Pep Boys Suggests Four Quick, Inexpensive Checks For Your Tires
17 May 2000
Pep Boys Suggests Four Quick, Inexpensive Checks For Your Tires Before Hitting the Open Road This Summer
PHILADELPHIA--May 17, 2000--Pep Boys knows the open road is beckoning now that spring has arrived.But Pep Boys' top service expert reminds drivers to take a minute to check the condition of their tires before heading to the beach, mountains or embarking on a warm-weather cruise.
"As durable and trouble-free as modern tires have become, they still need a little maintenance to get the full potential out of them," says Bruce Chidsey, Vice President of Service Operations. "There are some quick, inexpensive steps to take to maximize tire life and ensure passenger safety."
He recommends keeping track of these four critical areas:
Tire Inflation
"Checking tire pressure regularly, and especially before a long trip, is the single most important thing drivers can do to increase safety and extend tire life. Improper inflation can increase tire wear, waste gas and cause flats and accidents."
"The correct pressure for your tires is listed in your owner's manual and on the tire placard, usually found on the inside of the glove compartment lid, or on a door or door jamb. You should take the pressure readings with your own tire gauge, which is probably more accurate than the gauge at a service station air pump. If the gauge is suspect, ask the service station professional to loan you a better gauge."
"Recommended pressures are for cold tires," he notes, "so check the pressure before you start driving. Warm tires will show higher numbers than cold pressures, so adjust your inflation accordingly."
Tire Inspection
"When you check the pressure, inspect your tires. Look for uneven tread wear -- usually a sign of incorrect inflation -- unbalanced or misaligned suspension, weak shocks or struts, or suspension wear or damage."
"Excessive wear near both edges of the tread usually means under-inflation. Hard wear at the tread's centerline usually means over-inflation. A `scalloping effect' at the edges of the tread indicates misalignment or wheel imbalance. Cupping in the center generally indicates weak shocks or struts."
"Also, check the tread depth. Tires have built-in tread wear indicators that appear when the tread gets down to 1/16 inch. It's past time for new tires when these tread bars appear as narrow strips across the tread."
"Examine the tire sidewalls, too. Look for cuts, breaks and bubbles that can result from damage beneath the surface of the tire. Also, be on the lookout for potential leaks, such as dented wheel rim edges and valve stems that have deteriorated."
Tire Rotation
"Check the owner's manual for the proper rotation sequence. Rotating your tires every 6,000 to 8,000 miles tends to allow your tires to wear evenly, adding to their lifespan. It's especially important on front-wheel drive cars, because their drive wheels wear tires harder than rear-wheel drive cars, due to the added strain of steering, the weight of the powertrain and the front wheels doing most of the braking.
Wheel Alignment
"Making sure your suspension is properly aligned will add years to your tires' life, help in stopping the vehicle evenly and ensure you have a vehicle that handles properly. Uneven tire wear, tire squeal when cornering or a crooked steering wheel are some indicators that you need an alignment."
"Make sure you have all four wheels aligned. This is extremely important on front wheel drive vehicles. Aligning to the thrust angle of the rear wheels is important on all vehicles. Check your owner's manual for the correct intervals for an alignment check or adjustments."
Wheel Balancing
"When it comes time to replace the tires, and periodically throughout the tires' life, make sure to have the wheels balanced through spin balancing. Spin balancing does a better job of fighting high-speed vibration and uneven tread wear."
