It’s important to get your tires ready for each new season, including spring. Spring brings in lots of rain, and the fluctuating temperatures can cause potholes to form on the roads. Thus, your tires need to be in tip-top shape to manage the conditions and obstacles. Check out this tire checklist for springtime to ensure your car is road-ready.
Swap Your Winter Tires
If you installed winter tires to handle the snow, you need to swap them out for all-season tires this spring. Otherwise, the warm temperatures will cause your winter tires to wear down faster than normal. That means they might not make it through next winter.
Check the Tire Pressure
Air condenses in the cold and expands in the heat, so your tires might not have optimal pressure right now. Driving with under-inflated tires is dangerous. Plus, you’ll burn through more fuel, and your tires will wear out faster if they’re low on air. Thus, use a tire gauge to check the pressure before driving. Also, recheck your tires each month.
Inspect the Tread
Your tires need enough tread to maintain traction when you’re driving. Thus, driving on worn tires increases the risk of hydroplaning. You could also end up with a blowout if your tires are too worn. With that in mind, it’s important to check the tread this season.
You can use the penny or quarter test for this. In both instances, turn the coin upside down, with Lincoln or Washington facing you. Then, slide it between the tread.
If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head during the penny test, your tires only have a 2/32-inch tread depth. That means you need to replace your tires right away.
On the other hand, you have a tread depth of 4/32-inch if you can see the top of Washington’s head during the quarter test. While you don’t have to replace the tires immediately, you’ll need to do so soon. In fact, many people choose to replace their tires at this point before the tread depth impacts safety and performance.
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Make Sure Your Tires are Aligned, Balanced, and Rotated
Finally, it’s a good idea to take your car to a mechanic to get your tires aligned, balanced, and rotated. These maintenance tasks will ensure optimal handling while promoting even wear. That means your tires should last longer.
Amigo Toyota in Gallup, New Mexico, can help you get your tires ready for spring. Our technicians can check your tires, perform maintenance, and install new ones if needed.
What if your car can’t handle another season? We can help you find your next new or pre-owned vehicle. You can browse our inventory online or head over to look in person.
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