Tire Rotation and Pressure: A Simple Routine
Tires are the only part of your car that touches the road, and they wear faster when pressure is off or when the same tires stay in the same position for too long. A small routine goes a long way.
How often should you check tire pressure?
Check it at least once a month and before long trips, with the tires cold, meaning the car has sat for a few hours or been driven only a short distance. The correct number is on the placard inside the driver door jamb, not on the tire sidewall.
Low pressure wears the outer edges of the tread, hurts fuel economy and can overheat the tire. Over-inflation wears the center and reduces grip. Temperature swings change pressure too, so check again when the weather turns.
How often should tires be rotated?
A common interval is every 5,000 to 7,500 miles, or at every other oil change. Your owner’s manual has the exact recommendation for your vehicle. Rotating moves each tire to a new position so they wear evenly, since front and rear tires wear differently.
How do you know when tires are worn out?
- Tread depth: tires are generally considered worn out at 2/32 of an inch. Wear bars molded into the grooves become flush with the tread when you reach it.
- Uneven wear: feathering, cupping or bald edges point to alignment, balance or suspension problems worth fixing, not just replacing.
- The TPMS light: the tire pressure warning means at least one tire is significantly low. Check all four, including the spare if your car has one.
What should you do next?
Set a monthly reminder for pressure and book a rotation at your next oil change. If you notice vibration, pulling or uneven wear, bring the car in and we will check the tires, alignment and suspension together.
Ready to have it looked at?
Book an appointment and we will take care of your car, with straight answers before any work begins.