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Tire Center

Purchasing New Tires

You should replace your tires with the same type of tires that came on your vehicle as original equipment. This includes tire size, type and speed rating.

A local tire dealer like Burke Centre Automotive is probably the best place for the average consumer to shop for new tires. Prices can be reasonable and the service manager will help consumers select the correct tire for their vehicle.

When it is time to purchase new tires, there are a few things you should keep in mind:

Know the size and type of tire recommended by your owner's manual.
Determine your needs and priorities. What type of driving will you be doing? Do you prefer a soft ride, a firm ride, or a mix of the two?
Make sure you purchase a tire that is capable of supporting the load your vehicle might demand. Don't buy a passenger-car tire if you need a light-truck tire.
Don't buy more tire than you need. Consumers often overestimate their tire needs. In most cases, a quality all-season tire will suffice where a touring tire might be suggested.
Keep in mind that any tire selection is a balance between ride quality, noise suppression, fuel economy, wear, load capability, and cost. It's the job of the tire-store expert and the consumer to select a tire that is the right balance of each.

Tire Maintenance

Your tires are the only part of your vehicle that actually touches the road when you drive. It only takes a couple of minutes of maintenance each month to keep your tires working at their best.

Check Your Air Pressure Once a Month

Incorrect air pressure is the leading cause of tire damage. To avoid tire damage, you should check your tire's air pressure once a month.

The correct tire pressure can be found in the following places:

Owner's Manual
Gas Tank Lid
Driver's Side Door Edge
Door Post

The air pressure listed on the side of your tire is NOT the correct air pressure for your vehicle. That number is the maximum air pressure for the tire. Remember to check the air in your spare tire as well.

Failure to keep your tires properly inflated can increase wear and will have a negative effect on your vehicle's handling.

When checking and adjusting tire pressure, the following should be kept in mind:

Check the air pressure when the tire is cold -- tires become hot even after driving just a mile. If you must drive to add air, check your air pressure before you leave. Air pressure changes 1-2 pounds for every 10 degrees of temperature change. Air pressure goes up in warm weather and down in cold weather.
Tire pressure must be the same on the tires of each axle, but may be different on the front and rear axle.
Valve caps must be tightly closed to protect the valve from dust and dirt and prevent it from leaking.
Replace missing valve caps without delay.

Tread Depth

To prevent hydroplaning and skidding, your tires must have proper tread depth. The minimum tread depth is 1/16th of an inch.

Ask anyone, the easiest way to check your tread depth: the penny test. What is the penny test? Take a penny and place it in the tread of your tire. If part of Lincoln's head is covered by the tread your tires have enough tread. If you can see Lincoln's entire head, you should buy a new tire.

You should also check your tire tread for uneven wear. Irregular wear shortens the life of your tires. If you think you have uneven wear you should take your vehicle to your tire dealer.

Rotation

Tire rotation refers to the regular practice of switching the position of each tire on the car.

The best way to prevent uneven wear is to have your tires rotated every 6,000 miles or as specified in your vehicle's owner's manual. Tire rotation helps to equalize tread wear and is critical to gain the maximum life from your tire investment.

Tire-rotation time also offers a good opportunity to have the tires and wheels balanced. It's another step you can take to maximize your tire investment.