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How To: Spring Tire Care & Maintenance
The tires on your car or truck are an essential part of your overall driving safety. Winter weather and temperature fluctuations, including potholes and hidden debris can damage those tires. To help get the most life out of your investment, save money, and improve your safety during the rainy season, we have some springtime tire care tips.
Value-Added Free Services Included
The tires you buy at Les Schwab include America’s Best Tire Warranty. That warranty includes our no-hassle road hazard protection, a 60-day satisfaction guarantee, and free tire maintenance including flat repairs, rotations, rebalancing, and air checks at any Les Schwab location.
Keep Up with Your Tread Depth
The tread on your tires helps you stay in control. As the depth of your tread retreats, you’re more likely to hydroplane in rainy weather. Stopping distance can also be affected.
Before you’re caught off-guard, understand how long do tires last and plan to get your tread depth checked at any Les Schwab every other month. Want to do it on your own? All you need is a penny and these three steps:
- Place the penny with Lincoln’s head facing down between two ribs on your tires.
- If part of Lincoln’s head is covered, your tires may still be okay.
- If you can see the whole head (including his hair), get to Les Schwab.
Check Your Tire Pressure Regularly
The air pressure in your tires can affect your driving safety and fuel/range efficiency. To save money and stay safe on the road, check yours every month. Especially if they haven’t been checked all winter, as the change in seasons can affect the air pressure.
Not sure how much air pressure to put in your tires? The recommended PSI (pounds per square inch) for your tires is printed on a label on the driver’s side door jamb. You can also find it in your owner’s manual. Learn more about air pressure, how to check it, and how to put air in your tires. Or stop by any Les Schwab and we’ll check your air pressure and top them off for free.
Inspect Your Tires for Damage
Whether it’s a set of winter, all-season, or performance tires, it’s a good idea to check them for damage from winter conditions, including potholes, and more. Look for nicks, chips, and divots along the tread of your tires, as well as bulges and cuts on the sidewall. If you find anything, bring your vehicle to Les Schwab for a free tire inspection.
Make Sure to Rotate Your Tires
Rotating your tires helps extend their life, which saves you money. We recommend getting yours rotated every 5,000 miles. As spring and summer roll into view, now is the perfect time to get them done. If you have Les Schwab tires, we’ll rotate them for free.
Don’t Forget to Align Your Vehicle
Thanks to hidden potholes and other road hazards, winter months can cause your vehicle to go out of alignment. This spring, get your alignment checked at Les Schwab. Once it’s done, you’ll get more life out of your tires, increase your fuel/range efficiency, and add safety to every adventure.
Driving Tips for Wet Weather
Eventually, you’re going to face rainy springtime weather and standing water on the road. Here are a few tips to help maintain control and avoid an accident.
- Know what to do if you hydroplane: We have some tips to help you avoid hydroplaning and what to do if it happens to you.
- Wait for the storm to pass: Just a few minutes can save you from the possibility of hydroplaning or worse.
- Turn on your headlights: This helps you see better and allows other drivers to see you. Keep your headlights on low to avoid glare in rainstorms.
- Slow down: You’re less likely to hydroplane at or below 35 MPH (miles per hour).
- Leave room between vehicles: With reduced visibility and braking distance, leave plenty of room between you and the car ahead of you.
- Don’t use cruise control: Using cruise control in a rainstorm can cause your tires to spin faster if you start to hydroplane.
- Carefully drive through puddles or water running across the road: That water might not look deep, but as little as 12-inches of moving water can be dangerous. Additionally, driving through a puddle can stall your engine and leave you stranded if enough water gets into the intake or exhaust.
- Stay in your lane: As you move out of the tracks created by the vehicle in front of you, your tires will need to move more water to maintain contact with the road. This can cause you to hydroplane.
Stay Safe this Spring with Les Schwab Tires
Maintaining your tires can add to your family’s safety and help save you money. Instead of facing the wet, slick roads unprepared, stop by Les Schwab. We’ll give your tires a professional inspection, check the air pressure, and take a look at your alignment, shocks, struts, and brakes. Schedule your free pre-trip safety check today.