacuum interior surfaces.

• Maintenance needs vary with different uses and driving conditions. See your Owner's Manual for more information.

Getting Ready For Cold Weather

You wouldn't head out into cold weather without your warm clothes. Your vehicle faces similar challenges as temperatures drop. The bottom line: it needs a little extra care. A little preparation before winter sets in may help prevent major headaches later.

What You Can Do:

• Make sure you have a heavy-duty ice scraper in your vehicle

• Cold weather reduces tire pressure, so check tire pressure often. See your Owner's Manual for directions and details.

• In severe winter temperatures, you may have to change the grade of your engine oil. Check your vehicle's Owner's Manual for the viscosity grade recommended for your vehicle's engine.

• Check your wiper blades. Cold temperatures can make blades brittle, and ice on the windshield can cause nicks in the blades, decreasing performance.

• Cold weather effects battery efficiency. Most cold-weather breakdowns occur because batteries aren't delivering full cranking power. It is a good idea to have a technician check your battery and make sure battery cables are corrosion-free.