Tire safety is an important, yet often overlooked aspect of vehicle maintenance. Your tires need regular inspection and maintenance to maximize mileage and safety. Both cheap tires and top of the line are subject to normal and abnormal wear and tear. Proper upkeep will help protect your investment, and keep you safe on the road.

1. Step 1

   Rotate tires every 6,000 to 8,000 miles, or more often if necessary to keep tread wear equal.

2. Step 2

   Have your tires rebalanced every other rotation to further promote even wear and a smoother ride.

3. Step 3

   Keep the air pressure at the manufacturer’s recommended level, which can be found on the vehicle placard. The vehicle placard is found usually inside the driver’s side door jam. Air pressure should be checked at least once a month, when the tires are cool. Proper air pressure can improve gas mileage.

4. Step 4

   Keep your vehicle in proper alignment, both front and rear end. Tires on a vehicle that is out of alignment will have abnormal wear and tear.

5. Step 5

   Inspect your tires regularly for excessive wear, cuts in the tread or sidewall and any other visible damage.

6. Step 6

   Replace worn out tires when the built in wear bars become visible across the tread surface.

7. Step 7

   In the event of a flat tire, do not use “Fix a Flat” type products. Have the tire inspected and repaired if possible. If not, replace the tire.

8. Step 8

   Newer cars may have Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) which uses sensors to monitor air pressure and alert you if the pressure is significantly low. TPMS components can degrade, and in turn cause faulty sensor operation. Have the wearable components of the system replaced each time a tire is serviced.

9. Step 9

   Have your tires professionally inspected by Metro Auto. Our trained technicians can spot problems that you may not see.